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What’s happening at the side of the Church?
churchadmin2023-08-15T10:57:37+01:00Visitors to the grounds may have noticed some work being carried out on the North side of the church.
Originally, there was a path linking the West end to the East end thus avoiding visitors to the burial grounds and Memorial Gardens having to do so via the car park.
As part of our plans to improve access, we have decided to re-instate the path. The newly laid tarmac path will provide level access to the rear of the church by adding a small spur that will make disabled access easier by avoiding the 3 steps that currently link the path.
The work is being carried out by kind donation from a friend of Christ Church. In the future, we would like to extend the lighting to include the path.
If you would like to support this work with a donation then please contact the parish office on 01793 522832 or christchurchswindon.co.uk
Autumn Programme 2023
churchadmin2023-08-15T10:37:03+01:00
Please join us this Autumn as we consider together what it means to be part of a healthy, growing community here at Christ Church with St Mary’s, building new friendships Download the full programme here For more information please contact The Revd. Canon Simon Stevenette 01793 529166 Simon@christchurchswindon.co.uk |
Jubilee Memorial Garden Update
churchadmin2023-08-09T10:41:42+01:00We are delighted to have received permission from the Diocesan Faculty Office to continue work on our renovation of the Memorial garden. Work will now begin on removing the two gravestones to the North of the garden so that the path can be extended to the East. This will enable level access to all parts of the area. The stones will be replaced against the Community Centre wall.
Steel edging is being put in place to retain the weed suppressing mulch which will form a level surface for the centre of the garden. Later in the year, fine turf edging will be laid, continuing the edge ( shown above) around the south side of the garden.
Read a summary of our proposals
All the work will be carried out under the close supervision of Ian Handy, our project leader. Our permission states that the works must be completed within 12 months but we are keen to be ready for the Autumn season to allow planting and preparation at the best time of year.
We will minimise any disruption to the plaques whilst the works are carried out but if you have any concerns please come and visit and let us know or contact us, The garden is for everyone and it’s important to us that our visitors understand and are happy with what is being done.
Support the Jubilee Memorial Project with a donation
If you or your family members have any concerns or questions or would like to contribute to the cost of these works, then please contact Carol in the parish office.
You can also contact us via the Parish Office ( 01793 522832)for other ways to donate.
We have a Just Giving Campaign page where you can read more and securely give towards the completion of the project.
Thank you for your support.
Help in the Community Centre Needed Please
churchadmin2023-07-21T15:22:05+01:00Volunteer clean up day in the Community Centre
Next Thursday 27th July – Please come along anytime between 9am-4pm and help to give the community centre a freshen up.
Unplugged! Young Musicians’ Fundraising Concert
churchadmin2023-07-19T13:53:22+01:00The UNPLUGGED! Young Musician’s Fundraising Concert Featuring Paul Turner and local talent of all ages.
This Sunday, 23rd July 6.30pm in Christ Church.
Free entry with retiring collection.
There will be a bar available on arrival and during the interval.
All donations are for Christ Church.
All are welcome – we hope you can join us
#christchurchswindon #livemusic #concert #youngmusicians #swindon
The Annual Old Town Autumn Fayre Returns
churchadmin2023-07-03T14:16:18+01:00Autumn Fayre 2023 – Book Your Stall Now
Beer Festival Concerns Addressed
churchadmin2023-07-03T12:35:07+01:00Our Response to Concerns about the Beer Festival
Following our 10th annual beer and cider festival we have received a number of concerns on both social media and through direct contact with members of our community.
We want to address these issues and make people aware that we take our site and how well it is respected seriously.
We have been successfully running this event for many years and are aware that some people do not agree with us hosting a beer festival within a church setting. We have to balance the fact of serving our community, encouraging new people into church and fundraising for the future of not just ours but other churches in our deanery. We feel that the benefits far outweigh the small number of negative comments that we receive. See another article on our website as to the reasons why we run a beer festival – https://www.christchurchswindon.co.uk/blog/2023/05/why-a-beer-festival-in-a-church/
A few years ago, we received a similar concern with regard to people sitting on and around graves. We have therefore already adapted what we do to ensure people are respectful of our site as follows:
- We have signage around the site asking people not to sit or rest their glasses on the graves.
- We ask in the festival brochure for people to be respectful of and not to sit on or rest their glasses on the graves. I must mention that the graves in question are in an area that hasn’t been tended by visitors for 60 years. These graves are approximately 200 years old.
- We have a slide on our big screen asking for people to be respectful of the graves.
- We rope off the specific areas where new ashes are buried so that no one accesses these areas. People also don’t go into the main part of the burial ground farther away from the church.
- Our security for the event regularly monitors the site and educates people throughout the event if they notice anyone being disrespectful of the graves.
In our beer festival wrap-up meeting a couple of weeks ago, we discussed what else we could do to be more respectful. We talked about having additional seating which would encourage people to sit in the areas we want them to. We also talked about roping off more of the areas and introducing even more signage.
I would be very happy to meet with anyone to discuss next year’s event and would love their ideas of what further measures we can implement.
Please do get in touch with any ideas.
Best Wishes
Chris Smith
Christ Church Site Operations Manager
churchadmin2023-06-11T18:13:20+01:00
Chris & Co – Three Peaks Challenge
As you are aware, our site manager Chris and his friends took part in the 3 peaks challenge over the last weekend in May. Scaling the heights of the highest mountains in Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike) and Snowdon (Wales).
We are delighted to advise you that they completed the challenge in under 24 hours, 23 hours and 20 minutes to be exact!
They are delighted to have finished and are nearing their sponsorship target for Dementia UK.
Chris will also be taking part in a 100k ultra marathon (Race to the Stones) in one day on 8th July.
Please sponsor him if you can – https://www.justgiving.com/page/clare-smith-1678227120147
Our commitment to our environment.
churchadmin2023-05-18T13:21:38+01:00Care for God’s Earth
As part of our commitment to an overall ecological strategy, we are continuing to implement some key measures, we believe, will promote biodiversity and sustainability in our churchyard and grounds. We use A Rocha, a Christian based organisation to help us to work through ideas that will have the most beneficial impact. So far, we have achieved silver status. The structured approach they advocate, allows us to plan how we might continue to develop our thinking in years to come.
As a guiding principle, we seek to plant native species. Replacing non-native species with native ones to provide food and habitat for local wildlife. We choose plants that are adapted to local climate and soil conditions, which reduces their need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides.
We have cleared some areas of invasive non-native laurel from the embankment to the North of the car park. Underplanting native shrubs in the UK is an excellent way to create an attractive and biodiverse landscape. Native shrubs provide essential habitat for wildlife and can help to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Shrubs or hedging such as hawthorn and blackthorn can also help to reduce soil erosion and improve water retention, making them great for keeping soil healthy and preventing flooding. Additionally, native shrubs are hardy, meaning they are more likely to survive extreme weather conditions, and require less maintenance than non-native species. By underplanting native shrubs, we can create a lush, colourful, and diverse landscape that is beneficial to both wildlife and the environment.
We also encourage flowers that attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other beneficial creatures. This will help increase the local pollinator population, which is important for the health of the ecosystem.
We have installed birdhouses across our site: This will provide shelter and nesting sites for local bird species. They will help to control insect populations and encourage diversity. We already have evidence that some are being nested in.
![pyramid orchid](https://www.christchurchswindon.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20220709_124348-270x600.jpg)
Pyramid orchid
Certain areas of our grass contain rare and at-risk species of grasses and other native wildflowers. Once again, this year, we intend to implement a programme of controlled mowing which, we hope, will encourage the growth and development of these species which in turn will provide nutrients for the soil and shelter for small animals and insects. These areas are not neglected, but deliberately left to grow and seed until later in the summer when they will be carefully mown giving the rarer wildflowers the opportunity to establish next year.
We are also committed to educating ourselves and our wider community about environmental issues aiming to inspire us all to act. We will look to provide resources, host events, and partner with local schools and other interested organizations to promote environmental sustainability.
We believe that by implementing these strategies, our church and its environment can become a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem that supports local wildlife and promotes ecological health.
To talk to us about our grounds, help us with observations or work parties on our site contact us ecogroup@christchurchswindon.co.uk or contact the Parish office on 01793 522832.
Why a Beer Festival in a Church?
churchadmin2023-05-18T12:18:09+01:00Our decision to host the Old Town Beer Festival at Christ Church is rooted in our commitment to fostering community engagement, offering hospitality to all, regardless of race or creed, and providing a space for open dialogue and understanding.
We recognise the importance of connecting with our wider community beyond traditional religious activities. By hosting concerts, festivals and other events on our site, we seek to create an inclusive and welcoming environment that appeals to a wide range of visitors, including those who may not typically engage with religious institutions. These events serve as a bridge between the church and the community, promoting dialogue, understanding, and unity.
We have celebrated 10 years of beer festivals on our site and always seek to ensure that our visitors respect the church and grounds. We employ professional security to remind people of the sensitivities involved and regularly assess how we can improve our organisation and communication.
The church and its grounds are for everyone. Outside of Festival days, we are open every day for visitors to come and remember, reflect, or simply enjoy the quiet atmosphere. For a few days of the year, our grounds host a joyous and vibrant gathering of local people who enjoy local beers, music and meeting friends. We do advertise the events widely so that our community knows what to expect. We don’t receive grants or subsidies from the Anglican church or Government. All the funds needed to keep our church and its work in the community going, are provided by regular donations, legacies and fundraising. Our congregation, Friends and event supporters provide vital funds each year to ensure that the Church is always available for everyone. Whether it be for regular worship, weddings, funerals, christenings, festivals,concerts or just quiet reflection at a loved ones resting place. Events like the Beer and Jazz festivals provide a large portion of our income. Without them and the significant contribution made by the Community Centre itself, we would struggle to survive.
Each year, we meet, following the festival, to discuss how we can improve our organisation and what we could do differently. We hosted more than 1,200 local people to this year’s festival and the vast majority have been very positive about the event. We do take note of those who disagree and do everything that we can to explain what and why we are doing it.
Renewal Gospel Choir Concert in Christ Church
churchadmin2023-05-11T15:13:14+01:00Sunday 14th May 2023 6-9pm
![The_Renewal_Choir_2019-590](https://www.christchurchswindon.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The_Renewal_Choir_2019-590-scaled.jpg)
Renewal Choir is a community gospel choir based in Bristol founded by Kim and Vernon Samuels in 2005. There are over 70 choir members ranging from the young to the young at heart. These members represent a multitude of church traditions and non-church backgrounds who love to engage in various civic, festival, community and social events in and around the South West.
The choir has performed at events such as the BBC National Music Day, the Leona Lewis UK Tour in Bristol and Cardiff, on BBC Points West and at the High Sheriff of Bristol’s concert in June 2019. Renewal Choir took part in a collaborative virtual production of ‘O Holy Night’ with the Welsh National Opera Community Chorus in 2020 and toured with the Welsh National Opera in 2022 in Wales and England in a brand new opera – Migrations – in 2022.
Do come along and do invite friends!
Tickets www.oldtownbeerfestival.com / 01793 617237