Joyce de Souza, Elvis Fernandes and a group of carol singers at Wembley-London in December 2024.
LONDON
In a bid to promote and preserve the Goan tradition of singing carols on the streets and outside homes, two Goan social workers have been conducting carol serenading in Wembley-London for the third year in a row.
Joyce de Souza, Constituency of the Labour Party (CLP) Women’s Officer in the Labour Party of Brent West Parliamentary Constituency, and her husband, Elvis Fernandes, the General Committee (GC) delegate of the Constituency of the Labour Party (CLP) organised a group of about 40-50 children and adults to take part in the carol singing sessions.
“The best way to bring in Christmas is by singing carols and getting the community together,” said Joyce.
“In Goa, children and adults would go out serenading in December in local wards and this is a part of our Goan tradition and culture. We were missing this in the U.K. and that’s why we are organising the Wembley carol singing on streets and avenues for the last three years in Wembley.”
“This year too, we conducted the carol singing from December 19 to December 23 in different avenues and streets of Wembley Hill and Wembley Central wards.”
Elvis and Joyce said the first carol singing session took place on London Road, Wembley Hill on December 15 from 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm.
“There are many residents especially the elderly people from the diverse community who appreciated the children for bringing in the Christmas cheer. There was a lady in tears as she was feeling lonely just before the children reached her door. She said that the children singing Christmas carols are sent by God as angels at that moment. The children and the residents felt the magic with their Christmas spirit uplifted,” said Elvis.
“When the community comes together to sing carols, it spreads the Christmas cheer to many residents who are happy to receive us at their doorsteps. There are families who feel kind of isolated as they are away from their native place and extended families. It’s great joy to see people having a smile at this wonderful time of the year.”
“Even the differently-abled adults and children, and elderly residents feel this joy at Christmas when the children sing carols to them. carol singing help create the magic and the feeling of belonging to a wider community.”
A file photo of Joyce de Souza, Elvis Fernandes and a group of carol singers at Wembley-London in December 2023.
Added Joyce: Residents have been very happy to welcome us. They thank us for lighting up the festive spirit and bringing in the Christmas cheer especially the families, elderly people who are lonely and even local business proprietors. They appreciate the fact that we come out in the cold, knock on doorsteps and go carol serenading in shops, offices and business establishments.”
Joyce and Elvis also organised a party for children who participated in the Christmas carols singing sessions and their families at the St John Community Hall in Wembley on December 28. This party consisted of a presentation of the nativity scene, group singing performances, group dances with performances and solo singers/dancers, snacks, refreshments and a buffet. DJ Frank provided the music at the party. Gifts were given to every child participating in the carol singing session.
