In 2007 Beverley was voted the best place to live in Britain and you would find few members of our choir, apart from the odd expatriate Welshman perhaps, who would argue with that.

It is perhaps best known for its magnificent Gothic Minster, said to be not quite as impressive as York’s but “somehow more slender and elegant in the way it reaches towards the heavens.”

The Choir has had the honour to sing in the Minster on several occasions.  It is an awesome and awe-inspiring experience, though the acoustics can be a bit tricky!  Read about the minster at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverley_Minster

In the 7th century the town was known as Inderawuda – “in the wood of the men of Deira” (an ancient Northern Kingdom, 559-664 AD) , but by the 10th century had changed its name to Beverlac – Beaver Lake, a reference to the colonies of beavers on the River Hull at the time.  To this day the coat-of-arms of Beverley, which appears on our choir blazers, represents water and a beaver.

Beverley was once the tenth-largest town in England, as well as one of the richest, because of its wool and because of the pilgrims who came to venerate its founding saint, John of Beverley.  It once had a population greater than that of nearby Hull – 2017 City of Culture!

Local highly-acclaimed photographer and Patron of the choir, Chris Harland, presents these  lovely Beverley views:

(Click to see separately and again to enlarge)

To see more of Chris’ work, visit his website at:

www.artronaut.com

Beverley is also known in the modern day for hosting various music festivals and also food festivals.

Directly opposite the racecourse is the large expanse of Beverley Westwood.  During the summer months large numbers of cattle and sheep graze freely there, nonchalantly wandering to and fro across the roads to the amusement and, during rush hours, the frustration of drivers.  

In the centre of town is the Guildhall, which recently appeared in the BBC production of  “Death comes to Pemberley”

The town has not one but two very busy markets, Saturday Market, which is open on Saturdays, and Wednesday market, which is open on, erm, Saturdays.  

 Saturday market has a historic market cross, supported by eight columns, dating from 1714.

Although Beverley was never a walled town, it had 3 gates which could be closed. The North Bar is the only surviving one and required the town to have its own special buses with domed tops to fit through the arch.

Just inside this last surviving medieval town gate, is the glorious medieval church of St Mary.

Inside the church there’s much to see, including the Pilgrim Rabbit, which is said to have inspired Charles Dodgson to create the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.  Also the ceiling in the North Transept has the constellations in its stars.

Follow the link to read more about this beautiful church:

http://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=4583

A third church to which we have special affinity is the lovely Toll Gavel Methodist Church, dear to our hearts because, although we are not a church choir, the church kindly allows us to rehearse  and to give many of our concerts there.

www.tollgavelchurch.org.uk

We like to think that we make a real contribution to the musical life of the town.  We  participate in the very enjoyable and popular “Beverley Festival of Music” on the second Sunday of December each year and on the following Sunday we give our own popular “Prelude to Christmas” concert, often joined by local children’s or youth choirs, in Toll Gavel Church.  

Like choristers everywhere we find our music and the comradeship that accompanies choir membership to be uplifting and therapeutic. Anyone wishing to share that sensation should go immediately to our “Join us” page.