THE Bishop of Dudley preached the sermon when the Friends of St Godwald's Church, Finstall celebrated their 50th anniversary thanksgiving service last Thursday.

The group was formed in June 1956 to 'beautify and assist' in the maintenance of the church fabric and to preserve and protect it as a place of worship.

The Bishop, the Rt Rev David Walker, spoke about what it means to be a friend and to have friends, and how Jesus treated his disciples as his friends.

He later dedicated a new communion wafer box which had been bought by the friends. Most recently they have bought new vestments, a sound system a mower and new hymn books.

The choir from Aston Fields Middle School Choir took part in the service.

The actual date the group was founded on is June 6 - noteworthy because it is St. Godwald's day, and by another coincidence it is the anniversary of D-Day.

That is significant - because legend has it that Gowald or Gudwal was a bishop in Brittany in the sixth to seventh century, and inside the church at Finstall is a carving by the late Robert Pancheri, depicting a Breton peasant farmer and a British 'Tommy' with St. Godwald keeping vigil over them both.

St. Godwald's remains are believed to be buried in a tiny Church at Locoal in Brittany. A group of parishioners undertook a holiday pilgrimage to the area some 12 years ago.

Fifty years ago, at the inauguration of the friends, Rev Leslie Dicker was the vicar and the patron was Admiral Sir William Tennant, Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire.

The minimum subscription in those days was five shillings (25p). The minimum has risen a little over the years and is now £5. For more information about the friends contact the secretary, Caroline Spencer on 01527 832414