ONE of Ryedale’s oldest churches will be the unique setting for a series of summer Sunday choral evensongs from now until September.

Stonegrave Minster in Stonegrave can trace its foundation back to the Saxon period.

Additions and construction continued from the 10th to the 19th centuries, the most notable being the Norman arches in the nave.

The result is a building with such good acoustics that the Helmsley Chamber Choir jumped at the chance to sing there.

Choir leader Tim Robinson said: “Stonegrave Minster is a beautiful old building and it has wonderful acoustics that are perfect for church choral music.”

Every third Sunday of the month for the six months of the summer the choir will join the congregation for a choral evensong, starting at 6pm.

The Vicar, the Rev Dr Catherine Reid said: “Stonegrave Minster is imbued with an atmosphere redolent of the centuries of Christian worship that has taken place there.

“We’re delighted to have the Helmsley Chamber Choir joining us to refresh and continue that tradition.

“Everyone is welcome to come along during the summer.”