AMONG all the other celebrations and special services to mark their 800th anniversary, the congregation of the Priory Church of St Peter, Dunstable, in St Albans diocese, offered a Saturday Ritz-style afternoon tea, complete with wine waiter (the Rector, the Revd Richard Andrews, back row, left), nippies (the church youth organisations), and a musical accompaniment by the organist. An elegant high-class tea was served to 74 people.

There had been a festival eucharist the previous day, and on the next day, the final Sunday of the celebrations, the church played host to the town community, welcoming the Mayor, the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, and the Bishop of St Albans, Dr Alan Smith, who preached.