Cathedral 900: Year of special events and celebrations

The Peterborough Celebrates campaign will see a series of major events planned across the city to celebrate the cathedral's 900th anniversary and to promote Peterborough.
Christmas Market at Peterborough Cathedral. EMN-170312-094449009Christmas Market at Peterborough Cathedral. EMN-170312-094449009
Christmas Market at Peterborough Cathedral. EMN-170312-094449009

The city’s events calendar will be built around the cathedral celebrations which are being seen as a major opportunity to increase tourism in the city and promote it across the country.

The special events in the Peterborough Celebrates 2018 calendar include:

January

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l Holocaust Memorial Day – St John’s Church (25th January).

l The ‘Power of Words’ is the theme for 2018.

900 Voices of the River Nene – Nenescape Landscape Partnership Scheme (January and throughout the year). In partnership with an artist, 900 voices will be documented of people who live near the River Nene between Northampton and Peterborough.

l Katherine of Aragon Festival – Peterborough Cathedral and Peterborough Museum (26th – 28th January). Commemorative services, events, tours and exhibitions

l Burns Night Supper – Peterborough Cathedral (Friday 19th January)

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l Facebook competition – Dragonfly Hotel (throughout the month). The 900th like will win an overnight stay at the hotel. This competition aims to raise awareness of Peterborough as a great place to stay.

l Peterborough Museum, Vivacity: Peterborough in the Great War Exhibition (Jan - Apr).

This exhibition marks the end to the award-winning HLF project www.peterboroughww1.co.uk. It will tell the stories of the soldiers who passed through Peterborough during the first World War and signed coffee shop visitors’ books.

February

l Cathedral Photography Exhibition – Peterborough Cathedral Visitor Centre (1st February – 31st March). An exhibition of photographs shortlisted by judges of a Cathedral photographic competition.

l Saturday 3rd February - The Sixteen: Vivaldi Gloria

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The Sixteen choir and orchestra, conducted by Harry Christophers.

l 17th February – Huntingdon Male Voice Choir, Peterborough Cathedral.

A concert of varied music by one of the region’s most prestigious male voice choirs

l 23rd February - Peterborough Cathedral: A Glimpse of Heaven. Historian and broadcaster, Dr Jonathan Foyle, gives a talk on the publication of his new architectural history of Peterborough Cathedral.

March

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l 8th March - Chamber of Commerce: International Women’s Day.

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

l 17th March Northamptonshire Music & Performing Arts Trust Concert – Peterborough Cathedral . In partnership with Nenescape Landscape Partnership Scheme, a 200- strong choir and orchestra will perform a specially composed piece of music about the River Nene, written by Benjamin Till. It will be performed in November at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the launch of Nenescape.

l 900 Steps to Haven – Railworld Wildlife Haven (26th March). The Railworld Haven has a 350 metre path and visitors can walk 900 steps. The first to do it wins free entry for their family for a whole season at Railworld Wildlife Haven.

l 900 Not Out - free ticket Bonanza, Nene Valley Railway.

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Nene Valley Railway will give away 900 free rides on the railway.

l Orton Hall Western Hotel.

Orton Hall has planted 900 bulbs in the grounds of the hotel which will be in full bloom in Spring.

April

l Peterborough Museum, Vivacity: 125 Years of the Peterborough Football Association Exhibition

May

Peterborough Cathedral - Dean Peter Peckard: His influence on the Abolition of Slavery. A talk by Dr Rowan Williams - Dr Williams, Master of Magdalene College Cambridge and former Archbishop of Canterbury, will speak about the 18th century Dean of Peterborough and his role in the abolition of slavery, with reference to the slavery and trafficking today.

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l Peterborough’s 900 Bites – Everyone Eats (12th & 13th May)

Experience 900 bites with a huge foodie feast where there will be something for everyone – vegan, Halal, gluten free, organic, vegetarian or dairy free options. Local chefs’ cookery theatre will play host to over 10 local chefs who will be showcasing their gastronomic recipes as spectators listen. There will also be live music from local artists and tribute acts.

l 19th May 10am – 4pm Peterborough Celebrates Crosskey Clog – Peterborough City Centre

Annual National Morris Dance which in 2018, will take place in Peterborough. Over 500 Morris Dancers will dance around the City Centre.

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lPeterborough City Council - Election Count. Unusually the 2018 election count will take place at Peterborough Cathedral.

June

l 10th June - Anna’s Hope: Fairy World Record Attempt - 900 fairies! (tbc)

Anna’s Hope is inviting friends, families, work colleagues and fairies from across the region to help break a Guinness World Record.

l Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June - Peterborough Heritage Festival (10th Anniversary).

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Celebrate 900 years of history at the largest city centre living history event in the UK in Cathedral Precincts and city centre.

l Friday 29th June - St Peter’s Day, Peterborough Cathedral.

Special service followed by a celebration dinner in the Nave.

l Greenwoods Solicitors: Peterborough 900 Fundraising Day. Staff and clients will be asked to complete a number of challenges in one day, 900 minutes walks, runs etc. All money raised will go to the Cathedral.

l Peterborough 10K Race

A new event with full details yet to be confirmed.

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l Serco Team 900. The Serco Team will aim to raise £900 in 900 minutes by completing a number of activities. Staff will cycle the equivalent of 900 miles over 900 minutes.

l The Peterborough Schools’ Country Dancing Festival. 

July

l 18th - 21st July - Peterborough Cathedral: Organ Festival

l Peterborough Greyhound’s 900th Race. Supporters can come along and join in the celebrations and a trophy will be awarded to the winning greyhound .

l YMCA - Youth Jam .Live music, dancing, education and employment areas.

l Queensgate Shopping Centre will be joining in the festivities . Key events will be organised in the centre throughout July 2018. Details will be released in May.

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l Bretton Festival. Peterborough Presents and Bretton Parish Council are working together to bring lots of great art to Bretton’s doorstep at this year’s Bretton Festival.

August

l Vivacity - Once upon a Festival. Join Vivacity’s Our Story project for a day of storytelling, puppet shows and family theatre. This is a free family event.

l Peterborough Museum, Vivacity - Peterborough Treasures: Coming Home (August - January 2019). This event will celebrate Peterborough’s heritage and items on loan from museums across the country will be on display here in Peterborough.

l Nene Park Trust - Peterborough Celebrates Nene Park Trust (40th Birthday).

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40th Anniversary of the official opening of Ferry Meadows. A series of events will be held. More details to follow.

l Vivacity - Heritage for Everyone. Objects will be put on display which originate from Peterborough since they were made from places such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and Bodleian Library, Oxford.

l Peterborough Environment City Trust – Green Festival.

September

Friday 21st September - Anglo Saxon monastic life. A talk by Dr Janina Ramirez for Peterborough Theological Society. Historian and broadcaster Dr Janina Ramirez will speak about monasteries in the Anglo Saxon period, with particular reference to Peterborough.

lItalian Festival - Peterborough City Centre. 900 portions of pasta will be served as part of the festival.

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l Peterborough’s fifth Classic and Vintage Vehicle Show. The show will attract approximately 500 vehicles and more than 3,000 visitors.

l 8th - 9th September: Heritage Open Days. Thousands of volunteers across the country invite you to experience local history, architecture and culture. All for free.

l Vivacity - The Bell. Theatrical spectacular and 360 degree surround performance for up to 5,000 people.

l 15th - 23rd September: Nene Valley Festival. Promoting the heritage, culture and nature of the Nene Valley through a programme of events.

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l Opportunity Peterborough: Bondholder Dinner at Peterborough Cathedral (Date to be confirmed). Prestigious business event held in Peterborough Cathedral to promote local businesses.

October

l 1st - 4th October - Vivacity Arts: Paper Peace. A year long project working with Emergency Exit Arts to produce installations unique to Peterborough and its wartime history and an outdoor night time arts parade.

l 6th October – Event finale to P900 fundraising campaign.

A Commonwealth themed event with music and readings organised by the Peterborough Cathedral Trust.

l 7th October - Perkins Great Eastern Run, Peterborough City Centre.

November

l Remembrance Sunday Parade, Peterborough City Centre

l Peterborough Christmas Lights Switch On

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l The Marriott Hotel: 900 balloon release. Releasing 900 balloons at 11:00 on 11/11/18, Remembrance Day whilst observing the 2-minute silence in conjunction with the Cenotaph. It is also the Marriotts’ 30th Birthday.