Excellence in Hymnody 1936-2011

Events during 2011 - please click for a map!

A PDF of our 75th Anniversary Hymn is here
Please click here for an audio recording (MP3 format) performed by
Ickenham United Reformed Church Choir and directed by Peter Williams


Paris - 29th January 2011 - contact John Crothers
A Hymn Festival at St Georges Anglican Church at 3.00 pm. The event will be introduced by Gillian Warson and Sarah Kim will be playing the organ.

Abergavenny - 6th March 2011 - contact Alan Hall
"An Ecumenical Big Sing" at St Mary's Priory Church in Abergavenny on Sunday 6th March - 3pm. The occasion will mark three anniversaries
The Hymn Society - 75 years;
NCH Action for Children (formerly the National Children's Home) - 100 years; The Authorised Version of the Bible (400 years). So there will be three sections with the themes Praise, God's Children and God's Word. The service will last about 75 minutes.
South Newton, Salisbury - 20th March 2011 - contact Malcolm Sturgess
A songs of praise service at 6.00 pm

Sevenoaks - 7th May 2011 - contact Valerie Ruddle
An ecumenical hymn event to be held at The Drive Methodist church - guest speakers to include Christopher Idle, Timothy Dudley Smith with organist Martin Ellis.
The day, starting at 10.30, features talks, discussions and much hymn singing.

Switzerland - Sunday May 15th 'Allelluia: A Festival of  Hymns for Easter', at St John's Anglican Church, Territet, Montreux. The 75th anniversary of the Society was celebrated by the singing of our special hymn. The hymns were introduced by the Revd Canon Alan Luff.

Harrogate - 21st May 2011 - contact David Darling
A Hymn Festival to be held at St. Wilfrid's Parish Church. The hymns will be directed by John Barnard

Belper - 21st May 2011 - contact David Blanchflower
A Festival of Hymns to be held at Belper Central Methodist Church, Chapel Street at 7.00 pm

Plymouth - 11th June 2011 - contact - Geoffrey Wrayford
A Hymn Festival at St Andrews, Plymouth. Times to be confirmed.

Northampton - 19th June 2011 - contact Michael Jones
A Hymn Festival to celebrate 75 years of the Hymn Society and Michael's 80th Birthday at St. Peter's, Weston Favell at 15.00. Birthday cake provided!
Basingstoke - 3rd July 2011 - contact Margaret Garland
BASINGSTOKE SINGS! - United Reformed Church, London Street - 3.00 pm
You are warmly invited to attend a celebration of hymn singing with representatives of all the choirs and musical societies of Basingstoke. St. Mary's Boys' Choir will sing two hymns and there will be organ, piano and trumpet accompaniment - followed by refresments at 4.30 pm.
Newbold Chesterfield - Sunday 10th July - contact James Dickinson
A hymn festival in the Parish Church at 4.00 pm.
Armagh - Sunday 28th August - A Hymn Society Festival at 3.00pm nt Armagh Methodist Church. It is a joint venture in conjunction with the Charles Wood Summer School.
Belfast - Saturday 17th September - contact Edward Darling
A Hymn Festival entitled "Hymnody: A Living Tradition". The event will also include a workshop on our use of hymnody.  Both the workshop and the festival will be conducted by John Barnard. This festival will consist of hymns that have been composed (words or music) in the last 75 years (i.e. during the lifetime of the Hymn Society). Christopher Idle will be the guest speaker.
Bristol - 24th September - contact Philip Carter - Singing The Faith - A celebration to mark the 75th Anniversary of The Hymn Society and the publication of the new Methodist hymn book. Workshop on Discovering our hymn heritage, 10.30 followed by a Hymn Festival at 5.00 pm. The event will be held in The New Room - Methodism oldest place of place of worship.
Liverpool - 25th September - contact Ian Sharp A Celebration of 75 years of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland, introduced by members of the Society at All Hallows, Allerton LIVERPOOL 18. All welcome. Rehearsal 16.30; Festival 18.30. No charge, but donations invited to cover costs.
Lancaster - Wednesday 5th October - A Hymn Festival at Trinity URC High Street Centre at 7.00 pm. This is to celebrate our Secretary - Robert's - 65th birthday on that day and the 75th anniversary of the Society on the next. All are welcome of course! Contact Jenny Canham
Bury St Edmunds Cathedral - Saturday 1st October 2011 - Diocesan Singing Day with hymns from Sing Praise. The Festival address will be given by Dick Watson. Afternoon rehearsal followed by a Festival at 5.00 pm. time to be confirmed.
Eccleshill Methodist Church - Sunday 2nd October 2011 - contact John Hartley
A"Festival of Harvest Hymns" as part of the regular united acts of worship of Churches Together in North Bradford, but also in celebration of The Hymn Society.
Aberdeen - Sunday 2nd October 2011 - contact Graham Deans
A hymn celebration to be held at Queen Street Church.

CENWCH GLOD DDYFFRYN TYWI VALLEY - Contact: Doug Constable
Sunday 16th October 2.30 pm. A bi-lingual and interdenominational Act of Worship. Capel Salem, New Road, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire     
Abingdon - October 29th 2011 - contact Gillian Warson
A Festival to celebrate 150 years of Hymns A&M and 75 Years of the Hymn Society. St Helen's Church, Abingdon at 2.30 followed by refreshments. Hymns will be introduced by Gillian Warson and Chris Campbell-Fletcher will be playing the organ. Also in associations with the RSCM - further details and a booking form at http://www.rscm-oxford.org.uk/150yearsa&m.htm