Special Grasmere Gingerbread® 170th celebration in St Oswald’s Church leaves a very favourable impression

“For this event the angels were at work,” - Rory Bremner

With Rory Bremner speaking from the pulpit, Britain’s Got Talent finalist Maxwell Thorpe in hearty voice, Victorian street urchins roaming the aisles and a cameo of Grasmere Gingerbread® inventor Sarah Nelson, the special 170th anniversary celebration of her iconic spicy-sweet sensation left a very favourable impression upon 200 guests inside St Oswald’s Church at Grasmere.

“It was everything I could ever have hoped for and more; a mesmerising blend of rich story telling, music, poetry and re-enactments paying tribute to the life and times of Sarah Nelson,” declared Joanne Hunter, co-director of the historic Lake District bakery and tourist attraction.

Guests included the High Sheriff of Cumbria Christopher Holmes, former Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria Claire Hensman, This Morning TV’s Eva and Nik Speakman, Cumbria Tourism President Jim Walker, film producer James Clarkson-Webb and author Bruce Beckham.

Nick and Eva Speakman with David Allan (business supporter)

Impressionist and satirist Rory Bremner - who wittily incorporated the voices of Donald Trump, King Charles and Sir David Attenborough into his celebratory eulogy - believed the service enjoyed celestial blessing.

“On my train to Cumbria, a mother was reading the story of the runaway gingerbread man to her little boy who in turn was singing the song,” he said.

“For me, this was a sure sign that for this event the angels were at work.”

After a warm welcome by St Oswald’s newly-appointed incumbent, the Reverend Lawrence Basham prayed that all future church services would be so well attended.

Reverend Lawrence Basham

Rory Bremner began by describing the circumstances of Sarah Nelson’s death in 1904 and her subsequent funeral in St Oswald’s Church.

“It was so stormy outside that the local vicar had to shout from this very pulpit to make himself heard,” he said.

Described as a ‘loveable character’ who led a ‘simple, saintly life’, the first hymn sung by her mourners was Rock of Ages.

Maxwell Thorpe sings Rock of Ages - the very hymn sung at Sarah Nelson’s funeral in 1904

Here, it was performed by Britain’s Got Talent finalist Maxwell Thorpe.

As Rory described all the celebratory highs and personally painful lows of Sarah Nelson’s life - including the deaths of her three children - Grasmere Gingerbread® shop supervisor Ann Fox appeared dressed as the great Victorian cook.

Ann Fox, Shop Supervisor playing the part of Sarah Nelson

As well as several interactions with child actors from Cumbria’s StagedRight Youth Theatre, in one scene she scolded drunken husband Wilfred Nelson played by Grasmere Gingerbread® baker Nigel Prickett.

Children from StagedRight (Carlisle)

For proud parents Joanne and Andrew Hunter, co-directors of Grasmere Gingerbread®, performances of What’s Inside and Wayfaring Stranger by their daughter Eden Rose who performs in the West End were highly-charged listening experiences.

Eden Rose Hunter sings What’s Inside from Waitress

Afterwards, a lively reception at Grasmere’s Grand Hotel gave attendees the opportunity to enjoy drinks and canapes, mingle with fellow guests and renew old acquaintances.

L-R: Joanne Hunter, Rory Bremner, Andrew Hunter

Sisters Susan Lewis and Carol Sorahan, step relatives of Sarah Nelson, congratulated Grasmere Gingerbread® on a ‘wonderful event’.

L-R: Susan Lewis, Joanne Hunter and Carol Sorahan.

While Cumbrian celebrity chef John Crouch described the whole evening as ‘magical’ and the St Oswald’s celebratory service as ‘incredible’.

For Lois Sparling of the South Lakes Poverty Trust, the fact that the service didn’t shy away from describing the ‘grinding poverty’ of Sarah Nelson’s life made it all the more memorable.

“Despite the wry humour of Rory Bremner, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” she said.