St. Mary Magdalene Church Chulmleigh

On Tuesday 1st May the Petrovian Orchestra, under its conductor Lt Colonel James Ross, gave a popular concert in the church. A large orchestra had been assembled by Colonel Ross and the programme included Meyerbeer's Coronation March from The Prophet, Haydn's Symphony 100, The Military, two songs by Francis Chandler, Berlioz's Roman Carnival Overture, Delius's On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring and Smetana's Vitava from Ma Vlast.

During late November & early December, Rob Farrow and Barry & Craig Fewings worked on the removal of two pews right across the front of the church, nave & both aisles, as well as the re-positioning of two radiators. These radiators were moved back to stand infront of the new front pews, though this entailed draining the church water system. The whole area was then re-floored up to the level of the original pews.

Early on Saturday morning, 3rd December, the Town Hall saw much activity setting up for this popular annual event. Tables were laid, raffle prizes received and a bumper assortment of seasonal foods and produce was delivered. Tables groaned but no sooner was much delivered than waiting customers pounced... Mince pies, Christmas cake, quiches, tarts, homemade biscuits, pasties, turnovers, flapjacks as well as fruit and vegetable produce proved immensely popular. So loud was the accompanying chatter that few noticed the arrival of the Chairman of Devon County Council, Jeremy Yabsley.

On the afternnon of Saturday 26th November eighteen stall holders set up their wares in the Chulmleigh Playing Fields Pavilion. These included Christmas and hand-made cards, childrens' toys, plants, bulbs and Christmas wreaths, Christmas food and drink, jewellery as well as stalls for Alzheimers, Childrens Hopsice and a draw for Christmas hampers. Refreshments were served throughout the afternoon and altogether £683 was raised, a most satisfactory conclusion to a happy afternoon.

On Sunday afternoon, September 18th , a wonderful concert took place in memory of David Honey and in aid of the North Devon Hospice. The Four Season's String Quartet played Haydn's The Lark, 1st movement, Pachalbel's Canon, Mendelsohn's Eflat major quartet, and Piazzolla's Oblivion.

The 2011 Bike and Ride got off to a good start on September 10th with a busy Town Hall Coffee Morning. At one time there were more than twenty cakes on offer at the produce stall! The proceeds of £361 were added to Sponsored Bike Rides of £180 and £190, as well as a donation of £100. A total of almost £1000 will have been raised, half of which will come back to our church. Well done to all who supported the event, as well as cyclists from as far away as Black Dog and the Worlingtons!

On Tuesday evening The Old Fair service in St Mary Magdalene Parish Church saw nearly two hundred people gathered to witness the blessing of Kayleigh Fewings as this year's Fair Queen. The Fair Queen was attended by Lucy Govier, Ellie Pincombe, Isabelle Suliauskas, Jamie Ward, Taylor Shean, Charles Suliaskas & Sophie Wren. The Rector, Roderick Withnell, conducted the service whilst The Revd David Prescott, Vicar of Witheridge, blessed the Fair Queen and then spoke to the congregation.

If you are wondering why the church website looks so different since you last visited it, it is because we have had lots of changes made to it!

With the new website we aim to add new content more frequently, and will be able to add articles about events which are going on. Talking of events, you can find the latest events planned on our events page, which is another thing we didn't have before.