Events in 2009
On this page (click on one for details):
Pillar box jumping, December 25th (early!!)
Alister Mort licensing in Harrogate, December 16th
Church Christmas lunch, November 29th
Laila Kohlscheen baptism, November 15th
‘Wanted: Two arms and two legs’: Stefan event, November 14th
Autumn Fair put on by the Craft Group, October 31st
Weekend away on the Brecon Beacons by St Mark’s Ramblers, October
We say goodbye to Brian and Faye Carson, October 25th
Milverton School celebrate Harvest at St Mark’s, October 12th – 16th
We welcome Maasai, Careforce worker, September 13th
Bob Clucas’ licensing service at Napton, September 2nd
Gerald & Meriel Brough’s Golden Wedding celebration, August 22nd
St Mark’s 130th anniversary celebrations, July 11th – 12th (See written report here)
Becky Welch’s deaconing, July 5th
Snowdodgers’ Homecoming Ball, June 19th
Deanery Confirmation service, May 30th
Archdeacon Michael Paget-Wilkes’ retirement service, May 17th
Hot Topic with Christopher Lamb, May 10th
Annual Parish Meeting, April 26th
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Martyn Jackson continued a long tradition of jumping over the pillar box in Beverley Road early on Christmas morning, after the Midnight communion service. |
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Youngsters of St Mark’s put on a splendid Nativity play during the Morning service on 20th December. |
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A dozen or so St Mark’s people went to Bilton, near Harrogate, to support Alister Mort (a previous vicar) at his licensing to St John’s and St Luke’s. |

Note the elegant footwear...yellow wellies are in!! They are a Bilton tradition from Easter Holiday Club, the 'Smelly Yellow Wellie Club'.
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Our Taize service was well attended. Marie led the service, Alison Kelly danced and Paul Manuel spoke. The table was decorated, needless to say, by Marie! |
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Nikki surpassed herself in producing a wonderful early Christmas (or was it Advent?) lunch for a packed Hall. |
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Laila brought her parents, Carina and Emanuel, together with family and friends, to St Mark’s for her baptism. Then in the afternoon she threw a party! |
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Around 60 people enjoyed an evening of starters, puds and silly games raising funds to help young Stefan. Ken, his orthopaedic surgeon, showed slides and video clips and brought us up to date with Stefan’s progress – which is remarkable! Thank you, Margaret, John and Lisa! |
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The PCC spent a useful day in Budbrooke re-examining St Mark’s vision and mission. |
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Superheroes a-plenty at our Light Party. |
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The craft group displayed their wares for sale in aid of the Salvation Army. £712 was raised for their Homeless Action Project – thank you very much! |
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St Mark’s Ramblers spent a weekend on the Brecon Beacons. Comments (collected by Nikki) and photos (taken by Maasai) tell it all! |
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Farewell lunch for Brian and Faye Carson, Sunday 25th October. Brian and Faye served with Crosslinks in Nakuru, Kenya, for many years. Read their farewell letter here. |
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Milverton school celebrated Harvest in spectacular fashion throughout a whole week. |
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[ align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Michael Greig, Bishop Christopher and a smiling Bob."]
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We counted at least 14 from St Mark's...

...including ex-St-Mark's Christine Bailey who now lives nearby.

Clearly someone got bored during the service...
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The happy couple...

...50 years on.

All ages were welcomed at St Mark's...

...visitors and regulars alike.

...and everyone enjoyed themselves.
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St Mark’s turns 130 (photos by Jeremy Clack and Barry Poultney) |
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Hands-on in the bell tower on Saturday

The views from the top of the tower were spectacular

View above the church ceiling - light at the end of the tunnel?

Lots of people came into church over the weekend

Warwickshire Youth Chorale entertained at the concert on Saturday evening

Ruth and Ann shared a piano for more entertainment

Ann Parsons was the organiser of the weekend - thank you, Ann!

The Sunday outside-inside 'Open-air' service

Children display their work

Brookhurst school artwork

Milverton school artwork

One of the many wonderful floral displays

The music group

Nearly there on the Bungee Eliminator...

Face painting was popular...with some...

Hope this rope doesn't stretch...

Anyone for roast hog? Yes please!

...and strawberries for pud.
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Bishop and banners

Becky in the procession

Crowds beneath the Piper Baptistry window

Alister and Christine Mort

Becky, Deacon!

Becky with her parents

Becky with her brother and his wife

Bishop Christopher

Becky with her new boss at the Cathedral, Rev Canon Tim Pullen

The Bishop with Roger Spiller

Friends and family gather in Becky's garden

Wonderful weather for a picnic!

Rev Penny Frank and Janet Heald

Ben Munday

Susan had made a special chocolate cake for the occasion...

...which Becky cut and distributed
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Ellie looking pleased after being priested

Ellie talking to Barry and Beryl

More than 50 went from St Mark's

Janet and Hannah

Bishop John

Paul and Helen Manuel with Becky Welch
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The Snowdodgers are back from the Arctic Circle! To celebrate (and of course to raise more money for Moldovan Ministries) a Grand Ball was held in the hall. Have you ever seen so many James Bond lookalikes??

The hall as you've never seen it











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The Deanery Confirmation service was held at St Mark’s on Saturday 30th May.




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![]() Rev Christopher Lamb |
We were glad to welcome Revd Christopher Lamb to our Hot Topic Café on May 10th. Christopher has spent time in Israel Palestine recently as a member of EAPPI (Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel), and he shared some of his insights. He promised to pass on relevant web addresses for those who want to explore further. In a recent email he included these links: |
For EAPPI: www.quaker.org.uk/eappi and the World Council of Churches’ site: www.eappi.org
For Israeli news: www.haaretzdaily.com
On Palestine: www.passia.org (maps, facts and figures etc)
United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs: www.ochaopt.org (regular details of health, security etc)
Israeli human rights organisation: www.btselem.org
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The Annual Parish Meeting was held on April 26th over lunch. The photos give a flavour of the day.

A good turnout for the meeting with lunch

Paul the vicar gets things under way

Tony the treasurer explains all
![]() David C talks fabric... |
![]() ...while David W synodises... |

Sarah and Margaret work hard in the kitchen...

...and everyone enjoys a hearty meal.
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The ‘Wii Tournament’ on Saturday 7th March was a great success, both for families (in the afternoon) and (supposedly) grown-ups in the evening. The photos tell their own story of concentration, of ‘meeting with triumph and disaster’ and of chocolate.

Focus!

Ellie and Lydia also focused

Success in the afternoon

Jamie, Jamie and James (really!) enjoy the game while Claire watches

Jonathan, demon bowler

The afternoon winning team of 4 - er...

Susan heroically produced food and drinks all afternoon and evening

Tennis as she is played

Penny and Andy show how it's done
![]() Is this golf?? |
![]() Amanda on strike! |

Dan and Jeremy consult the rule book

Golf pros Andy and Chris

The yoof

The evening winners share the spoils
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