The Ross Parishes: Ross-on-Wye, Walford & Brampton Abbotts
Inspiring faith, hope and love in each generation.
Before we get too deep into Christmas, here’s a bit of forward planning for you with an opportunity to think of Epiphany and Candlemas in The Ross Parishes. Perhaps you’d like to Come, Sing & Sup with us on Sunday 11th January?
Save the dates!
Michael Lunts will be performing at the Christmas Tree Festival today.
It’s really two for the price of one: a great concert and the tree festival. The concert begins at 1.30. There are tickets to be had on the door (just £10). We look forward to seeing you.
It is with deep sadness that we have to report the death of Gerald Altree. Gerald has been in our thoughts and prayers for some time and died yesterday, following a heart attack (Sunday 16th November). We continue to pray for Gerald and for Pam, Kate and Glen and their families at this sad time.
Gerald has been a very active member of the community at St Mary’s and around the town for many decades. He has served on the Deanery Synod for some time and was churchwarden in the 1990s. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to him and to Pam.
Details of Gerald’s funeral will be shared here in due course.
The Four Last Things – Heaven, Hell, Death and Judgement – Advent is a time of waiting. We wait for Jesus the infant, coming to live a human life, but we also wait for Christ the Judge,
coming to reward and punish. On the Sundays in and around Advent, Kelvin Price, Emily Goy and John Davies will help us to explore these ancient beliefs in our modern world. Come to listen, ponder, ask questions if you wish. All meetings take place in St Mary’s Church Hall from 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm – tea from 3.30 pm.
More information from David.
One of the highlights of St Mary’s Christmas Tree Festival will be a Friday evening concert by the professional Orchestra of the Swan. All in the magical setting of St Mary’s illuminated by the light of many trees. It will also be your first chance to see the festival.
Friday 28th November, 7.00pm
Tickets are just £15 (£5 for those under 18) the price rises to £18 on the door, on the night.
The Orchestra of the Swan perform over 45 concerts per year in collaboration with distinguished guest conductors and solo artists, bringing the music of the world’s most celebrated composers to our loyal and evolving audiences.
Midwinter’s musical pendulum swings between the ancient and the contemporary, the religious and the secular, the familiar and the unknown. This is a tapestry of music woven from works spanning the 12th century to the present day, illustrating the richness and enduring allure of midwinter’s musical traditions.
Programme:
Corelli Christmas Concerto
Anon arr. Le Page Nowell Tydings Trew
Anon arr. Le Page Coventry Carol
Purcell arr. Le Page Now Winter Comes Slowly
Anon arr. Le Page Noel 1
The Pogues arr. Le Page Fairytale of New York
Vivaldi L’inverno ‘Winter’ RV 297 i. Allegro non molto
Holst/Le Page Midwinter
Anon arr. Le Page Ríu Ríu Chíu
Goss/Le Page See Amid the Winter’s Snow
Anon arr. Le Page The Snow Melts the Soonest
Liszt arr. Le Page The Shepherds in the Manger
Vivaldi L’inverno ‘Winter’ RV 297 iii. Allegro
Anon arr. Le Page O Little Town of Bethlehem
Join us on Saturday, 1st November for a service sung by St Mary’s occasional choir, Round Byrd. Music by 20th century composers and including William Harris’s masterpiece, Faire is the Heaven.
The service starts at 5pm and will last about 45 minutes.
There are many services on offer for you over the course of the Remembrance season in The Ross Parishes. They are:
The parade steps off from Old Maid’s Walk Police Station – all Serving Personnel and Veterans are invited to form up at the Police Station by 10.00. To be followed by Act of Commemoration and Wreath Laying at the War Memorial on The Prospect at 10.50 am and ecumenical Remembrance Day Service at St Mary’s at 11.15 am. Refreshments will be served following the Service.
We look forward to seeing you.
Booking (free) is now available for this.
Please book in to help us with arrangements.
Nathaniel Morgan was an important figure in Ross in the first half of the 19th Century. 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of his birth. To mark that, Ross Civic Society and Virginia Morgan (no relation) have created a small exhibition that you’ll find at the back of Ross Church until 6th November.
You can learn even more by downloading Virginia’s Pink Publication (number 7) from the Ross Civic Society website. https://rosscivic.org.uk/publications
Tomorrow (Wednesday 1st October) we welcome back Ruth Cartledge for our next First Wednesday @ 1 free recital. The concert will last about 45 minutes.
We look forward to seeing you.
Do you know a child who likes to sing, who perhaps enjoys a bit of drama? Then please encourage them to come along on Saturday 27th September at 2pm, to St Mary’s Church in Ross-on-Wye, where we’re running a Taster Day for children aged 7 or older who might like to join our vibrant Youth Choir.
More information at https://rossparishes.uk/youth-choir
Do you know a child who likes to sing, who perhaps enjoys a bit of drama? Then please encourage them to come along on Saturday 27th September at 2pm, to St Mary’s Church in Ross-on-Wye, where we’re running a Taster Day for children aged 7 or older who might like to join our vibrant Youth Choir.
More information at https://rossparishes.uk/youth-choir
This weekend is your last chance to come and enjoy the wonderful experience that is h.Art @ St Mary’s. 16 artists all under one glorious roof with great food available all weekend. A great space to unwind. Come along and see us.
While you’re in town don’t miss the other venues in Ross. Full details at https://h-art.org.uk
There are a few more workshops this weekend –
Full details of workshops and booking at https://rossparishes.uk/h-art
We’re open 10am – 5pm on Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sunday.
Nina Oakman is running a glass designing workshop at 2.00pm.
Full details and booking is at https://rossparishes.uk/h-art
The food is attracting many compliments at h.Art @ St Mary’s. The splendid work of our 16 artists makes St Mary’s a great place to be this week. Why not join us for lunch?
Nina Oakman is running a glass designing workshop at 2.00pm.
Full details and booking is at https://rossparishes.uk/h-art
h.Art is in full swing at St Mary’s, in Ross. Delicious homemade refreshments are on sale throughout the week. Why not pop in for coffee, lunch or tea?
Today (Wednesday 10th) at 10.30am you can take part in an Organic Sculpting workshop with Wendy Healey or at 2.30, design water colour cards and bookmarks with Vanessa Rhead.
Full details and booking is at https://rossparishes.uk/h-art
Do you know a child who likes to sing, who perhaps enjoys a bit of drama? Then please encourage them to come along on Saturday 27th September at 2pm, to St Mary’s Church in Ross-on-Wye, where we’re running a Taster Day for children aged 7 or older who might like to join our vibrant Youth Choir.
More information at https://rossparishes.uk/youth-choir
h.Art is in full swing at St Mary’s, in Ross. Delicious homemade refreshments are on sale throughout the week. Why not pop in for coffee, lunch or tea?
Today (Tuesday 9th) at 10.30am you can design a small stained glass panel with glassmaker Nina Oakman. or at 2.30, with Vanessa Rhead you can create beautiful cards and bookmarks.
Full details and booking is at https://rossparishes.uk/h-art
h.Art is in full swing at St Mary’s, in Ross. Delicious homemade refreshments are on sale throughout the week. Why not pop in for lunch?
Today (Monday 8th) at 10.30am and 2.00pm Karen Tacey will be giving a demonstration of pottery throwing (on the potter’s wheel – not around the church!) There’s no need to book for this demonstration, just come along to church and grab a cup of coffee (with free refills if you wish) and a delicious piece of cake.
Join us on Sunday 7th September 6.00pm for a celebratory service for our patronal festival. The choir’s back, special music, cake and fizz!
h.Art & St Mary’s is well and truly open. After a vibrant preview evening on Friday the annual exhibition and art sale is now open every day from 10am to 5pm Saturday 6th to Sunday 14th September.
Homemade refreshments are ongoing throughout the week. Come and see us.
The Ross Parishes: Ross-on-Wye, Walford & Brampton Abbotts 