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    A highly successful composer of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, Amy Woodforde-Finden, together with her husband and step-son, is laid to rest in the churchyard of St Thomas à Becket Parish Church. Inside the church there is an impressive marble monument of her, created by the renowned sculptor George Edward  Wade. It was unveiled in 1923 and a few years later, Finden Gardens in Hampsthwaite was named in her honour.[Click on title or image to link to articles]
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Amy Woodforde-Finden

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A highly successful composer of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, Amy Woodforde-Finden, together with her husband and step-son, is laid to rest in the churchyard of St Thomas à Becket Parish Church. Inside the church there is an impressive marble monument of her, created by the renowned sculptor George Edward  Wade. It was unveiled in 1923 and a few years later, Finden Gardens in Hampsthwaite was named in her honour.

To celebrate this, an inaugural music festival was held on the 7th and 8th of October 2022, and Centenary events on the 15th and 21st of April 2023, in Hampsthwaite, to honour our area’s links with Amy Woodforde-Finden.

Amy’s association with the village of Hampsthwaite came through her step-son, Eric, who, because of injuries sustained in the 2nd Boer War, came to live in the village to be in the care of the local surgeon, Dr. John Ashby.. When Eric died in 1913, he was buried in the churchyard.

But why here? What bought her step-son Eric to Hampsthwaite and where did he stay? Amy and her husband Woodford were away when Eric died in 1913, but we must assume they came here for his funeral. What would the village have looked like at the time? Where did they stay and did they hold the Repast at The Lamb Inn? Where was the Inquest held and who attended?

Amy is best known for her set of Indian Love Lyrics. Indeed, Kashmiri Song from Indian Love Lyrics, proved an instant and lasting hit and became one of the highest selling pieces of sheet music ever published! Amy’s music perfectly captured the mood and morals of the time, and in recent years, her works have enjoyed a new appreciation, due to a revival and interest in neglected female composers.


Amy Woodforde-Finden Music Festival 2022

  • Pianist, Director of Music & Festival Founder: Thomas Flessenkaemper
    Renowned for his fine musicianship, the mastermind behind this festival, Thomas Flessenkaemper is widely respected as a classical composer and pianist. He has regularly performed recitals as a soloist and accompanist in Germany, the UK and China. After living in China for several years, Thomas settled in the UK and devoted himself to composing alongside his appointment as director of music.
  • Mezzo-soprano: Patricia Hammond
    Patricia, a Canadian-born mezzo-soprano, has made a name for herself in the UK and Europe, appearing as a soloist with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Sir Simon Rattle and Ivan Fischer. But Patricia’s primary joy is in the intimate world of recital work, reviving lesser-known Victorian and Edwardian music. Her CDs of French Salon song (2003) and “Songs of the Great War” (2016) have been played on BBC Radio 3 and 4, and led to her appearance at the hundredth anniversary of the end of the First World War at the Berlin Bundestag, televised live throughout Europe. Her recent book and CD “She Wrote the Songs”, with its chapter on Amy Woodforde-Finden, has been commended by BBC Music Magazine and featured on Women’s Hour.
  • The Festival will run over two nights and features many soloists, musicians and backstage talent of all ages from within our own Benefice. We are also delighted to be welcoming special guests from within the wider local area and further afield. It will truly be the most spectacular weekend of music, art and celebration.

Amy's Hampsthwaite : a history walking tour

  • Walk in the footsteps of Amy Woodforde-Finden during during the early 1900's. . . . . the date of her step-son Eric's death at The Laurels. . . . 
  • What was life like when Amy Woodforde-Finden's family lived here? What jobs did the schoolchildren have? Where did people wash their clothes? What did the roads look like? Did Amy's family live near Finden Gardens?

Amy Woodforde-Finden Biography

  • Who was  Amy Woodforde-Finden?
  • Collated here is a treasure trove of information related to her life an work.
  • Based on a biography of Amy Woodforde-Finden generously shared by Elliot Gray-Clough.
  • For months, our Hampsthwaite History Team has done extensive research on Amy Woodforde-Finden’s life (a famous composer from the Victorian times) and, in the process, uncovered more history about our village.

Amy Woodforde-Finden Centenary Events

Laying a Wreath

On Saturday 15th April 2023 a wreath of white irises was placed on the memorial to Amy Woodforde-Finden and a young local soprano, Tilly Eustace-Forrest, sang 'White Sentinels' to echo the moment of a 100 years ago.

An Evening with Amy

On Saturday 15th April 2023 a wreath of white irises was placed on the memorial to Amy Woodforde-Finden and a young local soprano, Tilly Eustace-Forrest, sang 'White Sentinels' to echo the moment of a 100 years ago.
Amy Woodforde-Finden

A highly successful composer of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, Amy Woodforde-Finden, together with her husband and step-son, is laid to rest in the churchyard of St Thomas à Becket Parish Church. Inside the church there is an impressive marble monument of her, created by the renowned sculptor George Edward  Wade. It was unveiled in 1923 and a few years later, Finden Gardens in Hampsthwaite was named in her honour.

To celebrate this, an inaugural music festival was held on the 7th and 8th of October 2022, and Centenary events on the 15th and 21st of April 2023, in Hampsthwaite, to honour our area’s links with Amy Woodforde-Finden.

Amy’s association with the village of Hampsthwaite came through her step-son, Eric, who, because of injuries sustained in the 2nd Boer War, came to live in the village to be in the care of the local surgeon, Dr. John Ashby.. When Eric died in 1913, he was buried in the churchyard.

But why here? What bought her step-son Eric to Hampsthwaite and where did he stay? Amy and her husband Woodford were away when Eric died in 1913, but we must assume they came here for his funeral. What would the village have looked like at the time? Where did they stay and did they hold the Repast at The Lamb Inn? Where was the Inquest held and who attended?

Amy is best known for her set of Indian Love Lyrics. Indeed, Kashmiri Song from Indian Love Lyrics, proved an instant and lasting hit and became one of the highest selling pieces of sheet music ever published! Amy’s music perfectly captured the mood and morals of the time, and in recent years, her works have enjoyed a new appreciation, due to a revival and interest in neglected female composers.

 - click for full size image