Saint Andrew's Church, Cromhall
Friends of St Andrew’s
Newsletter No. 15
Nov. 2009
2009 turned out to be a busy year with many changes.
The churchyard
St Andrew’s churchyard continues to look good throughout the year, thanks to the hard work of our volunteer gardeners, Gordon, Sue, Ray, Jane and Roland . We are always pleased to accept offers of help with this either on a regular basis or to provide cover for holiday times.
In 2008 a tree was planted in memory of Mollie Jones, churchwarden between 1980-84. It was lovely to see this with all its spring flowers this year.
In the spring a tree surgeon pruned the churchyard shrubs and also removed two trees that were in poor condition and becoming dangerous. We plan to replace the trees before the end of the year and also plant a few evergreen bushes suitable for providing foliage for church flower arranging. Please note that the planting of trees in the churchyard requires the notification and agreement of the PCC.
The gift of a new lawnmower was gratefully received this year and is proving to be very useful. Thank you.
The churchyard has little space left for burials now and we are looking at the possibility of extending it. Plans are being drawn up for this.
In 2008, heavy winds brought down one of the crosses from the main roof. This landed on the roof of the mower shed and the cross broke into many pieces. Fortunately our insurance covered this and a new cross has been carved and erected by local stonemasons. The mower shed has also been repaired and strengthened
Gravestone record
A pictorial record of the old memorial stones in the churchyard has been made this year and can be seen on the church web site – saintandrewscromhall.org.uk
It is hoped that this will help all residents and visitors identify the resting places of their ancestors. A record of the layout of the graves in the churchyard is also in the process of being completed.
In early July the Provost of Oriel College Oxford and his wife Lady Morris visited St Andrew’s Church. Their comment in the visitors book was ‘A splendid church which Oriel College is delighted to be associated with as patrons.’
Church improvements
Access to St Andrew’s Church continues to be a problem for elderly people and those in wheelchairs. We have purchased a short ramp, which will offer some help, but further improvements are planned.
Grants have been applied for to install a toilet under the bell tower. This will mean buying a new boiler as the existing one is very old and it would not be possible to move it.
The church buildings are inspected thoroughly every five years and the next Quinquennial inspection will be in 2010.
Bishop Michael’s visit
In July Bishop Michael visited the Benefice. His day began with a service at St George’s Church Falfield and a picnic lunch at Tortworth. During the afternoon he saw Cromhall Village Shop, visited some elderly parishioners and the village of Rockhampton. The day ended with a farm visit and a service in Tytherington.
Canon Pat Lyes-Wilsdon’s retirement
It was a sad time for the Benefice when we had to say farewell to Canon Pat when she retired in August. In July we had held a farewell lunch for Pat and her husband Paul, attended by parishioners from all five villages. It was a joyous occasion at which we remembered all that Pat had done with us and we wished them both a happy retirement in their new home in Thornbury.
Deanery changes
Following Canon Pat’s retirement it was expected that there would be an Interregnum, or Vacancy as it is now called, where we would be without a priest. However another change took place this year, Hawkesbury and Dursley deaneries were joined to form a new larger Wotton Deanery. Our new deanery leader is Revd. Robert Axford who was inaugurated at St Mary’s Church, Wotton-under-Edge on June 1st.
Archdeacon Geoffrey therefore decided it was wise to appoint a temporary priest to the Benefice for the next fifteen months or so until the new deanery has settled down.
Welcome to Revd. Jenny d’Esterre
In September we were delighted to welcome Revd. Jenny d’Esterre as temporary priest for the benefice. Revd. Jenny will not be resident in the benefice and will only be here part time. It is planned that she takes services on three Sundays a month and works in the benefice for two to three days a week. We hope she will settle in well and soon get to know her way around our five rural parishes.
The New Benefice Community Office
The New Rectory is still owned by Gloucester Diocese and it is planned to rent it for the next year or two. The loss of the Rectory meant that we no longer had a place to store benefice papers, the photocopier or a place for the benefice secretary and Revd. Jenny to work. Earlier this year we began looking for alternative accommodation.
It was finally decided that we would convert a small building, known as the BBC room, behind Falfield Village Hall. During August the office construction took place. A secure window and door were installed, walls were lined, shelving and work tables fitted.
The Benefice Community Office was officially opened by Canon Pat at the end of August.
A new larger photocopier was installed for use of the benefice and local community. We are now printing the monthly 5Alive here.
The photocopier will also be available for any local printing or photocopying work, large or small, at 5p per A4 copy. Details of these services will be posted locally and are in 5Alive. Please pass news of this service to your friends. All profits from the photocopier work will be ploughed back into the community.
Harvest weekend
The last weekend in September was Harvest in Cromhall. We were delighted to be joined once again by Revd. Jackson Katete and his wife Catherine from Livingstone, Zambia. The church was full of harvest produce, flowers and donations of food for the Julian Trust. The service was well attended and Father Jackson gave us a taste of how Africans celebrate harvest. There were lots of harvest hymns sung and the congregation was encouraged to dance their harvest gifts around the church before presenting them at the altar.
In his address, Father Jackson spoke of harvest in Zambia, the problems of heavy and unreliable rainfall resulting in poor harvests and hunger. We also heard of the generosity of the Zambians bringing their harvest gifts to say thank you to God.
Six infants from St Andrew’s Primary School sang and danced their ‘Harvest Rock and Roll’ song and this was recorded on video camera to be shown to the children in Zambia.
Harvest Lunch
Following the morning service we enjoyed a most enjoyable harvest lunch in the Village Hall.
Father Jackson then showed us pictures and video film of the work he is doing in Livingstone to get street children and orphans off the streets and back into school.
Recent Fundraising and Social events
Cromhall 100 club
In November 2008 we set up a ‘Cromhall 100 club’ in Cromhall to raise funds for St Andrew’s Church. We were delighted to achieve 95 members and six draws were made during the year. Results are printed in 5Alive.
The first draw for 2009/2010 will take place on the last day of November in Cromhall Village Shop. One or two numbers are still available if you missed out last year.
Annual Church Fête
June 6th was our Annual Church Fête. This is our main fundraising event of the year and brings in sufficient funds to cover our year’s insurance premium.
As usual the plant sale took place on the last Saturday in May to enable people to buy their bedding out plants in good time.
Sadly the weather for Fête day was cold and wet and we were forced to hold it in the Village Hall. We are pleased to say that attendance was very good, stalls did well and when the weather improved, the children from St Andrew’s School entertained us all. We are hoping for a return to good weather next year.
Buffet Lunch at Burlingham House
The day was warm and sunny and we enjoyed a delicious lunch and then a leisurely walk around the garden. Finally, comfortably seated on the terrace, we enjoyed a cup of tea or coffee to complete a lovely afternoon.
Gloucester Historical Churches Trust
Each year in September a ‘sponsored ride or stride’ is held to raise funds for the repair of our historic church buildings. The plan is to encourage as many cyclists, walkers and horseriders as possible to participate. Sponsorship is collected for each church visited. 50% of all funds raised are returned by GHCT to be spent on our own church buildings.
This year the Benefice Ramblers visited Chipping Sodbury, Horton, Old Sodbury and Wickwar churches. Why not take part next year?
Boules Tournament
Also in September over sixty local people enjoyed an exciting afternoon in the garden of Talbot End House. This was our third boules tournament and the weather was warm and sunny all afternoon. Tea and cakes were enjoyed as well as local cider!
Future events
Greek Evening
On Saturday Nov. 28th, at 7.30pm in Cromhall Village Hall, there will be a Greek supper followed by a showing of ‘Mamma Mia’. As usual, please bring your own drinks. Tickets are £10 each and there will be a raffle. All profits will go towards the care and upkeep of St Andrew’s Church. Everyone is welcome but we can only seat and feed sixty guests. Tickets are on sale at Cromhall Village Shop.
Carol Singing around the village
There will be a Family Carol service in St Andrew’s Church on December 13th at 2.30pm. We also hope to sing carols in The Royal Oak. Look out for further details nearer the day on posters and in 5Alive.