THE community in Upwey have come together to recall memories made at the heart of the village in St Laurence Church.

An exhibition, 'Celebrating Village Weddings', is being held at St Laurence Church in Upwey, from July 9 to 17.

Organisers of the display said they hope it will raise funds for improving church facilities, and have given Looking Back a sneak peek of the charming collection and some of the stories that go with each piece.

The wonderful exhibition will have on display family photos from over 70 weddings, 17 dresses worn to the church, and other memorabilia dating back to 1920.

Organiser Sue Virgin said: "Everyone enjoys a wedding and many people enjoy looking back, so we’ve gathered together photos and stories of village weddings over the years.

"Thanks to an item in the Dorset Echo at the beginning of the year and word of mouth, we’ve had a brilliant response from people married in the village."

The exhibition also includes information about the local men who lost their lives in the First World War and Second World War, and Upwey School photographs from the 1920s until it closed in 1976.

Many families have weddings going back a generation or two in the village, including the Fellowes family.

Thomas and Beryl married in 1915 and their three daughters Joy, Pat and Beryl were married at St Laurence Church.

Pat’s daughter Christine followed tradition and also got married at the church.

The picture of a family scene at a wedding was taken at Joy's wedding in September 1939.

In the picture, stands sisters Beryl, third from left, Joy – the bride, Pat, fourth from the right, and their mother Beryl, seated on the right.

Another family featured in the exhibition is that of Pam and John Yallop who are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary on August 20 this year.

Pam recalled that when she arrived at the church with her father, they were greeted by an anxious Reverend Jones, who announced that the organist had not turned up!

Fortunately, the cry of "Is there an organist in the house?" was answered by her cousin's fiancée, who was an organist at their local church in Somerset.

Apparently, there had been a breakdown in communication, and the organist turned up to play to an empty church two hours later.

Andrea Jacob has been a bell ringer at St Laurence Church since she was a teenager, following in her grandmother Gwendoline Notley’s footsteps.

Initially encouraged by ringer Philip Tocock, she is now tower captain.

When Andrea married in 2001, after the service she joined in with a celebratory peal of the bells.

Pictured is Andrea and bridesmaid Jane ringing the bells at the church.

Sue said: "It’s been really interesting collecting the photos and dresses, I’ve been invited into people’s lofts, met in car parks and coffee shops.

"Hearing the stories has shown how many families have a personal link with the church, sometimes over several generations.

"It continues to play an important role in the community, being a place for quiet reflection and providing an opportunity to socialise after the services and at the regular coffee mornings.

"Everyone has been so encouraging and thanks to them it should be a great exhibition."

Celebrating Village Weddings is being held at St Laurence Church in Upwey, from July 9 to 17. The exhibition will be open daily from 11am to 4pm, admission is free, but donations are welcomed to fundraise for church facilities.