THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST ANDREW

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES IN 2022

 

 

Covid had a big impact on what was able to happen in St Andrew’s Church in 2021 and that rumbled on into the early part of 2022.

 

COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING

The Coffee Morning for the village community on the first Tuesday of every month from 10.30 am to 12 o’clock was able to start up again in 2022 and has become a popular fixture in the village.

 

PILATES

During 2022 Andrea Hill began to run a twice-monthly Pilates Class on the second and fourth Fridays of the month from 10.45 am until 11.30 am.  This has become increasingly popular with villagers and one to two  others from further afield.

 

PARISH COUNCIL

The Parish Council continues to hold its meetings and its AGM in the church, usually on Thursday evenings.

 

OTHER MEETINGS

The PCC, Fete Committee and the Benefice Council all use the church.  The Choir practices in the church.

 

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

The church was the setting during Holy Week for the showing of the remarkable Stations of The Cross created by Clare Copley-Williams.  On Palm Sunday evening there was a meditation during which Clare spoke movingly about each of the Stations.   On Good Friday, the final day of the exposition, the St Matthew Passion by JS Bach was played in church.

 

RECTOR’S BIRTHDAY TEA

It was a pleasure to welcome villagers from across the Benefice to the Rector’s Birthday Tea on 29th March.

 

CONFERENCE OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL ARCHITECTS AND CHARTERED SURVEYORS ASSOCIATION

In May, fifty members of EASA held one of their annual meetings in St Andrew’s Church.  After a delicious lunch, they were given a series of illustrated talks about the St Andrew’s Development Project by Brian Watts the architect, George Lisle and myself.  EASA made a generous donation to St Andrew’s Church.

 

Members of the congregation will recall that we came second in the National Churches Trust/EASA Church Architecture Competition in 2021.

 

PERFORMANCES OF THE PLAY “THE LETTER OF LAST RESORT”

In May, two performances by PlayGC took place in church.  The one-act play worked very well and made a valuable contribution to St Andrew’s Church’s funds.

 

VISIT OF BISHOP ELIJAH

In August Bishop Elijah of Cueibet, South Sudan visited the Benefice and St Andrew’s put on a tea for him and members of the Benefice congregations.

 

WILTSHIRE HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST VISIT

Thirty members of the Trust visited St Andrew’s Church in September to hear about its history and architecture and the additional resources added as part of the Development Project.  The Trust had twice given grants to our Development Appeal.

 

POST-FETE PARTY

In September, over eighty villagers enjoyed a gathering in the church with wine and nibbles to see the video and photographs of the Fete and to hear the (record) financial results, as a result of which, substantial donations were made to county and local charities.

 

HARVEST FESTIVAL LUNCH

Thirty members of the village community enjoyed a delicious lunch followed by a talk by Chris Harwood on the tree planting project he is heading up.  The proceeds from the Lunch went to support the Trussell Trust, as did a large quantity of foodstuffs.

 

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

For the first time, the (large) congregation at the Remembrance Service was offered refreshments afterwards.  This was very well received.

 

SELLING EXHIBITION BY LOCAL ARTISTS

In November the Selling Exhibition took place a year after the first exhibition.  This one was even more successful with more exhibitors and more visitors.  Using the church’s exhibition panels, the church lent itself so well to this venture, which was successful both for the exhibitors and for the charities supported.

 

CAROL SERVICE

The Carol Service continues to attract a large attendance by villagers and was followed by mulled wine and mince pies.

 

BAPTISMS, FUNERALS AND SERVICES OF THANKSGIVING

It is always a privilege for the Church to be able to offer St Andrew’s for a gathering after these services.  The church’s flexibility and facilities makes this very straightforward.

 

Michael Hockney            May 2023