Author Archives: Stuart Fellows

New Rector Appointed!

The patrons of the benefice, the Bishop of Hereford and Martyrs Memorial Trust, are delighted to be able to announce that the Reverend Mike Harris, currently Vicar of Amington, Tamworth in Staffordshire, has accepted their offer of the post of Rector of The Severn Valley Group of Parishes. Arrangements will be made for his licensing and induction to take place – possibly in September. We will keep you updated on exact dates as soon as we have confirmation.

We would like to thank Rev’d Val Smith for all of her amazing hard work during this period of vacancy and offer a welcome to Rev’d Mike and his family when they join us in the Autumn.

Second “Sing-a-long” Sunday

We held out second “Sing-a-long” Sunday at the weekend, and with numbers up on the first one, it is proving to be a popular format! Churchwarden Zoe Baggott said, “our sing-a-long Sunday is something different in the area. It is a chance for people to come together and sing their favourite hymns over a glass of wine and light refreshments. But in addition, we include a “topical interlude” in the middle where we invite a guest speaker to deliver an informal talk on a topic of interest”.

This weekend, the topical interlude was delivered by Paul Stedman who spoke about community defibrillators. Paul, who is a member of the Parochial Church Council is also the managing director of “Cognet Ltd”, a private company which specialises in delivering training in first aid, compliance, and health and safety. He spoke at length about the value of community defibrillators, how they work and the different ways in which communities can obtain the relevant funds to purchase one. Carrying on with the first aid theme, Lydia Baggott (age 8) shared some news around her experience of helping a friend who had a nosebleed whilst on a recent school trip. Lydia knew what to do as she had just received first aid training through the 2nd Cleobury Mortimer Brownies. Lydia received an additional “Good Deed” badge from Brown Owl as a result of her actions!

Sing-a-long Sunday finished once again with a rousing rendition of “Jerusalem”, which has now become the standard finale!

The next Sing-a-long Sunday will be on Sunday 10th May at 6pm. All are invited. Don’t forget to bring a bottle! Anyone wishing to request a hymn in advance, or even volunteer to deliver a topical interlude, is asked to get in touch through the contact us page.

Pictured are FRONT - Lydia Baggott (8) with her Brownie "Good Deed" badge MIDDLE - Mr George Poyner, Rev'd Val Smith and Mrs Mary Nelson BACK - Paul Stedman

Pictured are FRONT – Lydia Baggott (8) with her Brownie “Good Deed” badge MIDDLE – Mr George Poyner, Rev’d Val Smith and Mrs Mary Nelson BACK – Paul Stedman

PCC AGM 2015

The AGM of St Mary’s Church, Billingsley PCC will be taking place on Wednesday 4th March, 7.30pm at The Bulls Head in Chelmarsh. This is an important meeting where the formal PCC posts are elected and the plans for the forthcoming year are discussed. If you would like to get involved, have some ideas for future services or fundraising, or just want to learn more and meet the PCC at an informal venue, please do come along. You will be most welcome and it will be lovely to see you there!

Zoe and Rebecca
Churchwardens

New Service – Sing-a-long Sunday

From March our 9.30am morning prayer (which falls on the 2nd Sunday of every month) will be replaced with a 6pm informal “sing-a-long Sunday”. This will take the format of a community Songs of Praise style evening. It will be very informal, and we invite you to come along, sing your favourite hymns, and enjoy some refreshments with your neighbours. Tea and coffee will be provided, but to add to the informal feel, you are welcome to “bring a bottle” to share with your friends during and/or after the service.

If you are attending on a certain date in the future and wish to request a specific hymn to be sung, please ensure you have contacted the Churchwardens by the 1st of that month (see the Contact us page).

Carol Service and Christingle 2014

It was a packed Church for the annual village Carol Service and Christingle on Sunday 14th December. The service was beautifully decorated with holly and candles, and the Service followed the traditional format of 9 lessons and carols. During the service, the children helped to light the Christingles and the lights were switched off for a candlelit rendition of “Away in a Manger”. Afterwards, there was mulled wine and plenty of seasonal nibbles for everyone to enjoy whilst they enjoyed a get together with neighbours. All donations from the collection plate (£100 in total) were donated to The Children’s Society. Churchwardens Zoe and Rebecca would like to thank everyone that helped decorate the Church, prepare refreshments or read on the night and to everyone for attending.

Christingle1 Christingle2 Christingle3 Christingle4 Christingle5 Christingle6

Billingsley BBQ and Village Fete Pictures

Despite the overcast weather and change of time, the annual Billingsley BBQ and village fete was well attended and a great evening was had by all. The Churchwardens and rest of the St Mary’s PCC would like to thank everyone that supported or helped run the event. Special thanks go to Frank and Rose Cartwright and everyone at Rays Farm for yet again allowing us to host the event at this wonderful location and to Harry Scriven for donating the delicious burgers and sausages! Stottesdon musician Emily Bond played an excellent acoustic set for nearly 3 hours and there were plenty of stalls for people to enjoy in between visiting the animals, and sampling the delights from the BBQ and Bar! Almost £1800 was raised for St Mary’s Church in Billingsley from this event. Some of the money will be put towards the Churches refurbishment fund – we are currently raising money for the installation of a kitchenette and fully accessible toilet inside the Church. This will enhance the experience of our visitors and of anyone attending services at the Church. It will also mean we can start to use the Church for more community events once our facilities have improved. The trustees from Deuxhill Village Hall generously gave us a significant sum towards this fundraising project following on from the sale of the hall, but we still have quite a shortfall so money raised from this years BBQ will give the appeal a real boost!

Rays Farm BBQ 1

Packed crowds enjoyed the annual Billingsley BBQ and Fete at Rays Farm

Packed crowds enjoyed the annual Billingsley BBQ and Fete at Rays Farm

Our 2 biggest supporters, Mr Frank Cartwight and Mr Harry Scriven, always come along to join in the fun!

Our 2 biggest supporters, Mr Frank Cartwight and Mr Harry Scriven, always come along to join in the fun!

A warm welcome awaited you at The Bar!!

A warm welcome awaited you at The Bar!!

Get your delicious Burgers and Hot Dogs here!!

Get your delicious Burgers and Hot Dogs here!!

Local Musician Emily Bond entertained the crowds with her amazing acoustic set!!

Local Musician Emily Bond entertained the crowds with her amazing acoustic set!!

A great night, but we were all shattered by the end of it!!Fete at Rays Farm

A great night, but we were all shattered by the end of it!!Fete at Rays Farm

 

Cheque Presentation to the Bridgnorth Royal British Legion

On Thursday 21st August, Churchwardens Rebecca and Zoe were invited to the Branch meeting of the Bridgnorth Royal British Legion. After the meeting, Zoe and Rebecca presented a cheque for £320 to Mr John Whitty (Branch Chairman). This was the funds raised at the recent WW1 Centenary Commemoration Event which was held at St Mary’s.

British Legion Presentation

Pictured are Rebecca and Zoe presenting John with the cheque

Zoe Skydives In Aid Of Church Funds

On Saturday 13th September, Zoe Baggott (Churchwarden of St Mary’s Church, Billingsley) will be doing a tandem skydive at Tilstock Parachute Club, Whitchurch in aid of Church Funds. The jump is part of a year long list of “40th birthday” celebrations which has already seen Zoe run a Personal Best in a Marathon, eat a meal in the revolving restaurant at the top of the CN Tower in Toronto, and own her first ever pair of Converse Baseball Boots (something she has been wanting ever since her Brosette days in the 80’s!!).

Zoe will be doing the jump in aid of St Mary’s refurbishment fund, which will allow for the installation of a kitchenette and fully accessible toilet inside the Church. This will enhance the experience of visitors to the Church and also benefit those attending services and other events that are held there.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Zoe is asked to email zoe.baggott@hotmail.com or use the contact us page on this website.

Cheese And Wine Evening Proceeds Presented

On Sunday 13th July, members of St Mary’s Church, Billingsley presented a cheque for £370 to Headcase Founding Trustee Andy Johnson. This represented money raised at a recent cheese and wine evening held at the Church. Mr Johnson, a resident of Middleton Scriven, said, “After almost 4 years of fundraising, we have nearly reached the £400,000 total, and this donation from St Mary’s Church in Billingsley will really help to boost our funds and enable us to continue to fund research being carried out by The Cellular and Molecular Neuro-Oncology Research Group at Portsmouth University into understanding the complex biological behaviour of brain and intracranial tumours. I would like to thank everyone that came to the cheese and wine evening or sent in donations.”

Churchwarden Zoe Baggott said, “We are delighted to have been able to support this worthy cause. Our Church regularly supports charitable organisations. Our next event is a WW1 Centenary Commemoration Evening on Saturday 2nd August at 7pm. We will have a number of guest speakers as well as musical entertainment from members of the Bridgnorth Male Voice Choir. This is a free community event but donations on entry are invited. There will also be a raffle and all money raised will be for the Bridgnorth Royal British Legion (who will also be in attendance on the night). For more details, or to make a donation, please email me at zoe.baggott@hotmail.com or contact me through the church website contact us page.

Cheese And Wine Evening Proceeds Presented to Headcase

(Left to Right) Mr John Kirwin – Secretary to St Mary’s Parochial Church Council Mr Andy Johnson – Founding Trustee of Headcase Mrs Mary Nelson – Reader for the Highley Benefice group of Churches Mr Paul Stedman – Member of St Mary’s Parochial Church Council and Diocesan Synod Representative Ms Zoe Baggott – Churchwarden Mrs Rebecca Hadley – Churchwarden