ST MARY THE VIRGIN MENDLESHAM
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Older Newsletters

May 2025

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times  click here
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Sun 4th May - May Fiesta
​ ALL WELCOME!

9.30: Parish Mass & crowning of May Queen & Attendants
11.15 (approx): Procession around Front St & Old Market St, finishing at the King's Head, with thanks to Paul Allen
12.30 (approx): Bring & Share lunch in church
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photo from our 2024 May procession with Hannah, Leah and Evie.

Sunday 25th May: 9.30 am
​Parish Mass & Confirmation

We welcome Bishop Luke, the new Bishop of Richborough as Principal Concelebrate and to Confirm several members of our congregation on his first visit to Mendlesham
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Healing Ministry 

Monday 12th May

Monthly Healing Service


2.30pm Mass, laying on of hands and anointing
​
Silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament from 1.30pm

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All welcome...
​Jesus offers his healing and peace freely!


​The healing ministry is an integral part of the Gospel and an important aspect of the life of St Mary's. All are welcome and of course there is no charge. Healing services are quiet and meditative  you will not be asked any intrusive questions or asked why you have come.
Please contact Fr Philip if you would like to discuss any aspect of this.

The Mendlesham Armoury 
booklet is now available to order online...

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Specially written  by historian Shona Rutherford-Edge. All profits go towards the Armoury Facelift Project.
Available for £7.50 including postage and packing.
Click here to go to order form.

Christian Aid Week (10th - 17th May)

A house-to-house collection will take place in the parish: please give as generously as you usually do.
Also the churn will be in church for any other donations.
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Book:
​Mistress Kathleen's Kitchen

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Research and Recipes by Kathleen Hallaways in her Tudor Food Demonstration at the Mendlesham Heritage Fair in May 2024.
Kathleen is selling this 68 page book on Tudor Food Price: £10
Copies available at:
M&M Butchers, Stowupland
Diss Museum
or contact Kathleen directly, either by email here:
 or phone: 07857​ 234268Thank you, Kathleen, for the huge amount of time and effort you have put into this!

April 2025

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times  click here
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New Bishop of Richborough: The Rt Revd Luke Irvine-Capel

 Bishop Luke's Consecration took place in Canterbury Cathedral at 2:30pm on Thursday 27th February 2025. 
We very much look forward to welcoming him at St Mary's on Sunday 25th May.


Healing Ministry 

Monday 7th April

Monthly Healing Service


2.30pm Mass, laying on of hands and anointing
​
Silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament from 1.30pm

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All welcome...
​Jesus offers his healing and peace freely!


​The healing ministry is an integral part of the Gospel and an important aspect of the life of St Mary's. All are welcome and of course there is no charge. Healing services are quiet and meditative  you will not be asked any intrusive questions or asked why you have come.
Please contact Fr Philip if you would like to discuss any aspect of this.

The Mendlesham Armoury 
booklet is now available to order online...

Picture
Specially written  by historian Shona Rutherford-Edge. All profits go towards the Armoury Facelift Project.
Available for £7.50 including postage and packing.
Click here to go to order form.

Book:
​Mistress Kathleen's Kitchen

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Research and Recipes by Kathleen Hallaways in her Tudor Food Demonstration at the Mendlesham Heritage Fair in May 2024.
Kathleen is selling this 68 page book on Tudor Food Price: £10
Copies available at:
M&M Butchers, Stowupland
Diss Museum
or contact Kathleen directly, either by email here:
 or phone: 07857​ 234268Thank you, Kathleen, for the huge amount of time and effort you have put into this!

March 2025

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times  click here
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New Bishop of Richborough: The Rt Revd Luke Irvine-Capel

 Bishop Luke's Consecration took place in Canterbury Cathedral at 2:30pm on Thursday 27th February 2025. 
We very much look forward to welcoming him at St Mary's on Sunday 25th May.


The Mendlesham Armoury 
booklet is now available to order online...

Picture
Specially written  by historian Shona Rutherford-Edge. All profits go towards the Armoury Facelift Project.
Available for £7.50 including postage and packing.
Click here to go to order form.

Healing Ministry 

Monday 11th March

Monthly Healing Service


2.30pm Mass, laying on of hands and anointing
​
Silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament from 1.30pm

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All welcome...
​Jesus offers his healing and peace freely!


​The healing ministry is an integral part of the Gospel and an important aspect of the life of St Mary's. All are welcome and of course there is no charge. Healing services are quiet and meditative  you will not be asked any intrusive questions or asked why you have come.
Please contact Fr Philip if you would like to discuss any aspect of this.

The Mendlesham Armoury 
booklet is now available to order online...

Picture
Specially written  by historian Shona Rutherford-Edge. All profits go towards the Armoury Facelift Project.
Available for £7.50 including postage and packing.
Click here to go to order form.

Book:
​Mistress Kathleen's Kitchen

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Research and Recipes by Kathleen Hallaways in her Tudor Food Demonstration at the Mendlesham Heritage Fair in May 2024.
Kathleen is selling this 68 page book on Tudor Food Price: £10
Copies available at:
M&M Butchers, Stowupland
The Copy Shop, Diss
or contact Kathleen directly, either by email here:
 or phone: 01449 782100
​Thank you, Kathleen, for the huge amount of time and effort you have put into this!

February 2025

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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Healing Ministry 

Monday 3rd February

Monthly Healing Service


2.30pm Mass, laying on of hands and anointing
​
Silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament from 1.30pm

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All welcome...
​Jesus offers his healing and peace freely!


​The healing ministry is an integral part of the Gospel and an important aspect of the life of St Mary's. All are welcome and of course there is no charge. Healing services are quiet and meditative  you will not be asked any intrusive questions or asked why you have come.
Please contact Fr Philip if you would like to discuss any aspect of this.

The Mendlesham Armoury 
booklet now available to order online...

Picture
Specially written  by historian Shona Rutherford-Edge. All profits go towards the Armoury Facelift Project.
Available for £7.50 including postage and packing.
Click here to go to order form.

New Bishop of Richborough: The Ven Luke Irvine-Capel

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We welcome the news that Fr Luke Irvine-Capel, currently Archdeacon of Chichester, is to be the new Bishop of Richborough. His Consecration will take place in Canterbury Cathedral at 2:30pm on Thursday 27th February 2025. If you wish to go, you will need to book a (free) ticket. For more details, please visit the See of Richborough website by following this link: 
Those who are unable to be physically present in the Cathedral are encouraged to join in prayer by following the live streaming of the service on Canterbury Cathedral’s YouTube Channel
Please continue to pray for Fr Luke as he prepares for his ordination and consecration as a Bishop in the Church of God and for all those whom he will serve across the See of Richborough and the wider Church of England. A novena, which begins on Wednesday 19th February, is provided HERE

THANK YOU!
​
CHRISTIAN AID CHRISTMASS APPEAL

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The Grand Total donated from both the Crib Appeal and the Christmass Eve Carol Service was £966.44
(£905.19 plus £61.25 from gift aid).  
Thank you to everyone who donated and to Val for organising the parish appeal.

ST MARTIN'S HOUSING TRUST, NORWICH: CAROL SINGING and SOCKBANK

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Thank you to all who helped when Santa visite Mendlesham Green and Mendlesham: a total of £119.39 was donated for the homeless and vulnerable people cared for by St Martin's Housing Trust, Norwich. 

Thank you, too, to all who donated clothes to the Advent and Christmass Sockbank for St Martin’s. As well as a lot of bedding and clothes, there were 47 hats, 110 pairs of socks plus 2 scarves and a pair of gloves. Thank you to Graham and Annita for taking them to Norwich.
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Book:
​Mistress Kathleen's Kitchen

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Research and Recipes by Kathleen Hallaways in her Tudor Food Demonstration at the Mendlesham Heritage Fair in May 2024.
Kathleen is selling this 68 page book on Tudor Food Price: £10
Copies available at:
M&M Butchers, Stowupland
The Copy Shop, Diss
or contact Kathleen directly, either by email here:
 or phone: 01449 782100
​Thank you, Kathleen, for the huge amount of time and effort you have put into this!
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Plough Sunday

Thanks to the Lambert and Clements' families for lending and driving their vintage tractors on a bitterly cold and frosty Plough Sunday - 12th January - when we asked for God's blessing on the land this year - and to Paul Allen for his kind hospitality in providing drinks at the King's Head.

January 2025

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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Healing Ministry 

Monday 13th January

Monthly Healing Service


2.30pm Mass, laying on of hands and anointing
​
Silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament from 1.30pm

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All welcome...
​Jesus offers his healing and peace freely!


​The healing ministry is an integral part of the Gospel and an important aspect of the life of St Mary's. All are welcome and of course there is no charge. Healing services are quiet and meditative  you will not be asked any intrusive questions or asked why you have come.
Please contact Fr Philip if you would like to discuss any aspect of this.

The Mendlesham Armoury 
booklet now available to order online...

Picture
Specially written  by historian Shona Rutherford-Edge. All profits go towards the Armoury Facelift Project.
Available for £7.50 including postage and packing.
Click here to go to order form.
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Carol Singing and Santa Visit

Thanks to all who helped to make this such an enjoyable event -too many to name individually - but together making a great team effort, from advertising and sorting the schedule, lending & driving the vehicle & trailer, decorating it, singing carols, donating refreshments and serving them and collecting money to more than 100 people who came out to join in at various points in the parish....and not forgetting Santa himself, of course!.
Just under £120 was collected for the homeless & vulnerable people cared for by St Martin's Housing Trust, Norwich. 
Thanks, too, to the Lambert and Clements family for donating the beautiful Christmass tree and setting it up in church.
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December 2024

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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Healing Ministry 

Monday 9th December

Monthly Healing Service


2.30pm Mass, laying on of hands and anointing
​
Silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament from 1.30pm

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All welcome...
​Jesus offers his healing and peace freely!


​The healing ministry is an integral part of the Gospel and an important aspect of the life of St Mary's. All are welcome and of course there is no charge. Healing services are quiet and meditative  you will not be asked any intrusive questions or asked why you have come.
Please contact Fr Philip if you would like to discuss any aspect of this.

The Mendlesham Armoury 
booklet now available to order online...

Picture
Specially written  by historian Shona Rutherford-Edge. All profits go towards the Armoury Facelift Project.
Available for £7.50 including postage and packing.
Click here to go to order form.
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'Fytt for thy degree: Clothing and arming the Typical Tudor man'

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HURRY!! Until Sunday 8th December, for a donation to the Armoury Project you can access a recording of the fascinating talk by Ninya Mikhaila,  & Dr Tobias Capwell, originally hosted by the Medieval Dress and Textile Society (MEDATS) on 11th October . Click the link below:
https://buytickets.at/medievaldressandtextilesociety/1479728



The recording is 1 hour 15 minutes long and includes the question and answer period following the paper. 
The event began with a short presentation by Dr. Tobias Capwell about the extraordinary collection of 16th century armour at St. Mary’s Church, Mendlesham, Suffolk and the plans for its restoration. This was followed by a presentation by Ninya Mikhaila who shared insights into the conventions of everyday dress and ownership of armour by men in 16th century England. The talk drew from the research carried out for The Typical Tudor: Reconstructing 16th century dress, which included a survey of nearly 10,000 documents containing references to clothing, arms and armour. Ninya shared insights from her study of original artefacts for a forthcoming publication on textile armour and illustrated how clothing styles, colours and materials changed through the period, as well as the types and quantities of armour utilised by the different ‘sorts’ of men.
Dr. Capwell and Ninya Mikhaila both answered questions at the end of the talk.
Tickets are £5 each and all proceeds will go to the Mendlesham Armoury Facelift Project.

​A huge thank you to Ninya, Toby and MEDATS: Over £1,000 profit was made from ticket sales and donations.
Ninya co-owns a business called the Tudor Tailor, which provides bespoke garments, patterns and other historical clothing items for the Tudor period for national museums, films and TV.   https://www.tudortailor.com/ 

November 2024

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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Remembrance:
Sunday 10th Nov
9.30: Requiem Mass for all fallen in war

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including a candle lit for each Mendlesham man who gave his life in WW1, WW2 & the Korean War, 2 minutes silence and wreath laying.
Candles also alight for the 288 US servicemen stationed in Mendlesham who died in WW2.
​A short act of remembrance follows at the US memorial in the churchyard.
Mendlesham School Remembrance Service
Monday 11th Nov
10.45 am in church - all welcome!

Healing Ministry 

Monday 18th November

Monthly Healing Service


2.30pm Mass, laying on of hands and anointing
​
Silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament from 1.30pm

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All welcome...
​Jesus offers his healing and peace freely!


​The healing ministry is an integral part of the Gospel and an important aspect of the life of St Mary's. All are welcome and of course there is no charge. Healing services are quiet and meditative and you will not be asked any intrusive questions.
Please contact Fr Philip if you would like to discuss any aspect of this.

'Fytt for thy degree: Clothing and arming the Typical Tudor man'

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A huge Thank-You to Ninya Mikhaila, Dr Tobias Capwell and the Medieval Dress and Textile Society (MEDATS)
 for this very interesting and enjoyable online presentation on 11th October and for so generously offering ​all profits to the Mendlesham Armoury Facelift Project.
​72 people bought tickets and an amazing £1,068 profit was made
In this presentation Ninya Mikhaila shared insights into the conventions of everyday dress and ownership of armour by men in 16th century England. Drawing on research carried out for the recent publication The Typical Tudor: Reconstructing 16th century dress, which included a survey of nearly 10,000 documents containing references to clothing, arms and armour, as well as research for a forthcoming publication on textile armour, Ninya illustrated how clothing styles, colours and materials changed through the period as well as the types and quantities of armour utilised by the different ‘sorts’ of men.

Ninya co-owns a business called the Tudor Tailor, which provides bespoke garments, patterns and other historical clothing items for the Tudor period for national museums, films and TV.   https://www.tudortailor.com/ 
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The Mendlesham Armoury 
booklet now available to order online...

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Specially written  by historian Shona Rutherford-Edge. All profits go towards the Armoury Facelift Project.
Available for £7.50 including postage and packing.
Click here to go to order form.

October 2024

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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SHCT RIde & Stride Day
​Sat 14th September

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 Thanks to those who sponsored Anne Gray, Chris Elstone and Graham Baker, who took part in the Ride and Stride day to raise funds for the restoration and maintenance of our beautiful Grade 1 listed church and the SHCT, which gives grants to churches and chapels throughout Suffolk.
Anne visited 16 churches/chapels by bike and rode just over 31 miles.
Chris visited 24 churches/chapels by bike and rode 35 miles and
Graham drove to Ipswich then visited 17 churches/chapels by bike and on foot.
Thanks to all who have sponsored them. There is still time to do so; please either sign the list in church or give online via the following link on JustGiving:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/anne-gray-mendlesham2024
or:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/chris-elstone198
THanks too to the volunteers who welcomed and signed in cyclists and to Andi, the parish organiser.

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The Mendlesham Armoury 
booklet now available to order online...

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Specially written  by historian Shona Rutherford-Edge. All profits go towards the Armoury Facelift Project.
Available for £7.50 including postage and packing.
Click here to go to order form.
​


​Beer Orders

There are still just a few boxes of this year's Mendlesham's Best Real Ale. Please see further details on the Festival page here
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September 2024

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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SHCT Ride and Stride
​Saturday 14th September

 Anne Gray and Chris Elstone will be cycling again to raise funds for the restoration and maintenance of our beautiful Grade 1 listed church and the SHCT, which gives grants to churches and chapels throughout Suffolk.
Anne plans to visit 13 churches/chapels by bike and ride about 25 miles.
Chris aims to ride about the same distance and take in about 15 churches
If you are able to sponsor them, please either sign the list in church or give online via the following link on JustGiving:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/anne-gray-mendlesham2024
or:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/chris-elstone198
Volunteers are also needed to sign in cyclists – please see Andi, the organiser.

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drawing by Ant Ripley

Research Project at The Hold (Suffolk Archives) Ipswich

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 A short historical Research Project centred on the Suffolk Archives will take place from Jan - March 2025 relating to some Tudor documents found discarded in the armoury in the 19th Century and others relating to the arms and armour. 
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Detail of a manuscript muster list for the township of Mendlesham, Suffolk Archives, SA(I) Iveagh MSS HD1538/7 Vol.7/fol.54/1. Transcribed by Julie Craven.
 We now want to discover whether any of the unresearched documents cast further light on the arms and armour. Anyone living either in the village, or sufficiently locally, can take part, but numbers are limited.  PRELIMINARY GUIDED TOUR OF THE HOLD on FRIDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER from 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm You can read more details here.​

Saturday 7th Sept
Friends of St Mary's Produce Stalls Cancelled

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The Mendlesham Armoury 
booklet now available to order online...

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Specially written  by historian Shona Rutherford-Edge. All profits go towards the Armoury Facelift Project.
Available for £7.50 including postage and packing.
Click here to go to order form.
​

​Friday 11th October 7.00 pm:

'Fytt for thy degree: Clothing and arming the Typical Tudor man'

Online Talk by Ninya Mikhaila 
 with Dr Tobias Capwell via Zoom.

​

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Hosted by the Medieval Dress and Textile Society (MEDATS)
Tickets £5
Order here via the MEDATS site
https://www.medats.org.uk/events/fytt-for-thy-degree/
THANK YOU to Ninya for generously offering ​all profits to the Mendlesham Armoury Facelift Project
Read further details here
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In this presentation Ninya Mikhaila shares insights into the conventions of everyday dress and ownership of armour by men in 16th century England. Drawing on research carried out for the recent publication The Typical Tudor: Reconstructing 16th century dress, which included a survey of nearly 10,000 documents containing references to clothing, arms and armour, as well as research for a forthcoming publication on textile armour, Ninya will illustrate how clothing styles, colours and materials changed through the period as well as the types and quantities of armour utilised by the different ‘sorts’ of men.

Ninya co-owns a business called the Tudor Tailor, which provides bespoke garments, patterns and other historical clothing items for the Tudor period for national museums, films and TV.   https://www.tudortailor.com/ 

August 2024

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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Beer Orders

Same price as last year, but fewer have been ordered - so first come, first served!
For more details of the Patronal Festival or to order beer, please see the dedicated Festival page here

We have tried to ensure the fireworks are of the least noisy variety, but inevitably there will be some noise. If you live near the church, please keep pets indoors in the same way as you would on or near 5th November.

The Mendlesham Armoury 
booklet now available to order online...

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Specially written  by historian Shona Rutherford-Edge. All profits go towards the Armoury Facelift Project.
Available for £7.50 including postage and packing.
Click here to go to order form.
​

Advance notice:
​Friday 11th October - 7.00 pm:
'Fytt for thy degree: Clothing and arming the Typical Tudor man'

Online Presentation by Ninya Mikhaila - the 'Tudor Tailor'



All profits to the Armoury Facelift Project
further details to follow soon....watch this space!​

In this presentation Ninya Mikhaila shares insights into the conventions of everyday dress and ownership of armour by men in 16th century England. Drawing on research carried out for the recent publication The Typical Tudor: Reconstructing 16th century dress, which included a survey of nearly 10,000 documents containing references to clothing, arms and armour, as well as research for a forthcoming publication on textile armour, Ninya will illustrate how clothing styles, colours and materials changed through the period as well as the types and quantities of armour utilised by the different ‘sorts’ of men.

Ninya co-owns a business called the Tudor Tailor, which provides bespoke garments, patterns and other historical clothing items for the Tudor period for national museums, films and TV.   https://www.tudortailor.com/ 

July 2024

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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June 2024

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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Christian Aid Week (11th - 18th May)
Total raised in the parish was £1439.23 +£188 Gift Aid = £1627.23

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Thanks to all who gave, whether in the house-to-house collection, in the churn in church or at the URC coffee morning.
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May 2024

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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Mendlesham's Unique Tudor Armoury & Facelift project

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The small upper floor of the North porch (parvise)  forms  a unique Armoury - “the most complete armoury of any English parish church” (Pevsner). Here is the parish collection of armour, first assembled during the reign of Queen Mary, daughter of Henry VIII and her consort, King Philip of Spain, when parishes were obliged to own armour and provide men prepared to defend the country in the event of an invasion. The parish church was often the only adequate storage space in a village.
All of the armour was second hand at the time and most from Germany or Italy. it spans over a century from late 15th century to  early 17th century. It was particularly called to use at the time of the threatened Spanish Armada, when Mendlesham men joined those from surrounding villages in 'musters' in a way similar to the Home Guard of WW2. Amazingly it has survived in the same room where it was stored at the time. 

As well as armour, the room contains part of an Elizabethan longbow, several parish chests, a ‘Vinegar’ Bible and other artefacts. ​
ARMOURY FACELIFT PROJECT
Covid restrictions forced us to close the armoury to the public, but St Mary’s PCC has exciting plans to restore and display this amazing heritage with better information and involving more in the community ....  We are preparing to apply  to the National Lottery
Heritage Fund to enable this to happen, but this is a long process. As part of the preparation we are holding the Mendlesham Heritage Fair - reconnecting the community with its unique Tudor heritage - and are thrilled to have been awarded a Heritage Fund grant towards this and a further research project on historical documents at the Hold in Ipswich. So far for the Armoury Facelift Project:
  • a core group appointed by the PCC have compiled an inventory of all the contents;
  • we are engaging with a project co-ordinator;
  • Three internationally renowned armour experts have visited to assess the armour and will be advising on conservation, classification and display;
  • our architect has submitted our outline plans to the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the care of churches, who have now given outline approval, subject to detailed plans and a faculty;
  • the diocesan Parish Giving advisor has researched additional funding sources;
  • An overall PLAN is being collated. The Heritage Fair and Research Projects form part of this plan, to enlarge the scope of involvement in the project and invite others in the community and interested people outside to participate...
  • In the meantime, there is a highly interesting video made by historian Dr Allan Barton and published on his You Tube channel 'The Antiquary' named: 'England's Forgotten Tudor Armoury'. Click the relevant image above to access this.​
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Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a generous grant of £9.993 towards the Mendlesham Heritage Fair - reconnecting the community with its unique Tudor Heritage - and a research project.
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Unfortunately, due to the large number of people likely to attend the Heritage Fair on 6 May the armoury itself cannot be open as it is too small to accommodate many at once.
However, the armoury film will be shown - and there will be both replica armour and The Tudor Group wearing authenitc armour re-creating the 'traynings' of the parish militia. SEE DEDICATED HERITAGE FAIR PAGE for more details

April 2024

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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** please note change of email for any enquiries: Anne: [email protected]**
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Mendlesham's Unique Tudor Armoury & Facelift project

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The small upper floor of the North porch (parvise)  forms  a unique Armoury - “the most complete armoury of any English parish church” (Pevsner). Here is the parish collection of armour, first assembled during the reign of Queen Mary, daughter of Henry VIII and her consort, King Philip of Spain, when parishes were obliged to own armour and provide men prepared to defend the country in the event of an invasion. The parish church was often the only adequate storage space in a village.
All of the armour was second hand at the time and most from Germany or Italy. it spans over a century from late 15th century to  early 17th century. It was particularly called to use at the time of the threatened Spanish Armada, when Mendlesham men joined those from surrounding villages in 'musters' in a way similar to the Home Guard of WW2. Amazingly it has survived in the same room where it was stored at the time. 

As well as armour, the room contains part of an Elizabethan longbow, several parish chests, a ‘Vinegar’ Bible and other artefacts. ​
ARMOURY FACELIFT PROJECT
Covid restrictions forced us to close the armoury to the public, but St Mary’s PCC has exciting plans to restore and display this amazing heritage with better information and involving more in the community ....  We are preparing to apply  to the National Lottery
Heritage Fund to enable this to happen, but this is a long process. As part of the preparation we are holding the Mendlesham Heritage Fair - reconnecting the community with its unique Tudor heritage - and are thrilled to have been awarded a Heritage Fund grant towards this and a further research project on historical documents at the Hold in Ipswich. So far for the Armoury Facelift Project:
  • a core group appointed by the PCC have compiled an inventory of all the contents;
  • we are engaging with a project co-ordinator;
  • Three internationally renowned armour experts have visited to assess the armour and will be advising on conservation, classification and display;
  • our architect has submitted our outline plans to the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the care of churches, who have now given outline approval, subject to detailed plans and a faculty;
  • the diocesan Parish Giving advisor has researched additional funding sources;
  • An overall PLAN is being collated. The Heritage Fair and Research Projects form part of this plan, to enlarge the scope of involvement in the project and invite others in the community and interested people outside to participate...
  • In the meantime, there is a highly interesting video made by historian Dr Allan Barton and published on his You Tube channel 'The Antiquary' named: 'England's Forgotten Tudor Armoury'. Click the relevant image above to access this.​
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Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a generous grant of £9.993 towards the Mendlesham Heritage Fair - reconnecting the community with its unique Tudor Heritage - and a research project.
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Unfortunately, due to the large number of people likely to attend the Heritage Fair on 6 May the armoury itself cannot be open as it is too small to accommodate many at once.
However, the armoury film will be shown - and there will be both replica armour and The Tudor Group wearing authenitc armour re-creating the 'traynings' of the parish militia.

March 2024

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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February 2024

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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January 2024

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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SAVE THE DATE! - Bank holiday Monday - 6 May 2024 - Mendlesham Church and Churchyard
Mendlesham HERITAGE FAIR -
reconnecting the community to its Tudor heritage 
part of our Armoury Facelift Project. Further details to follow.
(The Mendlesham Community Charity which took over the running of the annual Street Fayre has announced it will not be taking place on the first May Bank Holiday in 2024).  
​

Mendlesham's Unique Tudor Armoury & Facelift project

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The small upper floor of the North porch (parvise), as  forms  a unique Armoury - “the most complete armoury of any English parish church” (Pevsner). Here is the parish collection of armour, first assembled during the reign of Queen Mary, daughter of Henry VIII and her consort, King Philip of Spain, when parishes were obliged to own armour and provide men prepared to defend the country in the event of an invasion. The parish church was often the only adequate storage space in a village.
All of the armour was second hand at the time and most from Germany or Italy. it spans over a century from late 15th century to  early 17th century. It was particularly called to use at the time of the threatened Spanish Armada, when Mendlesham men joined those from surrounding villages in 'musters' in a way similar to the Home Guard of WW2. Amazingly it has survived in the same room where it was stored at the time. 
As well as armour, the room contains part of an Elizabethan longbow, several parish chests, a ‘Vinegar’ Bible and other artefacts. ​
ARMOURY FACELIFT PROJECT
Covid restrictions forced us to close the armoury to the public, but St Mary’s PCC has exciting plans to restore and display this amazing heritage with better information and involving more in the community ....  We are preparing to apply  to the National Heritage Lottery Fund to enable this to happen, but this is a long process.
So far:
  • a core group appointed by the PCC have compiled an inventory of all the contents;
  • we are engaging with a project co-ordinator;
  • Three internationally renowned armour experts have visited to assess the armour and will be advising on conservation, classification and display;
  • our architect intends to submit our outline plans to the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the care of churches;
  • the diocesan Parish Giving advisor has researched additional funding sources;
  • An overall PLAN is being collated. Once in place we will be enlarging the scope of involvement in the project and inviting others in the community and interested people outside to participate..
  • In the meantime, there is a highly interesting video made by historian Dr Allan Barton and published on his You Tube channel 'The Antiquary' named: 'England's Forgotten Tudor Armoury'. Click the relevant image above to access this.​
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December 2023

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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November 2023

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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All welcome: 
​You can download and print a copy of the service here

REMEMBRANCE

​
Friday 10th November
10.40
Mendlesham School Remembrance Service in St Mary’s
​and
​

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Sunday 12th November

​REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

9.30:
Sung Mass of Requiem

including laying of wreaths at the parish memorial in St Mary's and the US memorial in the churchyard

ALL WELCOME

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​You can download and print an Order of Service here to bring with you

October 2023

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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Good news!
Thank you to the NCT for promising a grant of £3,350 towards the recent urgent repairs of our beautiful church. 

In August we had to have urgent repairs to splits in the lead roofs, fixing lead flashing, replacing broken pantiles and quarries on roofs, repointing loose flints and bricks in walls & floors and cleaning & painting pipes and gutters. All these were highlighted on the latest quinquennial report. We are most grateful to the NCT for this promised funding from their Small Grants scheme, as when we applied for the grant, despite trying to raise funds throughout the year, we didn't have sufficient money to pay for the work.
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To read more about the work of the NCT, click here or visit: 
https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org
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Suffolk Historic Churches Trust
​
updated news from the
Mendlesham Team
who took part in the Ride & Stride
on Sat 9th Sept 2023 


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Thanks to Ant Ripley for his own inimitable drawing of the event!
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Update from the Mendlesham Team of Chris,Taylor and Anne.
 Thank you very much to everyone who has sponsored us – including all who have done so anonymously.
 With temperatures on Saturday 9th September topping 33 degrees, we were most grateful for the water and soft drinks
so kindly offered in many of the places of worship.
Chris cycled from Campsea Ash to Ipswich, visiting 34 churches/chapels and biked 38 miles.
Taylor and Anne cycled together, visiting 33 churches/chapels incorporating Diss, Roydon, Hinderclay, Walsham-le-Willows, Hunston and many between. Including journeys to and from from home, Taylor biked 54.5 miles & Anne biked 51.3 miles.
The Team’s total has now reached the amazing sum of £1,274 .... & it is still rising. 
Half the money goes to our own church of St Mary’s Mendlesham, via the Friends of St Mary’s, to help pay the recent urgent roof repairs and towards the next stage of restoration. The other half goes to the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust, helping repair churches and chapels all over Suffolk. 
It’s still not too late if you would like to donate: 
Their Team page is at: https://www.justgiving.com/team/mendlesham

NEW CHANCEL CARPET
THANK YOU!

To Ruth and Richard Ince for the magnificent chancel carpet in memory of Jose Pereira, their daughter-in-law Nikita's father, who died so tragically in April. The previous carpet was about 60 years old and becoming rather shabby in places and it was good that the new one was in place in time for Nikita and James' wedding on 8th July, with all the necessary permissions duly given. It was blessed at the Parish Mass on 10th September. Thank you, too, for the separate, matching carpet put in place for weddings to cover the holes in the central heating grating  in the nave which is otherwise a trap for high-heeled shoes, and the other piece which covers the historic brass to Sir John Knyvett.
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November candles for the departed

 Each November there is an opportunity for people to have a candle lit throughout the entire month (during daylight hours) as a sign of prayer for departed loved ones. Their names are printed on labels which are fixed to the candles and they will be blessed on Sunday 29th October at the Parish Mass (9.30 am).
 The cost is £10, which covers both candles necessary for the entire month. There is a list on the table at the back of church Please print names and either see Andi, our treasurer, about payment, or send a message via the CONTACT page of this website stating how many candles you would like, plus the names of your departed loved ones and we will let you know how you can transfer payment.
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​MENDLESHAM’S BEST REAL ALE

Coronation Edition 2023
​Limited edition
There are  ONLY 2 BOXES of Mendlesham’s Best left . Our 13th limited edition, brewed by Earl Soham Brewery using locally grown barley, English hops and traditional brewing techniques is sold in aid of St Mary’s Mendlesham Church Funds. It's absolutely delicious and most of the bottles have gone very quickly, so don't leave it until it's too late!!
Prices: Bottles: £3.50, Box of 12: £40
Payment on collection

To order,  click here and complete an order form. When it's gone, it's gone!

September 2023

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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From the Parish Registers

Holy Matrimony

8th July      James Ince and Nikita Leite Pereira
22nd July     Aaron Harvey and Florence Cage

Holy Burial

27th July    Robert William Joseph Robinson, aged 57 (cremated remains)
28th July    Keith Albert Brundell, aged 74 (cremated remains)

August 2023

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted by the Mendlesham Community Charity in their newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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Our own Real Ale....

It's back!!  
MENDLESHAM’S BEST REAL ALE
Coronation Edition 2023
​Limited edition
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Mendlesham’s Best is back again. Our 13th limited edition, brewed by Earl Soham Brewery using locally grown barley, English hops and traditional brewing techniques to be sold in aid of St Mary’s Mendlesham Church Funds. If it's half as good as the previous editions it will be absolutely delicious!
Pre-order now: ready at the Festival.
Last year, all bottles went very quickly, so don't leave it until it's too late!!
Prices: Bottles: £3.50, Box of 12: £40
Payment on collection

To order, either click here and complete an order form, OR
sign the list in church OR send a message through St Mary's Facebook page

July 2023

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted in the Mendlesham Community Charity newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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Saturday 29th July
2.00pm - 5.00pm
in South Churchyard
​

Live Music: 'Kind of Blues'   Strawberry Teas
Beer & Hot Dogs
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 Arranged by the Friends of St Mary’s for church restoration
​ALL WELCOME!

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New Noticeboard

Our new  noticeboard was blessed after the Parish Mass on Sunday 21st May. It was fully paid for by a generous grant from the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Fund of the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust -  a fitting tribute in memory of the late Queen and a great addition to the churchyard!

June 2023

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted in the Mendlesham Community Charity newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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Every Tuesday
10.30 - 12.30

Coffee & Cake
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Everyone welcome...
Come and meet old and new friends!
No charge, but donations welcome to Friends of St Mary's for maintaining and restoring our historic Grade I listed building.

Thursday 15th June
​Eve of Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
​
Monthly Healing Service

2.30pm Mass, laying on of hands and anointing
​
Silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament from 1.30pm

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All welcome...




​Jesus offers his healing and peace freely!
​

FRIENDS OF ST MARY'S

Results of recent events organised by or on behalf of the Friends of St Mary's:
Easter Egg Raffle: £80.00
Quiz Night: £285.00
Teas, preserves, plants & bric-a-brac at the time of the May Street Fayre: £469.20

Thanks to all who organised and helped at these events and to those who supported them.
The Friends of St Mary's exists to raise funds for the upkeep and restoration of our beautiful Grade 1 Listed mediaeval church. A recent payment for reclaimed Gift Aid has resulted in over £700. 
Further events are being planned and helpers are always needed. Please see Graham Baker.

Coronation weekend: 6th & 7th May 2023
​Village Scarecrow Competition

The PCC's entry for the village scarecrow competition caused some smiles and double-takes... and a few queries about Fr Philip's health!
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Christian Aid Week TOTAL:

£1575.30 + £230 Gift Aid = £1805.30

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CHRISTIAN AID WEEK TOTAL:
£1575.30 + £230 Gift Aid = £1805.30

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED, COLLECTED AND SUPPORTED IT IN ANY WAY
​

House to house: £1065     
URC coffee morning: £100
Online giving: £310
Churn in church: £100

May 2023

The articles below include the 2 pages which the parish church is now allotted in the Mendlesham Community Charity newsletter but there are additional items too.
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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Every Tuesday
10.30 - 12.30

Coffee & Cake
​


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Everyone welcome...
Come and meet old and new friends!
No charge, but donations welcome to Friends of St Mary's for maintaining and restoring our historic Grade I listed building.

Sunday 30th April
'May' Fiesta
9.30: Mass & crowning of May Queen
11.15 (approx) - Procession around village, stopping at the King's Head, 
followed by shared lunch in church

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Monday 1st May: 12.00 - 5.00 pm
Tea, coffee & cake stall in church
organised by the Friends of St Mary's,
​raising funds for the restoration and maintenance of the church building

This will take place at the same time as the Mendlesham Community Charity will be running their Street Fayre.
Please note, the Armoury will not​ be open that afternoon.

Coronation of HM King Charles III - St Mary's commemoration
Sunday 7th May - 9.30

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The Parish Mass will include prayers for HM the King and the National Anthem.

Afterwards: blessing of a hornbeam tree grown from seed by the diocesan bishop, the Rt Revd Martin Seeley, & planted  in the churchyard to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II.


Coffee and tea afterwards
​
All welcome


​Mass on Saturday 6th June will be at 5.00 pm and offered with the prayer intention for the King

Obituaries

Peter Wyatt

 Peter was born in 1936 in Plympton St Mary, Devon, and joined the RAF at 18, training as a meteorological observer.  This was to be the start of his worldwide travels, spending time in Singapore and Car Nicobar before completing his national service and joining the Met Office in 1956.
In 1959 he was selected to join weather reconnaissance 202 Squadron, based at RAF Aldergrove Belfast, where he met Glenys, who was a telephonist in the WRAF. They married in 1963 and later had two sons, Mark and Alex. The family lived in several different parts of the world, including Libya, Tobruk, Germany, and different parts of the UK. Peter also served in The Falklands in 1982. They moved to Denters Hill, Mendlesham, in 1989, and shortly after, while Glenys was in charge of Mendlesham Playgroup, Peter was away again with the Mobile Met Unit in Bahrain followed by his final posting in Cyprus.
Peter retired in 1996 and after Glenys died in 2003, he became more involved with the village, notably the May Street Fayre stall bookings. In 2013 Peter moved into his bungalow in Mayfield Way. He had a passion for photography, which went hand in hand with travelling and meeting people. He took many photographs, including a lot of the church, one of which was recently published in a book about armour. He was a member of the Friends of St Mary’s committee and responsible for much of the advertising and posters for their events.
He thoroughly enjoyed the over 60’s functions and was often to be found, tea towel in hand, drying dishes at those or other events. In his last years he battled heroically with cancer and was still going out for coffee or meals with his friends until the beginning of December. Monday was coffee in the Old Schoolroom, Tuesday at St Mary’s church and on Thursdays at Emzo’s. He also loved going for a pint with his sons at the King's Head.
He died on 23rd December. Fr Philip conducted his funeral  at St Mary’s on 20th January and Peter was buried afterwards in the Green cemetery near Saxmundham close to Glenys.

Andy Triscott

Andy TriscottAndy was a Devon boy who made his home in Suffolk for all his life, but never forgot his roots, visiting family in Devon and Cornwall every few months.  Andy went to school in Plymouth and in his spare time worked at a local farm where he developed an interest in all aspects of farming whether it was driving a tractor or combine or taking care of animals. He went to study for a degree in agriculture at Seale Hayne college, Newton Abbott.  Whilst there he became very interested in the new computer they had installed. Andy went to work at Pauls and Whites in Ipswich and it was whilst there that he met his wife Carolyn.  Carolyn and Andy were married at Freston church in Ipswich where Andy played church organ for Sunday worship for many years.  Carolyn and Andy moved to Mendlesham Green in 1983 and had 2 children Samantha and Chelsea.  By this time Andy was changed jobs and was working at Cory’s Shipping in Felixstowe. Driving there every day until he wasn’t able to drive and had to take 2 trains to and from work.  When the children were young they started riding lessons at Hawkins Farm. They started loaning and buying horses and as the years progressed this became an all family hobby with care and going to shows and pony club.  Because Carolyn was involved in village fund raising, this spilled over into Andy’s life and he started helping run the car park at the Street Fayre, helping cook food at the Firework Display and washing dishes at the Harvest Supper. He helped run the annual Flower and Produce Show and Fothergills seed orders each year. He also became Treasurer of the Mendlesham Community Centre for many years. Andy’s big love was his garden, with a large plot to grow vegetables all year round. Crops were stored over winter and summer vegetables frozen for winter months.  His love of gardening stayed with him all his life which is why it seemed fitting to have a garden shed on the order of service. 
 Andy's funeral was taken by Fr Philip at St Mary's on 12th January and he was buried in the churchyard extension.


March 2023

To download the 2 Church pages in the Mendlesham Community Charity newsletter as a pdf, click ​here
To download the calendar of Mass times as a pdf, click here
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Bishop Mike, Bishop of Dunwich, with Fr Philip and the serving team on Sunday 15th January, when we welcomed him to preach.

Good News!

New Outside Noticeboard

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Artist's impressioin of the new noticeboard
​A very big thank you to Richard Giffin and his team, on the successful application to the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust for a jubilee grant. The Jubilee Fund was specially set up to fund a fitting commemoration of the late HM Queen Elizabeth II’s  Platinum Jubilee, either inside or in the grounds of a church. Our application was for a good quality outside notice board -  something which has been lacking for well over 40 years, since the previous one rotted and fell to pieces. 
As there has been a continuous need for other work on the church or in the churchyard in the meantime, there has never been enough money to pay for a good board. As well as collating the extensive research and completing the paperwork, Richard (in his capacity as PCC Secretary) has also applied for the required permission (called ‘List B’ permission) from the diocese/archdeacon, 
This has now been granted and the order is in process. We very much hope it will be in place in time for the Coronation

​New Bethlehem Carol Sheets

​Tom Gray was rather surprised to hear that he was the winner first annual competition in December organised by the charity ‘Embrace’ (formerly known as Bible Lands). This was for a photo ‘capturing the festive spirit of carol services’ . Embrace publishes the Bethlehem carol sheets which we have used for many years, both for carol singing and in the Christmass Eve carol service.  Tom has won 100 Bethlehem Carol Sheets, along with accompanying CD, Music book & Children's activity book (package worth over £75) for St Mary’s Church (as well as some Fairtrade chocolate for himself), 
​ His photo was taken at our Christmass Eve carol service and  the organisers said, “The scene captures the festive mood of the event with children taking part, the enormous Christmas tree and all in a beautifully lit setting. (They also noted the carol sheets were being used!)  
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