“In the beginning…
With these words RSC actor Jeffrey Dench set in motion the challenging five day Bible Reading Marathon at Holy
Trinity on Sunday May 25. His stentorian voice, perfect diction and theatrical skill, brought the creation story vividly to life as he read the first seven chapters and two verses of Genesis before handing over seamlessly to the softer tones of our own Freda Kitcher. Thus the benchmark was set for more than 100 people who signed up to read verses from the King James Bible continuously day and night until the marathon reached Revelation 22 verse 21 at just about the time this copy of Trinity Times landed on your doormat.
And by which time many hundreds of pounds will have been raised for The Friends of Shakespeare’s Church through sponsorship of the readings, which took place from the Eagle lectern in the Becket chapel, with a large clock ticking down the minutes, and coffee and biscuits at the ready.
With more than 300 fifteen-minute reading slots to fill, it has been a mammoth logistical exercise with some volunteers filling longer slots and reading into the early hours of the morning. The church remained open 24 hours a day so that visitors could share in the experience. Although the marathon is a money-raising exercise, church warden and organiser Tim Raistrick said: “My reason for doing it springs far more from the memories I have of how powerful an event it was in 1988, with Richard Griffiths reading the opening passage and a number of other celebrities taking part.”
It is not too late to support the marathon either by filling in sponsorship forms of individual readers or making a donation directly to The Friends on 01789 290128 or email: friends@shakespeareschurch.org. Tim Raistrick and the Friends are to be congratulated on a magnificent effort in encouraging so many to sign up and, most importantly, in ensuring the marathon kept running smoothly to the end.