News

July 2023 News

Read about our recent activities, preview our next events and see how our funds are helping preserve St Mary’s for future generations.

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

Coming soon to St Mary’s! The Port of Bristol Shanty Crew will be entertaining us with their sea shanties on the afternoon of our Summer Weekend at Church Farm House – read on for details.

The St Mary’s Summer Weekend
Saturday and Sunday 22nd and 23rd July

This month sees the St. Mary’s Summer Weekend – a weekend of interest for all in the cool of St Mary’s Church and out on the beautiful lawns of Church Farm House. There will be: Church tours and talks on the wonderful history of St. Mary’s Church and the history of bells on both Saturday and Sunday and the
Church and the Tower will be open from 1.00pm until 5.00pm.

There will be bell demonstrations and the chance to have a go at bell ringing. There will be tea and cakes in the Church on Saturday and Picnics on the lawn and refreshments at Church Farmhouse on Sunday.

The Port of Bristol Shanty Crew will be singing at Church Farmhouse on the Sunday. They are singing for free but there will be collection buckets for Teen Cancer Trust and The Friends of St Mary’s.

Please help us spread the word by clicking here to download a printable pdf of this poster, and display it in a public place near your home. Or send it to friends you think might enjoy the event. Everyone welcome!

This will be followed by a celebration service for the John Banks Jenkinson (2nd Lord Liverpool) Banners at 6pm on the Sunday, in the presence of the current Lord Liverpool and Sir John Jenkinson.

The FoSM Pimm’s Tent at the Hawkesbury Show
Saturday 26th August 12.30pm to 5.00pm

Come and enjoy a glass of Pimm’s on our stall at the Village Show in August (more details below)

The Friends of St Mary’s annual Pimm’s tent will be in its “new” usual place on the other side of the show ring with a commanding view of what is going on in the ring. The perfect place to relax with a glass or two of Pimm’s or maybe a jug to share with family and friends. We will be sited between the tents of our friends from the Community Shop and HULF. A comparison test showed that The Friends’ Pimm’s is less expensive than our competition.

With thanks to the FOSM volunteers who kindly spread and raked a delivery of new gravel to freshen up the paths around St Mary’s – what a difference you have made!

July Services

Sunday 2nd July – 9.30am Holy Communion
Sunday 9th July – 6pm Evensong
Sunday 16th July – 10am Family Service (theme: The Parable of the Sower)
Sunday 23rd July – 6pm Choral Evensong (including rededication of the Jenkinson banners)
Sunday 30th July – no service at St Mary’s this week

June News 2023

Read about our recent activities, preview our next events and see how our funds are helping preserve St Mary’s for future generations.

FOSM Chairman Colin Dixon writes:

Firstly, a big thank you to Debbie Young and all of the people who attended the HULF Festival of Words at St Mary’s Church on Saturday 22nd April. The event raised £500 for the Friends of St Mary’s.

Churchwarden Lisa Overton gave a fascinating talk on the history influence of William Tyndale on the English language

This money and all other funds raised by the Friends goes to support the fabric of St Mary’s Church and nowhere else. That is our raison d’etre.

If you wish to join the friends of St Mary’s Church, your subscription is invaluable in supporting this beautiful church. Join online here.

FOSM AGM (Sunday 25th June)

The Annual General Meeting of the Friends of St Mary’s, Hawkesbury will be held at 5.30pm on Sunday 25th June at St Mary’s, followed by Choral Evensong. Please come along to have your say on which projects we support.

We also need new committee members. The task is not onerous, one meeting every quarter, and of course supporting our projects. It is especially useful if you are good at getting money out of people and companies!

It takes a lot of money to keep a 1,200-year-old building upright and safe.

FUNDRAISING EVENTS

We have two more fundraising events on the near horizon.

St Mary’s Summer Weekend (Saturday 22nd-Sunday 23rd July)

A weekend of interest to all!

There will be church tours and talks on the wonderful history of St Mary’s Church. The church and the tower will be open from 1pm until 5.30pm, and there will be bell demonstrations and the chance to have a go at bell ringing. There will be tea and cakes in the church on Saturday and picnics on the lawn and refreshments at Church Farm House on Sunday, with music provided by The Port of Bristol Sea Shanty Crew.

Photo by Jonathan Hayes via POBSSC Facebook page

This will be followed by a celebration service for the John Banks Jenkinson (2nd Lord Liverpool) Banners at 6pm on the Sunday, in the presence of the current Lord Liverpool and Sir John Jenkinson.

The newly restored John Banks Jenkinson banners look splendid

The FOSM Pimm’s Tents at the Hawkesbury Show (Saturday 26TH AUGUST)

The Friends of St Mary’s annual Pimm’s tent will be in its usual place on the other side of the show ring, with a commanding view of what is going on in the ring.

The perfect place to relax with a glass or two of Pimm’s or maybe a jug to share with family and friends.

We are between the tents of our friends from the community-owned Village Stores and HULF.

June Services

Sunday 4th June 9.30am Parish Communion
Sunday 11th June 6pm Evensong
Sunday 18th June 10am Family Service
Sunday 25th June 6pm Friends of St Mary’s Choral Evensong

May 2023 News

FOSM Chairman Colin Dixon writes:

HULF FESTIVAL OF WORDS

As we go to press, I can report that the HULF Festival of Words at St Mary’s Church on 22nd April was a tremendous success. Many thanks to Debbie Young for her organising and presentation skills. Organising such an amazing day’s worth of literary enjoyment for just over the price of a pint of beer per person is a great achievement. Thanks and well done to the merry band of helpers without whose stalwart work the day would not have been so enjoyable. Setting up, serving teas and cakes all day and clearing away was carried out so smoothly it was wonderful. Many thanks also to Christopher and Lisa Overton for providing lunch for the attendees, at the Malthouse opposite, which was greatly appreciated by all. We look forwards to hearing how much the event has boosted our coffers.

Churchwarden & historian Lisa Overton speaks about William Tyndale’s impace on the English language, with part of St Edyth’s Scribes calligraphy exhibition in foreground

FUTURE EVENTS

Sunday 25th June – FOSM AGM and Evensong

Saturday 22-Sunday 23 July – Open Tower Weekend: 2-5 pm on both Saturday and Sunday with bell ringing, talks and guided visit to the tower, short talks about the church ‘s history and monuments, tea and cakes in church or outside if the weather is fine. On Sunday there will be picnics on the lawn and hopefully music at Church Farm. Sunday 6pm Evensong with commemoration of the Liverpool Banners.

Saturday 26th August – Hawkesbury Show Pimm’s Tent. We will be in our new normal place at the far end of the showground between the HULF and the Community Shop tents. This area had such a favourable reception from our customers over the past two year’s that we are making it our preferred location.

Saturday 2nd December – Another Gin Jolly event is planned in conjunction with the Village Hall – details to be announced later.

December – FOSM Nine Lessons and Carols service – date yet to be decided in consultation with the Vicar and the Choir.

MAINTENANCE WORK

The dedicated band of mowers – organised by Peter Setterfield – have begun work on the Churchyard and it is emerging from its winter scruffiness. We have the fresh gravel ready for laying on the paths as soon as the weather perks up a bit.

If you are not a member of the Friends of St. Mary’s – please join us to keep this historic Church alive and beautiful.

MAY SERVICES

Friday 5th May 6.30 Coronation Vigil
Sunday 14th May 6pm Evensong
Sunday 21st May Family Service
Sunday 28th May Evensong
(Please note: no service on Sunday 7th May due to Badminton Horse Trials)