Special event makes its annual return to Tenbury church

This Saturday  sees one of the big occasions in the St Michael's annual programme of music and events, with twenty-two student members of the Birmingham University Singers, their director Paul Rodmell, and organist Rupert Jeffcoat set to descend on the church for the weekend.

What makes this so special is the fact that this event has taken place every year but two since the college closed its doors in 1985, only having to be put off once when hit by bad weather and once by Covid-19.

The tradition was started by a local cleric's sister, who was involved in music at the University of Birmingham and came up with the idea.  Generous people in Tenbury and the St Michael's area help with providing accommodation for the students overnight, allowing them to sing a festival of lessons and carols on the Saturday evening at 6.30pm.

They then return to the church to provide a communion service at 11am on Sunday with evensong at 3pm before returning to Birmingham.

The singers at St Michael's (Image: Tony Penn)

All this takes a lot of organising, with a buffet lunch on the Saturday, and then a practice before calling on their host families. This year they are off to Mr Toms for their evening meal.

On Sunday, there will be another practice before the service and then lunch in the village hall provided as a thankyou by the church, before a final practice before Evensong.

But all the effort that goes into putting on the event really is worthwhile, said Tony Penn, vice chair of the parochial church council.

Mr Penn said the annual tradition brings the whole community in the area together.

"People do appreciate the superb quality of this choir performing in a mini cathedral built for the purpose of enhancing choral music," he said.