ST ALBANS: It was standing room only at several Christmas services held at the Abbey over the festive period.
In what proved to be one of the busiest Christmases ever, thousands of visitors poured into the Abbey not just for carol services but to mark the spiritual meaning of the time of year.
Over 2,000 people went along to the crib service on Christmas Eve with a packed Abbey for the Advent Evensong and a good turnout at the Christmas Day services. In addition, hourly carol services on the Saturday before Christmas proved very popular.
A spokesperson for the St Albans diocese said that Christmas was busier than usual at the Abbey. He went on: “Between the carols on the hour and Boxing Day the numbers who were over 12,000 which amounts to one fifth of the population of St Albans.
“A national survey suggested a quarter of the population said they expected to go to church over Christmas and with the 10 to 12 other churches in St Albans, the cathedral has added to that significantly.”
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