Farm barn plays host to BBC Rogation Service

More than fifty people gathered together in a farm barn to help people all over two counties celebrate the ancient ceremony that marks Rogationtide in the countryside calendar.

The special service conducted alongside the sheep and newly born lambs will be broadcast on the local BBC radio station on Sunday.

"We held this service at New Court Farm in the tiny village of Brobury last year and having been chosen to provide a service for BBC Hereford and Worcester for Rogation Sunday this year it seemed a good idea to go back and see just how the farming year had gone," said Rev Roger James, the vicar of nine Borderlink Parishes.

"As we heard, it has not been a good one for our farmers."

The Blandford family have farmed at New Court for nearly 40 years and David Blandford, who farms 600 acres with his brother Charles, took part in the service. He described the agricultural problems of the past year but was optimistic that things are beginning to turn round a little.

"Local churches from the Diocese of Hereford provide venues for outside broadcasts for the local radio station about 6 times a year," said Anni Holden, spokeswoman for the Diocese.

"The service from the farm was the idea of the parish and it was a great one. The 'local Monday Choir' was augmented by the local birds, who sang along with gusto."

The service also included a solo from fourteen year old harpist, Frances Hughes.

"It was a special service that I hope the listeners will enjoy - and others if they go online," added Ms Holden.

Rogation Sunday is traditionally the day parishioners walked the boundaries of the parish and prayers are said for good crops. In the Diocese of Hereford, the most rural diocese in the Church of England, nearly 80% of churches still mark the day.