Our annual Carol Concert was a truly beautiful evening

Earlier this month, on the 8th of December, we hosted Honeypot 25th anniversary Carol Concert at Romsey Abbey in Hampshire. In retrospect of our cancelled events in 2021, we were delighted to be able to host the concert this year and were pleased to welcome over two hundred local supporters to the Abbey.

From poetry to Choir singing, raffles and Honeypot stories from young carers, everyone had an enjoyable and truly Christmassy evening. And for all those who unfortunately could not attend the event in person, we were able to live stream the concert via (see Youtube video below).

It was so lovely to bring the whole community together and celebrate the successes from the past year. The event was a great fundraising success too, raising a grand total of £5,057 with all funds going towards Residential Breaks at our local Honeypot House. Giving the children something to look forward to in the New Year is a fantastic gift, and we were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and generosity of our supporters, given the reduced number of guests who attended the concert and the challenges we faced with regards to Covid restrictions . All this was only possible because of local sponsors and volunteers who helped to cover all event related costs, meaning that 100% of all money raised through ticket sales and raffle tickets, and donations made on the night (and afterwards due to the live streaming) will go directly to supporting young carers.

Organising and event for several hundred people is extremely challenging at the moment and requires a lot of contingency planning and spontaneity from both the event host and anyone attending the event, both performers and speakers, and the audience. Not everyone was able to attend on the day, but we were quickly able to find solutions through the wonders of modern day technology.

We did everything possible to keep people safe on the night, and felt blessed that so many Honeypot families and young carers, Walhampton School Chapel Choir and children from referral schools for the Redbridge and Lordshill Primary Federation were still able to contribute towards the concert through pre-recorded audio clips of them talking, and singing and reading poems.

Not only were we able to hear from guests, but we were able to welcome to the stand a number of Honeypot employees who spoke about our past, present and future plans! Viv Carter, Community Engagement Manager, talked us through the history of Honeypot and key milestones of what we’ve achieved over the last 25 years, while Martin Bailey, who oversees our learning programme SEAL and the work with local schools, spoke about what it is like to be a member of staff working with the children on Respite and Learning Breaks. Hugh Whitaker, one our trustees used the opportunity to share Honeypot’s exciting plans for the near future.

It goes without saying that the music brought all of the wonderful elements of the evening together. Delicious Sounds Choir were sensational in person and a sextet even stood up and sang “You Raise Me Up” in place of Walhampton School Chapel Choir who could not attend. Veronika Weisfeitova from Czeckmate performed Mozart’s Andante C major and Faure’s Sicilienne on the flute, which was truly beautiful to listen to.

Another huge thank you goes to Penny Wade and Ian Nicholls, our photographers, all businesses, shops and individuals who donated raffle prices (see list below), and of course to every generous donor who helped make the event possible.

Headline Sponsors:

Selwood and Bradbeers Commercial Furnishing

Event Sponsors:

Fairweathers Garden Centre, Clear Vision Financial Management Ltd, Minuteman Press, Breckenridge Agency,  Luminique Events & Harvest Fine Foods

Raffle prizes donated:

  • Overnight stay for two at Macdonald Elmers Court Hotel, Lymington donated by Macdonald Elmers Court Hotel, Lymington

  • The Body Shop Share Love & Joy Ultimate Advent Calendar donated by The Body Shop

  • Afternoon Tea for two at The Montagu Arms Hotel, Beaulieu donated by The Montagu Arms Hotel, Beaulieu

  • Honeypot Christmas Hamper with donations from Tesco Hythe Superstore and Waitrose Dibden (Hythe) Store

  • Three Bottles of Château de Beauregard, Saint-Véran La Roche 2015 White Wine donated by Hugh Whitaker

Happy Christmas and a great start to the New Year. Roll on 2022!

Guest User