Friends of Bedfield Heritage »

News:

30 Nov & 7^th Dec 11 am: Christmas wreath making sessions at Boltons Farm barn
Join a creative session making beautiful wreaths, door swags and table decorations under the expert tuition of Susan Leverick. The items will go on sale at the Christmas Craft stalls.
If you wish to join us please contact Susan Leverick on 07876 686710

8^th December: 4:30-8pm Craft Stall, Christmas on the Hill, Framlingham
Come and buy our wonderful Christmas wreaths, door swags, table decorations & home-made craft items. For pre-ordering wreaths, swags & table decorations - contact Susan Leverick: 07876 686710.

10^th December 2pm: Craft Stall and Carols by Candlelight, St Nicholas Church
Come and buy your Christmas crafts before the beautiful Carols by Candlelight service at 3pm. Festive refreshments will be available.

16th December 6pm: Carol Singing in Bedfield
Come and join the merry band of carollers singing in Bedfield. A certain honoured guest has confirmed their attendance to distribute presents to the children! Mulled wine and mince pies will be available. Song sheets and music will be provided. Bring your own torches.

The event will be held around the Bedfield Village sign - at the junction of Monk Soham Lane, Long Green and School Road. If you are able, please park at the Community Hub to enable others who might be less mobile to park around the Green. Toilets will be available at the Hub. A visit to see the special guest: £3 including a gift. Mulled wine £3; Squash 50p; Mince Pies 50p.

Wear Christmas outfits, bring musical instruments and parade your fairy lights!

About Friends of Bedfield Heritage:

Newly formed in 2022, the Friends of Bedfield Heritage (formerly the Friends of St Nicholas) are an
independent group of 65+ members of the local community. The group is friendly, welcoming,
sociable and a lot of fun!

Membership is free and is open to all - without any qualms about whether one attends services or not, what your beliefs are – or were – or whether you have any religious beliefs at all. The group has in its membership some of the most christian, non-Christian members!

It’s aims are to firstly, to preserve the historic fabric of St. Nicholas Church and the wider history of thecommunity and secondly, to encourage and actively develop the community life of Bedfield.

The Friends give their time and their talents to support community events and activities, to fundraise
and to help with the maintenance of the church. For example, we undertook five days of fundraising
over the Platinum Jubilee raising over £2000 for eight charities and to kick start our village toilet
campaign. Friends can be involved in as few, or as many, things as they like with no pressure – just
bring yourself and some laughter.

The church building is, of course, the oldest in the village and the most impressive building that is
open to all of us. It is a focal point – and one which could be used much more: not just more weddings; christenings but for more community gatherings – such as concerts, talks, quizzes etc. Imagine attending a concert with the flag flying on the tower, the bells pealing out – and your relief that you know that there is an accessible toilet in the churchyard.

The Friends are led by a committee comprising – Jane Sullivan (Chair), Andrew Pritchard (Vice-
Chair) Lin Ford, Susan Leverick, Camilla Rhodes and Debi Squirrel with Chris Leverick as our Treasurer.

Our priority projects are:
a) Toilet Project: Installing a compostable toilet in the churchyard which will be open to all –
villagers, walkers and church visitors alike. Project lead: Debra Pritchard with Susan Leverick.
b) Tower Project: looking at the practicalities and costings to replace the hardboard above the
vestry with glazing or insulation; erecting the flagpole on the tower; and restoring the bells.
Project lead: Jane Sullivan with Camilla Rhodes.
c) History Project: capturing significant historical places, events and people within Bedfield and
making this information available to all. Project lead: tbc
We are currently going through the process to formalise the Friends as a Charitable Incorporated
Organisation with the Charity Commission.

Do you want to join our friendly Friends? Can you help with our projects and/or our fundraising events?

We would love you to join us!
Please contact Jane Sullivan on 07580 386015 or at andjes@aol.com

Project Lead contacts:
Toilet: Debra Pritchard – 07827 299490
Tower: Jane Sullivan – 07580 386015