September 2025
The Parish of Freshford with Limpley Stoke and
Hinton Charterhouse
A message from the Rector Revd Nigel Rawlinson
Recently I explored the path from the Tyning down to the river and then up to Friary wood. It was a beautiful sunrise.
I found a tunnel under the A36 – hooray! – another link joining our three churches. Then I found the footpath that goes from Hinton Charterhouse to Hinton Priory.
I began to imagine the monks then in their meditative and austere life, seeking to be close to God. And this led me to think of the parish today, the joy that Pat and I have in joining you, and how we are to encourage each other in our faith. I believe that faith is a lifelong journey. We go on learning. John often wrote in his gospel that the disciples (i.e. already following Jesus) saw XXX and put their trust in him (so increasing their faith). XXX was always a manifestation of the Holy Spirit – divine action. Through August we have done a series of talks called “The Path of Faith” series. Using the book of Hebrews we have looked at the role of experience, insight, faith and watchfulness, and then the great “therefore” of Hebrews 12; 1-2. Notes are available from the parish office. A Christian community that is encouraging each other, learning, growing and so open to the love of God is attractive. Others join… That is mission. I look forward to journeying on together.
Calling for volunteers – to help organise and oversee the refreshments for Café Church
Four times a year we have a 5th Sunday where we hold a Benefice Café Church. Chairs are arranged around tables where drinks and biscuits are served and there is a set discussion topic – initially around each table then shared to the whole room. It is relaxed and fun. And prayer often results in new insights. The event is held in St Peter’s – the only church with facility for this. It is open to all. We are looking for a team from the Benefice to help organise and service refreshments. Please contact the church office or Nigel if you can help.
St Peter’s news
We have Café Church this Sunday at 10.30. Nigel will be leading and Pat organising the refreshments with help from Penny and Rachel.
Our harvest service is on Sunday September 28th at 10.30. We shall be collecting for The Hub foodbank in Bradford on Avon so please come prepared with tinned or dried food. Toiletries are also welcome. Any moneys collected at the service will go to The Hub debt support service. The school will be holding its Harvest Festival in the decorated church on the 29th of September.
We are continuing to collect rice, salt, sugar, lentils, chick peas, and other pulses such as dried peas or beans for food.gives, a Barnabas aid charity. Dry food only please, no tins. If you would like to donate there is a covered box near the kitchen area at St Peter’s.
To date, we have sent three boxes of food to our hungry brothers and sisters. This is an international food distribution charity, so the boxes will be sent out to where the need is greatest. Thank you for all who have contributed so far.
Holly and Brett’s wedding went very well, the sun shone and we had a wonderful day! Thank you to all those who helped – whether it was the flowers or cheering them on outside the church. Special thank yous to the Bellringers and Penny Murray for being warden and sweeping the path outside the church! (above and beyond the call of duty) Debbie
On the Tuesdays in August, Nigel hosted an informal evening – “Faith Matters” – including a Q and A, topical discussion and a study of a psalm. These included psalms 19,139 (vs 1-18), 27 and 51. Thanks to the team of tea and coffee servers.
Tuesdays in September
Following on from my August meeting series “Faith Matters”, in September I will be in St John’s to say a short service of Evening prayer at 5.30pm. I have suggested this earlier time as the evenings are beginning to draw in. The church should still be warm enough. The idea is to spend some time on the West side of the A36!
A St Peter’s wedding
Debbie and Steve Ashcroft’s daughter, Holly, married Brett on Saturday the 2nd of August in St Peter’s church. The bells rang and the sun shone as the newly-weds and the wedding party walked across the Tyning to their reception in the Village Hall. Congratulations to Holly and Brett!
St Mary’s News
Harvest Festival
Sunday 21st September 10.30am
We will be celebrating our local farmers, growers and food producers in a service of thanksgiving, including communion, for all that they provide for us. Traditional hymns as well so come and swell the singing!
During the week leading up to it you are invited to donate dry food items to be given to the food bank at the Hub, Bradford on Avon. Boxes will be inside St Mary’s church and in the porch. They particularly need the following at the moment: tinned veg (particularly peas and carrots), savoury snacks, biscuits and cereal bars tinned fish, meat, fruit and potatoes, jam, peanut butter and honey treats (sweets and crisps) and dog food.
The funeral of Eric Newbigin was held on the 6th of August and ended with a flypast of two light aircraft!
David
St John’s News
We have received the architect’s report from the Quinquennial inspection last month. Basically, the church is in good condition and only fairly minor matters need to be dealt with. We are planning a village working day, probably in October, when we can make a start on repairs.
David Woods, who was a School Governor and Church Warden at St John’s, was buried on 6th August. A good number of villagers and other local people attended and David’s sons, Jeremy and Simon, were very grateful for our help and support.
Our new Rector Nigel held his first service here on August 10th. He and Pat were joined by their daughter Claire and her family – husband Andrew, son James and daughter Georgia Rose. Georgia rang the bells.
News from the school
During the school holidays, Nigel, Chris (Cykowski) and Penny (Murray) have been meeting to discuss how we can further develop our church links with the school while also providing support to the staff. We plan to continue our usual school services in St Peter’s as well as participating in collective worship in schools. There are also some new ideas in the pipeline and Nigel will be talking to the staff about these during one of their INSET days at the beginning of term.
We also hope to strengthen our links with the Freshford Pre-school.
We are very blessed to have such a thriving primary school and pre-school in our parish. Penny
Services in September
2nd September 5.30pm St John’s Evening Prayer
7th September 10:30 am St John’s Holy Communion (Common worship)
9th September 5.30pm St John’s Evening Prayer
14th September 10:30 am St Peter’s Holy Communion (Common worship)
16th September 5.30pm St John’s Evening Prayer
21st September 10:30 am St Mary’s Holy Communion (Common worship)
23rd September 5.30pm St John’s Evening Prayer
28th September 10:30 am St Peter’s Holy Communion (Common worship)
Ladies Wednesday walking group
The next walk will be on the 10th September, followed by the 8th October, 12th November, 1oth December and the 14th of January 2026.
Please contact Debbie Ashcroft on 07889 780984 or debbieashcroft@live.co.uk if you would like to join the walking group.
All welcome! Debbie
Monday Zoom sessions
If you don’t get out much and feel like a chat, a small group of us zoom together for 45 minutes on a Monday morning. To give it a try, please contact Penny Jones on jonespennyg@gmail.com. Penny
Freshford & District Gardening Club Annual Show
Saturday 6th September 2025: 2pm-4.30pm
Freshford Village Memorial Hall
Refreshments available.
This is to show what we can grow amid the challenges of floods, droughts and extreme heat, rather than a competition.
Entry forms are available from The Galleries
Please fill in and bring your exhibits between 6.00-7.00pm on Friday 5th September or 9.00-10.15am on Saturday 6th September together with 25p per exhibit.
Children’s exhibits free.
Judging starts at 10.30am
Entry: Adults £1.00, Children free.
For full details and entry form, click HERE
List of contacts
Rector
Nigel Rawlinson rectornigel2025@gmail.com
Churchwardens St Peter’s, Freshford
Roland Birchby birchbyr@gmail.com or Tel: 01225 723432
Debbie Ashcroft debbieashcroft@live.co.uk
Steve Ashcroft steveashcroft@hotmail.co.uk
Churchwarden St John’s, Hinton Charterhouse
Liz Wordsworth hintonwords@icloud.com
Churchwardens St Mary’s, Limpley Stoke
Trevor Quartermaine redadmiral7965@gmail.com
David Sibley dssibley38@gmail.com
Parish Administrator
Debs Jones contact.parishoffice@gmail.com 01225 720347