CELEBRATIONS of 150 years since Oswestry’s St Oswald’s Church was restored are continuing apace, according to its vicar.

Reverend Harvey Gibbons, who has been the vicar in Church Street for six years, said he was delighted with how things have gone throughout the summer, with talks and musical events continuing until the end of September.

Rev’d Gibbons said the number of people attending the events has been a success, including sell-outs for talks, and added the attraction of a knitted bible has been a big draw for visitors.

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He said: “They’ve been really well supported and we’re delighted to say that we’ve got a series of talks coming up in September from local people around Oswestry.

The knitted bible scene at St Oswald's Church in Oswestry. The knitted bible scene at St Oswald's Church in Oswestry. (Image: Ruairi Walsh.)

“But also some people with connections to Oswestry as well.

“We’ve had a very good talk by Eurig Salisbury who is a lecturer at Aberystwyth University where he is also the town’s Bard, and he spoke about Medieval Welsh poetry that is linked to Oswestry.

“We’ve also got some very rare Welsh verse on some of the gravestones here so he came to look at that.

The knitted bible scene at St Oswald's Church in Oswestry. The knitted bible scene at St Oswald's Church in Oswestry. (Image: Ruairi Walsh.)

“But he also told us the story of the Welsh bards who spent their lives walking between the two countries, which were obviously very different then geographically speaking as Oswestry was part of Wales at that point.

“They were telling tales and spinning yarns with their poems about the places they went and they were very generous about Oswestry so that was really interesting.

“That was a sell-out event and it’s all been a real joy to see a great community event.

“We’ve now got the knitted bible until the end of August which is well worth a look at and it’s been very popular with people coming in daily.

“At one point we had 100 people in one day, it’s open from 10am until 3pm each day, and covers half of one side of the church and depicts scenes of the bible and all made by hand.

“It’s been a celebration of St Oswald’s and of Oswestry and the connection between the two.”

The knitted bible scene at St Oswald's Church in Oswestry. The knitted bible scene at St Oswald's Church in Oswestry. (Image: Ruairi Walsh.)

With a music event on Saturday, August 31 and then talks throughout September, Rev’d Gibbons took time to reflect on his personal role with the church.

He said: “There is a list of incumbent vicars of St Oswald’s in Oswestry and it goes way back.

“To think that my name will be on that list is extraordinary as it’s the sense of being linked to a building that has immense historic value and importance.

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“It’s a privilege and an honour, and a bit daunting knowing my name will be on that.

“St Oswald’s is a fantastic community that reaches out to the people of Oswestry and we’re a joyful place.”

For a rundown of the remaining events, head to www.stoswaldsoswestry.org.uk/news/calendar.php