Big Christmas Sing is back with a big joke competition to boot

The Alnwick Big Christmas Sing will take place in Alnwick Market Place once again this year.

It will be held on Tuesday, December 18, and is set to spread some festive cheer around the town.

Year-on-year the Big Sing has grown into a much-loved fixture of the Christmas events calendar in Alnwick.

And this year is set to be even better with the addition of the Big Christmas Joke competition.

The Gazette has teamed up with the organisers of the Big Sing to launch the competition to find the area’s best Christmas joke.

Entries can be sent to the Gazette in two ways. To write down your joke use the form printed in this week’s Gazette (and any extra sheets of paper you may need) and send it in to the address given. If you think your joke is more about the delivery, or needs to be seen, a video of it can be emailed in to [email protected]

The jokes will be judged by a panel made up of Big Sing organisers and the Gazette with the top three being performed at the Big Sing – with prizes for all.

Jokes must be family friendly and related to Christmas.

James Matthewson, organiser of the Big Sing, said: “Since the Big Sing was first created four years ago, I have wanted to ensure that its primary goal is benefitting the local community. As an established event we’re now able to do this not only by putting on a fun, family-friendly and free community event but also by supporting organisations such as the Alnwick Community Centre, who do phenomenal work all year round, and also the team at Alnwick Playhouse, who maintain a fantastic performing arts venue, ensuring that local people have access to a world-class (soon to be refurbished) arts centre.”

Mighty Oaks will be serving free hot chocolates and will be taking donations, which will be given to the Alnwick Community Centre.

Before the jokes are judged, the Alnwick Playhouse team will be drawing the winners of their fund-raising Christmas raffle –tickets for which are £1 and are available to purchase from Elemental on Fenkle Street, Lilburns Bar/Restaurant and The Beehive on Narrowgate, or you can call the Playhouse on 01665 510785.

The Big Sing will begin at 7pm, with hot chocolates being served from 6.30pm to warm up the vocal chords.

James added: “I’d like to thank all our sponsors and supporters from over the years who have ensured the event can keep running free of charge.

“We must encourage more and more town centre events to not only make use of our excellent Market Place but also to support the High Street and local businesses.”