Downland Benefice Churches Closed

Downland Benefice
You will of course be aware that the Prime Minister has said that places of worship are to be closed; I have been instructed by the Archbishops and our bishop that the buildings are to be locked. I have placed notices in each of our churches to that effect and, very sadly, the doors will remain locked for the time being. The Archbishops have also said that until further notice we may not conduct weddings or baptisms – so please remember in your thoughts and prayers those whose special days have been disrupted.

Rev. Tim Harford

Downland Benefice Services

Downland Benefice
The decision has been made that public worship will be suspended for the time being. The four Benefice churches will remain open for private prayer during normal opening hours. Weddings, baptisms and funerals will still be able to take place but with as few people as possible in attendance. We we hope we will be able to get back to normal as soon as possible but in the meantime please hold one another in prayer in these challenging times.

Stephanie

[Note also that Toddlers (Fulking Village Hall) has been cancelled for the foreseeable future.]

Cotillion at St. John the Evangelist

Cotillion
Tickets are now on sale for a candlelit concert in Newtimber celebrating Christmas as Sussex once used to. Cotillion offer a festive evening of songs, poetry and story telling on Saturday 14th December 2019 from 7:00pm–9:15pm. Tickets in advance cost £10.00 for adults and £4.00 for under 18s, which includes mulled wine, mince pies, etc. during the interval and can be obtained from from Lucy Dalrymple (01273 831877) or Gill Keith (01273 835013).

Newtimber Country Fayre


In the field next to the church in Church Lane (BN6 9BT) on Sunday 23rd June 2017 from 10:30am to 4:30pm. We are using a bigger field to welcome more visitors and more stalls promoting local and traditional businesses, with lots of stalls and homemade cakes. We are raising funds for the upkeep of Newtimber Church and also supporting the Martlets Hospice and SUDEP.

Newtimber Place Gardens

Newtimber Place NGS
The gardens at Newtimber Place will be open as part of the NGS (National Gardens Scheme) on Sunday 14th April between 2:00pm and 5:30pm. The gardens are lovely at this time of year with stunning daffodils and beautiful fritillaries. Beautiful Grade I listed C16/C17 moated house (not open). Gardens and woods full of bulbs and wild flowers in spring. Herbaceous border and lawns. Moat flanked by water plants. Mature trees. Wild garden, ducks, chickens and fish. Tea and home-made cakes in aid of the church. There are ducks, chickens and guinea fowl wandering around so dogs need to be kept on a lead. Admission £5.00, children free.

Reverend Tim Harford

Tim Harford Downland Benefice St. Andrew's Edburton
The Reverend Tim Harford is to be the new rector of the Downland Benefice (Poynings, Edburton, Newtimber and Pyecombe). His installation by the Bishop of Horsham will take place in Poynings church on Wednesday 28th November at 7:30pm and his first service will be family communion at Poynings on Sunday 2nd December at 10:00am, followed by holy communion at Edburton at 11:30am.