Celebrations to mark 400th birthday begin

The whole community is getting involved in celebrations to mark the birthday of Steyning Grammar School.

More than 100 students, residents and club members have been involved in the Heritage Quilt Project, a major part of the celebrations, culminating in a permanent display featuring five giant panels.

The candlelit carol service at St Andrew and St Cuthman Church on Thursday, December 12, will launch a calendar of celebratory events over the coming year.

A new book was also launched last week, Steyning Grammar School 1614 to 2014, written by Caroline Meeson. It costs £12 but was available at the school’s winter fair on Saturday at an introductory price of £10.

A former art teacher at the school, she has researched the book and put together a collection of photographs from across the centuries.

The book is dedicated to the many staff, students and people of Steyning for whom Steyning Grammar holds a special place in their hearts and proceeds from the sale will go towards refurbishing the drama hall at the Shooting Field site.

Also on display at the winter fair were the quilt panels and pieces from the Heritage Quilt Project.

Project manager Amanda Duke, head of facility for creative and performing arts at Steyning Grammar, was there with a core group of quilters, busy working on the community panels.

Mrs Duke said: “There are still some pieces we would like to produce that are on our quilt ‘wish list’, so we are hoping that people will sign up for future workshops and sew-in dates.”

Email Mrs Duke at [email protected] or call 01903 814555 to get involved.

Celebratory events include a teachers’ reunion on May 23, a school reunion day on May 24 and a church service on May 25, dedicated to the production of the quilt.

An Old Boys’ church service, for those who attended the school before it became a comprehensive in 1967, will follow on July 19.

The Steyning Festival next May will feature events linked with the anniversary theme, including a talk, dance and promenade play written by a former student.

There will also be a special exhibition on display at Steyning Museum.