Buckfast Abbey held a special Mass in Thanksgiving of His Majesty The King on Sunday 7th May, which was followed by a ‘big celebratory luncheon’ for the Monastic Community and parishioners.

The John Bradburne Memorial Society is excited to announce a celebration to be held at Buckfast Abbey in honour of John Bradburne’s 102nd Birthday. Buckfast holds a significant place in John’s story, he entered the Catholic Church there on the Feast Day of Christ the King in 1947 and whilst at Buckfast explored the possibility of becoming a Benedictine monk. There will be a Mass in the Abbey Church at 12pm.

Alvington Singers returns to Buckfast Abbey under their new conductor to perform an eclectic range of works spanning the 16th–21st centuries. The programme consists of well-known favourites by Duruflé, Tallis and Finzi, as well as some lesser known works by Gjeilo and Stroope, all linked by the theme of faith and affirmations of life. Alvington Singers Harriet Oakley director

Duration: 11am until 3pm (lunch will be provided). Venue: Buckfast Abbey Bee Barn What time: from 11am until 3pm. When: Five separate opportunities on the following days: Saturday June 17th Thursday June 29th Saturday July 8th Tuesday July 18th Thursday August 3rd Course tutors: Clare Densley and Martin Hann Limited to 6 people on each day This Honeybee experience day would make a perfect gift for someone you care about, or for yourself. During the day you will have the opportunity to visit our gentle bees in the Buckfast Abbey teaching apiary, which is a short, but delightful, walk through the woods from our bee barn. If the weather is fine, you will have the opportunity to wear a bee suit and experience colony life at first hand. You may be lucky and spot the queen bee, watch a baby bee being born, or even (if you are comfortable about it) be able to hold a frame containing comb with honey, brood, and bees on it. Bee suits and other protective clothing will be provided. A buffet lunch in our bee barn is included in the day as well as refreshments on arrival. Martin (or Clare) might even make a cake! Participants will leave, having learned about honeybees from a fully illustrated talk from Martin and Clare, with a small gift pack containing information about bees including seeds and honey.