SUNSHINE and music made the tea in the garden of the small chapel perfect on Saturday afternoon to mark the centenary of the Reconsecration of the Chapel. It was also when the new handrail at the Chapel of St Lawrence on Threshers at Crediton was dedicated.

The Vicar, the Rev Matthew Tregenza, led the prayers for the handrail leading from the door from Threshers in the stone wall alongside the cobbled path to the church door.

Nearby was one of the newest plants to be added to the garden, the yellow rose Country Parson with a delightfully fruity scent. It was given by Nicola Leitch of South Wales in memory of her mother who used to go to the chapel.

Also new were two benches sheltering under the wall of the church, looking over the garden, given in memory of Rachel Newcombe of Threshers.

After the Dedication ceremony, the Rev Canon Peter Gilks of Crediton played the organ in the chapel.

Now retired, he used to be Organ Advisor for the Diocese of Winchester.

The Chapel was built about 1,200AD, was used at one time as a reclusorium for an anchorite but fell into disuse before the Reformation and later became three cottages.

In 1920 Ellen Camilla Drake bought the building and had it restored in memory of her husband. She gave the restored Chapel to the Governors of Crediton Parish Church and for many years it was used for worship by pupils of Queen Elizabeth’s School. Services are still held there.