Dame Joanna Lumley visited Lydd All Saints, also known as The Cathedral on the Marsh, as the guest speaker at the AGM of the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust, on Saturday May 20. The AGM is hosted each year at one of the 14 churches that the Trust supports.
Peter Anwyl-Harris, Chairman of Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust commented: “Since the Trust was formed over forty years ago not one of the churches that we have supported has been made redundant. We are immensely proud of this fact. It was wonderful to hear Joanna praise the work that we are doing and encourage us to carry on with this important mission. She was an inspiration to us and was so generous with her time after the event, making sure everyone got a chance to chat with her.”
Team Vicar, Revd Christopher MacLean, described the visit: “The Trust always has a guest speaker, but Joanna was one of the most entertaining and enjoyable.
“The members of the Trust were enthralled by her talk which began by marvelling at the interior of All Saints, Lydd and regaling us with her account of the magnificent Coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey. This allowed her to explore her experiences making her travel programmes around the world and enjoying visiting the wealth and diversity of churches and centres of worship – recognising the importance of our churches here in our communities. She praised the philanthropy of the trust for their work. The talk lasted about fifteen minutes, delivered without notes and without deviation, hesitation or repetition.
“I chatted briefly with her afterwards. She was utterly charming and totally at ease with everyone who approached her. Members of The Marsh Choir, an enthusiastic community choir from the local towns and villages, approached her for photographs and to talk. Joanna is an honorary patron of the choir and they chatted for some time. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed her visit.”
Summary of the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust
The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust was founded in1982 and its primary purpose is to preserve the fabric and curtilage of the fourteen medieval churches on the Marsh, with an interest, also, in protecting the remains of four ruined churches.
Since its foundation, the Trust has made grants of over £1.5 million to support the parochial church councils in their important conservation works. The Trust helps with major projects such as roof repairs, replacing windows and restoring tombs, as well as with essential, routine repairs to items such as gutters, drains, timbers, masonry and paintwork.
The Trust’s purpose is also to help educate the community at large, to learn more about Romney Marsh’s historic churches, all vital landmark buildings in this unique and world-renowned landscape set in its own small corner of Great Britain.
Without the support of its members, donors and volunteers, the churches of the Romney Marsh would undoubtedly fall into disrepair.
Membership costs just £15 per annum, and benefits include being in the company of inspiring famous people. Past AGM speakers are wide and varied. https://www.romneymarshchurches.org.uk/past-agm-speakers
Please get in touch with the Trust if you would like to be involved. All details are found at www.romneymarshchurches.org.uk and to become a member, join here https://www.romneymarshchurches.org.uk/become-a-member
Image Credits: Jo Thompson .