Sherborne Abbey Gathering

We hope that you can join us for this opportunity to explore the wonderful Sherborne Abbey in Dorset. Sherborne Abbey’s choral tradition is nationally famous with the Abbey choir comprising 14 adult altos, tenors and basses, and boy and girl choristers who all attend local schools. A fine organ rebuilt by Kenneth Tickell in 2004/5 is situated above the North Transept and a Nave Division below the Great West Window. Dating back to AD705 when the great Diocese of Winchester was divided in two, and Aldhelm, Abbot of Malmesbury (Wiltshire) was appointed as the first Bishop of the West Saxons, the new Cathedral of Sherborne served St Aldhelm and twenty six succeeding Saxon Bishops.

The day will include sung communion, evensong and an organ recital, as well as a tour of the Abbey:

• 09:00 – Arrival
• 09:30 – Sung Parish Communion
• 11:00 – Welcome and Coffee
• 12:00 – Tour of the Abbey, with optional visit to the ringing chamber
• 13:00 – Finger Buffet in the Abbey tea rooms
• 14:30 – Talk by Director of Music about the music at the Abbey
• 15:00 – Short organ demonstration and recital
• 16:00 – Tea and Biscuits
• 16:45 – Observe evensong rehearsal
• 18:00 – Choral Evensong
• 18:45 – Farewell drinks with the choir in the Digby Chapel
• 19:30 – Gathering ends

Sherborne is accessible by rail on the London Waterloo to Exeter mainline with connections from Westbury and Bristol. The Abbey is less than a ten minute walk north from the train station (where there is limited parking), past the pretty Pageant Gardens. The Abbey is just off of the main street of this historic market town with long stay parking available either at Sainsbury’s or in the Culverhayes Car Park, which is 10 minutes from the Abbey on foot. For those members who wish to stay overnight on the Saturday or Sunday there are hotels and inns near the Abbey: Where to Stay | Visit Sherborne. 

Tickets cost £30 including a non-refundable £5 booking fee.