Recent News and Events
Half-century by Eric - and Brian - winding the church clock since 1971
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On Saturday, 23rd Jan, Eric Bauly had been winding the 135 year-old clock on/in Mendlesham church tower for an amazing 50 years. It's the only public clock in the village and one of those things people tend to take for granted, but whose chimes we would definitely miss if it were to stop.
Eric's labour of love, which began in 1971 when he was in his early twenties, involves climbing 42 steps in the tower (and, of course, down again) and although for the first 40 or so years that was once a week, in recent years he has done it twice a week. That's because the clock loses 30 seconds a week - sometimes more depending on the weather- and he likes to set it as accurately as possible, so it is quite a commitment. Frequently he can be seen waiting with his watch in hand to check that the chime is spot on. (The bell which is chimed by the clock hammer is the 15 hundredweight tenor bell, which has been in the tower since 1575.) Eric's brother, Brian has been his 'understudy' for all those 50 years when he's been unwell or on holiday etc., and they were presented with tokens of our appreciation at the end of Parish Mass on 24th January. |
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Thank you, Eric and Brian; this is quite an achievement!
Thank you....
- to Ralph Lambert for the wonderful tree for our church and to Ray Clements and his family of happy helpers for transporting it from Wetheringsett, setting it up and eventually dismantling it.
- to Adrian and Liz Palfrey for decorating (and undecorating) it, to Adrian for lighting the outside tree and crib and to Amy Nicholson for arranging the figures.
- to all who took part in the ‘Doorstep Carols’ alongside Radio Suffolk.
- to Val Arnold for her work throughout the year for Christian Aid and to Graham Baker and Anita Scruby for promoting St Martin’s Housing Trust, Norwich and taking two lots of socks collected in our Sockbank to Norwich.
- to Simon Furze and Stuart Larkin for arranging the PA system for the Christmass Eve Carol Service, to Tim Mack for setting up and taking down the Football Club lights and to Hugh Percival for doing the same with the string of lights between the trees. Also to Andy Davey, Michael Rosier, Graham Baker, Anita Scruby, Andrew Fleming and Andrew & Tom Gray for stewarding on that very wet night, which was a wonderful community effort despite far fewer being able to attend because of Covid restrictions and the torrential rain.
- to Chris Elstone for livestreaming the Parish Mass each week and the extra services at Christmass.
- to the family and friends of Jim Baker who gave a total of £1,143.75 (£915 + £228.75 Gift Aid) to his collection for the Friends of St Mary’s.
Christmass 2020 Charity Appeals for the homeless & destitute
Thank you to all who generously gave money, socks, food or toiletries; to Val for arranging the Christian Aid collection and JustGiving page; Graham & Anita for arranging the St Martin's Housing Trust 'Sockbank' and Andi for arranging that JustGiving page. See below for the results.
St Martin's Housing Trust, Norwich ('Night Shelter')
The total raised through Just Giving was £155 + £31.25 Gift Aid. The money collected in the churn was £64
So the grand total to benefit those helped by St Martin's is: £250.25..... as well as the 'Sockbank'
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Christian Aid
Just Giving: £525 plus £101.25 Gift Aid; Churn in church: £110 plus £17.50 Gift Aid. So the grand total to benefit those helped by Christian Aid was £753.75 Stowmarket Foodbank
Despite being able to collect only in 6 months last year because of lockdown, the boxes in St Mary's collected 226 kg of food and toiletries in 2020. The 2 red boxes are still in place for food and toiletries and will continue to be collected throughout the current lockdown. |
Christmass Eve Carol Service 2020
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Just the socially-distanced choir and organist in church, Fr Philip at the entrance to the Holy Cross chapel and a brave, socially distanced congregation in the South churchyard singing in pouring rain. Thanks to Stuart & Simon for arranging the PA system, Andy, Michael, Tom, Andrew, Andrew, Graham and Anita for stewarding, Tim for setting up the Football club lights and Hugh for loaning and putting up a string of lights by the wall.
It was certainly different from usual and a great community effort - and although short (and very wet), still a fitting act of worship to mark the beginning of Christmass. It's still available to view on the church Facebook page at Carol service - St Mary the Virgin Mendlesham (facebook.com)
It was certainly different from usual and a great community effort - and although short (and very wet), still a fitting act of worship to mark the beginning of Christmass. It's still available to view on the church Facebook page at Carol service - St Mary the Virgin Mendlesham (facebook.com)
Doorstep Carols in conjunction with Radio Suffolk, 16th December 2020
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2020 was the 47th time we sang carols around the streets of the parish, but we couldn't knock on doors and collect for the homeless as usual.
However, thanks to Radio Suffolk's Doorstep Carols, people could tune in, stand on their doorstep - and also join in with the travelling carollers from St Mary's, who toured Mendlesham with the carols playing on the PA system courtesy of the Parish Council - and to all who gave to the Christmass Appeals for charity either in the churn in church or through the Just Giving pages or donated new socks for the homeless. Thanks to Stuart Larkin for sorting out the sound and to all who came to sing.
However, thanks to Radio Suffolk's Doorstep Carols, people could tune in, stand on their doorstep - and also join in with the travelling carollers from St Mary's, who toured Mendlesham with the carols playing on the PA system courtesy of the Parish Council - and to all who gave to the Christmass Appeals for charity either in the churn in church or through the Just Giving pages or donated new socks for the homeless. Thanks to Stuart Larkin for sorting out the sound and to all who came to sing.
Santa Claus' flying visit
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Remembrance Sunday - 8th November 2020
For the first time we livestreamed to our new Facebook page and the recording remains available. Click on the image below or go to https://www.facebook.com/stmarysmendlesham/
Also available on YouTube by clicking here
Also available on YouTube by clicking here
Graham, Shane and Paula's Confirmation - 30th August 2020
This took place at the Parish Mass and we welcomed +Norman, BIshop of Richborough, who preached and Confirmed. Photos show Shane, Paula and Graham with their sponsors, Bishop Norman, Fr Philip and the two churchwardens.
Paula's Baptism, Graham, Shane and Paula's First Communion & Picnic after Mass on the Feast of the Assumption 16th August 2020
Candlemass
Sunday 2nd February
The 9.30 Parish Mass started with the Blessing & Procession of Candles - a symbol of proclaiming Jesus as the Light of the World and spreading that light. During the Mass, the new wrought iron gate to the rood stairs was dedicated in memory of John Herron.
After Mass the congregation enjoyed a delicious brunch at the back of the church.
After Mass the congregation enjoyed a delicious brunch at the back of the church.
Blessing of new gate to rood loft stairs
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What is a Rood Screen? In mediaeval churches, Rood Screens were used to mark the separation between the nave (the body of the church) and the chancel (where the High altar is situated). The word rood comes from the old English rōd, meaning the Cross of Christ and the rood figures consisted of Jesus on the Cross, with Mary and St John on either side. In our church the original screen and figures were removed at the Reformation, but the original steps leading from the Lady chapel remain. Our Rood figures were restored in 1981 above the chancel arch and for many years I have wanted a beautiful gate primarily for safety reasons.
The restored Rood held a fascination for John Herron for many years, and so the new gate given by his widow Anne, is a fitting memorial. It bears a symbol copied from the South porch – a crowned AMR – standing for Ave Maria Regina – Hail Mary, Queen, and the lock cover has an amusing and fitting rebus (an image like a pun, representing a name) of a heron.
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Plough Sunday
Sunday 12th January
A lively celebration at the start of the new year in this rural parish.
At the 9.30 Sung Mass the Plough was blessed as we asked God's blessing on the land this year. Again we welcomed the East Suffolk Morris Men, who danced during the Mass.
At 11.15 there was a procession of the Plough and Morris Dancing through the village to the King’s Head for more dancing by the Morris men and drinks kindly provided by Paul. Aferwards there was a shared lunch in church.
At the 9.30 Sung Mass the Plough was blessed as we asked God's blessing on the land this year. Again we welcomed the East Suffolk Morris Men, who danced during the Mass.
At 11.15 there was a procession of the Plough and Morris Dancing through the village to the King’s Head for more dancing by the Morris men and drinks kindly provided by Paul. Aferwards there was a shared lunch in church.
Mendlesham Summer Festival
A few photos from our patronal festival Mass of the Assumption of Our Lady on 16th August. Bishop Norman blessed the 10th edition of our own label real ale before Mass and it was sampled afterwards with hot dogs and a magnificent firework display to music. Thanks to John and Becky who donated them and braved a downpour most of the afternoon to set them up! You can watch a YouTube clip below the photos.
