Medieval music marks pulpit restoration at St James Church

A church in Swimbridge is hosting an evening of medieval music and feasting to celebrate the completion of the restoration of the carved pulpit, a raised platform used for preaching, dating back to around the year 1500.

Organised by The Friends of St James Church, the event will take place in the church on the evening of Saturday, March 1.

The Friends of St James Church explained to the North Devon Gazette that the pulpit, a large stone structure in the shape of a wine glass, was built circa 1500. 

It stands high above the congregation, with statues of Saints Peter and Paul and early Christian teachers such as Augustine of Hippo, Ambrose, and Jerome.

The structure still retains some of its original colouring.

Some years ago, cracks were found in the pulpit's stonework, and it was later vandalised, with the head of St Peter being smashed off.

The Friends of St James Church added that this was particularly distressing, as these sculptures had survived intact during the Reformation, when similar images elsewhere were defaced.

The structure was carefully dismantled, strengthened, and rebuilt by specialist conservators McNeilage Conservation of East Devon. 

The restoration cost around £15,000, with corroded ironwork reinforcement from an earlier Victorian restoration replaced with stainless steel. 

Cracks were repaired, and the medieval paintwork was cleaned and stabilised by specialist Ruth McNeilage.

Chairman of The Friends of St James Church and church warden Mark Haworth-Booth explained: “The pulpit now looks thoroughly rejuvenated, and our gratitude goes to the highly-skilled restoration team and to parishioner David Netherway for making it happen.”

The event will feature music by Marco Cannavo and Steve Tyler, with period food and drink, special lighting, and decorations. 

Marco and Steve will perform a repertoire of music from the 12th to the 14th century, ranging from the love songs of the troubadours to sacred compositions in honour of the Virgin Mary. Their performance will include a variety of historical musical instruments, including the Hurdy Gurdy, Citole, Organistrum, Symphonie, Portative Organ, Bladder Pipe, Bagpipe, Gothic Harp, and Percussion.

The event starts at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm). 

Tickets are £12 and can be purchased in advance from David Netherway at 01271 830587 (david.netherway@btinternet.com), or on the door on the night. 

Tickets are also available on the TicketTailor website. 

Refreshments are included in the ticket price, and local cider and ale will be served.

Two more events to celebrate the restoration are planned by The Friends of St James. 

On Friday, March 14, at 7.30pm in St James Church, Torquil McNeilage will use slides to describe how he and his team of expert conservators carried out the restoration. Entrance is £5 (doors open at 7pm).

On Wednesday, April 2, at 7.30pm, again in the church, Father David Chance will talk about churchgoing in early Tudor times, when the pulpit was first carved and set in place.

He will describe what the church would have looked like before the Reformation and the central role it played in village life. 

Entrance is also £5, with doors opening from 7pm.