Choirs sing from rooftops to mark Ascension Day

Rooftops were alive with the sound of singing on Thursday morning in what is an Oxford Ascension Day tradition.

Local choirs and those from Oxford University dotted the tops of buildings around the city centre to sing hymnals and psalms.

Ascension Day is an important moment in the Christian calendar, marking Jesus' return to heaven after his resurrection.

Choirmaster Chris Williams said: "It's always tricky singing outside, but it was really good fun."

Ascension is "a really important day for me", he said, "with Jesus going up to heaven and leaving the world to put into practice what he has spent his time preaching".

Charles Hellens, a student and choir member, said: "I don't know what it is about Oxford but we love getting up early in the morning to hear people sing choral music.

"It feels important to have a presence on days like Ascension Day and keep these traditions going.

"They're so at risk of dying out, but as long as we keep waking up early in the morning and coming up to sing choral music then I think Oxford is in safe hands."

This year, one of the usual spots of Saint Michael at the North Gate was under scaffolding, so a group decamped to the roof terrace of The Store Hotel on Broad Street.

Hotel manager Simon Drake said the best moment "was seeing the guests we've got in the hotel actually drawn to come and hear it".

"Seeing people crying to choral music at eight o'clock in the morning is always eye-opening," he added.

Lizzy Nightingale is a student at Oxford University and a member of one of the choirs.

She said: "It's been a really lovely morning. It's always good to spend some time with these people and sing something - although it feels slightly bizarre to be up and singing at this time in the morning."

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