| Where: | Eyam, Derbyshire - from St Lawrence's Church |
| When: | Last Sunday in August |
| Time: | 2 pm ready for 3pm at the Delph |
The last Sunday in August is Plague Sunday in the little village of Eyam in Derbyshire. In 1665 the villagers, led by Reverend Mompesson and his wife, bravely took the decision to cut themselves off from the rest of the world in order to contain an outbreak of bubonic plague, which killed over 250 of its inhabitants in a period of just over a year. Nobody was allowed in or out of the village and supplies were left at points on the boundaries, paid for with coins placed in vinegar to reduce the chance of passing on infection. The annual service remembering the sacrifice of the villagers is held at Cucklet Delph, where outdoor worship took place during the plague rather than in the closer confines of the parish church. After laying a wreath at Catherine Mompesson’s tomb in the churchyard, the procession makes its way to Cucklet Delph from the Church, hymns are sung and villagers in costume act out tableaux from the time of the Plague. The village Wakes week is also in late August and you’ll see examples of well-dressing (see separate article for Well Dressing)
Helpful Hints
In 2025 Plague Sunday should be August 31st (it should be on the Eyam Church calendar on the link below).
Some of the cottages in the village pre-date the plague and the village museum on Hawkill Road (near the carparks) has a display and merchandise. The path to Cucklet Delph is unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Take your camera- Eyam is very photogenic.
Click here for the village website & calendar: https://www.eyamvillage.org.uk
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/eyamchurch
and website/calendar: https://www.eyamchurch.org/calendar
Click here for more information: https://www.eyamchurch.org/about-us/welcome/
What Hymn Tunes are used at the Annual Eyam Plague Service held in August every year.
Hi Keith,
Thanks for your query – however it’s a few years since we went to the service and I’m afraid I can’t remember which hymns were used – and as I’ve only been once I can’t say for sure whether they always use the same ones or vary it from year to year. I’d recommend you contact the church at Eyam as they’ll be able to tell you for sure- sorry I can’t be more use! If you follow the link under HelpfulHints it will take you to the church website,
Best wishes,
Averil