Five hundred years ago, owning an English Bible could cost you your life.
It seems unthinkable in modern Britain, but in William Tyndale’s day, translating the scriptures into the language of ordinary people was a crime. Anyone caught with a copy risked prison, exile, or the stake.
And yet, Tyndale dared. His determination to give every ploughboy the chance to read God’s word in his own tongue was an act of breathtaking courage. He completed his English New Testament in 1525 but had to flee to the continent to get it printed. His story is one of bravery, deception, intrigue and double-dealing – but also of unshakable faith and a conviction that the Bible must be open to all.
It was this extraordinary story that inspired Churches Together in Lymm to create a festival event unlike anything the village had seen before. With 2025 marking the 500th anniversary of Tyndale’s translation, the churches knew we could not let the moment pass.
A festival within a festival
Lymm Festival is already a much-loved fixture in Cheshire’s calendar: two weeks of concerts, recitals, art, photography, theatre, comedy, poetry, a food fest, scarecrows, and a transport day devoted to steam engines and classic vehicles.
Churches in the village have long provided venues for many of these events, but this year we wanted to do something more – something that reflected our mission and heritage.
So we created ‘Tyndale500’, a ten-day programme built around a public reading of scripture. Volunteers read aloud chapter after chapter of the Bible, in sessions punctuated with ticketed events including music, drama, poetry and even a biblical poetry slam. Nationally recognised theatre companies performed, alongside local actors and musicians. A Methodist worship leader contributed original compositions, and excerpts from The Chosen added visual depth to gospel readings.
At Lymm Baptist Church – chosen as the main hub for its excellent facilities – a striking exhibition took visitors into Tyndale’s world. and the wider history of Bible translation, as well as explaining what the Bible is. Visitors could explore Tyndale’s life, the dangers he faced, and the legacy he left behind.
A ‘Discover More’ section offered free Bibles, invitations to Alpha courses, screenings of The Chosen, or Bible Society study programmes. And thanks to artificial intelligence, our ‘Ask William bot’ brought Tyndale himself back to life – allowing people to pose questions to a digital Tyndale about his life and times.
A village mobilised
The scale of the project was immense. More than 100 volunteers from all the local churches rolled up their sleeves, covering everything from the readings and catering to security and technical support. A local actor trained our readers, who took turns in triplets for one-hour reading-sessions.
Visitors were encouraged to grab a drink, sit quietly, and absorb the words of scripture. Some readers contributed once; others returned several times.
Behind the scenes, prayer teams underpinned the programme. Volunteers spoke of how transformative the experience was – not just spiritually, but in the sense of unity it created across denominational lines.
‘What an unexpected blessing of greater unity among churches through serving together’, said one attendee, ‘I’m delighted that my church family’ has grown.’
Scripture in the spotlight
The event was more than a commemoration of the past; it was a declaration of present-day relevance.
‘Our objective was to celebrate Tyndale’s amazing anniversary, put scripture on the map in Lymm, and invite the thousands who attend the festival to celebrate with us,’ organisers explained.
The response exceeded expectations. Hundreds attended, more than 50 Bibles were taken home, and some of the visitors expressed interest in Alpha courses or Bible study programmes.
The impact has not gone unnoticed. Other churches in Warrington have since launched their own public scripture readings, inspired by the Lymm project. Tyndale500 has given Churches Together in Lymm a new identity: not just as providers of venues, but as a community passionate about scripture and eager to share it.
And it has sparked an important question: having successfully pulled off a festival-within-a-festival, drawing in hundreds and rekindling interest in the Bible, what happens next?
For now, organisers are resting and reflecting. Follow-up conversations with those who took Bibles or signed up for courses will continue this autumn. But the bigger challenge – how to build on this momentum – is already being discussed.
For anyone who might consider a similar event, note that there will be another 500-year anniversary in 2026 – Tyndale’s New Testament eventually printed – the realisation of his life’s work. For ideas or advice, you are welcome to contact Simon Fawcett by email.
Ask William – an AI bot trained on a library of material from Tyndale can be accessed, for free, via a typing interface or, subject to usage limits, by voice (click and start talking).
A longer version of this article first appeared in The Baptist Times.