Matt Earwicker

Remembrance

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In the light of the latest government guidance relating to the new lockdown, we have had to cancel all public Remembrance services. However, it is possible for services to go ahead in a different format, so the current plan is as follows (subject to change, I’m afraid):

Sunday 8th, 10.45am

On Sunday, there will be gatherings at the War Memorial in Compton Bassett and the Garden of Remembrance in Heddington. The services are limited to those involved in them, serving or retired military, and those representing the community or a relevant charity. If you are in that group and think you should be there, could you please contact the Royal British Legion for Heddington, or the Parish Council for Compton Bassett. Numbers will have to be limited for everyone’s safety.

Tuesday 10th, 6pm

There will be a service from St James’ Church Cherhill, with the Scouts (including Beavers and Cubs) joining via Zoom.

Wednesday 11th, 10.45am

There will be a service by the War Graves in All Saints’ Churchyard, Yatesbury. I regret that this service is closed to the public and will be streamed only.

The services at Compton Bassett, Cherhill and Yatesbury will be streamed live via Youtube (look for “Oldbury Benefice”) and are open to everyone to watch. A direct link for each service will also be available on this website in the “Online Services” section and we will try to share the links via email and Facebook as widely as possible.

Please note, all the services will be more or less identical, so it is a case of which one you wish to view, if any. You may prefer to follow the suggestion of the Royal British Legion and stand at your door in silence for 2 minutes at 11am on Sunday morning.

Finally, although there is a general bann on singing, special permission has been given to sing the national anthem on this occasion.

Back everywhere!

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6 months after we were required to shut our churches to public worship, and 2 months after services recommenced in Heddington and Calstone, we are finally going back into all our churches. Look out for services in Cherhill, Compton Bassett and Yatesbury.

It isn’t possible to have services everywhere each week, so do keep a look out for where the services are each week. You can find the latest details on this website, in the Villages Magazine, and on https://www.achurchnearyou.com.

We will also continue to provide online services for those who feel uncomfortable inside with others – at least a live stream of one of the services, and a pre-recorded option where possible.

Looking forward to seeing you at something over the next few weeks.

Matt, Linda and the Oldbury Benefice

Harvest

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Harvest services in our churches will be a little different this year. Usually, we decorate the churches and invite you to join us in church for a celebration of thanksgiving. This year we are going to do things slightly differently.

Not all churches will be having a harvest service.

Those that are having one will be having it outside to ensure that as many people as possible who wish to come can do so while feeling safe. There will be no singing, but we will have a short service of thanksgiving and prayer, including a chance to donate tinned or packaged goods to the Calne Food Bank.

The dates are at the bottom of the Welcome page of this website, but in summary, they will be on Sunday 27th September:

Calstone 9.45am
Cherhill 10.00am
Heddington 11.15am

Please do come and join us if you can.

Matt and Linda

Updated advice for church services – face coverings will be compulsory from 8th August

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Wear a face mask

We have been preparing to restart public services to a limited extent in our churches. Following the government’s advice, we had made the wearing of face coverings a matter of personal choice, although it has always been strongly recommended when you are indoors with people you don’t usually meet.

However, following today’s announcement from the Prime Minister, it will no longer be optional – you must wear a face covering unless you are exempt.

While this new rule only comes into effect next Sunday, may I strongly advise you to wear a mask this week already if you are planning to attend church. We will be keeping the services short – approximately 30 minutes – to minimise the risk and to reduce the inconvenience some experience when wearing a mask.

Zoom coffee morning this Sunday

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A reminder that this Sunday at 11.30 we will be hosting a zoom coffee morning. Anyone is welcome, whether you have attended church regularly before or not. If you want to join, then please email me (mattearwicker@gmail.com) or use the contact form and we will email you the instructions for joining in.

Matt