It is with huge disappointment and not a little frustration that, following the Government’s decision to extend the current lockdown restrictions beyond the date of Friends’ Festival, we have been obliged to modify the arrangements for the day. Though we realise that this will cause a great deal of regret, we are conscious that we must hold the event in Covid-secure conditions and comply with current regulations.
To that end the revised arrangements will be as follows:
10.30 Festival Sung Eucharist with our guest preacher, Bishop Bob Evens
After the service there will be a brief intermission to allow for the setting up of the Abbey to accommodate the rest of the proceedings. At this time members of the congregation may need to leave their seats to “stretch their legs”, but we must ask that you return to the same seat(s) that you’ve previously occupied. Some members may wish to join us just for the AGM and book launch and we will ensure that they are found seats that have previously been unoccupied.
12.00 noon (approx) The Friends’ 2021 AGM, conducted in the nave of the Abbey
12.20 pm (approx) The launch of The Founders’ Book facsimile, with Professor Susan Powell, Professor Julian Luxford and Dr Adrian Ailes.
At the end of the Book Launch you will be invited to leave the Abbey in due order. We profoundly regret that it will not be possible to hold the drinks reception that we had planned as the number would inevitably have exceeded the statutory 30.
Nevertheless, everyone is invited (if the weather is kind to us) to bring a picnic and eat it in the Abbey grounds. Please remember that you must not gather in groups larger than 30 and must continue to observe social distancing.
The formal part of Friends’ Festival will conclude after the picnic. There will be no afternoon tea. There will, however, be a service of Sung Evensong at 5.00 pm to which everyone is cordially invited.
Despite these reduced celebrations we hope that everyone will have a thoroughly enjoyable time.
The Sung Eucharist and the Book Launch will be live-streamed on the Abbey’s YouTube Channel which can be accessed via this link.