Described by the Guardian as “a work of rare lyrical beauty and profound humanity,” The Rising Down weaves together stories of the people, places, and paintings that have shaped the Sussex landscape across centuries, from Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury set to the farmers, poets, and pilgrims, and dreamers who have called this corner of England home.

In the ancient and atmospheric surroundings of St Mary’s Church, Alexandra will talk about her book exploring what it means to belong to a place over time. There will be plenty of opportunity for questions, followed by a glass of wine and a chance to browse (and buy) signed copies of The Rising Down. All proceeds from the evening will go directly to the Friends of St Mary’s Church Pulborough to help preserve and care for our magnificent Grade I listed parish church for future generations.

Tickets £25 (includes wine/soft drink) – booking essential.
Please reserve your place  and come for an evening of luminous prose, Sussex history, and quiet inspiration, all in aid of the church we love.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The time: 7pm Drinks on arrival. 7.30pm Start of Talk on 7 February 2026.

The place: St Mary's Church, Pulborough

A conversation with Mark Drury, Governor of HMP Ford, Chris Williams, retired prison governor and those currently working in the Criminal Justice System. This will be an unusual and insightful event designed to highlight the constructive work that is being done to reduce the current rates of recidivism by developing the sense of self-worth of individual prisoners.

It is also designed to raise funds for the urgent work required to repair and maintain the fabric of St. Mary’s Parish Church, Pulborough. Your support is much appreciated.

Ticket price of £25 includes a glass of wine.

The time: 6.45pm Drinks on arrival. 7.30pm Start of Talk on Friday 21st November 2025.

The place: Champs Hill

'Roger Morgan-Grenville, one of Britain's leading conservationists' - The Herald

His aim was to match the pace at which the oak leaves emerge, roughly 20 miles north each day.

Fighting illness, blizzards and his own ageing body, he visits every main habitat between Lymington and Cape Wrath in an epic eight-week adventure, encountering, over and over again, the kindness of strangers and the inspiring efforts of those fighting heroically for nature. With surprising conclusions throughout, what unfolds is both life-affirming and life-changing.

His talk will inform, amuse and hopefully inspire.

Ticket price includes a glass of wine or a soft drink and nibbles.

The time: 7.30pm on Tuesday 25th March 2025.

The place: St Mary's Church.

The Workshop will be led by Peter Allwood, with soloists from the Chantry Quire. Peter is a well-known figure on the Sussex music scene and has lots of experience of working with singers at all levels. So don’t worry that you might not be the next Lesley Garrett or Luciano Pavarotti, just come along and sing with us.

The Friends held a similar workshop in 2022, performing Handel’s Messiah, which was very successful and greatly enjoyed by all who took part. We hope that this one will be even better!

The Workshop will be held in St Mary’s Parish Church, Pulborough and begins at 10am. Free parking will be available on the East Glebe Field, near the Chequers Hotel. The workshop will conclude at 3.45pm. There will be a break in the middle, so we recommend you bring a packed lunch or similar. After the workshop, there will be a performance of the piece at 4.15pm, so your family and friends can hear the results.

Alternatively, you can just come along to the performance and enjoy some beautiful music by one of the world’s greatest composers.

The time: October 26. Workshop: 10am to 3.35pm. Performance: 4.15pm

The place: St. Mary's Church, Pulborough

No previous experience required! Full instruction will be given by experienced professional dance teachers, Marion and John Fenton. The ticket price includes a free drink and a veggie chilli. There will be a prize draw, and the lucky winner will receive a hamper packed with goodies!

The dance will be held in Pulborough Village Hall, which has free parking on site. Overflow parking is in the Lower Street Car Park opposite the library (free of charge after 6pm on Saturdays). 

The time: 7pm on Saturday 7th September 2024.

The place: Pulborough Village Hall.

We are very grateful to have sponsorship generously provided by Batcheller Monkhouse. 

London, September 3rd, 1939. The world is on the brink of war. In his final days, Sigmund Freud (Anthony Hopkins), a recent escapee with his daughter from the Nazi regime, receives a visit from the formidable Oxford Don C.S. Lewis (Matthew Goode). On this day, two of the greatest minds of the twentieth century intimately engage in a monumental session over the belief in the future of mankind and the existence of God.

This viewing has been kindly arranged by one of the film’s producers, Hannah Leader (known to many of you as Hannah Holloway), whose many credits include Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, Gosford Park, The Covenant and Blinded by the Light.  She will introduce the film and be available for Q&A’s afterwards.

To make this an intimate evening we are limiting numbers to seventy and will be providing a free drink on arrival.  Tickets are £15 for the general public, but discounted to £10 for those who have registered their details with the FPPC.

The time: Doors Open 7pm for 7.30pm Showing 

The place: The Rother Room, Pulborough Village Hall

Please visit and enjoy a selection of Pulborough and Nutbourne's loveliest gardens.  

The time: 15 & 16 June 2024 from 1pm to 5pm

The place: Pulborough and Nutbourne

Refreshments will be available!

Click below to download the brochure containing details for the event - this will also be circulated to all ticket holders prior to the event.

Note - each ticket will admit one adult to all gardens on both days of the event.  Free admission for children aged 16 years and under.

The time: April 6, starting at 7pm

The place: Sullington Tithe Barn, Sullington Manor Farm, Sullington Lane, RH20 4AE

Ticket Price includes a drink and a Posh Ploughmans

“Jo’s solo 500 mile Autumn Pilgrimage to Santiago di Compostela"

In October this year, Jo Wotton decided to walk, alone, one of the ancient pilgrimage routes to Santiago di Compostela. She chose the Camino del Norte rather than the more commonly walked Camino Frances. This route is one of the oldest, at its zenith in the 9th Century. It hugs the wild and beautiful northern coast of Spain from Irun, on the border with France, to Santiago - a distance of some 520 miles, a journey which took nearly 5 weeks. Come and follow her journey through the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and finally into the Galicia and the beautiful city of Santiago. Having never before journeyed alone, she set off with just an 8 kilo backpack, and said ‘farewell’ to luxury as she prepared to sleep in “Albergues” (dormitory accommodation) and embrace the challenges of the Camino!

The time: 24 January, starts at 6pm

The place: St. Mary's Church, Pulborough

Drinks and nibbles will be provided!

Please join us for an evening in the presence of the local artist Gordon Rushmer.  In conversation with Chris Williams, Gordon will show and discuss his work covering subjects as diverse as scenes in rural Sussex through to the visceral reality of modern warfare in Afghanistan and other conflict zones.