GLOUCESTER Cathedral’s choirs are limbering up for a marathon carol-singing session on Saturday 13 December.

Aimed specifically at the busy Christmas shopper, Carols on the Hour are bite-sized bursts of festive praise sung by the Cathedral choirs on the hour between 11am and 4pm.

First up is the Cathedral Junior Choir at 11am and noon. They are boys and girls aged eight-13 years who sing together on Saturday mornings and at various services in the Cathedral. The choir is free to join and no audition is necessary.

At 1pm and 2pm, it’s the turn of the Cathedral Youth Choir. The choir is made up of 40 boys and girls aged 13-18. The choir sings Evensong each week in the Cathedral and at other major Cathedral services, such as midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

At 3pm and 4pm the Cathedral Choir will take over. Today’s choir is the successor to the boys and monks of the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter, who sang for daily worship nine centuries ago. During recent years the choir has sung regularly on BBC Radio 3 live broadcasts and is in demand for concerts and services nationwide.

Alongside the carol services from 10am to 4.30pm will be the Cathedral’s Christmas Market in the Cloisters and Chapter House. Now in it’s third year there are over 50 stalls selling locally made crafts, Christmas cakes and chocolates, stained glass, jewellery and vintage collectibles. There will be festive refreshments for sale in the Chapter House and the Cathedral Coffee Shop. Don’t forget to visit the Cathedral Gift Shop while you are here to find that special Christmas gift.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of Carols On The Hour , the Cathedral is holding a second day of festive praise on Saturday, December 20. These services will be sung by Adult Choirs. Kicking off proceedings at 11am and noon will be The Caring Chorus Community Choir, followed at 1pm and 2pm by The Stuart Singers and rounding the day off at 3pm and 4pm by Christchurch Cheltenham.