On a rain-drenched evening, we were delighted to welcome the award-winning writer and critic Professor Alexandra Harris, author of the beautiful and deeply moving book The Rising Down: Lives in a Sussex Landscape. 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 talked about her book exploring what it means to belong to a place over time.

It really was an evening of luminous prose, Sussex history, and quiet inspiration, all in aid of the church we love.

Allow us to quote from some of the emails we have received:-

‘I loved her passion for her subject and for English literature in general and her curiosity about historical connections on our doorstep - and the fact that she cherished this area where she grew up. What a lovely, exuberant person she is!'

It looks as if we have raised over two and a half thousand which can help us to look after this stunning building and to preserve it for future generations.

‘What a fascinating talk by Alexandra, I was hanging on her every word, she is so passionate about our place.’