Monday 25 June 2012

Latest Doodle link

Link to the June 2012 Nocton Doodle here !

It's nearly here...

The Flower Festival is almost upon us!  Just a reminder of the highlights:

Friday 29 June Preview Evening (ticket only)

Saturday 30 June church open 10 - 5, concert 7.30 pm

Sunday 1 July church open 10 - 5, Songs of Praise 6 pm

See you there!

Tickets from Sue Morris
(01526 321455) or email: sue@sjmtjm@myzen.co.uk

www.noctonfestival2012.vpweb.co.uk 

Sunday 17 June 2012

Flower Festival countdown

Nocton's Flower Festival starts in just 12 days!

Friday 29 June

Preview Evening starts at 7.30 pm, admission is by ticket only. Tickets include wine and canapes and cost just £5.

Saturday 30 June

Church open 10 am - 5 pm for viewing, refreshments and plant stall.

7.30 pm concert by the Lincoln Minster School Chamber Choir (Choir of the Year 2010 finalists)
Tickets £9 (Supporters of Nocton Church £8), includes glass of wine, under 16 free
Why not buy a combined preview/ concert ticket for just £12?

Sunday 1 July

Church open 10 am - 5 pm for viewing, refreshments and plant stall.

6 pm - Service of Songs of Praise

Tickets from Sue Morris
(01526 321455) or email: sue@sjmtjm@myzen.co.uk

www.noctonfestival2012.vpweb.co.uk

Sunday 10 June 2012

Coronation coach



I thought this deserved a post of its own.  Doesn't it look splendid?


IMG_2065.JPG

More about the Flower Festival concert!

Lincoln Minster School Chamber Choir Concert on Saturday 30 June in Nocton Church, 7.30p.m.

Six months ago this choir premiered a new work by Howard Goodall CBE, composer of the signature tunes for Blackadder, The Vicar of Dibley and Mr Bean.  They were summoned to Westminster Abbey to sing the first performance of Every Purpose Under the Heaven, with words from the King James Bible.  They will sing selections from this piece as part of a varied programme of choral music at our Flower Festival concert.  Don’t miss the chance to hear this outstanding school choir, in which many ex-Lincoln Cathedral Choir choristers sing.

Tickets are £9 (Supporters £8), and children 16 and under are free.  Why not buy a combined ticket to the Flower Festival Preview and the concert for just £12?
 
Our wonderful village church needs your help!
 
Can you please steward at the Flower Festival, serve refreshments and/or
make a cake or two?
 
Please contact Ann Kennedy (01526 322739)
or email Sue Morris – sue@sjmtjm.myzen.co.uk

Flower Festival - only 3 weeks to go!

Nocton Flower Festival Weekend

Friday 29 June to Sunday 1 July 2012

Our Village in 1862: Celebrating Nocton Church’s 150th anniversary
The finest Gothic Revival church in Lincolnshire is undergoing major repairs to preserve it for future generations.

Friday, 7.30pm - Flower Festival Preview Evening
Admission by Ticket only - £5 - Wine and canapés

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - church open
Refreshments & plant stall.
Concert at 7.30 p.m.
Lincoln Minster School Chamber Choir
Choir of the Year 2010 category finalists
Tickets £9, Under 16s Free, Supporters £8.
Combined ticket preview/concert - £12
Complimentary glass of wine at the interval

Sunday, 10 a.m. - church opens
Refreshments & plant stall

6.00 p.m. - A Service of Songs of Praise closes the festival

Tickets from Sue Morris
(01526 321455)

News roundup from All Saints

Volunteers needed!
English Heritage awarded us a large grant towards the restoration work, and as part of this agreement we need to have the church open for a set amount of hours each year.  We therefore would like people to offer to man the church during these compulsory open times.  No prior knowledge is needed, nor is this only open to church members, all are welcome!

Please contact Ruth Eagle Tel. 322285

Cleaning Rota
We are in the process of setting up a cleaning rota, again non church goers are very welcome.  If you have a few hours to spare please contact me.  Many hands make light work!  You don’t need to work alone in the church as we could arrange for you to work with someone else.

Please contact Ruth Eagle Tel. 322285

Verger needed
A verger is needed for occasional offices (weddings, baptisms, funerals).  This involves opening up, preparing the church and locking up again afterwards.  Sometimes it would be helpful to stay for the actual service and assist by handing out hymn books and collecting them in.  A fee is payable.  Church goers and non church goers are welcome to apply.

Please contact the Churchwardens Liz Murray Tel. 323357 or Nicholas Bennett nicholas.bennett@talk21.com

Jubilee Weekend
The church played an integral part in Nocton’s wonderful Royal Garden Party.  Our grateful thanks go to Jilly Burr for all the effort she put into restoring the model coronation coach which was on display in the church.  It was truly spectacular and the village is fortunate to be the guardians of such a special model.  Thank you to Carol for the cups of tea!

Ellys Manor House Spring Music Festival in Nocton Church

Three first-rate chamber music concerts were given in Nocton church over the week-end of 18 to 20 May, in the Ellys Manor House Spring Music Festival.  The organiser was Clive Taylor, who greets visitors to his home built by Anthony Ellys in the early 16th-century, the Ellys Manor House in Great Ponton.  Clive was looking for a church with a family connection, and his research led him to our village, where a kinsman of Sir Anthony, Sir Richard Ellys, lived in Nocton Hall in the 18th century. 

On the Friday evening, Bibi Heal (soprano), Hajo Weinroth (Baroque flute), Poppy Walshaw (Baroque cello), and Pawel Sjwczak (harpsichord), performed music by Bach, Handel and Couperin, with the theme of ‘Desire and Contentment.’  Handel’s ‘Soft Complaining Flute’ brought out the mellow tones of the Baroque flute, the sound of which was copied by the harpsichord.  The same musicians gave the concert entitled ‘Voices of Nature’ on Saturday evening.  Nightingales, roses and the human soul were evoked in a collection of Baroque miniatures.  Then Bibi and Pawel left, and Simon Standage arrived on Sunday afternoon for an all-Haydn programme of divertissements and trios for flute, violin and cello.  Their playing was flawless, a sheer pleasure to listen to.  The musicians praised Nocton Church’s fine acoustic, suggesting that it should be made available for recordings.  Clive’s team of caterers provided excellent canapés and wine, and although the weather was cold, the atmosphere inside the church was warm and friendly.

All Saints will benefit from providing the venue, and this is especially helpful towards paying for urgent repairs.   It would be a pleasure to welcome this concert series again, and it is hoped that other concert organisers will take note of our very beautiful church interior and great acoustic for chamber music.

Carol Bennett

Jubilee Prayer

As the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee continues, although at a lower intensity, the Church offers this prayer:

God of time and eternity,
whose Son reigns as servant, not master;
we give you thanks and praise that you have blessed this Nation, the realms and Territories
with Elizabeth
our beloved and glorious Queen.
In this year of Jubilee,
grant her your gifts of love and peace
as she continues in faithful obedience to you, her Lord and God
and in devoted service to her lands and peoples, and those of the Commonwealth,
now and all the days of her life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen