Blackburn & Preston Salvation Army bands unite for mega Christmas broadcast across Lancashire airwaves

Not one, but two Salvation Army bands are tuning up for a special combined festive show on BBC Radio Lancashire called ‘Lancashire Sings Christmas’ which will be broadcast live from 7 to 8pm on Thursday, 20 December.

Band members from the Blackburn Citadel and Preston Corps are uniting to play a whole hour of non-stop Christmas carols from the station’s studios, which will accompany multiple groups of carollers singing in hospitals, shopping centres, churches and other locations across Lancashire simultaneously.

The Salvation Army band has been playing for the annual mega-outside-broadcast for nearly a decade and it’s become something of a tradition. 

As well as being great fun for all the musicians involved; taking part in ‘Lancashire Sings Christmas’ also helps promote the church and charity’s Christmas Present Appeals and encourages even more generous donations of new gifts from the public every year.

Band leader Eric Millest said:

“Lancashire Sings Christmas is something we all look forward to.  It’s such a brilliant thing to be involved with just before Christmas and I’m always amazed that all those singers in different locations are linked up seamlessly every time without sounding like a cacophony!”

Ian Emery, Commanding Officer of Blackburn Salvation Army said:

“We really value our relationship with BBC Radio Lancashire and it’s a huge honour to be asked to provide the band music to something as prestigious as Lancashire Sings Christmas.

“For us it’s not just about the performance though, it’s also about raising awareness of the people who are in need over Christmas and thanking listeners for supporting our Christmas Present Appeal. Their generosity means that every year hundreds of children in Lancashire, who might otherwise go without, have gifts to open on Christmas morning.”

To hear the combined Salvation Army bands of Blackburn Citadel and Preston Corps, tune in to BBC Radio Lancashire at 7pm on Thursday, 20 December.

The Salvation Army is a church and charity dedicated to caring for people who are vulnerable or in need.  Salvation Army churches are at the heart of the local communities they serve and provide compassionate support, practical help and a warm welcome to anyone visiting them.