News: Calverleigh 2025 Round Up: News: Calverleigh 2025 Round Up
News: Calverleigh 2025 Round Up
Date Added: 09/01/2026 @ 9:56am
As this edition goes to print, we will be in the middle of celebrating the birth of Jesus in a lowly stable shed in Bethlehem, through our many church services with carol singing aplenty, getting together with family and friends along with all the festivities that go with it. We hope that your Christmas has been a happy and blessed one and wish you a healthy 2026 filled with all the things that you are hoping for you and your family.
The funeral of Myrtle Webber took place at St. Mary’s on 17 October and was conducted by Rev’d Steph Gordon-Jeffs. The service was relayed to the village hall for the many people who were unable to be seated in church. For many, many years Myrtle was our organist and introduced us to many new hymns during that time. She was instrumental in starting a church choir along with Margaret Goldsworthy and was also involved with helping at Holiday Club, Fish Club and supporting many church and village activities over the years. A single bell was tolled by Steve before the service began, the choir sang during it and five bells were rung afterwards as Myrtle was laid to rest in the churchyard, reunited with Ivan. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Myrtle’s family and many friends.
A family bingo was held on 25 October in the village hall and organised by Maureen and Paul. Plenty of prizes were ready to be won by those who packed the hall to play. After a fun evening, the event raised a total of £416.00 towards church funds. Thank you to everyone involved.
Our Remembrance Sunday service was led by Reverend Christopher Rowley with music played by David Edwards. A piece of reflective music was played before the two minutes silence began. Thank you, Christopher, for a thought-provoking service.
Initial investigations into the partial floor collapse in church took place on 10/11 November with the architect and structural engineer in attendance. We are now awaiting further instruction/information as to how to proceed with rectifying the issue.
On Saturday 15 November our annual Autumn Fayre took place with all its’ usual mixture of stalls where we welcomed familiar faces and a few new ones. Light refreshments of bread and soup, hot dogs or bacon baps were served. It was great to be able to catch up with friends from the local area and from further afield. After a busy few hours, a total of £1,131.70 was raised, including donations, for church funds. Thank you to all who prepared food, cakes, served drinks, helped in the kitchen, manned stalls, occupied our younger visitors with a craft table or attended. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.
The following day, our Explore service on 16 November was led by Tasha, supported by Nikki and music provided by David Edwards. The topic was about appreciation and during the service each member of the congregation present were thanked for whatever part they play in the life of St. Mary’s, whether as churchwardens, PCC members, worship leaders right through to those on the flower, cleaning or mowing rota’s and given the choice of a hot drink sachet or tea bag along with a packaged biscuit treat. It was a lovely service, thank you.
The funeral of Leslie Smith took place on 19 November. Son Jonathan gave a moving eulogy for his father as he spoke of a long life lived to the full. Our thoughts and prayers are with Leslie’s family and friends and also with those others who have lost a loved one either recently or longer ago.
More recently, on Sunday 7 December saw a large congregation come together for our Christingle service which was led by Nik. The talk, as well as saying what the Christingle represented, also compared it to a walk through the seasons and what you would notice if you were on a walk with nature, giving us much to contemplate in the build up to Christmas.
Forthcoming Events
Don’t forget to join us in prayer at your home, at the church or wherever you are on the first Saturday of each month between 9am and 11am. A prayer sheet will be circulated closer to time and can always be downloaded from the website!
Our monthly Explore Service is a fun and interactive all age family friendly service starting at 9.15am with refreshments, for a 9:30am start. The first Explore service of 2026 will take place on 18 January. Do join us if you can! (Explore is also held in Rackenford each month on the first Sunday each month).
