St Mary’s News – What are you thankful for?

In this edition Revd Heather asks “What are you thankful for?”

Orphan train is used as a reference point when Rev. Heather asks What are you thankful for.

After discussing ‘what are you thankful for’ this edition continues with:

A copy of the PCC (Parochial Church Council) minutes are available to view in the Church (in the leaflet rack on top of the side cupboards).

Rev. Heather’s  asks “What are you thankful for?”

What are you thankful for? As I ask this question I am reminded of the film ‘The Orphan train’, which depicts the journey, Emma Simms, niece of Reverend Simms, made taking orphan children to find new homes in the West of America. The journey is accompanied by many traumas, including a fire in their train carriage, arriving in the town of Clayhorn, only to be driven away by the townsfolk and a massive storm causing a bridge collapse, with the last few orphans, having to walk the final 15 miles to the town of Mildred.

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Autumn Fruits Walk

Find out about local Autumn Fruits

A selection of the autumn fruits you are likely to see on the walk

Steve Hallam will lead a guided walk at Hillhouse Wood on Saturday 23rd September to seek out autumn fruits. Join him and you can expect to learn about local berries, soft fruits, nuts & seeds. He will let you know which ones to eat, and which ones you definitely need to leave alone. You will also hear the folklore associated with them. You can reasonably expect to see around 20 different varieties.

Previous years have revealed a pleasing quantity of late flowers as well. On one recent Autumn Fruits walk, walkers saw hundreds of:

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Vocal Zones ‘End-of-Term’ Update

End-of-Term Summer 2023

Vocal Zones at their Coronation Concert in St Mary's Church features in their 'end-of-term' report.

Vocal Zones Choir looked back on their two concerts at their end-of-term session in July. Jacqui from Vocal Zones reports:

Christmas & Mulled Wine

A big thank you to all those who turned out to support our Christmas concert in December.

Sea of Scarfs & Hats

Unfortunately, the heating system in the church wasn’t working on the evening of the concert. Consequently, as we looked out on our audience, all we could see was a sea of hats, scarfs and coats. We really did appreciate everyone’s support that evening. Regardless of the cold we all had a lovely evening, singing our hearts out to combat the chill and then drinking our mulled wine to keep warm and enjoying our mince pies.

Coronation Concert

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Abbey Road come to the Orpen Hall

Dance to Beatles Tribute Act – Abbey Road

The Friends of St Mary’s Old Church are hosting a dance with Abbey Road on Saturday 16th September. Tickets will cost £12.50 with doors opening at 7:30pm. Bring your own food & drink.

The money raised from this event with go towards restoring the Mediaeval Paintings found during the church’s redecoration.

There will also be a raffle and a short auction. pc.gov.uk

How to book

You can buy tickets by contacting any of the following:

Penny L – 07940 546646
Penny C – 07941 946410
[email protected]

About Abbey Road

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St Mary’s News – the Summer Holiday Edition

Summer Holidays

In this edition Revd Heather reflects on Summer Holidays

After discussing Summer Holidays, this edition continues with:

Rev. Heather’s Summer Message

It is that time of year when, for many of us, our minds turn to summer holidays.

Weather House - Hot or old?

Whether we are escaping to far flung places and the promise of hours of uninterrupted sunshine, sweltering temperatures, and beautiful beaches, or opting to take our chances with the British weather, staying in this country, whilst also being assured that wherever we go we are blessed with a beautiful country with plenty to see and to learn about. For me and the family this year it is a holiday in Northumberland that we are looking forward to.

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St Mary’s News – the Midsummer Edition

This edition starts with Rev Heather’s Midsummer Message

This edition of St Mary’s News starts with Revd. Heather’s “Midsummer” message and then continues with:

St Paul's Cathedral

Midsummer Message from Rev. Heather

Our Father

It seems hard to believe, that the midway point of the year is approaching, our days are so much longer now, as we enter June and summer begins, but still time seems to rush on and there is never enough time to get things done.

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Steve Hallam leads Big County Birdwatch on a Dawn Walk

Once again, Steve Hallam led a successful Dawn Chorus walk through Hillhouse Wood on 6th May.  This year it was one of 19 bird walks taking place in Essex over the Coronation weekend. 

Steve Hallam reports:

Well, it looks as if I must have done the odd good thing in a previous life.  Despite the distinctly dodgy weekend weather forecast, we had a lovely morning for our 2023 Dawn Chorus walk.  Not that we could see this of course, at 03.45, but at least we knew we’d be staying dry.  A nice number of 14 people also turned out, despite the distraction of a certain Royal event later that morning.  Also different this year was that we had folded the walk into the programme of The Big County Birdwatch, organised by the Essex Birdwatching Society.  This had been moved to take place in Spring, rather than Autumn.  It was pleasing to welcome EBWS people to the walk.

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Coronation Weekend – have you got plans?

King Charles III Coronation Weekend

Have you got plans for the Coronation weekend?

If you don’t have plans for Coronation weekend perhaps some of the following might appeal:

Friday

The Vocal Zones Choir will be celebrating the Coronation in style at St Mary’s Church from 7:30 pm, tickets at the door are £3 (cash) to include wine and light refreshments. 

Saturday

Some of the birds seen/heard at the 2022 Dawn Chorus walk

Why not take in the Dawn Chorus and be back home in time for the Coronation?  Steve Hallam will be leading the walk starting from the Old Church at 3:45 – read more about this, and several other bird walks taking place this weekend, here.

Coronation Picnic in the Upper Castle Park will run from 10 am until 4 pm.  Bring your own picnic or buy from street food stalls from Colchester Market.

Sunday

There is a Family Fun Day Coronation Celebration at the Mercury Theatre’s Piazza from 11 am – 3 pm.  This event is free and includes live music, family games & crafts and cream teas.   

Walk the Dawn Chorus 2023

Dawn Chorus 2023 with Friends of Hillhouse Wood

Swift in flight

The Dawn Chorus Walk 2023 is taking place on a busy weekend with Bird walks all across Essex. It will form part of the “Big County Birdwatch ’23” which being organised by the Essex Birdwatching Society. First, though, a report by Steve Hallam on the recent Spring Flower Walk at Hillhouse Wood.

Click here if you want to jump to the bird walks.

Spring Flower Dilemma

Bluebells

It is always a dilemma as to which date to set for the Spring Flowers walk. This is because the timing of when the various species flower can vary considerably between early and late seasons.  This year I anticipated that the season would be early – so naturally it has been late.  The solution was obvious, and so the ‘Bluebell’ walk was re-christened as a ‘Spring flowers’ one.  The forecast for the afternoon was either for sunny periods or rain showers, depending on which forecaster you looked at.  Either way, undaunted, a pleasingly large group of 22 assembled at the appointed hour and starting point. 

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Spring Flower Walk 2023

Spring Flower Walk 2023 with Friends of Hillhouse Wood

Early Purple Orchid
Early Purple Orchids similar to those seen

This is one of a few guided walks the Friends of Hillhouse Woods run each year. They  work with The Woodland Trust to look after this beautiful remnant of ancient woodland.

Last years’ Spring Flower Walk identified nine flowers in the first few yards, also many birds and other natural delights. The stars of the walk were Early Purple orchids that were flowering in profusion on the bank above the top pond. Walkers saw a total of 29 plants and trees in flower, which shows what a rich little patch of nature we are lucky enough to have.

Don’t miss this years’ walk!

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