Confirmation
On Sunday 25th May we welcomed Bishop Luke for his first visit to Mendlesham to Confirm 6 members of our congregation. It was a truly joyful occasion.
Mothering Sunday - 30th March
9.30 Parish Mass
Everyone is given a candle which we light and place on the altar of the Lady Chapel as a sign of prayer for our mother, whether living or departed.
ALL WELCOME!
ALL WELCOME!
THANK YOU!
CHRISTIAN AID CHRISTMASS APPEAL
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.
(£905.19 plus £61.25 from gift aid).
Thank you to everyone who donated and to Val for organising the parish appeal.
'Fytt for thy degree: Clothing and arming the Typical Tudor man'
HURRY!! Only 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, hosted by the Medieval Dress and Textile Society (MEDATS) on 11th October . Click the link below:
https://buytickets.at/medievaldressandtextilesociety/1479728
See more details on the dedicated Armoury Facelift page
https://buytickets.at/medievaldressandtextilesociety/1479728
See more details on the dedicated Armoury Facelift page
Sun 1st December - 1.30 - 3.00pm
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Will your little one (or big one) be able to find all the elves in church? In aid of the Armoury Facelift Project.
Treasure hunt: £5 per sheet (ideal for a family group) |
The order of service can be downloaded here |
Remembrance:
Sunday 10th Nov
9.30: Requiem Mass for all fallen in war
including a named 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.
ORDER OF SERVICE can be downloaded here
Mendlesham School Remembrance Service
Monday 11th Nov
10.40 am in church - all welcome!
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.
ORDER OF SERVICE can be downloaded here
Mendlesham School Remembrance Service
Monday 11th Nov
10.40 am in church - all welcome!
'Fytt for thy degree: Clothing and arming the Typical Tudor man'
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 over an amazing £1,000 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/ |
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 sponsored them. Thanks too to the volunteers who welcomed and signed in cyclists and to Andi, the parish organiser. 
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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.
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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.
Friday 16th August
Patronal Festival of the Assumption
A big thank you to all who made this such a wonderful occasion. To Fr Edward Gunn for preaching, John and Becky for the fantastic firework display, Andi for organising the beer, designing the label and collecting the beer tent, Terry for doing the BBQ, John, Andrew F, Andrew M, Emily.and Chris for putting up the tent, Gail, April, Sarah and Julie for doing the bar and to all who came.
Saturday 29th June
2.00 - 5.00
Strawberry Teas -£5
Strawberry teas, live music, tombola
Organised by the Friends of St Mary's
Raising funds for the restoration and maintenance of our Grade 1 listed church building
Organised by the Friends of St Mary's
Raising funds for the restoration and maintenance of our Grade 1 listed church building
Christian Aid Week (11th - 18th May)
Total raised in the parish was £1439.23 +£188 Gift Aid = £1627.23
Thanks to all who gave, whether in the house-to-house collection, in the churn in church or at the URC coffee morning.
Entry £10 U16s Free
This is part of our Armoury Facelift Project – aiming for better conservation, display and engagement
Please see the dedicated page: Mendlesham Heritage Fair for more details.
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Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the generous grant of £9,993 towards this and a research project . |
Sun 5th May - May Fiesta
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
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
Sat 6th April
7.30 pm - Mendlesham School Hall
Quiz Night
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£5 per person. Teams can be up to 6 people but you are welcome to come on your own or as a couple etc and join up with others on the night.
Tea, coffee & nibbles available. Bring your own bottle if you wish. Organised by the Friends of St Mary's |
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A big thank you to all who donated £212 to St Martin’s Housing Trust* on Sunday evening, 17th Dec, when Santa and the carol singers visited Mendlesham Green and Mendlesham village.
Thanks, too to all who worked so hard to make this happen – to Graham, Anita, Brian, Simon, Andrew and Marina for setting it up, to collectors Kathie, Antony, Carrie, Elliot and Andrew, to the carol singers and to everyone who joined in at the stopping places. |
Remembrance
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
- also livestreamed on Facebook. Click here for link.
- also livestreamed on Facebook. Click here for link.
ALL WELCOME
You can download and print an Order of Service here to bring with you
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November candles for departed loved ones
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All welcome:
You can download and print a copy of the service here
You can download and print a copy of the service here
All Souls Day
Thursday 2nd November
9.30:Mass (said)
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Due to further excessive flooding in Mendlesham village today, it would be unwise for anyone outside the village to attempt the journey in the dark.
The All Souls' Day Mass will still take place at 6.30pm as there will be some people living nearby who will be able to get to church safely.
However, it will be said, rather than sung, and there will be no shared party afterwards.
The All Souls' Day Mass will still take place at 6.30pm as there will be some people living nearby who will be able to get to church safely.
However, it will be said, rather than sung, and there will be no shared party afterwards.
6.30pm Mass [SAID]& blessing of graves in churchyard. No refreshments afterwards.
Good news!
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read more here
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Sunday 8th October
Harvest Thanksgiving
9.30 Parish Mass & blessing of harvest produce for the homeless and vulnerable people cared for by St Martin's Housing Trust, Norwich. Thanks to all who gave so much fruit & veg, tins & packets of food - and a special thanks to all from Mendlesham School from their Friday Harvest service, plus good clothing, bedding and toiletries .... it was all taken to Norwich after Parish Mass by .Graham and Anita. Photos to follow shortly.
Friday 6th Oct
Antiques 'Roadshow' Event: a most interesting and enjoyable evening organised by the Friends of St Mary's for the church restoration
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Thank you from the Mendlesham TeamSHCT Ride & Stride:
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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 that Saturday topping 33 degrees, we were most grateful for the water and soft drinks so kindly offered in many of the places of worship.
Thank you very much to everyone who has sponsored us – including all who have done so anonymously.
With temperatures that Saturday 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.
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The Team’s total has now reached the amazing sum of £1,264 .... & 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 |
Mendlesham Summer Festival
Friday 18th August
7.00pm: Patronal Festival Mass.
Celebrant & Preacher: The Bishop of Richborough.
8.45pm(approx): Beer Tent & hot dogs in South Churchyard.
The 2023 limited edition of our own real ale will be available. You can also pre-order it.
Read more about the festival - or order beer - by clicking the link here
Read more about the festival - or order beer - by clicking the link here
Saturday 29th July
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Live Music: 'Kind of Blues'
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Arranged by the Friends of St Mary’s for church restoration
Thursday 6th July: 7.30pm - Sung Mass and Confirmation
by the Bishop of Richborough
Joe and Mandy were joined by Saman from St Mary Elms Ipswich as they received the Sacrament of Holy Confirmation. This was followed by a party at the back of church.
Christian Aid Week Result
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK TOTAL:
£1575.30 + £230 Gift Aid = £1805.30
House to house: £1065
URC coffee morning: £100
Online giving: £310
Churn in church: £100
Thank you to all who collected, donated and supported in any way and to Val for organising it.
£1575.30 + £230 Gift Aid = £1805.30
House to house: £1065
URC coffee morning: £100
Online giving: £310
Churn in church: £100
Thank you to all who collected, donated and supported in any way and to Val for organising it.
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 and made & installed by the Church Noticeboard Company. A fitting tribute in memory of the late Queen and a great addition to the churchyard.
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!
May Fiesta, 29th April 2023
Our annual May Festivity with May Queen and attendants Hannah, Leah and Kahlia. We processed after Mass around Front Street and Old Market Street and were welcomed at the King's Head by Paul, who very kindly provided refreshments. We then returned to church for a shared lunch. Thanks to Ant Ripley for the photos.
Sat 25th March
Baked Spud Bash
URC Chapel(between Front St and Old Market St)
12.00 - 2.00 pm
Arranged by the Friends of St Mary's for the church restoration fund.
Emergency Appeal for victims of Earthquake in Turkey/Syria
This raised £247.92 + Gift Aid and was sent via Christian Aid in addition to donations sent online. Thank you to all who gave.
Sunday 8th Jan
Celebrating Epiphany and Plough Sunday
Parish Mass 9.30 + blessing of chalk and plough
See this month's newsletter for more details here
Welcoming our old friends from East Suffolk Morris, who will dance in the Mass
11.15 (approx) Plough procession around Front St & Old Market St., concluding at the King's Head;
12.15 (approx) shared lunch in church
Christmass Appeals
Thank you for a great response to our Christmass Appeals:
- Christian Aid £1006.21 + £107.25 Gift Aid = a total of £1113.46 (churn, Carol Service collection + online giving)
- St Martin's Housing Trust, Norwich: £212.23 (Santa /carol singing) PLUS
- 155 pairs of socks
- 49 hats
- 21 scarves
- 30 pairs of gloves + lots of other clothing, bedding & duvets
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20th December 2022 Carol Singing and Santa Visit
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Due to atrocious weather on Sunday 18th Dec, this event was postponed to the following Tuesday. Thanks to all who helped, especially Anthony, Margo, Graham, Anita and Simon, who made it happen. The collection for homeless & vulnerable people cared for by St Martin's Norwich has so far raised over £212.23 (plus a pebble and an old 10p!)
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Christmass Crib and Tree
Thanks to Adrian and Liz Palfrey and Joanne Leeks (not forgetting Dexter the black lab!) for putting up the outside crib, which was blessed on Sunday 11th December on a very cold and frosty morning after the Parish Mass. Thanks, too, to Ralph and John Lambert for donating the lovely tree inside the church, and to Ray, Martin & Vicky Clements and James Tarrant - for transporting it and putting it up (as well as decorating the top half) and to Ant Ripley and Kathie Logie for decorating the bottom half.
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Friends of St Mary's Christmass Draw
The draw took place on 18th December and raised an amazing £771 to boost the much-needed funds for the urgent work on the church roofs. Thank you to Graham and Anita for your hard work in organising it, and to all who donated prizes and sold and bought draw tickets.
Thanks, too, to all who have a collection box for the Friends of St Mary's. This year these raised £999.65
Thanks, too, to all who have a collection box for the Friends of St Mary's. This year these raised £999.65
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Dexter, one of our regular Saturday congregation, by the US Memorial in the churchyard on Remembrance Day 2022 |
Sat 26th Nov
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REMEMBRANCE 2022
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Remembrance Sunday 13th Nov
9.30: Parish Mass of Requiem
for those who fell in the 2 Great Wars and since.
Attended by Major Tyler Beal of USAAF Lakenheath, and representatives of the Parish Council, Wetheringsett Parish Council and Uniformed organisations.
ALL WELCOME
Candles were again be lit and presented for each of the men of Mendlesham who fell in the 2 World Wars & the Korean War.
Another 288 candles were already alight for the 288 US servicemen stationed at Mendlesham Airfield who died on active service in WW2
2 minutes silence was observed.
The service concluded at the US memorial in the churchyard.
The Requiem was livestreamed on:
https://www.facebook.com/stmarysmendlesham
and the Order of Service can be downloaded and printed here
Thank you to John TT for typing it.
for those who fell in the 2 Great Wars and since.
Attended by Major Tyler Beal of USAAF Lakenheath, and representatives of the Parish Council, Wetheringsett Parish Council and Uniformed organisations.
ALL WELCOME
Candles were again be lit and presented for each of the men of Mendlesham who fell in the 2 World Wars & the Korean War.
Another 288 candles were already alight for the 288 US servicemen stationed at Mendlesham Airfield who died on active service in WW2
2 minutes silence was observed.
The service concluded at the US memorial in the churchyard.
The Requiem was livestreamed on:
https://www.facebook.com/stmarysmendlesham
and the Order of Service can be downloaded and printed here
Thank you to John TT for typing it.
Quiz Evening
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Harvest Thanksgiving: 7th - 9th October 2022
Gifts of Clothing, bedding, toiletries and food from the Mendlesham School Harvest Service on Friday 7th October and the Parish Mass on Sunday 9th October were taken after Mass by Graham and Anita to St Martin's Housing Trust, caring for homeless and vulnerable people.
Day Pilgrimage to Walsingham, 6th October 2022
14 pilgrims travelled to Walsingham for a wonderful day's pilgrimage, including Mass, Sprinkling and Benediction plus plenty of time to absorb the peacefulness of the Shrine and gardens.
Suffolk Historic Churches Trust
Ride & Stride
Sat 10th Sept - update
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Both Anne Gray and Churchwarden Chris Elstone took part in the Ride and Stride Day and thank all who have sponsored them. Chris cycled 34 miles to 24 churches/chapels, having not cycled for a long time and Anne (who tends to cycle every day) cycled 48 miles to 34 churches/chapels. . If you didn't sponsor either of them, it isn't too late to do so now online. The money goes directly to SHCT, who return half to St Mary’s Mendlesham for restoring the church. The total raised so far is £1051, half of which will go to St Mary's.
You can click either of the links below:
You can click either of the links below:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/anne-gray-88
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-elstone
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-elstone
Mendlesham Summer Festival 2022 (patronal festival of the Assumption) 12th August 2022
Christian Aid Week
was 15 - 21 May
A wonderful result from Mendlesham Parish this year, totalling
£1614.08 (£1516.18 + £98.90 Gift Aid)
The Coffee Morning at the URC raised £200, House-to-House collections in Mendlesham & Mendlesham Green raised £1086.18 and Online donations £230.
Thank you to everyone who supported this worthwhile cause.
Additional Curates Society
Collection in Lent raised £344.96. Thank you to all who gave.
Thank you
To Sue Palmer who has completely restored the cover for the font in the North Porch in beautiful solid oak.
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The font, which came from the redundant church at Rishangles when it was converted into a house, is said to date from the 16th century. Against the stem in niches are figures in the dress of 1530. It has the symbols of the 4 evangelists (Matthew (angel), Mark (lion), Luke (ox) & John (eagle)) alternating with symbols of Christ’s crucifixion.
The font has been adapted for use as a holy water stoup; when we enter and leave the church building we can make the sign of the Cross on our forehead with the water to remind ourselves of - and renew - our Baptismal commitment. |
The restored cover was blessed at the beginning of Parish Mass on Sunday 26 June 2022
HM Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Celebration Event
Friday 3rd June 2022
Friday 3rd June 2022 - an enjoyable afternoon in the south churchyard and church with locally brewed Elizabeth Ale +wine, soft drinks, hot dogs, ice creams, afternoon teas, children's activities and music, including live performance with local vocalist/guitarist Lou Sextey, guitarist Ant Ripley and drummer Chris Elstone and recorded music thanks to the Parish Council PA system manned by Stuart Larkin & Simon Furze.
A magnificent £1,130 profit was made for church funds. Thanks to all who helped and supported.
5th June 2022: 5.00 pm Platinum JubileeThanksgiving Service
A magnificent £1,130 profit was made for church funds. Thanks to all who helped and supported.
5th June 2022: 5.00 pm Platinum JubileeThanksgiving Service
Sunday 1st May 2022: May Fiesta
Sunday 9th Jan
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Saturday 23rd October
MEMORIAL SERVICE
for all parishioners who died during the pandemic
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Click on the image below or go to https://www.facebook.com/stmarysmendlesham and go to 'live' or 'videos' if it doesn't appear straight away. All video recordings remain available afterwards - click on 'videos'
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Those who died shortly before or during the pandemic were unable to have a funeral service which all relatives and friends could attend.
Those commemorated were: Val Ager, William Cameron, Frederick (Chas) Charles, Roy Colchester, Michael Denny, Eddie Derrick, Keith Forsdike, David Haines, Anne Herron, Roger Keeble, Peggy Knock, Fiona MacLean, Diana (Dizzy) Morgan, Russell Pipe, Barbara Pyett, Gary Robbins, Iris Roshier, James Shave, Janet Simmons, Betty Tittle, Gordon Tozer & Fr Timothy van Carrapiett They were remembered by name and a candle was lit for each of them. |
Thank you
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13th August 2021
Summer Festival (Patronal Festival of the Assumption)
Blessing of beer (Mendlesham's Best Assumption Celebration Edition 2021), Mass (principal celebrant & preacher, the Bishop of Richborough), Procession and Benediction - followed by hot dogs, drinks, and a draw in the South Churchyard and grand firework display to round off the evening. To read more about the festival, click here
22nd July 2021
Holy Confirmation of George, Max and Harry
by the Bishop of Richborough. This was the first occasion after the lockdown that we were able to sing hymns.
11th July 2021
Max and Harry's Baptism and their and George's First Communion
A very special occasion when two young men, Max and Harry, who have recently become part of our worshipping community, were Baptised during the Parish Mass, when they and another young man, George, received their first Holy Communion. We look forward to their Confirmation on 22nd July. You can see the recording of their Baptism via the link here
Good News
We have just heard that we have been awarded a grant of £500 from the diocesan Growing in God Growth Fund so we can upgrade the livestreaming equipment and infrastructure. We are most grateful to those who awarded this grant as it means we can continue to livestream our worship and the church will have its own equipment rather than relying on members of the congregation to use their own.
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.
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.
