Welcome to our Festival blog

We are a small congregation commemorating the 400th anniversary of the death of the village's Elizabethan composer, William Byrd (c.1540 - 1623).

We are planning to erect a permanent memorial to Byrd to mark the quatercentenary since his death, and have begun a fundraising appeal. Our events this year have included a talk on The Life and Times of William Byrd (30 June), including book release; a Commemorative Service of BCP Evensong (2 July); and, welcomed The Stondon Singers who gave a sell-out William Byrd Anniversary Concert on the actual day (4 July). Stondon Massey has also featured on BBC Radio 3's 'Composer of the Week' programme (3-7 July).

This website contains everything you need to know about William Byrd's life and music as well as his links with Stondon Massey. /

Thursday, 24 March 2011

The Churchyard Where Byrd Is Buried

William Byrd, the great Elizabethan musician and composer, was buried somewhere in the churchyard of St Peter & St Paul Church, Stondon Massey. The village was his home until his death on 4th July 1623.


A bright and sunny Spring afternoon gave opportunity today to take some photographs of daffodils in bloom and make a short video showing where the new Garden of Remembrance will be built.

Members of the congregation are organising a 'William Byrd Festival' from 7 - 15 May 2011 to raise the profile of their local worthy and bring in ticket money from concerts to support the cost of this essential improvement to the churchyard. Tickets are selling extraordinarily fast.



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