VIDEO: Seasonal service in Portsmouth Cathedral raises funds for Rowans Hospice

Portsmouth Cathedral in Old Portsmouth played host to the festive service, which was combined with a Christmas fair in aid of The Rowans Hospice.

A touching service led by The Very Reverend David Brindley, the Dean of Portsmouth, was accompanied by festive hymns and readings.

The Horndean Band provided music while the barbershop group Havant Pitchpipers also delivered some festive delights with a compilation of Christmas songs.

Visitors perused a variety of stalls before and after the service with Christmas gifts, candles, jams and more festive-based goods on sale.

Ruth White, chief executive of The Rowans Hospice, said: ‘For me, this service always feel like the start of Christmas and it was a truly beautiful service.

‘At this time of year, it can all a bit frantic for people as the commercialisation of Christmas can sometimes take over, so it was nice to be able to have people come, sing some carols and reflect in a quiet space.

Ms White performed a poem at the service called A Puppy’s Christmas.

She added that she was hoping to see more people attend the event over the coming years, saying: ‘It’s a lovely event for us and we would love to see more people come down in the future and help raise its stature in the years to come.’

Revd Brindley, who is a trustee of the hospice, said: ‘It’s wonderful to be able to host a service like this and that people want to come here.

‘I think the work the charity does is fantastic and absolutely necessary.

‘The hospice touches the lives of everybody in our community.’

Some of the carols sung included Hark, The Herald Angels Sing and Away In A Manger.

Elizabeth Emms, honorary chairman added: ‘Christmas can sometimes be a sad time for some at the hospice so we like to mark it as an important time for families to be with one another.

‘Events like this really raise awareness of what the hospice does at this time of year.

‘This service was to bring people together and I hope we achieved that aim.’

The hospice is set to hold its Lake of Lights service at Canoe Lake in Southsea on Friday.

It will start at 5.45pm for those wanting to attend.