Grateful thanks to the Horatio Singers, for leading a wonderful service of carols and readings for Advent. Their singing this year was truly sublime and the church looked warm and glowing, thanks to the work of parishioners, creating window displays and setting out the candles. Before the service the village was bathed in the sound of ur bells, ringing out across the fields, thanks to the Norwich Diocesan Association of Ringers, South Norfolk Branch.We would like to draw attention for those who attended, to the statement below.Correction to text contained on the back cover of the 2024 Advent Carol Service booklet for All Saint’s church, Wilby:The text read:The process of gilding is both time-consuming and expensive and there is an opportunity to “sponsor” one of the gilded stars.This could incorrectly suggest, that the church incurred time and material costs in the gilding of the stars on the chancel ceiling. In addition, it could lead people to believe that the artist was paid. The correct situation is as follows:1. The artist kindly donated his time voluntarily to carry out the work free of charge. 2. The artist generously paid for all the materials. 3. It was always the intent that any money raised in sponsorship of the stars will be used for the future of the church and not to pay for the gilding of the stars.
This afternoon, in glorious sunshine, parishioners and villagers met for a special preview of the newly created starry ceiling in the chancel of All Saints in Wilby. The church remains closed until the formal handover, cleaning and refurbishment have taken place. When the church opens again, all will be able to view the glorious celestial artwork, so kindly created by David Ord Kerr of Wilby. He spent over 2 weeks on scaffolding in the chancel creating and then gliding the stars, at his own expense.Those with a church connection or who live in the village, are being invited to sponsor stars. Details from Kate Midgley PCC Secretary.
The sun shone and the breeze was light - a perfect day for cycling around our local area, visiting churches to raise funds for All Saints, Wilby.Grateful thanks to Guy who joined in this year and cycled to several churches including Hargham, West Harling and beyond, ending with Old Buckenham, before returning to sign in at Wilby.Thanks to Heather, who as in many previous years, was supporting the cyclists with cold drinks and refreshments, including her home-baked cake which was yummy!The Wilby 'Three Wheelers' also took to the roads, having had very little cycle practice and aimed for Wymondham Abbey, via Spooner Row. We were glad to take refreshments at the abbey and were impressed by their cycle parking facility. We cycled back via Carleton Rode for cold drinks at the Baptist Chapel - an exhausting 28.9 miles!Thank you to all those who sponsored Guy and the 3-wheelers.
Members from the village churches met together courtesy of St Martin's, to learn some key 1st aid skills. This was held as Wilby's event, for benefice fundraising this summer.We covered how to approach a casualty and assess them for response and breathing. This was followed with CPR practice and then the Defibrillator training machine was introduced. By the end of the morning everyone said they felt more confident, should such a situation arise in their church.