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Volunteer invited to Westminster Abbey carols

BBC Ms Ferguson is in a baby blue knitted turtleneck jumper and is sitting at a table that has a red and green striped tablecloth. She has short white hair and is smiling. Behind her is a wooden cabinet with a blue lamp and glass bottles on it.BBC
Louise Ferguson was invited because of her years of volunteering at Boughey Gardens tennis club

A volunteer at a tennis club has spoken of her excitement at being invited to the Royal family's carol concert at Westminster Abbey.

Louise Ferguson, from Newport, has spent more than 40 years volunteering at Boughey Gardens tennis club.

The service, organised by the Princess of Wales, took place on 6 December, but will air on Christmas Eve.

She said she had a "brilliant view", with guests including Sir Chris Hoy, Lindsey Burrows and Adam Peaty.

"I didn't see Paloma Faith but I heard her later, she was absolutely wonderful, and Gregory Porter was there." Ms Ferguson said.

"The best thing for me was the community choir from Chester with children and adults singing together, Away in a Manger."

Louise Ferguson Louise is standing next to an iron fence, with Westminster Abbey in the background. There is a string of yellow lights above the fence. Louise is in a long black coat with a blue scarf. She has white hair and is smiling at the camera. She is holding a yellow piece of paper in her hands.Louise Ferguson
The service was filmed on 6 December

She said there was not a "dry eye in the house" when Chris Hoy, Lindsey Burrows, and others walked up to light their candles.

"I felt that people there were probably be more worthy of being there than me... they had gone through challenging times, so I felt very honoured to represent Boughey Gardens and Shropshire," Ms Ferguson said.

"Like most volunteers, you prefer to be in the background".

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