One of Europe's most historic early music ensembles is set to make a triumphant return to a Leicestershire market town for the first time in nearly four decades.
A Long-Awaited Musical Homecoming
The celebrated group York Waits last performed in Market Bosworth during the 1985 Battle of Bosworth Quincentennial celebrations. This December, they will finally make their comeback with a special Yuletide programme. The concert forms a key part of the events commemorating a major local milestone: 700 years of St. Peter's Church.
A Festive Journey Through Time
The ensemble, which dates back to the early 1970s, will present a joyful selection of seasonal music and song at St Peter's Church on Saturday, December 13, at 7.30pm. Audiences will be taken on an auditory journey from the 1400s to the early 1700s. The programme promises some of the earliest known Christmas carols, alongside pieces that reflect both the hardships and festivities of Tudor and Jacobean England.
The performance offers a rare chance to see authentic period instruments in action. The musicians will play a fascinating array including:
- Shawms and sackbuts
- Bass recorders and curtals
- Harps and crumhorns
- Bagpipes and even a hurdy-gurdy
Meet the Performers and Secure Your Seat
The band features talented singers Deborah Catterall and Gareth Glyn Roberts. Instrumentalists William Marshall, Lizzie Gutteridge, Susan Marshall, and Anna Marshall will bring the historic scores to life, with narration provided by Tim Bayley.
Tickets for the 'Welcome Yule' concert are priced at £15, with a special offer of two for £25. Tickets for under-16s cost just £10, and the price includes interval refreshments.
You can book in advance at the Parish Office on Park Street in Market Bosworth, or via email at admin@bosworthbenefice.org.uk. For telephone bookings, call 01455 817255. Any remaining tickets will be sold on the door on the night.
This event represents a unique opportunity to experience the captivating sounds of early music performed on original instruments, all within the historic setting of a 700-year-old church. Don't miss this remarkable cultural occasion in the heart of Market Bosworth.
