Felpham set to raise a toast to famous resident

The bells of St Mary's Church will sound on Wednesday to celebrate the life of the artist and poet.

At the exact moment of his birth '“ at 7.45pm '“ Felpham villagers will gather in St Mary's to raise a glass to toast the birth of their most celebrated former resident.

Earlier in the day, at 3pm, more than 100 people will join in a village tea party at the neighbouring St Mary's Centre to wish '˜Happy Birthday' to the poet who lived nearby from 1800 to 1803.

Felpham Village WI will prepare and serve the tea with homemade cakes and sandwiches.

A highlight will be a rousing rendition of Blake's famous anthem, Jerusalem, and the cutting of an angel birthday cake supplied by Bondwood tea rooms in the village.

The rector, Father Timothy Peskett, will be at the piano. Readers from St Mary's Church will be taking poetry requests.

Displays will include a day by day photographic record of the anniversary year in Felpham and a selection of old and new photographs of the village by Felpham and Middleton Local History Group.

A raffle of Blake-related items and a silent auction of an angel quilt made for the occasion by the Felpham Quilters will complete the event.

Completing the celebrations will be the performance of a new chamber oratorio, based on the lives of Blake and his wife, Catherine, in St Mary's Church at 7.30pm on December 1.

Entitled Companion of Angels, it has been composed for the 250th anniversary by Rachel Stott with libretto by Tom Lowenstein.

It arrives in Felpham after performances at St James's Church, Piccadilly in London, and the Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge.

No advance booking is available and entry is free. A retiring collection will be taken.

One of the celebrations' organisers, Susan Enticott, said: 'The events round off a successful fundraising year in which around 10,000 has been raised towards a permanent memorial to Blake in the form of a stained glass window which it is hoped will be installed in the church next year.'