Music and Events
Music and events
Welcome to our music and events programme. Music concerts and events are available on selected Saturdays throughout the summer. See How to visit page for details of how to get to us, and parking.
The church is open each Tuesday from noon till 2pm, with free tea and coffee. Do pop in for a chat and a visit.
Church Services in 2025: 30th March, 29th June, 31st August, 30th November: 4pm evening prayer with Revd. Belinda Kerins (St Stephen’s Church). Carol Service on 19th December.
2025 Events Programme
April:
4th (Friday 6.15-7.30pm) bellringing practice
10th (Thursday evening) James Canton Talking about his new book to be published in March ‘Renaturing’
Dr James Canton is Director of Wild Writing at the University of Essex. He has written several books including Grounded which he discussed the last time he visited St Leonard’s and Oak Papers which was serialised on Radio 4. He will talk about his latest book, Renaturing: Small Ways to Wild the World, to be published in March.
24th (Thursday evening) A celebration of St George’s Day and Shakespeare’s birthday with
Traditional English music including: Capstan Full Strength (Shanty singers), Morris dancers, Folk music, organ music
May:
2nd (Friday 6.15-7.30pm) bellringing practice
17th (Saturday ) A talk by Ken Worpole (writer and social historian)
Ken is a writer and social historian who has written many books including works of literary criticism, architectural history and the landscape. He is very interested in the social history of Essex and has researched the history of Frating Hall Farm near Elmstead; A Christian pacifist community on a 300 acre farm providing a home for more than 50 people including refugees and prisoners of war between 1943 and 1954
31st (Saturday) Ian Collins: Ian has written a biography of Ronald Blythe
Ronald Blythe was a writer who is most acclaimed for his book Akenfield, which portrays life in an English Suffolk village from the late 19th century onwards He has written extensively about rural life including a weekly column ‘a Word from Wormingford’ . He died in 2023 and bequeathed his farmhouse Bottengoms in Wormingford to the Essex Wildlife Trust.
June
6th (Friday 6.15-7.30pm) bellringing practice
11th (Wednesday afternoon) CCT tour of Essex Churches
14th (Saturday) Pete Morton: A return visit of this renowned singer/songwriter
Pete is a folk singer and song writer. He has performed internationally both in Europe and North America. We are thrilled that he is returning to St Leonard’s to entertain us with his music, song and wit,
28th (Saturday) Cover Stories Another return visit of John Clifton and his Jazz Band
A local jazz band that play a friendly, informal mix of jazz standards, blues, latin, classic rock and pop songs. When they visited St Leonard’s last year it was a most successful event with people almost dancing in the aisles!
29th 4pm Evening Prayer Service with Revd. Belinda
Weekly Creative Writing workshops: Adrian and others. Part of the Essex Book Festival
July:
4th (Friday 6.15-7.30pm) bellringing practice
5th (Saturday) Mediaeval Church Music ( Dr Stephen Evans ) Talk and demonstrations
12th (Saturday) Renaissance guitar music (Frederick Lau)
Beer and Hymns: Now an annual event. Possibly late July? TBA
August:
1st (Friday 6.15-7.30pm) bellringing practice
16th CCT Theatre booking
31st Sunday 4pm Evening Prayer Service Revd. Belinda
23rd Saturday ‘St Leonard’s strawberry fayre’ A community garden party in the churchyard including displays, music and strawberries and cream!
September:
5th (Friday 6.15-7.30pm) bellringing practice
Heritage open days Dates to be confirmed
October:
3rd Friday 6.15-7.30pm) bellringing practice
November:
7th (Friday 6.15-7.30pm) bellringing practice
30th Sunday 4pm Evening Prayer Service Revd. Belinda
December:
5th (Friday 6.15-7.30pm) bellringing practice
19th Friday 7/7.30pm Our annual Carol service
A Christmas Carol…Anthony Roberts Date to be confirmed