Update on the Knight
As you know, we now have our faculty, which allows us to
proceed with the building of the new tomb chest for our wooden
effigy of Sir William de Combmartyn. The existing choir stall
on the north wall of the chancel at St. Margaret’s Church will
be removed and stored as it is being reused as panelling behind
the new chest. The old wood of the choir stall will still be dark
but the chest will be light in colour for the time being as it is
being made from new English oak. It will darken in years to
come. Here is the design presentation drawn by Hugh
Harrison’s architect, Peter Furguson. This will give you some idea of the finished work.
Hugh Harrison’s specialist carpenters are coming up to removethe choir stall before Christmas and the wood will be stored safely until it is needed. The masons, who are replacing the existing wooden floor under the choir stall with repurposed cathedral grade stone kindly donated by Neill Taylor and Cuttle Mill
Reclamation, will be doing so as soon as they are able to find a window in their current work schedule.
Cuttle Mill Reclamation have asked if they can produce an article about the project with special concentration on the stone floor that is being donated. We have agreed as their offer of the aggregates and repurposed stone is incredibly generous.
Thank you all for your support over the years. Every single donation has gone towards this final outcome. We are all excited to see the knight in his final resting place. It will still be some time before this happens but at some point next year, we will be in touch to announce a celebration! Linda and Margaret

Thanks to the continuing support received by you all at our Knight Sales we are almost there regarding funds to ensure that Our Knight is installed safely and securely.

The next Knight Sale will be on the 11th February in the Church form 10- 12 .  The usual delicious home made produce along with Ornaments and Jewellery will be for sale.    Tea and Coffee provided free of charge.

We have recently been in contact with the 23rd Great Grandson of Sir William, he lives in Canada and is descended from Sir William’s daughter , Joan, the wife of Nicholas Audley, and he has very kindly contributed to our fund

20 December was the date chosen for the Alderton Christmas service, the day before our traditional tree dressing. The village children had not been able to take part in any of their normal school plays that usually happen at this time of year, so we decided that we would make a little more of our service, and add a procession to church. This would happen outside, and be less of a risk to anyone’s health, than having a play inside the church. The organisation required for such a short and small part of the service was huge, and it took ages to work out how to keep everyone safe outside, and then get the congregation into church, having gelled all the hands and tracked and traced, spaced and seated everybody. But the excitement and magic created by this simple addition to what is one of the loveliest of services helped to create a beautiful experience, and a wonderful start to Christmas.

For days before 20 December, we prepared – the church was cleaned and disinfected with the help of Julie, the fantastic nativity scene that we are lucky enough to have was put on display by Daryl and Bob, who were major contributors to its existence. The Christmas tree went up thanks to help from Linda, who doubled up with track and trace and hand gel and all the special carol sheets needed for outside carol singing. The greenery in the church was thanks to Doreen, who used her skill as a florist. Richard brought a borrowed candelabra from Milton and Peter brought Christingles and candles for everyone in the service to light at the appropriate time. We had five readers, telling the wonderful story of hope – something we all need at the moment, perhaps more than any Christmas in the generations since the Second World War. The procession gathered at The Old Barn and an angel led it along the road and into church; she laid the star she was carrying against the font, a symbol of hope and rebirth. It was truly a beautiful service. Prior to the service, the congregation had gathered outside to sing two carols, and after the service, another two carols were sung outside. We then had a suitably distanced visit from Father Christmas who issued presents to the children and wished everybody a Merry Christmas.

In light of the Government guidance around non-essential contact, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued advice that public worship is suspended until further notice. All other events and activities are also suspended until further notice.

I am delighted to announce that following interview and with the agreement of Bishop Donald, the Patrons and the parish representatives the Reverend Canon Richard Stainer currently Vicar in the parishes of Higham Ferrers w Chelveston has been offered, and has accepted the invitation to become the Rector of Blisworth, Alderton, Grafton Regis, Milton Malsor and Stoke Bruerne w Shutlanger (The Grand Union Benefice).

A date for Richard’s Institution and Induction will be announced in due course.

Bishop Donald and Archdeacon Richard are very grateful to all who helped with the preparation of the profile, all the arrangements for the interview and for the continuing and encouraging ministry of the Benefice in the service of Christ during the vacancy.  Please pray for Richard as he prepares to move to Blisworth with his wife Monique.

The Venerable Richard Ormston

Archdeacon of Northampton

It is with regret that we have to announce that our rector, Andrea Watkins, will also be leaving us shortly for pastures new. Andrea joined the benefice in September 2011 and we had hoped that she would be with us for a few more years, but it seems the bishop had other ideas! Andrea has been a wonderful rector. She has introduced us to many different types of service, worship activities and classes and has been keen to bring church out into the community. She has overseen a period of growth in the benefice, improvements to our church buildings and has encouraged many people to pursue various ministries through her ability to recognise and nurture spiritual gifts in others. She will be missed. Andrea will be taking up her new post in the Spencer Benefice sometime after Easter. We wish her and Peter all the best.

It is with mixed feelings that we announce that our curate, Sue Cooper, will be leaving us sometime in March to take up her first post as rector of the Astwick Vale Benefice. Whilst we are thrilled that she has found a suitable position in the area she wanted to be, we will miss her terribly. It has been a delight and a privilege to have her with us these past few years. She and Nick will be moving to Aynho and we wish them both well.

This year for the first time, our Harvest Festival included a lay-led service followed by lunch. Unfortunately the marquee left up for the event was damaged in the gales, but Richard & Lulu kindly stepped in and offered to host us in their home. Richard barbecued some lovely meats provided from his shoots and the PCC provided salads and puddings. As always the money raised from the sale of produce, as well as donations for the lunch this year too, went to Send a Cow, who are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. The sum of £138.00 was raised and sent to their harvest appeal. A huge thank you to everyone who came along to this lovely occasion and contributed and especially to Richard and Lulu for their generosity and hospitality.

A fabulous Art Festival this year, which raised in excess of £6000.00 for church funds. Our thanks go to Charlie Reece and the organising committee, as well as to all of the exhibitors, stall holders, villagers and friends who contributed in so many ways and not least to all of our visitors who helped to make this our most successful Festival ever.

This year our Lent Appeal was in aid of the Northampton Hope Centre’s new Food Club initiative. There has been a rise in the number of people using food banks around the country, but a scheme from the Northampton Hope Centre offers a new way of tackling food poverty. The Hope Food Club aims to support people on a very low income, by allowing them to register as members and then buy food at very low cost. A total of £79.01 was raised for this very worthwhile cause.