What a year
Well, 2023..what a year!
I’m struck by how fortunate we are to live in Bristol, a City that is progressive, creative, full of community and who remain proud to host a myriad of events and festivals every year. Last year was no exception, with the Bristol Balloon Fiesta taking flight to the Harbour Festival delighting visitors from across the globe.
For the first time SMR has decided to actively focus on increasing Events in Church as more than just an income generator, but actually as a way to bring in new audiences and communities and to help us become a world class Heritage Destination and a Church that makes a difference in the parish and beyond.
In February 2023 we hosted ‘Orphelia’ as part of the Bristol Light Festival, since then we have welcomed two film screenings including Bristol Film Festival with the incredible 1920’s silent horror film ‘ the Cabinet of Doctor Caligari.’ Candles have filled our transepts monthly with Fever Up Concerts, and community choirs have echoed through the Nave as part of the Christmas Star Concert, a fundraiser for Bristol and Western Hospitals Charity, the funds of which go to improving the health and happiness of every patient in 10 local hospitals and supporting their families in a very difficult time.
2024 started with a bang! Our first SMR Event ‘Interstellar 10’ in early February was a huge hit, proving that SMR is truly beginning to engage new audiences through the Arts. Coming up we will be working with ‘Exhibition on Film’ to bring the works of Monet to Matisse to Bristol, Its going to be a very exciting year!
