Kingston News – June 2019

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The repairs and restoration of the stained-glass window in The Lady Chapel have now been completed and it has been returned to its former glory which is a great joy to look at. Many thanks to Dan Humphries and his team for an excellent job done within the time frame quoted. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the appeal for funds. We are still a bit short of the total needed so if anyone felt able to assist us we would be very grateful.

On Sunday, 21 July Anne and Alan Fry are hosting an Open Garden afternoon with music, light lunches and cream teas (with prosecco if wished) and a few stalls and a raffle at Greystone Court, Kingston from 12 midday until 5pm. There will also be a display of model aircraft flying and a display of vintage cars. Do come along as it should be a very enjoyable afternoon with the profit going to Swanage Stroke Club, Purbeck Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and Swanage Food Bank. We have music from Harmony Rocks choir, the Eukele group and Karen Grant so it should be a very varied programme. Kingston Church are running a Tombola stall so any prizes for this would be much appreciated.

Our thanks to Belinda and Peter Bell for hosting a Strawberry Cream Tea at Scoles Manor in May which raised just over £400 for church funds. It was well attended despite the weather not being very kind and the magnificent views made up for the lack of sunshine. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the event or helped with it. All we need now is some sunshine for the summer.

Doreen Farr, PCC Secretary

War Dead

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Our ‘War Dead‘ page commemorating those who lost their lives during both wars has been updated recently with images of Harry Furmage courtesy of Liz Richards and of Harry Stevens courtesy of Lisa Leahy.

Sadly there are still three servicemen who lost their lives in the First World War for whom we have no information at all. Their names are: Sidney Cook, Edwin Cooper and Charles Lovel.

If you are able to provide any information or photos, please do contact us at info [at] kingstonopc.org.uk replacing [a] with the @ symbol.

Kingston News – February 2019

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We recently had our Quinquennial architect’s inspection of St James’ at Kingston which has highlighted various essential and some desirable repairs. We will undertake the essential repairs and such of the desirable repairs as we can afford which, to be honest, is not many.

One of the beautiful stained glass windows is badly damaged with calcium deposits and we have obtained estimates to have this repaired and also to try to remedy the reason that this happens. The repairs will be in excess of £5,000 for the window. We have applied to various Trusts for funding but, as is customary with these things, we are expected to raise at least half of the money ourselves.

Over the next few months we will be organising some events to raise money for our ‘Window Fund’. If anyone has any ideas or would be willing to hold an event to raise funds or if anyone feels able to give us a donation, which would be very much appreciated, please contact me at window_fund [at] kingstonopc.org.uk replacing [at] with the @ symbol.

We were very pleased to be given a donation last year to enable us to keep the church floodlit for the next year and we express our gratitude to the people concerned.

Doreen Farr, PCC Secretary

Kingston News – November 2018

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Our Festival Week at St James’s went very well and in total raised over £1000 for Church funds. It started with a musical afternoon with bell ringing, organ and violin music and singing and also the bell tower was open. The views were much enjoyed by those that went up the tower as were the refreshments. Of great interest was the photographic display of Terry Hardy’s photographs of Kingston church and village; especially poignant this year were the war time photos. Thank you to all involved.

During the week, Peter and Hazel Hartle gave a talk on 30 years of Purbeck Ice cream and it was an eye opener to learn how much was involved in developing what is one of the great business successes in the area. It was enjoyed by those who attended as were the sample ice creams! Our thanks to them for giving us their time.

There was a concert by Harmony Rocks choir on Wednesday which was a lovely selection of music and very much appreciated by a good audience. Our thanks to the choir and their conductor.

The Flower, Craft and Music days were on Saturday and Sunday when, unfortunately, the weather was absolutely atrocious, so much so, that a pedestal arrangement in the porch blew over more than once! It was wonderful to see the Church so alive and buzzing with the crafts, music and the flower displays on the theme ‘The Water of Life’. All the parishes in the new Benefice of St Aldhelm contributed displays and it was great to have them all involved in what was a spectacular display. The music was lovely and the craft displays and demonstrations very interesting and it is amazing how many local, very talented people there are. We finished the event with a ‘Hymns and Pimms’ service which was well attended and very enjoyable. Thank you to everyone involved.

Judy and I would like to thank very sincerely everyone who helped with any of the events in whatever way – you are too numerous to mention you all by name. We greatly appreciated your help and support and it could not have taken place without you. Also we would like to thank our sponsors James Smiths, Albury and Hall and Foleys Garage. I would especially like to thank Judy Forgan for her ideas, enthusiasm and commitment to the project.

We have our Remembrance Day service at 10.45 on Sunday, 11 November and there will be an Advent Service on Sunday, 2 December at 6pm with mulled wine and mince pies to which everyone is invited. Both should be special occasions please come along if you can.

Doreen Farr & Judy Forgan

Kingston Festival

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Just a last minute reminder of the various events we have happening in the coming week at Kingston Church:

It starts with a Music event this Sunday afternoon (16th), featuring a fascinating history/photographic display by Terry Hardy, the Tower Bells, Organ Music, soloists, and refreshments. Midweek we have a talk with Purbeck Ice Cream on Tuesday at 2.30pm. Wednesday at 2pm Harmony Rocks will give a concert of well known songs, (no ticket needed just come if you can), then on Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 4pm each day, there will be Floral displays and local crafts people and the whole event will conclude with Hymns and Pimms Songs of Praise which starts at 3.15pm on Sunday 23rd September. Please join us when you can and feel free to invite family, friends and neighbours.

People can park in the designated car park just 100m beyond the Church on the left, or in the lane downhill to the right (by kind permission of Henry Scott).
Hoping we may see you soon,

Judy Forgan

Kingston Festival Week – 16 to 23 September 2018

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This year St James’ Church in the village of Kingston  is holding several events during the third week of September, aiming to  bring church and community together.

The week will start on Sunday 16 September with a Quarter Peal of the 10 bells, co-ordinated by Mike Pitman, our Tower Captain,  who will be joined by Bell ringers  from across the area. They will be starting at about 1.30. There will then be  a Music Afternoon from 2.30pm till 4.30pm  in the Church, where people can come and listen to Organ Music played by Roderick Raley while enjoying a relaxing cup of tea and afternoon refreshments.  There will also be an exhibition of photographs by Terry Hardy who lives in the village.  Hopefully we can also offer visits to the tower if weather permits during the afternoon.

On Tuesday 18 September  at 2.30pm we have Peter and Hazel Hartle of  Purbeck Ice Cream   speaking  about their first 30 years of Purbeck Ice Cream. They have been building up their business from their Kingston-based farm at Lower Scoles and  will give a talk about how the well-known brand  first began  and developed over the years. Please do reserve a seat for this event as we need an idea how many are coming  ( judyforgan@hotmail.co.uk )

On Wednesday 19 September  at 2.00pm Harmony Rocks,  a local choir of ladies, will bring a repertoire of popular  classics, under the direction of Annie Campbell.  Tea and cakes will be served during the interval.  Tickets are not essential but you may like to reserve a seat.

On Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 September our third Flowers, Crafts and Music Festival will take place  with arrangements around the theme ‘Water of Life’. The Church will be open for viewing and refreshments from 10am until 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday.  People from across the new Benefice of St Aldhelm have been involved in putting this together, with supporters helping from Kimmeridge, Corfe Castle and Church Knowle, as well as Langton and Worth Matravers. We are very grateful to all who are contributing towards what will be a very special week.

The Festival Week will close with an informal Songs of Praise Service ‘Hymns with Pimms’  from about 3.15pm.

Please come and support some or all of the events,  which help to bring the wider community and church together. There is no charge for admission but hopefully people will give a generous donation towards the Church Funds.

Thanks also to our sponsors Albury and Hall  Estate Agents from Swanage,  Foleys Garage at Harmans Cross and  J. Smith Funeral Directors in Swanage.

Judy Forgan and Doreen Farr