Church News Archive:
20.07.19: Lynda’s Annual Sale, another successful day!
Thank you to all the people who helped in anyway to make Lynda’s Annual Sale another successful day. A fantastic total of £1267 was raised for the Tower Project. A special thank you to all the helpers who gave up their time to set up before the event and clear up after. The event would not happen without you.
10.06.19: Heather Church wins National Lottery support
10.06.19: Annual Open Garden Event Raises Much Needed Funds
The annual Open Garden event took place on Saturday 1st June. We would like to thank the volunteers for their time and dedication and also the public for making the event a success. £495 was raised for the Tower Project. Thank you all!
19.05.19: Giant Plant Sale Event A Success
The Giant Plant Sale took place on Saturday 22nd May and was very well supported. Len Robinson provided the plants, and with the help of Creativi-tea, a fantastic £750 was raised, which will go towards the Tower repair project. Paula Sharpe, leader of Creativi-tea said "Many thanks to all of our supporters. We couldn't do it without you".
See our future events page to see what events are coming up in June.
See our future events page to see what events are coming up in June.
08.04.19: Ibstock Community Choir Evening A Success
St Johns hosted the Ibstock Community Choir on Friday in the first event in church this year to raise funds for the Tower Repair Project.
The Choir was in fine voice, much to the enjoyment of the large audience, and a fantastic £377.35 was raised.
We would like to thank all who set up the event and all who attended and made the night so enjoyable.
The Choir was in fine voice, much to the enjoyment of the large audience, and a fantastic £377.35 was raised.
We would like to thank all who set up the event and all who attended and made the night so enjoyable.
16.12.18: #FollowTheStar
#Followthestar is the Church of England's 2018 Christmas campaign. Thousands of Christmas services and events are taking place in churches all over the country. Find out how you can join the #FollowTheStar journey and share it with your friends, family, church and community at www.churchofengland.org/Christmas
16.12.18: Christmas Fair a success
The Christmas Fair took place on Saturday 26th November and was a fantastic success. Organised by Paula and supported by the Creativi-tea, Heather congregation and local friends, there was a variety of seasonal gifts and food to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. Thanks to people's generosity an amazing £615 was raised for the Tower Repairs Fund. Click here for more images.
19.08.18: St Phillip’s Centre, Leicester religion and belief road show
A meeting of Deanery Synod of North West Leicestershire Deanery will be held on Thursday 6th September 2018 at Blackfordby School, off Main Street, Blackfordby DE11 8AB (refreshments will be served from 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start). During this meeting there will be a presentation of the St Phillip’s Centre, Leicester religion and belief road show. This is an open meeting so all are invited.
Tom Wilson, Director of the Centre writes:
“We live in a world that is full of division and misunderstanding. But we at the St Philip’s Centre believe we can learn to live well together. One way we play our part is by helping Christians meet people of different faiths and understand how they see the world. The roadshow at September synod is one chance for you to do that. Come along and meet with Hindu, Jewish, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist people who live and work in Leicester as they share what they believe and we all get to know each other better. The event is very informal, with a chance to ask whatever questions you want, try some snacks associated with the different faiths and do your bit for building a more cohesive, more welcoming, more trusting society.”
Tom Wilson, Director of the Centre writes:
“We live in a world that is full of division and misunderstanding. But we at the St Philip’s Centre believe we can learn to live well together. One way we play our part is by helping Christians meet people of different faiths and understand how they see the world. The roadshow at September synod is one chance for you to do that. Come along and meet with Hindu, Jewish, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist people who live and work in Leicester as they share what they believe and we all get to know each other better. The event is very informal, with a chance to ask whatever questions you want, try some snacks associated with the different faiths and do your bit for building a more cohesive, more welcoming, more trusting society.”
19.08.18: St. Johns awarded 6th place in the Scarecrow Festival
St Johns has been awarded 6th place in the 20th anniversary Heather Scarecrow Festival for their scarecrow creations. Titled 'They Walked This Path' the scarecrows were three Monks, made out of chicken wire, representing the Monks of the order of St John, highlighting the historical link between Heather and the church. We thank Dave Farmer for creating the scarecrows.
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18.08.18: Yarn Bombing Extravaganza & Summer Fate surpass expectations
As part of the Heather Scarecrow Festival week, St Johns opened its doors for the Yarn Bombing Extravaganza and Summer Fate events. Many woollen creations were on display in every part of the church with refreshments, prize stands and wire Monks outside. The church looked fantastic, and a big thank you to Paula and the Creativi-tea team for the all the time and dedication they put in. Before the event it was hoped that it would raise £1,000, but thanks to the 5,188 visitors over the week, a fantastic £3,200 was raised for the tower fund. Thank you all. Click here for images.
18.08.18: Strawberry Tea enjoyed by all
Our Strawberry Tea event was held at the church on Saturday 7th July. Many people donated strawberries, cakes and raffle prizes, and enjoyed the newly tidied churchyard. The weather was kind to us and despite the World cup, many people came and enjoyed the afternoon. The sum of £253.26 was raised for the tower fund, so thank you all for making this event a success. Click here for images.
30.06.18: Lynda's Annual Sale event a success
Thank you to all the people who helped in anyway to make Lynda’s Annual Sale another successful day. A fantastic total of £1250.50 was raised for the Tower Project. A special thank you to all the helpers who gave up their time to set up before the event and clear up after. The event would not happen without you. Click here for images.
18.06.18: Open Garden event a success
Thank you for the helpers and supporters who made the Open Garden event a success. £440 was raised which will go towards the general funds and tower fund. The weather was kind to us and it was great to so many turn out. Click here for images.
12.05.18: Craft & Vintage Fare at the Ravenstone Institute
A craft and vintage fare was held at the Ravenstone Institute to continue to raise funds for the tower restoration project. Paula Sharpe organised the event and along with her weekly creativi-TEA team sale table, another £500 was raised. Click here for images.
23.04.18: Heather Church wins National Lottery support
The church of St John the Baptist, Heather in Leicestershire has received initial support* from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the ‘Tower Crusade at Heather’ project, it was announced today. Made possible by National Lottery players, the project aims to do urgent repair work to the tower and to encourage a wide range of heritage activities.
Development funding of £13,000 has been awarded to help St John the Baptist church progress their plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.
The project aims to carry out essential repair work to the tower of St John’s; to develop a church website to allow more people to learn about its heritage, including its wonderful gargoyles and the Knights of St John; and to encourage children to engage with their heritage through work with local schools.
During the restoration work, there will be opportunities for volunteers to learn about the skills needed for restoring an ancient building, such as working with stonemasons and observing lead-casting, and events where children and their families can find out more about life in the medieval period.
St John the Baptist is a medieval church set in the heart of the village of Heather in Leicestershire. Built on the site of an earlier chapel of the knights of St John Hospitallers (forerunners of the modern St John Ambulance), the first recorded priest was Thomas in 1220, and the first four priests are believed to have been priors of the order who lived at their preceptory on the site of the manor house next door.
The outside of the church has a number of fascinating gargoyles and carved faces, while inside there are other ancient features, such as a piscina and the 17th century Everard monument, as well as the more modern village war memorial.
Commenting on the award, Mr Peter Fell, churchwarden, said, “We’re delighted that this project can go ahead, thanks to National Lottery players. The church is much-loved by people in the village and it’s great to think we will be able to secure its future for generations to come.”
Mr Virge Richichi, local businessman said, “I fully support this project. It will be good to hear the bells ring again and maybe I’ll learn to ring them myself.”
About St John the Baptist, Heather
St John the Baptist is a medieval Church of England building in the centre of the small village of Heather, Leicestershire. There is a weekly service each Sunday with an average congregation of 16. As well as conducting baptisms, weddings and funerals, the church runs other social activities for the community and takes part in the annual Heather scarecrow festival.
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
* HLF Grants for Places of Worship applications are assessed in two rounds. The Tower Crusade at Heather has initially been granted round one development funding of £13,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by HLF at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award of £169,000.
Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about - from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery and #HLFsupported.
Further information
For further information, images and interviews please contact Revd Patty Bailey at St John the Baptist, Heather on 01530 263729, [email protected]
Development funding of £13,000 has been awarded to help St John the Baptist church progress their plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.
The project aims to carry out essential repair work to the tower of St John’s; to develop a church website to allow more people to learn about its heritage, including its wonderful gargoyles and the Knights of St John; and to encourage children to engage with their heritage through work with local schools.
During the restoration work, there will be opportunities for volunteers to learn about the skills needed for restoring an ancient building, such as working with stonemasons and observing lead-casting, and events where children and their families can find out more about life in the medieval period.
St John the Baptist is a medieval church set in the heart of the village of Heather in Leicestershire. Built on the site of an earlier chapel of the knights of St John Hospitallers (forerunners of the modern St John Ambulance), the first recorded priest was Thomas in 1220, and the first four priests are believed to have been priors of the order who lived at their preceptory on the site of the manor house next door.
The outside of the church has a number of fascinating gargoyles and carved faces, while inside there are other ancient features, such as a piscina and the 17th century Everard monument, as well as the more modern village war memorial.
Commenting on the award, Mr Peter Fell, churchwarden, said, “We’re delighted that this project can go ahead, thanks to National Lottery players. The church is much-loved by people in the village and it’s great to think we will be able to secure its future for generations to come.”
Mr Virge Richichi, local businessman said, “I fully support this project. It will be good to hear the bells ring again and maybe I’ll learn to ring them myself.”
About St John the Baptist, Heather
St John the Baptist is a medieval Church of England building in the centre of the small village of Heather, Leicestershire. There is a weekly service each Sunday with an average congregation of 16. As well as conducting baptisms, weddings and funerals, the church runs other social activities for the community and takes part in the annual Heather scarecrow festival.
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
* HLF Grants for Places of Worship applications are assessed in two rounds. The Tower Crusade at Heather has initially been granted round one development funding of £13,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by HLF at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award of £169,000.
Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about - from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery and #HLFsupported.
Further information
For further information, images and interviews please contact Revd Patty Bailey at St John the Baptist, Heather on 01530 263729, [email protected]
08.11.17: A Tower Crusade
St John the Baptist Church, Heather has a remarkable history, so in 2017, many believe that it is incumbent upon them, and also their ernest desire, to ensure that this ancient place of worship is maintained for the benefit of future generations.
Repairs and restoration have always been a necessary part of the long history of this parish church. There is currently a long list of areas which require attention; the most important being repairs to the tower, including a new roof and the repair and replacement of merlons and pinnacles. The total cost of this work is estimated to be £199671.00. The church does already have some funds in hand through fund raising, and an approach has been made to the Heritage Lottery, but there is a long way to go.
Fundraising efforts so far this year have included a very successful summer fate which raised over £1000 and a 'Beetle Drive' and fish & chip supper, which added in excess of £250 to the funds.
On December 9th & 10th, everyone is invided to 'The Angels Festival' which will see the church full of an amazing array of angels. Events for 2018 are already being planned, including Yarn Bombing (as part of the Scarecrow Festival) at the end of August. Details for this and other events will be published later.
Repairs and restoration have always been a necessary part of the long history of this parish church. There is currently a long list of areas which require attention; the most important being repairs to the tower, including a new roof and the repair and replacement of merlons and pinnacles. The total cost of this work is estimated to be £199671.00. The church does already have some funds in hand through fund raising, and an approach has been made to the Heritage Lottery, but there is a long way to go.
Fundraising efforts so far this year have included a very successful summer fate which raised over £1000 and a 'Beetle Drive' and fish & chip supper, which added in excess of £250 to the funds.
On December 9th & 10th, everyone is invided to 'The Angels Festival' which will see the church full of an amazing array of angels. Events for 2018 are already being planned, including Yarn Bombing (as part of the Scarecrow Festival) at the end of August. Details for this and other events will be published later.