2 minute read
Batcombe
REP & DISTRIBUTOR: Johnny Gibbs jg@intramar.co.uk 83187
2021 dawns over Batcombe, bringing light with a hint of foreboding
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Photo: J Gibbs
Batcombe Church
The work in assessing the damage to the nave roof of the church and the cost of repairing it continued over the weeks leading up to Christmas. Fortunately, the various appraisals have now been completed and we were able to have the scaffolding removed in mid-December. We will shortly be moving into the fundraising phase prior to the repair project itself, which is likely to take place in 2022.
Carol service
Susie Graham writes: It was a very different carol service in our simply, traditionally decorated church last Christmas; for a start we were unable to sing carols! Secondly, we were limited with the number of people we could safely accommodate. Despite this we did have music, wonderfully performed by Lucy Hodge and her children. We also had two fabulous soloists who raised their beautiful voices up to the rafters, thank you Issy Hodge and Jasper McWatt.
Photo: J Gibbs
The rest of the children read the Nine Lessons incredibly well and Tony Gilbert led the service for us. A huge thank you to Kerry Straughan who each year coordinates this happy service for us.
The service inside the church was followed by carols, mince pies and mulled wine all safely sung, eaten and drunk around several fire pits in a very cold church yard. The spirit of Christmas certainly visited us and is a reminder of the importance of this ancient building. Although our church is situated at the edge of our village it is still, after almost one thousand years, the centre of our community.
Carol service
Church sign
Our sign to Mary Magdalene Church at the junction of Stile Way with Haydon Lane has befallen a nasty accident resulting from icy road conditions.
We wondered whether anyone locally may have the skills and time to repair the sign so that we can reinstall it in its former glory. If so, please get in touch with Johnny Gibbs.
Rather wonky church sign
The Batcombe church lottery prizewinners were:
November 2020
1st No 53 Paddy O’Riordan 2nd No 6 Archie Cameron 3rd No 7 Alfie Isles
December 2020
1st No 9 Sholto Isles 2nd No 57 Louisa Macpherson 3rd No 5 Isla Cameron
January 2021
1st No 41 Will Shelford 2nd No 18 Thomas Straughan 3rd No 51 Marion Fudge
Thought from the Rise of the Wriggle
“The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help.”
