News & Events
15th Bexwell Feast
Saturday 28th September, 2024
Saturday 28th September, 2024
Bexwell Church from 7pm onwards
Yes, it's that time of the year again when Bexwell church transforms for an evening into a medieval banqueting hall for our 16th Annual Feast. We won't bore you with the details, but to preserve and maintain this ancient building and to operate it as a 'living' church (offering regular services and events) costs money... quite a lot of money in fact. It's our 15th Feast this year, and it's become a major annual fundraiser. We receive no money from government or other agencies and all our funds come from personal giving and monies raised at events.
The Feast Philosophy:
Years ago we said: “Even though we have no facilities for cooking, there will be no serving hot food on cold plates!” and so we have acquired 4 'Hostess' trolleys.
We also said “The food on offer should be genuinely delicious, not just invoke comments such as: 'oh well they are doing their best'”, and so we have always offered three courses that we think you'd be happy to have put in front of you in any good pub or restaurant.
We also said “Let's do things with panache, and not just a 'that'll do' approach”, and so we aim for a sense of style, too.
The tickets are £25 a head and we guarantee you a delicious, filling, 3-course meal in the middle of our 10th century little gem of a church. Money is raised because all the foodstuffs are donated at no cost by church members, so that all profits go straight to church funds. There will be a cash bar, which, as usual, will have different wines, beers and soft drinks to suit all tastes.
We are limited to 60 covers, so we ask you to reserve and pay for tickets beforehand so that we know how many we will be catering for. Reserve your places at friendsofbexwell@gmail.com, pay with details provided after reservation and relax knowing you are all sorted.
The Bexwell WWII Video Archive Launch Event
September 14th
September 14th
Bexwell Church from 7pm onwards
An evening to introduce and launch the repository of videos describing the life and times of the Bexwell aerodrome during WWII.
Anyone who has heard local historian Andy Moore speak about WWII and the aerodrome will attest to his knowledge, passion and story-telling abilities. His skill is to take us back to the mud, noise and human drama of those years in the mid 1940's when this small Norfolk parish was transformed into the powerhouse of RAF Downham Market.
While there are well-researched books on the mission activities of this airfield, Andy's unique contribution is to place the factual material in the context of human stories that he has collected over many years. In our opinion this breathes life into what might otherwise be seen as specialist historical material. Until now, there has been no record of any content from Andy's talks, and we decided to do something about that.
Instead of encouraging Andy to write a book (which he freely admits would not be his strength), we thought it better simply to capture him doing what he does best, which is to talk unscripted about various fascinating aspects of the life and times of the aerodrome. There are currently 21 videos in the archive, each typically no more than 10 minutes long, and more are planned.
The evening on September 14th will introduce the archive, and there will be an interview with Andy about his passion for the topic with a showing of some video excerpts. We are also privileged and delighted to welcome Major Danny Sorrells to our evening. He is the USMC Exchange Officer at RAF No. 207 Squadron, and is the F-35B flying instructor based at Marham. He will speak about the importance of remembrance then and now. And finally, we will premiere one of the as-yet unpublished videos from a recent interview that Andy conducted with Colin Bell (DFC), the 103-year old Mosquito veteran who flew from the airfield.
Tickets are £5, and at Andy's insistence, all proceeds go to the work of Bexwell church. For tickets and further information, please contact friendsofbexwell@gmail.com with the phrase WWII Video Archive in your e-mail header.
Ceremony for the loss of a child
Churchyards throughout the country have the highest population of yew trees, and Bexwell church is no exception. Under one of our magnificent yews is something of a hidden, but poignant, gem. It is a little tablet stone upon which is written:
In memory of
Paul Geoffrey Davies
beloved son of
Ramsey and Marjorie Callaby
Fell asleep 23rd March 1951
Aged one day
I think of him every time I clean the stone. Paul would have been almost 72 if he had lived, and who knows what he might have gone on to do in life. In 2024 we are much more open to discussing the grief that accompanies miscarriages, stillbirths and very early deaths like Paul's, and it is testament to his parents that this stone was put up in 1951 and sits quietly under one of our beautiful yew trees.
On Saturday 23rd March 2024 at 3pm, we will hold a very simple, short event / ceremony around Paul's tablet stone. This would be to remember Paul, and to invite anyone who is familiar with the loss of a child (even those lost as adults) to come and be present in their own way, whether to cry, speak or remain silent- whatever. We will invite people to tie a little ribbon on one of the yew's branches to commemorate their own loss, and we will leave the ribbons there for a while.
Hello Everyone,
We are planning to have an 'Agape Meal' on Maundy Thursday in Bexwell church (28th March at 6.30pm). It's another opportunity to express our life together as a faith community in a different and creative way.
However, if you asked “What the heck is an 'Agape meal?”, you wouldn't be the first.
The idea is to sit together and have some lovely food, to chat together and then finish with simple, plain liturgy led by Revd Nigel with sharing of bread and wine as befits the season of Lent. There will not be a long Communion prayer - that's not the point - the point is to re-create a simple, unfussy, yet respectful passing around of bread and wine among friends.
At the last supper there were no dominations- just Jesus looking lovingly one last time at his friends over supper, knowing with trepidation what was to come. He wanted to leave them a simple, everyday, act that they could re-recreate in the future when they remembered, and finally made sense of, what was about to take place. That's what has led to communion in its many forms..
We are planning a simple, appropriate Middle Eastern spread of toasted flatbreads, hummous, baba ganoush (aubergine dip), falafel (delicious, fried chick pea balls), home-made salads and coleslaw and some other bits and bobs as we get inspired. It's not intended as a 'fill you up' dinner, but there will be plenty to eat.
Naturally, it's a nightmare catering when you don't know the numbers, and so we ask that you book in beforehand by responding to this e-mail by telling us if you plan to come (and how many if you are bringing friends). We are not charging for this, although obviously donations towards food costs would be welcome on the night.
We think this could be a wonderful and meaningful way to meet just prior to the Easter weekend.
Regards
Team Bexwell
Agape Meal
Thursday 28th March, 2024 at 6:30pm
Bexwell Church
RSVP: friendsofbexwell@gmail.com
BIBLE STUDY LENT GROUP - March 2024
Dr Wilf Wilde has offered to host, facilitate and lead a Bible Study group for Lent (and perhaps on a different plan afterwards). The plan is to study the parables in the gospels in a discussion group, with tea and biscuits, for around 1 – 2 hours.
There will be two groups – one on Tuesday evenings at 7.30 and another on Friday afternoons at 2.30. The first Tuesday is planned to be 27th February, followed by the first Friday on 1st March.
You will need no advance preparation, just come along (perhaps with a Bible, if you have one). You need only do one meeting, no commitment is required for all the sessions.
Wilf has lived in Denver (on the way to the Windmill) for just over two years, and plans to host the group there. He has published two books on biblical theology.
For more details contact Wilf at friendsofbexwell@gmail.com
Harvest Festival 2023
It's not hard to get sentimental when you meet and worship for a Harvest service in an ancient church that has been decorated by a modern, floral Michaelangelo. Our resident genius, Sandra Brett, just quietly 'snuck' into church on Saturday and filled the church with beautiful autumnal displays. At the service we sang hearty Harvest hymns, played as always with great aplomb on the might Bexwell pipe organ by Chris Young. We greeted one another in friendship and Revd Nigel spoke about how we can never give enough, because we have all been given so much by God. In response to our call, we have been inundated by offerings for the foodbank as part of our harvest festival, and we will gladly take them over this week because this is just the least we can do for our fellow citizens in this area.
Forest Service in action!
On September 17th we held a 'Forest Service' underneath the newly trimmed Bay Laurel tree in Bexwell churchyard. It was sunny and warm, and along with Bible readings and a short address, we lit candles, sang a couple of songs, we released feathers on the breath of God, and we planted some bulbs too. It was not a gimmick, it was a chance to try something new; something stimulating and thought-provokling, but still a service. Thank you to Heidi for the images that we have used to present this short video to capture the 'look and feel' of the service.
Flt Lt Colin Bell returns to Bexwell
As part of his walking to various important RAF sites Colin returned to visit Bexwell and lay a wreath at the new memorial. He and a few others were welcomed to the church by Melanie and Nick Martin to have a rest, a cup of tea and piece of cake. Visit the EDP for more information
A Garden Metaphor!
There's a common trope in current television programs called 'the reveal'. From the program makers' point of view, the idea is to hold the tension throughout the program, keeping the viewers wondering what will happen, and then... relief! The reveal. Or alternatively, there's the 'time-team' approach where, underneath a car park, after much digging and scraping, a medieval king (or someone) is eventually revealed.
Well, of late through July and August there's been much revealing going on in Bexwell churchyard. On the north side of the church, we've completely cleared all the strangling ivy from the oak tree and cut away all the scruffy growth around the otherwise lovely yew tree. We've raised and levelled all the 'memorial stones' in that area and we've also put a bench up so that people can sit quietly to reflect.
Meanwhile, on the south side, our verdant Bay Laurel tree had become a little bit too vigorous. As Nick Martin said “The bloomin' thing is taking over the churchyard!” Well, it was time for a proper haircut, and we had a fantastic garden day on Saturday 12th August when a team got together to tackle this and many other issues (thank you everyone). The area under the canopy of the Bay Laurel just seems to call to us and say “Please come and spend some time with me in here”. Perhaps a 'forest service' where the earth and our stewardship is a focus? Or perhaps a place to congregate at Christmas time to sing carols? Who knows?
Without attention and intervention, whether trees or ivy, all these things grow out of control. And yet, with some vision, some pruning and shaping, new opportunities and vistas appear. Go on- you know it's a metaphor; I'm not going to spell it out for you- you all did English at school.
Bee Careful!
So, yesterday (4th) we were preparing the church for a wedding today (5th) for Kirsten and Alex (congratulations!), when we noticed what appeared to be a swarm of bees inside the church against the window of the Saxon tower! Now, you can't have a swarm of bees as part of a wedding, and so we are very grateful to local bee keeper and bee expert, Mark Riches, who came at 9am this morning to help the bees find a new home.
Nobody can figure out how and why they were inside the church, but Mark gently removed them into a bag and will release them in Bexwell so that either (a) they find a new home, or (b) they make their way back to the tower of the church where we have had a bees' nest in there since forever.
Mark my words: you are the bees knees!
Gardening Day
Saturday 12th August
3:00-5:00pm
We're tidying up the churchyard
Bexwell VC Memorial Re-dedication
"On Sunday 9 July at 1430, at St Mary's Church Bexwell, there will be a short service to rededicate for the new memorial to VC recipients Flt Sgt Aaron and Sqn Ldr Bazelgette who both flew from RAF Downham Market.
Being a memorial for 2 Victoria Cross winners, both sadly posthumously, the Bexwell memorial is unusual; local engineer Jonathan Horton has designed and built a very fitting structure that also fittingly celebrates all the people and crews who were based at Downham Market, with silhouettes of the squadrons and aircraft that operated there.
After the service, at around 1530-1630, there will be a chance to hear from Jonathan and from Flt Lt Colin Bell, now 102, who flew Mosquitos from the airfield during the same period. The project has been a collaboration between the village of Bexwell and the wider area, local RAF Association branches, and the current RAF Marham personnel.
Members of the public are welcome to join the event, meeting at the memorial which is on the northern side of the church for 14:30."
Help and support with living costs.pdfThe wisdom of children after a visit to Downham Market Foodbank
On Tuesday 18th October members of our Denver School Council travelled to the Downham Market Foodbank to find out more about what they do to support the community and to take the generous donations made during their Harvest collection. School Council members Kayla and Chloe wrote this lovely report about their visit...
“The food bank was incredible! It showed us just how many people are suffering and how much the food bank relies on our donations. All the staff (who are volunteers) were very welcoming. If you look worried, they give you tea or coffee and a biscuit. Also, they will talk to you about your problems.
It isn’t just food for people that they provide, they also provide cat food, dog food, toiletries and even clothing in case you need to attend an important event (such as a job interview). This is because if you are unable to feed yourself, you are also unable to feed your other family members, including your pets.
When someone donates a tin or other product, it is weighed, and the date is checked. This is displayed clearly on the top so it is easier to see and is not wasted. There are items on the front desk that are out of date, that they leave out so everyone has a choice if they want to take it or not as they don’t want people to become ill. Once the items have been dated, they are then sorted into categories: toothpaste, sauces, animal foods and more.
My favourite part (Kayla) is that they have a reverse advent calendar! Instead of receiving chocolate or an object, you donate that to the food bank instead. It is a really creative idea. You can donate as much or as little as you can manage. Everything counts and is valued.
It really was an incredible experience and we learnt a lot from visiting. They help anyone in need which is so kind. Please remember to spare something whenever you can."
What a privilege to hear the thoughts of children about the workings of the food bank. Go to our Giving page for more information.