Sherfield English church to hold exhibition on bridal fashion

The free exhibition at St Leonard’s Church in Sherfield English includes around 40 dresses on loan from local brides, many of whom got married at the village church.

The event is part of the celebrations to commemorate 120 years since the church was consecrated in 1904, which will include a special service by the Bishop of Winchester on September 15.

Clare Durham, the churchwarden, said: “There’s been a phenomenal response to this event. We expected maybe a dozen gowns but we currently have 45 and the number keeps growing.

"What’s really lovely are the dresses that have been worn by more than one generation of women, and we are honoured to display a christening gown that was made from a wedding dress and has been worn by five of the original bride’s grandchildren.”

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Alongside the dresses will be a display of photographs and other ephemera, plus a vintage 1960s ‘Going Away’ outfit and a Laura Ashley 21st birthday dress from the 1970s. More than one of the women whose dress will be on display has recently celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Ms Durham added: “There are so many wonderful stories tied up with the dresses on display, and ones that are important to the church as well as the couple being married.

"Our most recent dresses are from two sisters-in-law; the first was our last wedding before the 2020 lockdown, with all the rules that entailed, and the second was the first wedding we had when most of the restrictions had been lifted.

"Our earliest dress is from 1894, and we have a full outfit from 1936 including the bride’s gloves and headdress. These are pieces you wouldn’t ordinarily see outside of a costume museum.”

The exhibition is taking place on Sunday, May 26 and Monday, May 27 between 10am and 4pm.

Entry is free but donations to church funds are welcomed.