It was the vicar whodunnit in church's murder mystery event

Initially all appeared normal in Bexhill’s Old Town, but appearances can be deceiving.

This was a murder mystery evening with a twist. Many of the characters played themselves, adding to the confusion for the amateur detectives who had the job of deducing, whodunnit?

The string of events that lead to the crime included some disturbance in the church with a raffle ticket seller fretting that she‘d lost a raffle prize. And why was a very agitated lady not listening to the recital, preferring instead to phone her sister?

Then, as everyone made their way to St Peter’s Community Centre, the normally calm director of music had a row with the smooth-looking character who had agreed to sponsor the choir, and why did St Peter’s kind and gentle curate Fr Daniel Smith storm away from him?

It soon became apparent at the drinks reception that familiar faces were not all they seemed to be. So even before the lights flickered, and the room was plunged into darkness, it became apparent that something was amiss .

Angus Radford, the only cast member to change his name and appearance, played the seedy wheeler-dealer with a shady past. Shortly after his blood splattered body was discovered, eight people came under suspicion.

Was Heidi, the community centre warden who had found the body, the murderer? She said she’d gone to fix the lights and reappeared with a heavy torch – a perfect murder weapon.

Naming and questioning the suspects followed, but then the lights failed again and Heidi was discovered, dead, along with the missing raffle prize, and a scarf around her neck.

Confusion reigned and more questions, led by a concerned church member who feared for St Peter’s Church’s reputation, followed.

There were plenty of red herrings along the way and much of the audience’s entertainment was a result of knowing the characters well and hearing bewildering tales of their unlikely lives.

A church spokesperson said the evening was a great success and gave thanks to Sue Duncan, who wrote the murder mystery.

“The cast had no set script, improvising their assumed rôles during the evening. They chatted to people over an excellent meal and answered questions according to their characters.

“Only a few days before each was given an envelope and only one was marked – so only the murderer actually knew beforehand who committed the dastardly deed. “And who was that? St Peter’s curate, Fr Daniel finally confessed all, and then made a dash for it!

“Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment and the meal served by choir members.

“Choir funds benefited and the proceeds will go towards their week’s summer holiday of activities whilst singing services in Peterborough Cathedral.”