The Friends - Dates for your Diary

There will be two Friends' events in November, both of which will be held at Swanton Morley Village Hall. Please do make a note of these in your diary.

The first is John Carrick's Fireworks Evening on Saturday 8 November. Pay on the gate.

The second is the Friends' annual quiz on Saturday, 15 November.Teams will consist of a maximum of four people, but smaller teams are welcome to enter and we will help you to make up the numbers if you wish. The bar will be open and hot food will be available to the interval. Full details will be given nearer the time, but the number of tables is limited and you may book your table now if you wish to avoid disappointment on the night. (Contact David or Judy Stone on 01362 637592.)

Church and Tower Open Day 2014

The Church and Tower held an open day today. The were a number of exhibitions in the church showing the different groups and who use the church, a number of which were manned by members of those groups. There was of the course the delicious refreshments available which many of the visitors took advantage of! The Bell Ringers of All Saints conducted Tower Tours throughout the day giving people the chance to watch ringing take place as well as take a look at the 6 bells of All Saints.

Although there wasn't as many people as we would have liked to have seen those who did come commented on how beautiful the church was and how it was lovely t be able to come in a take a look as they had passed it so often. Many people were also drawn to the day to take a look at the bells and find out what goes on to make the beautiful sound they love to listen to on Fridays and Sundays. A few even said they would like to come along and have a go at ringing.  

Vigil to Commemorate 100 years since the start of World War 1

A special vigil was held today around the War Memorial in the Churchyard of All Saints Church to commemorate 100 years since the start of World War 1. 

Prior to the service and whilst the congregation gathered around the War Memorial, the All Saints Swanton Morley Bell Ringers rang call changes on half muffled bells for half an hour. As 10 o'clock approached and as the final few people gathered outside the church, the bells were stood one by one until the tenor bell tolled for five minutes. 

The service, which was conducted by the Rev'd Adrian Aubrey-Jones, included the reading of different poems written during World War 1. The congregation were asked to place rosemary around the War Memorial as a sign of remembrance. The short service concluded with prayers before the blessing was given. 

Bell Ringers - the mystery solved

The mystery of the odd struck four has been solved! Over the past few weeks the number four has been becoming increasingly difficult to ring. An inspection of the bell found that the clapper had worked itself loose and was therefore spinning around in the bell.  A quick tighten of the bolt which holds the clapper and the bell seems as good as new. The real test will be Friday at the practice night. Further inspection also found that then tenor bell was also suffering the same problem.

The Friends - The Great Village Yard Sale

The Friends of All Saints would like to thanks all those who took part in The Great Village Yard Sale on Saturday 12 July.

This was a very successful day, the weather was kind and everyone seemed to have a good time. There were 37 individual yard sales throughout the village and the total profit, all of which goes to the Restoration Fund for the church was £450.

In addition, there were stalls in the church, including teas, which raised a further £217. Many thanks to all who kindly made the refreshments and manned the stalls.

Our thanks also to all the "Yards" who took part and we hope you all had an enjoyable/profitable day.

Our special thanks to the Village Shop and Swanton Morley Butchers for kindly selling the maps.

Bell Ringers & PCC - Teddy Bear Zip Wire 2014

We would like to thank everyone who came along to this year's Teddy Bear Zip Wire at All Saints Church. Despite the awful weather conditions a great day was had by all. The afternoon started with a special visit for the BBC Radio Norfolk's Treasure Quest team who came to find the treasure which was a special bear name "treasure Bear".

This year me made a record £372. This money will be split between the Bell Ringers to help maintain the bells of All Saints and the PCC for the restoration of All Saints Church.

Bell Ringers - Tower Tidy

A small number of ringers took on the mammoth task of cleaning the three chambers of All Saints' Tower. Sarah Seaman, Shelia Smith, Mark Tweedie, Lee Fox and Aaron Hall swept, hoovered, dusted and polished the Tower throughout the four hour cleaning marathon. The result was a spotless tower in which in will be a pleasure to ring.
The ringers also took the opportunity to treat the six ropes in the tower with rope lubricant, to help preserve the ropes. This was a rather messy job but good fun. The ringers got to ring in their tidy tower on Friday. Click here to see some photos from the day