Eight hundred years of worship

The tiny village church of St Margarets in East Wellow began its birthday celebrations this weekend, and expects to continue them right through to the end of November.
Mind you, it’s no ordinary anniversary celebration — this one dates back to the time of the Magna Carta signed in the 13th century by King John and means that the church is celebrating 800 years of worship.
It’s best known as the resting place of the pioneering nurse Florence Nightingale whose family lived  in Wellow, and who was buried in the village churchyard after she died in August 1910.
The family home at Embley Park is today the Hampshire Collegiate School which attracts students from all over the world, and they have contributed to an ongoing exhibition in the church, along with projects from Wellow Primary School pupils, Wellow History Society and parishioners.  The opening of the exhibition  at the weekend marked the beginning of the anniversary celebrations.
Other events include a flower festival in May, a midsummer fayre and fun run in June, a lecture in July, a medieval style harvest supper and evening concert in October.
Destined to be the two poignant events are the anniversary service in July to be attended by the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Rev  Tim Dakin, and  the closing event, an advent service of light in November with the Bishop of Southampton, the Rt Rev Jonathan Frost which will mark the end of the celebrations, along with the dedication of a special tree.

The vicar, the Rev Chris Pettet arranged showings of a DVD “Florence Nightingale, a remarkable woman” during the opening weekend with visitors including nursing students from Japan.