On Saturday 20 September the congregation of All Saints’ Church will be opening up for Tower Tours from 1pm – 4pm. Visitors will be able to climb the 106 steps to the roof top of the tower of All Saints’ Church and enjoy spectacular views over Westbury and to the White Horse. Why not come and see if you can see your house from the top of the tower?In the Ringing Chamber, members of the bell ringing team will be on hand to talk about the eight bells that hang in the tower: the third heaviest peal in the World. You will also be able to view the workings of the 17th century chiming clock. The tower will be open during Westbury’s famous Wiltshire Chilli Fest taking place on the same day. Why not pop in and enjoy the view while you are in town? All proceeds will go towards the work of the church and the upkeep of the Grade 1 Listed building. Don’t forget your camera as the views across Westbury and to the White Horse are spectacular. Why not see if you can spot your house! Whether you’re a local or a visitor drawn by the festivities in town, the Tower Tours promise not only a climb to greater heights but a moment to pause, reflect, and view Westbury from a new perspectiveEntry to the tower will be £4.50 per adult and £1 per child. Doors open at 12.45pm and the last tour at 3.45pm. You can find All Saints’ Church between the Market Place and the Library and can be reached from Church Street, Market Place or Edward Street. Parking is available in the High Street Car Park. More details can be found on the church website www.achurchnearyou.com/All-Saints-Westbury Your safety is important and weather conditions may mean that we are unable to open on the day.
Our former curate, Holly Newton, who left us at the end of July, did a lot of work on disability awareness and church inclusion. She will be starting MA in Theology and Disability in September. Before she announced her departure, we invited her to come and preach in September at All Saints on 21 September and at Holy Trinity on 28 September, about disability and how the church can develop its awareness and accessibility for people with diverse needs and abilities. So she will be returning on these two Sundays to our Team. We do hope that you will come and hear her reflections on this important topic, which, I think we’ll find, affects us all.
Can you believe it is 25 years since Westbury Leigh Community Hall was established followed the reordering of Holy Saviour church in 2000? There will be a celebration taking place at the hall, on Saturday 20 September where cream teas will be served from 2.00 – 5.00pm. This is being organised by Lily Munday and friends. The celebration is open to everyone and it would be lovely to see people from across our Team who have enjoyed visits, events and services there over the last 25 years.
We are pleased to announce that Sharon Waggott has been appointed as our new Team Administrator from 1 September. Sharon comes from a background in housing management, working for a number of housing trusts. She has a great deal of experience in administration and IT and is keen to start a new role supporting our mission and ministry in the White Horse Team. We have been tidying up, sorting out and decorating the Team office to make it more welcoming and attractive. The Team office email address will come back into use on 1 September: office@whtministry.org.uk and we have the same telephone number: 01373 859450. Please be in touch with Sharon directly with your enquiries for baptisms, weddings, funerals, burials of ashes, parish hall bookings or anything else. Sharon will need a bit of time to get used to her new role, so please be patient. She will have a lot to get to used to! Please give her your full support. I’m looking forward to working with her.Revd Rebecca Harris
