Category: Monthly News Report

February 2023 News

Colin Dixon, FOSM Chairman, writes:

The new west gate is now in place and, because it is made of oak, it should last many, many years. The old gate was very old and desperately in need of replacement.

Many thanks to Max Bleaken for sourcing and fitting the gate – it is an excellent job and we are very pleased with it.

The new gate is just one of the many things that the Friends of St Mary’s organises and pays for to keep St Mary’s Church looking wonderful.

The Friends of St Mary’s has only one purpose, and that is to support the church by providing the things that the PCC cannot afford or are displaced by other priorities for the money.

There are still many thanks that need to be paid for, so please join The Friends of St Mary’s, and your subscription will help to keep this beautiful church beautiful.

For details of our next fundraising event, a Festival of Words on Saturday 22nd April, click here.

FEBRUARY SERVICES
Sunday 5th – Holy Communion (9.30am)
Sunday 12th – Evensong (5pm)
Sunday 19th – Family Service on theme of Lent (10.30am)
Sunday 26th – Evensong (5pm)

December 2022 News

Colin Dixon, Friends of St Mary’s Chairman, writes:

We are now looking forward to the Friends of St Mary’s Nine Lessons and Carols service just before Christmas on 18th December at 7pm. We have set it later than normal to allow football fans to attend after the World Cup Final. This service is one of the highlights of the Christmas season and is a lovely service for families.

(Photo by Pauline Dixon)

We are hoping that the new gate on the west wall of the Church, that is being funded by the Friends, can be installed before the Christmas services start. Or at least before the old one falls to pieces.

The same goes for the notice board on the South side of the West Wall which is clearly on its last legs.

We are thinking hard about what to do on the South side of the Churchyard where the large fir trees were removed two years ago. Since then there have been many workgroups trying to reduce the weeds and clear the debris of many years, that was hidden behind the trees and is now in plain sight.

We are now pretty convinced, after two seasons of work, that it needs a professional landscaper to deal with it – unless there are some young fit and healthy people out there with time on their hands, looking for something to do.

We are open to suggestions for what to do with the area – we already have a very nice bench on the South East side of the Churchyard.

If you have any ideas please let me know.

DECEMBER SERVICES

Sunday 4th December Holy Communion (9.30am)
Sunday 11th December Evensong (5pm)
Sunday 18th December FOSM Service of 9 Lessons & Carols (7pm)
Saturday 24th December Christmas Family Service (4.30pm)
Sunday 25th December Holy Communion (9.30am)

November 2022 News

Ian Macfadyen, Churchwarden, writes:

November is the month of Remembrance which will have a special significance with the horrors of the ongoing war in Ukraine. We will think of their suffering and of those families now living with us in the Parish and separated from their loved ones.

At 7.00pm on Tuesday 2nd November we will celebrate, as usual, All Souls with a simple service remembering those who are no longer with us. Then on Friday 11th November we will have our annual service of Remembrance at 7.30 pm which, this year, coincides with that day in 1918 when all finally went quiet on the Western Front. Both these services deserve your support.

The new family-orientated service will take place at 10.30am on Sunday 20th November when there will be free tea/coffee, croissants etc afterwards. All will be most welcome especially those with young families.

The Parochial Church Council have recently met to consider the re-ordering of the West end of the church, with some or all of the pews possibly being removed at the back of the church. The options will be on display in the church and opposite Hawkesbury Stores for all to see and make comment. Do take the opportunity to express your views on what is your Parish Church of England church.

Some still seem to be unaware that St Mary’s has been open every day since April. It will have been closed for the winter by the time you read this but opened again when the clocks go forward in the Spring. It may also be open at weekends during the winter if the weather allows.

Looking further ahead, make a note in your diaries of the Annual Nine Lessons and Carols on 18 December (after the World Cup Final!) and a family service.