Online celebrations to mark end of Georgian stone project

Bishop’s Castle’s Georgian in Stones project has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the town council, and aimed to allow residents to learn more about the historic Georgian tombs found in St John the Baptist Church.

The funding also allowed the project group to restore the tombs.

On Saturday, May 15, a celebration will be held online to mark the end of the project.

The event is free and the line-up includes music from John Kirkpatrick MBE, Castle Carols and Friends, Noxwode Baroque Ensemble, Hallelujah chorus with The Marches Choir and Friends and an election drama of 1820 from South West Shropshire Historical and Archaeological Society.

John Kirkpatrick was commissioned to create and arrange some original songs for this project inspired by the Georgian era and stories behind the headstones.

The words and scores for these songs are included in the songbook on Castle Carol’s website for anybody who would like to join in the singing. Visit www.castlecarols.com to find the songs.

In addition to entertaining music and drama online from 4pm to 7.30pm, there will be an opportunity for families to collect craft activity bags from the church porch from 11am – activities include making a tricorn hat, decorating a fan and taking part in an art trail with your family.

Event co-ordinator Thomasina Carlyle said: “We have a great line-up packed with some beautiful and entertaining music and drama and there will be Georgian inspired food for sale at The Happy Bap for people to buy on the day to eat in the interval while watching from home.”

Covid guidelines have led to the celebration being moved from a live event to online but the organisers are confident that the combination of activities will bring an enriched Georgian flavour to the celebratory experience.

People can take part in learning John Kirkpatrick songs for the day by following links on castlecarols.com/georgians or just reserve a place to kick back and watch by emailing info@cfga.org.uk Full details of the line up to be posted on the GeorgiansInStone Facebook page.