Although we no longer need to adhere to any Covid restrictions in our churches, please do be aware of those who continue to be vulnerable.Thank you for your co-operation, it is much appreciated.
If you are looking for old records then please note that our old registers have been deposited in:The Berkshire Records Office9 Coley AvenueReadingBerksRG1 6AFTelephone: 0118 937 5132Please contact them for further information.
<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Our church received £12,000 from OHCT for the restoration project and £5,500 since. It also receives 50% of the money that we raise.</span>Because of the pandemic, the event will be somewhat different this year. Up-to-date information is on the web site: https://ohct.org.uk/ride-and-stride/To register: https://ohct.org.uk/ride-and-stride/take-part/Normally, most participating churches have ‘Welcomers’ to sign sponsor forms, and provide refreshments. This year, the web site shows what will be available at each. Sponsorship forms can be downloaded here and instructions are also there as how to set up your own fundraising page through ‘Virgin Money Giving’.Parishioners, Sheila Bailey and Lindsey Fellingham will be riding and can be sponsored via www.http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SheilaBailey7If you cannot take part on 12 September, you can do so on another day.
A long-cherished ambition to restore the three ancient bells of St Michael and All Angels is now being realised. It is nearly 100 years since their last full overhaul and the Tenor bell in particular has become difficult to ring. However, until recently, restoration and fund-raising efforts have necessarily given priority to repairs to the church building itself. In June 2016 Whites of Appleton (https://www.whitesbellhangers.co.uk/) carried out a detailed inspection of the bells and made recommendations for work needed. The estimated costs would be in the region of £15,000. The work can now take place thanks to a very generous gift from the family of the late Mrs Anne Shone, and grants from: the National Churches Trust; the Oxford Diocesan Bell Fund; the Church Buildings Council; and the Sharpe Trust. Extensive repairs, maintenance, and updating will be carried out on the mountings and fittings. The major work on the bells themselves involves removing the cast-in staples and replacing them with new fittings to attach each bell to its frame. The cast-in staple is a piece of wrought iron shaped like three sides of a square and cast into the crown of the bell when it was made. However, in time, an iron staple can rust, expand, and crack the bell. The bells may not be tuned because of their historical importance. The restoration work, which will take about four months, involves removing the bells from the tower, transporting them to Whites' workshop and subsequently rehanging them. On Thursday, 5th September, the restoration commenced with the bells and fittings being taken down from the tower. Here is a short video. More photos of the bells and removal can be found in our photo gallery
