Main content

God at Goodwood

The Rev Kate Bottley meets some of the Christians at Goodwood Revival including the owners the Duke of Richmond and his mother Susan, Duchess of Richmond.

Goodwood Revival, the annual classic car event in West Sussex, is an unashamedly nostalgic celebration. The cars, the strict dress code and even the atmosphere itself reflects British life from over 50 years ago. Although Goodwood revival isn’t a Christian event, the Rev Kate Bottley has visited with Songs of Praise and discovers it was set up 20 years ago by Christians, the Duke of Richmond and his mother Susan, Duchess of Richmond.

The Duke says β€œIt brings people together in a way. This is the best historical racing anywhere in the world. It is the finest cars and the best drivers but the cars have become this backdrop to this whole other thing that’s going on, which is that people have become the show…they’re creating this whole set piece, it’s like being in a big movie.”

Susan, Duchess of Richmond adds β€œMy belief is that God is in everything and that we need him wherever we are. And we need to acknowledge that he’s there on an occasion like this. This isn’t just all about cars, it’s about life and the working of the Spirit in everything. But I feel this earth, this land, this place has seen so much and it has such an atmosphere, for centuries - we feel that.”

Amongst the crowds you’ll also find Goodwood Revival’s two chaplains, Rev Antony Feltham-White and Rev Keith Morrison. They’re here β€œto care for anyone that we see, and we’re just around chatting with people and getting involved.”

Each morning of the weekend event, Antony and Keith lead a Christian ceremony to bless the race track, followed on the Sunday by a communion service.

Keith explains β€œThe blessing in a way links us with the relevance of Christianity today.” Antony adds β€œWe had someone come up to us this morning. They said that last year that was the highlight of their day to come to the communion service. Which actually is lovely for us to hear.”

Antony feels that God’s presence can be felt strongly at Goodwood Revival. β€œ[God is] everywhere, in the wonderful cars that we see cruising around the racetrack, and [in] everyone that’s spent so much effort dressing up and being part of this really unique occasion. For me it celebrates β€˜service’. It harks back to that time 40-50 years ago I think people understood a little bit more of what it meant to serve and what it meant to be a community. It’s a really great feeling and I feel God is right here amongst all of it.”

Release date:

Duration:

3 minutes