Two years ago, in 2024, the Friends organised the first event to be held outside the Church building. This was a Barn Dance at Sullington Tithe Barn. It took place on a chilly day, early in April. The parking area was waterlogged from previous heavy rain, and one car had to be pushed out after ignoring the steward’s instructions and driving into a boggy patch! Meanwhile, the events team were frantically carving patterns into cheese for the “posh ploughman’s” supper. However, once the music and the dancing started, the evening was a great success, enjoyed by all, and raised a considerable sum of money.

Two years and a month on, we repeated the experience. The extra month took us into May, which made all the difference in terms of temperature and parking. This time, the cheese was cut into plain slabs, courtesy of an unexpected offer of help, and the preparations just sped along.

As before, the live band and caller were from the Brighton Ceilidh Collective. They again helped create a fantastic atmosphere, perhaps even better than the last time. It was good to see so many new faces enjoying the evening, and we hope our events will continue to engage the wider community.

We thank the Kittle family, and the event’s sponsors:

The Anchorage care Home

Truffles Bakery

Wilmers of Pulborough

The evening raised £xxxx towards the restoration of St Mary’s Parish Church.