Exciting things are happening at Foxley Village Hall and for a few weeks, while renovation is in progress, the Social Club has been homeless. In view of this, John and Mary Fletcher had the idea of inviting the members to the church for an organ recital by John and for tea and cakes arranged by Mary. John also entertained us with reminiscences of his childhood and his interest in both organ playing and railways which resulted, most remarkably, in the gift of the present organ to Foxley church. This also involved his boyhood in Birmingham where he happened to live near to a family called Cadbury, of chocolate fame, who were to have a son called Benedict.
Many years later, when John retired to Norfolk, he became a volunteer driver on the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway. One of his fellow drivers was Benedict Cadbury, at the time in charge of the food factories in Fakenham and also a keen organist. When Benedict moved away and his new home could accommodate a “pipe” organ, he needed a loving home for his present “reed” organ. Where better than St.Thomas’ & the care of John Fletcher? God moves in a mysterious way……!
John explained the intricacies – also a mystery to most of us – of a reed organ, which, apparently, works rather like an accordion or harmonica. He then played us an enjoyable selection of tunes ranging from Bach & Haydn to “A Whiter Shade of Pale” through Moody & Sankey and favourite hymns, ending with a resounding “Jubilate”. 
John was thanked by Sheila Barrett on behalf of the Social Club and enthusiastically applauded.
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Sadly, Foxley lost a well liked and respected resident on Dec.16th.2003, when Freda Watling passed away aged 79. Freda and her late husband, Bill, retired to live at The Mews in the early 1990’s after farming for many years at Beetley.  Freda’s funeral on 30th.December in St.Thomas’ church was attended by her son and three daughters and many relations and friends. The Reverend David Head paid tribute to Freda’s long-standing support of the church, to her firm faith and to her straightforward and honest manner; her friends said – “You knew where you were with Freda”! She will be greatly missed.
 
Diana Harvey PCC Secretary.
 

We would like to thank the Friends publicly for their continued help with the upkeep of the church building.  During this last month they bought us a vacuum cleaner and a new mop and pail. These  will help cleaning up the church after concerts, coffee mornings and other such events.  They also gifted us with thirty nice coffee mugs to supplement the inadequate ones we already had.

Service attendances averaged about 10, with a couple more at the evening Words & Praise.  This is a short half hour of popular hymns and a few prayers at 6.30pm on the 2nd Sunday of every month (except in March and April because of special Lent and Easter services).
A short service of Holy Communion is now held at 9am on the last Wednesday of every month.

St Mary’s Church SPARHAM - THE FAMILY SERVI CE

The February service was held at Sparham Church on the first Sunday of the month. Led by Mrs Pauline Gray, the prayers by Mrs Fran Neale, and helped by the children. The theme was the presentation of Christ at the Temple. Mrs Gill Page with Revd. David Head did the activity on patience. The children did a jigsaw and acted out mimes to help us think about bringing patience. This was to help us to remember that Simeon and Anna waited many years to see the promise of God the Messiah. We will sometimes have to wait to see answers to our prayers. It was lovely to have a baby with us the same age as Jesus was when He was taken to the Temple. After the service we all enjoyed fellowship over a hot drink.

The Family Service is held each month  at Sparham on the fist Sunday  of the month at 1030.