20th century rebirth and 21st century transformation

The 20th century rebirth: Under the care of the Friends, St Peter’s hosted concerts of so many kinds; fairs and markets; town and civic events; receptions, celebrations, school holiday clubs, flower festivals, Christmas tree festivals, fireworks off the tower, cookery demonstrations, fashion shows, horticultural shows, historical exhibitions, art exhibitions, model railway exhibitions, medieval banquets, medieval fairs, Christmas card shops, farmers’ markets and so much else, even a group juggling with flaming torches. For many years Churches Together in Sudbury ran a very popular drop-in cafe on Thursday lunchtimes.

The Friends increased the number of visitors each year to St Peter’s to the many tens of thousands. No wonder that much of the equipment wore out. The Friends did indeed manage to “prove the use… for the benefit of the town” and enabled St Peter’s to find a way back into the hearts and minds of the townsfolk whose lives it had enriched for hundreds of years.

21st century transformation: The Friends proved that St Peter’s could sustainably enrich the lives of local people but the fabric of the building, in particular the roof, needed significant repairs. After these much needed repairs were completed St Peter’s re-opened in late 2023 as Sudbury Arts Centre under new management and a new ethos. The Friends now take a back seat but are still there just in case St Peter’s stumbles when ambition meets financial reality .