Eclectic concert at Wycliffe church will celebrate mystic’s life

Jane Ford-Farrand at Wycliffe church

AN eclectic concert celebrating a medieval mystic is being held in a fitting location – a 13th century church so little known in Teesdale that it’s described as “true hidden gem”.
The congregation at St Mary’s, in Wycliffe, has raised about £40,000 to restore the church’s treasured stained-glass windows.
The church has the county’s largest collection of stained glass outside of Durham Cathedral and the site, which was founded in the 8th century, is also noted for its rare Anglo-Saxon stonework, historical mysteries and an atmosphere few can rival.
Now classical musician Jane Ford-Farrand is teaming up with guitarist Andrew Yeadon for a church concert with a difference.
Described as an eclectic mix of classical, rock, folk and even medieval chant, the event will celebrate the life and times of Julian of Norwich – a 14th century woman who challenged religion after having a vision of God as she lay dying.
Ms Ford-Farrand will be singing and reading from text written by the mystic, as well as talking about its significance.
The event will help raise money towards the church’s work – present and future.
Ms Ford-Farrand, from Staindrop, said: “The poignant thing is that it’s being performed at St Mary’s, which was in its heyday when she was alive.
“She was a radical of her time – she was completely heretical but no one challenged her. This concert will appeal to those interested in music, history, religion and the English language.”
Julian of Norwich, whose real name is not known, was born in about 1342. In 1373 she was struck down with a mystery illness.
The story goes that as she was focusing on the cross and the priest was reading her last rites, she drifted into a coma, which lasted three days.
“She was lying on her bed petrified for her soul because she didn’t know whether she would go to heaven or hell.
“She had 16 visions of God and the main thrust of it was that there was only heaven,” said Ms Ford Farrand. “It went against all the teachings of the church.”
The visionary became an anchoress and chose to be confined to a cell attached to Julian’s church in Norwich – hence the name she was later known by.
The mystic lived there for the rest of her life, never to leave the small room.
A window allowed her to watch mass in the church and people travelled from miles to seek her words of wisdom.
“It’s possible that there was an anchorite attached to Wycliffe church too.
“It’s pure speculation but it was common practice and there was definitely one at East Layton,” says Ms Ford-Farrand.
The show, titled A Revelation of Love, has been performed twice before in Durham and Darlington to good reviews.
Seating will be limited to 50 at Wycliffe church to make it an intimate occasion. The concert is being held on Sunday, March 5, at 4pm. Tickets cost £10.
Ms Ford-Farrand, a singing tutor, discovered Julian of Norwich’s story two decades ago and wrote the music a few years later.
“Now just seems the right time for it to be performed, especially here at this church,” she said.
The church is remarkable for its stained glass windows, which have a distinct Italian influence and portray buildings from the continent – the like of which few people in Teesdale would have seen at the time.
“It was no accident – someone paid for all this. Clearly there were some wealthy families but we have no idea who the donors were.
In medieval times, it was thought you could guarantee your place in heaven by doing a good deed, or paying your way. It sounds absurd now,” says Ms Ford Farrand.
Keith Miller, a church warden, points out the significance of “faceless” angels on the glass.
Their faces were removed as a “good old fashioned English compromise” at the time of the reformation, Mr Miller says.
“They would have probably agreed it with church commissioners who would have said they were out of keeping with the new protestant beliefs.”
Three of the windows have been restored so far with three to do.
But the intricate glass isn’t the only treasure of St Mary’s, which still has a 14th century alter stone and the remains of a 10th century Anglo Saxon tomb shaped like a hog’s back.
“People don’t show the interest in places like this that they should do.
“People from America who visit tend to fall over themselves with excitement at the sheer age of places like this,” said Mr Miller, who said the small congregation hoped to install a toilet and kitchenette on the side of the church.
For tickets to A Revelation of Love, call Jane Ford-Farrand on 07707 847289 or email jane@soundaffects.
uk.com. Alternatively, call Keith Miller on 07778 318503 or 01833 627540.