St Mary

3rd May 2026 APM - Annual Report 2026 The year actually started with the Harvest Festival service in September 2024 followed by Christmas Carols service 2024 which was our first service after re-opening and was really well attended with approximately 145 people. This was followed by an Easter service which was once again well attended. Our first official APM meeting was held 15th June 2025. The first PCC meeting followed on 23rd June We decided to re-instate the Saturday afternoon tea & coffee openings, which became a popular attraction for visitors to the hall, and for parishioners and some of the old timers to get together and have a chinwag and partake in some of the wonderful homemade cakes. A big thankyou to all the contributors. We had our first quinquennial inspection which did not reveal any unknown problems and through the year Stuart has worked his way through some of the most urgent ones. We would also like to thank Tim Kidger who has been repairing the stone wall between the old and new cemetery free gratis in his spare time. Karen performed her last service for us before she retired at the 21st September Harvest Festival which was once again well attended. We all wish her well in her retirement. During the year Stuart along with David Swain spent many days repairing the church organ and we would like to thank David for his contribution, the organ now sounds very nice. Christmas carol service 2025 and Easter service 2026 were once again well attended. We will be having our first wedding in the church this summer and have another one being arranged for 2028. There have been a few christenings through the year mainly due to Jacqui's expanding family. Jacqui also became the poster queen (not the calendar type). 2026 has seen the start of our Saturday afternoon tea and coffee sessions again. Unfortunately, we have had to let Paul the gardener go because of lack of funds, on the positive side we are developing a nice group of garden volunteers. We must also give out a shout for the flower arranging ladies who have decorated the church for all the main services.