Wychwood
Benefice
A benefice of three rural parishes in the Cotswolds
Give thanks for God’s provision, for the hard work of the farmers and for the wonderful produce we enjoy!
This year’s Harvest Festivals are as follows:
Milton: Sunday 27 September, 5pm followed by Harvest Supper
Shipton: Sunday 4 October, 11am followed by bring-and-share Harvest Lunch
Idbury: Sunday 4 October, 11am followed by Harvest Lunch
Fifield: Sunday 11 October, 11am with Harvest Supper Friday 9 October 7/7.30pm Fifield Parish Hall (tickets from Catherine Hitchens 01993 831 881).
Continuing our celebration of 900 Years of St Mary the Virgin Church, Shipton under Wychwood.
Saturday 12 September is Ride and Stride day. If you are interested in taking part, please visit the website here to find out more
Bell Ringing in Shipton on 12 September
A full peal will be rung on the bells of St Mary’s Church in celebration of the 900th anniversary. The bells will be rung by a team of ringers from the Chipping Norton Branch of the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers and invited friends. The ringing will be of 5040 changes and will take just short of 3 hours of continuous ringing. The significance of 5040 is that it is the maximum number of sequences of the order in which 7 bells can be rung without repeating a sequence.
Since 1893 when the number of bells in the tower was increased from 5 to 8, and the ringing chamber was move from the ground floor to its present position, a total of 64 peals have been rung on St Mary’s bells. The first being on 16th December of that year and the last on Tuesday 12th September 1989 by a team from the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers. This last date may be coincidental or may be related to the fact that the traditional date to celebrate the Feast of St Mary the Virgin was September 8th.
Saturday 12 September 10am-12 noon banner making!
At Wych Court, High St (behind Grove Farm), Shipton u Wychwood.
Calling all Creative Children! to help make banners to decorate the Church for the Peoples Feast. Bring old clothes!
Sunday 13 September at 11am a special Patronal Church service in Shipton Church with Bishop Colin will take place. A patronal service is the occasion on which a parish annually honours the saint who was chosen as the Patron Saint of the parish. On this day, this benefice celebrate to honour Saint Mary the Virgin.
The Peoples Feast Saturday 19 September
Entertainment from 4pm, feasting from 6pm
Variety of entertainment
Themed workshops
Feast of food, including hog roast
Live Music
Feel free to dress in medieval costume!
Tickets now on sale:
Adults £15, children (5-16yrs £10), Family ticket £40, under 5s FREE
Tickets available from St Michael’s Store, Shipton or online here
Church of St Mary, Shipton under Wychwood
As part of the celebratory events to mark 900 years of St Mary’s Church, Shipton there will be a special high tea at Shipton Court on Saturday 1 August 3-5pm in the home of Paul & Martin Thomas-Jeffreys.
Tickets are now available for £17.50, cheques payable to The Wychwood Benefice
contact Margaret Hartley: 01993 830 306.
There will be a 1940s Vintage Theme with 40s dress optional – a prize for the best costume! US army troops were billeted at Shipton Court during the Second World War.
There will be music and croquet on the upper lawn and of course high tea!
We would like to invite you to a celebration service for all those who have been married and their families and friends.
Sunday 28 June, 2015
9.30am Milton Church
11.00am Shipton Church
There will be opportunity to give thanks for your marriage, to renew your vows and celebrate together.
The service will be followed by refreshments.
Do come and celebrate with us!
Here’s an overview of the other events planned to celebrate 900 years of St Mary The Virgin. More details to follow!
Saturday 1 August, 3-6pm: Tea at Shipton Court in the house of Paul and Martin Thomas-Jeffreys. It will have a 1940s theme (costumes optional), live music, fun croquet on the upper lawn and afternoon tea.
Saturday 12 September will also be Ride and Stride with full peel being rung to mark 900th as well as banner making for children and families in the church for the decorations for the feast on 19 September. Times to be confirmed.
Sunday 13 September Patronal Church service with Bishop Colin.
The Peoples Feast Saturday 19 September
Starting at 4pm with a feast with 6pm in the church yard and vicarage garden. There will be a variety of entertainment.
Saturday 26 September: Come and Sing with Bob Chilcott
More details to follow or contact [email protected]
Literary Festival 6 June
St Mary the Virgin, Shipton under Wychwood
Saturday 6 June, 2015
Speakers include:
Lord Hurd of Westwell (Politician, Historian & Author): Anthony Trollope
John Gittings (Historian & former Journalist): Shakespeare and Tolstoy on Peace and War
Reverend Dr Michael Lloyd (Theologian & Director of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford): Church and Society
Tickets £20 to include morning coffee and a light lunch.
Coffee from 9.30am: 1st speaker 10.15am.
For details and to reserve a place please tel:
01993 830244/ 831001/ 832199
We are celebrating 900 years of history in St Mary’s Church, Shipton under Wychwood with a Flower Festival.
See your local church in a different light, highlighting its history with the beauty of flowers. Our local flower arrangers will be joined by Paul Thomas – florist to the Ritz and many royal events.
10am-5pm Saturday & Monday; 12.30-5pm Sunday, entrance £3.
Lent Lunch Sunday 29 March 12 Noon
The Lent Lunch is in support of Christian Aid in Milton village hall, following the United Benefice Palm Sunday service at Milton. All are welcome.