May is now almost over, and we have received an excellent response to this month’s Priory 900 events.
The very popular Stonecarving workshop had a full turn-out. Tutors Stephen Carvill and Arran Adams introduced this heritage craft skill to their keen students in a two-hour session. Meanwhile, tutor Sue Reeves enthused that her Medieval Cookery workshop was “a very busy, satisfying day for so many people, an outstanding example of what can be achieved by working together in the community.”
We also had a very enjoyable evening for the Purchase the Priory! art auction on Saturday May 11th. Local professional artists donated artworks inspired by or related to the Priory to raise money for Priory funds. The event also included good food and live music.
The artworks which were not sold on the evening are still for sale, and are currently on display in Bridlington Spa. Please contact us if you are interested in making a bid of at least half the guide price, or place your bid at the Bridlington Spa box office. A visual guide to all the donated artworks can be found here.
Photographer and ‘Purchase the Priory!’ event organiser Jean Illingworth with arts and antiques expert Mike Lawrence, who conducted the auction. Photo by Mike Barnard.
Singer-songwriter Carrie Martin and classical acoustic guitarist Garry Burnett performed live on the evening. Photo by Peter Stubbs.
The Churches Together and community production Priory Visions on Saturday 18th May was a busy, colourful afternoon for all involved. A cast of historical characters, including Priory canons and scribes, fishermen and market traders - even King Henry V and the spirit of St John of Bridlington himself - told the story of Bridlington Priory in twelve dramatic scenes.
Priory Visions concluded with a grand finale and community celebration, which focused on the Priory church and its work in the present day. Priory Visions Today included the presentation of a time capsule, containing special items, photographs and the Priory Visions script, intended for opening on the Priory’s 1000 year anniversary in 2113. The Churches Together Choir performed excerpts from two modern Roger Jones musicals, ‘Rock’ and ‘Two Sisters and a Funeral’, and joined the Priory choir for Handel’s ‘Hallelujah Chorus’.
Thank you to everyone who joined us on the Church Green and made this such a special event - and an extra special thank you to the actors, singers and event organisers for all their hard work!
Priory Visions: welcoming King Henry V! Photo by Jane Batty.
Priory Visions Today: the Bridlington and District Churches Together Choir. Photo by Mike Barnard.
Sailing On…
We regret to announce that due to funding problems, the performance of our dramatic cantata, ‘Sailing to the Marvellous’, has had to be postponed. ‘Sailing to the Marvellous’ will NOT be taking place on 12th and 13th July, as stated in the Priory 900 leaflet and previously on the Priory 900 website.
We very much hope that we can reschedule the production for October, and details will be announced later in the summer when all the arrangements have been finalised.
‘Sailing to the Marvellous’ will enact the stories of spiritual journeys and voyages made across the ages and today through the lives of ordinary people. It will include a soprano soloist, brass and organ, 100 children, the Bridlington Priory and Beverley Minster choirs, the Bridlington Community Chorus and other performers.
Upcoming Events
Plenty to look forward to in an action-packed June!
Saturday 8th June
Music Matters Choir - ‘Haydn’s Creation’
After joining conductor Gareth Green and accompanist Ian Pattinson for the Music Matters ‘come and sing’ choral workshop, participants will perform the extracts they have been rehearsing from Haydn’s ‘Creation’ in an evening concert. The concert will also include a visit from the Jenny Bray Ensemble, to include voice, alto sax, piano, bass, drums and guitar.
Saturday 15th June
Benyounes Quartet
This dynamic and engaging string quartet formed in 2007 at the Royal Northern College of Music, winning prizes in London, Budapest and Geneva. We are delighted to welcome them to the Priory for a stunning evening of music making, which will include Schubert’s Quartet in E Flat D.87, Beethoven’s Quartet Op 18 no.1 in F major, and Dvorak’s Quartet in E flat Op.51.
Saturday 15th June
Archaeology for Children Workshop
(Ages 5 - 15). The Priory site, as it is today, hides a wealth of hidden treasure! Under the gravestones and grass of the churchyard lie the remains of the buildings where the canons (monks) of the medieval Priory lived and worked. Most of this has never been excavated, and we can’t do that today – but we can learn how to carry out excavation and record the results. It will be fun, and all you need is enthusiasm and an interest in history. There are now only a couple of places left, so book yours now!
Saturday 15th June
Geophysical Survey Workshop
If you have ever wondered what it is like to be on Time Team, here is your chance to find out! This is a NEW addition to the Priory 900 workshop programme - a unique and exciting opportunity to be involved in a geophysical survey taking place in the grounds of the 900-year-old Augustinian Priory, and find out more about the original layout and structure of the Priory’s monastic buildings. Who knows what might be discovered on the day?This workshop will be taking place at the same time as the Archaeology for Children (above), which makes it an excellent opportunity for both parents and children to be involved in the experience.
Also in June…
Sat 1st June, 10am - 4pm
Medieval Jewellery Workshop
Make a piece of medieval inspired jewellery with tutor Jacqueline Warrington. SOLD OUT.
Sat 22nd June, 12-4 pm
Medieval Summer Fayre
Come and enjoy the fun of the fayre — in costume if you can!
Sat 22nd June, 7:30 pm
The York Waits
A visit from this 16th century living history band. Period European street music, popular dance, and ballad tunes.
Sat 29th June - Sun 7th July
Old Town Summer Festival
This successful annual celebration will take on a special Priory 900 flavour for 2013.
Sat 29th June, 10am - 4pm
Poems in the Priory Workshop
Produce original poetry celebrating Bridlington Priory over its varied and long life. Places available!
Sat 30th June, 6:30 pm
Priory 900 Songs of Praise
Join us for a special service which will include favourite hymns, songs and readings.
Are you enjoying the festival so far? Is there something else you would like to see? Please contact us with your suggestions!
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