The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, joined Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall and actors Damian Lewis and Martin Clunes at a special service to celebrate Harvest Festival at Westminster Abbey – the first harvest festival to be held in the Abbey since 1966.
The Bishop delivered a special address at the service, which was held as part of British Food Fortnight’s campaign to rekindle the tradition of celebrating the Harvest.
Around 530 children from schools, scout groups and girl guides attended the service having won their places in the Abbey through a ‘Harvest Lottery for Schools’, which was launched by Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, at the beginning of the summer term.
The Nave of the Abbey was filled with harvest boxes of food grown by the children, which was then collected by the Fullers Dray Horses and distributed to those in need by the Royal Voluntary Service.
Award winning Homeland star Damian Lewis, who is an ambassador for Christian Aid and The Prince’s Trust, read a new harvest poem that had been written especially for the service by the BBC and Channel 4 sports poet, Henry Birtles. In addition, Martin Clunes, who most recently starred in TV series Doc Martin, gave a reading from St Matthew 6: 25–33. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, Owen Patterson, also spoke at the service.
Commenting on the event, the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, said:
"This is the climax of British Food Fortnight and we salute the farmers and the producers in this celebration of the harvest. We also give thanks for the good earth and the pasture which makes the harvest possible.
"All the experts say that we have enough food in this world to feed everyone but as a result of war and greed people go hungry every day. As we celebrate our harvest we remember people in parts of the world where there is drought and hardship, people who not want hand-outs so much as help to bring in a harvest of their own."
Alexia Robinson, Founder of British Food Fortnight and Harvest Festival organiser added:
"Harvest festivals have long played a role in reminding us how lucky we are to have food in abundance from Britain’s beautiful countryside. It is a tradition that continues to flourish in other countries but in the UK is no longer as established a part of our national calendar as it used to be. We hope that today’s service at Westminster Abbey, which has been held specifically for children, will encourage the next generation to take delight in this joyous tradition."
The tradition of celebrating the Harvest Festival in churches began in 1843 when, at Morwenstow in Cornwall, The Reverend Robert Hawker conducted a special thanksgiving service at his church and blessed the crops.
A year later, The Reverend Henry Alford’s hymn, ‘Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest-home!’ was published, and was used to open the service today. In the decades that followed, Harvest Festival services grew in popularity in churches throughout the country.
Other well-known people attending the service included Alex James, Hairy Biker and current Strictly Come Dancing contestant Dave Myers, Greg Wallace, Phil Vickery (former England rugby captain), Blue Peter presenter Barney Harwood and Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins, Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury, Anton Mossiman and Adam Henson (countryside television presenter).
About British Food Fortnight
British Food Fortnight is the annual celebration of the diverse and delicious food that Britain produces. It was founded by Alexia Robinson 12 years ago in response to the foot and mouth crisis in order to encourage the public to support British farmers and food producers. Hundreds of shops, pubs and restaurants take part every year with special menus and promotions.
The event is also an established date on the school calendar with many schools using it as an opportunity to teach children about food.
It is organised by Love British Food, a small independent organisation that educates consumers, retailers and caterers about the benefits of buying British.
British Food Fortnight is sponsored by ARAMARK and is supported by a large family of organisations led by Brakes, E-foods, Hallmark Care Homes, Harrison Catering and Whiting and Hammond. You can find out more about its work at www.lovebritishfood.co.uk.