News:

Beautiful autumnal colours fill the trees before they lose their leaves, squirrels busy gathering and burying acorns and the chestnut trees have been giving up their nuts and conkers. How quickly the year is moving on. By the time this edition is circulated we will have put our clocks back an hour and be turning our minds to thoughts of Christmas! But before that…

The Calverleigh Produce Show took place on Saturday 24 August. Most points went to Nik and the best in show went to C. Bolt. There was a total of 186 entries altogether, with both the young and young at heart taking part. The competition covered everything from photography and craft to flowers, vegetables and baking. It really is encouraging to see our children so eager to take part each year.

Thank you to everyone who supported the show, whether by entering the competition itself, through donations, helping to set up the event, making & serving refreshments or simply by coming along to support the event. Special thankyous need to be made to Paul and Maureen for all their hard work in putting this on for us! It was a fantastic show of talent and a total of £375 was raised for Church funds, well done everyone. We look forward to next years’ challenges!

Saturday 31 August saw the wedding of David and Victoria. The church was wonderfully decorated with flowers, the bells rang out and the church was full of family and friends to witness their marriage. David grew up in the village and it was lovely to be able to welcome him back.  Our many congratulations go to the happy couple, to whom we wish a long and happy marriage.

Our Harvest celebrations and thanksgiving took place over the weekend of 14/15 September with a harvest supper on the Saturday evening.  Bring and share food was enjoyed along with the singing of harvest hymns, prayer and fun which was provided by games master Aubrey. Brains were tested with quizzes and a game, the likes of which had not been seen by many others before. Thank you to all who attended, provided a varied supper and of course to Aubrey for the entertainment.  

Our 9.30am Family Harvest Thanksgiving service the next morning was led by Jackie who gave an interesting talk about sunflowers. The church was decorated with a great variety of fresh produce, which we give thanks to God for, along with everything He provides for us.  Thank you to all who supplied the fruit, vegetables, flowers and foliage, it all looked lovely.

Following this we moved over to the village hall for tea and coffee. The plan was to have games on the green with a picnic lunch but unfortunately the grass was far too wet but that didn’t stop the fun. All ages (from 2 years to 90+) joined in the games on offer.  Following lunch there was a treasure hunt around the green for the children. The PCC has been wanting to re-introduce something at Harvest for the younger members of the church and village for a couple of years and it went well. Hopefully we will be able to be repeat it, or something like it, next year. Thank you to all who attended and to Nik and Dave for devising games for all ages to enjoy.

The fresh produce from our harvest, of which there was an abundance, went to The Salvation Army. They in turn passed on food parcels to those in the local community that they knew needed a bit of help. A collection of tinned and dried goods along with toiletries and money that had been donated by the congregation were taken to CHAT and gratefully received.  You are always so generous, and our next collection will take place throughout Advent with boxes under the Christmas tree.

The Tiverton and Cullompton Deanery Synod met at Calverleigh village hall on 30 September, being hosted by the Exe Valley Mission Community.  The speaker was Colin Smallacombe from the Farming Community Network who gave a talk about the valuable work carried out within the farming community for those who are facing financial or health difficulties or supporting the families of farmers.  At times this was quite moving and gave a better insight into the problems that farmers face.  Information about FNC is available in church for anyone who feels that they may need help.

Roy and Irene moved recently to Farleigh Meadows. We hope that you have settled into your new home and surroundings. We look forward to meeting you and any other families who have moved into Calverleigh or the local area. Please look out for church and village activities which are advertised here in the Today magazine or on the website.

Best wishes go to all those who have been unwell of late, waiting for or receiving treatment or have had hospital stays. We trust that life is getting back to some sort of normality for you all. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost a loved one recently and hope you take comfort in knowing that others care for you and your situation.

Mowing Rota: As this rota has now ended for this year, we would like to say a huge thank you to all those who have been on the mowing rota for the past year.  The PCC are extremely grateful for all the time and hard work put into keeping our churchyard looking so neat and tidy for parishioners and visitors alike.

Thank you also to those of you who are on the cleaning and flower rotas as well.  You all do a wonderful job of keeping the church so clean and welcoming and the flowers always look so lovely. We also want to say a huge thank you to the PCC, and in particular our incredible wardens, treasurer and secretary!

If you would like to be prayed as part of our monthly prayer time (first Saturday of each month) or during a service please contact Julie by email at thegoldsworthys@yahoo.co.uk or on 01884 255248. Dave is always ready to receive any news under Calverleigh whether it be a celebration, an upcoming event or news of interest to the community. Email Calverleigh@exevalleychurches.org.

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas doing what you most enjoy with family and friends and Happy New Year for 2025.

Forthcoming Events

An evening of Family Bingo will take place at Calverleigh Village Hall on Saturday 9 November 2024. Doors will open at 6.30pm, with eyes down at 7pm. The evening will include children's prizes, half time refreshments and draw in aid of Calverleigh Church. Please join us, your support would be greatly appreciated. For more information contact Maureen and Paul Furneaux on 01884 258770

Our annual Autumn Fayre takes place on Saturday 16 November from 10.30am to 2.00pm.  The usual stalls of local crafts, produce, cakes, competitions, books, bring & buy and Chinese auction will be available along with light refreshments, tea and coffee.  There will be a children’s craft table to keep the younger ones busy, while you browse or enjoy a quiet sit down and natter with friends.

Dormakaba are holding a Christmas Craft Fair raising money for Hospiscare on Saturday 7 December at Calverleigh Village Hall from 11am - 3pm. There will be art, crafts, handmade gifts and yummy treats and a Craft Fair Café. There’ll also be Craft Activities for Children and a special visit from Santa (between  12 - 2pm)!

Loxbeare and Calverleigh carol singers will be out and about around both villages and the surrounding areas on Wed 18, Fri 20 and Mon 23 December.  We are always grateful for more voices on any of the evenings, so if you enjoy singing Christmas carols and would like to join us and help to keep this longstanding tradition going, please contact Sue (Loxbeare) on 259496 or Aubrey (Calverleigh) on 255248.  This is a very enjoyable time of fun and fellowship which begins at 6pm on 18 & 20, meeting at Loxbeare church carpark and on 23 at 6pm at Calverleigh village hall carpark.  The evening is usually finished approx. by 9pm – and may include supper – if we’re lucky!

Please see the middle of the Today magazine (or even on that website thing, for the technologically minded) for all our upcoming services, including our Christmas services.

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