Page 12 - link magazine

12
CHURCH NEWS

The First Freshbrook Church THE ST JOHN
TRIPTYCH
SMALL BEGINNINGS -WINTER 1981
by Douglas Linnecar Grant to restore
Snow, buildings being constructed for young folks on Monday 17th Century
everywhere, roads a quagmire, Evenings (The Adventurers) is
difficulty in finding your way held at the Community Centre. Masterpiece
about . . . such was the scene a Further meetings are held on Looking at old oil paintings isn't
few years ago when people began Fridays in members' homes for everybody's cup of tea - mind
to take up residence in the new the Young Marrieds and Singles. you, if you've got a Van Gogh to
Western Development. A few Meetings are also conducted on sell, that's a different matter! In
people who had been used to a monthly basis in the Sheltered St Mary's Church, the one in
going to church decided to start Homes and at Easter and Christ- Lydiard Park, there is an old oil
up in a small way a Service of mas, special meetings are con- painting - not a Van Gogh - but
Worship on Sunday in one of ducted there for the benefit of unique and fascinating none-the-
their homes. It was evident from the Residents. An active policy less. On nearly 300 square feet of
those who attended that there of visitation is pursued by the canvas, a court painter of the
was a great need in the area and Minister who sets aside specific 17th century has painted life-size
so it was not long before Services times during the week for this portraits of two generations of
were being held in the old Com- purpose. The Church is expand- the St John family who lived in
munity Hut, the predecessor of a graduate from Moorlands Bible ing, is friendly and there is a real the Mansion, and a number of
the present Community Centre. College, was inducted to the sense of Fellowship. If you are folding panels rich in heraldry
On the opening of the Com- Pastorate. He came to us together new to the area and want some- which show who is linked to
munity Centre at Freshbrook, with his wife Jan, and children, where local to Worship, why not whom in the family tree going
permission was sought and Esther and Amy. Both the chil- come along on Sunday at 1100am back to William the Conqueror.
granted by the Council for regular dren are attending the Oliver and/or 6. 3Opm and find out what This is the St. John triptych that
services to be conducted every Tomkins School. we are about. If you so require is mentioned in every guide book
Sunday. From the original four The Church now has a thriving you can contact the REV IAN as a treasure of Britain.
people who initiated this venture Sunday School, a Senior Bible BEEDHAM on 694157. Do come It needs a lot of restoration
has now sprung the Freshbrook Class and an Adult Bible Class along, you will be given a most work doing to it, but enough has
Evangelical Church founded of- which all meet at the Community warm welcome and you never already been done to show that a
ficially in 1983 and affiliated to Centre every Sunday. Weekly know, you may find that you like full treatment would have an
the Fellowship of Independent activities include a Ladies Fellow- it! exciting result - and that's just
Evangelical Churches. Because ship meeting in the School Com- what is about to happen, thanks
of the growth of the Church, it munity Room at 10.00am every FLOWER FESTIVAL to a handsome grant from the
was decided to appoint a full time Tuesday, and in the evening a ST. MARY'S CHURCH National Heritage Memorial
Minister so on the 23rd February, meeting for Prayer and Bible LYDIARD TREGOZE Fund. Details have still to be
1985, the REV IAN BEEDHAM, Study is held at 8pm. A Meeting worked out but the work should
Join us for the 'FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS' be carried out on the spot as it is
on:
Friday 3rd July 1030am to 7pm such a large and permanent
. Professional Styling at Home
Saturday 4th July 1030am to 7pm fixture in the church.
was
triptych
Sunday 5th July 1230pm to 6pm The
The church will be fully decorated with commissioned by the 1st Baronet
flowers and all its treasures, including the
Tryptch which will be on show. to commemorate his parents,
On Friday evening at 730pm the Junior and is just one of a very fine
pupils choir from Oliver Tomkins School collection of 17th century
and the St. Mary's Church Choir will sing monuments in the church. If you
for us. are up in the Park, it is possible
On Sunday at lOam a Family Service will
be held followed at 11am by the Civic to borrow a key and see for
Service for Mayoral Sunday, attended by yourself. Church members are
our Mayor and Mayoress and Civic dig- hoping to organise a rota for
natories. At 630pm a Festival Community
will be celebrated. Sunday afternoons this summer.
Stall with many attractions will be Out- If it comes off, you should be
side the Church gates, a raffle will be held able to see the triptych opened
and refreshments will be available in the out to show the central portraits.
stable room during the period of the
festival.
BATHE
& SELBY
MANOR ROAD, WESTCOTF PLACE
SWINDON. TEL. 29352
(Behind Mike Knight Tyres)

ACCIDENT REPAIRS

SERVICING

MOT TESTS
Soon to be cleaned up. The St. Mary's .Tryptch.