Calstone, Cherhill, Compton Bassett, Heddington, Yatesbury,
Easter Day, 5th April 2026, 5.30am
Although the weather is stormy, the forecast for tomorrow morning around sunrise is comparatively calm, so this service is still intended to take place. If the weather deteriorates too much, we may move inside the church and have a candle-lit service instead.
Every year in September or October we thank God for the food we have to eat. But in the particular state we are in at the moment, it seems appropriate to take a Sunday to ask him for help as well. Our farmers are facing challenging times for many reasons, and it is good to support them and pray for them.
So this Sunday (5th May) we will be using the morning service at Heddington at 10.30am to ask for God’s blessing on our farmers and all those involved in the production of food in our community, as well as reflecting on the role each of us can play.
Do come and join us if you can, or simply take some time to remember our farmers in your prayers.
Come and join us to celebrate the food we have to eat and to pray for our farmers and those involved in providing us with food. Gifts of food will be taken as usual to the Calne food bank to be shared with those less well off than ourselves. Do please check their website for what they do (and don’t) want.
The services this year are:
Calstone, 25th September at 9.45am
Cherhill, 25th September at 10.00am
Compton Bassett, 25th September at 11.15am
Yatesbury, 9th October at 9.45am
Heddington, 25th September at 11.15am
We would love to see you if you can make it. The services are suitable for all ages.
The Oldbury Benefice
This Sunday’s service will therefore start in the church, but we will be moving outside a little earlier than usual, and holding the entire Act of Remembrance (including the reading of names and the two minutes’ silence) at or near the Garden of Remembrance. So do make sure that you come prepared for the weather.
I know this is a break from tradition, and we all hope that next year will be more normal, but we feel that this is a way to pay our respects in an appropriate way without putting anyone at unnecessary risk.
As we will be joined by the 1st Cherhill Scout troop as usual, we felt that there was a high chance that we will be (considerably) above this limit, and that the service should therefore take place outside.
So please come prepared for the weather as we will stay outside even if it rains.
To avoid everyone having to find somewhere to stand in the churchyard, Oliver and Belinda Haslam have very kindly given us permission to use the car parking area outside the Manor House to hold the service. There should be plenty of space, but please could I remind you that this is someone’s private property, and to make sure any little ones in your care don’t go wandering off.
This was a difficult decision, as it will be cold, and I know some of you find it hard to stand for long periods, but I hope this allows us to gather as a village in remembrance without people worrying about whether they might get sick.