Jeremy Corbyn attends charity concert at north London parish

The London Medical Orchestra and Choir performed their annual Christmas Concert at St Mellitus Catholic Church in Tolington Park, north London last Sunday. The church, which holds hundreds, was, as usual, more than full. Oliver Till was the Conductor and Tina Bowles the Choir Leader.

The music ending cheerfully with a very strong rendering of God Rest You Merry Gentlemen. Substantial funds were being raised for Hospitals and Care Homes.

The happy surprise of the evening was the arrival of our Member of Parliament, Jeremy Corbyn, at half time. Long lasting clapping and three loud cheers followed at once. As the local MP, Corbyn has supported many parish initiatives.

St Mellitus has an SVP group serving local housebound and elderly people and a Justice and Peace group which organises the Fairtrade Fortnight, Prisoners Sunday, Peace Sunday and parish response to violence, human rights, refugees and other justice issues at home and abroad. A parish team cooks and serves supper for refugees staying at the Catholic Worker house nearby, once a month.

St Mellitus is a member of London Citizens, campaigning for local employers, (including Arsenal football club) to pay their staff the London Living Wage. They have also established a 'Citysafe' zone in the neighbourhood.

On more than one visit. Corbyn has praised the work of the parish, saying: "we don't walk by on the other side."