Tag: Pimms tent

October 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.

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

The Friends of St Mary’s Pimm’s tent at the Hawkesbury Show is always a big source of revenue for the Friends. Although we do not hold on to the money for long as traditionally – this year is no different – because the money raised at the Show goes immediately on the trimming of the yew hedges in the churchyard.

Tom Hodder and his merry men will have completed the job by the time you read this. The churchyard does look so tidy when the hedges have been neatly trimmed.

It was fortuitous that the weather held fine for the core of the day, only succumbing to rain towards the end of the afternoon. It is always so sad when people’s efforts have been foiled by the weather.

The FOSM Pimm’s tent was busy throughout the afternoon with some hardy souls even staying through the rain shower in the afternoon under the gazebo.

Many thanks to all of our helpers who were rushed off their feet for much of the afternoon.

Thanks also to all of the people who bought Pimm’s. We hope you enjoyed the experience.

NEXT FUNDRAISER:
Gin Jolly (2nd December)

Our next fundraiser, organised jointly with the Village Hall Committee, will be the Gin Jolly on Saturday 2nd December.

This is a gin-tasting experience with expert knowledge and an excellent range of samples provided by 6 O’Clock Gin.

A delicious sharing platter of locally sourced foods will be served during the evening

Not a gin fan? Don’t worry, you don’t have to miss the fun – the bar will be open all evening with the usual selection of drinks.

Tickets cost £18 each and may be bought singly or as a table of ten. If booking more than one ticket, please provide all guests’ names.

Please contact one of the following to book your tickets:

Mike Bendry -07855744148
Jane Stanbridge – 07790 888321
Kate Bashford – 07969 397315

We hope to see you there. The tickets sell out quickly so you will need to buy yours soon!

OCTOBER SERVICES

Sunday 1st (9.30am) Parish Communion

Sunday 8th (6pm) Choral Evensong (Harvest Festival)

Sunday 15th (10am) Family Service (Harvest Festival)

Sunday 22nd (6pm) Evensong

Sunday 29th No service at St Mary’s Hawkesbury – but you’re welcome to join the Benefice Service of Matins with Holy Communion at St Mary’s Sopworth

October 2022 News

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.

October News

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

We had a very successful Pimms Tent at the Hawkesbury Show, equalling other years’ profits and boosting FoSM’s depleted coffers after the bells and refurbishments projects at the Church.

THANK YOU, SIR IAN

It is with some sadness that we report that Sir Ian Macfadyen has recently resigned as the Chairman of the Friends and the committee. However despite his resignation he managed to collect almost £1,000 in donations – he should perhaps leave more often!

On that note, Ian will not be leaving FoSM for good because we have just elected him a Vice-President of the Friends for his tremendous work in raising funds for the Church and acting as the Chairman for the past 15 years. Congratulations, Ian, it is well deserved.

From left to right: Sir Ian Macfadyen, the Rev Richard Thomson, Bishop Rachel of Gloucester & Churchwarden Linda Fairney

PIMMS TENT PAYS FOR CLIPPING OF CHURCH YEWS

Our most recent project has been the clipping of the yew hedges around the Church which is an expenditure that FoSM has traditionally taken on . The yews are now looking wonderful and they set off the Church perfectly.

It is fortuitous that the profits made on the Pimms Tent at the Show exactly matches the expenditure on the yew hedge clipping and has done for years. Buy a Pimms and clip a hedge!

In the spring we removed some old and dangerous pine trees that have overshadowed the Church, leaving a clear space and allowing a tremendous amount of additional light into the Church.

WANTED: NETTLE-PULLERS!

However the nettles – identifying a niche in the market – have now overtaken the space released by the trees and need to be removed. We need nettle-pulling volunteers with stout gloves and a stout heart – send me an email at coldix365@gmail.com and we will arrange a foray into the undergrowth.

FUTURE PROJECTS

We have identified a number of potential projects for the future which we could raise funds for and our help is needed even more after the Covid lockdowns and the Church’s depleted earnings. We will be covering them in more detail in later issues.

ST MARY’S NEEDS YOU MORE THAN EVER!

By signing up to the Friends of St Mary’s, you are making a statement that our beautiful Church is worth preserving and keeping it at the heart of the community. To find out more about joining FoSM, click here.

OCTOBER SERVICES

3rd October – 9.30am Holy Communion
10th October – 6pm Harvest Festival Evensong
17th October – 9.30am Morning Praise
24th October – 6pm Evensong