The Christmas Season gets underway next week with a festive Cuppa & Chat. Details of other Christmas events are given below.

In this issue:
  1. St James’ Church Services – December
  2. Birlingham Photography Club, Tuesday 5th December
  3. Cuppa & Chat, Wednesday 6th December
  4. Church Cleaning Party, Friday 8th December
  5. Parish Council Report
  6. Birlingham Village Hall Committee
  7. Bulb Teas 2018
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1. St James’ Church Services – December

Services at St James’ Church during December will be held at the following times:

  • Sunday 3rd: Family Service, 10.30am (with Revd Janet Robbins)
  • Sunday 10th: Holy Communion, 10.30am (with Revd Claire Lording)
  • Sunday 17th: Carol Service, 5.00pm (with Peter Stansbie). Followed by refreshments in the Village Hall.
  • Sunday 24th: Christingle and Crib Service, 4.00pm (with Revd Alma Organ)
  • Monday 25th: Christmas Day Holy Communion, 10.30am (with Canon Richard Etheridge)
  • Sunday 31st: No service in Birlingham. Instead there will be a Eucharist for the whole Benefice in Pershore Abbey at 10.30am.
Change of service time. Please note that from January 2018 the time for the 4th Sunday Eucharist will be 9.00am instead of 10.30am. The PCC has agreed to do this so that another of our Benefice parishes, Wick, can enjoy a 10.30am service. The first 9.00am service will be on 28th January, to which everyone is very welcome.

Nave altar. After much discussion, the PCC has decided that it would like to experiment with a Nave altar. This means that instead of using the main East-facing altar at the far end of the church there will a table, which will look just like an altar, placed in front of the chancel step. This will enable everyone to see what is happening during the service and will reflect the feeling that we are gathering together for worship. We will receive communion standing up. The PCC will review this arrangement after six months.

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2. Birlingham Photography Club, Tuesday 5th December

Angela Fitch writes:
You don’t have to be David Bailey! Birlingham Photography Club welcomes all photography enthusiasts no matter what level you’ve reached!

The 2018 programme kicks off with:

  • Rose Finch’s presentation about the Royal Photographic Society, bringing to life the challenges and rewards membership of RPS has to offer. If you aspire to letters after your name, Rose’s presentation may be just what you need!
  • In February, BPC members Mark Waidson and Geoff Moore bring tales of the landscape to the fore. 5am alarms, misty mornings and some fantastic panoramas – not for everyone, but the results can be spectacular.
  • The March meeting sees a welcome return of Worcestershire wildlife specialist, Paul Lloyd, who will critique members’ images. Paul’s constructive comments will go a long way to turning your next good image into something great.
  • April’s meeting is a practical low light and night photography challenge – bring your camera and a tripod or bean bag for this illuminating presentation by BPC Member, Kevin Williams, who will reveal the secrets of capturing crystal clear shots when the sun has gone down.
Birlingham Photography Club meets at the Village Hall, first Tuesday of the month, 7.00pm-8.30pm. £3pp, which includes light refreshments; everyone welcome, under 18s to be accompanied. More information is available at www.birlinghamphotography.co.uk or email birlinghamphoto@btinternet.com.

Stop press . . .
BPC Annual Photo Competition will take place on Tuesday 5th December, 7.00pm to 8.30pm at the Village Hall.

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3. Cuppa & Chat, Wednesday 6th December

All are welcome to come along to the next Cuppa & Chat to mark the start of the Christmas Season. It will be held on Wednesday 6th December from 3.00pm to 4.30pm and there will be festive fayre, including mulled wine, mince pies and sausage rolls, in addition to the usual cakes and savouries.

A Christmas-themed raffle will be held, the proceeds of which will be donated to Crisis at Christmas.

Transport can be provided, if required. For more information, please contact Adrianne Woodward on 01386 750936.

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4. Church Cleaning Party, Friday 8th December

Adrianne Woodward writes:
There will be a church cleaning party on Friday 8th December, starting at 10.00am, to clean the church in readiness for Christmas.

All offers of help are welcome and it normally takes about about an hour, depending on how many volunteers we get. Brushes, dusters and polish would be useful items to bring and festive refreshments will be provided.

Hope to see you there!

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5. Parish Council Report

John Hill writes:
At the Parish Council meeting on 15th November, the following items were discussed:

  • There was unanimous agreement to adopt the Village Design Statement for submission to Wychavon District Council, who will consider it at the Planning Committee on 11th January 2018.
  • A written report was awaited regarding future care of the plane tree on the village green. However a verbal update suggested the tree is in good health despite its 200 years.
  • The draft budget was discussed for 2018-2019 and a final decision will be made at the next meeting in January.
Full minutes of the Parish Council meeting will be available in due course.

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6. Birlingham Village Hall Committee

Edward Farrar writes:
The Trustees of the Robert Woodward Parish Hall and Institute, better known as Birlingham Village Hall, are seeking new members to join their Committee.

The Committee is responsible for all aspects of the Hall (maintenance, bookings etc.) and relies on its members to carry out the duties required of them. It meets in the Village Hall at 7.00pm on the fourth Thursday of alternate months to discuss various aspects outlined on the Agenda. Meetings normally last for about one and a half hours.

The Village Hall is financially self-supporting and relies on income from the many and varied lettings for a wide ranging selection of events, meetings etc. Details of the Hall can be found on Google under ‘Birlingham Village Hall’.

If you wish to join us or need further information please contact the Secretary, Edward Farrar – Tel. 01386 750054, e-mail erfarrar@homecall.co.uk – or come to our next meeting in the Hall at 7.00pm on Thursday 25th January 2018.

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7. Bulb Teas 2018

Caryl Mills writes:
Dates for your diary. Bulb teas will be served on the Saturday and Sunday of each week during February 2018 in the Village Hall. They will start on Saturday 3rd February and finish on Sunday 25th February. We will be looking for volunteers to serve teas and donations of cakes. A Facebook group has been set up to keep those interested updated. At present this is a closed group so if you wish to join then please click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/371221456670408/.

As in previous years, to enhance the experience of the visitors there will be items for sale. If you wish to sell your products then please contact me on 01386 751748 or caryl-mills@hotmail.co.uk.

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