Colin Dixon, FOSM Chairman, writes:
The Friends of St. Mary’s Pimm’s tent at the Hawkesbury Show went very well and much of the time there was a queue for Pimm’s. The profit from sales at the Show – once again – paid for the trimming of the yew hedges around our Church. The trimming of the yew hedges is a cost that has been borne by the Friends for many, many years.
Well done and thank you to everyone who helped setting up, serving and clearing up afterwards. And a special thanks to all those who bought a Pimm’s on the day. Buy a Pimm’s and trim a yew hedge. If you haven’t seen the newly trimmed yew hedges, you really must, they are looking wonderful at the moment despite a serious lack of water.
If you have been to the Church lately you will see that there is a second hand book stall to raise funds for the Friends of St Mary’s – many thanks to Debbie Young for setting it up. If you have a moment to spare come along and have a browse.
Whilst you are in the Church don’t forget to admire the Jenkinson banners (see photo above) which have recently been rehung in the Chancel. They are looking resplendent after their conservation.
The last few copies of the brief guide to St Mary’s Church are available at the Church at a bargain price of £2, to raise funds for the Friends. It is a very good introduction to the long history of St. Mary’s from the 7th century through to today. It is unusual for a church to have its own saint (Wulfstan – parish priest in 1035) and its own Prime Minister (John Banks Jenkinson – Prime Minister for 17 years)
You can also take away a free copy of “The Hawkesbury Bells” which documents the history of bells in St Mary’s Church and the casting, tuning and installation of the new ring of 8 bells. The booklet is dedicated to Stephanie Appleby, who along with her husband John, was instrumental in bringing bells back to Hawkesbury.
The Friends are currently discussing an evening event to be held on 3rd December in conjunction with the Village Hall. More details will be available next month but put the date in your diary now.
The Committee of the Friends is an eclectic mix of people from
within the Parish of Hawkesbury. However, we have two things in
common we love St Mary’s Church and we are not getting any
younger.
We need new people with new ideas and the ability to carry them
through.
You don’t necessarily need to be religious or go to church to see our church as a wonderful historic icon that would impoverish the Parish if it were to disappear.
If you have a few hours to spare each year and want to see St Mary’s Church remain as a monument of historic and cultural importance in Hawkesbury,please give me a ring or email.
FUTURE EVENTS
The Friends will be entering a Scarecrow in the Scarecrow Trail from 21st to the 31st of October.
There will be an evening event in conjunction with the Village Hall on 3rd December.
Don’t forget the FoSM service of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday 18th December.
The next FoSM AGM followed by choral evensong will be held on 25th June 2023.
Friends of St Mary's Hawkesbury 