Simply sublime

Another feature of summer life here in North Norfolk is the range of musical events on offer within a very short distance. In the last 10 days or so without very much effort you could have heard and seen a wonderfully vital performance of Handel's Susannah at South Creake, joined the throngs in Holkham Park to see the great Tom Jones, listened to Piano Trios by Beethoven, Shostakovich and Ravel, taken in a little jazz/funk at the Hoste, or been transported back to the 16th century in Salle Church.

I chose the latter and what a delight. Not for me the the masses trying to get in and out of Holkham, but rather the sublime choral music of Byrd and Orlando Gibbons in the quintessentially English setting of Salle Church. Superb, truly divine music. Stunning singers, the William Byrd Choir, in a stunning setting - a cricket match taking place earlier, just across from the West end.

One of the true glories of Norfolk, and dating from the 15th century, the Church of St.Peter and St.Paul is amongst the finest in the country, built in Barnack stone transported from Peterborough in the early 1400's, the tower is a landmark for miles around, and the focus of a number of paintings by Gerard Stamp, perhaps captured best in his powerfully evocative 2012 watercolour.

And as ever, there's more to come; Diva Opera this weekend followed by the rising star of the Southrepps Music Festival and then the jewel in the musical crown with the North Norfolk Music Festival from the 15th August.