Elstow Abbey to host drive-in carol concert in pub car park in Bedford

You can Christingle in your car this year as Elstow Abbey Church has organised two drive-in services.

Vicar Father Paul Messam and friends have arranged the services in the Red Lion car park in Elstow to allow people to join carol concerts, as singing remains banned in churches.

Up to 90 cars can be fitted into the space and Father Paul has secured a special Ofcom Licence for a radio broadcast of both events to a one-mile radius of the show, so people can tune in at home.

A hymn sheet will be posted on the church website to allow people to download and sing-a-long at home.

Included in the show and broadcast, will be pre-recorded songs from Elstow Primary School.

Said Father Paul: “We have managed to include all the elements of the services as they would be held in the Abbey at Christmas, but in such a way that people can raise their voices to celebrate in their own car.

"People miss being able to sing together in church and our numbers are limited by social distancing. By combining with the local pub we are restoring that joyous activity.”

The pub will be offering food and soft drinks to those sitting in their vehicles and there will be a full meal service available afterwards in the pub. The whole event conforms to Covid regulations.

The first service will be from 4pm on Saturday, December 19 and the Bishop of Bedford will join the second one from 6.30pm on Sunday, December 20.