St Mary's Church
Fairford

Successful Church Organ Appeal

The Organ, which was probably built by Nicholson’s of Worcester in the early 1840’s, was last repaired in 1986 and needed urgent work on the Great Soundboard and Re-leathering of the Bellows. The estimated cost was in the region of £40,000. This was raised thanks to the extremely generous donations and help of many people.

On Saturday 17th September there was a reception with an organ recital by James Henderson to celebrate the completion of the restoration of the organ.

Fundraising Success

Cabaret Evening for the Organ Fund

On Friday, 22nd January, a full house enjoyed a wonderful evening of entertainment, supper and dancing at the Palmer Hall.

The Cabaret Evening with Jean and Barry Kilgariff (Spindrift) was an absolute sell out. Also thanks to Dave who was on the guitar.

Magic cooks appeared with Cottage Pie and Turkey Fricassee and then finally an Italian lemon pudding. (The cake of the Grandmother) The bar sold out almost before the evening started.

Thanks not only to the sterling people who helped wash up and clear up but to the couple who ran the bar, to Andrew the butcher for providing the meat and Colosseo who made the delicious pudding. The total raised was a splendid £1675.

Coffee Morning in aid of Flower Festival

This April event was well attended and raised £410.

Tunisian Evening

Colosseo cooked and served a North African Meal with Wine Bar which was enjoyed immensely by all those who came. The event raised £550 in aid of the Organ Fund.

Gloucestershire Historic Churches Ride and Stride

In September Geoff Hawkes and Phil Trickett braved torrential rain to visit local churches and raise over £700. Half of that sum plus all the gift aid goes to the work of the Trust. The rest is returned to St Mary's to support the life of the parish.

Christmas Fair

This December event raised a magnificent £1185.15 for Church funds.

Charities supported over the Year

January: Mary's Meals
February: People for You
March: Middle East Church Association (JMECA)
April: The Carers' Trust
May: Scripture Union Romania
July: Mission to Seafarers
August: The College of St Barnabus, Lingfield
September: Farms for City Children
October: St Luke’s Healthcare for the Clergy
November: The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA)
December:The Children’s Society and CRISIS

News December 2016
News November 2016
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News September 2016
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News June 2016
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News February 2016
News January 2016
St Mary's News Round-Up 2015
St Mary's News Round-Up 2014
St Mary's News Round-Up 2013
St Mary's News Round-Up 2012
St Mary's News Round-Up 2011

New Curate for St Mary's

The new curate, Rev’d Helen Caine, gave her first service on the 26th of June at the Family Service, It was followed by a bring and share party in the Community Centre to welcome her.

Curates are essentially apprentice vicars. Having undertaken a formal course of learning, they then work in a particular parish, taking services, being trained in everything a vicar needs to know and do.

St Mary's Flower Festival

16th to 19th September

Porch: Luncheon on the Grass by Claude Monet as realised in flower by Heather Gorton. See more photos from St Mary's Flower Festival

The Flower Festival was very successful. We had visitors from all over the county and further afield. Very many thanks to all who came along and donated so generously. It was hard work but very rewarding for all the flower arrangers.

Over £1000 was raised which will go towards the upkeep of St. Marys.

Music at St Mary's

Concert in St Mary's, 11th June

In a departure from previous music concerts Prog Rock came to St Mary's in the shape of Bootleg Floyd. The sound was amazing - the church an awe-inspiring venue. 40% of the proceeds went to St. Mary's, as well as all proceeds from the bar.

Fairford Festival of Choirs

This was held in November. The proceeds (£592) went to charity.

• Fairford Church Choir
• Coln Choir
• Serendipity
• Kempsford Church Choir
• Individual Performances

Charity Advent Service

A Traditional Advent with Fairford’s own choir. The collection was shared between Gloucestershire Arthritis Trust (GAT) and St Mary’s Church.

Scripture Union Romania

Youth Worker, Chris Saunders, and an eight-strong team of teenagers from the area served alongside SU Romania again in the summer of 2016. Having encountered last-minute changes to their planned programme they ended up running a holiday club at a church in a small town called Biled. In sharing with the children and youth through craft, games and bible stories they trust that there has been a great deal of encouragement for the local church as well as a lot of fun for the young people. Further, the lives of our young people have been immeasurably enriched and a pledge has been made to continue to support the work of a faithful few in Romania. A big thank you to all who prayed for the group and helped raise the funds to go…. to such an extent that they were able to give a financial gift to the hugely appreciative local workers!