Introduction
“The Friends” were established in 2008 to raise funds for church projects. Since then we have made grants towards the conservation/restoration of the stained glass (£6,000) replacement of the drain (£5,000) and improvement to the churchyard (£5,000). We have set aside £3,000 towards an upcoming project for a replacement floor and funded a number of other small projects. We do not fund recurrent expenditure such as the annual payment to the diocese (Parish Share), electricity, insurance or minor repairs.
Fundraising
“The Friends” normally arrange three fundraising events each year – a dinner in the Spring, a summer party and a pre-Christmas coffee morning in November.
Upcoming events
Saturday 16th November 2024 – 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
Pre-Christmas Coffee Morning with Tombola, Christmas cards for sale etc
Saturday 16th January 2025
Burns Night supper in the Village Hall
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Membership
People become “Friends” because:-
- They see the church as theirs – even if they seldom (or never!) attend services
- They want to help preserve the church in their village because it is an historic building nearly 700 years old.
The annual subscription is £10 and is due in April. It can be paid by cash or cheque made out to The Friends of St John’s Fifield and handed to the Treasurer or, in her absence, the Chairman. If you would like to become a member, please contact a Committee Member or post a message on the Village WhatsApp
Organisation
“The Friends” are managed by a Committee. The Vicar is President ex officio. This position was vacant until the new vicar arrived in September 2024. At the 2024 AGM the following were elected or co-opted to the Committee for 2024/25:-
- Chairman: John Yaxley
- Secretary: Sally Austin
- Hon Treasurer: Liz Morris
- Ordinary Members: Amy Schlee, Karin Taylor, Rosie White
- PCC Representative: Rosemary Alexander
Previous events
AGM at 18.30 TUESDAY 26th March 2024
PRE-CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING – SATURDAY 25th November 2023
A huge “thank you” to all who joined us – both from within the village and elsewhere. We raised £800 which is £100 more than last year. And congratulations and thanks to the team who worked so hard to make the event so successful not only in financial terms but as a village social event – an opportunity for us all to catch up with each other and share each other’s news. The Hall hummed with chatter!
As in previous years, the Tombola was a particular attraction and there were some wonderful items, thanks to the generosity of so many people. John Yaxley
SUMMER BARBECUE 2023
Committee Members scanned the weather forecast hourly! Will it, won’t it stay fine? What do we do it if rains? The answer to that was “Dive for cover or go get an umbrella” – but the showers, though sharp, were pretty short and did nothing to dampen the spirits of those attending. The “barbie” went ahead (the food was delicious) and our toes were kept tapping to the music provided by the three-man band “Broken Mic”. Many thanks to all who gave the event their support, in whatever way, and helped to make the event a resounding success.
The barbecue’s nearly ready
‘Broken Mic’ provided some jolly music and kept us entertained (right)
On the gate
