Events

FUTURE EVENTS

AGM & FOSM Evensong (Sunday 25th June)

Our Annual General Meeting will take place at 5pm on Sunday 25th June, followed by Evensong at 6pm, with a guest preacher (to be confirmed).

Open Tower Weekend (22-23 July 2023)

Our next event is the Open Tower Weekend, following the popularity of the inaugural event last summer. From 2pm until 5pm on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd July, visitors to St Mary’s will be able to climb the short staircase to the ringing platform, try their hand at bell ringing, and, if they’d like to climb further, view the bells above. There will also be talks, readings, and church tours, plus tea and cake. Picnics also welcome! Admission free, although donations will be welcome!

close up of one polished bell
Our tenor bell – the biggest and deepest sounding – is named in honour of St Wulfstan

Village Show (Saturday 26th August)

As ever, we’ll be at the Hawkesbury Horticultural Show on the last Saturday of August (26th), with our popular Pimm’s tent down by the showground – a delicious way to raise funds!

Gin Jolly (2nd December)

Following the sell-out success of last winter’s Gin Jolly in the Village Hall, another is planned – more details to follow nearer the time.


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!

From cosy suppers in the Malt House (opposite the church)…
…to formal balls such as the Waterloo 200 in the opulent setting of Westonbirt School
From lazy summertime Jazz on the Lawn, now an annual summer tradition…
… to a warming winter Curry Night in the village hall
St Wulfstan scarecrow
Our contribution to the 2020 Scarecrow Trail – St Wulfstan and his goose

The Open Tower weekend gave everyone the opportunity to climb the tower, see the bells at close hand, and try their hand at bell ringing – and to enjoy home-made cakes, picnics, and garden games in our beautiful setting.