Patronal Festival Report - St Nicholas, Kittisford

St Nicholas, Kittisford
Patron saint: St Nicholas
Festival date: 7 December

St Nicholas, Kittisford marked its Patronal Festival with an inspiring weekend that brought more than 150 people into the life of this small rural church. The celebrations opened with a near capacity a cappella concert by Bute Voices from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, described by one listener as “a truly stunning bit of singing”. Many attended the church for the first time, £270 was raised for Music in Schools, and the recital was recorded for local radio broadcast.

Sunday focused on participation and community music making. Local singers joined a workshop to learn newly commissioned music for Evensong, while Rockwell Green Primary School prepared a specially written psalm. Choral Evensong itself drew ninety five people, transforming a church that normally welcomes around ten. Bell ringing, festive decoration and confident singing by children, community singers and visiting musicians created a joyful and memorable service, also recorded for broadcast.

The weekend concluded with a shared meal in a nearby barn and warm feedback describing the festival as “a triumph in so many ways”. Its impact is already clear: from 2026, Kittisford will host monthly Choral Evensong for the benefice. The festival showed how thoughtful support can spark lasting renewal, strengthen community ties and place Evensong at the heart of parish life.

Bute Voices

Community Meal

The Parking Helpers

The Festival Evensong

Kittisford Church

St Nicholas was awarded our inaugural Patronal Festival of the Year Award for 2025. You can find their full report, and details of this award here.