The Band’s Christmas season began on the first weekend in December, starting on the 1st with Fairford Leys Carols. This is held every year in Hampden Square in the Fairford Leys district of Aylesbury. The Band entertained the gathering crowd with a couple of Christmas pieces, including Let it Snow, then the local church and school choirs combined to sing a couple of Christmas songs. After this the band accompanied the crowd singing carols, and then Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer to let Father Christmas know where to come. Of course nobody sang loud enough, so they had to sing it again. This time Father Christmas did arrive, and handed out sweets and gifts for the children.
Then on the 2nd the Band went to St Mary’s Church to provide music for the Mayor’s Carol Service. Each year the Mayor invites local dignitaries, charity organisers and members of other civic organisations, as well as the public, to the carol service. As the Mayor arrived in procession from the town, some of the Band’s brass played a fanfare, then the Band and the organist accompanied the congregation is singing carols, interspersed with Christmas Bible readings. Broughton Junior School Choir sung a couple of items, including Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, with appropriate actions. One of the clergy read a version of the Christmas story which cleverly quoted the names of a lot of television programmes, while the Rector handed out sweets to any of the children (and adults too) who put up their hand when they recognised one. Then after the last carol, O come, all ye faithful, The Band played We Wish You a Merry Christmas and Sleigh Ride as members of Aylesbury Town Council handed out mulled wine and mince pies.