2014 in pictures

Our Watch Night service and gathering is

becoming an ever more popular way

of seeing in the New Year!

The quiz night was a great success and raised nearly £900 for church funds

Everyone was well fed and well entertained by comic Duo “Dandy” at

“Lunch ‘n’ a laugh” in February - a brilliant event that raised £951 for

church funds

Hearts and handmade - by the Rev - chocolates were the order of the day at

our special valentines service

Launch of the Lichfield Foodbank.Over the year St Giles’ became the third

largest church collection point in the area. Thank you all for your generosity

Lunches in aid of the Bishop’s Lent

Appeal – every Wednesday

throughout Lent.Many thanks to

Margo Christie and her happy band of

helpers

Messy Church was launched at Easter and became a monthly favourite for

children and parents alike

‘Churches Together in Lichfield’ Good Friday Walk of Witness setting off from

Whittington

The family Easter Egg Hunt was enjoyed by many on Holy Saturday. Many thanks to

everyone who so generously donated eggs

Once again the Church Fete was the highlight of the year – a very enjoyable

day that raised nearly £6000

We paid a sad but very proud farewell to the McCosh family as Andy was ordained Deacon in Lichfield Cathedral and left to take up his

curacy in Shelfield & High Heath

The tour and supper at Sheepwash Farm and Fisherwick Lakes was greatly

enjoyed by all those who came along

Two special services to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of WW1

were well attended and very meaningful

180 spaces were created by the churchyard extension, consecrated by Rt Rev’d Clive Gregory. Many thanks to Roy Baxter who

gave the land and to Harry Wiggins whose scrappage appeal paid for the iron railings

Once again the Church provided some very enticing refreshments during the

Countryside Fair

£3500 was donated at our Gift Day in September. It is so affirming to find that we have such generous

support from so many people

Another way in which we taxed those little grey cells! The village Treasure Hunt,

followed by cream tea in the Church Hall, was greatly enjoyed by everyone

A great time was had by all at the Harvest Supper!

Our All Souls ‘Service of Remembranceand Thanksgiving’ in early November

was very well attended

Rain didn’t prevent folk turning out ‘en masse’ for the Remembrance Service at the Village

War Memorial and learning about the significance of the humble whistle

Many different village organisations came and helped make the Georgian Christmas

Market another happy and successful event

New for this year – Christmas Praise in the Barn - a very well attended and meaningful way to get into the Christmas spirit

The School and Community Choirs, a brilliant band, half the village, gluwein, and a faltering attempt to tell the Christmas story – it must be

carols around the Christmas Tree!

The handwritten cards delivered to every house were very well received. Young and old

came to church to belt out their favourite carols and listen to the Christmas story – this year using village groups and street names!

Happy Christmas!

Many thanks to all those who have

worked tirelessly throughout the year to help us;

including the ladies who run our stall at the

monthly food and craft market….

….the flower arrangers – a very talented group of ladies….

….all those who keep the churchyard looking so neat and tidy – ours is the

best kept churchyard for miles….

….all those who help with the weekly ‘Coffee Stop’ and arrange the much loved summer outing and Christmas lunch….

….those who run and support the weekly ‘Whist for pleasure’ group….

….our organist and choir….

….our band of bellringers….

….monthly ‘Flicks in the Sticks’….

….and all those who clean and help look

after the fabric of our church – which this

year included the much needed repairs to the stonework of

the Tower

In 2014 at St Giles’ we had eight Baptisms….

….six weddings….

….and, sadly….

….twenty six funerals – many of which were for well known and much loved village

characters