Tag: Hawkesbury Show

August 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:

The Friends of St. Mary’s AGM and Evensong went off very well with a strong congregation. The sermon was delivered by the Reverend Mieke Gaynor, formerly Vicar of Hambledon. It was very interesting and pertinent.

We lost two long standing members of the Friends Committee at the AGM, with their impending move to Chipping Sodbury, and we wish Bill and Linda Fairney all the best in the future.

We also gained two new members at the same time and we welcome Brenda Brock and Tiggy Greenwood, who I am sure will contribute a good deal to the Friends.

The “Gravel Crew” were out working on the paths around the Church at the end of June laying 4 tonnes of gravel in a couple of hours. Here they are, resting up, after the raking was finished. The Paths now look far better than they did early on in the year. Well done to the Crew.

Our next fundraiser – which pays for the clipping of the Yews – is on Show Day: Saturday 26th August 12.30pm to 5.00pm – the FoSM Pimm’s Tent at the Hawkesbury Show.

Our Pimm’s tent includes tables and chairs for a welcome sit down with your drink

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. Look out for our smart new Friends aprons – kindly donated by Hilary Rogers.

John Appleby models the new FOSM aprons at our Summer Weekend

A comparison test last year showed that a glass of The Friends’ Pimm’s is far less expensive than our competitors and you get more for your money. Not to be sniffed at.

We have recently reprinted the “Brief Guide to St. Mary’s Church, Hawkesbury” which has been updated with lots of new and fascinating information about St. Mary’s Church, the bells and the Churchyard. These are a snip at £2 each and are available at the Church.

Following the amazing success of last year’s Gin Jolly we have agreed with the Village Hall committee to run another joint Gin Jolly event this year on 2nd December. Remember to put it in your diary because we sold out of tickets very quickly last year.

SERVICES FOR AUGUST 2023

Sunday 6th August (9.30am) Parish Communion

Sunday 13th August (6pm) Evensong

Sunday 20th August (10am) Family Pets Service

Sunday 27th August (11am) Songs of Praise Service in Show Tent

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

August 2022 News

FOSM Chairman Colin Dixon writes:

The Friends of St Mary’s Annual General meeting will be held on  Sunday 14th August at 5.30pm.

The Friends of St. Mary’s is a charity which has a single purpose – to keep St Mary’s Church available to the Hawkesbury community.

What it does is to raise money to provide the sort of things that the PCC would not be able to fund.

Things such as a new West gate to the Church, a new noticeboard, trimming the yew hedges and mowing the grass around the Churchyard.

FOSM has also been a conduit of donations from benefactors such as the new central heating burner financed by John Appleby.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You can help with these tasks in a number of ways if you want St Mary’s to continue to be a cultural centre of the Hawkesbury Community:

  • Become a member of the Friends – join online now
  • Become a committee member of the Friends – talk to me or Lisa Overton
  • Support our fundraising ventures – the next one is the Pimms Tent at the Hawkesbury Show
  • Help occasionally with clearing up the Churchyard – two hours a month?
  • Become a donor to the Friends – the next big project is the Eco Loo in the Churchyard.

The AGM is where we report on what we have done over the past year and what we are hoping to do in the future.

WHAT IS NEXT?

  • Hawkesbury Show: join us in our Pimm’s tent at the Hawkesbury Show on Saturday 27th August
  • Scarecrow Trail: come and see the FOSM Scarecrow at the Church during October (23rd-30th)
  • FOSM 9 Lessons & Carols Service on 18th December

AUGUST SERVICES

Sunday 7th August Holy Communion (9.30am)
Sunday 14th August Evensong ((6pm)
Sunday 21st August Morning Prayer (9.30am)
Sunday 28th August Ecumenical Songs of Praise in the Show Tent at Hawkesbury Upton Recreation Ground (next to the Village Hall) (11am)