See the SUN!

for 6 days, 1 hour, 30 mins
St Mary's, Portsea
Fratton Road Portsea Portsmouth, PO1 5PH, United Kingdom

The SUN will be shining for a whole week on November 16th-22nd, as a giant illuminated art installation comes to St Mary’s Church!

For the first time ‘SUN’, an ambitious and unique experience created from a collaboration between astrophysicists and artists, will be seen on the south coast. You can see visit the SUN at St Mary’s Church, Fratton Road, Portsmouth, PO1 5PA on the 16th from 7.30-9.00pm, and on the 17th- 22nd between 5.00pm-9.00pm

Using data from NASA’s Solar Dynamic Observatory, leading UK solar astrophysicist Professor Robert Walsh and artist Alex Rinsler came together to create the breathtaking 7-metre floating model of the Sun. This, combined with an original soundscape from electroacoustic composer Ebe Oke, will provide visitors to St Mary’s with an opportunity to wonder at the beauty of our universe.

It has been brought to Portsmouth by St Mary’s Church in partnership with Fratton Big Local and will be part of the 8th annual Festival of Light. This year’s much-loved Lantern Parade is on Friday Nov 17th, leaving the Victory Business Centre at 7pm, and processing down Fratton Road, being lead by the Batala Portsmouth samba band, who will also be playing Under the SUN at 8.15pm.

This is just one of the free events and family-friendly science talks happening under the SUN at St Mary’s Church during the installation. Others include:
• “Save Money , Save the Planet” - Saturday 18th

• Sunday 19th, 6:30pm - SOLAR: Live Music under the Sun - A recital of pieces influenced by our nearest and own star. Come bask in the light of our magnificent stellar wonder in St Mary’s Church, and enjoy a concert of rich and varied live music from musicians Leon Spicer, Andy Hill, Becky Hill and Brian Moles

• Yoga under the SUN - Monday 20th

• Solar Dance - Wednesday 22nd

There is no charge to see the SUN but there will be opportunities to make donations to help support future projects in and for the community of Fratton.

Full Schedule:
Thursday 16th November
- 7:30-9pm - See the SUN

Friday 17th November
- 5-9pm - See the SUN
- Lantern Parade (7pm, Victory Business Centre)
- 8:15-8:35pm - Batala Drumming Under the Sun

Saturday 18th November
- 11am-3pm - See the SUN
- Save Money, Save the Planet
- 5-9pm - See the SUN
- 6:30-7:15pm - 'Living with our very own star', by Professor Robert Walsh

Sunday 19th November
- 10am-12pm - Under the SUN Church Service
- 1-4pm - See the SUN
- 5-9pm - See the SUN
- 6:30-7:15pm - SOLAR: Live Music under the Sun

Monday 20th November
- 5-9pm - See the SUN
- 6:30-7:15pm - Yoga Under the Sun, lead by LANO Yoga (please bring your own mat if possible)

Tuesday 21st November
- 5-9pm - See the SUN

Wednesday 22nd November
- 5-9pm - See the SUN
- 5:15-8:30pm - Dance Under the Sun: Contemporary Dance 5:15-5:25pm, Street Dance 6:00-6:20pm, Contemporary Dance 6:30-6:40pm, Circle Dancing (which you are invited to join in with) 8:00-8:30pm

St Mary's, Portsea

Being with God - Being with others - Being with the rest of creation

St Mary’s is a cultural, community and spiritual hub in the heart of Fratton – don’t miss out on the many events and special services that happen here: join our events email list.

Whether you're new to the Christian faith, a regular churchgoer, or someone who's more interested in our wider community work; we welcome you!

gallery image

Get in touch

Revd Canon Bob White

The Vicarage
Fratton Road
Portsmouth
PO1 5PA

(023) 9282 2687
For the booking of Weddings, Banns and Baptisms
(023) 9281 4444

Our website

What's on

See the SUN!

for 6 days, 1 hour, 30 mins
St Mary's, Portsea
Fratton Road Portsea Portsmouth, PO1 5PH, United Kingdom

The SUN will be shining for a whole week on November 16th-22nd, as a giant illuminated art installation comes to St Mary’s Church!

For the first time ‘SUN’, an ambitious and unique experience created from a collaboration between astrophysicists and artists, will be seen on the south coast. You can see visit the SUN at St Mary’s Church, Fratton Road, Portsmouth, PO1 5PA on the 16th from 7.30-9.00pm, and on the 17th- 22nd between 5.00pm-9.00pm

Using data from NASA’s Solar Dynamic Observatory, leading UK solar astrophysicist Professor Robert Walsh and artist Alex Rinsler came together to create the breathtaking 7-metre floating model of the Sun. This, combined with an original soundscape from electroacoustic composer Ebe Oke, will provide visitors to St Mary’s with an opportunity to wonder at the beauty of our universe.

It has been brought to Portsmouth by St Mary’s Church in partnership with Fratton Big Local and will be part of the 8th annual Festival of Light. This year’s much-loved Lantern Parade is on Friday Nov 17th, leaving the Victory Business Centre at 7pm, and processing down Fratton Road, being lead by the Batala Portsmouth samba band, who will also be playing Under the SUN at 8.15pm.

This is just one of the free events and family-friendly science talks happening under the SUN at St Mary’s Church during the installation. Others include:
• “Save Money , Save the Planet” - Saturday 18th

• Sunday 19th, 6:30pm - SOLAR: Live Music under the Sun - A recital of pieces influenced by our nearest and own star. Come bask in the light of our magnificent stellar wonder in St Mary’s Church, and enjoy a concert of rich and varied live music from musicians Leon Spicer, Andy Hill, Becky Hill and Brian Moles

• Yoga under the SUN - Monday 20th

• Solar Dance - Wednesday 22nd

There is no charge to see the SUN but there will be opportunities to make donations to help support future projects in and for the community of Fratton.

Full Schedule:
Thursday 16th November
- 7:30-9pm - See the SUN

Friday 17th November
- 5-9pm - See the SUN
- Lantern Parade (7pm, Victory Business Centre)
- 8:15-8:35pm - Batala Drumming Under the Sun

Saturday 18th November
- 11am-3pm - See the SUN
- Save Money, Save the Planet
- 5-9pm - See the SUN
- 6:30-7:15pm - 'Living with our very own star', by Professor Robert Walsh

Sunday 19th November
- 10am-12pm - Under the SUN Church Service
- 1-4pm - See the SUN
- 5-9pm - See the SUN
- 6:30-7:15pm - SOLAR: Live Music under the Sun

Monday 20th November
- 5-9pm - See the SUN
- 6:30-7:15pm - Yoga Under the Sun, lead by LANO Yoga (please bring your own mat if possible)

Tuesday 21st November
- 5-9pm - See the SUN

Wednesday 22nd November
- 5-9pm - See the SUN
- 5:15-8:30pm - Dance Under the Sun: Contemporary Dance 5:15-5:25pm, Street Dance 6:00-6:20pm, Contemporary Dance 6:30-6:40pm, Circle Dancing (which you are invited to join in with) 8:00-8:30pm

Our Parish

Safeguarding

The Parish of Portsea is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We work to create protective and supportive environments where all people, especially those who may be vulnerable, are able to worship and pursue their faith journey in safety.

We follow the national legal and procedural framework for safeguarding children and adults. We also follow the Church of England's guidance and policies, as set out by the House of Bishops, and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). More information about national policy, links to wider resources, and Portsmouth-specific information (including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors, who advise our PSOs), can be found on the Diocese of Portsmouth's safeguarding page.

If you have a safeguarding concern about an adult or child, please contact our Parish Safeguarding Officers - Jenny, Mandy & Linsey - at [email protected]

Alternatively, you can contact the Diocese's safeguarding team at [email protected] or 023 9289 9665

If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services.

The Diocese of Portsmouth's safeguarding page