Mencap announces Christmas carol concert featuring revered British authors

Wednesday 14 November 2012

Learning disability charity Mencap’s annual Christmas Carols by Candlelight concert will take place on Wednesday 5 December at St Bartholomew the Great church in London.

St Bartholomew the Great is the oldest church in London and its stunning setting provides the perfect venue for a truly magical service, blending traditional Christmas songs, carols and readings by very special guests.

This year’s readers will include revered British authors Sebastian Faulks, Patricia Hodge, Roy Hudd and Penny Vincenzi. All guests are invited for drinks and delicious canapés in the cloisters of the church after the service, where they will also be joined by this year’s readers.

Penny Vincenzi is one of the UK's best-loved and most popular authors. She says:

I am so happy to be returning to read at Mencap’s beautiful Carols by Candlelight service. It is always an exquisite event, set in a truly wonderful church, where people can come together for a traditional festive treat, all in aid of Mencap.

Tickets are selling fast at £40 and are available from www.mencap.org.uk/carols

- ENDS -

Notes to editors

For more information please contact Lisa Gilbert, PR Officer, on 020 7696 6950 or Lisa.Gilbert@mencap.org.uk

About Carols by Candlelight

Mencap’s Carols by Candlelight will take place on Wednesday 5 December 2012 at 6.30pm, at The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield, London, EC1. Tickets are £40 and can be purchased from www.mencap.org.uk/carols

About Mencap

Mencap is the voice of learning disability. Everything we do is about supporting people with a learning disability, and their families and carers. We work to improve services, challenge prejudice and directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.

www.mencap.org.uk

About learning disability

A learning disability is caused by the way the brain develops before, during or shortly after birth. It is always lifelong and affects someone's intellectual and social development. It used to be called mental handicap but this term is outdated and offensive. Learning disability is NOT a mental illness. The term learning difficulty is often incorrectly used interchangeably with learning disability.