Warneford Chapel was packed on Tuesday when patients and members of staff came together for a traditional Christmas carols concert.

Music was led the Radcliffe Camerata choir, accompanied by organist Sarah Voden.

The service was led by chaplain Sally Horner and there were readings by the head of spiritual and pastoral care Reverend Dr Guy Harrison, staff and patients.

The chapel was decorated last week by health care assistant, patient engagement co-ordinator Rumi Mohideen and patients from Vaughan Thomas ward.

“We went to the Warneford meadow and gathered holly, ivy and other foliage and made wreaths at the ward. All the materials are natural and come for free from the meadow. But we probably spent more time chatting than gathering. The most important part of our activities is social interaction,” said Rumi.

The Radcliffe Camerata choir was formed some four years ago by medical students from Oxford University Medical School.

“We are a kind of ‘as and when choir’,” explained conductor Tim Robson who works as a GP in Abingdon.

“We get together when there is a chance to perform, and find out who can make it. Today we are perhaps 50 per cent medics and the rest are musicians, and some of us met for the first time ever an hour before today’s performance,” he said.

The carol service rounded off with a chance to eat mince pies and enjoy refreshments at the chapel.