News:

Our love thoughts, prayers and sympathy are with Margaret, Angela, Julie, Marilyn & families on the sad loss of Ron on November 7.  A very moving funeral service held on the 26 November was taken by Rev Steph Gordon-Jeffs with lessons read by Rev Godfry Bell & Rev Clare Curtis & a poem was read by Linda Heywood.  The organist was Mr Andrew Herniman and some of Ron's favourite hymns were sung or played.

Ron was born & lived in Loxbeare all his life & always attended Loxbeare Church.  He served faithfully as Church Warden for 48 years & hardly missed a service unless he was ill or visiting Australia.  We all have our special memories of Ron & the tributes paid to him received by the family in word, card & at the funeral has shown how highly people thought of him & respected him. 'A man of prayer & faith', 'kind, helpful & generous', 'A man who lived by his principles', to name but a few.  All his life Ron has had the great desire that the gospel of Jesus Christ, God's word to be always preached in Loxbeare.

Ron got on well with all age groups & encouraged everyone 'to get involved' whether at Church services, activities, or village life.  He organised with great enthusiasm the Harvest Festival Sports, Holiday Club games, including the famous & much loved by the Children the tug of wars & the many games with Aubrey at the New Year parties. The children will I am sure, particularly remember 'throwing the potato' game.

Many years ago, Ron instigated the 'Sunday special' meetings for the Young People with many other Church denominations becoming involved to encourage & teach the word of God.  He organised the carol singing every year around Loxbeare & Calverleigh which has been going for all of Ron's life, which lots of money for various charities, only giving up this year, passing the 'baton' on to Sue & Aubrey which he was pleased that it was carrying on.

Ron & Margaret kept hens & Ron was often seen delivering eggs to shops, butcheries etc & became known as 'the egg man'!  They ran two holiday lodges & Margaret did some B&B with many returning for several years for holidays.  He loved to play cricket & played many years for Stoodleigh & then set up and organised the Loxbeare cricket team, which still plays, always encouraging the young people to get involved & enjoy sport.

Ron would be the first to say what he achieved in his life was only possible because of him & Margaret working and helping each other for all their 61 years of marriage together.  Ron will never be forgotten & will be greatly missed here in Loxbeare, the Exe Valley & the wider community.

From Margaret: Dear friends, Margaret & family would like to thank you for the cards, messages & letters of sympathy and donations for Loxbeare Church following Ron's sudden death.  God bless you all.

Our thoughts & prayers are with Maurice Taylor who at the time of writing is in hospital also Marlene & all the family.  We also remember anyone else who is feeling unwell, having treatment, or waiting for appointments/treatments.

Please see Services page for dates & times of services but the Plough Sunday service will be held in Loxbeare on 23 January at 11.15.
40 Showboxes were donated to Blythwood destined for the Ukraine for poorer Children in time for Christmas.  Thank you to those who came to the Village Hall & helped pack them or donated towards it.

Happy Birthday to all who have birthdays in January/February & anyone who will be celebrating special occasions.

Many thanks & much appreciation to all who have kept the Churchyard so nice & tidy during the year & for any general maintenance of the Church etc. Also thank you to those who have helped, supported & contributed in any way to running of the Church.  For time and commitment given for those who have taken & helped in various ways in our Church services.

We are continually grateful for the work of all medical care workers as they nurse & call for patients & the elderly.  We pray that the vaccine will continue to be a help in protecting us from the Covid & the new strain.  May the scientists continue to be able to produce the necessary vaccine to prevent serious illness & hospitalisation.

The Christmas Fayre on 4 Dec was scaled down to a Christmas cream tea with a bring & buy stall etc, & with some donations approx. £200 was raised.

We wish you all a Happy & Blessed New Year.  We pray we will all keep safe & continue to support & look out for those who need it.

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