St Peters Church in Sheringham has a brand new altar frontal, sponsored by a church member, which has been blessed by the Bishop of Lynn and the Rural Dean.
Thelma, a member of the congregation at St Peter’s wanted to make her 80th birthday special by donating a living legacy to the church. As the nave altar is now in regular use, a high altar frontal which could remain in place for much of the year was decided upon.
Norwich University of the Arts was contacted and referred her to Jenny Ross-Nevin, a Masters Graduate with an interest in church textiles. Jenny has now created an impressive altar frontal incorporating past and present symbols of the church and of the Sheringham parish.
During the pandemic, the Vicar and Parish Administrator, with the help of local artist Colin Seal, had created a design for the gate outside the church – a symbol of hope incorporating a rainbow and cross for the church and the local community. This symbol has now been included at the heart of the frontal.
A picture of a previous frontal in use in 1925, no longer in the church, showed three ‘Alleluia’s’ and some anchors, which were picked up by Jenny and included, as was the strapline for Sheringham ‘Twixt Sea and Pine’, which is illustrated accordingly. The modern lifeboat, coming toward us to save us, and a lobster and pheasant complete this wonderful pictorial representation of St Peter’s Church today. All of the liturgical colours have been incorporated, so that the frontal can remain in place during each season.
Many hours of work came together to embroider the material, which has movement in itself, to complete this fabulous frontal for Thelma’s 80th birthday celebrations. The Right Rev Dr Jane Steen, Bishop of Lynn, and Rev Richard Lawry, the Rural Dean came to bless the new altar frontal on Thelma’s birthday.
Visitors are welcome to call in to St Peters to see the marvellous work of art. The church is open daily between 10am and 3pm, except for Wednesday mornings.
Jenny’s ‘Constructed Textiles’ account can be found on Instagram @jsrossn.
The image is courtesy of St Peters Church
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Tony Rothe, 22/05/2023
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