The Church of St John the Baptist has stood at what is now Snape crossroads since the 13th century. It’s Grade II❋ Listed, and we want to keep it standing for future generations. To raise money for vital repairs, The Friends of Snape Church (FoSC) are organising the following events — which include complimentary liquid refreshment:
On Sunday 27th November at 6:30pm, conductor Bill Gloyn will lead a Choral Evensong, sung by professional singers he has worked with during his long career – and you, if you join in! This will be a wonderful Service, and Bill and his singers are offering their services free of charge. The collection will go towards maintaining the building.
On Sunday 4th December at 3:00pm, the Goldcrest Ensemble will perform a concert of secular French music. These outstanding musicians are also donating their performance in aid of church maintenance and audience entry is by donation. Goldcrest is a trio. The flautist is Duke Dobing, formerly principal flautist of the City of London Sinfonia and guest principal for most of London’s orchestras. The violist (and multi-instrumentalist) is Raphael Hurwitz, who works as a fine instruments dealer and part-time orchestral arranger. The harpist is Miriam Keogh, who was guest principal harpist for most of London’s orchestras, and now concentrates on chamber music and teaches the harp at the Royal Academy of Music. Interspersed with the music, Professor David Worrall will read from George Crabbe’s Peter Grimes. As a clergyman in eighteenth-century Aldeburgh, Crabbe might have visited and perhaps given the odd sermon at Snape. David will also read a short extract from George Ewart Evans’ vivid memoir of local life in bygone times.
On 14th December at 6:00pm, Snape’s carol singers, may be heard on the green opposite the School or on Suffolk Radio. Children are very welcome to come and sing too. The collection will be for the church building.
On 22nd December, at 6:00pm, there will be carol singing on the Village Green (opposite The Crown Inn) around the Christmas tree, accompanied by mulled wine. Again, children are welcome, and again, there will be a collection for the church.
The first fundraising event organised by The Friends of Snape Church was Georgina Lock's one-woman show "The Walled Up Woman" (about a medieval hermit "anchoress") on 16th July this year.
Please come to these events and give what you can afford.
Let’s keep the Church of St John the Baptist standing!
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The first part of this article also appears on page 6 of December's "Ebb and Flow".