St Wulfram's Church in Grantham has announced plans to mark the 1300th anniversary of the death of its patron saint, including a torchlit musical parade through the town.

The church will commemorate the March 2020 anniversary with a programme of events.

They include a formal greeting by the Mayor and Charter Trustees at the Guildhall, followed by a torchlit procession with music involving residents and children dressed in costumes. Local, regional, national and international dignitaries, and representatives of all the Benedictine Houses in England and other senior church representatives, will also be invited to take part.

The parade will end with the presentation of the last remaining relic of Wulfram to St Wulfram's Church. The relic will then be kept at the church during the celebration year before being returned to Wandrille in France.

Fr Stuart Cradduck, Rector at St Wulfram's said: "We are truly blessed to be able to welcome the relic of St Wulfram to Grantham. This is a rare and remarkable ecumenical act of faith, love and trust and we are honoured that our saint is coming to us on the 1300th anniversary of his death.

"This special privilege is not only of the recognition of the Roman Catholic Community in France to an Anglican Church, but also a significant sign of friendship and trust in us as a community of faith. A faith which goes beyond geographical and political bounds."

Other events to mark the anniversary will include a community-wide Stations of the Cross project working with local and internationally known artists, Grantham Vintage Festival celebrating the spirit of Britain from the 1920s to the 1960s and a Community Music Festival led by Lincolnshire Music Service.

There will also be a Festival of Angels – led by local artist engaging with the community to create a heavenly host of angels inside and outside St Wulfram's.