St Margaret’s Church, Thorpe Market – a community asset looking to a post-Covid future.

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting will be held on Friday 28th May at 6.30pm. This meeting will be held in the church, or in the churchyard, depending on the Covid restrictions still in force at that time.

2020 was a quiet year for our church in Thorpe Market, with just a handful of services and events taking place due to the Covid pandemic. The pandemic has had far-reaching implications for all our futures, and no less for the future of our church in Thorpe Market. It is on the subject of that future that the church council wishes to consult the villagers of Thorpe Market and the wider circle of friends of St Margaret’s church.


We are now trying to look forward to how things will settle into a “new normal” in 2021 – how the church can “Build Back Better” as the Prime Minister puts it. Some of the changes in our living and working patterns during the pandemic may become permanent, with more people working from home and more people making use of local amenities. Unfortunately for St Margaret’s, that has also meant a number of its regular volunteers who used to commute from some distance have chosen to refocus their lives elsewhere, leaving a big gap in the energy and skills needed to help the church re-awaken after the pandemic is over.


In common with many villages, Thorpe Market has seen a lot of house sales during 2020, which means the church now has a lot of new neighbours. Normally we would look forward to welcoming them at one of the events happening at St Margaret’s, but that is not possible for the time being and we can only look back to what used to happen, and what we very much hope will happen again in the church.


The crowning event of our calendar is Snowdrop Sundays. This event has taken place on every Sunday in February for over 20 years – but not this year, for obvious reasons. The snowdrops came regardless – but no tea and cake this year.

Another category of events that has been a regular success in recent years is art exhibitions. These have been very ably managed by Katayoun Dowlatshahi from Northrepps, we now have an excellent set of professional art display stands.


In former years, St Margaret’s was a regular venue for concerts of all types of music, children’s groups, professional and amateur, and could easily be so again. The church is also equipped with a large cinema screen and projector and good catering facilities.


Probably the most popular amenity at St Margaret’s has been the paper, glass and clothes recycling points, together with the village library, which we hope to be able to re-open later in the year. Our churchyard continues to be a haven for wildlife, supporting the continuance of many rare species of wild flowers, and for the past few years, the production of some excellent honey!


The visitor book tells us that many people come to visit the church in search of ancestors and family history, and we held a well-attended local history evening in the church a few years ago.


We feel that St Margaret’s is already an excellent community resource, with the potential to become even better; but the Covid pandemic has brought us to a crossroads. In deciding which way to turn, we need to hear back from Thorpe Market’s villagers, both old and new, as well as from the wider circle of friends and visitors who have supported the church in the past. There are a number of options for what could happen, and these are laid out in our Options for the Future.


When you have had a look at the options, we would be very grateful if you could fill in a short survey to help the church plan for the future.

We would like everyone who cares for the future of our church in Thorpe Market to look at our “options for the future” document, and to take part in our consultation. The options for the future document can be downloaded on the link below:

The survey can be filled in online by clicking here

Alternatively, if you prefer, you can print out a paper version and return it to the box at the back of the church.

Thorpe Market Christmas Fair on 24 November

A truly local event will take place at Thorpe Market Church on Sunday November 24th. We will be holding a FIRST CHRISTMAS FAIR – come along and find that gift that’s eluded you so far. Most of our stallholders are makers from in and around the village. They will offer a variety of unique gifts including, fabrics, glass, bee products and woven willow pieces. Mince pies & mulled wine will aid you in deciding on your purchases and there is plenty of car parking too.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to St Margaret’s on the 24th. St Margaret of Antioch Church, Church Road, Thorpe Market, Norfolk NR11 8UA.

September Exhibition – Art, Crafts and Artisan Knits

At Margaret’s is looking forward to hosting an exhibition by three local artists 7th-8th SeptemberART EXHIBITION poster1 Untitled 2

Artists’ profiles – Exhibition Sept 7th 8th  Thorpe Market Church

Tony Lee
Former member of the “Brother Lees” cabaret act for 45 years.
75 appearances on National television shows from the 70’s to the 90’s.
on such shows as the Generation game, Seaside Special’s, Cilla Black show
and numerous more .
Self taught artist, Original, acrylic paintings, first applied brush
to canvas in 2005, painting mainly landscapes and seascapes.

Rosemary Fereday
I have a love of all things in the natural world and since retirement I have returned to painting mostly in watercolour. I am particularly interested in floral studies in the ‘botanical style’ but recently broadening work into line and wash and including some wildlife images alongside some photography.

Antonia Martinez
Since a small child I was always happiest drawing. Attained Art at A level in one year, turned down art school for advertising. In early married life in Spain sold many pictures. I’ve had a good number of commissions over the years. I paint portraits, landscapes, floral studies in all mediums, with a particular passion for
miniatures.
The exhibition will also include handmade jewellery and artisan knitting – with teas and homemade cake available.

June 22nd: St Margaret’s Midsummer Party – with Francesca and Clifford

On Saturday June 22nd at 7.30 pm, St Margaret’s Church Thorpe Market near Cromer will be hosting a ‘Midsummer Party’ in aid of Church funds, featuring music from Francesca and Clifford combining vocals, saxophone and beats – which promises to be a soulful and entertaining evening – expect classic songs with contemporary sounds – suitable for all ages. Refreshments will be available, including a licensed bar.

Capture

To find out more about Francesca and Clifford and to book tickets online please visit www.francescaandclifford.com

“EastCoastArtz” invite you to Try Something New! See How it’s Done!

Saturday 25th May 2-4 pm.

Pen and Wash in the churchyard with Susanne Lakin. Materials supplied.  Maximum 10 people.  £7.50.  Please pre-book 01692 407555. Wednesday 25th May 2-4 pm. Painting with Watercolour Using Credit Cards with Nigel Paterson. Materials supplied. Maximum 10 people. £7.50.  Please pre-book 01263 515607. Thursday 29th May 2-4 pm.  Free rag rug making demonstration with Edy Ward. Friday 31st May 2-4 pm. Mexican Woven Hangings with Jeny Walding. Materials supplied.  Limited numbers. £7.50.  Please pre-book 01263 721062. Sunday 2nd June 2-4 pm.  Free sculpture demonstration with Ken Riches. These classes and demonstrations are during the Open Studios event which is taking place at Thorpe Market church between Sunday May 25th and Sunday June 2nd.
Susanne Lakin Nigel Paterson1 Ken Riches Jeny Walding Edy Ward

May Day weekend at Thorpe Market – local history evening and Pypedream Brass concert

Saturday May 4th 7:00 pm

Local History Evening with Brian Hedge.DadsArmy1

Brian is bringing his collection of old village pictures and giving them the big screen effect.  This is an opportunity for past parishioners and present-day villagers to see Thorpe Market through the eyes of others.

Pictures of when life was quieter, less traffic, cows walking down the A149 and Dad’s Army.

If anyone has any photos that they care to share please send scans of  them to info@thorpemarket.org.uk so that they can be added to the programme.  A chance to remember and reminisce.

Do visit www.thorpemarket.org.uk where Anthony Beck’s farming diaries that relate to Green Farm make very interesting reading.

There are no tickets for this event.  Refreshments will be available and a retiring collection for church funds.

 

Sunday May 5th at 3.00 pm.

Tuneful Sunday Teas at Thorpe Market

AsPypedream Brass Quintet the sunny weather returns, the folks at St Margaret’s church in Thorpe Market are reviving their popular Sunday afternoon tea recitals.

Visitors are invited to afternoon tea in the church at 3pm on Sunday 5th May, accompanied by the foot-tapping tunes of Pypedream Brass Quintet.

Pypedream was formed in October 2011 and is well known at fundraising events, festivals and weddings around the county.

With a wide repertoire designed to accommodate all tastes, you’re sure to recognise some old favourites; from TV themes, to light classical pieces, to American swing.

Admission £5. Refreshments available

Stainer’s Crucifixion at Thorpe Market Church – Come and Sing!

Good Friday April 19th 2019

“The Crucifixion” by John Stainer.

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Stainer’s “The Crucifixion” will take place on Good Friday the 19th April 2019 at St Margaret’s Church in Thorpe Market. The rehearsal will begin at 3pm with a break between the rehearsal and the performance, which will take place at 6.30pm. There is no charge for taking part.  If you are familiar with this work and would like to join the choir for this occasion, please contact cantamussingers@gmail.com to confirm your attendance at the workshop and to reserve your score.  Conductor Alan Morris and organist Geoffrey Hunter.

John Stainer (1840-1901) was an English composer and organist, including at St. Pauls Cathedral, London. His oratorio “The Crucifixion” is amongst the most popular of all English choral works and portrays the events of Good Friday.

Scored for Tenor and Bass soloists, mixed choir and organ, this meditational oratorio contains recitatives, solos, rousing choruses and congregational hymns.  The centrepiece is the evocative anthem “God so loved the world”.

The first ever performance of this work was at Marylebone Church in 1887.  It is an oratorio that has stood the test of time and has been regularly sung at churches during Passiontide.  It was first sung at St. Margaret’s Thorpe Market in 1997.

Snowdrop Sundays 2019

SNOW DROP SUNDAYS & ART EXHIBITIONS 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th February 2019 / 12 – 4.30pm

snowdropsAs has been tradition for some years now, St Margaret’s Church in Thorpe Market will be flinging its doors open to the Spring to welcome visitors who trek for miles to come and visit the snowdrops in the churchyard. We also host rotating exhibitions by local and visiting artists in the church. ‘Love My Garden’ from Groveland Farm Shop will be selling a selection of beautiful spring plants. We will also be selling honey produced by bees from our Hazel Grove by bee keepers Ken & Theresa Caves. Woodland crafts from ‘Wrong’s Covert’ and ‘SilverWood Studio’ will also be for sale. Finally, but no less important we welcome you to taste the delights of our home-made spread of cakes and refreshments.

In 2018 we broke all records for numbers of visitors and for the funds raised for the church’s upkeep.  The snowdrops attracted over 1200 visitors over four Sundays. Our many volunteers come from outlying villages: Trunch, Southrepps, Northrepps as well as Thorpe Market. Without them none of our fund-raising efforts would be possible at the church, especially the homemade cakes that have been so much in demand that we produced our have own collection of recipes for sale. Last year we had live organ music and a ‘Cantamus’ singer serenading us with wonderful music from the pulpit. We hope to offer this again. Exhibiting artists for each Sunday will be as follows:

Neil Forkes Neil Forkes (2)

Feb 3rd: Stained Glass Craftsman & Restorer Neil Forkes of Forkes Stained Glass will display a selection of his work and have smaller items for sale. Neil specialises in the restoration and conservation of leaded and stained glass windows. He works all over East Anglia on churches, historical buildings and also works with private clients to design and fabricate bespoke stained glass commissions. http://forkesstainedglass.co.uk/

Julia Hilton

 

 

 

 

Joanna Sheldon 2

 

Feb 10th: Julia Hilton and Joanna Sheldon. Visiting artist maker Julia Hilton creates lively jugs, folded bowls, butter dishes, unique plant pots and platters inspired by nature, and Joanna Sheldon is a painter of landscapes, still life and abstract works inspired by her annual visits to France and by her flower garden. www.joannasheldon.com / www.juliahilton.co.uk

 

9 Photographers for Snowdrop Sundays 3

Feb 17th: ‘9 Photographers’ has been created by photographers who have worked together for a number of years under the tutelage of Julia Rafferty at Wells Library. The group meet for a weekly class and undertake photoshoots all over the county. They then work together developing creative editing techniques. They share a love of the natural world and enjoy capturing the beauty that this county has to offer. Photographers are Andrew Barclay, Pauline Chapman, Annie Cowper Johnson, Cecilia Evans, Linda Gower, Janet Keymer, Rosie Ward and Mary Groombridge.

gillian Eustace

Feb 24th: Gillian Eustace.  Gillian returns to support Thorpe Market Church to exhibit a new range of paintings and prints of landscapes, flowers, wildlife and still-life in various medium. Also for sale a selection of her cards, coasters, hand-knits and stitch work. She looks forward to welcoming you on the 24th February.

 

For further information please contact the Churchwarden, Geoffrey Hunter at info@thorpemarket.org.uk , 07980695385.