Tuesday 29th November, 7.30pm

at St Mary’s Church, Redbourn

This informal evening will give you insights from experts into planning a funeral and getting your affairs in order.

Whilst we don’t want to think about it, planning ahead for your funeral can help put you and your family’s mind at rest.

Hear from a panel of experienced funeral and legal experts on how to plan your funeral and leave your family in the best possible position.

Guest speakers:

• James Stenson – Phillips Funeral Directors
• David Forbes – St Mary’s Pastoral Visiting Team
• Aidan Briggs – New Square Chambers
• Barry Griffin – Debenham Ottaway Solicitors

Please do join us – all are welcome, no tickets or pre-booking required.

‘If These Stones Could Speak‘

A dramatic and musical production from The Redbourn Players and St Mary’s Church with characters, stories and music celebrating 900 years of St Mary’s history.

Staged on Friday 18^th and Saturday 19^th November 2022, 7.30pm inside the church.

• Meet the monks in 1100 trying to work out which way is east to orientate the church
• Find out how the bones of St Amphibalus were discovered under Redbourn Common
• When were St Mary’s vicars required to provide a full suit of armour?
• Meet the stonemasons who built the Norman arches
• How did the Black Death affect Redbourn and St Mary’s?
• Which Redbourn vicar spent more time playing cricket than in church?

Interspersing the dramatic sketches and amusing stories, the choir will perform music from each century of the church’s history. Lighting effects will give an idea of the evolution of the historic building, and interval drinks and food will provide a taste of history.

Be prepare to be amazed and amused by 900 years of history, with this feast for all the senses!

All proceeds will go to the St Mary’s Charity of the Year, Emmaus Hertfordshire.

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To enhance this celebration of local history, the following activities will run during the afternoon on Saturday 19^th November:

• St Albans Tour Guides will lead local history tours departing from Redbourn Museum at 2pm and finishing at St Mary’s Church at 3pm.
• The St Mary’s Bellringers will have a live-feed screened inside the church as they ring the bells during the afternoon.
• An exhibition of historic photographs from St Mary’s will be displayed in the Transept.
• Refreshments will be served throughout the afternoon.

These extra afternoon activities are free of charge, with donations to Emmaus Hertfordshire gratefully appreciated.

We are delighted that our friends from Symphonia Academica will be joining us for a concert on Sunday 13 November at 3.00pm.

They will be joined by clainettist Nicholas Carpenter for a performance of the beautiful clarinet  quintet by Brahms and the delightfully pastoral set of Bagatelles by Gerald Finzi.

Nick became the principal clarinet of the BBC Concert Orchestra just before the pandemic. Last year he gave a stunning performance of Weber’s second clarinet concerto with BBCCO, broadcast on BBC Radio3.

The concert will last about an hour without an interval.

Admission is free with retiring collection. To reserve your place please phone Peter on 01582 882159 or email bussereau@icloud.com.