2024 is the 300th anniversary of the death of Ross’s most famous son, John Kyrle, The Man of Ross (1637-1724). We are commemorating this anniversary from September to November, with a series of events.
A Three Month Celebration
St Mary’s Church, The Friends of St Mary’s and createROSS already have a number of events in the diary and are organising the festival between them. If you represent an organisation in or around Ross and would like to contribute to this schedule (at any venue in the town) or join in with the organisation, we’d love to hear from you.
Still to come:
| Sat 12th October | Ross massed choirs concert – 7.30pm – Book Tickets (limited quantity) Featuring: Ross Choral Society, Ross Penyard Singers, The Roaring Megs, The Ross Choristers, The Border belles, Ross Church Choir and Ross Folk Choir. With a specially commissioned song by Eleanor Kercher, “The Man of Ross” | St Mary’s |
| Tue 15th October | Ross Heritage Walks – In the steps of Kyrle – FREE – meet at the Market House at 10.30am | Harket House + |
| Fri 18th, October | John Kyrle: The Musical (by Sammy Martin) – 7.30pm An exciting musical theatre production plotting the story of John Kyrle’s life, from the end of the plague, his birth, and the dramatic events of 17th Century Ross-on-Wye as they unfolded. Written and composed by Sammy Martin. Performed by students from across the town. Tickets: £10 / 16 and under FREE – Book tickets here | John Kyrle High School |
| Sat 19th October | John Kyrle: The Musical (by Sammy Martin) – 7.30pm An exciting musical theatre production plotting the story of John Kyrle’s life, from the end of the plague, his birth, and the dramatic events of 17th Century Ross-on-Wye as they unfolded. Written and composed by Sammy Martin. Performed by students from across the town. Tickets: £10 / 16 and under FREE – Book tickets here | John Kyrle High School |
| November | Kyrle in Time – An exhibition in St Mary’s Church that sets John Kyrle’s achievements into context of time and place. Open every day 9-5pm, admission is FREE. More at https://museumwithoutwalls.uk/kyrle-in-time | St Mary’s |
| Sat 9th November | Official reopening of the Market House – Saturday 9th November Come and join in the festivities: Get ahead of your Christmas shopping at the traders market, 9am-3pm Enjoy live entertainment Learn something new at our hedgehog hub workshop Come along to the Civic event from 3pm Listen to the Ross Town Band from around 4pm JK300 Evensong in St Mary’s (see below) at 5.00pm You’ll find more information on the restoration work at https://rosstc-herefordshire.gov.uk | Market House |
| Sat 9th November | JK300 Evensong – Round Byrd – 5.00pm Join us for a period evensong in St Mary’s at 5.00pm. This will be prepared by St Mary’s occasional choir Round Byrd, earlier in the day and will feature the music of the great Restoration composer Henry Purcell (1659 – 1695) | St Mary’s |
John Kyrle: The Musical is an exciting musical theatre production plotting the story of John Kyrle’s life, from the end of the plague, his birth, and the dramatic events of 17th Century Ross-on-Wye as they unfolded. Written and composed by Sammy Martin.
Students from across the town are all working together on this music and drama extravaganza – 300 years ago…the plagues, the flooding, the plight of the locals and how John Kyrle changed life for them all – and how indeed his impact continues for us now.
- Friday 18th October – John Kyrle High School stage theatre – 7.30pm
- Saturday 19th October – John Kyrle High School stage theatre – 7.30pm
Tickets: Adult £10 (16 and under FREE)
In Search of John Kyrle, The Man of Ross – Jon Hurley – £9.95
Originally published in 2013, Jon Hurley’s book “In Search of John Kyrle, The Man of Ross” attempts to capture the essence of the man, his interests, foibles, and his work for the town from contemporary records and reports of his life.
A limited edition has been reprinted for JK300, but they are going fast! You can pick up a copy for £9.95 from Rossiter Books in Ross, from the back of St Mary’s (honesty box) or at any of these events.
Jon died earlier this year (a great shame, he would have loved this festival). The printing costs of this book have been covered by Jon’s friends in his memory. All proceeds from the sale of this edition go entirely to The Friends of St Mary’s Church.
The Ross Parishes: Ross-on-Wye, Walford & Brampton Abbotts 