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. /

Monday, 18 April 2011

Ingatestone Hall Open To Visitors

Ingatestone Hall, the seat of the Petre family, opens its doors once again to the public from Easter Sunday (next Sunday, 24 April) through until the end of September. The Hall was the location of frequent visits of the local composer William Byrd, both before and whilst in semi-retirement at Stondon Massey in Essex.

According to the website www.ingatestonehall.com the Hall and gardens are open from 12.00 – 5.00pm (last admission 4pm) on Wednesdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays (except Wednesdays in June).

Pictured here is an old postcard showing, to the right, the former Chapel (now demolished) used by the family and local Catholic community for Services.

The present Lord Petre is coming to the William Byrd Festival on 7 May at 4pm.

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