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St Andrew's Church |
| Services in July |
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| 7th | 11.00 am | Benefice Communion (at Harlestone) |
| 14th | 11.00 am | Worship for All |
| 21st | 9.15 am | Communion (at Norton) (11.00 am at Brampton) |
| 28th | 6.00 pm | Communion |
| Full details of all services, other Church activities and locations for July here | ||
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| Services in August |
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| 4th | 11.00 am | Benefice Communion (at Norton) |
| 9th | 9.15 am | Communion (at East Haddon) |
| 11th | 11.00 am | Worship for All |
| 18th | 9.15 am | Communion (at Norton) (11.00 am at Brampton) |
| 25th | 6.00 pm | Communion |
| Full details of all services, other Church activities and locations for August here | ||
Now that we have said an official farewell to David we welcome Mrs Andrea Watkins as Rector. Her Inception Service was at Brington 2nd June. We also arranged a coffee morning in church on Saturday 8th June to give people a chance to meet her.
Andrea was previously Rector of the Grand Union Benefice which is also a multi-parish Benefice including Blisworth and Milton Malsor and her experience will be valuable as we look to the future. Linda and I have met Andrea and we were also involved in her interview process. All the Churchwardens in the Benefice were agreed that she is the right person for the role.
Any new Rector will have different ideas and experiences so we expect some changes in the coming months and if you have any ideas for what you would like from us please give it some thought and let us know.
On the social front we enjoyed a quiz evening recently. Some tough questions from Neil left a number of us puzzled but everyone had a good night and we also raised £400 for church funds. Big thanks to Phil for putting it together and to Neil for the questions. We plan another in the autumn.
The bookstall in the porch has expanded and is being used by people to swap or buy. Have a look next time you are passing.
Remember Linda and l are always open to suggestions about future services, events and how we can help the community.Jon Brierley on 07759 443178 or email
Linda Treacy on 07752 885900 or email
Churchwardens
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who contributed in any way to that memorable day - the 19th of May. I was overwhelmed, first by the number of people (over a hundred) at the service in Brampton Church, and then by the wonderfully kind and affirming things that were said at the end. There were cards, some with all your signatures on them, and there were other cards and letters from those who could not be present. These are things which I will always treasure, for they will be permanent reminders of the love and friendship and welcome which I have received during the two years and more in which I have had the privilege of ministering among you.
And then there was that delightful picnic after the service. I am deeply grateful to James and Sue Mackaness for their kindness in inviting us into their garden, and I am grateful, too, for the many people who organised the practicalities, such as chairs, glasses, plates and cutlery - not to mention heaps of delicious food and wine. It was lovely to share conversation, memories and laughter in such a beautiful location, and the afternoon proved to be one which I shall long remember.
What can I say about the cheque which you presented to me? I am overcome by your huge generosity, and I am humbled by the love and appreciation which the cheque represents. As I said in the church, I had expected when I first retired to have a quiet time on the whole, with perhaps the occasional invitation to help out where that was needed. To become the Rector for a couple of years of six villages, with all their demands and challenges, was something which I had certainly not envisaged, but the God of surprises has some wonderful things up his sleeve, and along with the demands and challenges I have been met with welcome, affirmation and friendship beyond measure. I can only say again: thank you, thank you - and may God greatly bless you in everything that lies ahead.
David Painter
Dedicated to St Andrew, the parish church is one of six within the Spencer Benefice of the Diocese of Peterborough. Built in the 12th/13thcentury the only original parts of the building remaining are the base of the tower and parts of the nave. The remainder of the nave and the upper parts of the tower were built in the later part of the 18th century. A ring of 6 bells was given in 1777 by the patron of the time ~ William Lucas Rose ~ who also paid for their installation and the building work. In 1779 he also gave a gift of communion vessels which are still in use today.
Considerable restoration work was carried out in 1878/9 when the chancel was reconstructed and the vestry and organ aisles added. Most of the existing windows were also restored. The tower and nave roofs were restored in 1957/8.
The east window contains the only stained glass in the building – the subject is Christ’s Crucifixion and dates from 1878. It is believed to be the work of Burlerison and Gryll – the purple/blue colouring being typical of their work and the stained glass designs used based on those of Germany and the Netherlands around 1500.
The Reredos behind the altar is a picture in mosaic depicting the Last Supper – a copy of the painting by Leonardo da Vinci, with the inscription beneath “Do this in remembrance of me”. The mosaic continues on either side depicting on one side ears of wheat, and on the other a grapevine.
The church clock is unusual as it was originally a one handed clock divided into ¼ hours and therefore does not have 60 minutes.
The church is surrounded by a churchyard of 0.649 acres with lovely country views looking eastwards. The earliest known gravestone is that of Thomas Embry Woolwinder who died in 1687.
In April 1994 the 6 bells and the frame were removed. The bells were taken to Whitechapel foundry in London, recast, and 2 new bells added to make a ring of 8.Tenor weight 13-1-5.
All the bells have inscriptions on them. The treble having “The Rose Bell, in memory of William Lucas Rose who gave the original six bells in 1777”. The new bells were rung for the first time on August 13th for a village wedding and were dedicated by the Bishop of Peterborough at a special service on September 29th1994.
The Bellringers practise on Monday evenings 7.45 to 9.00 pm. Anyone from 10 years can learn to ring – contact Justin Baker on 01327 844263 (e-mail) or Janet Bowers on 01327 842851 (email).
Visiting bands of ringers please contact the tower correspondent Janet on 01327 842851 (email).
St Andrew's is a small church with a friendly atmosphere which welcomes you to any of the services.
Special services include Pet Blessing, Christingle and others which rotate around the Benefice.