Events at St Mary's Church, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK*

Events 2008                                          Archives 2006 2007 2008

A REVIEW OF OUR 2008 EVENTS

CHRISTMAS 2008

An Early "Pre Christmas Concert" was given by one of our local choirs, FRIENDS IN HARMONY, on Friday 21 November. Proceeds were for the HOPE centre.

On Friday 12 December Lunchtime Christmas Music was performed by the Penfro Minstrels and in the evening the HAVERFORDWEST LADIES CHOIRr presented "CHRISTMAS CHEER" followed by mulled wine and mince pies.Proceeds were in aid of St Mary's Restoration Appeal.

On Sunday 14 December the LANDSKER SINGERS' Annual Christmas Carol Concert was held in St Mary's. The Landsker, Junior Landskers and Little Landskers, under their conductor Shirley Williams, were joined by orchestra and Valerie Aldrich-Smith (Harpist of the BBC NOW) in a concert of traditional Christmas music, including several arrangements by the late Wally Walters.

On18 December a large congregation attended the annual Haverfordwest Town Council Carol Service.

On Sunday 4th May 2008 the Friends Annual Lunch took place at the Wolfscastle Country Hotel.  It was very well supported with 104 Friends and guests assembled for an excellent occasion which is also an important 'fundraiser' for our account.  Our principal guest and speaker was Jane Chamberlain RIBA, a partner in the firm Caroe & Partners, architects to St Mary's and responsible for the restoration programme in the church.

The 2008 programme for our popular Friday lunchtime events was as follows.

9 May: Brian Jobson & Ned Rolls (piano and drums; A wide range of music from jazz to ragtime to blues, songs from the shows etc.  A welcome return.

16 May: Bill Jenkins (keyboard) and Rachel Ward (vocal); Music in a lighter vein.  Bill played to great acclaim for us last year.

23 May:  A music film

30 May:  The Medieval Heritage of St Mary's - An Exhibition.

6 June :  A film. "An Amazing Story of Friendship, Inspired by a True Adventure".

13 June: Guided Tour of the Church.

20 June: Cleddau Music Makers: a newly formed local instrumental group directed by Pat Barker played a varied programme from Handel to the Beatles.

27 June: Talking Antiques with expert Gary Humphries.

4 July: Penfro Minstrels; regular visitors to St Mary's.

11 July: Joyful Noise.....a return visit.(photo below)

18 July: Friends in Harmony.  A local mixed choir conducted by Jane James.

25 July: Michael Nicholas, Organ recital; a former pupil of Haverfordwest Grammar School and Mrs Margaret Jones.  He is now a teacher and musician in Bradford.

1 August: The History of Haverfordwest in photographs and video and a Guided Tour of the Church will be available.

8 August: Lydia Wells, Mezzo Soprano, made a special visit to St Mary's from Herefordshire.Her recital was entitled "A SINGING PILGRIM SCARES AWAY MANY THIEVES" ("Pelerin qui chante, larron epouvante")and included songs, ballads and chants from the world of our St Mary's Pilgrim who has lain recumbent in the nave for some 600 years.The three scallop shells on his scrip suggest that he had made a pilgrimage to St. James Compostella.

15 August: The Horn Trio made a welcome return.

22 August: Photographic memories of a QE2 Voyage to the Mediterranean with Alan and Pat

29 August:Bill Jenkins (Keyboard) will play Light Music for Lunchtime.

5 September FAMILY HISTORY DAY from 10am -4pm. Members of the Dyfed Family History Society and the Pembrokeshire Record Office were present and facsimilies of the registers of St Mary's Church (said to be the oldest in the county) were on view. Also, as a tribute to all the young men of the parish who were killed in the First World War, and to mark the 90th anniversary of the Armistice, there was a display concerning their lives and families.

12 September: Bruce Pyart, who for many years was our Organist and Choir master, returned to give an Organ Recital

19 September A Guided Tour, with access to the Bell Tower and roof (weather permitting)

26 September: Tony Morris (Violin) Gladys Morris (Voice)

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On Sunday 13 July 2008 the Friends of St Mary's Annual Songs of Praise was conducted by Shirley Williams LRAM, Musical Director of the Landsker Singers, with organist Anne Evans, soprano Debi Lewis and The Landsker Singers.

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                       TEMPUS in concert at St Mary's

From 2 August to 9 August 2008 the ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION of works by local artists attracted many visitors to St Mary's. Also THE MUNT COLLECTION of photographs of Haverfordwest was on display, provoking much discussion and memories about many area of the town which have changed so much over the years.

In connection with the Art Exhibition Cream Teas were served and on 8 August at 12.30 a concert was given by Lydia Ellen Wells (mezzo soprano)... see details under the Friday Lunchtime Events section of this website.

On Friday evening we enjoyed a Summer Evening Concert, when the Piano Trio PENTIGILI played music of Piazzola and others,and Debi Lewis (Soprano) and Kathryn Ashton (Mezzo Soprano) sangmusic in a lighter vein. Supper with wine was enjoyed by the audience after the concert.

This website has been created with the assistance of PAVS