‘eat drink and be merry’ to celebrate book’s 400th anniversary

SIDMOUTH is set to play its part in worldwide festivities to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the first publication of the King James Version of the Bible.

Christians will ‘eat, drink and be merry’ at a picnic in Connaught Gardens at 6.30pm on Wednesday (June 22) followed by Songs of Praise starting at 7.30pm.

Those attending are asked to bring their own picnic and chairs. If the weather is bad the evening will go ahead in the Parish Church. There is also an exhibition at Sidmouth Museum. Organiser Joan Bennett said: “We’re celebrating a book which has drawn the English speaking peoples of the world together and has become a part of our national heritage. “Many of its words and phrases have passed into our everyday speech. It is used in the courts of law, and for swearing an oath.”

Mrs Bennett also emphasised the importance of the King James Bible to the international Christian community and said: “It is the most published book in the world, having produced millions of copies and been translated into 426 languages.”