Last Sunday, Wimborne Minster marked the 1300th anniversary of the death of the founder and Patron Saint Cuthburga in their Patronal Festival. Bishop Stephen presided and preached at the 9.30am Parish Eucharist which was also attended by the Town Mayor, Mayoress and the Town Crier. Following the Service the Town Crier proclaimed a special ‘Cry’ before the Bishop cut a special cake marking the occasion.
The Bishop joined the Minster Family Service, during this, Assistant Curate Revd Marianne and her daughter, Hope, did a short play about Cuthburga and her sister Cwenburh, as a reminder of Wimborne Minster's link with history. Saint Cuthburga was the sister of King Ina of Wessex. She founded the Benedictine Nunnery in Wimborne Minster around 705 AD, it is thought there may also have been a monastery founded by her.
Bishop Stephen met the Churchwardens and Ministers of the Benefice at lunch and then a commemorative Choral Evensong was sung by the Choir Quintus Imperfectus directed by Minster Lay Clerk Matthew Burt.
The day well commemorated the Patron Saint, setting up the minister for the Cuthburga Festival in September, which culminates with the Flower Festival from 26- 29 September, 10:00- 18:00, in the Church of St Cuthburga, High Street, Wimborne Minster, BH21 1EB.