Sing Christmas 2011 was probably the best yet, according to the responses already received, such as:

“The best night yet, at least 150 in the Bulls Head Cosby. So packed out it was difficult to count!  Everyone singing gustily!”   Ros Clark, St Michael & All Angels Church.

“What a great evening! Just under 70 people at the Bell Inn, Frisby on the Wreake.  Everyone who came into the pub readily joining in with the singing.”    Vic Allsop, County Ecumenical Development Officer for Churches Together in Leicestershire.

“Sing Christmas at Badger Court, Loughborough was a great success. Even more people came this year. The programme was really good.”   Isabel Smith, Pastoral Assistant, St. Mary-in-Charnwood, Nanptantan.

Thousands of people in over 100 community venues and at home sang along. Over 250 text messages were received during the live broadcast. See the photo gallery.

Over 100 pubs, clubs, community centres, churches, care and residential homes and many other venues in Leicester, and in towns and villages across the region, are taking part in Sing Christmas. You’re invited to your nearest venue to sing along at 7pm on Monday 19 December. To join in at home see the Song Sheet.

We want to find out Leicestershire’s favourite Christmas carol from the ten chosen for Sing Christmas 2011. We’ll then sing them in popularity order in the live broadcast on Monday 19 December 7-8pm. Please vote on the Highcross Leicester Facebook page from 23 November to 10am on 2 December.

We hope you are planning to join in with Sing Christmas on Monday 19 December 7-8pm.  Already over 60 pubs, clubs, community centres, care homes, churches etc have registered to sing along with the live broadcast on BBC Radio Leicester, and more are being added. Register your venue now.

The Christmas story from the Bible will be read by award-winning actor, TV and film star Robert Hardy;  BBC 1′s Over the Rainbow finalist Lauren Samuels, now starring in We Will Rock You; the UK’s fitness expert Rosemary Conley; TV gardener Ady Dayman; and BBC Radio Leicester’s Ben Jackson.

Sing Christmas will be launched on the John Florance Show on Sunday 20 November at around 8.30am.

You can now download and print the Song Sheet, including the Running Order. The ten traditional carols will be sung in popularity order from the results of a poll on Facebook organised by Highcross Leicester. We’ll provide a link when the vote goes live.

Award-winning actor, TV and film star Robert Hardy will be reading the Christmas story in the Sing Christmas 2011 broadcast on Monday 19 December 7-8pm, along with the UK’s fitness expert Rosemary Conley. More celebrities will be announced soon.

The Notes for Venues gives you all the information you need to plan to join in with Sing Christmas. There’s also a Poster and Invitations which you can personalise for your venue. See Resources.

Pubs, clubs, community centres, care and residential homes, churches – anywhere people come together can register now to join in with Sing Christmas 2011 on Monday 19 December 7-8pm. On the night simply tune in to BBC Radio Leicester and sing along. Free resources, including invitations, posters and the song sheet, available soon.

The carols for Sing Christmas 2011 have been announced and it’s probably the best selection yet - Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, While Shepherds Watched, Joy to the World, In the Bleak Midwinter, We Three Kings, Once in Royal David’s City and O Come All Ye Faithful.  All led by the choir of St Thomas Church, South Wigston and the Wigston Brass Ensemble.

The Christmas Thought and Blessing in the Sing Christmas broadcast will be given by Bishop Christopher Boyle, Assistant Bishop of Leicester. Dave Andrews and John Florance of BBC Radio Leicester will introduce the live broadcast at 7pm on Monday 19 December from the new St Martins House, next to Leicester Cathedral.

The date for this year’s BBC Leicester Big Christmas Sing is:

Monday 19 December 7pm – 8pm

If you’re involved with a pub, club, community centre, care home or wherever people come together – plan to tune in and SING CHRISTMAS.  Churches are invited to help local venues take part.

Around 100 venues joined in with Sing Christmas last year.