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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鈥檛 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 鈥淚t 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鈥檚 going on, which is that people have become the show鈥�they鈥檙e creating this whole set piece, it鈥檚 like being in a big movie.鈥�

Susan, Duchess of Richmond adds 鈥淢y belief is that God is in everything and that we need him wherever we are. And we need to acknowledge that he鈥檚 there on an occasion like this. This isn鈥檛 just all about cars, it鈥檚 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.鈥�

Amongst the crowds you鈥檒l also find Goodwood Revival鈥檚 two chaplains, Rev Antony Feltham-White and Rev Keith Morrison. They鈥檙e here 鈥渢o care for anyone that we see, and we鈥檙e just around chatting with people and getting involved.鈥�

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 鈥淭he blessing in a way links us with the relevance of Christianity today.鈥� Antony adds 鈥淲e 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.鈥�

Antony feels that God鈥檚 presence can be felt strongly at Goodwood Revival. 鈥淸God is] everywhere, in the wonderful cars that we see cruising around the racetrack, and [in] everyone that鈥檚 spent so much effort dressing up and being part of this really unique occasion. For me it celebrates 鈥榮ervice鈥�. 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鈥檚 a really great feeling and I feel God is right here amongst all of it.鈥�

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