A CAMPAIGN has been launched to get the people of Colchester on their doorsteps for a Christmas singalong.

Sing Silent Night For The Nation is the brainchild of Colchester businesswoman Emma Asensio.

It aims to get people across the Colchester borough, to sing Silent Night at 8pm on Sunday, December 20.

The idea was inspired by the successful Clap for Our Carers which was held across a number of weeks earlier this year to thank NHS staff and carers for their work on the frontline of the Covid-19 crisis.

Emma, who runs firms Spot On and Popcorn Movies, said: “I was contacted by a couple of vicars who had followed us on Facebook.

“We spoke about how to do something with Christmas carols.

“I then had this idea that we could all sing Silent Night at the same time on the same day.

“We are now in the process of getting everyone involved and everyone talking about it.”

Christmas carols and a service, abiding by any coronavirus rules which are in place, will be held at the Ardleigh Showground on the same night.

The event will be free to attend but people must get a ticket in advance due to Covid measures in place.

It will be attended by the Bishop of Colchester the Rt Rev Roger Morris who is backing the campaign.

Emma added: “We will finish the service at five minutes to 8pm and hopefully everybody will be singing Silent Night not just at the event but across the borough.

Chelmsford Weekly News:

“It will be wonderful to hear.

“This year has been unusual for everyone.

“Some people’s businesses have thrived, someone people have lost loved ones, some have had to home school and people have lost their jobs.

“But hopefully this can be something which is not all doom and gloom.

“It can bring lots of different communities together.”

On the night Colchester based Actual Radio will play a backing track which people can tune into and listen.

Those who want to take part can download a song sheet and poster from a website created especially for the project.

Emma has also set about contacting MPs Will Quince and Sir Bernard Jenkin to take part along with schools and care homes.

She added: “Personally 2020 has been pretty bonkers for me but among all of this the community of Colchester has been supportive, understanding and so very kind and from that space of loveliness the notion to unite and bring everyone together was born.”

Tickets for the Ardleigh Showground event will be released in the coming weeks. Visit www.singsilentnight.org for more.