Here are some photo galleries of recent events in the life of our parishes.
Photo Galleries
AN EVENING WITH THE DANCING MISTER – OCTOBER 2025
St Mary’s reverted back to medieval times to raise funds. Tim Walker, the Dancing Mister showed us some of the dances of the period accompanied by a talented band of minstrels. Some gambling with dice raised extra coins (a medieval “Raffle”) and a feast completed the evening raising over £600 (in today’s money). Fun was…
A Benefice Walk – August 2025
Fifteen walkers left home to venture to Monmouth, many using public transport to help lessen our carbon footprint. Janet led us on a walk which took us across fields, the River Monnow, and even to Iceland (no boats or planes), and via the Nelson Garden to La Piccola Italia for pasta, pizza and other delicious…
A visit to St Davids – July 2025
At the end of July our choir journeyed to St David’s Cathedral in West Wales to sing the services over the weekend. On Friday (appropriately the feast day of St James, patron saint of pilgrims) we sang our first service. While some of the more adventurous tried coasteering, Saturday offered time for fun on the…
VE 80 – May 2025
As the country celebrated 80 years since VE Day, St Mary’s joined in with two major events. On Sunday 4th May, the church hosted a 1945 style afternoon Tea Dance with Monmouth Swing Band. On 8th May, the VE Day Story was told though a multi-media presentation of story-telling, music, pictures and song with moments…
Welcome to our new Rector – 30 April 2025
April 30th saw the arrival and licensing of our much awaited new Rector, Kelvin. During a special service in a packed church, the Bishop of Hereford collated Kelvin to the Ross Parishes. The choir’s words “I was glad” echoed the thoughts of many! The Ross Parishes are hugely pleased to welcome Kelvin and Ruth, together…
Easter 2025
Four primary schools and a local home education group joined us to Experience Easter at the end of the term. Early on Easter Morning we came together with other churches in Ross on the Prospect to welcome the risen Lord.
A year beginning with music – 2025
St Mary’s offers a wonderful venue for concerts and we have been delighted to welcome all sorts of groups to perform here. Some are pictured – others evaded the camera! During Lent, music which reflected on our environment included Love Letter to the Wye (music by Fiona Taylor), a Come & Sing and Sup for…
December 2024 – Christmas
Christmas has begun at St Mary’s! Pictured are the choir singing in the Market Place to greet Father Christmas and at the traditional Carol Service held on Sunday evening when the the church was packed with standing room only. On Christmas Eve families enjoyed our Crib Service. The children assembled the crib as the Christmas…
OCTOBER 2024 CONFIRMATION SERVICE
On Sunday 6th October Bishop Richard confirmed eight people from Ross and Walford. Caroline and her team have helped and encouraged them on their journey of faith which has led them to confirming their Baptismal vows. The children from both churches had prepared special banners and members of the congregation had baked beautiful confirmation cakes…
SEPTEMBER 2024 LOOKING BACK OVER THE SUMMER
The summer began and ended with our season of monthly Wednesday lunchtime concerts with audiences of between 60 and 100 attending each concert. The choir had a busy summer, the adults taking Choral Evensong to some of our Deanery Churches, while the youth choir gave their own “end of term” concert, Finally, everyone visited Bath…
August 2024 Hedgehog Fayre
A day of hedgehog themed family fun brought together church and town, people and hedgehogs. Thanks to everyone who has sent in photos – here are a selection. With lots of information about Ross’s emblem, the hedgehog, now sadly endangered, Andrew De La Haye – Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, Celyn Davies – Wye Valley National Landscapes…
March 2024 Experience Easter
150 children from five local primary schools came to St Marys to learn about the Easter Story. After watching a short film, they divided into small groups and explored the story by visiting six stations where the events of Holy Week and Easter were described by members of our congregations. They finished the session by…
December 2023 – Candlelit Carol Service
The annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols took place on 17th December at St Mary’s. The traditional service is always popular and this year was no exception. The order of service can be downloaded here and you can listen here. The photos will hopefully capture the atmosphere at this, our start to Christmas.
October 2023 – Come, Sing and Sup for Harvest
Our regular choir, members of the congregation and visitors joined together to sing a special service of Choral Evensong to celebrate Harvest. Following the service, 70 people enjoyed a splendid Harvest Supper in church.
September 2023 – St Mary’s welcomes h.Art
We were delighted to host 14 artists who displayed a huge variety of pictures, jewellery and ceramics during Herefordshire Art Week. Our main service on Sunday reflected the art and creativity in the church with one of the artists talking about her faith. The event brought 1,250 extra visitors to the church and many enjoyed…
September 2023 – Choir visit to Chichester
St Mary’s Choir spent a weekend at Chichester Cathedral singing Choral Evensong on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Choral Matins and Eucharist on Sunday. A lovely way to begin the choral year after the summer break, in preparation for services in Ross!
August 2023 – Garway Walk
Fifteen walkers from St Mary’s and a dog walked to the top of Garway Hill on a windy August Saturday morning. In spite of the wet weather forecast, the rain held off and everyone enjoyed far reaching views in all directions. A quick visit to the church by some was followed by lunch at the…
April 2023 – Palm Sunday Come & Sing & Sup
Palm Sunday 2023 – A scratch Come & Sing choir of around 6o perform Faure’s Requiem. 4pm rehearsal, 6pm service. Supper after for 70 people.
February 2023 – Pancake Races (Youth Choir)
19th February 2023 – Four members of our Youth Choir take part in the town’s Pancake races (with Rector, Sean) AND WIN!
January 2023 – Confirmation Service
Sunday 5th January 2023 – Four of our young people are confirmed by Bishop Richard.
December 2022 – Carol Service
Sunday 18th December – Our annual carol service
November 2022 – Remembrance
Sunday 13th November 2022 – Remembrance Sunday, in church and at the war memorial on The Prospect.
October 2022 – Herefordshire Council Service
30th October 2022 – St Mary’s hosted the annual service for Herefordshire Council. At the service our Director of Music, Mark Sanderson, was presented with the British Empire Medal. More eating afterwards!
September 2022 – The King’s Proclamation
11th September 2023 – The Proclamation of King Charles III from the Market House.
August 2022 – St Mary’s Flower Festival
28th August 2022 – Flower Festival in St Mary’s “Our Glorious Majesty”. Sadly the glorious era was about to draw to a close.
The Ross Parishes: Ross-on-Wye, Walford & Brampton Abbotts 