Hundreds of people from Dudley and beyond will fill the grounds of Himley Hall with singing on Sunday 14 June at the 12th annual Songs of Praise event. The Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, will be present to join in with a range of well-known hymns and worship songs, along with local representatives from all the Christian denominations and the Mayors of towns from Coventry to Stafford.

This year the grounds will be open from 2pm to enable people to bring picnics and explore the grounds. There will be a range of free activities before the event including craft stalls, a nature walk with the warden of Himley Hall, a climbing wall and face painting etc. Young people led by Paul Wilmot will be taking part in the service, the Saltmine Theatre Company will present a sketch and a choir from church congregations from around the region will be brought together to sing Light of the Morning, also leading hymns such as How Great Thou Art, For All the Love, Shine Jesus Shine and We are Marching.

Bishop John will give a blessing and introduce the final hymn of the afternoon, The Day Thou Gavest. He said: “I’m delighted to have been asked to take part in this year’s event. It should be a wonderful experience to have so many different people coming together in one place to worship God through song.”

All are welcome to this event – simply turn up on the day and find a spot on the grass to take part in the activities and join in the singing. There will be free admission and car parking. Please contact the organisers if you need assistance due to mobility difficulties on 0121 557 8946.

ENDS.

The Diocese of Worcester is one of 44 dioceses in the Church of England. It covers an area of 671 square miles and includes parishes in the County of Worcestershire, the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, and a few parishes in northern Gloucestershire, south east Wolverhampton and Sandwell.