Friends of St Peter’s Brian Anderson Memorial Lecture 2026

The Life of St Wilfred

On Friday 6th March 2026 around 120 people from Titchfield and beyond congregated in St Peter’s Church to attend a lecture about the life of St Wilfred presented by Dr James Connelly. James is an Early Medievalist with a particular interest in exclusion and outlawry in early medieval societies.

He presented a very entertaining and informative account of the life of this 7th century missionary who travelled from Northumbria on a mission to establish christianity. Wilfred travelled to this area and is believed to have established Christianity throughout the MeonValley, including Titchfield.

The records show that he lived a full and interesting life, suffered periods of exile andtravelled to Rome on at least 4 occasions to petition the Pope. He seems to have been astrong minded man who in the eyes of some would have been considered a trouble makerwith a very strong will and a talent for getting things done.

The evening was very well received and the lecture elicited some interesting, thought provoking questions.

Our thanks to James for his presentation.