St Winfred’s Church is introducing a new type of church service, suitable for all ages. Read this and more.

STUDY: The Christian Study Group with St Winifred’s Church, Branscombe, returns in 2012 on January 27 at 2.30pm, meeting at 5 Mill Lane in the village. The group will continue its study of Matthew’s Gospel.

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SERVICES FOR ALL: St Winfred’s Church is introducing a new type of church service, suitable for all ages. There will be four services a year, taking place on the fifth Sunday of the month at the Branscombe church. Organisers say although the church has toy bags available at its regular weekly services, the content of the services is directed at an adult audience, and wanted to create something more inclusive. The first of the new-type of service will be held on Sunday, January 29 at 11.15am to celebrate the Feast of Candlemass. The rector, the Reverend Nigel Freathy, said it was important to realise it was not a children’s service, but a service for all ages, and will last around 40 minutes.

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BRANSCOMBE PROJECT: Get out those 2012 diaries and make a note of the following lectures organised by The Branscombe Project. On Monday, January 30, Chris Chippindale will talk on Echoes and prehistoric rock art in the Italian Alps. On February 27, Phil Planel will talk on the In the footsteps of Orlando Hutchinson project, while on March 26, Andrew Burton talks on Cow Pats, Untouchables and Installation Art in India. There will, on April 30, be a drama-documentary by Barbara Farquharson, Elsie Mayo and John Torrance about Literary Visitors to Branscombe.

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PANTO: Children aged nine and over are wanted to become ‘merry men’ for February’s production of Robin Hood by Beer Panto People. If any child is interested then contact Tina on 07900 807950.

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TOILET: St Winifred’s was praying its new toilet will be ready in time for Christmas after finally installing the facility at the Branscombe church. Despite difficult working conditions due to the weather workmen have this week completed most of the building at the toilet, the first in the medieval church’s 1,000 year history. But the church council now hopes the final decoration and electrical work can be finished in time for the busy Christmas period. The new toilet required special planning permission as St Winifred’s is a Grade I listed building, and builders were required to erect the new structure, attached to the western side of the church, in Beer stone. A few weeks ago they were still short of enough of the right material to finish it off, but thanks to the generosity of some locals they were able to finish the building in the correct stone. The toilet is going to be formally dedicated by the Bishop of Crediton in May.