PLOUGH SUNDAY AT EBRINGTON

for 1 hour
St Eadburgha's Church
St Eadburgha's Church, Ebrington

JOIN US FOR PLOUGH SUNDAY AT EBRINGTON - TIME 9:30 AM DATE 5th JAN
On 5th January at 9:30 am we will be joining with Ebrington congregation and friends from Blockley for a special service for Plough Sunday which is traditionally held in Ebrington. It will be a family friendly “service of the word” with prayer and readings as we ask God to bless the land and those who work with it.

For people wishing to receive Holy Communion there will also be a traditional said Communion service at St.Lawrence at 6pm.

Some background information on Plough Sunday published by the Diocese of Winchester.

Plough Sunday is thought to be a very ancient festival, abandoned at the Reformation and then revived by the Victorians. Traditionally it was celebrated on the first Sunday after Epiphany, which falls on 6 January, and then ploughing began the next day, Plough Monday. Since Victorian times many farms have owned their own plough, so a representative plough was brought into church for a blessing, but in the medieval period, when there was only one plough in each village, the village plough was drawn through the streets to be blessed at the church, and was followed with much food, drinking and revelry. For medieval farmers it was an important occasion. The village plough was cleaned and decorated, it was then dragged to the church to be blessed and for prayers for a good harvest before the start of the new season’s work. During the service the ‘plough light’ - a candle kept lit in the church throughout the year - was paraded ceremonially. After the blessing, the plough was pulled through the village again, led by a Fool and a boy dressed as a woman called a ‘Betsy’. The procession stopped at as many pubs and friendly houses as possible for revellers to demand drinks. Pennies were also collected along route as a contribution towards keeping the plough light going in the church throughout the year - though others say it could have been to boost the kitty for “ale” that evening at the tavern. It would appear that anyone not paying a penny was likely to find a furrow cut across their land by morning! The day ended with a village feast, ale or beer flowed, and the traditional centrepiece was always a large Plough Pudding - a suet pudding stuffed with sausagemeat, bacon, onion, and sage. The recipe is readily available on the internet for anyone who wishes to give it a go. Modern farming practices have changed, of course, and the widespread sowing of winter wheat means that much farming is now carried out in the autumn, but how marvellous to have two opportunities to celebrate the work of our farmers – both at Harvest Festival and on Plough Sunday

St Peter

St Peter’s, Dorsington is a Grade II listed, red brick church with a small, friendly congregation. What we lack in numbers we make up for in enthusiasm! Although we do not currently offer regular Sunday services, we do hold a number of festival services throughout the year, such as at Easter, Harvest and Christmas, and are open for life events and celebrations such as weddings, christenings and funerals. Located within the Heart of England Forest, the church is on popular walking and cycling trails and close to a stunning arboretum. We love to welcome visitors, both to our services and to see our church; although the church is not routinely left open, just email if you would like us to open up for your visit or walking group. Guided tours of the church and arboretum are also available.

If you would like to get in touch with any feedback or to arrange a visit, please email us at [email protected] For all other queries, for example weddings, baptisms or funerals, please contact the Parish Administrator, Elizabeth Jones.

All are very welcome to join us at any of our services.

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Elizabeth Jones

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Calf Lane
Chipping Campden
Gloucs

GL55 6JQ
Elizabeth Jones
01386 841927

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PLOUGH SUNDAY AT EBRINGTON

for 1 hour
St Eadburgha's Church
St Eadburgha's Church, Ebrington

JOIN US FOR PLOUGH SUNDAY AT EBRINGTON - TIME 9:30 AM DATE 5th JAN
On 5th January at 9:30 am we will be joining with Ebrington congregation and friends from Blockley for a special service for Plough Sunday which is traditionally held in Ebrington. It will be a family friendly “service of the word” with prayer and readings as we ask God to bless the land and those who work with it.

For people wishing to receive Holy Communion there will also be a traditional said Communion service at St.Lawrence at 6pm.

Some background information on Plough Sunday published by the Diocese of Winchester.

Plough Sunday is thought to be a very ancient festival, abandoned at the Reformation and then revived by the Victorians. Traditionally it was celebrated on the first Sunday after Epiphany, which falls on 6 January, and then ploughing began the next day, Plough Monday. Since Victorian times many farms have owned their own plough, so a representative plough was brought into church for a blessing, but in the medieval period, when there was only one plough in each village, the village plough was drawn through the streets to be blessed at the church, and was followed with much food, drinking and revelry. For medieval farmers it was an important occasion. The village plough was cleaned and decorated, it was then dragged to the church to be blessed and for prayers for a good harvest before the start of the new season’s work. During the service the ‘plough light’ - a candle kept lit in the church throughout the year - was paraded ceremonially. After the blessing, the plough was pulled through the village again, led by a Fool and a boy dressed as a woman called a ‘Betsy’. The procession stopped at as many pubs and friendly houses as possible for revellers to demand drinks. Pennies were also collected along route as a contribution towards keeping the plough light going in the church throughout the year - though others say it could have been to boost the kitty for “ale” that evening at the tavern. It would appear that anyone not paying a penny was likely to find a furrow cut across their land by morning! The day ended with a village feast, ale or beer flowed, and the traditional centrepiece was always a large Plough Pudding - a suet pudding stuffed with sausagemeat, bacon, onion, and sage. The recipe is readily available on the internet for anyone who wishes to give it a go. Modern farming practices have changed, of course, and the widespread sowing of winter wheat means that much farming is now carried out in the autumn, but how marvellous to have two opportunities to celebrate the work of our farmers – both at Harvest Festival and on Plough Sunday

Our Benefice

Safeguarding

The parish of Dorsington: St Peter is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Gloucester’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.