Impressionist Rory Bremner helped celebrate Grasmere Gingerbread’s 170th anniversary at a special event.
Two hundred guests gathered at the village’s St Oswald’s Church for the event, which also feature Britain’s Got Talent finalist Maxwell Thorpe, Victorian street urchins roaming the aisles and a cameo of Grasmere Gingerbread inventor Sarah Nelson.
Joanne Hunter, co-director of the historic Lake District bakery and tourist attraction, said: “It was everything I could ever have hoped for and more; a mesmerising blend of rich story telling, music, poetry and re-enactments paying tribute to the life and times of Sarah Nelson.”
Guests included the High Sheriff of Cumbria Christopher Holmes, former Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria Claire Hensman, This Morning TV’s Eva and Nik Speakman, Cumbria Tourism president Jim Walker, film producer James Clarkson-Webb and author Bruce Beckham.
Impressionist and satirist Rory Bremner – who wittily incorporated the voices of Donald Trump, King Charles and Sir David Attenborough into his celebratory eulogy – believed the service enjoyed celestial blessing.
He said: “On my train to Cumbria, a mother was reading the story of the runaway gingerbread man to her little boy who in turn was singing the song. For me, this was a sure sign that for this event the angels were at work.”
After a warm welcome by St Oswald’s newly appointed incumbent, the Rev Lawrence Basham prayed that all future church services would be so well attended.
Rory began by describing the circumstances of Sarah Nelson’s death in 1904 and her subsequent funeral in St Oswald’s Church.
“It was so stormy outside that the local vicar had to shout from this very pulpit to make himself heard,” he said.
Described as a loveable character who led a simple, saintly life, the first hymn sung by her mourners was Rock of Ages. At the event, it was sung by Britain’s Got Talent finalist Maxwell Thorpe.
As Rory described all the celebratory highs and personally painful lows of Sarah Nelson’s life – including the deaths of her three children – Grasmere Gingerbread shop supervisor Ann Fox appeared dressed as the great Victorian cook.
As well as several interactions with child actors from Cumbria’s StagedRight Youth Theatre, in one scene she scolded drunken husband Wilfred Nelson played by Grasmere Gingerbread baker Nigel Prickett.
For proud parents Joanne and Andrew Hunter, co-directors of Grasmere Gingerbread, performances of What’s Inside and Wayfaring Stranger by their daughter Eden Rose, who performs in the West End, were highly-charged listening experiences.
Afterwards, a lively reception was held at Grasmere’s Grand Hotel.
Sisters Susan Lewis and Carol Sorahan, step relatives of Sarah Nelson, congratulated Grasmere Gingerbread on a wonderful event.
For Lois Sparling, of the South Lakes Poverty Trust, the fact that the service didn’t shy away from describing the grinding poverty of Sarah Nelson’s life made it all the more memorable.
“Despite the wry humour of Rory Bremner, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” she said.
Joanne added: “Sarah Nelson is never far from my mind. Throughout my life she has been my inspiration and aspiration.
“That so many guests were personally moved by our celebratory service inside St Oswald’s Church tells me that by simply continuing to bake and sell Grasmere Gingerbread we keep her memory alive. Sarah Nelson, I salute you.”
