Category Archives: Events archive

Archive of fundraising events held in aid of St Peter’s, from 2018 onwards – Thanks to all who came along to support – We hope these posts bring back some happy memories at St Peter’s Church.

Messiah – 250 Years

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September 2009 was a special year for St Peter’s Church – as it was the 250th anniversary of the first performance of Handel’s great oratorio, ‘Messiah‘ in a parish church in England.

The first performance was held as part of Rev. William Hanbury’s music festival, one of a number that he organised to help raise funds for his grand vision for St Peter’s Church.

This anniversary concert was held in September 2009 and we are delighted to share the programme and four tickets as part of our Heritage Archive.

St Peter's Church - 250th Anniversary, 'Messiah' Programme and tickets
St Peter’s Church – 250th Anniversary, ‘Messiah’ Programme and tickets

The performance featured soloists, Felicity Lott and Elizabeth Hoyle, sopranos, Michael Bundy, Bass, Julian Perkins, Harphsicord, Andrew King, organ and the Harborough Singers. Narrator, Gabriel Woolf, English Pro Musica. It was conducted by David Beavan.

Here are the individual pages of the programme which make great reading! Just click on an image to enlarge and read.

Were you at the concert? Did you take part? It would be lovely to hear your memories…

250th Anniversary programme - Handel's Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Front cover
250th Anniversary programme – Handel’s Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Front cover
250th Anniversary programme - Handel's Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page
250th Anniversary programme – Handel’s Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page
250th Anniversary programme - Handel's Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page
250th Anniversary programme – Handel’s Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page
250th Anniversary programme - Handel's Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page
250th Anniversary programme – Handel’s Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page
250th Anniversary programme - Handel's Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page
250th Anniversary programme – Handel’s Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page
250th Anniversary programme - Handel's Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page
250th Anniversary programme – Handel’s Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page
250th Anniversary programme - Handel's Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page
250th Anniversary programme – Handel’s Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page – Soloists
250th Anniversary programme - Handel's Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page
250th Anniversary programme – Handel’s Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page -Soloists
250th Anniversary programme - Handel's Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page
250th Anniversary programme – Handel’s Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page – Soloists
250th Anniversary programme - Handel's Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page
250th Anniversary programme – Handel’s Messiah at Conductor David Beavan and English Pro Musica
250th Anniversary programme - Handel's Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page
250th Anniversary programme – Handel’s Messiah at Church Langton, 2009, Inside page – Harborough Singers
Programme back cover

National Trust Heritage Open Days

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St. Peter’s, Church Langton

Stonton Road, Church Langton, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7SZ

Join our guided tour of the church, highlighting the architectural and historical features. St. Peter’s hosted the first performance of Handel’s Messiah in a parish church. 

St. Peter’s is the Mother Church of The Langtons, dating back to Norman times and was possibly an Anglo Saxon minster. This medieval church, of amazing proportions has so much heritage of interest dating from the late 13th and early 14th centuries with the tower, clerestory and nave arcades, the work of the 15th century.

Rector William Hanbury organised the first performance of Handel’s Messiah in a Parish Church in England in St Peter’s on 27th September 1759.

Victorian renovations resulted in the elaborate carvings on the pews and pulpit and a reredos in the chancel which is an alabaster representation of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci.

Opening Times                                                                                              

Sunday 13th September: 14.00  – Please note this has been cancelled 😦

Wednesday 16th September: 14.00 – There are a few places left, so book now 🙂

Booking Details

Numbers limited to 15, booking required.                                                           
Contact: Roz Folwell 01858 545160 r.folwell@btinternet.com or Maxine Johnson 01858 545745 maxinejohnson.1@btinternet.com

Access

No wheelchair access, uneven ground in churchyard.

COVID-19 Considerations

This event will run in line with local & national government guidelines at the time of the festival. Please WEAR MASKS and be aware of social distancing. There are no hand washing facilities but sanitising gel will be provided. Please do not attend if anyone in your family is exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms.

Additional Information

No toilet facilities.
Printed Guide available for £1. Please bring correct money.                    
Maximum 15 people per tour. Tour lasts 95 minutes

Heritage open days

VJ Day, 75th Anniversary

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On Saturday 15 August at 5pm, Leicester Cathedral will broadcast a Service of Commemoration to mark the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day – the day Japan surrendered, bringing to an end the Second World War. This is a pre-recorded service as it is not possible to hold the service as planned in the Cathedral itself.

As part of the service HRH The Duke of Gloucester, as Patron of the National Far East Prisoners of War Fellowship Welfare Remembrance Association, will read an Extract from The Speech of King George VI, 15 August 1945. The service will be led by The Very Revd David Monteith, Dean of Leicester, and the sermon will be given by The Rt Revd Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester. The Rt Revd Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Loughborough, will lead prayers. The service will pay grateful tribute to all who served in the Far East Campaign between 1941–1945, who endured great hardships and became known as ‘the forgotten army’. This service will ensure they are not forgotten with an Act of Remembrance including the laying of a wreath and silence. The Bishop of Leicester will also invite those of us in today’s age to continue to strive for peace in an Act of Commitment.

The county of Leicestershire and city of Leicester has particular reason to commemorate the service of the troops in the Far East campaign, as the Leicestershire Regiment was a key player. It was in recognition of the Regiment’s outstanding service in the Far East and other theatres of war that King George VI awarded it the title of the Royal Leicester Regiment in 1946.

As well as the online Cathedral service, in Leicestershire, the City and County Councils, together with the Lieutenancy Office, the Royal Tigers’ Association and the Children of Far East Prisoners of War (COFEPOW), have been working together to create a website honouring local veterans. This can be found at: https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/VJDay75

The link to the pre-recorded service from Leicester Cathedral at 5pm on Saturday 15 August will be posted here: http://leicestercathedral.org/covid-19/online-services/.