On Sunday 20th September, Betty Harrison, a long-standing member of St Mary's congregation, attended A Service of Evensong at Dorchester Abbey to receive the Fellowship of St Birinus. 

The service was taken by the Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt Revd Gavin Collins, from whom Betty received a certificate showing why she was nominated and a lapel pin badge showing the symbol of St Birinus.

Betty has been fundraising for 54 years and has managed to raise in excess of £70,000 during this time. Monies raised via the selling of jams, cakes and preserves at stalls and craft fairs throughout Banbury are split equally between St Mary's Church and Katharine House Hospice. Betty has been an active supporter of both charities for many years.

St Birinus was the first Bishop of Dorchester from the year 634 to 649 AD. In May 2009 the Fellowship of St Birinus held its first meeting at Dorchester Abbey. The then Bishop of Dorchester founded the Fellowship, with the support of the Rector of Dorchester Abbey, as a modest way in which we can honour the people who have given exceptional service in some way or other to their church and community over a number of years.

For further information about St Birinus and Dorchester Abbey please click here.

For further information about Katharine House Hospice please click here.