by Ray Duffill
Head into Hedon is the call to visitors during next month’s Heritage Open Days. The town will be the location of special events between Saturday, September 7, and Sunday, September 15, all designed to spotlight the town and encourage people to discover its rich heritage.
Prime among the aims will be to showcase the town’s ancient church, St Augustine’s, known locally as the King of Holderness, as a modern venue for entertainment.
Seven events are scheduled to attract people to the church for entertainment and to enjoy its unique acoustics and atmosphere during Heritage Open Days.
Time and Tide with Hull Community Theatre and the May Geslins takes place from 2pm at St Augustine’s on Saturday, September 7. This includes songs and sketches from across the Hull and Holderness area.
A barbershop singing concert with the male Humber Harmony and female Three Crown Sound will make the most of the church’s rich acoustics on Saturday, September 7, at 7pm. Both groups have performed at the church previously, but this time, there will be some new songs in addition to the traditional barbershop choruses.
A folk music evening takes place on Wednesday, September 11, at 7pm. Headlining will be Spare Hands, perhaps the area’s foremost maritime folk band, comprising members Bill Sowerby, Les Ward, Steve Gardham, Tom Gaynard and Andy Buckton. They will be ably supported by duo Sam Martyn and Wolfy O’Hare, Kevin Young, the Cod Ends and the May Geslins.
Barnstormers Comedy Night at St Augustine’s is happening on Thursday, September 12, at 8pm. Kevin Precious of Barnstormers Comedy presents, in association with Hedon Museum, a night featuring the talents of comedians Jack Gleadow, Peter Bush and Pierre Hollins. As well as bringing people into the church to see these professional comedians, the organisers hope that this might kickstart the local comedy scene in the town, with other venues becoming involved.
The East Riding of Yorkshire Brass Band will perform at St Augustine’s on Friday, September 13, at 7.30pm. Under the musical direction of Fiona Bishop, the band will play various music from all genres and eras.
The Beggar’s Folk Music Foundation presents a folk opera, Sarah: Life Turned Her That Way, at the church on Saturday, September 14. People are asked to arrive at 6.30pm to enable a prompt 7pm start. The intriguing story of Sarah Kennedy – from seduction to abduction, and from poverty to wealth, before her murder – is told in music, drama, narration, and video.
Musical singing duo The Larks will be bringing the music of the 1940s to life when they perform at St Augustine’s on Sunday, September 15. All the events at the church will be free to attend, although it is hoped that audiences and visitors will be sympathetic to the efforts of those fundraising for the church’s restoration.
As well as the entertainment attractions at the church, it will also be open for members of the public to browse during Hedon Heritage Open Days, and it will be the subject of a series of history walks where members of the public can discover the church’s fascinating history, represented by its interior, its walls, and its graveyard.
There will be 12 Hedon History Walks between Saturday, September 7, and Sunday, September 15, with the town’s ancient streets, trails, waterways, and pubs all coming under walkers’ scrutiny. While the church is the town’s most prominent building and will be open during the week, other buildings that will be open during Heritage Open Days include Lambert House, Ivy House, Hedon Town Hall, Hedon Catholic Church, the British Legion Club for a Second World War exhibition, and Hedon Museum. Other attractions will include street theatre and street performances, Regency dancing, and classic and vintage vehicles.
Hedon Museum is coordinating Head to Hedon. Tony Porter, from the museum, said: “We hope that this year’s Heritage Open Days will provide something for everybody and showcase the community of Hedon.
“Our history should be a real attraction as well as a vehicle for community spirit. We are cooperating with St Augustine’s as this iconic landmark is in dire need of assistance in raising funds to renovate the building and to make it more of a cultural hub for the town.
“All these events are free, and we have to thank East Riding Council for its Do It For East Yorkshire community grant. Thanks also to Hedon Town Council. We also need to thank all the volunteers who ensure the buildings are open and that the events and shows can all go ahead.”
Details of all these events can be found in the Heritage Open Days brochure for Hull and East Riding and also the one for Beverley. Information can also be found online at hedonblog.co.uk/whats-on and on the Hedon History Walks Facebook page.
