Hitchin Nub News is renowned for the quality of its columnists as well as the quality of its reporting.

Whether they be on sport, nature, politics or community, our stable of must-read trusted contributors is growing by the day.

This month we're delighted to add another name to our ever-growing list - a weekly column from the churchwardens at St Mary's Church in the heart of our town.

So, read on for their latest column as share the latest news and happenings around St Mary's Church.[.B]

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We raised the roof at St Mary's on Saturday night with a resounding flourish, as we host the 'Last Night of the Proms'.

The Cambridge Wind Band, in partnership with St Mary's Fundraising team, is returning at last with it's speciality mix of popular classics, film scores, and all the Proms favourites. Ranging from Star Wars themes to Mary Poppins, and Pomp and Circumstance to Elgar's Enigma Variations there are plenty of crowd pleasers on offer.

The band was formed by Conductor Viv Halton to showcase high quality woodwind, brass and percussion players in the Cambridge area.

The 50 piece ensemble has a large repertoire, has played at many festivals, and also supports charity events such as this one.

St Mary's connection with Sir Henry Wood

St Mary's has a historic connection which makes the event even more resonant.

In our Trinity Chapel a plaque commemorates Sir Henry Wood, the famous conductor who started the London Promenade Concerts, now called the BBC Proms, and died in 1944 while living in Hitchin.

His funeral was held here and doubtless contained wonderful musical tributes.

The idea behind the concerts, which started in Edwardian times, was to make classical music less formal and more accessible to people.

We hope that our concert, the first for two years, will continue that great tradition.

The event follows on from Hitchin's Christmas Lights 'switch on' in the square on Saturday, so a lively evening for the town centre.

The week ahead at St Mary's

On Wednesday, the Church will enjoy another feast of music with a song recital by Soprano Rachel Ridout and pianist Ilan Kurtser. Mozart, Schumann, Saint-Saens, Poulenc and others will be featured in this free concert, with a donations collected at the end to support St Mary's.

We hope to be able to continue our programme of musical events each Saturday from now until Christmas with Hitchin Symphony Orchestra, Hitchin Band, North Herts Guild of Singers, Hitchin Chamber Orchestra and St Mary's Choir all preparing to perform. (Check the Events page for future details).

St Mary's saw the largest service since 2020 last week on Remembrance Sunday.

Many uniformed groups and local leaders attended, with a younger generation also gathered there to remember the nation's sacrifice and pray for a better future.

At our Early Evening service this Sunday from 5-6pm we will carry on that theme.

All are welcome to join us in a 'light touch' service with thoughts on Remembrance. Some great Hymns will be sung around the Piano, there will be an opportunity to make poppies and add to the impressive Prayer Tree.

There is also a moment for 'Open Mic', to come and play an instrument or read a poem either individually or as a group.

Next week....We look forward to the first of our spectacular candlelit services with the choir in full voice for the season of Advent.

Further details of our services and events are found on our public Facebook page @StMarysChurchHitchin

https://www.stmaryshitchin.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/stmaryshitchin_