Chapel Celebrations

One hundred and seventy Friends of Lancing Chapel attended their Annual Festival on 9 October: the largest gathering for many years.

They were rewarded by their first chance to see the newly completed west porch. Beautiful low autumn sunlight enhanced the experience, and a champagne tea was served on the cloister terrace. Fr Brendan Clover preached with inspiration. The Chairman, Peter Birts, and the Hon Secretary gave their reports and the Architect, Michael Drury, celebrated the great efforts which have brought his design to reality. The impressive masonry of the porch had just been finished in time, after many setbacks in this difficult year. The retaining wall, landscaping and rainwater down pipes were still work in progress and a decision is to be made later about the treatment of the ceiling timbers. Because of the recent refurbishment of the school kitchens and related drainage, the resurfacing of the drive and final areas of paving have been postponed. Nonetheless, the new west front looks magnificent and the porch provides shelter as it should. Next spring the new building will be ready for dedication and the Chapel completed at last. Festival gifts of £10,811 were given in support of the Friends’ revised objective to support the ‘maintenance, conservation and enhancement’ of Lancing Chapel. In the past year this has included rope-access conservation on the apse, repairs and decoration to external doors, upgrading of electrical wiring and emergency lights, and the total renewal of the fire detection and alarm system. And there is always more to be done. Now free to focus on conservation, the Friends have a crucial role in preserving the Chapel for future generations.

JEREMY TOMLINSON Steward of Lancing Chapel

If you care about Lancing Chapel, please email FriendsOfLancingChapel@lancing.org.uk, call 01273 465 708 or contact the Honorary Secretary, Friends of Lancing Chapel, FREEPOST, Lancing BN15 8BR to become a Friend.

Left to right: Architect Michael Drury, Peter Birts, Adam Stone, Jeremy Tomlinson, Trevor Horsham, Jo Coletta, James McIlvenny.

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