Parishioners, landowners and visitors to Brentor joined together last Sunday (December 1) to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the rededication of the ‘church on the tor’.

St Michael de Rupe on Brent Tor was built in 1130 but later extended and rededicated in 1319 by the Bishop of Exeter. To celebrate this milestone, almost 50 people braved the bitter cold to enjoy a special service which looked at the past, the present and the future of everyone who serves in the parish.

The service was conducted by the Very Rev Dr Christopher Hardwick and the centre piece focused on the history and legend of the church, starting from the Iron Age through to the present day, which was told in the form of narrative song, composed by Wendy Roderick, a church Reader throughout Brentor and Tavistock.

‘O Lord Hear My Prayer’ featured four original pieces of song composed as an act of love for the parish and the church and was sung by the Brentor Choir.

Churchwarden Helen Harris said: ‘I was doing the narration and I could see people’s faces lighting up — the song was stunning. The service went very well.’