Dorothy House Hospice Care is inviting locals to go to one of their annual Light Up a Life Services to remember loved ones during the festive season.
Eleven services are running between 26th November -11th December across Bath and North-East Somerset, Somerset and Wiltshire.
All services start at 6pm, with doors open from 5.30pm. Entry is free and open to all and no tickets are required.
This year, the Bath Abbey service is at 6pm on Tuesday 26th November and has the added magic of the voices of the Bath Camerata chamber choir who are donating their time.
Readings will be given by Dorothy House and Pauline Swaby-Wallace at Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens Association (BEMSCA).
Despite the Footprint Project at the Abbey, there is ample capacity for over five hundred people to attend so all are welcome.
The services are around forty-five minutes long and feature Christmas carols and readings. There is also an opportunity to remember loved ones and to light a candle in their memory.
Two new services added last year will again be held at The Methodist Church in Midsomer Norton on 27th November and St John’s Church in Keynsham on 11th December.
The seasonal services of remembrance are part of the annual Dorothy House ‘Light up a Life’ Appeal.
Last year, the appeal helped the hospice raise almost £50,000 towards providing free, palliative and end of life care to local communities in Bath and North-East Somerset, Wiltshire and Somerset.
It is hoped the 2019 ‘Light up a Life’ Appeal will once again raise this amount or more to support the important work of the Hospice which receives approximately 17% of its funding from the NHS.
To donate to the Dorothy House ‘Light up a Life’ Appeal or find out about Services of Light in your area visit the Get Involved/ Fundraising section of the Dorothy House website at www.dorothyhouse.org.uk.
Local people are also being invited to attend a new daytime service at Dorothy House Winsley on Sunday 24th November at 12pm.
This service is outside next to the Christmas Tree and will include the switching on of the Christmas lights.
If you would like to reserve a place to attend this short service, email rsvp@dorothyhouse-hospice.org.uk or phone 01225 721 480.
Dorothy House supporters Anthony and Gill Nash from Norton St Philip explained what the Services of Light mean to them.
They said: “The beautiful and thoughtful structure of music, carols and readings makes this an unmissable event. Being there makes you feel close to your lost loved one at this special time of the year.”
Dorothy House Hospice Care’s chief executive, Wayne de Leeuw said: “It is a privilege to attend the Dorothy House Services of Light at Bath Abbey and other places of worship in Wiltshire and Somerset.
“The services are a precious chance for families to remember loved ones and reflect before the busy Christmas season begins.
“Since 1976 the hospice has cared for over 50,000 patients in the local community as well as their families. Today, more than ever, we are grateful for the generosity of supporters and volunteers who continue to help fund Dorothy House and keep it the special place it is for local families.’
Dorothy House’s 2019 Light Up A Life Services
Tuesday 26th November
- Bath Abbey, Bath. BA1 1LT
Wednesday 27th November
- St Peter & St Paul’s, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BL
- Methodist Church, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DR
- St James’ Church, Church Street, Trowbridge, BA14 8RU
Thursday 28th November
- St Andrew’s Church, Long Street, Devizes, SN10 1NJ
- The United Church, George Street, Warminster, BA12 8QA
Friday 29th November
- St Bartholomew’s Church, Church Square, Corsham, SN13 0BY
Monday 2nd December
- St Paul’s Church, Malmesbury Road, Chippenham, SN15 1PS
Tuesday 3rd December
- Lady Chapel, Malmesbury Abbey, Malmesbury SN16 9BA
Thursday 5th December
- Rook Lane Chapel, Bath Street, Frome, BA11 1DN
Wednesday 11th December
- St John’s Church, 1 The Park, Keynsham, BS31 2BL
To find out more visit www.dorothyhouse.org.uk/events.
