Celebrating the Harvest … Looking Back at Harvest Festival CelebrationsDuring the months of September and October, churches across various denominations in Britain celebrate a Harvest Festival. The "Harvest Festival", is said to be primarily a Victorian innovation rooted in biblical themes.The Bible mentions several festivals associated with the harvest. The Feast of Weeks, known as Shavuot, signified the commencement of the harvest season with the collection of the first fruits, while the Feast of Ingathering, or Sukkot, celebrated the conclusion of the harvest when all produce was collected and safely gathered in.The Book of Common Prayer includes Thanksgiving prayers for particular events, including expressions of gratitude for rain following a drought, periods of peace, liberation from plague, and appreciation for abundance.The Privy Council and the Church of England designated national Thanksgiving Days in England, establishing a specific national Thanksgiving Day for England and Wales, while separate observances were also agreed in Scotland.Harvest ThanksgivingsThere is no fixed date for Harvest Festivals. In the UK, these celebrations usually occur on a single day in either September or October, depending on the completion of local harvests. In rural communities, the Harvest Festival has become a significant annual event, alongside Christmas and Easter, often attracting people who do not usually participate in church services.In years gone by when there was plentiful national harvest, a designated Thanksgiving Day was established by the Church of England to express gratitude to God for the bounty. These were referred to as Harvest Thanksgivings. There were National Harvest Thanksgiving Days in 1796, 1801, 1810, 1813, 1832 and 1842. These were seen more in the West Country (Devon and Cornwall for instance) where the climate tends to be milder and harvest season typically begins earlier.The mid-1840s are often referred to as the Hungry Forties due to a series of poor harvests. The most devastating event during this period was the Irish Potato Famine. In 1847, when a bountiful harvest finally occurred, a national Harvest Thanksgiving Day was established for Sunday, October 17, 1847, during which churches collected donations for the relief of the impoverished in Ireland. Subsequent years saw further poor harvests. Everyone will have been grateful, therefore, for the bountiful harvest in 1854.A national Harvest Thanksgiving Day was established on Sunday, October 1, 1854. Following this, more bountiful harvests were recorded in the years from 1855 to 1859. Despite experiencing a poor harvest in 1860, the concept of an annual Harvest Thanksgiving service had already gained popularity within the church calendar. By the 1860s, such services became a regular occurrence in Anglican churches, and by the 1870s, they began to be adopted by non-conformist churches as well. St Paul's Cathedral in London hosted its inaugural service in 1874.In the early days of Harvest Thanksgivings, the church was adorned with the final sheaf of corn from the harvest. As time progressed, the decorations grew increasingly elaborate, with parishioners contributing a colourful selection of flowers, fruit and vegetables. Deuteronomy 16.10, says: ‘celebrate the Harvest Festival, to honour the LORD your God, by bringing him a freewill offering in proportion to the blessing he has given you’ (Good News Bible).Photo: Unsplash.com
The memorial garden at Nicholforest Church was officially opened on Sunday 25th August 2024. Located behind the church grounds, the Memorial Garden was kindly and generously donated by James Thompson-Schwab, to Nicholforest parish Council . This is a tranquil place offering a deep sense of peace and spiritual connection. A place where you can feel connected to deceased loved ones through quiet reflection. The garden also represents a collective memory of our community serving as a reminder of shared faith and the support that comes from being a part of a spiritual community. The Garden is placed in a landscape of trees and greenery. We can draw on nature’s energy as a symbol of life, growth and resurrection. This can be comforting during times of grief or in times when you need to escape the pressures of everyday life and recharge your own emotional/mental batteries. This peaceful, meditative space provides a retreat for those seeking solace. A place where people can pray, reflect and find inner peace. Being surrounded by nature in such a sacred setting helps strengthen a connection between the physical and spiritual worlds, offering comfort and a reminder of the continuity of life. A prayer for the grieving: Father, I pray to you, for you are always there, always ready to be found. I thank you for being my hiding place. I run to you when the great waves of grief rise and threaten to overcome me. May God’s peace and comfort surround you during this time of loss.
Nicholforest today is a stark contrast to its turbulent past. Once part of the lawless borderlands, characterized by raids, conflict, and instability, it has now become a peaceful, rural area known for its scenic beauty and calm countryside. Nicholforest was once a part of the Debatable Lands, a historically significant area located along the border between England and Scotland. The Debatable Lands was an area of land disputed between the two countries for centuries, especially during the medieval period. This region, largely lawless and known for its turbulent history, became infamous for the presence of border reivers—raiders who lived by cattle theft and other forms of lawlessness. The Debatable Lands: The Debatable Lands lay between the Scottish counties of Dumfriesshire and the English counties of Cumberland. Throughout the late medieval period, the region was subject to continuous raids, violence, and cross-border disputes as neither Scotland nor England fully claimed control over it. Nicholforest, like other parts of the Anglo-Scottish border, was a site of frequent raids and conflict. It was part of the broader territory affected by the instability and violence in the Debatable Lands. For more than three hundred years, the region was largely governed by local clans, like the Armstrongs, who skillfully thwarted any efforts by the Scottish or English governments to assert their control. The Grahams owned five towers in the Debatable Lands. Other clans included the Irvings, Carruthers, Olivers, Bells, Dicksons, and Littles among many others. Border Reivers: The residents, known as "reivers," were notorious for engaging in raids on both sides of the border, living by plunder and exploiting the lack of government control. By the 16th century, the region's lawlessness became intolerable to both England and Scotland. In the mid-16th century, representatives from Scotland and England came together to establish a boundary for the Debatable Lands. They created a line, referred to as the Scots' Dike, stretching from Esk to Sark. While the Border Reiver raids and the violence of the Debatable Lands are long gone, the region retains some of its historical charm. There are remnants of old towers and fortifications that once served as defences against cross-border raids. For visitors today, Nicholforest and the surrounding areas offer a glimpse into England’s rich history combined with serene natural beauty. Walking trails, wildlife, and the remnants of its historical past provide a mix of outdoor recreation and cultural interest. From its tumultuous days as a battleground between nations to the calm and picturesque landscape it is now, Nicholforest represents how dramatically a place can change over time.
Every 5th Sunday the Esk parishes have a joint Benifice service which resolves around the 3 churches.This month for instance it is on 29th Sept and will be held at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Arthuret, in Longtown. This service starts at 10.30 am.On 22nd Sept there will be a joint service at Kirkandrews on Esk BCP Holy communion 11am start.We are having Bishop Peter Ramsden on St Nicholas day 1st Sunday in December.Dates of Harvest Festival Sunday 20th October! 11am
