Sir John among treasures in parish church

The Chronicle went behind the doors of All Saints Church in Sutton to discover the treasures it contains.

The most striking item as you walk around the place of worship is the stone memorial effigy of Elizabethan noble, Sir John Burgoyne.

Sir John is depicted wearing armour, lying beneath an arched canopy, which still shows some of its once colourful paintwork.

A hunting dog sits at his feet and the Burgoyne coat of arms is featured prominently.

The carved words describe him as “a cultivator of peace and an avenger of evil.”

Sir John, who died in 1604, was a member of the powerful Burgoyne family, whose name is now remembered by Burgoyne Middle School in Potton.

The Burgoyne family’s association with Sutton began with Thomas Burgoyne and his wife Elizabeth, whose brass memorial of 1516 can be seen in the floor of the north aisle. The family owned Sutton until 1938.

All Saints Church is also home to the only working barrel organ in Bedfordshire.

The organ, located on a balcony at the western end of the building, was built in London and installed in the church in 1831. It was last tuned in 1988 and, although it is not used for modern services, it is capable of playing 30 hymns.

The player aligns one of three barrels and pulls out the correct stops before pumping the bellows and turning the handle to fill the church with religious music.

To contribute to the continual cost of maintaining this historic building, everyone is invited to a Christmas bazaar on Saturday, December 7.

This will also be a great chance to see inside the church, which is normally locked, although visitors are welcome to borrow the key from Libby Gardner on 01767 260294.

From 11am to 3pm there will be stalls, barrel organ demonstrations, games, singing from Sutton Lower School’s pupils and a visit from Father Christmas.

>>> To hear former churchwarden, Margaret Pryor, speak about the church and to see the barrel organ in action visit www.biggleswade today.co.uk/video