The South Stour Churches Festival is a major arts, crafts, music and literary festival to be held in the15 beautiful churches in the North Hinckford benefice on the Essex side of the River Stour throughout October 2019.
The event celebrates the range of local talent in the creative arts in our
15 communities. Our diverse programme gives visitors an opportunity not only to enjoy a wide range of creative events but also to explore the beautiful churches set in stunning countryside of the South Stour Valley. It is hoped that as many people as possible will take part in a month of creativity in the arts, whilst also delighting in the architectural splendour of 15 historic churches and the surrounding countryside.
The theme of the festival, Craftsman’s Art and Music’s Measure, comes from the words of the hymn ‘Angel Voices Ever Singing’ by Francis Pott. The Festival is the vision of the North Hinckford benefice Team Rector, Reverend Margaret King. The words Craftsman’s Art and Music’s Measure have a special resonance for the Rev Margaret, herself an accomplished iconographer, artist and craftswoman.
Aware of the many creative talents of the residents of her 15 parishes, Rev Margaret proposed the idea of bringing creative people of all ages and talents together and the festival was born.
Each parish is hosting at least one event during the month of October with some parishes putting on several. These include art and craft exhibitions, interesting talks, classical and modern concerts, a talent competition, poetry evening, demonstrations of spinning and woodturning and more. The two schools in the benefice, Belchamp St Paul Primary School and Bulmer Primary School, are also contributing to the festival by holding a concert, a harvest service and art displays.
Most events are free to attend (charges may be made for refreshments or workshop materials), although any donations to the individual churches are welcome. Art and craft items will be available to purchase at exhibitions, with a percentage of the sale price going to the church hosting the exhibition.
More information about the South Stour Churches Festival and the programme of events can be found on the festival website www.southstourchurchesfestival.org
