Prince Charles visits Wiveton Church for a concert
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Published:
11:06 a.m. Aug 2, 2022
Updated:
1:50 p.m. August 2, 2022
Prince Charles has delighted a North Norfolk community by visiting a concert at the village church.
The Prince of Wales, who is patron of the Music in Country Churches charity, was among more than 300 guests at St Margaret’s Church in Cley for the serenades of the English Chamber Orchestra’s summer string performance on July 26.
Anthea de Loynes, president of Friends of Wiveton Church, which organized the concert, said: “It was the most amazing event. [Prince Charles] was very relaxed and as he left the church he said what a wonderful event it was.
“We were absolutely thrilled.”
Prince Charles at Cley Church, which hosted a Music in Country Churches event.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
She said the prince also asked about the fundraising effort for nearby Wiveton Church, which was temporarily forced to close after a storm in 2019 when a roof beam fell from the ceiling and crashed on the altar.
Efforts to secure enough money for ceiling repairs are well underway with the church boosted by a Heritage Lottery grant.
And a Crowdfunder campaign backed by Wiveton Hall owner and Normal for Norfolk star Desmond MacCarthy and ceramics company manager Emma Bridgewater has contributed more than £25,000 to repairs, which are due to start next year.
Proceeds from the concert will also be used for church repairs.
Prince Charles addresses the concert guests.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Mr MacCarthy and Ms Bridgewater were among the other VIP guests at the concert, alongside Matthew Rice, Nigel Savory, Sir John Parsons, Mirabel Cecil and Harriet Evans-Lombe.
Nicola Dempsey, Charles Killin, Nigel Short, Tim Ambler, Shannon and Hannah Stevenson and David Barron were also present.
Stephanie Gonley conducted the orchestra, which included renowned Australian classical guitarist Craig Ogden and the world premiere of a guitar concerto by William Lovelady.
Prince Charles addressed the guests at the interval of the concert and again outside the church after the music ended.
Desmond McCarthy and Harriet Evans-Lombe pictured with Prince Charles at the Cley Church concert.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Music in Country Churches was established in 1989 with the support of Prince Charles to raise funds for the repair and upkeep of churches.
He gave concerts in over 55 churches and raised over £600,000.
Prince Charles and other guests leave Cley Church after the concert.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Prince Charles and other guests leaving Cley Church after the concert.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Prince Charles chats with the Wiveton Church team during his visit to Cley Church.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Prince Charles talks to writer and illustrator Matthew Rice leaving the Cley Church concert with other guests.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Pictured with Prince Charles during his visit to Cley Church are Brenda Lawry, Matthew Rice and Richard Lawry.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Prince Charles during his visit to Cley Church for a Country Church Music Concert.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
The Strings of the English Chamber Orchestra performed at Cley Church to an audience including Prince Charles.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Composer Arthur Keegan-Bole during the Music in Country Churches event at Cley Church attended by Prince Charles.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Beatriz Kira at the Music in Country Churches event at Cley Church attended by Prince Charles.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
From left, Christopher Penn, Sabrina Penn, Annabel Savory and Janie Cator at the Cley Church concert attended by Prince Charles.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Prince Charles talks to church principal David Barron during the Music in Country Churches concert which Prince Charles was attending.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Prince Charles talks to church principal David Barron during the Music in Country Churches concert which Prince Charles was attending.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
The strings of the English Chamber Orchestra performed at the Music in Country Churches concert attended by Prince Charles.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Craig Ogden at the Music in Country Churches concert attended by Prince Charles.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Craig Ogden and the English Chamber Orchestra at the Music in Country Churches concert attended by Prince Charles.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Desmond McCarthy at the Music in Country Churches concert at Cley Church attended by Prince Charles.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Emma Bridgewater at the Cley Church concert attended by Prince Charles.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Harriet Evans-Lombe at the Cley Church concert attended by Prince Charles.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Guests including Prince Charles, Lord Dannatt, Matthew Rice, Phil Burnett and Lady Dannatt at the Cley Church concert.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Prince Charles and other guests leave the concert from Cley Church.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Prince Charles addresses guests at the Cley Church concert.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Janie Cator and Lord Dannatt at the Cley Church concert attended by Prince Charles.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Anthea de Loynes, left, and Nicola Dempsey at Cley Church, which hosted a Music in Country Churches event attended by Prince Charles.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Prince Charles at Cley Church, which hosted a Music in Country Churches event.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Nicola Dempsey Simon Burgess at Cley Church, which hosted a Music in Country Churches event attended by Prince Charles.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
Sir John Parsons talks to Prince Charles at Cley Church, which hosted a Music in Country Churches event.
– Credit: Hanne Siebers
