On Thursday 2^nd June, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt. Rev. Peter Price, and the Archdeacon of Taunton, The Ven. John Reed    were present at a thanksgiving service in St. Mary the Virgin, Buckland to celebrate the completion of the restoration of the roof.

The service was conducted by our new House -for-Duty Priest, Doris Goddard with the help of Lay Reader Andrew Bell.

After the service refreshments were taken in the school hall .

For 4 days, the Ladies' Flower Club staged a flower festival in the Church with Celebration as the theme.    Each display represented an event from the church calendar. Easter, Trinity, Harvest, Pentecost, Remembrance, Advent, Christmas, Baptism, Marriage, Death.

Lych Gate	Marriage	Pentecost
Trinity	Baptism	Harvest
Confirmation	Communion	Easter
Curch Renovation

 

The Volunteer Band from HMS Heron based at Yeovilton under the leadership of Colour Sergeant Dave Wright gave an exhilarating concert with music ranging from stage and screen and big band sound, to military and patriotic.     Their expertise and prowess left everyone spellbound and wanting more, much more.

At the St George's Day Celebration held on 23 April this year, the children of Buckland St. Mary School had a painting competition to raise money for the 'Babe Appeal' which provides hospice care for children. 

Each school child painted a picture of St George and the Dragon and they were judged by the number of coins that were placed by each picture.     On 9 June a cheque for £46 was presented to Paul Curtis who received it on behalf of the fund.

On Saturday 2^nd July the annual Fête was held in the lovely garden of South Hill Farm, by kind permission of Carol and Paul Jones. The weather was cloudy but warm and dry for which all the stall holders were grateful.  

The event was officially opened at 2.30p.m. by Doris Goddard, our new 'House for Duty' priest, and the garden rapidly filled with excited children, parents and visitors eager to spend their money on the competitions and goods for sale. 

After exhausting themselves playing Outdoor Skittles, 'Batting Rats', Hoopla to mention but a few, welcome seats awaited in the Tea Garden for refreshments and succulent homemade cakes. 

 In the background a varied selection of music mingled with the sound of talking and laughter giving the feel of a time when life was slower and more carefree.    

A BIG Thank You to all who supported the Fête and whose generosity raised £1027.20 on the day.

Stanchester Quire

On 19th December in front of a packed audience, Stanchester Quire performed  a selection of traditional west country carols and readings in Buckland Village Church.   The vaulted ceiling provided the best acoustics for the excellence of the unaccompanied singing. 

Mulled wine and mince pies were served during the interval giving the singers a welcome break before the second half.

For once the Church was reasonably warm helped by  the large number of people packing the pews.

It was a very enjoyable evening.