"Good ministry builds up people and their communities. Churches are for life, not just for Sundays, and buildings and facilities adapted and made fit for use as nurseries, learning centres, community hubs and shops."

Bishop Nicholas, a Trustee of the National Churches Trust (NCT) and Chairman of its Grants Committee, praised the DHCT for assisting Dorset's Christian churches to meet the increasing costs of maintenance, restoration and reordering. "It is one of the best examples of 32 other charitable County Church Trusts in England and a reason why Dorset's churches are mostly so well cared for".

Following lunch in the church hall, The Friends' afternoon programme focused on Fordington itself, originally a village outside the walls of Dorchester. Local art historian Gwen Yarker spoke of its interesting 19th Century social history, the role of the Church and in particular its vicar for half a century from 1829, the reforming Reverend Henry Moule and his family also friends of Thomas Hardy.

In conclusion, DHCT Trustee James Sabben-Clare conducted an informed tour of St George's, beginning with its Norman origins, pointing out its finer features and explaining its somewhat eccentric architectural history to the present.

The Dorset Historic Churches Trust provides some £100,000 annually to Dorset Churches of all Christian denominations to help meet the cost of fabric repairs, maintenance and restoration. Its main source of income is the Annual 'Ride & Stride' which takes place across the County every September. Since its beginnings in 1991 the event has raised £800,000; the results of last September's 'R & S' are still coming in from parishes but a total over £50,000 is anticipated.