Great Western Railway starts countdown to Christmas with some multicultural carolling
Great Western Railway (GWR) is welcoming carollers from across the country to sing at the stations it serves, bringing some Christmas cheer to rail travellers over the next week.
Passengers travelling through London Paddington between 1600 and 1800 on Saturday 3 December will be treated to the sounds of the Ethnic Indian Marathi Community singing traditional carols in Hindi and Marathi, bringing a unique and colourful spin on an age-old Christmas custom.
More than 80 members of the South Asian group, made up of rail and NHS colleagues from across the UK, including Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester, will be dressed in traditional Indian dress as they sing classic western carols and traditional Indian songs.
GWR Customer Ambassador, Madhuri Kulkarni, who is based at Paddington station and part of the group, came up with the idea as a way of bringing together the communities GWR serves.
Madhuri said:
“Christmas is a time for all communities to celebrate being together with friends and family, especially after a tough couple of years being kept apart.
“Singing traditional carols while we wear our traditional dress brings together two cultures to create the most uplifting atmosphere.
“We hope our singing will bring a smile to the faces of everyone who is passing through Paddington, whether they’re visiting friends and family, or just doing a bit of Christmas shopping.”
Madhuri has also organised carols to be performed over two days at Reading station, with singers from Greyfriars Church performing tomorrow (Friday 2 December) from 1730 to 1830, and the Ethnic Indian Tamil Community entertaining customers from 1800 to 2000 on Saturday 10 December.
Contact Information
John Carter
Media and Communications Manager
Great Western Railway
0845 410 4444
Notes to editors
Media invite
Where: Reading Station
When: Friday 2 December
Time: 1730 - 1830
Where: Main Concourse London Paddington
When: Saturday 3 December
Time: 1600 - 1800
Where: Reading Station
When: Saturday 10 December
Time: 1800 - 2000
Please email john.carter1@gwr.com to confirm attendance
First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR has been awarded a National Rail Contract to continue operating the Great Western network, which shall run up to 21 June 2025, with the potential for a further three years at the Secretary of State’s discretion. Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us