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Tintern Michaelmas Festival

@ Tintern *Tintern Abbey*, *St Michael's Church*, *Tintern Old Station*, *Parva

Celebrating Tintern's Heritage

Welcome to all our village community, to our neighbours in the Wye Valley, and to all visitors who come from far and wide to enjoy this world-renowned place of outstanding natural beauty. This year's annual Michaelmas Festival will celebrate Tintern's wonderful historical and cultural heritage, and will include a week of exciting events at various locations in the village which will appeal to all ages and tastes. Michaelmas is the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, and is associated with the beginning of autumn and the shortening of days. In mediaeval times Michaelmas became widely celebrated as the end of the harvest season with an annual trading fayre - the exchanging and selling of-wares, and a period of feasting, song and dance. It is a time to celebrate and share.

Saturday 24 Sept, 11.00 am onwards - Photo exhibition at St Michael's parish church Historic photos recording Tintern's history, restoration plans for this ancient church which dates back to Celtic times, and the history of the adjacent Fryers' Wharf with its Roman remains Saturday 24 Sept, 1.00 pm onwards - Victorian Day at Tintern Old Station Celebrating our Victorian past at our long-closed GWR branch-line station, now a well-known heritage centre. Come in Victorian costume if you like and enjoy an afternoon of events including an original murder-mystery play, games and features for children, narrow gauge railway rides, working miniature model railway, refreshments, local beer. Free admission Saturday 24 Sept, 7.30 pm - Film night at the Village Hall `Arthur's Dyke' (2001): a charming comedy starring Pauline Quirke, set in Welsh countryside. Plus a special `short' on the Wye Valley Refreshments available. Bring your own wine etc Admission £4 at the door

Sunday 25 Sept, 11.00 am - Heritage Walk round Tintern Three hour A leisurely walk for all ages visiting places of interest in the Tintern area including St Mary's church, Abbey Mill, Moravian Church, HAPPA (Horse and Ponies Protection Association), Tintern Old Railway Station, and St Michael's church. Meet outside Tintern Abbey visitors' shop at 11.00 am. Children especially welcome. Free admission. Ending at Moon and Sixpence at 1.30 for drinks and special lunch Sunday 25 Sept, 7.30pm - Concert at Abbey Hotel with the Parva Springs String Quartet Mozart and Mendelssohn, plus original composition by Fiona Frank Admission £7.50/£5. Further details of programme to be announced

Tuesday 27 Sept, 7.30 pm - Tintern Philosophy Circle at The Rose & Crown Talk on the philosophy of Francis Bacon with interesting new discoveries about his connections with Tintern and the scientific & and industrial revolutions. Admission £2 Wednesday 28 Sept, 2.30 pm - Wine and Roman history at Parva Farm Vineyard Tour of vineyard and ancient historic sites followed by wine-tasting. Admission £7.50, includes wine-tasting Wednesday 28 Sept, 8.00 pm - Folk evening at The Rose & Crown Live music by The Rusty Shackle group, dancing and fun. Free admission.

Friday 30 Sept, 7.30 - Forest Flute Ensemble concert at St Michael's parish church Evening of music by Purcell, Handel, Telemann, Tchaikovsky, Bizet, and more Admission £10, includes glass of wine Saturday 1 Oct, 7.30 pm - Harvest Supper at The Anchor Traditional supper with entertainment at this historic inn which dates back to the mediaeval period when it provided hospitality for pilgrims to the Abbey Tickets £15 (children £10) in advance only from Rev. Nora Hill, or Italian Garden Café (opposite Royal George)

Sunday 2 Oct, 12.oo onwards - Tintern Abbey guided tours and picnic One-hour guided tours at 12.00 and 2.00 by Brother Thomas, a Cistercian ` choir-monk of the early fifteenth century! Bring a picnic and enjoy a couple of hours at this world-famous Mediaeval abbey. Music by Taglionando Duo. Admission free for festival participants Sunday 2 Oct, 4.00 pm - Evensong at St Michael's parish church Special event to bring the festival to a close All week - special display of books relating to Tintern's heritage at Stella Bookshop

The festival committee wishes to thank Adventa, The New Grove Trust,