HEXAD September 2020 The Newsletter for the United Benefice of and , with Horninghold, Tugby, East Norton, and Slawston

Goodbye It’s really hard to think that my two years here in the benefice has come to an end but my time here finishes on the 30th of August. I have loved being with you but am now looking forward to our new home together, not very far away from here and will no doubt see you all again very often. It has been hard to know how to mark my leaving in these difficult times. The original plan had been to have a benefice service in the morning at 10.30 and a Deanery service at 4pm in the afternoon, being the 5th Sunday of the month. However, like most plans, we have had to re-think. I would, therefore, like to invite any of you who wish to come to an Open Garden event here in Church Langton. Obviously Covid restrictions prevent us from being as hospitable as we would have liked; so please bring along a chair and your own picnic. The Deanery service will be by Zoom at 4pm on the 30th.

Priest in Charge: Rev Canon Cynthia Thomson 01858 545847 07740433871 [email protected] www.ourbenefice.btck.co.uk Open Garden 30th August 2020 10am—3pm 3 Stonton Road, Church Langton (Opposite the school) All Welcome

Zoom Services in the Hallaton Benefice from Sunday 6th September the Sunday Zoom services in the Hallaton benefice will be at 11am.

Cynthia’s new address: 15 Oaklands Park LE16 8EU Hopefully I will be able to take the same phone number

LAUNDE DEANERY SERVICE

Please note that this service will be held via Zoom on Sunday 30th August at 4 pm

To attend please use the following link:

https://leccofe.zoom.us/j/97040141560? pwd=cnlYSUptV1hPMXJ6RlhBaUROZEZ2Zz09

Meeting ID: 970 4014 1560 Passcode: 484557

Dialling in from your Landline or mobile: 0131 460 1196 and then follow the instructions

All Welcome

Faithful God, you are the hope of all the oppressed, and the source of freedom for those held captive. Make us strong to witness to your liberating power, in generosity of life and in humility of spirit, that all the world may delight in your goodness. Amen. Message from Launde Deanery On 30 August, we say a sad farewell to Rev. Canon Cynthia Thomson who retires to Market Harborough with her husband, Andrew. We are enormously grateful to Cynthia for stepping in to lead and support us over the last 2 ½ years. She has immersed herself in the life of all our villages. She knew it was going to be an adventure but I don’t think she expected to find Andrew. It was really special for us all to be able to share in the joy of their wedding in January this year and particularly poignant that none of us can possibly have expected that this uplifting and happy occasion would be the last time we would all gather from across the benefice with Cynthia as our priest. Be assured that our churches all remain open and ready for “business”. In light of the current situation, all appointments, re-organisations and such are on hold across the Diocese (and indeed across the country). Rev. Jayne Lewis will be supporting our benefice in the interim with assistance from Rev. Alison Booker as our Area Dean as well as the clergy, readers and lay workers from across the Launde Deanery. We hope to welcome Cynthia and Andrew back to our benefice as friends and guests in the years to come. Victoria Buckingham Co-chair Launde Deanery

Hallaton The church continues to be open daily for private prayer. Once it becomes possible to join together as a community again, we have an exciting plan for a number services around the year to celebrate, remember and give thanks together. Like all charities and public places, the continued restrictions are placing huge pressures on our finances. We have had no income from collections or fundraising events since March but our costs remain fixed. If you feel able to help financially in keeping the church open and viable, please let Sarah Hazelton know ([email protected]). The investigations to begin the re-instatement of the crypt began in August. The PCC are enormously grateful for Denis Kenyon and John Morison for leading this project Hallaton Crypt Reinstatement Project The first stage in an exciting plan to restore our church’s early mediaeval crypt has received approval from the Diocesan authorities. The plan was devised by Denis Kenyon and John Morrison, and is supported by the Parochial Church Council,

The main scheme of reinstatement of the crypt’s mediaeval rib-arched roof is an important first part of a bigger plan to subsequently present the historical information discovered about Hallaton having been a place of pilgrimage in the 13th to 16th centuries.

There is a wealth of information to present to a visitor—The recent excavations of St Morrell’s Chapel on Hare Pie Bank—interestingly on the exact spot where Bottle Kicking starts; the uncovering of the skeletons; the DNA tests which prove that they were from the West Country and other far regions; that all were in ill health and also importantly the finding of the will dated 1532 of the Rev Francis Butler, Rector of Hallaton, bequeathing money to a colleague to

“go on pyllgramage to our blessyd Lady of Wailssyngham and to ouer lady off Oldwell to Saunt Elyn off Langham to Saunt Augusten off Bestow & to Sant Mawrell off Hallaton”. The first stage is to dig two small archaeological test pits in the church. One where a new internal stairs will descend and the other outside in the churchyard by the original entrance to the crypt. This is being carried out by the University of Archaeological Services (ULAS) supervised by their director Vicki Score, and aided by the Hallaton Field Work Group. We will then need to apply for permission to carry out the main works of new access and restoration as well as the provision of light, power and information panels.

It is our intention to keep the village fully informed and involved all along.

Part of the reinstatement will be the respectful reburial of the mediaeval skeletons of the pilgrims in a special chamber in the floor of the crypt. This is supported by ULAS who have the skeletons in their keeping at present.

It is a hugely ambitious project but we have a first class architect and the support of all the heritage special in- terest groups who have been consulted and are very much in favour.

This is how the entrance to the crypt will look: East Norton All Saints is open and welcomes anyone wishing to partake in private prayer. We have continued to keep the churchyard tidy and mown despite there being no services and would be grateful for any contributions towards the cost of mowing and hedge trimming. Our application to Council for the removal of two Western Red Cedars, that have now outgrown their space and are undermining the church, has been approved. We will now approach the Diocese for consent.

Allexton The Churches Conservation Trust have carried out a risk assessment at St Peter’s Church and they have put in place measures to support Covid-19 Secure visiting. The Visitors Book and information booklets about the Church have been removed. The Church will be open for Ride and Stride on 12th September

Horninghold As we gathered near the large chestnut tree in East Norton Road for our first Singalong at the start of April, we noticed that the buds on the tree were just beginning to open—five months on and the first conkers are now falling! August has given Horninghold causes for celebrations—on Sunday 16th a socially distanced BBQ was arranged to celebrate two special birthdays and the fantastic way the community has coped throughout lockdown. That spirit was much in evidence as, at the appointed hour of the street party, the lightning flashed, the thunder roared and the rain poured incessantly but we carried on regardless and smiled, as everyone, dogs, children and adults, became completely soaked. A good time was had by all and a smiling group photo, complete with an array of umbrellas, is a memento of the occasion. On August 22nd Eleanor (Eli) Richards of Horninghold and George Crosbie Dawson of Great Barrington, Gloucester, are being married in a small family service at Hambleton. We wish them every happiness. Our delayed APCM is being held on Wednesday 19th August in the churchyard. We were honoured to hear that the ashes of Miss Ruth Catto, who lived in the village many years ago, are being interred in the churchyard on 25th August, at her request. Slawston We are very sorry that Cynthia’s official time with us will end at the close of August, but we wish her and Andrew every happiness in their life together, and are glad that they have chosen to make their future home in Little Bowden, not far away. Cynthia always loyally supported our village functions and we hope to see them both in future when we can make plans for village events again. Many people in Slawston have been able to get away on holiday, mostly in the UK, which feels quite adventurous given our limited travel during the last few months. A granddaughter of Jean and Alec Marlow had planned to marry here this month but due to the restrictions on gatherings she and her fiancé have postponed their wedding until August 2021; fingers crossed that they will be able to go ahead then. We are thinking especially of all the young people in the village who are moving into sixth forms, universities and colleges and other forms of higher education, and graduating from those into jobs, none of which are easy this year. Many thanks to those who have kept the churchyard mown, and to George for looking after the church clock without fail every week of the year. The PCC will address the work which needs to be done to the fabric of the church, as borne out by the Quinquennial report earlier this year. The Covid crisis meant that work was put on hold and unfortunately the crisis also meant that we have been unable to hold any fundraising activities and probably won’t for the foreseeable future. If anyone has any good ideas please let us know!

Tugby We have not been able to open the Church for private prayer yet but hope to do so soon; we will certainly open for Ride and Stride Historic Churches event on Saturday 12th September.

We had the very small wedding of Susannah Bedford and Alexander Horowitz on 31st July, which was lovely and the Church bells rang out for the first time since March. The Sunday morning zoom services at 10.30 are very popular; if you haven't joined one yet please do. You will be most welcome. As the Covid restrictions continue to ease The Fox and Hounds has opened for drinks Wednesday-Saturday evenings and for food from Wednesday 19th August. Café Ventoux are having live acoustic music set in the beer garden—on Friday 21st August 6pm—8pm—with Tugby’s own The Roamantics, Jon and Vicky (who are brilliant!) and on Saturday 22nd August 12 noon-2pm with Annie Duggan. These are always great events; if you missed them this time look out for them in the future. Tugby village hall will partially re-open for classes on 2nd September and we are very fortunate to have been awarded a small grant from Harborough District to help with the costs incurred in re-opening safely. On Saturday 29th August we are going to have a picnic or fish and chips on the village green and listen to Kevin playing his accordion; all socially distanced, of course. We can’t believe that Cynthia’s ministry with us is ending. It has been wonderful having her here with us and we will always remember her and Andrew’s wedding in January; it was a really lovely day! We will miss them very much and wish them eve- ry happiness in the future and in their new home in Market Harborough; hopefully we will still see them from time to time.

The Hallaton Group Mothers' Union Whilst it is not possible to hold our meetings, the members are in touch with each other and exchanging good wishes. As a national organisation the Mothers’ Union is selling face masks in an array of patterns and colours made by members throughout the country for £5. £4 from every covering will go to the area involved in production. £1 goes to the Mothers’ Union central charity to cover postal and packaging costs. Each covering includes a filter pocket into which you can insert your own filter and a care card which includes care details. Each covering comes packed in cello wrap in which you can store the covering. All coverings have been packed with guidance and care. 100% cotton Wash at 60 degrees after use Wash before use. Store in a clean, dry place.

Spire Hire Garden Pavilion 6m x 3m for £10, plus cutlery set (100 place) for £4. Call Katie Holmes on 0158 555664 or email [email protected] Message from Rev Jayne Lewis I have been asked to share something of my story, so that you might know me a little and be encouraged to share something of your story when we meet. Having been born in Birmingham, then lived most of my childhood and adolescence in Sutton Coldfield, I moved to Hull to study for my first degree, continued my higher education in Bristol and then gained my first job in Loughborough at the age of 22. I have lived in Leicestershire for the past 35 years having met my husband, Alan, and having our two sons Mial and Rhys. All my jobs have felt like ‘vocations’, I have felt a strong sense of being drawn towards each, and these have all have contributed to who I am today. I joined Leicestershire Careers Service in 1985 working for a total of 13 years in Loughborough, Leicester, Oakham and at the Head Office in County Hall then Groby. During this time, I worked as a Careers Adviser, Team Leader, then Training Officer. While my children were young, I retrained, qualified and worked as a Primary School teacher. It was during this time the Team Rector of my local church asked if I would ‘help him with the children’s work’. Engaging with the Christian faith, through helping in this way, helped me become increasingly aware of the difference between ‘attending church’ and an active everyday faith. It has been a challenging and fascinating journey of a growing awareness of God and how God is at work in our lives. Over the next 12 years I reduced my hours as a primary school teacher and increased my work as a children and youth worker at St Peter’s Church, Oadby. It is from here I felt the ‘nudge’ to train for Ordained Ministry and did so at The Queen’s Foundation, Ecumenical Theological College, in Birmingham. My training continued, serving for three and a half years as Team Curate in the five churches of the Market Harborough Team which was invaluable experience. For the past eighteen months I have discovered the joys and challenges of rural ministry in five beautiful villages of East Leicestershire: Cold Overton, Knossington, Lowesby, Owston and Tilton on the Hill. I now look forward to working with the parishes in the Hallaton Benefice following

Canon Cynthia Thomson’s retirement. I have learned so much from and with many special people over the years about prayerfully discerning God’s will and joining in with God’s creative work, together with the importance of encouraging each other’s gifts and working together across the church and the wider community, so that people and communities can thrive. I pray that, especially in these uncertain times, I can continue this learning here together with you. Rev’d Jayne. Launde Abbey Launde Abbey reopened on August 1st and details can be found (and are being regularly updated) on the Laundeabbey.org.uk website. Launde is operating a ‘Keep You Safe Policy’ so at present members of the public are only able to use the walk-in café facilities (10am-4.30pm) for morning coffee, lunches and teas. Social distancing rules mean that there is limited capacity in the café and people are advised to book a place on 01572 717254 or use the links on the Launde Abbey website before setting out. At this time, regretfully, the grounds are currently open only to café patrons and residential guests and access to the house and chapel is strictly restricted for residential guests. For more details of all that is available at Launde visit: https://laundeabbey.org.uk/ Prayers in Lockdown The Church of has produced a booklet, 'Prayers for use during the CoronaVirus outbreak'. It can be downloaded from: https:// www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/church-online

God of compassion, be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation. In their loneliness, be their consolation; in their anxiety, be their hope in their darkness, be their light; through him who suffered alone on the cross, but reigns with you in glory. Amen

The Diocesan web page : https://www.leicester.anglican.org/ shares a new video message from Bishop Martyn every week as well as on their Facebook, Twitter and Youtube channels Local papers are publishing details of local on line services The Church of England web page https://www.churchofengland.org/more/ media-centre/church-online has a weekly streamed Sunday Service.

Safeguarding- children, young people and vulnerable adults The Benefice is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The Benefice co-ordinator is Jane Anne Gore Brown who may be contacted on [email protected] or on 01162598382. Our Benefice website: ourbenefice.btck.co.uk/safeguard lists the parish contacts.

Horninghold Church Restoration Project: SPIRE If you buy items from AMAZON then please go to our website www.horninghold.org.uk and click the Amazon link at the bottom of the Home Page. No effect upon the price you pay, but our Church Restoration Fund will earn commission on every purchase made