Villages bid fond farewell to the Reverends France

Reverend Liz France, vicar of Etchingham, and her husband the Rev Stephen France, who until recently was the rector of St Bartholomew’s Church, Burwash, will shortly be leaving East Sussex.

The family will be moving to London to enable their son Toby to take up a scholarship at the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School.

Rev Liz France has been the vicar of Etchingham for almost three years and to say goodbye the congregation held a Paella Party at the Bistro@thestation, with the rain stopping just in time for people to dine in the beautiful garden.

A presentation was made to thank Rev France for all her work in the parish.

One enterprising lady from Burwash Church had arranged another surprise treat for the family later the same day, in the form of an evening mystery tour on a 1950s-era red Routemaster London bus.

Rev Liz France conducted her last service in the Parish Church of the Assumption of Blessed Mary and St Nicholas on Sunday August 16.

The church was packed full with well-wishers from Etchingham, who were also joined by many friends from Burwash.