The 17th concert at Ilkley Baptist Church in aid of street children’s charities raised £1,564.

The young singers of Northern Youth and The Choral Scholars and Friends met up with tenor James Griffett for a quick rehearsal, before launching into a feast of seasonal music.

Admission was free, but a retiring collection raised £1,564 for charities in India, Romania and Haiti.

The opening four pieces were the same as ever, opening with Perspice Christicula, to the tune of Sumer Is Icumin In, but with the addition this year of Stephen Davis on recorder.

Plainchant, Gaudete and The Boar’s Head completed the opening set.

The nine youngest singers, ranging from seven to 14 years of age, touched everyone’s hearts with their performance of How Far Is It To Bethlehem, most of them having solos.

Two less seasonal pieces followed, the solo quartet Strange Adventure from Gilbert and Sullivan’s Yeoman Of The Guard, with Ruby Hendry and Chris Trenholme singing parts that they will be repeating in Bingley G&S Society’s next production in March.

There was also the additional pleasure of Sophie Green’s violin accompaniment to this and to Gentle Annie, with James Griffett and a trio of men’s voices.

The Anonymous 13th Century Dultia recorder duet was played by Stephen Davis and Gitanjali Aishwarya, with Matthew Parry on tabor, giving yet another new flavour to the concert.

Tom Kyle’s spoken words from Unicef’s Charter on the Rights of the Child hit home, so the second half began somberly.

But the final carols, including a marvellous The Three Kings with Chris Trenholme again as the soloist, Down in Yon Forest and ending with Holst’s Personent Hodie rounded off the concert, with pianist Alison Davies’ contribution as the accompanist warmly applauded.