Friends' support celebrated at special evensong

The group has raised a great deal of money in many different ways to secure and repair the fabric of the 1,000-year-old St Peter’s Church.

The service was taken by the Rev Nick Haigh, who in October will be licensed to take over both St Peter’s and St Paul’s in Camelsdale, uniting them with his current living, St Margaret’s in Fernhurst.

In his sermon, he said people should be generous to each other and be the one still point in a changing world when the loving of each other became harder.

The Church stood for unity and reconciliation and he hoped all would be together in uniting the three churches.

Michael Tibbs started the service by giving a short talk on the history and architecture of the church and its long-standing connection with nearby Shulbrede Priory.

Music for the hymns and the Nunc Dimittis was composed by Hubert Parry, who had stayed at the priory. The organist was Robert Gilman and Sanda Belcher was the choir mistress.

Funds raised at the event, which culminated in a barbecue in the churchyard, will go further towards the church’s upkeep. The Friends expressed their gratitude for all that was given to maintain the building.

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