www.StW.org.uk

Churches and communities in 

South West Herefordshire 

 
St Weonards : Garway : Tretire : Pencoyd : Hentland : Hoarwithy : Orcop
News

February 2012
Solar power at st Weonards: 16 solar panels have now been installed in the double-dip of St Weonards Church and are generating well.



















January 2012
Well-attended meeting on local resilience: Nearly 50 people from Tretire, Pencoyd, Orcop, Garway and St Weonards (apologies to any village omitted from the list!) met in St Weonards Village Hall on Monday 16th January to think about local community resilience in the face of dwindling natural resources. A lively debate, with varying views, followed a presentation by Malcolm Howard and John Oubridge (available here), and sections of the first Transition Network video (watch it here). The meeting was almost unanimous in wanting to find out more and have further meetings, so watch this website for information (see the new community Resilience link on the front page).

A new page has been set up on this website to temporarily carry news of developments and events, as well as other information. Please see the Local Resilience page.

December 2011:
140 people cram Garway Church for Christingle service:  It was standing room only at the most packed event at Garway's ancient church for many years when about 90 adults and 40 children attended a lovely Christingle service on Wednesday 22nd December. Music was provided by the Garway Band, plus the Garway "young band", along with solos from several young people. And local acapella group Singing Tree performed four carols as well. After last year's service had to be cancelled due to snow, it was great to see such a large crowd of people in the church this time!

Local councillor's December newsletter now available here.

Carols in the pub at Orcop Fountain and Hoarwithy New Harp were packed with local people to sing favourite seasonal carols and songs. On the right is a picture from the New Harp event. Thanks to Charlie and Ritchie at the Fountain and Belinda and Adrian at the New Harp for making everyone welcome!

Packed carol services at Hentland and St Weonards
Both Hentland and St Weonards churches had large congregations for their seasonal carol services on Sunday 11th December. At Hentland, singing was led by children from the Steiner Academy, directed by Selena Hamilton, with Jo Wilson on organ, while at St Weonards choirmaster and organist directed the Group choir in carols and anthems. Many thanks to all those who decorated the churches, provided refreshments and took part in the services!

Experience Christmas
Following the success of 'Experience Easter' earlier in the year,  St Weonards School children enjoyed 'Experience Christmas' on Monday 5th December, with a team of helpers in St Weonards church. The whole school was able to engage with the Christmas Story by moving round various 'stations' to really enter into the different themes through imagination and creative activities. The attention and depth of response from the children made all the hard preparation work well worth! You can see pictures of the Experience Christmas event on the Gallery page.

November 2011
New guide to St Weonards
The short guide to St Weonards has been revised and updated and can be downloaded here. We are now working on a more detailed guidebook which will include a timeline of the church since the 13th century. A new church tour document, which includes a fun quiz, is also in development.

 Plant Stall at St Weonards
The Plant Stall at St Weonards has had a great year – a huge Thank You to all who have donated or bought plants! A total of £336 .19 has been sent off to WaterAid to support their work of bringing clean water to poor communities.

New licensees at the Fountain Inn at Orcop
Charley and Ritchie welcome everybody to the revamped pub - warm fires, good ales, food available at all times (please phone first if possible), dart board back in place, and Saturday breakfasts. Muddy boots and walkers welcome. See the contact details and new opening times.

October 2011:
Buses re-numbered and times changed
The old 416 is now the 36, and the old 38 is now the 32/32! See the Local info page for links to the new timetables.

Highly praised one act comedies at Garway play to full houses
Garway 'Ave a Go Panto group presented two hilarious one act comedies at the Village Hall on Friday and Saturday evening (28th/29th October). Everyone enjoyed them greatly, and over 130 people attended in total. Congratulations to the actors and production teams for a great show! Pictures.


Hentland and Hoarwithy harvest lunch another success.
The venue was full of people for an excellent harvest lunch following the service at Hentland Church on Sunday 23rd October. Thanks to all the people who provided and cooked the food, and to everyone who generously contributed to the charitable giving - over £600 was raised. Pictures.

Tretire Harvest Supper packed to overflowing!
More than 40 people just managed to fit into the packhouse at Windmill Hill for a great harvest supper, following a capacity harvest service in Tretire Church. After the supper, Mark Evans entertainingly auctioned produce and other items donated by farmers, growers, housewives and firewood specialists to raise money for the church and its charitable giving. The whole event of supper and auction raised over £600.
Pictures of the harvest supper.

Archenfield Arts festival day draws the crowds
Garway church was packed to see and hear talented local performers - over 30 of them! You can see pictures of the event on the Gallery page.

Church packed for confirmation service
A joint service with the St Weonards and Wormelow Hundred benefices at Much Birch was packed on Sunday morning 9th October, when Bishop Alastair confirmed seven candidates. In a joyful and affecting service, the candidates ranged in age from 10 to over 70!
 
Community apple pressing gets the juices flowing!

Over 30 people arived at the Vicarage over the first weekend in October to press their apples into juice! Equipment for scratting (pulping) and pressing appleas was kindly loaned by a local resident, and further kit was borrowed from another local church, so that apples which might otherwise have been wasted could be converted into juice. Advice was on hand on cider making too, so it will be interesting to see whether any of the juice is used for that purpose!

This was the first time we have tried an apple pressing weekend - but from the reaction of the visitors it won't be the last! Let's hope we are as lucky with the weather in the future...