As the summer approaches, so the City opens up further to welcome its visitors from outside the capital and abroad. On Tuesday and Wednesday 3rd and 4th June the Friends of the City Churches organises its annual City Church Walks when trained guides take parties around four or so City Churches each morning and afternoon over the two days. Based again this year at St Mary Aldermary off Bow Lane, after the completion of their tower refurbishment works, this makes an ideal centre for forays to the four quarters of the City. Book these days now and indeed book tickets! The two days will end with a “Fun with Gilbert and Sullivan” concert at St Sepulchre without Newgate at 4.45pm on Wednesday 4th. The concert will last about 75mins.

Tickets and details of both events from the Friends’ office. This is a major undertaking for the Friends of the City Churches and also a welcome boost to our funds for helping the City churches.

Later, June 23rd to July 10th the City of London Festival allows appreciation of the fine acoustic to be appreciated in many of the City churches, with jazz to classical, vocal and instrumental music of all kinds. Details from 020 7377 0540

Nearer at hand on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th May there is an opportunity to visit St Bartholomew the Less, who are holding their third annual Craft Sale featuring potters, silk weaver, wood turner, basket maker, jeweller and patchworker. Wednesday 14th May is St Bartholomew’s Hospital View Day when the Lord Mayor and Aldermen visit the the City’s only hospital; a tradition that reaches back over 450 years following the dissolution of the Priory at the Reformation. View Day now functions as the Hospital’s Open Day with exhibitions, visits and displays. St Bartholomew the Less is now the hospital chapel used by all Christian faiths, and its parish is defined by the hospital boundary. Its Vicar is the Hospitaller or Chaplain. All being well, the newly refurbished chandeliers will be back in place, funded by donations from members of the Friends of the City Churches and other well-wishers.

Thank you to all those who offered to help with sorting material for our newly forming archive of church guides, books and articles about City churches. But do please continue to look through your own papers to see if you could spare any guides, news cuttings or ephemera relating to City churches for us to have or copy. All donations and offers would be warmly appreciated and acknowledged with thanks.