On Sunday 6th July there was a celebratory service at All Saints, Wilby to mark the end of the repair project – Phase I, Phase II and Phase III. The thanksgiving service was held with grateful appreciation for the generous donations from our grant awarding partners and the professionalism of all the firms involved in the project, led by our architect Ruth Blackman BA Hons Dip Arch RIBA. The work on the nave roof and the retiling of the chancel roof, together with the reinstatement of the chancel ceiling, will ensure that All Saints continues to serve the local and wider communities for generations to come. Following the service the sunshine returned and we were able to enjoy afternoon tea outdoors. Many of the people who attended the service had an historical connection to All Saints and many had sponsored stars for their families and loved ones. The newly gilded stars on the chancel ceiling (by David Ord Kerr Dip. R.A.S.) were dedicated during the service by Reverend Sarah Walsh. We were delighted to welcome Reverend Canon Ann Easter whose connections with Wilby Church go back to 2022 when she presented All Saints, Wilby with the National Churches Trust Friends’ Vote Award. A chaplain to the late Queen Elizabeth II and with many real-world stories to tell, Canon Ann drew upon her BBC broadcasting experience to provide a very informative address and highlighted the role of rural churches in supporting local communities.
This was the first time Bishop Ian had been to All Saints, Wilby. He arrived at the village green by tractor/trailer, for the start of the service, accompanied by Reverend Sarah, with the children from Wilby House Farm also taking a ride.This Benefice Service began on The Green, kindly accompanied by the New Buckenham Silver Band. We then processed to the church to continue our act of worship. At the end of the service, the bishop blessed the new church warden's wand which has been created from Wilby oak through the combined efforts of various local craftsmen. Having the stave blessed at the rogation service was apt, as we celebrated not only the local farming but also rural-based industry.
Grateful thanks to the Horatio Singers, for leading a wonderful service of carols and readings for Advent. Their singing this year was truly sublime and the church looked warm and glowing, thanks to the work of parishioners, creating window displays and setting out the candles. Before the service the village was bathed in the sound of ur bells, ringing out across the fields, thanks to the Norwich Diocesan Association of Ringers, South Norfolk Branch.We would like to draw attention for those who attended, to the statement below.Correction to text contained on the back cover of the 2024 Advent Carol Service booklet for All Saint’s church, Wilby:The text read:The process of gilding is both time-consuming and expensive and there is an opportunity to “sponsor” one of the gilded stars.This could incorrectly suggest, that the church incurred time and material costs in the gilding of the stars on the chancel ceiling. In addition, it could lead people to believe that the artist was paid. The correct situation is as follows:1. The artist kindly donated his time voluntarily to carry out the work free of charge. 2. The artist generously paid for all the materials. 3. It was always the intent that any money raised in sponsorship of the stars will be used for the future of the church and not to pay for the gilding of the stars.
