News & Events
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Proposed
Alterations to St. Giles Church Pews
(In particular – wheelchair provision)
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) believes it is very important to put
before the congregation and wider community, a proposal to remove two pews,
in order to create more flexibility and space for the needs of our Church.
The PCC have produced two sets of pictures illustrating the proposed
alterations (not shown here). The first refers to the back of the Church and
the second to the front of the Church, both on the north side.
The rear seat is kept, so that
others may sit with those in wheelchairs. Chairs could be added for peak
services.
·
Wheelchair users could be accommodated within the main body of the Church
rather than at the very front. Most importantly they would be given a choice
as to where to sit which is something that all non-wheelchair users can take
for granted.
·
Adjacent pews would be retained for the use of carers and those
accompanying.
· The
back area would provide speedy access to the Church door in the event of an
emergency.
· The
back pew area could also provide a more comfortable space for families with
young children with more room for crèche like activities, with the very
young.
· The
back area would provide a convenient space for the viewing and witnessing of
baptisms in the font area.
Removal of the front north-side pew and reduce the second wider pew to
the same size as all other pews
· The
front space could also be used for our music group and the ministry of
healing, access to the candle stand and lectern would be improved.
· The
front space would be level with the floor allowing wheelchair users to use
it independently of others.
The pews would not be disposed of, but safely stored so
that they could be replaced, if a trial period proved unsatisfactory. The
PCC are extremely mindful of the sensitivities of such re-ordering and are
committed to proceeding with due caution, and only after lengthy
consultation. If you would like to contribute to this debate then please
contact either the Rector or the PCC.
Farnborough War Memorial
Dedication Service
11th May 2008
The day dawned with a clear sky,
bright sun and a light breeze. A very good omen for the finale to several
years of preparation. God provided the backdrop, now it was down to us
mortals to paint the picture.
At 10
o’clock at the Village Hall, the Standard Bearers and Representatives of
Organisations assembled, ready to march through the village.
The Deputy
Mayor and Councillors were met at the Lych Gate by the Rector, the Church
Wardens - with staves - and the Choir ready to process past the Church and
on to the War Memorial where relatives, friends and old comrades had
assembled to honour those from Farnborough, who had laid down their lives
for us in The Second World War.
The Order of
Service, compiled by Matthew and expertly produced by our friends T&C
Printers, was available for all as a memento. The opening hymn ‘O God, our
help in ages past’ and prayers of dedication set the tone, for this special
service.
Flight
Engineer, Ted Molyneux, read out the names inscribed on the new plaques. Ted
Jobson of the Royal British Legion recited ‘They shall grow not old, as we
that are left grow old’. ‘The Last Post’ – two minutes silence and
‘Reveille’ followed by the Kohima Memorial Epitaph. The placing of wreaths
on the Memorial brought to a close the first part.
The Choir,
The Rector and The Deputy Mayor led the assembly into Church for the second
part of this very moving service. The hymn ‘All my hope on God is founded’
followed by prayers, Psalm 46 and St. John’s Gospel 11: 17-27, led us to the
Rector’s moving and inspiring sermon. The hymn ‘Make me a channel of Your
Peace’ and prayers followed; and the hymn ‘Thine be the Glory’ brought the
service to a close.
There
followed light refreshments in and around the Church, where villagers,
ex-villagers, friends, relations
and organisations met, got to know each other and exchanged memories, before
wending their way home.
Photographs were taken by visitors and the press to help us re-live this
enjoyable and memorable occasion
We
extend our sincere thanks to all the willing workers and to all who gave
very generously to the Fund, both before and on the day, enabling this work
to be done. The Fund will be kept open to ensure this outstanding Memorial,
will be kept in good condition for very many generations to come.
F.V.S. Memorial Committee
Cycling for Friends of Kent Churches In
aid of Kent Churches and St. Giles
The Friends of Kent Churches’ annual bike ride will be on Saturday
13th September. Participating Churches of many denominations will be
open throughout the county, and volunteers are sponsored to visit as many as
they can. Money raised by each cyclist is divided equally between
their own Church and the Friends of Kent Churches, who award grants to
Churches in need of help for repairs and restoration.
We thank those who have supported the Friends of St. Giles in this event, in
past years. We have a few cyclists already and volunteers who will sit in
St. Giles from 10am to 6pm, to keep the Church open on the day. We would be
very grateful for more support, either as cyclists, as sponsors of the
cyclists, or sitters.
Further details and sponsor forms are available from Valerie – 01689 856045
Friends of St. Giles 250 Club
From 31st August 2007 the St. Nicholas Church 250 Club ceased to exist, and
Pauline Allard very kindly stated that it could be run for the Friends of
St. Giles as from 1st September, and this was willingly accepted by the
Friends’ committee. Thus the Friends of St. Giles’ 250 Club has come into
existence, and will be run in exactly the same way as was the St. Nicholas
Church 250 Club. Members of this Club will sign up to give £12 each per
year, and every month there will be a draw for the 5 prizes, with the
balance of the monies going to the Friends of St. Giles. Membership forms
are available from Sue Ellis (01689 607256).
Tea Towels
The
Friends are selling their new Tea Towel (costing £5). This blue and
white cotton tea towel has been designed from village photographs, most of
which were contributed by Alan Robinson. Please telephone Yvonne Burr
on 01689 601502.
Cream Teas
On Easter Sunday, 23rd March, in St. Giles’ Centre from 2.30 pm – 5.00 pm, The
Friends offered Afternoon Cream Tea for £3.50 with old-fashioned
waitress service. Come and taste our scones and jam on our last two
dates: Bank Holiday
Monday, 25th August, and Sunday, 5th October.
Watches & Foreign Coins
If you have any watches – old,
broken, wind up or battery, we are collecting them. Also, we are still
collecting unwanted foreign coins.
THE FINE MUSIC AT St. GILES enjoyed by those who fill our ancient and
lovely church at noon on New Year’s Day and on the evening of the May Bank
Holiday each year is only viable at affordable ticket prices given the support
of sponsors. We do need help with this, in small or larger gift sums. If you
are able to consider part sponsorship of just one concert, a season or a series
please contact Yvonne Burr on 01689 601502, or e-mail her at
ydburr@hotmail.com. Unless
specifically asked not to publish we do include, in each concert programme, the
names of sponsors (not amounts given) in order that the audience may
appreciate their contributions, alongside those of the artistes.
An article on this year’s
Brian Moore New Year’s Day Concert can be
found under St. Giles the Abbot – Services and Events (click
here to view).
An article by Alison Reynolds
on this year's Music for Maytime Concert can be
found under St. Giles the Abbot – Services and Events (click
here to view).
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