PROGRAMME

The Chapel is a meeting place for independent minds and home to a diverse programme of social, creative, educational and religious events that bring people of all ages together to experience this unique setting.

There is a lively summer programme of musical and literary performances by local and internationally acclaimed artists being planned – from early music on authentic instruments to folk and contemporary music; from spoken word to operatic arias (see below).

Workshops, artist residencies and collaborations in this evocative setting, stimulate the creation of new site-specific works.

CHAPEL OPENING & SERVICES

The Chapel will be open to the public from 01 April and then on Saturday and Bank Holiday afternoons from 2pm to 4.30pm. Anyone wishing to arrange a private or group visit outside these times should contact us.

The Chapel holds two ecumenical services annually and remains a place of worship and religious ceremony. It is available for celebrations, commemorations, memorial events and dedications. The Chapel can be hired for weddings and blessings and is licensed for same sex marriages.

2024 EVENTS

Here is the current programme for 2024. It is subject to change so do please keep checking back with us and we will announce changes on social media. You can book tickets through TicketSource or buy on the door. As a guide the concerts and plays are £12.00 pre-booked or £15 on the door. Otherwise prices as shown below.

12th May 3pm – The Rococos – French Baroque music.
19th May 3pm – ‘Bold and Saucy Wrongs’ – Music inspired by Shakespeare.
23 May 7:30pm - Halesworth Museum Talk. United Reformed Church, Quay Street, Halesworth. Miriam Stead, chair of the Walpole Chapel Discovery project, talking about the Chapel’s history and some of the people whose lives have been researched. Judith Condon will be talking about Alma Dale, Canadian Quaker minister, who lived for several years on Walpole Hatch Farm and is buried in the chapel graveyard.
26th May 3pm – Jan Farmery – ‘A Slice of Treacle Tart’ – Readings from a particular childhood.
2nd June 3pm - Moments of Vision -Yeo Yat-Soon playing Harpsichord music from circa 1420-1800.
6th June 6.30pm – ‘Walpole and the Puritan Revolution’ – Dr Joel Halcomb, (UEA) – a talk on the puritans who established Walpole Old Chapel. Free event.
9th June 3pm – ‘Non-conforming’ – Suffolk Poetry Society, members’ readings. Free event – retiring collection.
16th June 3pm – William Summers – Abel and the solo viol – Ibrahim Aziz .
7th July 3pm – A Summer’s Day Concert – celebrating the summer with Rob Gildon (baritone), Matthew Vernon-Long (Tenor), Lucia Vernon Long (Soprano) and a group of musicians who regularly collaborate with The Mozartists.
13th July 7pm – Syzewell Gap – folk tunes, songs, stories and dance
21st July 3pm – ‘Tea for the British … with a twist of Suffolk’ – a talk by Dr Miriam Stead. £8.00 pre-booked, £10.00 on the door.
18th August 3pm – Music, Masques and Murder at the Jacobean Court Music & readings with Rob Gildon, Lucy Hughes-Hallett & Lovekyn Consort.
1st September 3pm – Songs and dance tunes from Georgian London – Bloomsbury Baroque.
14th & 15th September – Heritage Open Weekend – An exhibition – ‘Walpole Old Chapel – Local Connections’ Free event.
22nd September 3pm – The Dollard Collectief – Poetry & music on the theme of change. Free event – retiring collection.
13th October 3pm – ‘The Taxing Issue of Tithing’ – Laxefelders – A tale of local history with music, lots of hats and a rabbit!
14th December 3pm – Candlelit Carol Service – all welcome.