Events

COMING SOON!

Friends of St Mary’s AGM
(Sunday 28th June, 5.30pm)

Our Annual General Meeting is a short meeting to review our last year’s activities and achievements in the company of our membership. It is traditionally followed by Choral Evensong at 6pm, with a guest preacher. This year we’re honoured and delighted to have the Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester as our special guest. He is renowned for his excellent sermons, and muh more. Come to the AGM and stay for the service – you’ll be glad you did!

The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester will be guest preacher at our 2026 AGM

Art exhibition: ANTIPHONY – A Call and response (18th-24th July)

Visit our new, free exhibition of original art inspired by the historic setting of St Mary’s Hawkesbury. This highly creative show will make you look at your local parish church in a whole new way.

This event is a collaboration by three Fine Art MA graduates of Bath Spa University:

Hawkesbury’s own artist and sculptor Philip Ringland
multidisciplinary artist and aromatherapist Lindsay Woodman
installation artist and sculptor Sally Jones

Together they have produced a remarkable array of innovative pieces, including sculpture, installations, and images, inspired by spending time in St Mary’s.

Three examples of their art inspired by St Mary’s

The exhibition will be open to the public from Saturday 18^th to Friday 24^th July, during St Mary’s usual summer hours of 10am-5pm. Also:

On Saturday 18^th, you can meet the artists and chat to them about their work, over tea and cake provided by the Friends of St Mary’s.
On Sunday 19^th, the Family Service at 10am will include a short talk about the exhibition, and at 10.30am Philip Ringland will give a free children’s workshop.
Children’s activity sheets will be available in the church all week, providing a brilliant free family activity for the start of the school holidays. Bring a picnic and stay as long as you like!

Admission is free. Donations are welcome towards the upkeep of this Grade I listed building. So, put these dates in your diary now, and join us for an exciting and innovative event. Expect the unexpected – and go home inspired!

OTHER FUTURE EVENTS

We’re planning an ever-growing number of events to provide social occasions that will appeal to all ages and tastes. You don’t have to be a member of the congregation to enjoy our wonderful setting! Unless otherwise stated, all profits from all of these events will be put towards our work to maintain the historic fabric and grounds of the church for present and future generations to enjoy.

2026 EVENTS

Port & Cheese Evening joint event with Village Hall committee (Saturday 21st February)
Easter Egg Hunt (Saturday 4th April)
Open Tower (Sunday 17th May)
Church Trail Walk (Saturday 27th June)
Friends of St Mary’s AGM (Sunday 28th June)
Art Exhibition (Saturday 18th July)
Pimm’s Tent at Hawkesbury Show (Saturday 29th August)
Last Night of the Proms (Saturday 12th September)
Hawkesbury Upton Literature Festival – “Mysterious Ways” (Saturday 26th September)
Friends’ Nine Lessons & Carols (Sunday 20th December)

2025 EVENTS

An Evening with Henry Herbert from the Baker Boys (Saturday 11th January)
Easter Egg Hunt at St Mary’s (Saturday 19th April)
Friends of St Mary’s AGM & Members’ Tea Party (Sunday 8th June)
Oriana Singers concert (Friday 13th June)
Pimm’s Tent at Village Show (Saturday 30th August)
Last Night of the Proms at Hawkesbury Village Hall (Saturday 13th September)
Hawkesbury Upton Literature Festival (10th Birthday Special) at St Mary’s (Saturday 27th September)
Friends of St Mary’s Nine Lessons & Carols (Sunday 21st December)

OTHER PAST EVENTS

We organise a varied programme of events all year round, with four or five fund-raising socials every years for members and guests, such as open gardens around the village; tasting evenings of wine, gin and sherry; cosy suppers in the Malt House opposite the church; formal balls; themed dinners; and summer jazz afternoons on the lawn.

We also hold a service of Nine Lessons and Carols on the Sunday before Christmas and in the summer a festival evensong with eminent visiting preachers.

Everyone is welcome to Friends of St Mary’s events, including non-members, but if you are a member, you will receive a discount on your ticket to every event – another great reason to join!