Chailey Heritage Old Scholars Association
I was immediately impressed by the magnificence of St Martin’s Chapel when I arrived in 1957.
This impression was further complemented by the singing of the choir, at that time still in good
voice. I particularly remember the boys singing “Forty Days and Forty Nights” with the choir
joining in with an ethereal descant – “sweet singing in the choir” indeed. The magnificence of
the chapel contrasted with the Spartan living conditions we “enjoyed”. God certainly did better
than we did.
Although supposedly our chapel, I felt we never owned it. Although at that time it was less than
forty years old it was filled with signs and symbols which came from another half-forgotten age.
The old ceremonies and customs involving apples and trees, more Druidic than Christian, had
already passed into dimly-lit history.
I like to visit the chapel returning to Chailey. I go when it is empty, sit down, look up to the starry
ceiling, and wait for the echoes to come.
Ian Sowerby
Chapel Memories and Pictures
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