We have now passed the half-way milestone for the Priory 900 festival. We are delighted to have had so many opportunities to share the past, present and future of Bridlington Priory with so many different people, through informal gatherings, concerts, practical workshops and more. As you may know, last month we even had a very exciting VIP visit!
However, the celebrations are far from over and we are gearing up for some major Priory 900 events that truly explore the building’s fascinating, rich and complex heritage.
Priory 900 ‘Pilgrimage for All’
York Minster to Bridlington Priory, 22nd - 28th August 2013
What are your plans for the August bank holiday weekend? If you’re looking for a chance to get out and about, why not join the Priory 900 pilgrims for a 70 mile walk from York Minster to Bridlington Priory? We’ll be making the journey across the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds, with stops at areas of historic interest including Kirkham Priory and the deserted village of Wharram Percy.
Just as Chaucer’s pilgrims wended their way to Canterbury to reach the shrine of St Thomas a Becket, in 15th century Yorkshire thousands of people - including King Henry V - aimed for the Priory’s shrine to St John of Bridlington. We have organised a modern, 21st century pilgrimage to revive this tradition, under Priory 900’s tagline ‘Celebrating the Journey’.
The Pilgrimage has been planned and will be led by expert walkers John and Nancy Eckersley from Flamborough, who began their ‘prequel’ to the Pilgrimage at Carlisle Cathedral on 28th July in support of Christian Aid. You can read all about their journey so far on the Pilgrimage news blog.
Photo © Paul Atkinson, Bridlington Free Press. Left - right: Mark Kunz, Priory 900 co-ordinator Penelope Weston, Glenn Walker, and Nancy and John Eckersley.
You can participate in the Pilgrimage for fun, as a devotional exercise, or simply for the journey and good company. You can choose to take part in the entire walk or simply choose one or more stages.
You will find everything you need to apply online here, including a guide booklet containing maps, descriptions of the route, photographs and other information. You can also purchase the booklet from the Bridlington Priory and York Minster shops. We recommend that you have a copy to hand for each member of your walking party.
Please note that application prior to the event is essential. You will take part in the event at your own risk and will be responsible for your own accommodation and travel, though we will try to provide as much guidance as possible.
The Pilgrimage is also an opportunity to raise money for good causes if you wish. Our chosen charity is Excellent, Pioneers of Sand Dams, who support rural development in semi-arid areas through the construction of Sand Dams and self-help schemes for sustainable farming. Please visit our Just Giving page (www.justgiving.com/Priory900) for further details, or to make a donation to this fantastic charity on our behalf.
The Priory Walking Club has organised a separate pilgrimage walk from Beverley Minister, and we will join them at the Priory for a celebratory finale on 28th August. If you would like to feel part of the event, why not come and greet the weary pilgrims for this final stage?
July Highlights
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Royal Visit, 23rd July 2013 On Tuesday 23rd July, Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Bridlington Priory to celebrate Priory 900 with us. We were delighted to share the past and present of our fascinating church with the royal couple in this very special year, and it was a fantastic, uplifting day for the whole community. The Prince and Duchess were taken on a special tour of the Priory and chatted with the public and invited guests. Please visit this page for further details and a selection of photos taken on the day. |
Town Criers Competition and Parade of Criers, 7th July 2013 Town Criers from all over the country joined Bridlington Town Crier David Hinde for a parade through the Old Town to the Priory in a blaze of colour, heritage and pageantry. “I have never witnessed such a superb set of proclamations – everyone was going for it,” said David. “A big, big thank you to our sponsors and to the people and organizations that made this a major success for Bridlington and the Old Town.” For a list of prize winners, photographs and further information, please visit this page. You can also visit David Hinde’s Bridlington Town Crier website. |
Upcoming Events - August and September
A two-day conference on the Priory’s history and heritage and more!
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14th and 15th September 2013
Online booking is now available for this important two-day gathering with specialist contributors, which will include tours of the Priory and the Bayle Musuem. Papers will be given on aspects of the Priory’s history and culture from 1113 onwards, including the cult of St John of Bridlington and Augustinian life and liturgy. There will be ample opportunity to talk with the speakers, and indeed to share information where relevant. We hope that the Conference will provide discussion and deliberation of the highest quality which is also accessible to all who have a genuine interest in this outstanding building and its history. The venue for the Conference is the East Riding College, only a short walk away from the Priory. We are very grateful to the Principal and staff of the College for their generosity in providing the excellent facilities of this award-winning building for the Conference. 14th September 2013, 8:00pm
The ‘Celebrating the Heritage’ conference includes a complimentary ticket for this unique and exciting concert in the Priory. The pure-toned Binchois Consort will perform liturgical music originally written for the canons of Bridlington Priory, including a mass in honour of St John of Bridlington. This will be a unique opportunity to hear this music sung by experts in its original setting. |
13th September 2013, 7:30pm
The Weighton Waytes choir attracts members of all ages from around Market Weighton. With the help of narrators and soloists, they will perform ‘In the Year of our Lord, 1536’, a musical presentation of the Pilgrimage of Grace composed by the choir’s founder and conductor Carole Readman. ‘In the Year of our Lord, 1536′ is part of the inscription on the Church tower at Aughton, where Robert Aske, one of the leaders of the Pilgrimage of Grace, lived. The Pilgrimage of Grace is also highly relevant to Bridlington Priory, since the execution of the last Prior, William Wode, was the consequence of his support for this uprising. An excellent and enlightening evening’s entertainment for those who enjoy musical performance and Yorkshire history. 24th August 2013, 10-12 and 2-4
The aim of the workshop is to promote calligraphy and to encourage knowledge of letter shape and structure. Both sessions will focus on foundational Roman round hand. With George Stephenson. Availability: Afternoon Session (2pm - 4pm) 7th September 2013, 10-12 and 2-4
These workshops illustrate the highly diverse ways in which textiles can be used for creative as well as practical purposes, using the Priory as reference and stimulus. With Lynne Henderson and Corinne Young. Availability: Embroidery Morning and Afternoon Sessions (Feltmaking SOLD OUT) |
Are you enjoying the festival so far? Is there something else you would like to see? Please contact us with your comments and suggestions!
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