Lancaster Priory

Author: Steph Edwards

  • VISION BY THE TELLING: The imagined testimony of Hildegard von Bingen alongside her haunting chant 7.30PM-8.30PM

    TICKETS: https://www.thetelling.co.uk/events/vision-lancaster

    About the event

    The music of the extraordinary medieval Abbess, Hildegard of Bingen echoes down a thousand years. Hear her testimony in this “mesmerising” (The Guardian) concertplay (where music and theatre collide) by award-winning writer Clare Norburn and directed by BAFTA-nominated director, Nicholas Renton.

    “From my early childhood, I have always seen this vision in my soul…” Amid the darkness of the Middle Ages, Abbess Hildegard of Bingen saw the universe in a dazzling light and spoke with an insight and a genius that makes her music and poetry resound down the centuries. Vision explores Hildegard’s extraordinary life as she relives her painful and visceral visionary experiences alongside her extraordinary music, haunting and distinctive chant, performed live by singers Clemmie Franks and Gwendolen Martin, and harpist Jean Kelly.

    “A beautiful piece… it really is wonderful, so do try and catch it.” – The Guardian

    “It was the overlap of, interaction between, and communication of the music of Hildegard — two voices and medieval harp — and her spoken word . . . which made the show such a unified, deep telling . . . if a moment for reflection is needed, or the desire to understand more of Hildegard is to be fulfilled, it is well worth making the time for this.” – Church Times

    Doors open at 7pm. The performance lasts one hour with no interval.

  • GOSPEL COLLECTIVE COME AND SING WITH TIM UFFINDELL 17TH SEPTEMBER 2025, 7.00PM-9.30PM

    TICKET: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/gospelcollectiveuk/1712494

    Do you like singing? Are you interested in trying out Gospel Music? If your answer is ‘yes’ to either, great! Please read on.

    If your answer is ‘no’, read on anyway.

    What Is A ‘Come and Sing’ Event ???

    Put simply, it is just that; an opportunity to sing and join a collective group of voices. We will learn a song, sharpen vocal technique, create an amazing sound, and have incredible fun while doing it.

    Whether you are an experienced singer, a hobbyist, or have been told you can’t sing at all, this is for you. All you have to do is be open to learning and following the direction of international Choir Leader and Vocal Coach Tim Uffindell.

    Participation is low-pressure, which means you join in with what makes you feel comfortable. However, with Tim’s expertise, enthusiasm and dynamic approach, you will likely be swept up in the joy of it all and maybe even find yourself wanting to dance too.

    What Happens At A ‘Come and Sing’ Event ???

    The workshop itself lasts 2.5 hours with some time for a break.

    You will learn various techniques that will help shape and craft the sound, build your confidence and make a real ‘Gospel Noise’. We hope that you surprise yourself with what you are capable of.

    You will also learn the meaning of the song you are singing and become familiar with how to connect to the lyrics and whatever they invoke in you. This may be a surprising and potentially impactful aspect of the experience.

    By the end of the workshop, the whole group will be able to hold their harmony and sing the song all the way through with confidence, joy and movement.

    Why Should I Attend A ‘Come and Sing’ Event ???

    Everyone has a voice, and we know that singing is an amazing way to not only express ourselves but also gives our minds something different to focus on. Plus, singing in a group makes you feel amazing; it produces dopamine, reduces cortisol and increases oxytocin. So you’re guaranteed to leave feeling happier and uplifted.

    Forget what you think you know about singing in a group and experience what singing Gospel music with other people can be like.

    Not only will you learn a new skill or sharpen one you already have, but you will also meet others doing the same and possibly make a new friend along the way.

    We hope you will take the opportunity to join us and see where it takes you.

    See you there,

    The Gospel Collective Team

  • SATURDAY AFTERNOON CONCERT 13TH SEPTEMBER, 2.00PM: ACAPELLA WITH JEFF BORRADAILE

    Festival of Song
    Afternoon Concert, 2.00pm
    Acapella with Jeff Borradaile
    Several choirs perform both together and individually sharing their repertoire of songs – classic to contemporary – to create their Acappella soundscape.

    Free to attend with donations

  • SATURDAY COFFEE CONCERTS 13TH SEPTEMBER, 10.30AM: RED ROSE TRIO

    Festival of Song 2025
    Coffee Concert, 10.30am

    Red Rose Trio
    Red Rose Ensemble – Anna Yule, Phoebe Higham and Rebecca Chandler – present a programme of mostly women composers, including Nadia Boulanger, Betsy Jolas and Liza Lehmann. With accompaniment by aLancaster Priory favourite, Ian Pattinson.

    Coffee orders from 10.00am

  • SATURDAY COFFEE CONCERTS 6TH SEPTEMBER, 10.30AM: IAN PATTINSON AND MARGARET PATTINSON

    Festival of Song 2025
    Coffee Concert
    Margaret Pattinson (Voice) and Ian Pattinson (Organ)

    A wonderful way to start the autumn season of coffee concerts, with exciting organ music and songs to suit many tastes.

    Coffee orders from 10.00am

  • Priory Family says Goodbye to Revd Leah

    Sunday 20th July, 10.00am Eucharist Service

    Today was Revd Leah’s final day at Lancaster Priory!  At the end of the 10.00am Eucharist service, Leah was presented with gifts.  She received a large potted plant to take to her new garden, a beautiful hand stitched cushion and mitre carry-bag made by members of the Sanctuary Guild and a money gift from her Priory family.  Leah announced that she will be putting this towards purchasing her Pectoral Cross.  As a Bishop, she will wear her Pectoral Cross at all times.  We enjoyed social time with her after the service and a magnificent peacock cake made Grazyna provided a stunning visual centre piece.

  • CHORISTER FOR A DAY: Sunday 12th October 1.30-5.30pm

    Does your child love to sing?

    In this one-off, fun event, participants will experience taster sessions with Priory Music Department staff.

    An opportunity for you and your child to see the outstanding singing and music theory training available at Lancaster Priory.

    Sunday 12 October 2025, 13:30-17:30

    Free to attend | Further information and booking soon! (or contact Nick@lancasterpriory.org)

  • Festival of Song 2025: Come & Sing Handel’s Messiah Saturday 11th October 2025

    COME & SING! Handel’s Messiah

    Conductor: Nicholas Hurndall Smith

    Accompanist: Ian Pattinson

    Saturday 11th October 2025 10.00-17.00

    Tickets between £15-£25: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FBKA

  • ANNOUNCEMENT: SUFFRAGAN BISHOP OF DONCASTER

    Announcement

    It has been announced by 10 Downing Street this morning that the King has approved the nomination of The Reverend Leah Vasey-Saunders, Vicar of Lancaster in the Diocese of Blackburn, as Suffragan Bishop of Doncaster, in the Diocese of Sheffield.

    There are further details of the announcements on the Diocese of Sheffield website.

    Leah, who has been Vicar of Lancaster since 2021, will be undertaking a series of engagements around the Diocese of Sheffield today.

    Leah said ‘I have been privileged to serve as Vicar of Lancaster and to work alongside so many wonderful people in the Priory Parish, the City and Deanery, in the Diocese of Blackburn and in the wider county.  I have heard a clear call to return to Yorkshire and to serve as Bishop of Doncaster and I trust that as God has called me, so he is already calling the next incumbent who will lead and guide the Priory into the next season of God’s mission and ministry.  I will watch and pray, from my new role, with excitement for what God will continue to do in Lancaster’

    Leah’s last Sunday in Lancaster will be the 20th July, all are invited to join us for the 10.00am Eucharist.

    Photo credit: Ginny Koppenhol  https://www.gkoppenholphotography.com/

  • EPIC CYCLING PILGRIMAGE: JONATHAN MAYES, CEO OF CATHEDRALS TRUST, VISITS LANCASTER PRIORY

    On Monday 19th May, the Cathedrals Trust CEO visited Lancaster Priory on his bike as part of an amazing Choral Cycling Adventure!  The photos show his bicycle outside the main entrance plus some photos of his welcome by Priory Organist, Ian Pattinson, and Choir Member, Nick Walker.

    About the challenge

    Cathedrals Trust CEO, Jonathan Mayes, takes on an epic cycling pilgrimage, visiting over 100 choirs across England and Wales in just 50 days of cycling. This mammoth challenge covers a whopping 2,700 miles, with JJ raising much-needed funds for cathedral music along the way.

    So why is JJ riding his bike ride around England and Wales?

    JJ writes ‘…the heart of why I’m undertaking this cycling pilgrimage… You don’t need to travel to a world-famous cathedral in London to hear world-class singing from choristers and top-notch organ playing. You don’t have to be in a huge congregation in order to participate in glorious cathedral music. You can do these things right around the UK, and part of the purpose of my ride – as I set off from Durham on Friday, onwards to Newcastle (16 May), Hexham (17 May), Carlisle (18 May), Kendal and Lancaster (19 May), is to demonstrate quite tangibly how geographically accessible this music is on a near-daily basis. On every single one of my fifty days of cycling, I’ll be visiting at least one cathedral, church or abbey where great music is at the heart of everything that happens. I think that’s an extraordinary fact.’

    Find JJ’s full route here, read further blog posts as his journey continues and make a donation here: https://www.cathedralmusictrust.org.uk/choral-adventure-cycling/