Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust held its 26th AGM at Brookland church last Saturday May 26. Grants to Marsh churches last year totalled £48,000, with the major share going towards the replacement of the medieval west window at St George’s Church at Ivychurch.
John Doyle was re-elected by acclamation as President, a position he has held for 30 years. In his acceptance speech, he recalled convening the first public meeting in December 1981 to consider the bleak future facing the Marsh churches. In the chair for six years, he enlisted the aid of well-known figures such as Richard Ingrams, John Piper and the then Archbishop Robert Runcie. With the help of Bill Deedes, then editor of the Daily Telegraph, another lover of the Romney Marsh, the trust grew and flourished, attracting donations and legacies.
Today, its work is vital in helping to preserve and maintain the beautiful churches of Romney Marsh. This latest initiative at St George’s, Ivychurch will be celebrated at service of dedication at evensong on Sunday June 17 at 6:30pm.
The customary AGM address was given this year year by Graham Clarke, poet, author, illustrator and humorist. He gave us some poems, demonstrating his at times quirky affection for the remote beauty of this area of England. One about Dungeness beginning: “Don’t mess about with Dungeness” continued: “we love our desert by the sea, let’s just let it be.”
Chairman Peter Anwyl-Harris concluded the meeting with an invitation to members to enjoy the refreshments, an offer willingly accepted.
Photos: Kenneth Bird