THE REVEREND CANON DAVID NASON OF CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL TO
ADDRESS THE ST ROCHE'S DAY OPEN AIR SERVICE ON THE TRUNDLE HILL, CHICHESTER,
WEST SUSSEX, SUNDAY 16 AUGUST 2009
The Reverend Canon David Nason, Priest Vicar
at Chichester Cathedral, is to give the address at this year’s ecumenical
open-air service on St Roche's Hill – better known as The Trundle – north of
Chichester, West Sussex.
The annual service takes place on St Roche's
Day, Sunday 16 August at 6.30pm on the site of the former chapel of St
Roche, patron saint of healing, which was built on top of the hill. The
service is organised by the parish of East Dean, Singleton and West Dean
with the support of the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, England’s leading
museum of historic buildings, which is situated at the foot of the hill.
Participants assemble at Seven Points car
park to the west of The Trundle from 6.00pm and ascend the hill for the
service at 6.30pm. The clergy will process up the hill followed by pilgrims
who have made the journey especially for the service. The St Roche's Day ad
hoc choir will lead the singing and after the blessing and dismissal there
will be an opportunity for the laying on of hands as part of the ministry of
healing. Revd Richard Woods, Vicar of East Dean, Singleton and West Dean and
Revd Deacon Jo Gavigan, Rural Dean of Worthing will be in attendance.
The annual services on The Trundle began to
mark the 700th anniversary of the birth of the French saint. Born in 1295 in
Montpelier, he gained a legendary reputation as a protector from the plague
in northern Italy. He was himself stricken with the disease at Piacenza and
recovered in a cave with the aid of a dog who brought him bread. He returned
home, but was unrecognised and imprisoned as an imposter, dying shortly
afterwards. One of the most popular saints in France, Spain and Italy, he
was regularly invoked by those suffering from the plague and notably in an
outbreak in 1414 during the Council of Constance. His ministry was approved
by the bishops at the Council and the order was given to mark the day of his
birth. His relics were removed to the Church of San Rocco in Venice in 1485,
where they rest to this day.
A small chapel dedicated to St Roche existed
on the site of the former iron-age fort above Chichester until the mid 18th
century and is illustrated in a local print. Pilgrims making their way to
the Shrine of St Richard in Chichester Cathedral would pass by this chapel.
In 1994 the parish of Singleton and the Weald
& Downland Open Air Museum began a new pilgrimage and open-air service. The
St Roche Cross, symbol of Christian salvation, stands in the chancel of
Singleton Church and is carried to St Roche’s Hill each year for the
service.
For further information contact Karen Barrett
(01243 811427) or the Revd. Richard Woods (01243 811213).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The
award-winning Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building
exhibits and is designated by the Government for the outstanding importance
of its collections. Exhibits include a medieval farmstead; a working
watermill producing wholemeal stoneground flour; exhibitions focusing on
traditional building techniques and agriculture; historic gardens, farm
livestock and a working Tudor kitchen. The Museum runs a well-established
programme of courses in building conservation and rural crafts. There is a
café which uses the Museum’s own flour and a shop with gifts and books on
countryside and buildings themes. The modern Downland Gridshell houses the
Museum’s building conservation centre and artefact collection. There is a
daily tour at 1.30pm when the Museum is open, and an appointments system for
visits to the collections for research purposes.
NOTE TO EDITORS
Reporters and photographers are welcome at the Museum.
For
further information call the Museum information line on 01243 811348 or
contact Cathy Clark, Marketing Officer
Tel:
01243
811014.
Fax:
01243 811475
Email:
marketing@wealddown.co.uk.
Full
details about the Museum and its activities can be found at
www.wealddown.co.uk
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