Last Sunday evening (11th July) the annual Patronal Evensong service commemorating St Swithun was held at the church bearing his name in Martyr Worthy (his portrait appears at the top of the stained glass window at the North end of the church).

Approximately 30 parishioners gathered first for the service, which was ably led by Gerry Stacey, with the assistance of Simon Ffennell.   Gerry’s sermon included amusing anecdotes from the life of St Swithun, one or two perhaps apocryphal.    As at prior Evensong services in recent months, the congregation’s experience of it was much enhanced by having the hymns sung beautifully by a three person choir consisting of Lucy Pease, William Parry and Robert Sutcliffe.

Afterwards, amidst threatening skies but mercifully little rain, the congregation moved outside for refreshments, during which Robin Greenwood and John Platt gave short speeches of thanks to all those involved in maintaining and supporting the church, on behalf of the Parish PCC and the Friends of St Swithun’s Society, respectfully.