News & Events within the Astwell Benefice
For ALL services within the Astwell Benefice please see our Benefice calendar (on www.astwellparishes.org.uk)
For details of regular events such as 'Bingo', please refer to the 'Whats On' Village Events calendar.
Helmdon Christmas Fair, Reading Room, 03 December 2022, 2pm - 4:30pm - posted 01 Dec 2022
All welcome. Click here for poster
HARVEST CELEBRATION Saturday 8th October 2022 - 6pm in Helmdon Church - Posted 21 Sept 2022
Come and join us for a short celebration of Harvest time with family-friendly songs and hymns followed by a glass of fizz, nibbles and chat.
All ages are welcome to this informal gathering and we'd love to see you there!
We are also launching a permanent Food Collection Box at this service. The box will be in church and all donations will be taken to the Towcester Food Bank.
Mrs Karin Smith ( wiggysmith44@gmail.com )
Update re Full Time Priest - posted 25 April 2019
We have heard that due to not paying our full parish share for 2018 we cannot have a full time priest. Consequently our interview for the position on 29 April is cancelled. That's the bad news.
Good news - I have written to Bishop Donald asking him to re-consider his decision and that the Benefice is set to meet our commitment by the end of 2021. Wiggy has also written to Bishop Donald. From the 29 April we will have the Rev Paula Challen with us for 3 months before taking up her post in Towcester. During which time it is hoped Bishop Donald will have agreed to a full time priest and the post is re-advertised.
Please welcome Paula to our village when you meet her and continue to support your church at the upcoming attractions "Mamma Mia 2 film" 17 May, and "The Astwell Pie Challenge" 11 May in the reading room.
Many thanks for your support
Bill Elkington
Due to unforeseen circumstances the Christmas Presents for the Bulgarian Orphanage is cancelled this year. Please contact Bill (07870 494256) if you have concerns.
Remembrance services in the Church and at the Memorial raised £459 for the British Legion - Posted 13 November 2018 by Bill Elkington
Intervillage Quiz - Round Three Saturday 19 Jan 2019 - 7:00pm for 7:15pm start.
Your parish team of five battle it out over 5 rounds to find the brainiest parish!
£10 per head for the quiz and meal (provided by Annie's Pantry).
Join us on Saturday 17th November at 7.00pm for 7.15pm start
Whitfield Village Hall. Tickets from Church Wardens
Following rounds: 16 Feb at Lois Weedon, 16 March at Helmdon
The Rev'd Carole Is Leaving Helmdon Last service in the Benefice 23 September 10:30am Helmdon Church all welcome.
Intervillage Quiz 22 September 7pm First round of the quiz at Syresham new village hall support Helmdon's team of 5, Meal and quiz sheet £10 Prizes and drinks available.
Bingo Is Back!
For a fun evening filled with laughter
and great entertainment
and the chance to win prizes
Join us on
Wednesday 12th September
At 7.30pm for 8.00pm eyes down!
Lois Weedon Village Hall
A Benefice Event travelling around our villages.
Ride & Stride - posted 26 August 2018
Local Organiser: Judith Elkington
The Ride & Stride is on Saturday 8th September. Underneath there is a there is a document lising the churches open to enable people to choose their route. The third document is a Sponsorship form to print off which, once the event is completed, should be returned to Judith (details above) with monies raised (if any). She has more sponshorship forms. [Form removed]
All Churches on the list for Brackley Deanery will be taking part and will be open.
(local organiser, Judith Elkington)
(Please do not send to the county organiser, return to Judith Elkington)
The Rev'd Carole Is Leaving Helmdon For Pastures New - posted 13 August 2018
Summer Fete Result Higher Than In 2017- posted 04 July 2018
This year's church fete again had the benefit of being held on a lovely sunny day and it is pleasing to report that it raised £2635.11, exceeding last year's total of approx.£2,433.
Again, many thanks to all who helped - the tent erectors, the stallholders, the helpers, the people who provided goods and refreshments and, of course, all who attended and made it such a success. Also a very special mention to those who trawled the village with raffle tickets before the day, and to Mary Nash who had had a plant stall outside her house.
The three main prizes in the raffle were won by Tim Buxton (Silverstone tickets), Fiona Kirkham (£50 voucher), and Kathy Quiney and Margaret Riley (half a load of wood each).
ST MARY MAGDALENE CHURCH HELMDON SUMMER FETE 2018
RAFFLE | £ 1,402.90 |
TEAS | £ 156.11 |
TOYS | £ 116.30 |
TOMBOLA | £ 107.20 |
TEDDY | £ 16.50 |
HOOPLA | £ 22.80 |
PLANTS & FLOWERS | £ 269.60 |
WOMENS CLUB BOTTLE | £ 229.50 |
CAKES | £ 78.30 |
BRIC A BRAC | £ 75.00 |
JENNY MUGS | £ 127.34 |
FRUIT | £ 65.50 |
PIMMS & BEER | £ 66.51 |
GAMES | £ 30.06 |
Teddy tombola | £ 70.00 |
DONATIONS | |
GROSS TOTAL | £ 2,833.62 |
Less EXPENSES | £ 198.51 |
NET TOTAL | £2,635.11 |
Mamma Mia! - Film & Supper - posted 04 July 2018
Regret - cancelled
Recognition for the Kneeler Scheme- posted 22 June 2018
This year marks the 25th anniversary since the launch of the kneeler scheme in St Mary Magdalene, Helmdon. To celebrate this milestone we are delighted to announce that the recently completed archive of the 180 stitched pieces has been accepted by the National Needlework Archive to be added to their National Register of such projects. This gives added protection to the information and also makes it available to all who might want to look at it.
Church Fete- posted 17 June 2018
poster (on www.helmdonhistory.com)
St George's Day Supper - posted 06 April 2018
poster (on www.helmdonhistory.com)
Formation Of Rock-style Choir- posted 23 March 2018
poster (on Helmdon.com)
April Messy Church- posted 23 March 2018
poster (on www.helmdonhistory.com)
Lent Film: The Gospel Of Mark - posted 16 March 2018
Come simply to watch a Movie or stay on afterwards for a relaxed discussion
There will also be take home reflections for the week ahead.
At new venue - Bill Elkington's Refreshments available
All movie showings start at 2.30pm
Thursday March 22nd The Gospel of Mark
The first ever word for word adaptation of John's Gospel.
This film by the Lumo Project revolutionises the way we encounter the story of Jesus and the world of first century Palestine where he lived.
There will also be take home reflections for the week ahead
Lent Film: Evan Almighty - posted 10 March 2018
Come simply to watch the movie or stay on afterwards for a relaxed discussion
All movies are being shown at Helmdon Church, refreshments available
All showings start at 2.30pm
March 17th Lent Film: Evan Almighty
This comedy for all ages from the makers of "Bruce Almighty" tells the story of Congressman Evan Baxter wishes to change the world, but doesn't count on God hearing his prayer and answering it by requesting him to build an ark. And then the animals start arriving two by two…..
Staring Steve Carell and Morgan Freeman.
There will also be take home reflections for the week ahead
Lent Fim: The Way - March 8th - posted 27 February 2018
Come simply to watch the movie or stay on afterwards for a relaxed discussion
All movies are being shown at Helmdon Church, refreshments available
All showings start at 2.30pm
A moving and incredibly uplifting film about a group of pilgrims travelling the Camino de Santiago. Martin Sheen (West Wing and Apocalypse Now), plays an American doctor who navigates the 800km long pilgrimage in honour of his son, along the way he meets other pilgrims, all looking for greater meaning in their lives. – Will they find it?
There will also be take home reflections for the week ahead.
Cancellation Because of Snow - posted 03 March 2018
Film Les Miserables on Saturday 03 March, and all church services on Sunday 04 March
Lent Film: Les Miserables - posted 27 February 2018
Come simply to watch the movie or stay on afterwards for a relaxed discussion
All movies are being shown at Helmdon Church, refreshments available
All showings start at 2.30pm
Saturday March 3rd - Les Miserables
Another previous Lent Course film This Academy award winner tells an enthralling story of broken dreams, love, passion, sacrifice and redemption. All with a wonderful musical score.
Staring Hugh Jackman
There will also be take home reflections for the week ahead.
Lunch For Christian Aid - posted 24 February 2018
A bowl of homemade soup and bread - in aid of Christian Aid (bringing food to those in need)
Bring friends and neighbours along to this simple friendly lunch.
Wednesday 28 February 12.30-1.30pm proceeds to Christian Aid
Lent Film: Touching The Void - posted 19 February 2018
Come simply to watch a Movie or stay on afterwards for a relaxed discussion
All movies are being shown at Helmdon Church, refreshments available
All movie showings start at 2.30pm
Thursday February 22nd Touching the Void
Clips from this edge of the seat mountain climbing drama formed part of our first ever Lent course. In 1985 two ambitious mountain climbers set off to scale the unconquered Siula Grande in the Andes. But the ultimate adventure, quickly became the ultimate nightmare for the climbers.
There will also be take home reflections for the week ahead.
Lent Film: The Shack- posted 15 February 2018
Come simply to watch a Movie or stay on afterwards for a relaxed discussion
All movies are being shown at Helmdon Church, refreshments available
All movie showings start at 2.30pm
Saturday February 17th The Shack - This critical acclaimed film is based on the international best selling novel of the same name.
When Mack Phillips suffers a looses his daughter to murder, he looses his faith, but a mystery letter invites him to meet "Papa' at the Shack. What he finds
there changes his life and might yours too.
Starring Olivia Spencer and Sam Worthington
Wednesday Lent Charity Lunches - posted 15 February 2018
Wednesday Lent Charity Lunches 12.30pm -1.30pm
A bowl of homemade soup and bread - in aid of Christian Aid (bringing food to those in need.) Bring friends and neighbours along to this simple friendly lunch.
Wednesday 21st February Syresham Village Hall
Wednesday 28th Feb Helmdon Reading Room
Wednesday 7th March Lois Weedon Village Hall
Wednesday 14th March Wappenham Village Hall
Wednesday 21st March Whitfield Village Hall
Wednesday 28th March The Rectory. Lois Weedon
Messy Church - posted 14 Feburary 2018
click for poster (on www.helmdonhistory.com)
Breakfast Church & Family Service - posted 14 February 2018
click for poster (on www.helmdonhistory.com)
Lent Films & Lunches - posted 13 February 2018
Films in Helmdon church all start at 2.30pm
Saturday 17 February "The Shack"
Thursday 22 February "Touching the void"
Saturday 3 March "Les Miserables"
Thursday 8 March "The Way"
Saturday 17 March "Evan Almighty"
Thursday 22 March "The Gospel of Mark"
Pancake Breakfast - posted 26 January 2018
click for poster (on www.helmdonhistory.com)
