Have you ever wondered what music was like in our country churches in the times of Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd?

On Saturday, 7th October at 7 p.m., the West Gallery Choir and band, ‘Called to be Saints’, will perform a Harvest Concert of music from the era at Stowey Church, between Clutton and Bishop Sutton (BS39 5TQ), to be followed by a Ploughman’s Supper at Manor Farm, Stowey.

Many churches added a gallery at the west end at the end of the 18th century to house singers and musicians, hence the name West Gallery music. Thomas Hardy described a Dorset West Gallery choir and band in some of his books.

Admission will be by ticket only from: 01275 333456, or by email, [email protected] Tickets will not be available on the door.