Experience medieval chant, liturgy and monastic life - Oct 2025

Event Location

Attendee Categories

Student/unwaged

Cost

£10.00

Additional Items

More Information

Please be aware that there is only one (fairly basic) toilet, in the farmyard about 200 yards from the church. The church floor is uneven in places, and there are narrow steps up into some parts of the building where activities will take place. We will accommodate participants with disabilities wherever possible.

All under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or carer, and they must be supervised sufficiently closely to ensure that they engage respectfully with the building, the workshop leaders, and other participants.

Between the services, all participants will have the opportunity to join in with a variety of experiences, led by Professor Emma Hornby and other Music Department staff and students. You may move between the activities flexibly, or focus on just one activity all day.
- a) composition retreat. Bring manuscript paper, stationary, and if you'll need a keyboard to check pitches, then bring a phone app plus headphones. NB no phone signal in the church.
- b) explore thousand-year Old Hispanic notation, the scribes who wrote it, and to learn to write with quills
- c) writing/art retreat (there is running water in the church, but please do not bring art supplies that would stain or make a significant mess. The light in parts of the church is lovely, and elsewhere rather limited. Bring portable good lighting with you if wanted -- there are several wall sockets)
- d) join in with the University of Bristol re-enactment society, learning to embroider linen pouches. They will also bring some medieval wimples/coifs for people to try on, and wax tablets to try. .
- e) practical work around the church, reflecting the manual labour that was part of monastic life.
None of these activities are compulsory!

Equipment to bring:
Warm clothes, perhaps even a blanket, hot water bottle, hand warmers etc. It takes several hours for the church to warm up.
Packed Lunch, bottled water if wanted
A pencil

All necessary music and liturgical texts will be provided. Tea and coffee (including herbal/fruit tea) will be provided throughout the day.