News & Events

We’re on our way!

After twelve months of careful planning, we’re delighted to report that we have now secured the generous support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, other funders and private donors, so that we can begin the first phase of work towards securing the future of Ross’s Tower and Spire.

This means that, over the next year or so, we will:

• Carry out medium term repairs to the four pinnacles so that the fences can be removed, safe access restored, and the bells can ring again;
• Install monitoring equipment in the tower and spire to determine how the building is moving and contribute knowledge to a long-term repair in the coming years;
• Carry out a survey of the precise nature of the problems at the top of the spire and design a scheme for its repair;
• Commission a specialist heating engineer to design a carbon net zero heating system (so that we can dispense with the twenty-year-old gas boilers on which we currently rely) and specify solar panels for some of the south-facing roof space so that we can be as self-sustaining as possible with our energy needs;
• Engage with the community through a year of education and events so that more people can appreciate and understand the town’s heritage that is St Mary’s Church;
• Begin fundraising for the second, larger and longer-term phase of work that will bring all of this work to full fruition.

Discover more of what’s planned, now and as the project develops, at https://rossparishes.uk/spire-in-peril

You can download this week’s newsletter further down..

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We are looking forward to the screening of the National Emergency Briefing and associated discussion at St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye on Wednesday 12th August. We are aware that many may wish to view the solar eclipse at its height (7.12pm) and we have decided to delay the start of the film until 7.20. Please bring your own viewing glasses, we hope there will be a good view from the churchyard / Prospect.

If you haven’t already taken a look at the background to this, there’s much to be discovered at https://www.nebriefing.org/

We look forward to seeing you, there’s no charge and you can book a place here. Please note that the film has a 16 rating.

An eye-opening film featuring nine leading UK scientists and experts updating us on the latest in the climate and nature crisis and its impacts on everyday national life.

Including:

• extreme weather
• food security
• health
• cost of living

Based on the National Emergency Briefing in Westminster, as covered by ITV, C4, and the Times.

Followed by a short open discussion about what we can do and what it means locally.

Featuring Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden, surprise guests, and a wide range of Brits.

Please note: The film is only being shown at in-person screenings, not online. Bring a friend or neighbour.

You are invited to attend a screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing at St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye, at 7pm on Wednesday 12th August. The screening of the film will be followed by a discussion. There’s no charge and you can book a place here. Please note that the film has a 16 rating.

An eye-opening film featuring nine leading UK scientists and experts updating us on the latest in the climate and nature crisis and its impacts on everyday national life.

Including:

• extreme weather
• food security
• health
• cost of living

Based on the National Emergency Briefing in Westminster, as covered by ITV, C4, and the Times.

Followed by a short open discussion about what we can do and what it means locally.

Featuring Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden, surprise guests, and a wide range of Brits.

Please note: The film is only being shown at in-person screenings, not online. Bring a friend or neighbour.

You are invited to attend a screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing at St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye, at 7pm on Wednesday 12th August. The screening of the film will be followed by a discussion. There’s no charge and you can book a place here. Please note that the film has a 16 rating.

An eye-opening film featuring nine leading UK scientists and experts updating us on the latest in the climate and nature crisis and its impacts on everyday national life.

Including:

• extreme weather
• food security
• health
• cost of living

Based on the National Emergency Briefing in Westminster, as covered by ITV, C4, and the Times.

Followed by a short open discussion about what we can do and what it means locally.

Featuring Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden, surprise guests, and a wide range of Brits.

Please note: The film is only being shown at in-person screenings, not online. Bring a friend or neighbour.

Congratulations to Revd Dr Owen Pembery licensed today (by Bishop Richard in Hereford) as our new curate in the Ross Parishes. 

Come and welcome him at St Mary’s this Sunday (5th July) at the 8am service or at the 9.30am All Age service. 

Have you looked at our Photo Galley recently? It provides a visual record of some of our activities. Why not have look!

A new green altar frontal and hangings are to be blessed at the Walford Parish Eucharist on Sunday 7th June at 9.30am. These beautiful things for use in God’s house are a generous gift from David Walshaw in memory of his late wife Sheila, who died last August.

Why not pop along and see it on Saturday 6th June when you visit the Summer Fete between 11am and 4pm at Homme Farm, HR9 7TF

Today (Thursday 14th May) is Ascension Day. Join us for tonight’s service which is at Walford Church at 7.00pm. St Mary’s Choir will be helping out and there are refreshments after the service. There is no service at St Mary’s this evening.

The 2026 season of free lunchtime concerts – First Wednesdays @ 1 – begins today (Wednesday 1st April). We welcome our friends from Forest Baroque.

Just come to church when you’re ready – bring your lunch if you like. The concert will begin at 1pm and last about 45 minutes. We look forward to seeing you.

This evening, our adult choir will sing choral compline at 7.00pm, as Holy Week grows in momentum. That quiet service will last about 15 minutes.

Curious about faith? Join us for 10 weeks of unpacking the big questions of life, faith and purpose.

Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that explore the basics of the Christian faith. Alpha is for anyone who’s curious to explore the big questions of life, faith and meaning. The talks are designed to encourage conversations and explore the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal environment without pressure or judgement.

We come together to meet new people and explore the christian faith but most importantly a meal!

Please email emily@rossparishes.uk for any dietary requirements

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 –

• Mary Deaville – Resin dip flowers – Saturday 13th at 2pm
• Vanessa Rhead – making water colour card – Sunday 14th at 2pm

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

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

On Sunday 7th September 6.00pm – Join us for a celebratory service for our patronal festival. The choir’s back, special music, cake and fizz! 

Following a visit from steeplejacks and a structural engineer in August 2025, we know that we have three failed pinnacles. These are the one closest to the Phoenix Theatre and the one on either side of it.

The top five or six stones on each pinnacle are loose, though the rod is holding them in place. We are still at a very early stage in diagnosing the problem, until we know that we can’t provide or cost a solution, or apply for funding to carry it out. This problem has occured before; we need to ensure that it is fixed properly this time, and for the long term. We have a team in place (architect, structural engineer and steeplejacks). They are work hard for us.

The short film below shows the scale of the problem.

There are also structural problems with the very top of the spire, which will also need to be dismantled and rebuilt.

For safety reasons we ask you to avoid this area of the churchyard, and the path by the tower has now been completely closed. We ask everyone to try to get into the habit of using the path around the east end of the church instead.

Please note also that there is now no parking in the churchyard.

We have now have level access into the church via a ramp at the Church Street end of the church. Please come into the churchyard through the gate at Old Maids Walk and follow the path along the wall to the ramp.

We will post more here as we have it.

Thank you for your understanding.

Every six years we have to write off the electoral roll and build it again from scratch. We’re in one of those years.

If you’d like to be on the electoral roll please tell us here (it’s very straightforward):

We need this to be complete by 21st February (for Ross). The Annual Church Meeting (APCM) is earlier this yer than previously on Tuesday 18th March.

More on that, and the Electoral Roll at https://rossparishes.uk/apcms