THE Friends of Salisbury Cathedral are kicking off their 2019 programme of events with a concert by Sarum Six.

The vocal ensemble is so popular with the Friends that the candlelit concert on February 2 in the Cathedral’s Chapter House and Refectory will be the fourth occasion on which the group has performed for them.

Sarum Six now comprises Steve Abbott, Crispin Morton, Nick Hawker, Philip Lawson, Alistair Watson and Richard Hooper.

Mr Abbott said: “We are delighted to be doing another concert for the Friends and it is lovely to split the evening between the Chapter House, which has a fantastic acoustic, and the Refectory.

“This will be the first time our two new members, Crispin and Alistair have performed for the Friends. Alistair is a lay vicar and Crispin a deputy lay vicar of the Cathedral.

“Our programme will be sacred polyphony in the Chapter House, followed by Edwardian songs in the Refectory.”

The events continue with a coffee morning in the Bell Tower Tearooms on February 12 and a Desert Island Discs evening on March 5 when Cathedral Canon Treasurer Robert Titley will be ‘cast away’.

The Friends, who have been raising money for cathedral projects for nearly 90 years, have more than 2,500 members and are keen to welcome more.

If you are interested in joining or want to know more about the events, contact the Friends’ office at 33a The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, telephone 01722 335161, or email friends@salcath.co.uk