As part of a whole weekend of music making on 5th and 6th July we enjoyed a festival service centred around how music has been enjoyed in churches for centuries to mark births, deaths and marriages.
After gathering for breakfast in the Bill Hemsley Community centre (the nave of St Bartholomew's) we had a big sing in the chancel, with 9 hymns and even more musical items spanning centuries from plain chant to Sing Hosanna and John Rutter's "The Lord Bless you and keep you". Lots of favourites that have stood the test of time and been chosen time and time again when marking life events in church.
Thank you to Will at Meatsmiths for supplying the breakfast items, and Lindsey of the Haybarn for cooking and serving, making it a real community event.