SINGING carols is one of the great traditions of Christmas in South Cumbria and today’s pictures from The Mail’s archive show some of the many concerts and informal places where festive music has been enjoyed.

Some of the pictures show Carols at the Coro in 2002 and this year’s event is being held from 2pm on Saturday, December 14.

There will be music from Ulverston Town Band, Croftlands Junior School Choir and Ulverston Choral Society.

The event is free but you need a ticket, which is available from the box office. The Ulverston Town Council event will have a collection for the mayor’s charities.

On Tuesday, December 17, in 2002, The Mail said that the junior section of Ulverston Town Band greeted guests with a Yuletide singalong of carols.

The brass and percussion ensemble of Croftlands Junior School played Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and there were seasonal songs from Andrew Ridal.

More music was provided by Ceader – Ron and Janice Eadington and Dave and Sheena Cooper – with seasonal melodies.

In December 1999 youngsters from Abbotsmead Junior School provided a carol concert for shoppers on Barrow’s Abbey Road.

Members of the Vickers Youth Band entertained shoppers at Barrow Indoor Market in 2002 and got a hand with the collecting tin from mayor Dave Pidduck and mayoress Michelle Roberts.

The same year saw Barrow town centre packed with junior carol singers as cash was collected for the work of Save the Children.

The Mail, on December 9, noted: “Shoppers in Dalton Road had their spirits lifted as pupils from Greengate Junior School sang Christmas carols to raise money for a children’s charity.

“The youngsters gathered together outside the Adams childrenswear store and managed to raise £138.”

Next to sing outside the store were youngsters from St George’s School, Barrow, as part of a series of festive events designed to raise a total of £ 1,000 for Save the Children.