Church of the Holy Sepulchre Restoration Trust
Event Reports and
Forthcoming Events for 2023
Forthcoming Events for 2023
At the height of the work of the five phases of restoration there were a
number of different committees raising funds from different directions.. One of the organisations set up and linked into the main trust funding was a Congregational group that had the aim of showing how the people of the Church could best help the Non Denominational Registered Charity . To date and following the presentation of massive flower and costume festivals acclaimed unique in the UK , Numerous week long music festivals and over 175 band concerts the contributions of the group stands at over £650000 . At the present time concerts continue to raise funds and details can be found below.
SOUTH EAST VIEW
*
GROUP TOURS
Holy Sepulchre Restoration Trust
is now able to undertake group tours across
the months of May to September onwards into year 2023.
It is fully appreciated that many visitors travel long distances to visit the historic building, thus trustees advise calling 01604 754 782 for the latest available information prior to travelling.
Throughout Spring, Summer and Autumn pre-booked history /military tours of the ancient and world famous Church are conducted by experienced historians.
Groups of 6 to 35 are welcome.
Please enquire for details on
Telephone 01604 754 782.
OR
email: crusader.round@btinternet.com
OR
There is a direct CONTACT FORM direct into the Holy Sepulchre Restoration Trust. This can be found by going to the Contacts page.
TRUST TOURS, CASUAL VISITORS, HERITAGE OPEN DAYS and CONCERTS
All Events are in the process of planning for the year 2023.
.The Trust asks potential visitors to call on the telephone number above
for the latest information on our plans for this year.
Events already planned are
Heritage Open Days on the 9th and 10th September
The Last Night of the Proms Concert - Saturday 23rd September
We Will Remember Armistice Evening - Saturday 11th November
Please use any of the above contact information to make enquires regarding any specific interest.
'Accreditation by Heritage Open Days National Blog.'
Northampton
Since 1994, Northampton Borough Council has been involved in organising HODs events across the borough.
Still with us... The Church of the Holy Sepulchre first opened its doors for Heritage Open Days in 1994. Built by the Earl of Northampton in 1100 AD, this beautiful medieval church is bursting with history, from the stained glass windows to the Soldiers’ Chapel, in remembrance of Northampton’s soldiers in the two great wars.
Discover Northampton's beautiful
Church of the Holy Sepulchre © - John Kightley MBE
Christ in the Arms of Angels
Caroline Chisholm Window
Charles Eamer Kempe Window
THE TRUST’S Pre Covid 2019 Proms Night, the 35th annual presentation of a magical night of music in the world famous medieval setting 1100AD, certainly captured the right atmosphere with an audience fully appreciating the varied selection of music superbly conveyed by the National Platinum & Gold award winning Northampton Concert Band. Conductor/Compere Graham Tear brought the evening alive with his audience engagement adding fun and laughter to a great night out.
The introduction of the free refreshment hour prior to performance really has made a difference to how we present our concerts. The “buzz” around the Leleux Hall as patrons network between friends and families has to find credit going to John Willis and his Refreshment Team for the welcome wines and teas and coffees and nibbles that say “ a warm welcome to St Sepulchre” where music and fund raising aspire to ensuring ongoing income for the never ending restoration and conservation works.
With the band joining in the finale wearing matching hats to Pat Kightley’s admission programme front page, the stage was set for the audience participation which this year resulted in great singing, popper shots ringing out and a mass of flags dancing across the venue.
Home goers are always asked to fill “Elsie’s Hat” on their way out and this year beating all previous records with donations amounting to £402 as the happy comments of a great night had by all, rang out in the organiser’s ears.
John Kightley MBE Director/Secretary
The introduction of the free refreshment hour prior to performance really has made a difference to how we present our concerts. The “buzz” around the Leleux Hall as patrons network between friends and families has to find credit going to John Willis and his Refreshment Team for the welcome wines and teas and coffees and nibbles that say “ a warm welcome to St Sepulchre” where music and fund raising aspire to ensuring ongoing income for the never ending restoration and conservation works.
With the band joining in the finale wearing matching hats to Pat Kightley’s admission programme front page, the stage was set for the audience participation which this year resulted in great singing, popper shots ringing out and a mass of flags dancing across the venue.
Home goers are always asked to fill “Elsie’s Hat” on their way out and this year beating all previous records with donations amounting to £402 as the happy comments of a great night had by all, rang out in the organiser’s ears.
John Kightley MBE Director/Secretary
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS -THE REPORT
Event registered and produced by Holy Sepulchre (Northampton) Restoration Trust Ltd.
Last seven years visitor numbers analysis.
Last seven years visitor numbers analysis.
YEAR 2013 ( 4 days open) 700 visitors recorded.
YEAR 2014 ( 3 days open) 565 visitors recorded
YEAR 2015 ( 3 days open) 465 visitors recorded
YEAR 2016 ( 2 days open) 375 visitors recorded
YEAR 2017 ( 2 days open) 289 visitors recorded
YEAR 2018 ( 2 days open) 272 visitors recorded
YEAR 2014 ( 3 days open) 565 visitors recorded
YEAR 2015 ( 3 days open) 465 visitors recorded
YEAR 2016 ( 2 days open) 375 visitors recorded
YEAR 2017 ( 2 days open) 289 visitors recorded
YEAR 2018 ( 2 days open) 272 visitors recorded
YEAR 2019 (2 days open) 313 visitors recorded
YEAR 2020 Closed due to Covid 19
YEAR 2021 (2days open) 76 visitors recorded
YEAR 2022 (2 days open) 174 visitors recorded
YEAR 2023 (2 days open) 126 visitors recorded
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS 9th AND 10th SEPTEMBER 2023.
The Restoration Trust will be open for visitors with a 100% increase in
'VISITOR EXPERIENCE' .
FREE ENTRY.
Refreshments available'
The Holy Sepulchre Restoration Trust 100th Anniversary Armistice Concert and Act of Remembrance
The Report for 2019(Pre Covid)
The Report for 2019(Pre Covid)
At The Forces Church for Northamptonshire.
The Report.
The Report.
An audience of 100 patrons joined The National Award Winning Northampton Concert Band in the themed “We Will Remember Them” evening of music of the great wars, a Sing-a-Long and a finale of “Act of Remembrance”.
As is usual for this event, guests were present from the military whilst our lead guest was The Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire along with his lady wife. The evening began with free drinks and refreshments provided by John Willis and friends for patrons in the Leleux Hall of the parish rooms prior the band performance. Earlier,the Concert Band members were invited to a buffet sit down tea as a thank you celebration for having given fifty superb concert performances down the fund raising years from 1983 to the present day and having helped to raise not thousands of pounds but tens of thousands for the Trust’s restoration efforts.
From the band library a varied programme of music was on offer and included favourites like Nimrod, Calling All Workers, Elegy on the RAF March Past, Sandpaper Ballet, British Legion March, Coronation Scot, Evening Hymn and Sunset, Hymn to The Fallen and others.
The Act of Remembrance was conducted throughout by Padre Stephen Trott. The opening poem “ Normandy…Then and Now” was commendably read by Cadet Flt. Sgt James May RAF. There followed an opening prayer and subsequent prayer and collects for “The Soldiers’ Chapel”, The Royal Anglian and Northamptonshire Regiments. The Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph were given by David Parish MBE, the Last Post and Reveille superbly played by band member Chris Cox.The laying of the wreath was by Cadet James whilst Piper Alan McIlravie played a moving tribute of Abide with Me. Steve Corcoran was in attendance with the Royal British Legion standard.
The evening concluded with a final prayer and blessing by Padre Stephen and the band rendition of The Dambusters March.
A retiring collection taken annually in favour of The ABF The Soldiers’ Charity on this occasion raised the fine sum of £410.30.
John Kightley MBE
