Polishing the brass for Christmas at Rievaulx Abbey
Christmas Carol Concert, Sunday 16 December 2012
It may no longer have a roof, but that will not stop Rievaulx Abbey (near Helmsley in North Yorkshire) from providing the setting for a superb and unique al fresco carol concert on Sunday 16 December, when the Bilsdale Silver Band are joined by the choir from the Church of the Ascension in Middlesbrough in a festive community celebration.
The concert is an annual celebration, which sees visitors from all over the region – and often beyond – come together to sing traditional carols within the atmospheric setting of Rievaulx Abbey’s ruins. The carol singing starts at 1.30pm, although visitors often start arriving for around 12 noon, enjoying a hot bowl of soup in the site’s popular tea room to keep them warm during the outdoor concert.
“This is one of Rievaulx Abbey’s most popular events, with people coming back year after year to enjoy the carols in this unique setting,” comments Belinda Heighway, the site manager. “When you hear the music resounding around the walls, you can start to imagine what the chanting might have been like here centuries ago when Rievaulx was at its height – the peaceful environment means that breaks between the carols are occasionally punctuated by horses whinnying and sheep bleating – which is so fitting for a service celebrating Jesus’s birth in a stable!”
The carol concert is open to all, with usual Rievaulx Abbey admission prices applying (£5.80 for adults, £5.20 for concessions and £3.50 for children, or free for English Heritage members). There will be very limited seating available (on a first-come, first-served basis), so carol concert attendees are welcome to bring deckchairs or camping stools.
Please note that the ground at Rievaulx may be wet following recent bad weather. Visitors are advised to wrap up warmly and wear suitable footwear. The site car park does fill up quickly, and the overflow car park can be very muddy underfoot.
The Christmas Carol Concert also provides visitors to Rievaulx with the perfect opportunity to hunt out last minute presents from the gift shop. Alongside English Heritage’s popular collection of seasonal wines and spirits – including Celtic Mead, Ginger Wine and Blackberry Wine, all priced at £8.99 – Rievaulx Abbey’s very own Brother Anthony’s Ale is available from the café. Staff have also created a collection of gift hampers, featuring assorted jams and chutneys, and can custom-make hampers to suit anyone.
Rievaulx Abbey is open every weekend throughout the winter, from 10.00am to 4.00pm each Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/rievaulx or call 01439 798228.
ENDS
For further media information, please contact:
Jay Commins – PRO English Heritage (Yorkshire)
Tel: 01904 500698
Mob: 07810 546567
Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk
