This year is the 100th anniversary of the death of Fr Sabine Baring-Gould, who was curate of Horbury from 1864-1867 under Canon John Sharp. Baring-Gould was a Tractarian theologian, hagiographer, antiquarian, collector of folk songs, and author of hundreds of books, including his famous book on Werewolves. During his short time in Horbury, Sharp despatched him from the Vicarage to found the church and school at Horbury Bridge, and both St John’s Church and Horbury Bridge Academy trace their origins to his missionary endeavours. Famously, he wrote the hymn ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ for the children of Horbury Bridge to sing each year at Whitsun, as they marched up the hill to St Peter’s. The hymn was likely sung in the parish for the first time at Whitsun 1865. Whilst ministering here, Baring-Gould also fell in love with a local mill girl, Grace Taylor, and eventually married her – the story inspired George Bernard Shaw in his writing of the 1938 play ‘Pygmalion’, later adapted to become ‘My Fair Lady’. After spending time running a couple of different parishes, Sabine and Grace would eventually retire to Sabine’s ancestral home at Lew Trenchard in Devon, where he became the ‘squarson’ (squire and parson). Sabine died on 2nd January 1924.
We are pleased to be able to mark the centenary of Fr Sabine’s death in the parish for which he wrote ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ over Whit Weekend 2024. The weekend opens on Friday, 17th May at 7pm with a concert at Horbury Working Members’ Club with award-winning folk artists Jim Causley and Miranda Sykes, who present ‘Ghosts, Werewolves and Country Folk – Songs and Stories of Sabine Baring-Gould’. This fun event for all the family will bring to life the spooky tales, Norse myths, and stories of werewolves, ghosts and the lives of people of Horbury, which so fascinated Sabine, set with his important collection of folk music, whose tunes he preserved. Tickets for this event are available by clicking here, or in person at Darling Reads.
On Saturday, 18th May, from 10am to 12noon, the weekend continues with a Coffee Morning and Open Church at St John’s, Horbury Bridge, where residents and visitors will be able to browse historical displays and work from the children of Horbury Bridge Academy over coffee and refreshments.
Our celebrations then come to a climax with the re-enactment of the Whit Walk on Sunday, 19th May at 2pm. All are welcome to gather in the playground of Horbury Bridge Academy with local schools, community groups and honoured guests, including the Lord Lieutenant and Bishop of Wakefield, as Horbury Victoria Band leads us up the hill to St Peter’s as we sing ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’. A short service, led partly by children from our church schools, follows at St Peter’s at approx. 2.45pm, with guest preacher, former Archbishop of York and Bishop of Wakefield, the Lord Hope of Thornes. Refreshments will be provided afterwards by The Cherry Tree.
During the weekend, historical displays will also be on show at St Peter’s Church and Horbury Library.
Road Closure Information
At the time of the Whit Walk, a rolling road closure will operate on the following routes in Horbury Bridge and Horbury: Bridge Road, A642, Quarry Hill, Highfield Road, High Street, Twitch Hill and Church Street. As the expected delay to traffic is minimal, and traffic will be able to follow on behind the traffic management vehicles, no diversions are applicable. A map indicating the road closures can be downloaded here.
Whit Walk Information
Parking is limited at Horbury Bridge, and participants are advised that the Whit Walk is a ‘walk to’ event. However, we are grateful to di Bosco’s for granting permission for participants to use their car park if needed.
Toilet facilities will be available at the start of the walk, at St John’s Church, and at the end of the walk, at St Peter’s Church.
First aid will be delivered by St John’s Ambulance, before, during and after the procession has ended.
At present we do not know what the weather will be like. If it is a hot day, participants are advised to bring supplies of water bottles and apply sun screen. If it is a wet day, participants are advised to dress appropriately.
Should the event have to be cancelled, for whatever reason, this will be published on the church’s social media platforms asap.
Further specifics for the walk are available on the SAG Report, which will be posted here.
Funding
Our commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the death of Sabine Baring-Gould has been made possible by generous grants from Horbury Common Lands Trust, and from Wakefield Council Culture Grants as part of Our Year – Wakefield District 2024. In 2024, Wakefield Council’s Culture Grants projects are part of Our Year – Wakefield District 2024, a year-long programme celebrating the fantastic culture and heritage of our district. Follow Our Year on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
