Church in Abingdon: Christmas Services

Round & About

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Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas at a service in one of Abingdon’s churches

The Church in Abingdon has several venues at which you can enjoy a traditional service or carol concert this month, details here and more at www.church-in-abingdon.org.uk.

Abingdon Baptist Church

Ock Street, OX14 5AG

Sunday 11th December, 6:30pm – Carols by candlelight

Sunday 18th December, 10:30am – Nativity service with special guest ‘Donkey’

Saturday 24th December, 11:30pm – Christmas Communion

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Christmas Day family celebration

Abingdon Community Church

Thameside Primary School, Cotman Close, OX14 5NL

Sunday 18th December, 10:30am – All-age family service

Sunday 25th December, 10:30am – Christmas Day service

Abingdon Vineyard Church

Preston Road Community Centre, Midget Close, OX14 5NR

Sunday 11th December, 10:30am – Christmas Café with family Christmas craft activities

Sunday 18th December, 10:30am – Family Christmas celebration with Carols and Nativity

Sunday 25th December, 10:30am – Christmas Day Celebration

All Saints Church

Appleford Drive, OX14 2AQ

Sunday 18th December, 3:30pm – Candlelit Carol service

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Christmas Day service

Christ Church

Northcourt Road (NR), OX14 1PL/ Long Furlong (LF), Boulter Drive, OX14 1XP

Wednesday 14th December, 10am – LINK Toddler Nativity, NR

Saturday 17th December, TBC – Christmas Giveaway, LF Community Centre

Sunday 18th December, 10:30am – Indoor Carol Service, NR

6pm – Carols in the car park, NR

Saturday 24th December, 3pm – Christingle service, NR

4pm – Christingle service, LF School

4:30pm – Christingle service, NR

11pm – Midnight Communion, NR

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Christmas Day family service, NR

10am – Christmas Day family service, LF School

Sunday 1st January, 10:30am – Christ Church Together New Year’s Day service, NR

Our Lady and St Edmund’s Church

Radley Road, OX14 3PL

Saturday 24th December, 6pm – First Mass

8.30pm – Carols

9pm – Mass

Sunday 25th December 8.45am – Mass

10.15am – Mass

12 noon – Mass

Monday 26th December, 10am – St Stephen’s Mass

Peachcroft Christian Centre

Lindsay Drive, OX14 2RT

Sunday 18th December, 10am – Nativity for all

7pm – Carol service

Saturday 24th December, 3pm – Christingle service

5pm – Christingle service

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Christmas celebration

Quakers, Abingdon Community Support Centre

Audlett Drive, OX14 3UW

Sunday 18th December 10.15am – Christmas meeting including all-age worship

Salvation Army

West St Helen Street, OX14 5BL

Sunday 18th December, 4pm – Candlelit Carol service

Wednesday 21st December, 10:30am – Community Carol service

St Helen’s Church

West St Helen Street, OX14 5BS

Friday 23rd December, 6:30pm – Christmas Lessons and carols

Saturday 24th December, 4pm – Christingle

10.30pm – First Eucharist of Christmas

Sunday 25th December, 8am – Holy Communion

10:30am – Sung Eucharist with all-age address

St Michael’s Church

Park Road, OX14 1DS

Saturday 24th December, 3pm – Crib service

6pm – Christmas Lessons and Carols

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Sung Mass for Christmas Day

St Nicolas’ Church

Market Place, OX14 3JD

Sunday 18th December, 6pm – Christmas Lessons and Carols

Saturday 24th December, 4pm – Crib service

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Holy Communion for Christmas Day

Trinity Church

Conduit Road, OX14 1DB

Sunday 18th December, 4:30pm – Carol service

Saturday 24th December, 4:30pm – Christingle service

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Christmas morning service

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Panto family favourite Sleeping Beauty

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

‘Pay what you can’ tickets to help more families enjoy the magic of panto at Godalming Borough Hall, December 10th to 26th

The enchanting family Pantomime Sleeping Beauty, which plays Godalming Borough Hall from December 10th – 26th, will be open to all thanks to the return of the ‘Pay what you can’ scheme this year.

Wysch Productions hope it will help those who would not otherwise be able to attend a pantomime due to financial restraints. Producers Charlotte and Nick Wyschna said: “We are delighted to bring back our Pay What You Can tickets. Sleeping beauty promises to be a magical, laughter-filled show which is a much-needed tonic in the current climate. We’re keen to reach those in the local area who could not otherwise manage to attend. Just send us a message via our website (GodalmingPanto.com), or telephone the Box Office on 01483 361101, and we’ll happily sort your tickets out.”

Terms and conditions apply, and the offer is subject to availability. No refunds or exchanges are available on Pay What You Can tickets.

The festive favourite promises spectacular song and dance, colourful costumes and lots of fun and laughs for the whole family.

There is a relaxed and BSL signed performance on December 17th at 6:30pm. This show will be specifically adapted for those on the autism spectrum, individuals with sensory and communication disorders, those with learning disabilities, people who are deaf or hard of hearing and anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment. Tickets for this performance have been reduced to £18 and can be purchased by calling the Box Office. There is disabled access throughout the whole venue.

Book tickets for Sleeping Beauty, the pantomime of your dreams, by calling 01483 361101 or by visiting GodalmingPanto.com.

Tickets: £18-£23.50.

Concessions: Senior Citizens, under 16’s, unemployed.

Children aged 2 and under go free but they must sit on a lap.

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The Flying Child earns lottery funding

Round & About

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Community & Charity

Image: Girl in a Gilded Cage by Elise Macdonald.

Well done to Surrey-based community interest company The Flying Child has been awarded three years of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, to support survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA).

Founded in 2020, the survivor-led Flying Child Project has reached more than 1,000 professionals to date, across the UK in education, social work, and healthcare settings.

The team have earned praise for improving understanding of trauma resulting from CSA and the confidence of professionals in supporting both children and adults in a trauma informed way. In a recent participant survey, 100 percent of attendees said they felt better equipped to manage a disclosure of CSA, with all likely to recommend the training to a colleague.

The new National Lottery funding will allow The Flying Child Project to continue their training, aiming to reach thousands more over the three-year period. It will also fund The Flying Child peer support and creative wellbeing groups for survivors of CSA in the local community.

The groups will consist of a 12-week therapist-led programme, co-facilitated by a lived experience support worker. In addition, creative groups for survivors will be offered, providing the opportunity to express trauma through art and writing, meet other survivors and build networks in a supportive space. Over the next three years The Flying Child aims to support 360 survivors of CSA with initial groups starting in the new year.

“As an organisation we normalise speaking about an ‘unspeakable’ subject and challenge the societal culture of silence.”

Sophie Olson, founder and managing director of The Flying Child, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant means we have a fantastic opportunity to improve outcomes for both child victims and adult survivors of CSA. As an organisation we normalise speaking about an ‘unspeakable’ subject and challenge the societal culture of silence. Lived experience in training helps to break down barriers and dispel myths that lead to victims of abuse being overlooked, and their normal reactions to trauma being misunderstood. The current statistics estimate there are 11 million adult survivors of CSA in the UK, equating to 1 in 6, yet are a large, hidden, and marginalised group, with services often not adequately trauma informed of accessible.

CSA is a devasting form of abuse with long-lasting consequences on mental and physical health, and wellbeing. Peer support groups play a vital role in the community. Because CSA is considered a taboo subject, stigma and shame silences the majority with many believing they are the only one. This is something we aim to change. This grant will make a big difference to people’s lives.”

The Flying Child encourages the local community to engage on Twitter and Instagram @flying_project, and to become survivor ‘allies’ – helping to challenge the silence surrounding CSA. Sophie Olson’s story can be heard on the BBC Radio 4 documentary The Last Taboo. For more information about the training or peer support groups, please visit theflyingchild.com.

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Wildlife volunteers honoured at awards

Ellie Cox

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Community & Charity

Thirteen unpaid but dedicated workers have been recognised by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) for decades of work they have put in at the charity’s nature reserves across the three counties

Previously BBOWT has presented one lifetime achievement award at its ceremony, but this year has chosen to award the title to six volunteers.

Richard and Julie Birch have been active and influential members of BBOWT’s Chilterns volunteer group for 20 years. Mr Birch used his marketing and business experience to grow the group while his wife took over management of the newsletter and moved it online. Richard said: “As active conservation work becomes less of a pleasure, there are so many other activities to keep one occupied, making a useful contribution and seeing one’s BBOWT friends – like organising events, meeting and greeting and doing publicity.”

Ched George has been a volunteer at BBOWT since 2014, when he helped the Trust to acquire its Yoesden Bank nature reserve, a 13-hectare site of precious chalk grassland in the Chiltern Hills. He took the role of volunteer warden and helped organise regular conservation work parties and ecological surveys.

Richard Herbert as been volunteering with BBOWT since 1984. For most of that time he has been a core member of the Sunday work party at Bowdown Woods reserve near Newbury, led guided walks around the site and given countless talks to local groups and societies.

David Litchfield has dedicated 15 years to volunteering at BBOWT’s Warburg Nature Reserve near Henley. As well as helping with practical conservation work such as scything and teaching other volunteers a host of skills including tool maintenance. Mr Litchfield has also run ecological surveys on the site and passed on his wealth of knowledge to others.

Outstanding Contribution (Individuals)

Gustav Clark has been an enthusiastic and hard-working volunteer with the West Berkshire Living Landscape team. He has also championed the new online Volunteer Hub where BBOWT and volunteers share news, photos and campaigns.

John Lerpiniere is awarded for his exceptional long-term commitment and contribution to the Trust’s conservation work in Berkshire. He works for the Reserves and Ecology teams, and participates in external volunteer groups on several receivers and is also a volunteer stock watcher.

John Parker has volunteered at Greenham and Crookham commons since 2000. He also volunteers with several other BBOWT groups, occasionally up to five days a week, offering his practical conservation skills as well as his organisational acumen and extra help planning tasks.

David Richardson has been a member of Finemere Wood volunteer work party since 2016. He has taught many volunteers how to scythe and has raised funds to buy more scythes by using his skills as a wood turner to turn felled trees from the reserve into bowls and chopping boards for sale.

Dave Stevens welcomes and engages visitors to College Lake with a ready smile. Dave has also been integral in welcoming new volunteers and will often take them for a tour of the site and stay with them until they feel comfortable.

Phil Townsend has been volunteering for the Trust since 2005 and has been involved with the Reserves Surveying Programme since 2007. During this time, he has helped with butterfly transects, bird surveys, and the dragonfly count at College Lake.

Roger Walton helps provide a rewarding experience for visitors to College Lake through the seasons and helps to make resources for visitor trails.

Outstanding Contribution (Groups)

College Lake Wildlife Garden Group have been going for 30 years. The group is self-led with minimal staff input and come up with ideas and plans to ensure the garden is an inspiration to visitors, demonstrating that anyone can create more nature everywhere, from a few pots in the garden is an inspiration to visitors, demonstrating that anyone can create more nature everywhere, from a few pots in the garden to beautiful nectar-rich borders and bug hotels.

The Greenham and Crookham Common Volunteers (GCCV) were recognised for 25 years of conservation and maintenance work. Working closely with staff, the group is reliable, autonomous and very knowledge about the reserve, its history and ways to assist in its management.

The Oxfordshire Field Team is made up of six volunteers, all retired, racking up 83 years of volunteering for BBOWT between them. The group go out twice a week in all weathers and help with all kinds of tasks to look after BBOWT reveres and the animals that graze them.

Warburg Nature Reserve Volunteer Team includes stockwatchers who help look after livestock that graze the reserve, two work parties which carry out practical habitat management and infrastructure maintenance, and volunteers who make charcoal from by-products of coppicing. The team also volunteer at Hartslock and Cholsey Marsh reserves when needed.

The West Berks Badger bTB Vaccination Team was established in 2021 when they responded to a plea for help with baiting badger traps as part of BBOWT’s successful badger vaccination programme. This involves unsociable hours, long commutes, and assisting with vaccinations at sunrise. Their work has been essential in carrying out this year’s vaccinations.

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Women’s walking football fun Fleet fundraiser

Ellie Cox

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Community & Charity

We’re all focused on football with the World Cup.. but closer to home, the Fleet of Foot team recently enjoyed a charity match in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice

Eleven women’s walking football teams from a 60-mile radius were invited to take part, including Bracknell, Great Wakering, Cheshunt, Arsenal, Portsmouth, and X Saints.

The home side, Fleet of Foot, entered two teams into the competition, and for some players it was their first experience of taking part in a tournament.

Some 26 games were played in total with match officials being supplied by the Fleet of Foot men’s walking football team.

“High quality football was enjoyed by players and spectators alike”

Ann Goddard tells us: “High quality football was enjoyed by players and spectators alike, with tough competition and a great team spirit being displayed by everyone. Congratulations to the overall winners, Bracknell Blues and the runners up, X Saints who just lost out to penalties in the final.”

Following the tournament, there was a buffet and prize giving where the teams socialised together and celebrated their efforts.

As well as enjoying the tournament, the players collectively raised £671.50 for Phyllis Tuckwell, making the event even more worthwhile.

Fleet of Foot women’s walking football was well supported by Everyone Active for this event at Hart.

Aimed primarily at the over-40s (but all ages are welcome), Fleet of Foot women’s walking football takes place on Thursdays, 7-8pm at Hart Everyone Active in Emerald Avenue, Fleet GU51 5HS. For more information or to arrange a free taster session, please email Sue on [email protected].

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Let us handle your care

Round & About

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Community & Charity

CareHandle is an exciting new service supporting those exploring Care Homes for the first time

If you are over the threshold and paying privately you often explore care options alone which can be daunting and frustrating, especially when you need to focus on you or your loved one’s well-being.

Looking for care can be confusing, stressful and time-consuming, the team at Carehandle are on a mission to change this by offering advice, support and insight in a personal way.

We take care seekers through a 3-step process first to listen, understand and work through possible options. Next, we help Handle the search, find options and provide a free shortlist, we check availability, costs and quality. We are with you every step of the way to support better outcomes, we can book appointments and work with the provider for the best outcomes, a large number of those in care regret the initial decision so we can help to support and get it right first time.

Don’t handle it alone contact Carehandle.

E-mail: [email protected]

Call: 01242 384938

Visit: https://carehandle.co.uk/

Our mission also supports charities and by using our services we can help make a difference in local communities.

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Surrey Care Awards for Forest Care

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

The multi-award winning family owned group has scooped two more honours to add to its collection at the 2022 awards

Forest Care, a multi award-winning, family-owned, and managed group of four purpose-built private residential nursing homes in beautiful Surrey and Hampshire countryside locations, has scooped two more awards at the Surrey Care Awards 2022.

The annual event celebrating expertise and compassion in individuals and teams working in adult social care, was held on Friday 18th November at the Copthorne Effingham Gatwick Hotel and attended by over 230 guests.

Forest Care’s Holly Lodge, a specialist dementia residential & nursing Home in Frimley, Surrey wins ‘Nursing Home of the Year’. The panel recognised the specialised environment that Holly Lodge had created through its suite of high street destinations to encourage sensory stimulation for reminiscence, its innovative trips into the community for residents, and the excellent feedback from relatives. Alarico Bustamante, Home Manager at Holly Lodge said: “We are thrilled and so proud to receive this award, it means so much to the team here who feel that their continuous hard work, love, care and commitment towards the residents has paid off.”

Handyman David Fielding who recently celebrated his fifth year at Forest Care’s Cedar Lodge Residential & Nursing Home in Frimley, Surrey picked up the ‘Unsung Hero’ award. The panel noted the great lengths David goes to beyond his job remit, supporting residents and regularly taking them to hospital appointments and shopping, making a lightweight board for a resident to continue her artwork and fixing a precious broken grandfather clock which brought much joy to the owners. David said: “Receiving this award was a wonderful surprise, I feel so proud, but I accept this award on behalf of everyone at Cedar Lodge who all really care about what they do.”

“I am delighted and very proud for two of our finalists winning awards on Friday. It is a fantastic achievement for them, and our small group, to be recognised in this way, particularly when the standard of all the finalists is so high. It is testament to the wonderful work they continue to do every day in striving to ensure the best possible care is delivered to our residents,” added Mark Vickery, Director at Forest Care.

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Let Birchgrove improve your life

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Birchgrove believe the home you live in should be as individual as you, find out what they can offer

When we think of retirement, most of us envision a lifestyle that allows us to socialise and take up new or forgotten hobbies. Yet, the reality is that many people in later life in the UK end up living an isolated life or are overwhelmed with everyday chores such as the upkeep of a large family home, which can lead to a drastic decline of a person’s health, wellbeing and quality of life. 

Glenda Jones from Woking was afraid that her mother, 90-year old Matilda, was facing exactly this scenario. She said: “My mother had no time doing the things that she really likes. Her quality of life could have been a lot better. We also became aware of the need for her to have people around her a bit more.” 

Determined to help her mother find a suitable property that could improve her overall lifestyle and wellbeing, the search led them to Birchgrove, the specialist developer of modern retirement communities for the over 65s. “I like the fact that they are communities of people not a collection of apartments,” Glenda adds.

You will never find two Birchgrove developments the same, because Birchgrove believe the place you call home should be as individual as the people and neighbourhood it sits within. Birchgrove makes sure that every community is not only future-designed to suit people’s needs as they age but has character to complement the local area. Thoughtful spaces that bring people together help forge communities where people feel grounded and at home. 

Apartment living has its perks; no lawns to mow or gardens to weed yet you can still enjoy the beautiful surrounding area from your own outside space as every apartment has its own balcony or patio. Great thought has gone into creating beautiful, shared spaces where people can enjoy company in the club room or snug bar or grab a bite to eat in the restaurant if they don’t feel like cooking. 

There’s also a wellness studio and beautiful landscaped gardens which include a greenhouse. Regular events and activities are readily available and form part of the friendly community everyone who lives in a Birchgrove community so enjoys. 

If you would like to find out more about living at a Birchgrove community contact the team who will happily talk through the options and tailor something that works to support your individual needs. Call 020 3929 5599 or visit www.birchgrove.life

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Winter Poverty Fundraising Campaign in Surrey

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

The Community Foundation for Surrey is helping to provide positive solutions for the community especially as we battle rising energy costs

At the Community Foundation for Surrey, we bring together local donors and charities to provide positive solutions in our communities for local people and disadvantaged individuals.

The need

Poverty is the catastrophe about to happen in Surrey for many people struggling to meet the cost of high energy bills this winter.

Surrey is often thought of as one of the best places to live in the UK. However, there is a hidden side to Surrey, with pockets of deprivation and places of hidden need. Too many people, especially children, are living in poverty in the county.

23,000 children in Surrey are impacted by poverty.

Child poverty has been rising in every district and borough in Surrey for the past five years.

8% of Surrey’s older people are affected by poverty.

“Cutting back on food, skipping meals, not replacing children’s shoes and winter coats, and using debt to make ends meet” … are just some of the ways how parents are coping (Surrey County Council Report to Cabinet on Child Poverty, Jan 2022)

Can you help?

We urgently need donations to our Winter Poverty Fundraising Campaign. With your kind support, together we can combat poverty this winter in our community.

If you’re eligible to receive either the Winter Fuel Payment or the Energy Rebate and you’re in the fortunate position of being able to manage without it, please consider donating the money so that we can use it to award grants to organisations who are providing urgent help to those in economic crisis.

We’re fortunate to have received a matched funding pledge – so that every £10 that you donate will be doubled to £20.

Every penny of donations received will be used to support organisations helping those most in need throughout our county – food banks, community pantries, community meal services, warm hubs, baby banks, and support with fuel poverty and debt advice.

Please donate via our online donation page 

Read more about our Winter Poverty Fundraising Campaign

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Free magical entertainment in Fleet

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Santa’s Post Office and Snow Windows herald the start of the festive season

The Fleet Business Improvement District has launched their family activities this Christmas. They are completely free and offer an amazing experience and are a great reason to visit the town.

The Fleet BID has commissioned Snow Windows to decorate 24 windows in the town. Each window has been personally designed by artist Tom and features elements particular to that business. Each window is a unique piece of art and both children and adults will enjoy being able to visit the windows and spot the details that make each artwork so special.

Santa’s Post Office also makes a welcome return to Fleet launching in Hart Shopping Centre at the Fleet Christmas Festival on November 23rd. Families can visit the enchanting Post Office to meet the Christmas elves and write their letter to Santa. Children can post their letters in the special Post Box and watch its magical journey to Lapland. Even better this is completely free.

One delighted parent, who visited in previous years said: “We went in today with my two kids and they loved it! Both my husband and I were so impressed and felt incredibly lucky to have something so special in Fleet. A real testament to a wonderful community. A massive thank you to Fleet BID for putting something so special together that local families can enjoy!”

Volunteers from Fleet Guide are manning the Post Office, helping them to raise awareness of the great work they do in our local community.

Tracey Shrimpton, Fleet BID Manager said: “We are very excited to bring these free actives to Fleet this Christmas. Santa’s Post Office is a magical experience and Snow Windows have worked with companies such as Harvey Nichols and celebrities including Jamie Oliver, Kirstie Allsopp and Chris Moyles so we’re extremely lucky to have been able to bring them to Fleet.

“We recognise that families may find the pressure to spend money stressful this Christmas and we’re delighted that we can offer something very special for families to enjoy that they can do completely free of charge.

“We are lucky to have such a fabulous range of committed small business owners who open their doors every day to offer customers unique services and products, with local staff to provide help and advice. The High Street is facing many challenges right now and our mission is to support businesses in Fleet with a number of activities to improve the trading environment and this is a great opportunity for people to show their support for local businesses which are the lifeblood of our community.”

In addition to Fleet BID’s activities a committed team of volunteers are organising the annual Fleet Christmas Festival taking place on Wednesday 23rd November from 2pm to 9pm with over 130 market stalls, family entertainment, choirs and Christmas songs, Vegan Village, community stalls, Hart of Craft market in the Shopping centre, Santa’s Grotto in The Harlington, Autism Friendly Fleet Chill Zone in the shopping centre and the Christmas Lights switch on at 6.30pm. The Festival Committee have also organised a Christmas Trail which runs until December 9th with prizes to be won.

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