News
Proposed Film Club
The PCC have now reconsidered this
project and decided it is not an appropriate activity for St.
Margaret's Church.
Cantamus
Community Choir
As you are all aware, changes in the organisation of the
choir have been evolving since earlier this year. .The
decision that the choir base would have to be moved, seemed the moment
to put the choir on a sustainable footing for the future.
New Musical Director.
We can tell you that we have been most fortunate in appointing David
Ballard to this position. David has graduated in music from UEA and is
teaching in North Walsham. He acquired his choral experience having
spent the greater part of his musical life with North Walsham church
choir. He is also a very accomplished organist. He comes to us with
fresh ideas and enthusiasm. Alan will also continue with us as
accompanist, his many years of experience of choral singing will be
willingly shared with David and we shall have a great team leading
Cantamus.
"Visions of England”
Cantamus Community Choir, directed by David Ballard, will be
celebrating
the 2012 Diamond Jubilee in musical style. A concert incorporating a
wide-ranging programme of English music, with a rousing finale, will be
performed at a local venue in May. This is an opportunity for vocalists
of all abilities to be part of the current popular revival of choral
singing. A warm invitation to anyone who may be tempted to give it a
try
to come along to North Walsham Methodist Church on Thursday January
19th
at 7.30pm. Enquiries 01263 833252.
--
David has devised a very wide-ranging programme for a concert to mark
the
Diamond Jubilee. Dates and venue for this concert are not yet confirmed
but it is likely to take place in the first half of May. The pieces
range
from Byrd to the Beatles and the title of the programme is
“Visions of
England”. There really is something for everyone!
One change that effects everyone is the decision to put the termly
subscription up to £15 and make the drinks free. This is really a
practical solution to handling small change. We shall collect subs. the
first 2 weeks of term.
Wanted! If anyone wants to be
involved with a choir but does not actually wish to sing, support in
the form of helping with refreshments on rehearsal nights, or selling
tickets and stewarding duties at concerts, is much needed.
We do not meet in the summer, so if winter t.v schedules are
boring come and join our friendly group and enjoy "live" music.
The
Re-roofing Project
The
church was closed in August 2009 in order that major work to the roof
and interior could take place. Broken slates had allowed water to
damage the decorated ceiling with potential health and safety
issues looming action needed to be taken.
In 2007/8 a two-stage project to investigate and repair was instigated
by English Heritage.
The
project has cost in excess of £160,000.00, with funding being
provided by English Heritage, The Joyce Mayes Trust, Norfolk Churches
Trust, Historic Churches Trust, Wolfson Foundation, Garfield Weston
Foundation, The Mercers, Allchurches Trust Ltd., and PCC fund-raising
events and individual donations.
The church now has new slates, improved churchyard drainage, repaired
ceiling and total re-decoration.
The
main contractor for the project was Pikestaff Traditional Roofing and
Ruth Blackman of Birdsall, Swash and Blackman was the architect.
Easter
2010 saw the long-awaited re-opening of St. Margaret's Church.
On
Good Friday Cantamus Community Choir performed Stainers
"Crucifixion".
Easter Day was celebrated with our first service "back home" led
by
Rev. Janet Stewart. In the course of the afternoon more than 150
visitors viewed the newly decorated and re-roofed church, enjoyed music
by Village Folk Band and sampled our home-made cakes and tea. The
Village Library facility has returned with an enormous supply of good
quality books.
Upkeep
of Churchyard
The
churchyard is maintained by volunteers. Since 1998 it has received many
awards and accolades for its conservation work.
The Hazel Grove area is now used as a Green Burial area for the
interment of ashes. (See "Woodland burials").
We
encourage visits by conservation-minded people. May and June are
particularly colourful months, especially in the Hazel Grove.
In
2010 the PCC took the decision to no longer maintain the conservation
areas under the direction of Norfolk Wildlife Trust but instead to opt
for a more manicured appearance.
Recycling
We
now have 2 bottle banks as well as the paper skips on the church car
park. The paper skips already
earned £1300+ in 2007/08 towards the church's £7000
running costs - so please bring all your bottles and paper to Thorpe
Market!
Book
Recycling - Our Village Library
The
back pews are now occupied by a large shelf. The books thereon have
been donated and may be borrowed, read, and returned, or taken
for "keeps" in return for a small donation in the wall box. There are
modern novels, classics, biographies and special interest books. We
hope that it may provide a resource for avid readers between village
visits by the county library van. Bags of unwanted books to refresh the
selection may be left at the back of the church.
Village memories
The
intention is to create an archive of historical village photographs and
memories. We have posted Anthony Beck's diary of life in
the village during WW2 on this site. We always welcome any archive
material and photos may be e mailed to us. We receive queries
from around the world and are always delighted to respond if able.
This website has
been designed to provide a source for visitors, residents or indeed
anyone seeking information about the village of Thorpe Market. |
