Seven hundred years of history were retold in St Mary's Church last week at three special performances of Siste Viator in aid of the Friends of St?Mary's.

A small group of talented performers managed to portray over 90 different characters from peasant farmers to Bishops and Kings. Written, produced and directed by Brian?Jackson, this was a fitting tribute to the church and to Brian's skill.

Over £3000 was raised for the Friends of St Mary's, a group set up to provide financial support to preserve and enhance the most important building in Ross. Ross Town Council and the HSBC gave grants which means that all the money raised will go towards the improvements at St Mary's.

Mr Jackson's brief from The Friends was to 'create something dramatic, worthy of this beautiful old church' and he achieved this.

His productions are always smooth and this performance took us seamlessly, from when the church was built, through Tudor times, featuring William Rudhall, to the time of the plague and up until the present day.

This could have been a static series of short sketches or a parade of characters but each scene or canto told its own tale. They centered on what had happened in Ross but also reflected events in history, such as Nelson's victory.

One of the most moving stories was about John Kyrle, as many people know he was the Man of Ross, respected as a benefactor to the poor and a great supporter of St Mary's.

He paid for a new bell to be hung in the church and inscribed on the bell were the words 'God preserve the town of Ross and all good friends to us.'

Every time the bell is rung John Kyrle's blessing rings out over the town.

One of the interesting facts the show revealed was just how generous people have been to the church in the past. And with Siste Viator the people have once again shown that they want to save and keep their beautiful church for the future.