The sun shone as forty-six people clambered aboard the coach for the annual Rye Arts Festival’s tour of the Marsh churches on Tuesday September 16. Paul Goring, our town crier in his official robes, introduced himself and gave a summary of the day to come: four churches – St Thomas à Beckett, Fairfield; St Augustine’s, Snave; St Mary in the Marsh and lastly All Saints, Lydd.
It was a really lovely day with a super group of enthusiasts who learnt a great deal from Paul as he gave everyone a potted history of the church and the surrounding area of the marsh, all very fascinating.
There was a group of seven ladies from the Red Hat Society who had a splendid day out and Jenny Forster summed up the day. “What a wonderful, memorable day! And the sun shone for us, and it didn’t rain – what more could we have asked for?
“We – seven good friends and members of the local Red Hat Society – had booked a day on Romney Marsh organised as part of Rye Arts Festival, visiting the extraordinary ancient churches scattered across the flat marshland since the 12th and 13th centuries. This place is like no other – so flat, so green, so windy, so many sheep, so many birds – and so few people. Magic.
“The churches were what we had come to see and they did not disappoint. The first one was the church of St Thomas Becket, Fairfield and the walk along the marsh path was glorious on a windy day with brilliant blue sky, clouds scattering above and sheep scattering in front of us. What a place to build a church – in the middle of nowhere! Beautiful!
“We learned there had been a community project in 2021/22 to create mosaics of the marsh churches. The mosaic of St Thomas Becket Church was amazing, as were the other three we saw later in the tour, extraordinary and joyful pieces of artwork produced by a group of local people working together under an inspired teacher, swirling with light and movement, charming animals, birds, local references, such talent and so much fun.
“Next church was St Augustine, Snave, another beautiful little church – and we will definitely have to visit again next April as St Augustine’s is also known as the ‘daffodils’ church so there must be a lot! So much to see in these exquisite little churches – they have been through and survived momentous times.
Lunch break and tasty ploughman’s in a nearby pub, and a chance to chat to others on the tour, such a lot of interesting people enjoying this special day.
“There were two more churches in the afternoon: St Mary the Virgin, St Mary in the Marsh, where a favourite children’s author, E Nesbit (The Railway Children and many more) has her grave, and which was frequently visited by her friend Noel Coward, and a wonderful mediaeval carved “screen”, probably once part of a triptych, that mysteriously appeared on the wall. It was in this church that we were serenaded by a lusty singer, Martin Bruce, with a song that he had been commissioned to write and perform for His Majesty King Charles III on a recent visit to Walmer castle – a very special performance just for us Red Hatters!
“The final church – and an enormous one! Did they ever fill it? I can’t imagine so nowadays, but lots of fascinating artefacts and brasses and tombs – All Saints’, Lydd. Then it was back by coach to Rye Station and pick up of cars. A brilliant day out for us all, hugely enjoyed: we shall certainly do it again and see some different churches. I have a lovely mug of the first two as a memento and will sing the praises of whoever decided to do marsh church tours. A very good, happy day.”
This was echoed by all who went and many have said that they will book again next year when four different churches will be earmarked for the tour.
It was a wonderful day, thank you Paul Goring for all your research and interesting historical facts, we really had a super time and learnt so much.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .
The tour was fabulous and Town Crier Mr Goring was very informative and entertaining.