The Revival of Patronal Festivals in Britain
Every Roman Catholic and Anglican parish church, chapel and cathedral has a patron saint or angel, for example St. John the Baptist, St Mary Magdalene or St Michael and All Angels, or else is named after an aspect of Christ, as in Holy Redeemer and Christ Church, or dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Each saint or title has its feast day, and some, like the Blessed Virgin Mary, have several. Traditionally, parish communities celebrated the feast day of their patron saint, their patronal festival, in a way that involved the wider community. In Roman Catholic countries like Spain and Italy whole villages or towns still take part in patronal festivities that often include processions, feasting and fun.
In Britain, cathedrals and a few churches celebrate their patronal festivals, but in many, especially rural churches, the tradition has died out. However, in 2025 there was a remarkable revival of patronal festivals. In 80 parishes these festivals were celebrated after a lapse of many years. The celebrations included a service of choral evensong, sung either by the church’s own choir or by a visiting choir, followed by a reception with food and drink, open to all, and free of charge.
These festivals were supported by grants from the Choral Evensong Trust, of which I am a trustee. The full patronal festival grant of £500 helped to cover the cost of a visiting choir and the reception after the service, and for churches with their own choir, there was a £250 grant for the reception and other festivities.
These grants unleashed much creativity and enthusiasm in parishes throughout the land. Some combined the patronal festival with village fêtes or community barbeques. In many the bells were ringing out before the service; some parishes formed community choirs especially for the event and some welcomed local school choirs to sing part of the service. In some, the reception was in the church itself, or in the churchyard if the weather was good, and some were in village halls or nearby barns. Practically all were great successes, You can read the reports from the churches themselves, and see photographs of the services and festivities HERE. A selection from some of the reports is below.
The Trustees of the Choral Evensong Trust have chosen the patronal festival of St Nicholas, Kittisford, the smallest village in Somerset, as the Patronal Festival of the Year for 2025. It was also the last of the year – St Nicholas’ Day is on December 6th. The report by Annie Musgrove, Churchwarden, is HERE, together with photographs. The award itself consists of financial support for a series of ongoing choral evensong services.
Applications for grants for patronal festivals in 2026 are now open. The closing date is February 2nd. Details and application forms are HERE.
A Selection from the Patronal Festival Reports for 2025
St Mark, Newport, Gwent
The service was a huge success, we pulled in a congregation of 67 people, so I was pleased with that, and there was much discussion about repeating it again next year. We had buffet style refreshments after the service, which went down really well too. We are going to be doing a final choral evensong to mark the newly formed resident choir’s last service before we break for the summer. Thank you again to the Choral Evensong Trust for enabling us to hold this very special event, we could not have done it without the funding.
– Richard Craig-Langley, Director of Music
St George, Benenden, Kent
On Sunday 27 April, for the first time in over 20 years, St. George’s Church, Benenden celebrated a Patronal Choral Evensong. With the sound of twelve bell ringers welcoming worshippers, a robed four-part choir of fourteen voices (including singers from across the Weald Deanery) led a beautiful and moving service attended by over 70 people from the village and beyond.
– Revd David Commander, Rector
St John of Beverley, Whatton-in-the-Vale, Nottinghamshire
Paul Hale, the retired Director of Music from Southwell Minster, played and Deborah Davies, Director of Music of the Cranmer Company of Singers, conducted. The Cranmer Company of Singers was the guest choir and we welcomed other local singers, turning this into a Come & Sing Evensong. The church had been beautifully decorated by our new team and the refreshments afterwards, including wine, savoury and sweet nibbles was in abundance, which is what we are used to from the Whatton-in-the-Vale folk. It was wonderful to see a full church and to see so many people who normally do not come to church, people from all walks of life and of all ages, mingling together afterwards, all with happy smiles on their faces. It truly was a wonderful occasion.
– Janet Greasley, PCC Treasurer
St Collen’s, Llangollen, Denbighshire
As one attendee expressed, “It was a really beautiful service, supported by an excellent choir and followed by a lovely reception in the community hall.” Another worshipper reflected, “What a moving service. It was truly a wonderful evening.” The reception served as a vital opportunity for community engagement and conversation. It complemented the contemplative tone of the service with joyful, neighbourly celebration.
– Neil Barrett, Facilities Manager
St Petrock, Timberscombe, Somerset
This was a very successful service, the likes of which was out of any villager’s memory. It would be wonderful to support more Choral Evensongs at the church, and we will do everything we can to at least make this a focal point of future patronal festivals and keep the flame burning on this part of Exmoor. We have had fantastic feedback from the evening, with people enthralled by the music and the service. I was delighted it was so well attended; we were able to attract people from beyond our Parish that have a love for liturgical music as well as a huge amount of local support. None of it would have been possible without the Choral Evensong Trust and for that we offer heartfelt thanks to all Trustees. The reception post Evensong was also very enjoyable and there is no doubt this service has had quite an impact on all who attended, whether familiar with Choral Evensong, or experiencing it for the first time. Our typical service attracts an average of 20 people, so to have 100 squeezed into the church was a delight and there was clearly a celebratory air with the prosecco we served and the canapes provided by our team of brilliant helpers, whether on the PCC (Parochial Church Council) or simply happy to contribute to the event. The plate collection was a magnificent £340 which can also be gift aided so our Treasurer is thrilled to add this to a day where we hosted a village BBQ, licensed bar with music and family entertainment in the field behind the church.
– Marion Jeffrey, Churchwarden
St Mary the Virgin, Bishop’s Frome, Herefordshire
On Sunday 1 June, the church of St Mary the Virgin hosted a special choral evensong to celebrate the Visitation of the blessed Virgin Mary. Due to the support of the Choral Evensong Trust, we were able to ask members of the Cambrian singers to sing for us. The choir very well directed by Stephen Yeo, whilst the organ was played by Paul Trepte. The choir was comprised of various local singers all of whom are or were professional musicians. The service was very well attended; we had 68 people, many of whom are not regular members of our congregation. The service was followed by a lasagne dinner over in our village centre. The food was very generously made and, in part, donated by members of the parish. It made the evening really special and just in the first 24 hours since the service I have had lots of positive comments. Thank you very much to the Choral Evensong Trust for making it possible.
– James Wall, Director of Music
St Boniface, Woodgreen, Hampshire
Our Patronal Festival ended on a high, with a lovely Festal Evensong led by Rev Ruth Crosland. We were fortunate enough to have a visiting choir from Salisbury, QPM - who sung some wonderful harmonies throughout, making for a truly joyous service with a healthy congregation singing alongside!
– Christine Calder, Churchwarden
Holy Trinity, Kendal, Cumbria
This magnificent occasion was hosted by Kendal Choristers and Kendal Parish Church Choir. We were extremely lucky to be joined by Yorkshire Evening Post Brass Band from Leeds - 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, horn, tuba and timpani/percussion. Together with organ this was an incredible line-up! Choir and clergy, led by cross and lights, processed in to Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, played by the brass group. Then a single unaccompanied female voice sang the introit Praise to the Trinity by the 12th century mystic, Hildegard of Bingen. There were more fanfares as we all joined in the Old 100th in the familiar arrangement by Vaughan Williams. The Choristers sang The Grace specially written for them. Choir and clergy processed out as the band played Cortege from Mlada by Rimsky-Korsakov. As the last chord ended we were aware of the bells in full pelt being rung by the Bellringers of Holy Trinity, Kendal Parish Church. The Mayor and Mayoress of Kendal attended the service. Well-wishers, church folk, tourists and visitors (about 40 in all), together with choir, choristers and brass enjoyed the wine reception after the service.
– Janet Henderson, Church Administrator
Holy Trinity, Godmanstone, Dorset
The church was full! People came from much further afield than they normally would, the choral evensong called them in. But also people came from the village that never normally come to church. They brought their children (who really loved the balloons) and there were couples who had been married in the church but have since moved away and children who have been christened there. It felt like a proper party and celebration. In fact I knew it was a really great party when, after quite some time of festivity in the sunlit church yard I went back into the church to clear up and found a happy group of patronal festival revellers settled deeply into some of the pews, glasses in hand, smiles on faces, hearts alight. And the church has somehow been smiling ever since. There seems to be a softness emanating from the ancient walls. As if a certain resonance has been reawakened. It is very beautiful.
– Will Best, Churchwarden
St Martin, Eglwysbach, Clwyd
It was with great anticipation that we gathered on the 15th of June to celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity with Evensong & Benediction. It has been many years since Evensong was held here. Our usual congregation of 15 was supplemented by visitors from near and far who had come to experience Evensong. For some it was like greeting an old friend, for others it was a brand new experience, but for all the 50 people who gathered it was something to be remembered. The Voci Chamber Choir, conducted by Deborah Catterall, enriched the worship, assisting the congregation in learning the ferial responses and the hymns. The refreshments afterwards were well received and allowed people to talk to the choir and each other about the experience and it was wonderful to hear people saying how much they wished to do it again.
– Huw Bryant, Priest
St John the Baptist, Ystrad Meurig, Ceredigion
We invited the choir of Holy Trinity Church, Aberystwyth to sing the service for us, and as their student members were on their summer break, they invited Motje Wolf and Tim Lee to join the choir for the service. Motje and Tim kindly also provided entertainment during our community Strawberry Tea which took place before the service in Canolfan Edward Richard. It was wonderful to see our rural church so full, and particularly to welcome people we do not usually see in church who were curious about the special service. The coming together of the community in preparing the tea and contributing to the service was a particular pleasure.
– Morag Sutherland, Secretary
St Botolph, Swyncombe, Oxfordshire
Over 60 people attended the service at 6 pm which I always think is a very good time to be in church – the work of the day done, late sunshine streaming through the windows, among truly wonderful garden grown cut seasonal flowers. We publicised it in our benefice of Icknield with a parish email and website entry, and a Facebook posting as well as informal emails and the Benefice email. We drew regular attendees and a few friends of the church who might not normally come. We then had a very good party in the churchyard. The PCC were really encouraged by the turnout and the enthusiasm for a sung service so we were re-energised to plan future events based in the church, both services and social events.
– Felicity Bazell, Choir Coordinator
St Peter, Shepton Montague, Somerset
There was a congregation which swelled to 45. Several regular congregants were on holiday so the numbers could have exceeded 50. After the service drinks and canapes provided by members of the PCC were served in the church grounds. Everyone had a wonderful time and the Evensong achieved the objective of bringing the community together.
– Robert Mitchell, Churchwarden
St Peter, Cattistock, Dorset
We held such a happy and successful Choral Evensong on Sunday 29th June thanks in great part to the welcome grant of £500. Our eight bells were run for 30 minutes prior to the service which was attended by 109 parishioners and friends from all the 13 parishes in the Melbury Team Benefice, plus 15 members of choir & conductor from Salisbury Cathedral and an organist who played our 1868 organ mostly sensitively. Following the service and a fine evening, refreshments for all were served from a gazebo in the churchyard.
– Susan Orr, Churchwarden
St Peter and St Paul, Muchelney, Somerset
Our bell ringing team welcomed us all to the service beforehand. It was wonderful to see our village church so full with many people coming from distant parishes and it was so moving when the first crescendo of sound exploded. Afterwards, we celebrated with Pimms and substantial nibbles.
– Elizabeth Nightingale, Treasurer
St Peter, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex
The service was enhanced by the presence of Bexhill’s famous resident trumpeter Crispian Steele-Perkins who with Mark started Evensong with a Trumpet Voluntary by William Boyce and by the expert and sensitive playing of our wonderful but ageing and occasionally temperamental organ from our choir’s great friend John Ross. By the time the service started the nave of the church was full with civic dignitaries; members of the Prayer Book Society, who had advertised this service nationally, members of other churches’ congregations from Bexhill, and many members of our own congregation and particularly the increasing number of worshippers who attend Choral Evensong which currently takes place most weeks in the year. The service was followed by a most convivial and festive reception at the back of the church to which most attending the service stayed until almost 8 o’clock tempted by a fine bubbly White Pinot from the Carr Taylor Vineyards at Westfield and a wonderful selection of tasty titbits and canapes provided by members of our congregation and friends of St. Peter’s.
– Mark Shepherd, Director of Music
St Peter ad Vincula, Folkington, East Sussex
In a tiny village that long since lost its school, its post office, its village green and its pub, the festival has quickly become a rare and valued occasion for bringing people together.
The afternoon’s fête offered a variety of attractions: a lively tombola, an abundant plant market, and a used book sale which drew considerable interest, with visitors arriving from all over the county and beyond. Refreshments included beer on tap from the Long Man Brewery in Litlington and freshly baked sausage rolls from Brains Butchers Ltd of Willingdon. The Guess the Weight of the Fruitcake competition was won this year by Dr and Mrs Sheldrake of London.
– Alan Best, Churchwarden
St Thomas-at-Cliffe, Lewes, East Sussex:
St Thomas a Becket
This was a new venture for us which was a great success. Just over 70 people attended the service, and we had refreshments afterwards for everyone with a history talk on our church. We kept 6th July as the 7th July marks the anniversary of Archbishop Thomas Becket’s remains being reinstated within Canterbury Cathedral and I preached on this.
We do not have a choir at St Thomas’ so a special choir was formed from members of the other two churches in our benefice and that was also marvellous both for supporting the service and for uniting our benefice. I have received many lovely comments following the service.
– Revd Herbert Bennett, Vicar
St Thomas the Apostle, Groombridge, East Sussex
The first part of the afternoon for the village and congregation was a church service at 4.30, a celebration for all ages of music, prayer and reflection on St Thomas. Some of those invited to the party for their community service also joined the more regular attendees for the service. There was a local group of musicians and local singers leading the singing of traditional and modern hymns and metrical psalms. Meanwhile it was raining again and the outlook looked unpromising for a garden party with the start time at 5.15 pm. Arrangements were made to have everyone in the vicarage. As the last items of food were being cooked the garden gate between the church and the vicarage opened and the sun came out as the children from the service ran in to enjoy pizza and cake! With help of the older children the tables were dried off, the food and drink put out on the tables and the party began. It was a busy and happy time in which friendships were renewed, thanks given to all the volunteers by our vicar, Rev Nicholas Henshall. There was a real sense of community, particularly when it started to rain briefly and heavily in the middle of the festivities. There is nothing like a greenhouse to provide shelter! The smiles say it all!
– Mary Symes, Churchwarden
St Alban, Oxford
We are pleased to report that the St Alban’s Day service held on Saturday 6th July was a great success and very well attended. A total of 74 people participated in the celebration, including 55 adults, 7 teenagers, and 12 children. This marks a significant increase from our usual attendance of around 15 for this service, highlighting the impact of this special event in bringing the community together. Following the service, refreshments were served, during which the children and teenagers presented a short drama telling the story of St Alban. This performance was enthusiastically received and warmly appreciated by all those present. It was a joyful and memorable way to engage people of all ages in the life and witness of our patron saint. We received excellent feedback from attendees regarding both the service and the community atmosphere it fostered. Many commented on the beauty of the liturgy, the warmth of the welcome, and the delight of seeing young people involved so actively in the celebration. Given the success of this year’s event, we are now planning to make the St Alban’s Day celebration an annual tradition in the life of our church and community with acting, celebration and participation. This has also led to an interest in the annual St Alban’s pilgrimage to the St Alban’s Cathedral which the parish plans to organise.
- Revd Martha Weatherill, Vicar
St Mary Magdalene, Taunton, Somerset
The service at Taunton Minster was well received and considered a great success. Grant support enabled the provision of celebratory refreshments after the service, tea and cake for the choir between rehearsal and service, as well as assistance with publicity and other practical elements. These contributions were vital in ensuring the event could take place at a high standard and be enjoyed by the congregation and choir alike. The initiative has not only enhanced the festival celebrations locally but has also demonstrated how such support can enable churches to mark important occasions with fitting music and community engagement.
– Miles Quick, Director of Music
St James, Cameley, Somerset
We have just had the most amazing choral evensong. Everyone helped towards making it a memorable evening service and really pulled out all the stops. We had a local choir singing for us, organist and, by chance, a professional singer from Germany who was staying nearby who agreed to sing before and after the service. Refreshments were arranged for after the service which meant nearly everyone stayed on afterwards and it became a real community get together. Our rector - who is young and very enthusiastic - was delighted as we had one of the biggest congregations since Christmas. A successful event all round which we hope to repeat next year.
– Fiona Medland, Churchwarden
St Anne, East Wittering, West Sussex
We celebrated our patronal festival with an evening of reflective and inspiring singing centred around the theme of finding rest, refreshment and light in Jesus. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Choral Evensong Society and its benefactors for supporting our inaugural patronal festival choral evensong. It has been a delight to see our choir grow in number and go from strength to strength during the build-up to this event. We are delighted to welcome new singers of a range of ages, genders and levels of experience, and very much look forward to making this service an annual event!
– Chris West, Choirmaster
St Laurence, Falmer, East Sussex
Patronal Choral Evensong was the climax of a series of monthly evensongs which we introduced during the summer this year. The event was a tremendous success, the choir totalling 18 experienced singers. It was very well attended, with many new faces in the pews, and the feedback after the service was highly positive. Not only the congregation, but also some of the singers have asked when the next evensong can take place with this “super-choir” of singers! After the service, celebrations continued at the barn at The Swan Inn, the village pub, which had been decorated with appropriate items, including a grid iron - the emblem of St. Laurence. There was a free welcome drink for all those attending and a spread of excellent savoury and sweet refreshments. This was also very well attended and the good weather meant that those who wished could sit outside.
– Sue Mileham-Paine, Churchwarden
St Laurence, Guestling, East Sussex
It was a joy to celebrate St Laurence’s Patronal Festival with a sung service of Evensong. Sung Evensong hasn’t taken place for many years, and the choir and congregation were enthusiastic to make this happen. Afternoon teas with prosecco were served from 1pm and very much enjoyed. Many visitors who popped in while walking along the 1066 footpath which runs through the churchyard were delighted to share some celebration bubbles. Stephen Page, an excellent local organist, played for the service and led two rehearsals for the choir. Our dear friends the Searcy family, who love Book of Common Prayer services, helpfully sourced music copies for us and sang with the choir. We were a little rusty to begin with but the sung versicles, responses and Psalm pointing soon became familiar again and the choir gave a good strong lead to the congregation. We were very pleased to be joined by family and friends from other local churches. The flower arrangers put on a colourful display and Elisabeth’s hand-painted banner took pride of place. Everyone very much enjoyed sung worship in this ‘little, lost, Sussex church’ and we certainly won’t leave it so long before another Evensong!
– Revd Sandi Wickens, Priest in Charge
St Mary, Storrington, West Sussex
The moving service, supported by the church’s talented choir and organists, was followed by a delicious Festival of Puddings and a drinks reception in the church. Homemade puddings helped to raise funds to support the projects of the Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Chichester, helping families and communities both locally and further afield. The day was a special celebration of worship, community, and generosity.
– Stephen Bloxham, Director of Music
St Mary, Chepstow, Monmouthshire
We were delighted to welcome Cardiff Chamber Choir who, together with the Revd John, led the liturgy beautifully. The Revd Zoe preached on the Magnificat, highlighting Mary’s radical and transformative witness. Approximately 70 people attended, with almost everyone staying afterwards for refreshments and fellowship. Feedback was warm and enthusiastic, with many asking whether this could become an annual fixture.
– Fr Barnabas Pimentel, Priest
Bartlemas Chapel, Oxford
We are delighted to share with you a positive update on the continuing life and ministry at Bartlemas Chapel. Thanks to your generous support, we were able to host the annual Patronal Service in honour of St Bartholomew, which continues to grow as a special moment of worship, community, and heritage celebration. We welcomed 35 people, which again shows steady engagement and the enduring interest in the chapel’s life. Each service has been marked by a real sense of reverence, thanksgiving, and appreciation for the unique heritage of Bartlemas, which next year celebrates an extraordinary 900 years since its foundation. Your support has not only ensured the continuation of annual worship but has also given us the confidence to plan more ambitious, inclusive, and celebratory events that will draw in a wide range of people from East Oxford and beyond. As we prepare for the 900th anniversary in 2026, our vision is to ensure that Bartlemas Chapel continues to stand as a beacon of healing, retreat, hospitality, faith, and heritage for generations to come.
– Revd Martha Weatherill, Vicar
St Aidans, Carlisle
More than 60 people attended and were treated to an evening of outstanding music.
We were honoured by the presence of the Mayor of Carlisle, Jeanette Whalen, who read the Old Testament lesson. The highlight for us, alongside the sublime music filling our beautiful church, was the response of our guests. Many were experiencing Choral Evensong for the first time, and their delight and wonder at the power of the worship was heartening to hear. The service was followed by a delicious buffet.
– Jean Hill, Churchwarden
St Mary, Slaugham, West Sussex
St Mary’s Patronal Festival became a true village celebration thanks to its happy alignment with the annual hamlet street party. Blue and white flower displays and cupcakes, prepared for village competitions, were donated to the church for the Evensong gathering. The sense of anticipation was evident, and the congregation grew from its usual thirty-five to more than one hundred, remarkable for a parish that had not held Evensong for decades. Coro Nuovo sang superbly, their voices revealing how beautifully the church’s architecture suits choral music. The rector preached on sainthood in the modern age, and both visitors and choir members valued the reminder that this was an act of worship rather than a concert. Parishioners spoke of the comfort and depth they found in the liturgy. Creative Expressions, the local art group, contributed works on the theme of St Mary’s, displayed in the chapel during refreshments, and the evening concluded with a well-received historical tour led by Brian Funnel. The parish expressed heartfelt thanks for the grant and for the inspiration behind the initiative. The festival strengthened village ties and drew many who would not ordinarily attend church, making it a joyful and hopeful occasion.
– Liz Cox, PCC Member
St Mary, Bitton, Bristol
On Sunday 7th September, we at St Mary’s Bitton celebrated our patronal festival with a very special choral evensong. This is always a special weekend for St Mary’s, as we hold our annual fete on the Saturday, which is always a hugely popular event involving the whole local community. So it was very fitting to complete the weekend with a special service. Our choir was NotaBene, a renowned Bristol based a capella ensemble who are in great demand locally, giving concerts and appearing at other events. The evening began with a lovely peal of bells by our bell ringing group, and people began to arrive early, to enjoy our beautiful church which was candlelit for the occasion and looked wonderful. After extensive advertising, the local community did us proud and turned out in force; the final number attending was over 70! The service was most uplifting and inspiring, after which a prosecco and canape reception was held at the back of the church. This was greatly enjoyed by all. It was enjoyed so much that we are hoping it may now become an annual event.
– Anne Carrington, Churchwarden
Holy Cross Church, Goodnestone, Kent
We started the day with bulb planting in the Churchyard. The Church path has recently been restored and it was felt that it would be good to have snowdrops and crocuses growing in the grass alongside the path, to give some spring colour and early pollen for bees. The choir with a number of singing friends which enabled us to take on a more challenging repertoire. There were 23 singers on the day. We had a congregation of around 30, and there were a lot of positive comments from both the congregation and the choir afterwards, and certainly a lot of enthusiasm for more Choral Evensongs in the future. After Evensong we all walked the short distance down the Street to the village hall, where refreshments had been organised and set up by villagers and members of the choir.
– Denyer Kittle, Choirmaster
St Denys, Goadby Marwood, Leicestershire
Our celebrations built to a joyful climax with a Choral Evensong that truly brought the community together. In the days leading up to the service, the local primary school children created beautiful butterfly decorations for the church, while villagers contributed flower arrangements to enhance the setting. The day itself began with an Open Church and Ploughman’s Lunch, supported by generous donations of produce from local growers and bakers. The highlight came in the evening, when St Wulfram’s Choir from Grantham filled the church with glorious music. Their singing “raised the roof” and brought a sense of reverence and celebration to the occasion. For many in the congregation, it was their first experience of Choral Evensong—and for some, even their first time inside the church.
Altogether, it was a wonderful occasion: a church beautifully decorated, a community gathered in fellowship, and music of the highest standard leading us in worship and thanksgiving.
– Colette Stein, PCC Member
Holy Trinity, Forest Row, East Sussex
Around 100 people were in church and, thanks to the generosity of the Choral Evensong Trust we were able to offer generous hospitality which made guests from across our community feel welcome. It was lovely to hear the hustle and bustle of new connections being made, with guests committing to supporting the developing programme of music being offered in the parish. There is a buzz of excitement in our parish and it has come in large part, from the wonderful service of Evensong which the Choral Evensong Trust gave us the impetus to put on.
– Revd Jamie Gater, Vicar
St Mary, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
St Mary’s Patronal Festival began with a lively all-age Eucharist at which the new Youth Link Chaplain was dedicated by the new Rector. The church was full, helped by the concurrent art festival that brought many additional visitors through the doors. Coffee and cake followed, setting a cheerful tone for the day. The evening Choral Evensong was quieter and more reflective, giving the choir space to present a thoughtful musical offering. The programme included Bruckner’s Locus Iste, Oxley’s Responses, Brewer in D and Carter’s A Maiden Most Gentle, supported by hymns chosen for the feast. The service concluded with fizz and a celebratory cake. Although the bells could not be rung owing to structural concerns with a pinnacle near the steeple, the festival was warmly received and well supported. The patronal celebrations proved uplifting and strengthened community life.
– Jane Rothery, PCC Member
St Michael & All Angels, East Coker, Somerset
St Michael and All Angels Church in East Coker was filled with glorious music and joyful parishioners on the evening of Sunday 28th September for a magnificent service of Choral Evensong capping of the celebration of Michaelmas – our patronal festival. The music was provided the superb Sherborne Chamber Choir, accompanied on the organ by Stephen Taylor-Davies. The 20 strong choir overflowed the choir stalls and the congregation, numbering about 120, made for a decidedly bustling and lively reception where a dizzying array of canapés prepared by friends of the church were enjoyed with affordable wine. The occasion was a truly memorable way to conclude our patronal festival.
– Toffer Beattie, Churchwarden
St Michael & All Angels, Dinder, Somerset
The patronal celebration began with a woodland walk through St Michael’s Wood, joined by thirty walkers including a British Pilgrimage Trust group who had walked from Wells, led by Dr Guy Hayward. The church was full to capacity for Choral Evensong, taken by the Rev Claire Towns, who preached on Jacob’s vision of angels linking heaven and earth. Wells Cathedral Chamber Choir, conducted by Carolyn Craig, with Edward Marshall on the organ, sang Clucas’s responses, Sumsion in G, Psalm 91 and Bullock’s Give us the Wings of Faith, supported by strong congregational hymn singing. More than one hundred people attended; the church was full, with standing room only. The service was followed by a well-supported reception in the Village Hall, catered by the George Inn. When the service ended, a crescent moon was rising over the church, adding to the sense of occasion.
– Rupert Sheldrake, Volunteer
St Michael & All Angels, Michaelston-y-Fedw, Glamorgan
St Michael’s marked the Feast of St Michael and All Angels with a packed Festal Evensong attended by villagers and visitors from across the Ministry Area. A choir of fifteen, directed by David Leggett and accompanied by David Geoffrey Thomas, offered a distinguished musical setting that included Stanford in C, Britten’s Hymn to the Virgin and the hymn Ye Holy Angels Bright. The Rt Revd Dr Barry Morgan preached with insight and gentle humour, reflecting on angelic encounters in scripture and drawing on writers such as R. S. Thomas and Chesterton. His sermon set a thoughtful tone for an uplifting service. Afterwards, the congregation gathered in the Village Hall for drinks and nibbles, creating an atmosphere of generous hospitality. Feedback was very positive, and enough was raised to secure the choir’s return visit next year. Further sponsorship will be sought to support the reception, which proved a particularly valuable moment of community connection. The generous grant was central to the event’s success and helped showcase the depth of the Anglican choral tradition.
– Revd Ross Maidment, Vicar
St Margaret, Burnham Norton, Norfolk
At St Margaret’s, around forty-five people attended a festive afternoon tea before the service, creating a warm, communal atmosphere. The service was well received and highlighted renewed local interest in marking the patronal feasts. The parish hopes to continue celebrating St Margaret’s next year and may also explore holding a Patronal Evensong for St Clement. The grant provided essential support and gave the confidence needed to reintroduce these valued traditions.
– Revd Malcolm Rogers, Vicar
St Nicholas, Islip, Oxfordshire
St Nicholas, Islip marked the Patronal Festival of St Edward the Confessor with a well-attended Choral Evensong led by Canon Brian Mountford. The parish chose to honour St Edward owing to his long association with Islip as his birthplace. Thirty-one local singers formed the choir, directed by Camilla Stephenson with Richard Briggs at the organ. The bells rang beforehand and wine was shared afterwards. Attendance reached sixty-three, making it one of the strongest gatherings in the Ray Valley Benefice. Regular monthly Evensong has become firmly established, supported by consistent publicity through parish communication channels and local social media. The grant has been a real catalyst, enabling the choir to grow in number and confidence, expand its repertoire, and enhance its contribution to worship throughout the year.
– Justin Stead, Choir Director
St Nicholas, Bishop’s Sutton, Hampshire
St Nicholas, Bishop’s Sutton celebrated its Patronal Festival with a richly atmospheric Choral Evensong that drew around seventy worshippers into the twelfth century church. Bells rang from mid afternoon, and the building was simply but evocatively decorated with candles, ivy and symbolic gold coins to reflect St Nicholas’s generosity. The service was made possible through a grant and created a joyful sense of anticipation and welcome. The guest choir, Index Cantorum, directed by Mark Williams and accompanied by Alison Benton, sang the introit, psalm, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, and Byrd’s Vigilate, with the congregation joining confidently in three hymns. In her address, The Revd Amber Beresford reflected on the strength, depth and breadth of St Nicholas’s faith, linking his witness to generosity and courage in Christian life today. A lively reception followed, with wine, mince pies enjoyed amid a crowded aisle, a happy sign of success. The evening was widely described as glorious, combining sublime music with sincere worship. Encouraged by the response, the parish now hopes to make the Patronal Evensong an annual highlight and to establish Bishop’s Sutton as a centre for evening worship within the benefice.
– Amanda Caldwell, PCC Secretary
My Findings series takes you into the actual science behind my worldview. Whether discussing the biochemistry of auxin or the evolution of consciousness, my goal is to share the rigorous research—both past and present—that often goes unseen. While I continue to publish in peer-reviewed journals (sheldrake.org/research), this platform allows me to connect specific discoveries to the bigger picture.
Traditional funding institutions are reluctant to pay for this kind of exploration, so the generosity of people who support my work makes this research possible. Thank you!
So a trustee of the Choral Evensong Trust and his wife pop down to some obscure village in Sussex for a church festival and just happen to win the fruitcake weight guessing competition? Outrageous! Fixed! A public inquiry must be held forthwith!
I appreciate that you are part of this movement to reconnect religion and science. Sir Isaac Newton held that cause dear to his heart. He believed that Christianity before the 4th century represented a fusion of religion and science known as alchemy. And he predicted that the world would end in 2060 if humanity did not reclaim that understanding that science and religion are not separate.