Our service on the fourth Sunday in Advent, in which we hear the story of Mary's visit to Elizabeth, and light the last of our 4 Advent Candles, took place on the 23rd of December. The Choir sang 'The Angel Gabriel' a traditional Basque carol arranged by Edgar Pettman as the anthem.

The traditional service of 9 lessons and carols was held at St Mary's on the evening of the 18th of December.
A full congregation heard the Christmas story told in lessons from Genesis, Isaiah, St Luke, St Matthew, and St John.
The Choir and Congregation sang Once in Royal David's City, Long ago Prophets knew, O come O come Emmanuel, The first Nowell and O come all ye faithful.
The Choir sang Adam lay y'bounden By Boris Ord, A Maiden Most Gentle by Andrew Carter, Away in a Manger, Kirkpatrick, arr Wilcocks, In Dulci Jubilo, by Pearsall, Torches,by J Joubert, and Ding Dong Merrily on High, harmony by C Wood.

The children's choir sang the first verse of One in Royal David's City, and the third verse of Away in a Manger unaccompanied. It was a delight to have the children contribute to this service.

Please look at the calender for the other Christmas services at St Mary our Lady, and we wish everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas.

On Sunday November the 25th we held our Advent Wreath making afternoon. The completed wreaths were blessed by Father Roger and everyone partook of an excellent tea. It was a very successful event, enjoyed by every one and also raised £200 towards the New Church Rooms project. Many thanks to Anwyl, Shirley who provided tea, and Chris who donated the candles.

The New Rooms project is going forwards, fund raising has been very successful, please look at the notice board in Church to see the current total, over £200,000 so far. The committee who are guiding the project have had a busy year working with the architects and the authorities including the Diocesan Advisory Committee and English Heritage on what will be practical, aesthetically acceptable, and fulfil the needs of the congregation and the wider parish. We are making progress, and have received useful guidance from the authorities. We are undertaking an archaeological survey of the proposed site, and look forward to moving through the process of design and approval for the New Rooms in the New Year. Please keep watching the website, and attending the fund raising events, which we hope you are also enjoying!

A list of events for 2013 will appear here and in Church straight after Christmas.

St Mary's churchyard is a spiritual and sacred place. We ask all who visit our churchyard to honour it and those who are buried here. Our rural churchyard is a very special place and we do our very best to maintain its nature. There are regulations governing what is and isn't allowed and these do differ from those governing a municipal burial ground. More information »

Last month I wrote a heartfelt plea for people, whoever they are, please not to remove the stick markers which show the grave-digger where he needs to dig. Unfortunately, I must now mention the fact that some 'kind' person has removed a metal spade (which is very old and welded together). For decades it rested against the large yew tree on the eastern side of the churchyard. Since all stick markers had been removed, I put this spade on a grave nearby so the Furneral Directors would know the spot to which the grave-digger should be directed and now this spade, too, has gone. If anyone is aware of its whereabouts, I would very grateful if they could return it to its usual place by the yew tree. With thanks. Fr Stephen

It's that time of year when we have to clear the gutters and drainage runs of the church of leaves etc. 'before the winter storms begin'. As with all of this type of job, many hands make light work and if so could you spare some time to help on the morning of Saturday 12th October, please join us. We will be there between 9:00am and noon.

The Church Wardens

For more information please Contact Us »

Please do not remove any sticks you see popped in at various locations around the churchyard - they are usually there as a marker for the grave-digger of a new grave or cremation plot, or in readiness for an additional interment to be added to an existing grave or cremation plot. The sticks are often of poor quality because the previous, better, versions were thrown away! If in doubt, please ask! Thank you. Fr Stephen