Come and help us build a vision of peace for 2026, through music visual arts, conversation, worship, silence and reflection.Throughout the festival there will be displays featuring local artists, photography and contributions from schools. We will explore "Peace" through poetry, the spoken word, conversations with experts and an embroidery day. There will be events for children and young people and our friends from different cultures.Tickets will be on sale in 2026 when our festival brochure will be available and dates and times are confirmed.The programme so far includes the following:Festival Opening Weekend 20-21 June 2026With Jackie Oates, Evolution of Fishermen and Fish from OblivionFestival Eucharist, Come and sing EvensongWeek OneEnglish Wind Consort (Thursday Evening)Lunchtime concerts with Manchester Reed Trio (Monday); Margaret Outen andTim Sagar (Wednesday); Chian-Chian Hsu (cello) and Charles Matthews (piano) on ThursdayFestival Central Weekend 26-28 JuneLate night jazz led by Chris Gumbley (Friday) Choral workshop with Jeff Stewart (Saturday)Choral Eucharist; afternoon recital led by Dellal MacDonald and Peter Martin (Sunday)Week TwoSimone Damiani (piano); Stien de Neef (harp)A collaboration with Stafford Gatehouse team based on this year's production of Richard IIIClosing Weekend 3-5 JulySt Mary's Children's Choir (Friday)Foden's Band (Saturday)Closing Eucharist and barbecue (Sunday)
18th January: Epiphany Carol Service 6.30pm17th - 22nd February: There is no planet B - Environmental arts at Saint Chad’s 17th February: Shrove Tuesday 18th February: Ash Wednesday, Lent begins8th March: Confirmation Service at St. Mary's15th March: Mothering Sunday 29th March: Palm Sunday 5th April: Easter Sunday 24th May: Pentecost, Eastertide ends 31st May: Trinity Sunday 20th June - 5th July: Saint Mary’s Summer Festival - Building for Peace8th November: Remembrance Sunday 22nd November: Christ the King 29th November: Advent SundayEarly December: St. Mary's Christmas Tree Festival
Coffee concerts start at 11a.m. with coffee and tea available from 10.30a.m. Admission is free but we welcome donations to support music in the church.Programme for January to April 2026January 10th: Yun-Jou Lin (piano)January 24th: Manchester Reed TrioFebruary 14th: TBCFebruary 28th: Simon FitzGerald (organ)March 14th: The OperettesMarch 28th: Young Performers' ShowcaseApril 11th: Tim Sagar (piano)April 25th: Quartz