Suffolk and the town of Woodbridge were privileged to have been chosen to host the first stage of the Men's Tour of Britain, on Tuesday 2nd September, and we were delighted that the stage began just down the road from the church (near the Crown in Quay Street) and that our Bellringers were asked to ring the bells in celebration of the start of the event. There's something special about the sound of church bells, and this was no exception.By 8am it was obvious something big was happening, as there was a hive of activity around Market Hill, with recovery trucks, a whole host of motorbikes, and all manner of support vehicles arriving. What a huge amount of organisation an event such as this needs in order to run successfully, safely, and on time!Groups of people arrived throughout the morning, to bag their spot to see the cyclists go past, and there was an increasing air of excitement as it got nearer to 11am. With just a few minutes to go until 'the off' people were still arriving, the bells began to ring, and the sounds of cheering, shouts of encouragement and car horns swelled up from Quay Street as the cyclists set off, travelling up Church Street, past the church and onto Market Hill. The peloton passed by in a blaze of colour, passing St Mary's House, turning right and then left, leaving along Theatre Street.We knew they would reach Great Bealings around 11.15am, and the television coverage clearly showed them passing St Mary's, Great Bealings, easily identifiable (even though the church wasn't visible) by the sight of the War Memorial opposite.As the crowds dispersed from Market Hill, the bunting came down, and the signage and vehicles all quickly disappeared, it was soon 'business as usual' but, even if you're not a fan of cycling, you couldn't help but feel this was a great event, and were glad you'd been here to witness it.
We are pleased to announce a new initiative from the Church Urban Fund, to create a weekly Place of Welcome at St Mary's House in the heart of Market Hill. This will be every Friday from 12.30pm to 2pm, and our volunteers will provide tea & coffee, soup and sarnies, entirely free of charge (although any donations are welcome). We are doing this with the cold & difficult winter months in mind, so please spread the word!
CTWA WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITYYou are invited to join us at any of these times to pray together• Thursday 18th January – St. Andrews Melton (Compline) at 6:30pm• Friday 19th January – Quay Church Woodbridge at 7:00pm• Saturday 20th January – Methodist Church Woodbridge at 3:30pm• Sunday 21st January – St. Mary’s Woodbridge at 3:30pm• Monday 22nd January – St. Mary’s Great Bealings at 11:00am• Tuesday 23rd January – St. John’s Woodbridge at 7:30pm• Wednesday 24th January - Salvation Army Woodbridge at 2:00pm• Thursday 25th January – St John’s Woodbridge at 9:30am
Anti-Slavery Sunday Woodbridge St Mary will mark this important occasion in celebration of abolitionist John Clarkson, buried in our churchyard, and where his memory resounds today. All are welcome at our 10am Parish Eucharist on Sunday 15th October to highlight modern slavery using prayers and resources from the Clewer Initiative. “We need to protect and care for all who are treated as a ‘commodity’ or ‘object’ – by traffickers, for their own financial reward. The influence and courage of those first campaigners against slavery remains a contemporary campaign!” (Fr. Nigel Prior)