Hyde900’s second King Alfred Weekend celebrates the life of the monarch who died on October 26th, 899AD, and whose final resting place lies beneath the ruins of Hyde Abbey, close to St Bartholomew’s Church.

The weekend starts on Friday evening with the launch of the ‘Leylines’ art exhibition and a lecture on Alfred’s battles.

Saturday sees the Activity Day with something for all the family, followed by an evening concert.

Finally, on Sunday morning, a special church service commemorates Alfred’s life and deeds, followed by a procession to the memorial in Hyde Abbey Garden. Read the rest of this entry »

A musical pageant led by King Alfred and the Abbot of Hyde, with their family members and others in the retinue, joined modern day residents welcoming the Torch in its journey along Hyde Street, passing within a short distance of the King’s burial place in Hyde Abbey. Hyde900 friends and musicians in mediaeval costume, forming what may turn out to have been the first outing of a Hyde900 choir, sang songs including  Welcome, Torchbearer in its first ever public performance. Specially commissioned for the occasion, the words of the song were by Hampshire poet Brian Evans-Jones, and accompanying music composed by Henrietta Wentworth-Stanley. The loyal retinue ended their procession with a final song in the Hyde Tavern. Read the rest of this entry »