Thank you to everyone who made our annual Snowdrop Weekend on 7th and 8th February such a success.From mid-January to mid-February each year our churchyard is carpeted in a wonderful display of snowdrops, referred to as “one of the Springtime glories of South Shropshire”. The snowdrops have been part of our landscape for over 150 years. They were planted originally by Mrs Emma Mary Bowles, the wife of the Rev Joseph Bowles, who was vicar at St Peter’s Church from 1847 to 1879.The display attracts visitors from across the West Midlands and despite the poor weather, people turned out in their hundreds to see the display and of course to have tea, sample the cake and take home lots of preserves. As a result, we raised £1,720 over the weekend, the biggest amount ever at this event. It will be a much needed contribution to the continuing refurbishment of this great Heritage church. A big thank you also to our team of volunteers who baked and served and a special thanks as always to Sue Parker for organising the whole thing. Thanks again everyone
Our All Souls Service this year was marked by a special act of remembrance as we reinterred the remains of someone who was originally buried at St Peter’s over 500 years ago. During the early stages of the building work here last year, human remains were discovered in the churchyard. Not unusual perhaps but these were buried at less than 1 metre deep. The appropriate authorities were advised and the archaeologist on site during the work excavated the remains, recovering more or less a whole skeleton. He advised that the absence of any coffin goods suggested a wrapped burial. This, together with the relatively shallow depth indicated a burial during the late mediaeval era, so pre-1500. We know little of the person themselves, other than that they were male and a young adult at the time of death. The earliest date for the grave monuments in the churchyard is 17th C so this discovery is a timely reminder that the church and its churchyard have a much older history.
Saturday 11th saw a lively Harvest Supper and Cèilidh held at Stanton Lacy Village Hall, with music provided by local band Join The Dots.A week later we held a Poetry Night at St Peter’s, featuring the work of local writer Ian Barge. It was an affectionate, if not entirely reverential tribute to the Church of England!A big thank you to everyone who made the events successful, gave freely of their time, donated food, helped with organisation and serving; and of course to those who attended - your generosity as ever is huge.
