FOXLEY, ST.THOMAS’

We had some beautiful flowers from our gardens to decorate the church this year for our Easter Day Holy Communion; the brilliant yellows and pinks created wonderful vibrant symbols of new life and optimism. The Rev. Tom Candeland conducted the service and a reasonable number, including some children, attended.

The Annual Vestry and Parochial Church Meetings were held at Foxley Lodge on the 18^th. April, with the Rev. David Head in the Chair. John Harvey was re-elected as Churchwarden and also as Lay Vice-Chairman. The Annual Reports were presented by the Secretary  and  Treasurer, the latter’s having been passed by our Independent Examiner, Michael Child, to whom the Treasurer expressed his thanks.

The Secretary’s Report detailed the activities of the P.C.C. during the year; attendance at the five meetings had been very good. Having had a very busy time with improvements to the Fabric in 2005, in this respect 2006 had been a “rest year”. However there had been three fund-raising events: “Open Garden Day” at Foxley Lodge, a “Hoochy Blues” musical evening courtesy of Richard and Joan Parfitt (dampened but not extinguished by a downpour!) and a talk by a “Foxley- Reared Vet”, Dr. Ian Keymer. These events , with the contribution from the Church Cycle Ride , raised over £2800.

To record gifts to St. Thomas’ in an official way, Anne Cormie had donated a specially – designed Gift Book and a new Visitor’ Book now sits on the chest inside the nave door to be signed by what we will be  the increasing number  visiting our interesting and historically well-known church.

The Treasurer reported lower Collections, but increased Gift-Aided giving; in general the income had “held up well” and, fortunately, in 2007 the Parish Share would remain the same at £5693. Donations to charities had amounted to £660 and, separately, members had given £65 to the Diocesan Lent Appeal for the Anglican Church in Papua New Guinea.

In his other role as Churchwarden Mr Harvey thanked all those who had helped and supported St. Thomas’, including all the regular congregation, Dena Framingham the Cleaner and Colin Watling who had taken on the maintenance of the churchyard. He was pleased to report that the Archdeacon had  inspected all aspects of the running of our church and had been entirely satisfied , though  he did find one wobbly gravestone – now rectified by Nicky Mears!

The Rector’s  Annual Report on the whole benefice mentioned the numerous activities which now take place and he expressed thanks for all the help he was receiving, which he echoed in respect of Foxley and , as he put it “its dedicated team”. Two Baptisms indicated hope for the future. Deanery Synod and the Electoral Roll were reported on by Nigel and Monica Hatch, respectively.

The existing  P.C.C. was re-elected en bloc and also the Secretary and Treasurer, all of whom were willing to soldier on for another year.

Diana Harvey (P.C.C. Secretary.)