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. /

Saturday 7 May 2011

Welcome to the William Byrd Festival.

The Rector of Stondon Massey writes:

The William Byrd Festival: A celebration and thanksgiving through words and music.

A very warm welcome is extended to you all who are able to share this celebration. I hope we have the opportunity to meet up personally over these two festival weekends and get to know each other a little better.

The Church of St. Peter and St Paul in Stondon Massey continues to provide us with a very special atmosphere of worship and prayer, past and present.

Since 1130, St Peter and St Paul Church has offered tranquillity, an oasis in the desert for all who enter the building. It is steeped in history and we are very privileged to celebrate the link we have with William Byrd who was one of the greatest Elizabethan composers and a resident in Stondon for the last 30 years of his life.

St Peter and St Paul’s Church has a very loving and committed congregation who love to share the old traditions along with the new things of today. We are also very mindful of the many faithful and departed over the past nearly 900 years, who have soaked this building with prayer which has left it with the atmosphere we enjoy today.

I hope you enjoy the experience and that your visit will prompt you to returning once again into this sacred space.

Thank you to those who have worked so hard together in bringing this festival to our community and I pray that you will be greatly blessed through it.

Yours in Christ

Reverend Toni Smith. Rector of Stondon Massey.

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