CHRISTMAS just wouldn’t be the same for folk fans without the traditional visit by St Agnes Fountain, the acclaimed folk group who bring their special sparkly brand of festive music to the Beehive and the David Hall this year on Thursday 10th December at Honiton, Sunday 13th at South Petherton and Tuesday 15th at Forest Arts, New Milton.

It’s a staggering 25 years since St Agnes Fountain first launched their unique brand of festive music into the world. Originally comprising David Hughes (guitar, vocals), Chris Leslie (fiddle, mandolin, guitar, flutes, vocals), Chris While (guitar, percussion, vocals) and Julie Matthews (keyboards, guitar, bouzouki, vocals), the band quickly carved out a sound all of their own.

Blending original Christmas songs with traditional carols, delivered in their unmistakable style, St Agnes Fountain have become an essential part of the festive season for thousands of people. So much so, they inspired the slogan: “Christmas starts with St Agnes Fountain.”

After David Hughes retired due to ill health in 2020 and sadly died in 2023, Chris While, Julie Matthews and Chris Leslie continued as a trio. Since then, they have released two studio albums and one live album, adding further depth to an already formidable catalogue of festive recordings.

This year’s Christmas tour celebrates their Silver Jubilee, a quarter-century of music-making and festive celebrations. It will draw from their extensive back catalogue of songs and tunes, poems and stories, as they once again raise the stained-glass arches and drape the fairy lights.

Other dates in the region are 11th December at The Watermark in Ivybridge and 16th at Marlborough Town Hall.