Bath Abbey will be opening its doors to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday, and local residents are being invited to join in on Sunday 12th June.
The day will combine services focusing on the Queen and her magnificent history of service to the nation and to the Church of England, which she leads as Supreme Governor.
There will be opportunities for everyone to get involved – whether you want to take part in the special “Come and Sing” session, or to explore Bath Abbey’s regal history with the Kings and Queens trail, there is something for everyone to join in with.
Starting with a Holy Communion Service at 8am, the main celebrations will begin at 10.30am with a Celebration Service that will feature Bath Abbey’s famous choirs, as well as the Haiyan Brass Ensemble.
The service will end with the ringing of the Abbey’s bells in concert with other church bells across the nation.
At midday, singers from across the city and beyond will join together for a special ‘Come and Sing’ performance of Hubert Parry’s I Was Glad and George Frideric Handel’s Zadok the Priest, conducted by the Abbey’s Assistant Director of Music, Shean Bowers.
Members of the public are welcome to join this ad-hoc choir by arriving at midday promptly for a rehearsal. Music will be provided and the public performance will start at 12.45pm, finishing at 1:00pm.
Shean Bowers said: “This is exciting opportunity for the community to join together to celebrate Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday through song and fellowship.
“People of all ages and musical abilities are welcome to come along and join the Abbey Choir in singing what are possibly the two most well-known and famous Coronation Anthems.
“Whether you are an individual, a family, a school or church choir or even a choral society, you are most welcome to come along and share this most memorable experience with us; the more the merrier!”
In the afternoon, between 1.30pm and 5pm, the Abbey will be open for visitors to take the self-guided “Kings and Queens” trail around the Abbey, the site of hosted the coronation of King Edgar, first King of all England.
The trail will allow visitors to explore the stories behind the kings and queens they find in the Abbey. It is full of activities, ideal for families, and self-guided so that it can be followed at your own pace. Children and families will also have the opportunity to make their own crowns in the Abbey.
The trail has been specially developed by the Abbey’s Interpretation Officer, Ollie Taylor, who said: “Our visitors find many images of kings and queens throughout the Abbey but how much do they know about their amazing stories?
“This new trail explores their stories and encourages visitors to respond to and reflect on them. The trail is full of fun, new activities for children, too, so bring the family.
“It’s a great way for young and old to explore the Abbey and look at it with new eyes! And even better, it’s free on the Queen’s Birthday!”
The day will be rounded off by a special Evening Service, which will allow people to share reflections on the monarchy, and take part in a special ‘Toast’ to Her Majesty.
Reflecting on the meaning of the day for the Abbey, Revd Prebendary Edward Mason, Abbey Rector, said: “Her Majesty has been a wonderful example of some of the great values of humanity at our best – loyalty, duty and self-sacrifice.
“None of us knows what it costs to sustain her commitment to her people day in and day out. She is devoted to this nation and to the part it plays in the Commonwealth of Nations.
“Such devotion is founded on her Christian faith and following Jesus Christ as her Lord. We wish her a very Happy Birthday and a year to come full of great joy. She surely deserves it.”
The day is open for all to come and take part in. The Abbey will be giving a special gift; a booklet called “The Servant Queen, and the King She Serves” produced by the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity.
This unique booklet explores the history of the Queen’s service to her nation and her church, and explores the faith that motivates her to serve. Copies will be free while stocks last; though donations to the Genesis Trust and their Lifeline Centre would be graciously accepted.
