CONCERT DATES
Unique offerings of voice and musical instruments from around the globe.
These themed performances are a treasure trove of words and music gifted by visionary poets, soulful storytellers and heart-led musicians from a wealth of different cultures and spiritual traditions.
Let us be inspired to create lives of harmony and a world filled with beauty, connection and hope.
BLOSSOMING BEAUTY
Thursday 28th March 2024
Beaconsfield United Reformed Church, 16 Aylesbury End, Beaconsfield HP9 1LW
1pm
In these spring days,
when tranquil light encompasses
the four directions,
why do the blossoms scatter
with such uneasy hearts?
Ki no Tomonori (c.850-904)
Symbolising the hopeful return of Spring and the transient nature of beauty, blossom is precious in many cultures around the world. Nowhere more so than in Japan where Harami, the festival of cherry blossom viewing, begins on 27th March.
Join us for our own stroll under blossom from around the world in song, music, poetry and story.
Free entry. No need to book.
CLIMBING THE SACRED MOUNTAIN IN WORDS & MUSIC
Saturday 22nd July 2023
Fintry Retreat House, Brook, Surrey GU8 5UQ
7.30-8.45pm
The paths up the mountain are many, but the mountain is one.
Words and music from a variety of the world’s wisdom traditions on the theme of reconnecting to the Self.
Featuring poetry, story, song and instrumental music from India, China, Persia, Britain and more.
Part of the Reconnecting to Source summer school at Fintry Trust. This year’s summer school offers a transformative journey to explore the relevance of universal approaches to spirituality, religion and the devotional path in the context of today’s challenges. Hosted by Jean-Paul and Sally Jeanrenard and Murray Morison, sessions include talks by Anne Baring, discussions and spiritual practices, as well as time to relax in Fintry’s beautiful grounds.
More information about the Reconnecting to Source Summer School.
HARVESTING HOPE: A GATHERING OF WORDS AND MUSIC IN CELEBRATION OF THE NATURAL WORLD
3rd September 2022
St Nicholas Church, Church Road, Ickford, Buckinghamshire HP18 9HZ
7.30pm
Loss is the tune of our age, hard to miss and hard to bear. Creatures, places and words disappear, day after day, year on year. But there has always been singing in dark times – and wonder is needed now more than ever. Robert MacFarlane – The Lost Spells
From hedgehogs to nightingales, fireflies to wheat fields, let us gaze in wonder at the natural world that still surrounds us in Britain. Offering words and music of enchantment, enjoyment, reverence and love for what we find, we will gather in a harvest of hope.
It is late. But all is not yet lost.
With singer and musician, Paula Tait, and the words and music of a host of nature-loving writers.
Tickets £10 including canapés and a drink. Available from Ickford Post Office, 51A Sheldon Rd, Ickford HP18 9HY or Friends of St Nicholas.
BEECHES AND BADGERS: A POETRY WALK IN KING’S WOOD
SATURDAY 23rd April 2022
King’s Wood, Dolphin Entrance, 56 Totteridge Road, High Wycombe HP13 7PZ
2.30pm – 4.00pm
In March 2020, Paula Tait began to visit King’s Wood to sit, listen, dream and write. Two years later, she had a book of poetry and photography to share. She is delighted to launch her book – King of the Wood – on 23rd April, with this gentle walk for fellow lovers of words and nature.
Paula will take you to some of the locations that inspired her, sharing a little poetry, song and history along the way. She will also invite you to take your own inner journey into the colour, light and shade of the wood, asking what it is in your life that you would like to tend in hopefulness.
ABOUT OUR WALK
This is a circular walk, beginning and ending by The Dolphin Public House. We will take it slowly and leisurely, covering a distance of about 1.5 miles. We stop at several locations with invitations to connect more deeply with the wood and the beings that live there.
The walk is devised so that anyone with a reasonable level of mobility and fitness may participate. We very much regret that access to the wood is via a horse gate and so would be unsuitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. If in doubt, please contact us to discuss whether the walk would be suitable for you.
For those over 12 years of age. 12-16 year olds to be accompanied by a responsible adult, please. Well-behaved dogs welcome.
£12.50. Book your place though Eventbrite.
BEAUTY AND BOUNTY
Friday 6th September 2019
St Nicholas Church, Church Road, Ickford, Bucks HP18 9HZ
7.30pm
A celebration of the Natural World in words and music with multi-instrumentalist, Paula Tait.
£8 including wine and canapés.
BEACONSFIELD THROUGH THE AGES IN WORDS & MUSIC
Thursday 9th May 2019
Beaconsfield United Reformed Church, 16 Aylesbury End, Beaconsfield HP9 1LW
1pm
Beaconsfield is celebrating the 750th anniversary of its Charter Fair with a concert of “Words and Music: Beaconsfield Through the Ages”.
The concert features readings about the local area, interspersed with English music from different eras of Beaconsfield’s history. There are solos on trumpet, organ, cello and jazz piano, with Paula playing Mediaeval music on the harp and singing a folk song from the 1400s.
THE HARP OF MOTHER EARTH: A CELTIC HARP MEDITATION
Sunday 22nd April 2018
High Wycombe Quaker Meeting House, 25 London Rd, High Wycombe HP11 1BJ
Follow in the wake of ancient Irish seafarers on a voyage to the Islands of Music, Song and Imagination to meet Mother Earth – and find out how she came to make her harp of joy, sorrow and dreams.
In this special Celtic Harp Meditation to celebrate International Mother Earth Day, we will be combining song, music, story, sound healing and guided meditation to deepen our connection with our precious home.
(Entrance on Stuart Road. 3 minutes walk from High Wycombe train station or park on Stuart Road or in Railway Place car park)
Doors open 4.45pm for 5pm start. Finishes at 6pm with refreshments.
£10. To book tickets email paula@paulatait.com or Book Tickets Online (no booking fee).
All welcome. You do not need to do anything and no meditation experience is necessary. Just come with an open mind and heart.
VOICES FOR PEACE
UN Security Council Resolution 1325 acknowledges that “civilians, particularly women and children, account for the vast majority of those affected by armed conflict.” Yet, all to often, women are forgotten participants and voiceless victims of war.
WOMEN AND WAR IN THEIR OWN WORDS
This performance witnesses how women are affected by war by bringing to life the poetry and stories of those caught up in conflict and violence. Music from each poet’s culture weaves through their words, enhancing the atmosphere and allowing time for reflection. In addition, Paula will present her own self-penned songs inspired by these women’s poetry and stories.
Their words are at once heart-rending, shocking, provoking, uplifting and subversive. Yet, again and again, as if with one voice, these women resist war, defy inhumanity and call resoundingly for peace.
Are we ready to hear them yet?
Sunday 14th June 2015
Jordans Quaker Centre, Quaker Meeting House, Welders Lane, Jordans, Beaconsfield, Bucks, HP9 2SN
3PM
Sunday 15th November 2015
Amersham Meeting House, Whielden Street, Amersham, Bucks, HP7 0JB
2.30pm
Sunday 17th April 2016
Watford Meeting House, 150 Church Rd, Watford WD17 4QB
1.30pm
Saturday 7th May 2016
Edgbaston Meeting House, St James Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 1JP
2pm
Saturday 7th October 2017
Longfleet Baptist Church, 138 Wimborne Rd, Poole BH15 2EX
3pm
MUSIC FOR A SUMMER’S EVENING
Sunday 9th July 2017
Bag End, High Street, Hurley SL6 5NB
6.30pm for 7pm
Enjoy an enchanted summer evening with songs and music performed on harp and other instruments.
Bring along your picnic, tables and chairs and let the music work its magic in this intimate garden setting.
Tickets, price £15 available from David Burfitt (01628 823503), Elaine Mordaunt (01628 822986) or Pat Iles (01628 822032) from June.