On Sunday, December 2, the morning after the Christmas Cracker dinner, St Mary’s Church Hall was again packed to capacity as members of the congregation crowded in after the 9.30 service for a preview of the copies of the church’s 500-year-old monumental brasses, which have been produced in exquisite replicas for use in displays and brass-rubbing.
The replicas were donated to St Mary’s by Eve Myatt-Price to commemorate her 50 years membership of the church. At the unveiling, the vicar said everyone was greatly indebted to her and to another local historian, Charles Abdy, for conducting negotiations with the manufacturer, Michael Ward of Crewkerne. He also thanked Jeremy Harte, curator of the Bourne Hall museum, and Ray Eyres for setting up the displays.
Miss Myatt-Price said she hoped the ladies of Ewell depicted in the brasses – Jane, Dorothy and Marjery – were looking down reverently as they were being commemorated. She recalled that the extensive damage caused to the church in 1973 had first alerted her to the importance of having replicas made. Although the brasses cemented to the wall in south aisle were spared any harm, she was aware that similar disasters in future could not be ruled out.
The copies have now gone on loan to Bourne Hall museum and Jeremy Harte was at the special viewing to introduce some youngsters to the joys of brass-rubbing. It has been a cherished ambition of his to create a centre for the activity, which would give children something fascinating to do as well as bringing them in touch with people of medieval times. Lack of funds meant the project had to be put on hold, but thanks to Miss Myatt-Price’s generosity, it will soon become a reality.
It is hoped that the replica brasses will be shown to the public for the first time at the Herald of Spring festival in Bourne Hall in February.
