Church concerts and other village events in St Nicholas-at-Wade, 2009-2022
This site used to be the focal point for all such events in the village – but the focus has shifted to various Facebook groups. Here’s a record of some of what we achieved.
Sunday 17 July 2022
Quodlibet and Cake
Folk songs, madrigals and more with a vocal quartet from Canterbury.

Platinum Jubilee (at Bell Meadow)
Friday 3 June to Sunday 5 June 2022
Flower Festival in church (tea & cakes on Sunday), fête: cream teas, food, bar, classic cars, football shoot-out, raffle, kings & queens fancy dress competition, school 'decorate a plate' competition… and The Big Jubilee Lunch = Picnic in the Park.
Saturday 14 March 2020
"Organic Bells!" concert
Bedford Handbell Ensemble with various organ 'carillons' and other pieces on the theme of bells (see Classical Events / Facebook)

Sunday 1 March 2020
Stories with Strings
Celebrating St David's Day and Beethoven's 250th anniversary, with the "Pensiero" string quartet (see Classical Events /
Facebook — streamed live)

Saturday 15 February 2020
"Trash & Treasure" jumble sale in aid of church restoration
16-23 December 2019
Traditional entertainment as usual from the Hoodeners.
Saturday 7 December 2019, 7-9pm
Choral Concert
Saturday 12 October 2019, in Village Hall
Supper in aid of Stand By Me, supporting rescued children at The Emmanuel Care Centre, Colombia
Saturday 6 July 2019, 4pm until late
Garden party in aid of Stand By Me
1-2 June 2019
Open Gardens
Fifteen village gardens open with stalls selling cakes, plants, preserves, books etc. Gardeners' lunches and cream teas, art and flower exhibitions with live music in the church. Approximately £13,000 raised for the fabric fund.

18-19 May 2019
Busy weekend: beer festival at Wantsum Brewery, dancing with Offcumduns, Wantsum Morris and others, Rogation Walk (traditional 'beating the bounds of the parish' event), and concert with Invicta Concert Band (see listing at Classical Events).

Saturday 23 March 2019, 7.30pm, in St Nicholas-at-Wade church

Musical versions of the well-known Robert Herrick 'Daffodils' poem, by several 20th century British composers as well as the World Premiere of The Echoing Green by Peter Bajetta, Caritas Composer of the Year 2018. See the listing at Classical Events.
Saturday 2 March 2019, 7.30pm, in the church

Programme at Classical Events.
Saturday 16 February 2019
'Trash and Treasure' jumble sale in church
Saturday 1 December 2018
Concert with the choir of Holy Trinity Primary School and Thanet Chamber Choir
Saturday 17 November 2018, 6.30pm in the church
Saturday 27 October 2018, 10am-3pm in the church
Charity Day — raising money for several different charities and the church's fabric fund.
Saturday 13 October 2018, 7.30pm in the church

Sunday 16 September 2018, 3.30pm in the church

Wednesday 11 July 2018, 3pm in the church
"Journey to Japan" — a talk by Andrea Chance, with musical interludes by Tatsuno Shizuku's 'Furusato Ensemble' in aid of Kumamoto Earthquake relief efforts

Sunday 1 July 2018, 3pm in the church

Sunday 17 June 2018, 10.15am
Celebration of the restoration of the church's East Window
With special guests Léonie Selinger of The Cathedral Studios and Bishop Richard LLewellin. Followed by 'Songs of Praise'.
Sunday 29 April 2018, 3pm
Spring Concert with Jamie Moore — the first of many such events in the church this year

Saturday 17 February 2018
Trash & Treasure fund-raising event: 9.30-12 noon in the church.

Saturday 2 December 2017, 7p.m.
Concert by the Seventy Chamber Choir
December 16-23
Hoodening
As every year — see www.hoodening.org.uk
Friday 3 November 2017, 7:30pm
Making a welcome return — they last visited in 2010 — TMVC entertained with their usual wide range of music to suit all ages — songs from the shows, spirituals and traditional Welsh hymns — and helped raise £540 for the Raise the Roof! appeal.

Saturday 21 October 2017, 10am-3pm
Charity Day — around £1500 raised each for various charities and for the church's fabric fund

Rock Choir: Raise the Roof!
Saturday 24 June 2017, 7-8pm
Around £750 raised for the church's £300,000 roof appeal by a charity concert of rock & pop hits with the ever-popular Rock Choir. Watch the video below:

Open Gardens
Saturday-Sunday 3-4 June 2017, 11am-5pm
Around a dozen village gardens open with stalls selling cakes, plants, preserves, books etc. Gardeners’ lunches and cream teas, art and flower exhibitions with music in the church. Around £13,000 was raised towards the church's £300,000 roof appeal.
Tuesday 21 March 2017
Russian choral concert in the church, sponsored by: Thanet Earth, CCCP Restaurant, Peter Murphy Icons, Sarah Thorne Theatre, Mullaney Roofing, Saxon Self Storage, The Ramsgate Brewery, The Crown Inn, St Nicholas-at-Wade post office, and Ozaru Books.
Saturday 11 February 2017
Trash & Treasure, in the church.

2016 concerts
Following on from the 2014 "Series of Six at Snick's" shown below, in 2016 too there were several concerts of all types in the church (in aid of church restoration: over £2200 were raised in total this year, in addition to funds contributed to the various groups' own charities etc.). The concerts were sponsored by local publisher Ozaru Books. Performers included:
Sunday 20 March 3.15 p.m. — Thanet Light Orchestra — £400 raised. For those who missed it, here are the videos.
Sunday 22 May 6.30 p.m. — Revelation Strings — £625 raised. For those who missed it, here are the videos.
Wednesday 8 June 7.30 p.m. — Railway Swing Band — £375 raised. For those who missed it, here are the videos.
Saturday 16 July 7:30 p.m. — Thanet Gospel Choir — £292 raised. For those who missed it, here are the videos.
Saturday 23 July 7.30 p.m. — Gilbert & Sullivan pot-pourri with Ramsgate Operatic Society — £240 raised. For those who missed it, here are the videos.
Sunday 18 September 3 p.m. — Cantate Chamber Choir (20th anniversary) — £330 raised. Videos still in preparation.
31 July 2016 — "Celebration of village life"

Saturday 6 February, 9.30 a.m. in St Nicholas-at-Wade church
Trash & Treasure
China, Glass, Books, Jewellery, Antiques, small furniture etc. etc. — you name it… Tea & Coffee available. All proceeds towards the maintenance of this church.
See also the Facebook event.
December 12-23
Hoodening & Father Christmas
The village's traditions continue: see Hoodening Schedule.
The carol concert in the church will be at 6.30pm on Sunday December 20, and the Crib/Christingle service at 4.30pm on December 24, with Midnight Mass at 11.30pm.
On the morning of Christmas Day, Father Christmas will deliver presents on his sleigh as usual (see Post Office for details).
On Boxing Day, Wantsum Morris will perform between the two pubs, although many also walk across to Boyden Gate to see them there together with the Marshside Mummers.
Sunday 6 December 2015, 6.30 p.m. in St Nicholas-at-Wade church
Ring & Sing — a charity concert

To mark Saint Nicholas's Day, several groups combined in a concert to raise money for two charities associated with the saint: the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and The Children's Society.
Following the nautical theme, Deal Hoodeners sang their trademark sea shanties. St Nicholas-at-Wade is famous for its ancient Hoodening custom, with Deal being the only other group of Hoodeners to have directly inherited the tradition. The Canterbury Handbell Ringers / Bedford Handbell Ensemble have performed in Australia, Japan and the UK, including an acclaimed recent appearance at the Broadstairs Music Recital Society. Thanet Thespians perform regularly at the Sarah Thorne Memorial Theatre and other local venues. And finally, some young members of Ramsgate Operatic Society reprised a song from their recent production, with particular relevance to Saint Nicholas…
Event listing on St Nicholas-at-Wade church's Facebook page
Videos of numerous previous concerts at St Nicholas-at-Wade
Saturday 4 July 2015, 6.30 p.m. in the church
Seventy Chamber Choir — An American Celebration
See the choir's website and the Event page on Thanet Classics (Facebook).
Videos of a previous Seventy Choir concert at St Nicholas-at-Wade
Saturday 6 June — Sunday 7 June 2015, 11 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Open Gardens
Around a dozen village gardens open with stalls selling cakes, plants, preserves, books etc. Gardeners’ lunches and cream teas, art and flower exhibitions with music in the church. Event organized by the Friends of the Church, with the money raised going to the St Nicholas-at-Wade Church Fabric Fund (which specifically supports the church as a building, independent of any religious use).

Photos of a previous year
Saturday 25 April 2015, 5 p.m. in the church
Concert in aid of the English Speaking Union
"A Springtime Anniversary Celebration in words and music"
Performances by talented local youngsters under the direction of David Flood, organist at Canterbury Cathedral
For details see Canterbury & East Kent ESU website.
Saturday 18 April 2015, 6.30 p.m. in the church
Handel's Messiah
Performed by Merry Opera
NOT just another Messiah — the wonderful oratorio as never experienced before!

The Merry Opera Company take Handel's music, and stage it as opera, with minimal props or 'effects' — just using the natural surroundings and fantastic acoustics of this beautiful church — yet producing a vivid experience which elicits standing ovations from audiences who swear they'll never want to watch or listen to any 'ordinary' performance again. No music or dialogue is added: it's simply the way it is presented, by top professional artists, which transforms the famous work into a live 'happening' almost from another dimension. Presented in association with the Sarah Thorne Theatre Company. You can also view the Programme from the day.
December 2014
Nicholasfest — also viewable via St Nicholas-at-Wade church on Facebook
Hoodening too — see Hoodening Schedule

Saturday 13th September 2014, 7.30 p.m., in the church

International soprano Christine Hubbard has performed all over the world, but is based in Kent and has often performed in aid of St Nicholas church, with a repertoire ranging from purely classical (
see YouTube) through to folk songs and musicals.
Wednesday 9th July 2014, 7.30 p.m., in the church

This popular local band is apparently the largest Big Band of them all, with dozens of saxophones, trumpets and trombones. They nearly blasted the roof off the village church, although actually the acoustics suited them quite well.
Saturday 28th June 2014, 7.30 p.m., in the church

Thanet's Seventy Chamber Choir, directed by Clifford Lister, is no stranger to St Nicholas church, having performed both Haydn's "St Nicolas" mass and Britten's "Nicholas" cantata there as part of the first Nicholasfest activities in December 2012. They also gave a
carol concert in the church in December 2013, whose secular and sacred songs have attracted high praise on YouTube.
Thursday 5th June 2014, 7.30 p.m., in the church
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Third concert in the Series of Six: a concert performance of "Pure Imagination" by Ramsgate Operatic Society. Following rave reviews of last November's Jekyll & Hyde, ROS put together a medley of hit songs from a variety of musicals such as Miss Saigon, My Fair Lady and Grease, with several popular numbers by Lloyd Webber and Gershwin also on the programme.
Saturday 10th May 2014, 7.30 p.m., in the church

Second concert in the Series of Six. This new string orchestra arose from the former Caliband, known to many at the Deal Festival, and is based around the core of a professional string quartet surrounded by gifted young players from across East Kent. It is jointly directed by
Matthew Sharp (an extraordinary cellist, singer and actor called "a virtuoso of the arts" by The Times) and David Burridge, former conductor of
Thanet Youth Orchestra and county music advisor. The programme included works by Albinoni, Mozart and Haydn along with more contemporary items, including a duet from Wicked and a piece by Elbow, and some of the highlights can be found on YouTube.
Saturday 10th May 2014 7.30 pm
EUROVISION PARTY
Party to celebrate the EUROVISION SONG contest, at THE PAVILION.
Friday 25th April 2014, 7.30 p.m., in The Pavilion
St George's Day Friday Social
WC&SA celebrated all things English. Wonderful food, music and company!
Saturday 19th April 2014, 9.00 a.m., in The Pavilion at Bell Meadow (CT7 0PX)
WC&SA Easter Indoor Boot Fair
Wantsum Community & Sports Association held an indoor BOOT FAIR to raise funds for this wonderful community facility.
Wednesday 2 April 2014, 7.30 p.m., in the church
Series of Six no. 1: Thanet Light Orchestra and Thanet Thespians, with guest singers Jacquie Walker-Kemp and Erin Taylor

The programme included works by Mozart, Schubert, Svendsen, Irving Berlin and more: for those who missed it,
here is a video record. Approximately £380 were raised for Pilgrims Hospices and the church fabric fund.
Saturday 29 March 2014, 11:00-16:00
Village History Exhibition
In the village hall.
We would be pleased to receive any more photos etc. to scan and add to our archive and display in future events. Contact: Dennis Kirby
den2k@btinternet.com
Friday 28th February 2014: 19.30—23.00
St David's Day Friday Social
A celebration of St David's Day (a few hours early) at The Pavilion, Bell Meadow. The merriment begins at 7.30pm. Darts Competition, sweepstake and prize for best costume. Hot food and bar snacks available. And the bar is open. Organised by the Wantsum Community & Sports Association committee to help fund this wonderful community facility. Check the new WC&SA website and posters for details.
Friday 14th February 2014 19.30-23.00
Valentines Day Friday Social
Friday Social at THE PAVILION, Bell Meadow. Featuring live music by Sean…singing the old classics. Food available and bar open. Look forward to seeing you there, if not a member join on the night. Oranised by Wantsum Community and Sports Association. Check WC&SA website for contact details.
Sunday 22 December 2013, 7.00 p.m.
Candlelight carols
In the church; free entry
Friday 20 December 2013, 7 p.m.
Christmas Quiz
In THE PAVILION, Bell Meadow. Organised by Wantsum Community and Sports Association. Free Entry. Limited spaces, tickets via WC&SA website or Facebook. Hoodeners appearing after the Quiz.
19-23 December 2013
Hoodening
See
schedule- bookings welcome
Sunday 15 December 2013, 7.00 p.m.
'What Sweeter Music': choral concert with Thanet Seventy Chamber Choir
In the church. Advance tickets: £10 (info: Father Jim, 01843 447791)
1-9 December 2013
Nicholasfest
A week of events about the village's patron saint (info: Father Jim, 01843 447791). See also
Nicholasfest2012
Saturday 7 December 2013, 7.00 p.m.
Concert 'Travel Through Time' featuring hit songs from the last fifty years
In the church. Tickets: £6 (adults), £3 children.
Saturday 15 June 2013, 7.30 p.m.
More Musicals

The cast of
Ramsgate Operatic Society came to St Nicholas to reprise their acclaimed revue's hit songs from Chicago, Billy Elliot, Evita, Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver, Les Mis and more. Read the
review of the recent performance in Broadstairs.
Saturday/Sunday 1-2 June 2013
Open Gardens
Around a dozen of the village's gardens were open to visitors, with stalls selling a variety of produce (edible and otherwise). A succession of organists from around East Kent gave recitals in the church on the new pipe organ, with the church also featuring art, photography and flower exhibitions, and refreshments. Vintage vehicles were on show in Bell Meadow.
Saturday 11 May 2013, 5.15 p.m.
Spring Concert in aid of the English Speaking Union
With Dr David Flood (organist at Canterbury Cathedral) and Lord Gawain Douglas, in the church. Featuring talented young voices and instrumentalists, including the Leon String Quartet.
Saturday 27 April 2013, 7.30 p.m.
'From Broadway to the West End' Concert
An evening of music, song & dance held in the church.
9 February 2013, 10.00-13.00
Trash & Treasure
In the church
26 December 2012, midday-ish
Morris dancers perform between the pubs
25 December 2012, early morning
Father Christmas tours the village
24 December 2012
Crib & Christingle service 4.30, Midnight Mass 11:30
Sunday 23 December 2012 (evening)
Carols around the village tree
19-22 December 2012
Hoodening
See
schedule- £1400+ raised for Pilgrim's Hospices
Sunday 16 December 2012, 6.30 p.m.
Carol concert (in the church)
1-9 December 2012
Nicholasfest 2012
A week of events about the village's patron saint. Outline below — for more details see
Nicholasfest2012
Wednesday 5 December 2012, 7 p.m.
Service to bless the newly refurbished church
With Bishop Trevor
Thursday, 6 December (St Nicholas Day) 2012, 6.30 p.m.
Candlelight Procession and lighting of the village tree
Sunday 9 December 2012, 7.30 p.m.
Gala Concert featuring Thanet Seventy Chamber Choir, Rochester Cathedral Choristers and orchestra
Programme to include Benjamin Britten's St Nicolas cantata.
Tickets: £12 in advance:
details here
24 November 2012
Christmas Fair in aid of the Village Hall
Thanks to everyone who came to the hall on a wet miserable morning — it was warm and friendly inside. Thanks also to all the helpers and stallholders who made it such a successful and enjoyable event'
3 November 2012
Village History Exhibition
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the exhibition which proved to be very popular.
We would be pleased to receive any more photos etc. to scan and add to our archive and display in a future event. Contact: Dennis Kirby
den2k@btinternet.com
Friday 29 June to Sunday 1 July 2012
Beer Festival at the Bell Inn
Thursday 21 June 2012 in the church
The International String Ensemble concert
Three quartets with players from the UK, US, Sweden, France and Switzerland combine to perform romantic chamber works by Brahms, Dvořák, Bruch and Schubert, as well as the exhilarating Mendelssohn octet, interspersed with readings from Dickens by local actors Steven Todd and Catherine Elvin. Tickets £7 on the door or £5 in advance from Joyce Edling on 01843 579028 / 07973 126563 /
joyce@turquoisetrios.plus.com
Saturday 2nd June 2012 — Bell Meadow
St Nicholas-at- Wade and Sarre Diamond Jubilee Celebration.

See
FaceBook event page
Saturday 21 April 2012 in the church at 5 p.m.
Words & Music
With
Lord Gawain Douglas, in aid of the
English Speaking Union.
Saturday 10 March 2012 in the church

A rare visit by this prestigious choir, member of the Welsh Association of Male Choirs, with songs from Wales, America, Austria and the West End.
Thursday 26 January 2012 in the church
Poetry Isle
Lemn Sissay reads a poem inspired by the people of St Nicholas-at-Wade — and the Big Sing community choir sing a song inspired by the poem, written by Tony Castro.

Week before Christmas
Hoodening
For details of performances see
www.hoodening.org.uk
Sunday 18 December 2011 in the church
Carol Service
Saturday 29 October 2011 in the church
Charity Day
Stock up for Christmas with lots of stalls supporting a wide variety of charities
Sunday 16 October 2011 in the church at 3 p.m. [
FaceBook page]
Family Concert

Thanet Light Orchestra and members of the talented Martin family performed a selection of popular classics and songs from the shows. Proceeds to church restoration and Pilgrims Hospices
Saturday 8 October 2011 in the church at 7.30 p.m.
Harvest Supper
Enjoy sharing some food & drink with your neighbours, along with a quiz, a few songs, and more…
Further details: Annette Paul, 843591
Saturday 8 October 2011 in the village hall
St Nicholas-at-Wade & Sarre: Past, Present & Future
Throughout the afternoon, visit an exhibition of pictures of the parish, and preview the new Parish Plan giving results of the recent survey into villagers' views, as well as plans for how both villages will change in the coming years. The winners of the photographic competition will be announced, and you will be able to sign up to register your interest in new allotments. Free refreshments too!
Sunday 2 October in the church at 10 a.m.
Pet Service
Sunday 25 September in the church at 10 a.m.
Centenary Celebration
100 collective years of ministry: Bob Coles (25), Hugh Bird (25) and Peter Gausden (50)
Sunday 26 June 2011 in the church at 3 p.m.
Folk Concert
Featuring
Thanet Light Orchestra,
Coastal Voices and
Drohne.
Saturday/Sunday 4-5 June 2011
Open Gardens
Features:
- Approximately 15 village gardens open to the public.
- Stalls selling plants, cakes, preserves, books and bric-a-brac etc.
- St Nicholas Court Underground Chapel
- Gardeners' lunches and cream teas
- Art, photo and flower exhibitions in the 13th century St Nicholas Church
Saturday, 19th March 2011 at 7.00 p.m. in the Village Hall
Sixties Night
Sunday, 13th March 2011 in the church at 3 p.m.
Jazz Concert
Big band, funk, latin and standard jazz with
Alice Chater, Chatham House Jazz Band, the
Impromptu Ensemble and
Mariko Mitsuyu. Proceeds principally to the
George Turnlund Memorial Fund. See
videos here.
Saturday 12th February 2011, 9.30am — 12 noon
Trash 'n' Treasure Sale
Saturday 27 November 2010, 7:30pm
In aid of
Thanet Countryside Trust
Sunday 27 June 2010, 3pm
Summer Serenade
Concert in St Nicholas-at-Wade church by
Thanet Light Orchestra and guests Brass Roots (a new local brass quintet) and the renowned St Nicholas School Choir. Programme included popular classics, light music, songs from the shows, and more.
Saturday 24 April 2010, 7pm
April Airs
International soprano Christine Hubbard sang a mixed programme.
Saturday 28 November 2009, 19:30
Christmas Concert
The
Canterbury Singers performed Johann Sebastian Bach's Cantata No 140 ('Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme', BWV 140), some movements from (Franz) Joseph Haydn's Mass No 6 in G, 'Missa Sancti Nicolai' (HobXXII/6: the 'St Nicholas mass'), the newly commissioned "A Hymn to Canterbury" by Thomas Hewitt Jones and John Joubert's "There is no rose of such virtue" (1954). There were also some seasonal advent carols / hymns, parts of which were sung by both choir and congregation.
Sunday 18 October 2009, 15:00
Variety Concert
Fourth in the popular series of concerts in the
church, in aid of the parapet appeal. As always, the programme included a variety of classical and light music, featuring
Thanet Light Orchestra and guests: this time the Thanet Clarinet Quartet and international soprano Christine Hubbard. There was a particular focus on composers and arrangers with a local connection.
Saturday 31 October 2009, 10:00-15:00
Charity Day
St Nicholas-at-Wade church hosted numerous stalls selling Christmas cards and gifts. Ploughman's lunches and other refreshments too.
21 June 2009, 19:30
Midsummer Melodies
Third in the popular series of concerts in the church, in aid of the parapet appeal. This time the evening included a variety of classical and light music, featuring Thanet Light Orchestra, Cantate Chamber Choir and the Canal Boat Recorder Ensemble, and a special performance by Robin Thompson on the
guqin.
6-7 June 2009
Open Gardens
St Nicholas 'Open Gardens Weekend' on Saturday and Sunday 6th and 7th June 2009 featured:
- Approximately 15 village gardens will be open to the public.
- Stalls selling plants,cakes, preserves, books and bric-a-brac etc.
- St Nicholas Court Underground Chapel
- Gardeners' lunches and cream teas
- Art, photo and flower exhibitions in 13th century St Nicholas Church
15 February 2009, 15:00
The Love Factor: Romantic Recitals and Readings
featuring Thanet Light Orchestra, Dane Court Chamber Choir, Ventiano and The Village Players
(in church)
26 October 2008
Variety Concert
featuring
Thanet Light Orchestra, the
Impromptu Ensemble and Dane Court Chamber Choir
(in church)