The PCC has made a decision to begin rewilding the churchyard. The areas containing modern graves will continue to be regularly mown and kept tidy, but most of the area to the front of the church will be managed to provide areas of longer grass and wildflowers to encourage wildlife such as bees and butterflies. Some spring flowering bulbs have already been planted to provide an attractive aspect as viewed from the street., and we view this as along term project which will evolve over time. The emphasis will be on management rather that neglect, and we have drawn up some detailed plans, based on advice from the organisation Caring for God’s Acre https://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/

The areas shown in green, where the new graves and ashes interment area are located, will be regularly mown and kept short.

The area to the north of the church will also be kept short to allow community events to take place.

The areas in orange will be allowed to grow longer in summer and cut back in autumn to allow spring flowering plants to thrive, and still allow for wildflower growth as the season progresses

The cross hatched area will be allowed to gradually become a natural area of longer meadow. We will sow wildflower seeds and grasses to encourage this, and continue to remove nettles etc. The whole area will be cut back at the end of summer.

Join us in the churchyard (or church if it’s wet ) for a traditional Christmas singalong with the Newmarket Town Band.

LAST YEAR IPSWICH CHURCHES LAUNCHED A CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN CALLED INSPIRING ANGELS.

 

Some large angel wings will appear outside All Saints’ soon, and we invite you to pose for a selfie and post it on Facebook.

We are holding a chidren’s service with angel crafts and refreshments on Saturday 3rd December. Do come along.

Angels are a symbol of love, of presence, pointing the way to the moment when God came in the person of Jesus to be with us in the world, to share in love and pain alongside us. Angels appeared to tell us about the birth of a baby in a manger. Angels sang, bursting with joy, to some shepherds, and told them, “Go and see!”

The diocese is hoping that  angels in a variety of shapes and sizes will appear all over Suffolk and that we can all try to be an angel this Advent – donate to a food bank, cook for people, make a charity shop donation or another small act each day during Advent.  You could post your activities on Facebook to let others know what you are doing. 

We are delighted this month to launch the second edition of the book written about our unique 16^th Century roof carvings. The first edition was far more popular than we could have hoped, and sold out in less than a year.

Two academics, Professor Peverley (University of Liverpool) and Professor Luxford (University of St Andrews) bought copies of the first edition, and were able to offer further fascinating insights into some of the carvings. For instance they were able to date accurately when the ceiling was carved. They did this by analysis of the appearance and clothes worn by the figures. The sciapod, the mythical creature with the giant foot depicted below, sports a beard and doublet of this period

and the other strange gentleman who seems to be crawling out of a shell or a shroud wears a ruffed collar. These came into fashion around 1520, and as the ceiling would not have been carved after the split with Rome by Henry VIII, a process completed in 1534, the roof must have been carved between 1520 and 1534. So this helps us to know pretty exactly WHEN it was carved, if not by whom.

They were also able to identify the benefactor for the carvings. The only coat of arms on the roof, which almost certainly was included as a mark of respect to the sponsor or benefactor of the carvings, as that belonging to the Earl of Stafford and his family. Gazeley was certainly in their possession in the 15^th Century, having been inherited by descent and then marriage from the de Clare family, based locally at Clare castle. Richard de Clare had been given over 100 manors after the conquest by William the Conqueror as a reward for his help, including that of Gazeley.

The expert historians have also given us many other fascinating insights to the carvings, all of which have been incorporated into the new edition.

The book  costs £8.00 and can be purchased  at:

Moulton Village shop

The Chequers Pub Gazeley during normal opening hours

By e mail from: lazarusnfp@btinternet.com ( add postage and packing £1.75)

On Amazon (where it is sadly more expensive at £10.50, but can be convenient for delivery etc)

Or direct from the Men Myths and Monsters page on this website.

	Gracious God, we give thanks for the life of your servant, Queen Elizabeth, For her faith and her dedication to duty. Bless our nation as we mourn her death And may her example continue to inspire us: Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Thank you to everyone who came along to our Art Show and contributed to its success, especially to the WI who made and served refreshments over all three days.

Owls in October will be held in the church on Saturday 29th October.

More details to follow.