Food Festival: September 21st / 22nd

We are again pleased to be an official supporter of the Food Festival.  We will again host a larger number of the stalls in our courtyards and Master classes in the Priory Centre.

If you are looking for an  oasis of calm-  why not try Traditional Tea on the Vicarage Lawn, available on the Saturday. The Priory Church is also open for those looking for a piece of quiet or wanting to visit our magnificent monuments. During the Festival there will be a display of a replica of the Turin Shroud and Jez Thomas’ Gospel Art will also be on display.

Again this year we will be supporting local Syrian Refugees by giving them space to sell their baked foods.

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Church and Tapestry Tours

Our volunteer guides aim to deliver an inspiring and entertaining tour of St Mary’s Priory Church and the Beautiful millennium Tapestry. Step inside into “The Westminster Abbey of Wales” and be transported by our tour guides as they inspire you with the monuments and medieval effigies surviving within it. Be led through the church to our Jesse which is unique in Britain and described by Tate Britain as one of the finest medieval sculptures in the world. Our guides will fill you with knowledge of all parts of our church and town throughout your visit.

To add to your experience at St Mary’s you can also have the chance to see our magnificent Tapestry situated in the Tithe Barn. In the tradition of the great Bayeux Tapestry, it tells the story of Abergavenny on a grand scale.  The masterpiece became a labour of love for the team of over 60 ladies who worked on it, Stitchers viewed their work on the tapestry as “painting with wool”. The tapestry is viewed by people who travel far and wide to see the impressive display. Ending with our intriguing exhibition giving visitors an interactive history of Abergavenny.

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For information on booking a tour with us please contact:

01873858787 / manager@stmarys-priory.org

“Wonderful history, heritage and hospitality” 

“Highlight of Abergavenny”

“This is a must-see place if you’re nearby.”  

Sugar Loaf Catering-Caterer Of The Year 2019

Here at St Mary’s Priory we are proud to be able to say our caterers are ‘Sugar Loaf Catering’ a family ran business who have won Caterer of the Year at The Food Awards Wales 2019. Sugar Loaf catering provide us with catering for all our events in the Priory Centre whether you are having a small intimate dinner party, corporate event or a beautiful wedding, you will get service with a smile and fantastic food made with local ingredients.

Spring in the Courtyard- May 4th

Building on the success of the first courtyard event held in December, the next market is being held on Saturday, 4^thMay 2019 in the Prince of Wales Courtyard at St Mary’s Priory Church.

A partnership between St Mary’s Priory Church, Made in Monmouthshire and the Welsh Centre of Excellence, the aim is promote the creative talents of local makers and artists and their roles in keeping alive traditions that have shaped the landscape, as well as well Welsh language and culture. It will also highlight St Mary’s Priory as a place to visit, enjoy and learn about its 1000 years of heritage and religion.

The Spring event will see over 20 local artists and makers joined by musicians including a local harpist, jazz quartet and an acoustic session from a Priory Session musician, amongst others.  Cymraeg i Blant will also be organising a craft/story and rhyme time session in the Tithe Barn.

Welcoming the second courtyard market, Canon Mark Soady, Prior of St Mary’s Priory said, “With Spring in the air our minds switch to alfresco eating drinking and shopping. The Prince of Wales Courtyard is an ideal place to while way a glorious Spring Bank Holiday weekend.”

Jan Thomas of Made in Monmouthshire also commented

“We are thrilled to be involved in another Courtyard event and this year have two more events planned for later in the year.”

Rhiannon Davies, Welsh Language Officer with the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board at the Welsh Centre of Excellence said

“We are delighted to be a part of this exciting initiative and look forward to engaging with members of the public and teaching them some useful Welsh phrases”.

The event will start at 10am and finish at 5pm with car parking nearby as well as the town’s bus and rail station. The Tithe Barn will also be open where you can view the Tapestry and learn about the activities of the Welsh Centre of Excellence.

The event is being sponsored by local business Chris Jones Regeneration.

Good Friday & Easter Monday

The TIthe Barn is closed on Good Friday,  Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, but open on Easter Eve (Saturday)

Officers Elected

At the AGM today the following officers of the Priory Development Trust were elected:

Chairman: Sir Trefor Morris

V. Chairman: Tim Pratt

Secretary: Maggie Pratt

Treasurer: John Williams

The Lord Rowe-Beddoe will continue as President.

AGMs

St Mary’s Priory Development Trust

3pm on March 19th in the Music Room

Parish Abergavenny Parochial Charity

Easter Vestry / AGM: 7pm on April 30th at the Priory Centre

Courtyard Created Festive Atmosphere

The Christmas in the Courtyard event held on the 1^stDecember has been hailed a success by its organisers with artists, makers, festive music and mulled wine creating a festive atmosphere.

A partnership between St Mary’s Priory, Made in Monmouthshire and the Welsh Centre of Excellence set out to showcase local arts and welsh culture with some warming hot drinks and Christmas cake. Across the day, music was provided by Abergavenny Borough Band, St Mary’s Priory Choir, s local welsh folk band and a jazz quartet which added to the magic of the Christmas lights and special setting of the Prince of Wales Courtyard.

 

Sir Trefor Morris, Chair of the Priory Development Trust welcomed the success of the event saying that “It was an enjoyable family day for all ages, with a variety of musical entertainment, insights into Tudor life and dress in Abergavenny, scrummy food by the Welsh Centre and of course a wide range of handcrafted items by Made in Monmouthshire, a timely opportunity for some clever buying of Christmas gifts to inadequate shoppers like me!  The organising group, have in mind other events during 2019 to take advantage of the lovely setting of the Prince of Wales Courtyard within St Mary’s Priory Site, to provide community involvement and enjoyment.”

Jan Thomas from Made in Monmouthshire commenting on the first market said, “We were thrilled with the success of the event, the atmosphere created and the enthusiasm of the general public and look forward to The Courtyard featuring regularly as a venue for our events in 2019.”

Michael Powell, Rural Programme Manager for the Vale of Usk said “Monmouthshire County Council from both the Rural Development Programme, and the Events Team perspective is pleased to have been able to support such an ambitious venture.  The day went flawlessly with so many happy faces from stallholders and the public enjoying music, festive food, atmosphere and the wares on sale.”

The event was funded through the Vale of Usk Rural Development Programme and has been sponsored by local business Chris Jones Regeneration

Tithe Barn Christmas Closures

The Tithe Barn will close at 4pm on Saturday, December 22nd and re-open at 9am on January 2nd 2019.

Have a Blessed Christmas and a healthy 2019!

Count down to Christmas in the Courtyard

 

This Saturday, the 1^st December over 20 local artists and makers will form part of a festive market in the Prince of Wales Courtyard, alongside the Tithe Barn.

As well as warming mulled wine, mince pies and other hot drinks, the St Mary’s Priory Choir, Abergavenny Borough Band, a local jazz quartet and group of harpists will bring music and song to the courtyard

Canon Mark Soady, Prior of St Mary’s Priory said, “When most people think of Christmas they think of Mince Pies, Mulled Wine, Christmas Carols, and increasingly a Christmas Market; next Saturday we will be offering all that in the shadow of the beautiful and atmospheric St Mary’s Priory Church. Do come and soak up the atmosphere!”

The event will start at 10am and finish at 5pm with car parking nearby as well as the town’s bus and rail station.  The Tithe Barn will also be open where you can view the Tapestry and learn about the activities of the Welsh Centre of Excellence.

The event is being funded through the Vale of Usk Rural Development Programme and has been sponsored by local business Chris Jones Regeneration.