Category Archives: Events

The Farnham Festival of Remembrance

The third Farnham Festival of Remembrance will take place this year on Saturday, November 13. Once again, because of Covid, it will be online here on the website and on Facebook from 6pm.

Among those taking part are faith leaders, the Mayor of Farnham; Alder Valley Brass; Princess of Wales Royal Regiment; Army and Air Cadets; Farnham Heath End School, Potters Gate School and the Parish Choir, and they will present a moving evening of music, poetry, reflections, prayers, hymns and readings which will pay tribute to all those who have served in times of conflict and peace.

Simon Alexander has organised the event and reminds us that while we understand that Remembrance is a time to pay tribute to all those who serve and have served to protect and defend us, that “War comes in many forms and, as such, the public service of our Armed Forces comes in many forms too. This year we have leant on the help of our military again in our time of need here at home to help us deliver essential services during the pandemic. Dedicated, agile and responsive as ever, the men and women of our Armed Forces have responded to our nation’s call.”

Our thanks go to everyone who has taken part. Please join us online for this year’s Farnham Festival of Remembrance from 6pm on November 13 here on www.badshotleaandhale.org and Facebook.

The November magazine is out!

Our November magazine is now here.

This month is reflective as we head into the season of remembrance with the Farnham Festival of Remembrance and Remembrance Sunday itself.

But there is also celebration with Kitty Milroy’s birthday communion and concert on November 7th, and exciting news of a new youth centre in Hale. There are reports from across the community, plenty of local groups and services, and information about local events.

There are also pictures of cute dogs. What more could you want?

Find it below, or pick up your copy in church. If you want it delivered let us know. Email editor@badshotleaandhale.org or call 07842761919.

A Kitty Birthday Celebration

Come and celebrate the Kitty Milroy murals and Kitty herself at St Mark’s on November 7th at a special communion service at 11am, with the Bishop of Dorking and the mural restorers Stephen Rickerby and Lisa Shekede, and a concert and talk at 7pm.

The now-famous murals were restored earlier this year and new lighting has been installed so that they can be seen in their full glory. They are now recognised as being of national importance and a jewel in Surrey’s crown. So, on the day before the anniversary of Kitty’s birth in 1885 and, coincidentally, her death in 1966, we want to invite everyone to St Mark’s for a celebration.

The morning celebration will be a communion service at which the Rt Rev’d Jo Bailey Wells, Bishop of Dorking, will preach, and there will be a chance to hear from Stephen Rickerby and Lisa Shekede who spent 10 weeks painstakingly restoring the murals between April and June this year. In the evening there will be music, talks on the murals and Kitty, along with refreshments and, of course, the chance to see the murals.

Everyone is welcome at both the service and the evening celebration and there will be no charge, but to keep numbers manageable, particularly in the face of Covid, the evening event will be by ticket only. To book your tickets, click here.

The murals were painted between 1911 and 1920 and depict the Annunciation – the meeting between Mary and the Angel Gabriel when Mary is told she will be the mother of Jesus – as well as scenes from the Benedicite, an ancient hymn of praise to God about the wonders of the natural world, and local views. There are figures depicting the natural elements and seasons, and the models for these figures are known to be local people. The whole is a stunning creation by a hugely talented artist and the murals and Kitty herself are finally being given the recognition they deserve.

Come and celebrate this amazingly talented artist and her work.

Your October magazine is out!

The latest parish magazine is out, full of information about what is going on in your community here in North Farnham, and reflections on life and faith.

This month we consider generosity, particularly generosity of spirit, and celebrate the joy of the recent Confirmation service in the parish. There’s a collection of clothing and other items for refugees, a campaign for a new cancer centre, the return of Messy Church, an invitation to take part in the Big Draw and in a pet service and a reflection on the fact that pets are good for us. All these, along with local community news, local businesses and ideas, prayer and reflection, if you click below:

Hale Fayre hailed as great success

The Hale Autumn Fayre was a great success.

Jeremy Hunt opened the fayre at St John’s Church, Hale, on Saturday, September 4th. He also led the singing as we wished the Head Girl from Farnham Heath End School a happy birthday. Along with her fellow students she was selling programmes.

Entertainment was provided by the  Farnborough U3A Ukulele band, Terry Owens singing songs of the 70s, and our church musicians, singing and playing a medley of songs and pieces. There was brisk trade at the many stalls and all parts of our community took part – Hale WI, Hale Derby and Joan, Parkinson’s UK, Usborne Book, Humblebee Gifts, by aspen crafts, Lizzie Marks and many more. There were plenty of takers for the tea and cakes, the barbecue and the beer.

Among the revellers was Cllr Sally Dickson, Councillor for Hale and Heath End, who drew the raffle, and the total raised by the afternoon was around £3,000.

Lesley Crawley said: “It was a wonderful event for the whole community with all ages taking part and enjoying themselves. The money we raised will go not just to maintain the churches in the parish, but to support community groups such as the toddler group and Connections, our fortnightly get-together for older people who might otherwise find themselves isolated. Our thanks to everyone who came and everyone who worked so hard to make it such a success.”

Here is a snapshot of what went on:

Come to the Craft Market

This Saturday (September 18th) we are holding the third of our monthly craft markets at St Mark’s, Alma Lane, Hale, GU9 0LT, from 10am.

We will be busier than ever this month, with stalls ranging from crochet to dried flowers, jewellery to upcycled garden items, pottery to glass, Brazilian sweets to preserves, ceramics to cards, floral designs to silks, and plenty more besides.

Come and browse, come and support local creatives, come and enjoy tasty rolls and cakes, come and listen to live music, come and see the Kitty Milroy murals! It opens at 10am and runs until 2pm. Everyone is welcome.

The September Magazine is Out

Our September magazine has just been published full of plenty to read and discover for this coming month.

We kick off with the Autumn Fayre (on Saturday, September 4, at St John’s Church, 12-4pm) then take a look at our new monthly craft market, get ready for Harvest, meet our new Youth Minister, have a think about Living in Love and Faith, and look forward to the Confirmation service on September 19. There’s a message from Anne Young in Cornwall, a huge thank-you to Wendy Edwards who is retiring, some thoughts on the changes ahead from the Church Cat and lots more, including local businesses who advertise and support us in our work.

To read all about it, download your copy below, or if you would prefer a printed version email the editor, Stella Wiseman.

Come to the fayre

Come and join us at the Hale Autumn Fayre on September 4th at St John’s, Hale Road, 12-4pm.

There will be stalls, games, food and drink – a barbecue, bar, tea and cakes – a grand raffle with loads of prizes, and music. The fayre will be opened by Jeremy Hunt, MP, at 12pm, and Waverley and Farnham Councillor Sally Dickson will draw the raffle at 3.30pm.

Come and browse the stalls – everything from face creams to a bottle tombola, play games, eat, drink and be merry while listening to music by local musicians including two-thirds of Cajun Boogaloo; the Farnborough U3A Ukulele band; Wendy Edwards; Mary Klymenko; Frances Whewell; and Terry Owens, Football Club Ambassador for Aldershot Town and well known for keeping people going with his singing.

Buy a lucky programme and be in with a chance of winning a £50 voucher for Heaven’s Kitchen restaurant; buy a raffle ticket and you could win £100, or a host of other prizes including a £50 voucher for Daniele’s Sicilian Restaurant; browse gifts on the stalls; eat delicious cake or a burger; have a drink, and know that you are helping to raise money to support the church’s work in the community, including the setting up of a new youth hub at St John’s.

Join us from 12pm, Saturday, September 4.

Autumn Fayre – we need your help!

The Hale Autumn Fayre will be taking place at St John’s on Saturday, September 4, 12-3pm, and we need your help.

We already have lots of stalls planned, plus a bar, a barbecue and tea stall, and generous donors have given raffle prizes but we need more people to help with running the stalls and donating prizes.

We particularly need items for a bottle tombola – they don’t have just to be drinks but could, for instance, be shampoo or bubble bath – and the regular tombola. We need more raffle prizes and cakes. We also need more people to help on stalls, sell raffle tickets, and generally join in.

If you can help, please get in touch. Contact Stella Wiseman on 07842 761919 or admin@badshotleaandhale.org. You can also bring your donations to the back of St John’s Church or put them in The Ark (the old vestry).

Thanks! Let’s make it a great day!

Picture by Harry Grout on Unsplash.

Another creative triumph at St Mark’s

St Mark’s Church was once again buzzing with creativity with Artz @ St Mark’s over the weekend July 30-August 1. 

Walls, tables and easels were covered with paintings and quilts, there were cushions, violins, knitting, tapestry, a prom dress, as well as music and dancing, all of it displaying the talents of local people who joined in for the first, but not the last, Artz @ St Mark’s, organized jointly by the Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale and a group called North Farnham Voice which exists to enable local residents to have a say in the present and future of North Farnham. 

North Farnham Voice was founded by Catherine Powell, the newly elected Surrey County Councillor for North Farnham. Catherine said: “l just knew there were a lot of artistic and creative people in North Farnham because so many volunteered to make the PPE scrubs for the NHS during Lockdown. They carried on making them into the spring of this year to provide a supply to the COVID vaccination clinics too, so we asked them to come and display their own work. 

“A large number got involved again this weekend and helped make it a real success.  About 220 people dropped by over the weekend and there was never a dull moment with all the live music too. What’s more there wasn’t an inch of wall or table space left for the want of an exhibit.  The church came to life with the colour, variety and the sound of people and really played it’s part as a great place for the community of North Farnham.” 

Refreshments were served and many people took advantage of the occasion to view the newly restored Kitty Milroy murals in the church. 

St Mark’s also holds craft markets on the third Saturday of the month and the next one will be on August 21 from 10am to 2pm, at St Mark’s, Alma Lane, Farnham, GU9 0LT.