The Church of St Mary de Haura

Celebrating Whitsun Themes

Wind, fire, energy and inspiration were the subjects for the 2011 exhibitions in St Mary's and St Nicolas's churches in Shoreham during the Adur Festival in June.

The church celebration of Pentecost or Whitsun fell in the middle of the Festival fortnight and the ancient theme of the empowering of the Holy Spirit inspired over 50 local artists – many of whom are members of the Adur Art Collective – to contribute their own personal interpretation to make a rich and varied exhibition in St Mary's.

Paintings, photographs, mosaics, ceramics, woodwork, sculpture, stained glass and banners were on show, and extra events including play performances, a heritage lecture and open evenings added to the programme.

Also, in St Nicolas's Church, the children of all ages at St Nicolas and St Mary School let their imaginations run riot on the same theme.

Special Events during the Exhibition

• Craig Ogden and Travis Finch: guitar and mandolin recital
• Sylkie Moon Folk Singers
• Sompting Morris dance outside St Mary's
• Bird of Fire open-air play by Jennifer Pulling outside St Mary's, featuring Knight Hospitaller and Green Man
• Prayers around the Labyrinth at Sundown
• 'Stirrings of the Spirit' exhibition at St Nicolas's Church, Old Shoreham
• 'Meet the Artists', for relaxed evenings of conversation about their work in the 'Stirrings of the Spirit' exhibition
• St Mary's Heritage lecture on the theme of 'The Spirit of Shoreham'
• Celebrating Pentecost: informal evening service at St Mary's
• St Mary de Haura Handbell Ringers open rehearsal: an opportunity for you to 'have a go'
• Love and Fire! Brighton Consort with Yair Aviodor: lute and theorbo recital

St Mary's Heritage Lectures 2011

St Mary's Heritage is a series of free lectures for the whole community, given in St Mary's. This year's theme was 'The Spirit of Shoreham' – telling us more about the unique character and history of this fascinating Sussex town.