FOXLEY, ST.THOMAS’

Both the vandalized chancel window and its neighbour, which was found to be near collapse, have been repaired by an excellent firm, Devlin Plummer from Great Melton, Norwich. They were prompt, knowledgeable and skilful. Our architect was right to recommend them! Thanks to the generous efforts of John and Mary Fletcher and their willing helpers in opening the “Tuesday Garden” at Street Farm and a generous “ex gratia” payment from our insurers we are well on the way to paying the bill. We have been greatly blessed!

Now we are keen to start on more renovations, particularly to freshen up the walls of the chancel and to repair the plasterwork in the porch. Then we can repaint the inscription over the door: “ I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of the Lord”. Money was donated in memory of Joyce Waters towards doing this. On the “Open” days, appropriately, we did leave the door unlocked and several visitors did “go into” St. Thomas`. It gives us great pleasure when people other than the regular worshippers take an interest in the church. The P.C.C. is committed to make it a place which people are indeed “glad” to enter, not only as a piece of history, but as the sacred space at the heart of our village; a place to pray, to meditate, to feel at peace.

We have three special services to look forward to this Autumn. Firstly,  James Lilwall and the Iceni  Choir will be coming to join us at the joint Benefice Service on 30^th. September at 10-30 am. Then a week later we shall decorate every corner to celebrate Harvest Festival and the Tuesday Garden project. After the Service we will gather in the Village Hall for a Harvest Tea, do come and join us! On November 11^th. at 10-45 am the Service of Remembrance will be held in the church, when we shall remember  all those from the six parishes who gave their lives for our country in the two World Wars.

John Harvey and Sandra Wood raised £425-00 in the Church Cycle Ride, half of which, plus Gift Aid payments will be returned to us; the other half will help the work of the Norfolk Churches Trust , which is of inestimable benefit to all Norfolk churches. The P.C.C. has reason to be grateful to both parties!

Anglian Tree Solutions will shortly be carrying out surgery on the yew and holly trees by the boundary wall of the churchyard, to tidy them up and prevent interference to traffic in the Street.

The next P.C.C. Meeting will be on 14^th. November.

Diana Harvey P.C.C. Secretary.