AFTER 385 years of lying in Greatham Old Church, Dame Margery Caryll is said to be in need of some “serious conservation work”.

To generate funds for the project, a series of community events are being held.

The public were invited to decorate the tomb with flowers to celebrate the anniversary of Margery’s marriage to Sir Richard Caryll, on April 14, 1610 - more than 400 years ago. Organiser Anna Dale-Harris said the Easter Saturday event went well.

“The fine carved pink alabaster effigy of Dame Margery Caryll (1592-1632) was beautifully decorated with a garland of flowers,” she added.

“She had a wedding posy resting by her hands, and the window sills of the 13th-century church were decorated with arrangements of garden flowers. The flowers were donated and arranged by Barbara Cope, a freelance florist who lives in Greatham Green Cottages just across from the Old Church and is a member of the Old Church committee.

“In the morning, Graham Johnson, a local historian from Hawkley, gave visitors a talk about the history of the Old Church and tomb, and people who are buried in the churchyard, who include a Knight Templar.

“People came from nearby villages in Hampshire and West Sussex. A group from The Harting Society, led by their chairman John Stevens, kindly donated a cheque towards the restoration of Dame Margery’s tomb - a widow of their parish. It was a happy re-union between the two parishes - 407 years since the marriage took place.”

The next fundraiser will be a summer-evening event on Saturday, July 29, at the Old Church, on Petersfield Road.

People are also invited to help by making a donation, becoming a friend of the Old Church, getting involved with fundraising events or volunteering with maintenance of the village’s “most historic treasure”.

If you can help, call Anna Dale-Harris on 01420 538029 or [email protected].