Calendar
When:
January 11, 2026 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
2026-01-11T15:00:00+00:00
2026-01-11T16:30:00+00:00
Where:
Dorchester Abbey
OX10 7HH
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Tim Cook
Email
Performance
Birinus and All That... @ Dorchester Abbey

Birinus And All That..!

A Musical history of Dorchester Abbey from 635AD to the present day!

In the afternoon of Sunday January 11th we will perform Birinus and All That…, a short cantata telling the history of the Abbey, including:

  • the establishment of the Cathedral by St Birinus in the 7th century,
  • the building of the present church in the 13th century,
  • the naughty monks and destruction of the monastery in the 15th,
  • and the renovation of the church in the 19th, as well as the building of the School, (now the Village Hall), Rectory and Missionary College (later Hallidays antiques).

The work, for three singers, string trio and percussion, lasts about half an hour, admission is free and there will be an exhibition of facsimiles of historic documents, including the announcement by William the Conqueror that he was moving the diocese from Dorchester to Lincoln in 1072, and Richard Beauforest’s will, bequeathing the abbey to the village in 1554.

There will also be another chance to hear Henry and His Wives , an account of the much-married monarch and his unfortunate consorts, premiered in 2025.

As we enter the new year come and experience this musical journey Written and Composed by Tim Cook.

This is a fundraising event with FREE ENTRY and an opportunity to make a donation towards the upkeep of the abbey.

 

Sunday 11th January 2026, The concert starts at 3.00 pm and will last just over an hour.