STROUD Sacred Music Festival returns to St Laurence Parish Church for a third time from June 30-July 1 with an even bigger programme.

Philip Booth, one of the organisers, said: “Over the weekend a variety of family friendly events and activities are planned, including daytime workshops and two evening concerts.

“Musical line ups include Gospel Choir, Tribal Rhythms Orchestra, sitar and tabla duo Samswara, and internationally renowned Praying for the Rain, who offer a compelling blend of contemporary folk, Celtic and world music”.

The event is the brainchild, of the Rev Simon Howell and festival co-director Girish Patel. Simon and Girish play music together in the local Anglo-Indian fusion Raga Baba band.

They are passionate about the power of music to bring people together, irrespective of their beliefs.

Girish Patel said: “The community of volunteers that is growing each week, are committed to creating this Sacred Music Festival to share the vision of ‘the Arts’ as the medium that can help us rise above the barriers that dialogue can create.”

Early-bird tickets are now on sale for this festival, which will be opened by Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester.

  •  Stroud Sacred Musical Festival is at St Laurence Parish Church in Stroud from June 30-July 1.
  • Early-bird tickets are on sale at the Subscription Rooms in Stroud, online at eventbrite.com/e/stroud-sacred-music-festival-2017-tickets-32235007776 and at Girish Patel’s Samosa stall in Stroud Farmers’ Market.
  • Visit sacredmusicfestival.org.uk for more.