On Sunday 9th July 2023 we held a special celebration service to commemorate 750 years since the consecration of St Martin's church in Sandford.
Sandford was in the Diocese of Lincoln at the time of its consecration in 1273, so we had a visiting preacher, Revd Dr Geoff Harris, with ties to that Diocese. If you would like to read his sermon, or see the service sheet from the service, here are links to each.
At the end of a service, a presentation was made to Raymond and Sheila Lye (centre top of photo) in recognition of their joint contributions to the parish over the past 25+ years.
Parishioners past and present enjoyed drinks in the churchyard after the service.
FROM TOP LEFT, clockwise:
Frances Maksinski (organist) and her husband John;
Raymond Lye (former treasurer); Sheila Lye (former church warden);
Rector Jane Wright in front of the Piper window;
Jane with visiting preacher Geoff Harris and his wife Jane;
Stephanie Lacey Licensed Lay Minister;
Pamela and John Townsend from Enstone, with Chanter of Sandford;
Emily Wheeler-Booth and daughter Charlotte Kelly, with Charlotte and James Alder and their children;
Simon Blee (our new treasurer) with his wife Kerryn on their 12th wedding anniversary.
CENTRE, left to right
Paul West of Sandford;
Graeme Arthur (former Rector of the benefice) and his wife Nynka.