The Santa Lucia Service took place at Birmingham Cathedral – a traditional Swedish festive service of carols and readings with a candlelight procession, during which ‘Santa Lucia’ wore a crown of candles.

The service, organised by the Swedish Honorary Consul for the Midlands, Charles Bond, was sponsored by the Swedish engineering group Sandvik, Handelsbanken and European Business Solutions. The choir was the Ex Cathedra Academy of Vocal Music, under the direction of Jeffrey Skidmore, artistic director of Ex Cathedra, and the soloist (​​Santa Lucia) was Lucy Sapwell, currently in her final year at Bromsgrove School.

Officiating at the service were the Very Reverend Catherine Ogle, Dean of Birmingham Cathedral, and the Reverend Kristina Andréasson, Vicar of the Swedish Church in London. The service was followed by a reception at DWF LLP.​

Pictures by John Hipkiss