St. Swithun's Church Restoration Trust

19/06/2026

This week for Find it Out Friday as the sun is shining ☀️ we’re outside asking…What is that gateway structure at the entrance of the churchyard? 💭🤔

This ornamental covered gateway is called a lychgate and I’m sure many of us have walked through it! It acts as a threshold between secular, and sacred ground. ⛪️

Historically, lychgates were shelters for bearers to wait with the coffin before a burial. The word derives from the Anglo Saxon, “lich”, meaning co**se.

St. Swithun’s lychgate has a timber frame, with a steeply pitched clay tiled-roof. The lower section is built on brick and stone plinths, with two wooden bench seats built into the sides.

It was built as a thank-offering following the Second World War and is a registered war memorial to the community’s survival during the war. Two inscriptions painted in red beneath each gable read, “Remember the Lords day to keep it holy” and the other, “A thank offering for deliverance 1939–45” with the name, Sidney Betchley 1872 to 1964.

17/06/2026

The sun is out ☀️and church ⛪️ is looking beautiful behind the backdrop of a blue sky! The flowers 🌹 and roses at the South Entrance of church are also looking beautiful.

Come and have a stroll through the churchyard and see for yourself.

16/06/2026

Celebrating Sussex Day through the glorious sound of the churches bells!

St. Swithun’s Church is the ONLY church in Sussex with a 12 bell peal!🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔

The pictures below were taken on May Bank Holiday Monday when the Bell Tower was open with the St. Swithun’s bell ringers demonstrating how they ring the bells…

The image on the screen shows 5 of the smallest bells being rung. James Turner, (Steeple Keeper) advised at this point they were ringing “Weasels”. Weasels is a sequence of ringing bells in the order of 1,4,2,3,5 or so called as it sounds like, pop goes the weasel!

Check out the reel to this post where you can see a video of the bells 🔔 in full swing! 😃

16/06/2026

We are celebrating Sussex Day through the glorious sound of the church bells! ⛪️

St. Swithun’s Church is the ONLY church in Sussex to have a 12 bell peal! 🔔✨

This video demonstrates 5 of the smallest bells being rung on the Bell Tower’s open day on May Bank Holiday Monday. James Turner, (Steeple Keeper) advised at this point they were ringing “Weasels”.
Weasels is a sequence of ringing bells in the order of 1,4,2,3,5 or so called as it sounds like, pop goes the weasel!

14/06/2026

An example of why conservation of historic buildings is so important…

Conservators doing routine work in the chapel at Goodrich Castle, in Herefordshire, have uncovered traces of a rare medieval wall painting 🖌️

13/06/2026

To all those 89 followers of our page, a very big thank you for all the shares, likes and support 🙏🏻⛪️

Have you subscribed to our newsletter yet? 🗞️ 📧 If not, you’re missing out on some wonderful extras!

🗓️ our very first issue will be in August and quarterly thereafter…

✨ Newsletter subscribers receive:
🔨 The latest updates on our restoration projects
🎉 News about upcoming events and activities
📖 Fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and tasks
📜 Free historic tour of the church
🩵Exclusive insights into the work your support makes possible

Our social media gives you highlights, but our newsletter brings you even closer to the exciting journey in preserving this historic building.

📧 Join our mailing list today and stay connected with the history, events and restoration of this special church. Visit our website’s Support us page, link below ⬇️ 🔗

https://www.swithunrestorationtrust.org.uk/support-us

12/06/2026

Thanks a million!
This weekend parkun will host its 1 millionth ever event… since 2004 138 million have crossed the finish line, with the help of the volunteers on over 16 million occasions.

Parkrun is a charity that believes in the power of community, empowering people through shared movement, every weekend.

This Saturday we are delighted to welcome and thank for their continued support some of the trustees of the East Grinstead Memorial Estate (EGMEL).

They are going to give a short speech before we start and will be coming back for a tea & coffee at the football club to get your thoughts on parkrun and East Court.

To find out more about the history of EGMEL & East Court please have a look at their website: www.egmel.co.uk

Don’t forget to come to our volunteers get together on the 20th June from 6.30pm at the Football club, please bring something to share!

Wakehurst parkrun is cancelled this Saturday (13th June).. so you are more than welcome to enjoy the beauty of East Court instead!

See you on Saturday