Christmas Message from Revd Anne – The Light of the World
The shortest day in 2024 was 21st December and since then the days have been getting longer and we’ll get more daylight each day until we reach the longest day in June. During these sometimes gloomy months bulbs that start flowering early, such as snowdrops, crocus and hyacinths, grow away in the dark, pushing their way through the cold soil, until they reach the light and give us the joy of seeing their flowers.
Vocal Zones Choir invite you to join them next Friday 20th December for a Christmas Singalong Concert. They always enjoy this festive event and hope that you will too. Choir director Emma Bishton has selected a variety of carols and Christmas songs for your pleasure, come and enjoy! They will invite you to join in with some of the perennial favourites:
Join the Friends of St Mary’s at their Candlelight Carol Service
Once again the Friends of St Mary’s Old Church are holding a Candlelight Carol Service in the Old Church. The Friends look forward to welcoming you back on Sunday 15th December at 2:30 pm.
The service is free and open to all and there’s now dedicated car parking opposite the church. One of St Mary’s ministers will lead the service.
The Friends are also looking for someone to pump the church organ during the service, so if anyone is interested please contact Nicole Long on 01206 240443.
The 30th AGM of the Friends of Hillhouse Wood is scheduled for Wednesday, 11th December 2024, at John Lampon Hall within the Orpen Hall Complex on Lexden Road, West Bergholt. The meeting will commence at 7:30 pm, with refreshments available from 7:00 pm. Both members and non-members are invited to attend.
At the end of the formal proceedings there will be the opportunity to raise issues and engage in discussion (whilst finishing the refreshments!)
Christmas Message from Revd Heather – The Perfect Gift
As I write this, it is the 11th November, Remembrance Day. Yesterday in our churches, we remembered, lest we forget, the sacrifice of so many that we might know peace and freedom in our time. But as is always the way, the world is pushing us on, and we are being bombarded by Christmas adverts on the television and through social media. It seems hard to imagine, that we could ever forget that Christmas is coming.
Meeting on 11th November 2024, the Planning & Development Committee first reviewed actions from the previous meeting. These included confirming submission of updates to the Neighbourhood Plan. The committee then discussed 4 applications, variously in Bures Road, Mumford Close, Chapel Road & Scarletts Chase. All four were supported.
The Friends invite you to join them for Mulled Wine & Mince Pies at St Mary’s Old Church on Sunday, 24th November. This free event runs from 11:30am to 1:30pm and all are welcome! The highlight of the day will be an enchanting performance by Octavia, members of Quire, from 12:30pm to 1pm.
Join the Friends of Hillhouse Wood to Hunt for Fungi
Wrinkled Peach Fungi seen last year
The Friends will be going on a “fungus hunt” to seek out elusive fungi next Saturday 16th. They will aim to find a variety of mushrooms and toadstools in and around the wood, and explain something of their fascinating life cycles and why fungi are essential for a healthy woodland. They will also keep an eye out for visiting winter birds.
Nearly 20 hunters scoured the woods, hedgerows and fields last year and were rewarded with some stunning finds. You can see the report, including a video slideshow of their finds, here.
The walk will start at the Old Church, leaving at 10am on Saturday 16th November. The walk will take in Hillhouse Wood and surrounding hedgerows. You should wear strong boots or wellies, as you may encounter wet conditions underfoot !
Read on for a report from the last guided walk on 28th September.
Autumn Fruits Walk 2024 did better with flowers! – Steve Hallam Reports
Nearly 50 Species!
Eight of us scoured Hillhouse Wood and surrounding fields for evidence of nature’s bounty. We were rewarded by finding nearly fifty species of plants showing fruits or flowers. However, I believe that this walk is arguably mis-named, in that we usually see more flowers than fruits. This proved to be the case again this year.
Posada originates from Mexico where people dress as Mary and Joseph and re-enact the journey to Bethlehem, travelling from house to house asking for a place to stay (the word Posada means an inn). In recent years, this idea has been modified by churches in this country by sending the figures of Mary and Joseph and the donkey from house to house during Advent.
