Success for 'Heal Our Land' concert

Hailed as "a great success", around 600 people attended two presentations of the concert held as part of a week long programme arranged through Churches Together In Bexhill (CTIB).

Ten professional singers from Micah Community Projects in London were supported by a choir of 30 local church members representing many churches in Bexhill.

Fourteen rousing songs were sung and prayers were led by eight clergy representing many denominational traditions.

Representatives of local government, police and fire services, education, health, media, business, and the armed forces were invited to stand to receive a special prayer for their vital work in society.

The narration highlighted the fact that the concert was held on 10th July - exactly 70 years ago that the Battle of Britain started in the air over the south of England.

Organiser of the event, Cllr Michael Ensor, said: "It was felt that there is a new battle for Britain over the state of the nation where there are immense pressures on personal morality and the breakdown of society."

He added: "In the same way that the King in 1940 called the nation to pray at the time of the Battle of Britain, so too the Heal Our Land prayer concert calls for followers of Christ to turn to God anew in prayer."

During the concert there was a display of banner waving by a professional troupe who enhanced both the prayerful songs, and the exuberant singing, with a display that was in sympathy with the music.

Michael said: "Because the Heal Our Land prayer concert seeks to heal the fractures in society, the flags of the various nations of people who live in Bexhill were paraded in respect of those who have come to live here from different nations, and to receive a welcome and recognition."

The Heal Our Land in Bexhill was only the third time the presentation had been preformed in the UK. Two previous concerts were held at Liverpool and Ashford.

At the end of the special week, the message of Heal Our Land was presented in Devonshire Square with a "Multi-cultural Extravaganza", with activities and an African dance group; a colourful event displaying the flags of the nations.