In Stowey, we hold several fund raising events every year in order for the Church to keep open and to cover all the running costs involved. If you would like to make a one off or a regular donation to help with the upkeep of the Church, we would be very grateful. Please contact the Treasurer (see contact page on this website) for methods available and Gift Aid forms.
Organ Recital
David Bednall will be giving an Organ Recital in Stowey Church on Saturday 27th April at 7pm. This is the 2nd in the Annual Series on the restored Bryceson organ. The Recital will be followed by an optional 2 course Supper at Manor Farm, Stowey.
David is recognized as one of the leading choral composers of his generation. Having studied for a PhD in Composition with Professor John Pickard at the University of Bristol, he is now a Teaching Fellow at the University, University Organist and Sub-Organist at Bristol Cathedral. He has been signed to Oxford University Press, where he is a House Composer.
David has given recitals at many English Cathedrals, as well as at La Trinité and at Notre-Dame in Paris. He has won prizes in Improvisation and Performance and has the unusual distinction of appearing as stunt-organist on BBC TV’s Dr Who!
Churchwarden Jill Nicol says she’s delighted that David has agreed to give this Recital and hopes many people will want to come to hear him play. He is a brilliant virtuoso organist, who will thrill the audience with his performance. And although the organ is at the west end of the church, behind the audience, the performance will be seen on the large screen at the east end, thanks to the Bristol and District Organists’ Association.
This is a fund-raising evening for Stowey Church and it’s an incredible opportunity to hear and see such a distinguished organist and composer. Tickets are available now from Mrs Sue Skinner on 07740 626 696 or by email sueandgeorge@hotmail.co.uk
Recital Tickets cost £15 or £10, depending on seat location. Supper tickets cost an additional £10.
May Newsletter
On Passion Sunday, 7th April, we were joined by the Choir of the United Parish of East Harptree with West Harptree and Hinton Blewett for Choral Evensong. Andrew Day played our lovely, Bryceson organ, which is sounding better than ever following work by experts from Harrison and Harrison, Organ Builders of Durham, following damage caused by mice. Around 50 people attended the service, which was meaningful and uplifting, marking as it did the start of Passiontide. Mark's address on the true nature of the events at the meal at the house of Lazarus and his family was very enlightening.
The service was followed by drinks and canapés, which were enjoyed by everyone in the churchyard , in good Stowey weather! Thanks are due to the Choir, to the Rev'd Karen Spray who led the prayers, to all who provided the refreshments and to all who attended and made this such a memorable service.
Please note that we will not be holding the Teddy Bears Parachuting afternoon this year, but we hope to be able to do so in 2020. if anyone would like to help by making parachutes, please let me know, as I have a template and instructions and some fabric!
As I write this, I am pleased to tell you that we are sold out for our Organ Recital by David Bednall on 27th April. I’ll report next month on this and on the post-Recital Supper, but if you failed to get a ticket for this year's Recital, I can confirm that plans are in hand for another one next year!
Jill Nicol, Churchwarden
April Newsletter
Plans for the Organ Recital by Dr David Bednall on Saturday 27th April at 7pm are almost complete. The performance will be projected live onto the big screen at the front of the church, thanks to the Bristol and District Organists’ Association. Tickets are selling well, but don’t leave it too late! If you’d like to join us, you can purchase tickets from Mrs Sue Skinner on 07740 626 696, or by emailing sueandgeorge@hotmail.co.uk There is an optional hot supper afterwards at Manor Farm, The Street, Stowey, by kind invitation of Alison and Richard Baines. Tickets will not be available on the door.
Our next major service is on Passion Sunday, 7th April, at 6.30pm, when we’ll be joined for Choral Evensong by the Choir of the United Parish of East Harptree with West Harptree and Hinton Blewett, with Dr Andrew Day at the organ. This service marks the beginning of Passiontide, which continues until Easter Day. We shall be serving drinks and canapés after the service. Please join us for this special Evensong.
On Good Friday, 19th April at 9am there will be a short Service of prayer and meditation, after which we’ll be serving coffee and hot cross buns. And then our small group of helpers will be decorating the church for Easter. If you’d like to help, or to give flowers for Easter, please let me know, or just come along; you’ll be very welcome!
And on Easter Day, 21st April at 6.30pm we have a service of Holy Communion, celebrated by Mark. We’ll be singing some wonderful, joyful Easter hymns and Easter eggs will be distributed after the service. Please join us at this service and celebrate with us the Resurrection of Jesus on that first Easter Day. All are welcome.
Finally, the footpath to the church has now been laid and we hope you’ll agree that the contractor has done a very good job and that the path is attractive, as well as being a lot easier to walk on and safer. Please take care not to drive over it! We don’t want to have to replace the paving stones anytime soon!
Jill Nicol, Churchwarden
Lost: Child’s woollen mittens, fawn with pink bow and linked together with tape have lost their owner! Awaiting collection from church porch!!