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Affiliations and
Links
The Friends of Fotheringhay Church Fotheringhay Church has, over the years, become the principal ecclesiastical establishment associated with the Richard III Society and close links have been forged between the parish and the Society. One of the major social events of the Society’s year is when it combines with members of the parish for the carol service in mid-December (See Events). Also, the church has been the beneficiary of a number of gifts from the Society and the Ricardian Churches Restoration Fund (See RCRF). The parish of Fotheringhay is much too small to support such a large building and especially one that is in need of renovation so, in 1997, when the Friends of Fotheringhay Church was formed, it had two main objectives, to raise money and to publicise the church. It is probably fair to say that it has been more successful with the second of these than the first. However, funds have been raised for various needs, including restoration work on the tower; the clearing of the room over the porch, and the installation of a window containing medieval coloured glass; and the cleaning of the Decalogue panels behind the altar. The Friends held their first AGM in November, 1997, and the relationship between the Society and the parish was strengthened when the Society's Fotheringhay Co-ordinator (now also its Chairman) was elected on to the Friends committee. The Friends organise a number of events throughout the year, including sales and quizzes, as well as talks and even visits from a small travelling opera company, Opera Box, who performed Donizetti’s ‘Maria Stuarda’ in the church. Later, they lent some of the costumes to form part of an exhibition that celebrated Fotheringhay’s royal connections. Although not organised by the Friends as such, members have been responsible for helping out at various other events too, including the annual organ recitals and concerts in the church during the Oundle International Music Festival. The membership fee for the Friends of Fotheringhay Church is very modest and all members are made very welcome. The AGM continues to take place in November, sometimes in the church and sometimes in the village hall. Each year there is a speaker, and the topics are varied, though an attempt is made to alternate between subjects suited to devotees of Mary, Queen of Scots, and those of Richard III. For further information about the church or the Friends contact:-
Diane and Robert Stewart or
Dr Phil Stone
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