Musical Appreciation

Romsey’s imposing Norman Abbey is set to be the venue for a number of musical evenings during the run-up to Christmas.
It regularly hosts concerts and provides a platform for musicians from the town and around, ranging from local choirs and bands to international soloists and orchestras.
There are four scheduled in the coming weeks before Christmas, the next being the Kings Chamber Orchestra on Friday, November 28, to be followed the next evening by the Romsey Choral Society celebrating the Birth of Christ. Then on December 12 a performance of On Christmas Night by Romsey Choral Society, soloists and full orchestra and December 19 a feast of Christmas music by Romsey Singers.
The Abbey itself lends itself to musical recitals and broadens its focus in the heart of the royal borough.
According to the historians, the Abbey Church itself can trace its origins back to 907 AD although work did not start on the present building until round 1120 AD.
Its lofty nave and distinctive Norman arches, makes it one of the most imposing churches in Southern England and it holds the claim of being the largest parish church in Hampshire. Inside is the tomb of Lord Mountbatten of Burma, the original bill of sale for the building to the townspeople of Romsey in 1544 and a carved stone crucifix dating from Saxon times.
It is to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War on Saturday November 22 with an evening talk by Kate Adie, journalist, broadcaster and author.