October 2024
see lower down for services!
Dear Friend
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In the last academic year Down Ampney Primary School was recognised for its work on environmental issues. It proudly displays an Eco Award Flag on the fence near the main door to the school. Children in the school take environmental issues seriously – as should we all – because we only have one world and we need to care for it!
At the start of this term, I was invited to join the school as the four different houses – Dakota, Templar, Thames and Vaughan - thought about different aspects of school life for the coming year. I was impressed by the thought and ideas coming from the group that was looking at Collective Worship within the school – they came up with great ideas for Harvest, Remembrance, Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. Their forward planning is better than mine!
The group looking at ‘Environment’ have decided to work with the church to think about how we might make our church and churchyard more ecofriendly. The children tell me they are going to begin with a wildlife and habitat survey. They have ideas for bat boxes and bird boxes; and we need to find a location for a bug hotel or two; and perhaps a feeding station for birds – the white doves who have adopted us this year will be delighted!
If the idea of helping to make our churchyard more wildlife friendly appeals to you – perhaps by making a bat or bird box – do let me know. Perhaps you might have a pallet or two which we could use as the basis for a bug hotel?
We are also having a special Harvest Service at 1.30pm on Friday 25th October at All Saints’ Church. The children from the school will be helping to lead this service – but it is open to everyone and if you’d like to join us, you would be very welcome.
There is an old African saying that goes ‘It takes a village to bring up a child’. We are blessed with having a great primary school in our village and I am keen to encourage the pupils to think, and dream and have aspirations – for themselves, for others and for the world in which we all live. We all have a part to play encouraging young people to achieve their potential.
So please, if you can, do come to the Harvest Service on Friday 25th October at 1.30pm; and if you can help with the pupil’s ideas for the churchyard do put yup you hand. Thank you.
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As ever - John
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Services and Events in October, November and December 2024
​Sunday 6th October 19th Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Ampney Crucis
10am Parish Communion Down Ampney
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
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Sunday 13th October 20th Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Poulton
10am Parish Communion Driffield
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Sunday 20th October 21st Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Ampney St Peter
10am Parish Communion Ampney Crucis
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Sunday 27th October Last Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Harnhill
10am Parish Communion Poulton
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Friday 1st November All Saints’ Day
Noon Holy Communion Down Ampney
Sunday 3rd November All Saints’ Sunday
8am Holy Communion Ampney Crucis
10am Parish Communion Down Ampney
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
5pm All Souls’ Service Poulton
When we remember those
whom we love but see no more
Sunday 10th November Remembrance Sunday
8am Holy Communion Poulton
10.50am Act of Remembrance Ampney Crucis War Memorial
10.50am Service of Remembrance Down Ampney Church
10.50am Act of Remembrance Poulton War Memorial
Noon Act of Remembrance Down Ampney War Memorial
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Monday 11th November Armistice Day
10.55am Act of Remembrance Down Ampney War Memorial
10.55am Act of Remembrance Driffield
Sunday 17th November Second Sunday before Advent
8am Holy Communion Ampney St Peter
10am Parish Communion Ampney Crucis
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Saturday 23rd November
10.45am Bellringers’ Service Ampney Crucis
Sunday 24th November Christ the King
8am Holy Communion Harnhill
10am Parish Communion Poulton
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Thursday 28th November
5.30pm Christingle Service Ampney Crucis
Saturday 30th November
2-3.30pm Christmas Bazaar Ampney Crucis Village Hall
7.30pm Christmas Concert Poulton
with Splash of Red Choir
Sunday 1st December Advent Sunday
8am Holy Communion Ampney Crucis
10am Parish Communion Down Ampney
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Sunday 7th December
5pm Advent Gathering Ampney St Mary
with Carols, Christmas Songs, Mulled wine and Mince Pies
Sunday 8th December 2nd Sunday of Advent
8am Holy Communion Poulton
10am Parish Communion Driffield
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Thursday 12th December
11am WI Carol Service Ampney Crucis
All Welcome!
Friday 13th December
6pm Driffield Christmas Gathering Driffield Church
Sunday 15th December 3rd Sunday of Advent
8am Holy Communion Ampney St Peter
10am Parish Communion Ampney Crucis
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
5pm Carol Service Down Ampney
7pm Carol Concert Ampney Crucis
with the Cantores Choir
Wednesday 18th December
9.30am School Christmas Service Ampney Crucis
Thursday 19th December
5.30pm The Harnhill Nativity Harnhill
for children of all ages!
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Sunday 22nd December 4th Sunday of Advent
8am Holy Communion Harnhill
10am Parish Communion Poulton
5pm Carol Service Poulton
Tuesday 24th December Christmas Eve
3pm Crib Service Down Ampney
5pm Carol Service Driffield
8pm Midnight at Bethlehem Ampney St Peter
an evening service of Holy Communion with Carols
11.15pm Midnight Communion Ampney Crucis
Wednesday 25th December CHRISTMAS DAY
10am Christmas Communion Down Ampney
10am Family Carols Poulton
Sunday 29th December 5th Day of Christmas
10am Parish Communion Harnhill
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19th – 21st April BibLit – The Bibury Literature Festival
St Mary’s Church, Bibury, GL7 5NR
Hear and meet authors talk about their books –
Andrew Gimson, Caroline Montague, Sally Page,
Robert Hardman and more….
Contact
Please do get in touch with the Rector - John Swanton - for more information.
01285 851309