Destroyed during WWII, the church was rebuilt starting in the Spring of 1953.  It was the only Norfolk church to be damaged which was remarkable considering the very large number of airfields in the county at that time.

We are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the new church on Saturday 10th   May with a talk by John Timpson, who reported the event at the time for the local newspapers.

There will be a special service of thanksgiving on the Sunday morning, 11th May, attended by the Bishop of Lynn who will be preaching.

At the time of going to press we are looking forward to the wedding of Christine Lilwall and  Will Sommerville on Easter Saturday.  Christine has been brought up here and it is a happy day for us all.  We thank her and her mother for the wonderful flower decorations in the church and for inviting us to open the church doors to visitors over the weekend to share in the pleasure of them.
 

The Friends of Bawdeswell Church are also officially celebrating their Inauguration on the 10th May, and will put on an exhibition of flowers and old photographs in the church.
The first Coffee Morning and 100 Club Draw took place on Saturday  April 5th and was well attended.
Winners in this first Draw were:
£100  Debbie Lilwall, £25  Ray Morgan, and £10 to Irene Berning, Peter Lilwall, Liz Debenham, Janet Cockburn and Nicholas Ward.

The next draw is due on Saturday 4th August.   Not all 100 tickets have been sold.  Please call 01362 688499 (evenings) to get one and join the new circle of friends. 

Our thanks to Sandi for the Home Baking.
 

The Annual Vestry and Parochial Meetings were held in the Church on Wednesday, 2nd April. Our Rural Dean, Canon Michael Paddison kindly took the Chair.

The usual elections were held and the main office holders remain the same, with the exception that the Electoral Roll duties have been taken on by Mrs. Monica Hatch.

Written reports were submitted by the Secretary & Treasurer, the latter having been passed by our Independent Examiner, Mr David Carter, Accountant. The Churchwarden, John Harvey, thanked all those who had contributed  in any way to Foxley Church during the year, Organist, Readers, Cleaner, Groundsman, Flower Ladies, & now, Hassock Embroiderers, as well as Financial Donors.  He also thanked Canon Paddison for presiding over the meeting, who responded with words of encouragement & appreciation of the P.C.C. & its supporters' efforts in maintaining an active church in the village.
 
Rev'd Michael Baker took the Service on Palm Sunday and presented the traditional palm crosses. An impromptu extra collection from the congregation produced £40 to be sent to Christian Aid to help child victims of the war in Iraq.
 
Diana Harvey (PCC Secretary)

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK
SPARHAM COFFEE MORNING
Mrs Pauline Gray is holding a Coffee Morning at her home, Holly Tree House, Whitwell Road, Sparham on May 6th from 10am – 12 noon for Christian Aid.
You will be served tea/coffee and biscuits and a Bring & Buy Sale.  Cost 75p.
BAWDESWELL COLLECTION
There will be a delivery of  Christian Aid envelopes to each home in Bawdeswell.  The homes where a collection will not take place will have a note in the envelope asking you to return it to the village store.  Thank you.
Margaret Keeler