Following a recent meeting with Zoe Swainston, British Cycling Community Coach based at Northern Gateway, we are delighted that she has volunteered her services to lead our proposed ride around the West Bergholt area.
A suggested route is shown below. This would potentially consist of two rides, including a shorter route for families, depending on demand. More information will be available in a few weeks, so please sign up below if you are interested in joining us.
St Mary’s is taking part in this year’s Season of Creation during the month of September, and details of our events can be found below.
The Season of Creation is a global and ecumenical Christian movement, established in 1989, to celebrate and care for God’s gift of Creation. Each year, from 1st September through to St Francis Day on 4th October, Christian Communities from all over the world come together to pray and act for our common home.
The Parish Council has set up a Cycling Working Group, with its own terms of reference, under the Neighbourhood Plan Action Plan, in April 2024, to determine the need for cycle facilities/ additional facilities in West Bergholt.
Its remit also includes promoting cycling routes, including off-road, and investigating the reinstatement of village-to-village cycle rides/rides to places of attraction.
The group, under the Chair of Andrew Ross, includes a wide variety of cyclists from a triathlete, a former world-level cyclist, a member who has cycled from Lands’ End to John O’Groats, and a member who loves no more than to take her children on a ride to local hostelries for Sunday lunch.
Free Concert at St Mary’s Old Church with Resonate
The Resonate Choir will be performing at St. Mary’s Old Church on Sunday, July 14th at 4 pm. This free event, hosted by the Friends of St. Mary’s Old Church, promises an enjoyable and unusual concert.
All cash and card donations made on the day will go towards the upkeep of the church. Free parking.
Resonate Choir
RESONATE, a group of singers originally from a world music choir in Colchester, has embarked on a unique musical journey. After spending approximately 15 years in the choir, these vocalists decided to explore a distinct repertoire. Their main focus includes the “Sacred Harp”, a musical tradition originating in the southern United States during the late eighteenth century. Additionally, they delve into traditional Slavic songs (including Bulgarian, Croatian, and Georgian melodies) and the rich musical heritage of South Africa and other African countries.
This Summer Vibe edition of St Mary’s News starts with Revd. Emma Barr reflecting on the joy that music can bring. It then continues with a number of events:
The wedding season is most definitely in full swing. What a privilege it is as a member of the clergy to walk alongside a couple as they make their preparations to marry and then be front line and centre to witness their big day.
There is so much that makes the service bespoke but for me it all starts literally with the first piece of music. We have had allsorts whether it is super traditional:
General Election 2024 – Don’t Forget Your Voter ID
General Election 2024 will be the first one to require mandatory photo ID. As ever, our polling station will be in the Orpen Memorial Hall, Lexden Road, CO6 3BW.
There are a few really important deadlines you need to be aware of in this General Election.
18th June – This is the last date you can register to vote.
Did you know that about one-third of young people eligible to vote have NOT registered? This is about the twice the amount for the population as a whole (14%). You can register online in as little as 5 minutes at Register to vote – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Even if you think you might not want to vote, at least you can keep your options open.
This Cèilidh edition of St Mary’s News starts with Revd. Heather looking at how ten years of Archbishop Welby’s call to prayer through his ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ message has fared. It then continues with:
As I write this, in the churches we are in the 10 days between Ascension, when we remember Jesus returning back to heaven after the resurrection and Pentecost, when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit.
The Dawn Chorus 2024 walk , which is taking place on Saturday 18th May, will be led by Steve Hallam. Organised by the Friends of Hillhouse Wood, this walk affords the opportunity to see Nightingales and many other brilliant dawn choristers. Steve says:
If you haven’t tried this you’ll find it a rewarding and delightful experience at a very special time for the wood’s varied birdlife.
It will mean an early start, meeting at the Old Church at 3:45 am (weather permitting). You are should bring warm clothing, stout footwear, a flask of hot drink and a torch.
This walk follows on from the recent Spring Flowers Walk.
Report of the 2024 Spring flowers walk
Wouldn’t life be boring without some variation and unpredictability? You can rely on the Hillhouse Wood guided walks to provide this – even the ones that are supposed to be the same, such as the Spring flowers walk. This year’s walk was no exception, both positively and less so.
This Walking edition of St Mary’s News starts with Revd. Anne’s message considering her recent hospital experience and relating it to how Jesus looked after his disciples on the first Easter. It then continues with:
A few weeks ago, Easter was joyfully celebrated in Christian churches around the world with a message of hope, and life in abundance in this world and in the next. And Jesus’ appearing to his disciples, and to many hundreds of others, after his death and resurrection, gave me extra cause for reflection this year.
