News Bites

Bless this car park!

St James', Alderholt, recently celebrated the anniversary of its opening (in 1849) with a modern twist afterwards: blessing its new car park! In the service, held each year in June, children helped 'make a church' from sandstone and sand (and cement!) collected from the same heathland site as the stone used to build the church. Afterwards, everyone gathered outside to count the bell being rung 161 times, before some newly-laid York stone paving was blessed, given in memory of villager Ron Hood. Ron's widow, Barbara, was present and her son, Tim. Prayers were also said for her elder son, Nick, who recently died. Then all made their way to where a new car park has recently been established on land provided by Lord Cranborne and the Salisbury Estate. The cost of groundworks was donated in memory of another parishoner, Kate Underhill, whose grand daughter Georgina cut the ribbon. Vicar

Philip Martin said, "An event like this keeps us in touch with our history - but also reminds us that the community continues to change and grow. Blessing a car park was a first for me!'

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Flying the flag for Alderholt!

Church members and visitors gathered on the local landmark, Kingbarrow, to commemorate 'Whit Sunday' recently. The tradition arose with members of the nearby Cripplestyle chapel and within living memory was accompanied by a brass band and fairground attractions. With the closure of the chapel a few years ago the Alderholt Family of Churches, comprising St James' Church, Crendal Methodist Church and the Alderholt Tabernacle, along with former Cripplestyle members, resolved to continue 'going up the hill' together.

This year's event, on a glorious afternoon, involved a walk from Crendal chapel for the fitter ones. Vicar Phil;ip introduced a short and simple service with some hymns sung out loud and strong on the hilltop. Dennis Bailey, whose memories of the event go back some 70 years, recalled how as a young boy he helped erect the flag for the event  before walking the two miles to school. A short and thoughtful address was given by local Methodist preacher, Mr Eric Brown. Afterwards, there was a highly-acclaimed and social tea!

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Easter 2010

Holy Week and Easter are an important time for us at St James'. All ages are involved in celebrating the most important of the Christian festivals. Here you will see just a glimpse of this year's services and activities for youngsters.

Alleluia, Christ is risen...he is risen indeed, alleluia! 

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Another Crazy Night!

This was the third Crazy race Night brought to the people of Alderholt by the leaders of our Vestry Group, an activities and support group for youngsters aged 10 and over. Races included a race into the sea filmed on the Isle of Wight during our trip in February! Another featured some of our youngsters in an all-over 'morph suit' sprint. Again, the event proved a winner with young and old. This time our smooth-talking auctioneer was the vicar in his rarely-worn suit and tie and the £800 raised will be divided equally between supporting our Church's work with young people and the Penny Brohn Cancer Care Centre in Bristol. A big thank you to all our sponsors, donors - and punters!

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Vestry Group Overseas Tour

21 of our youngsters and leaders made their first overseas trip during the February half term holiday: to the Isle of Wight...

We stayed at the amazing Westbrook House (superb grounds and good food) and had a great time: much fun and a bit of thoughtful time too, with several of the leaders sharing something of their own spiritual journeys.    

In the photos you will see something of the range of ages (from 10 to 18 among the youngsters); there's an advance peek at the Superheroes' pants that will be in use at the Easter workshops for children and youngsters April 7-9; you can wow to the sight of Wii dancing among the leaders - and meet our captain prepared to go down with the ship from Lymington to Yarmouth. 

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Christmas at St. James' 2009

Our photo gallery contains a selection of photos that give a glimpse of some of the services and other activities that featured as part of our Christmas celebrations : The Christmas Bazaan, Christingle Service, the children's nativity and 'Blessing the Crib' service and 'Carols be Candlelight'.

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A Village Remembers

Young and old gathered on Remembrance Sunday by the war memorial and afterwards in Church where 10 candles were lit by members of the congregation ranging from under 9 years to over 90 years old. All were drawn together in remembrance - and in hope and resolve to help make a better future.

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Teady Bears' Picnic

Our second Teddy Bears' Picnic again invited all our families and those who have brought a child to be baptised at St James' during the past several years. It began with a short service of blessing in Church and continued with a picnic and games in and around the Church Hall and Vicarage garden.

Our Vestry Group (for youngsters aged 10 plus) had a fashion show in which their teddies and other toy creatures strutted their stuff on the catwalk!

Giant Puzzle …

The curious spectacle of the Alderholt Giant rumbling through the streets again caused a stir. Jeff Pink's tiny Noddy-like car in the vanguard, bearing a grand sign saying ‘Giant', seemed to both slow the oncoming drivers down and bring a smile to their faces. The police stewarded the parade with their usual care and good humour. Salisbury has its ancient giant, but theirs is now confined to a museum. Only ours braves the streets and brings the traffic to a halt in favour of children in fancy dress. But several voices asked the question, what are the origins of this unique local custom? One heard speculation about its origins in the ancient pilgrimage to the burial place of St James in Spain . For a thousand years English pilgrims set sail from Poole to La Coruna and walked the remaining 140 miles to Santiago de Compostela. There they would have encountered carnival giants and perhaps on returning might recall their adventure of a lifetime by such means. Vicar Philip remains impartial on the question, simply expressing the view that if the Alderholt giant makes people smile, and reminds them that all of us, like James the pilgrim, are on a spiritual journey, and challenges us to ‘think big', then it's OK by him, and never mind the history!

More on the Festival    Festival Photos

Sing Choirs of Angels

St. James' Choir had an inspiring day at the Salisbury Diocesan Choral Festival. We sang a wide variety of music, and it was good to catch up with old friends again and to enjoy some relaxiation by way of a communal picnic on the cloister lawn following the afternoon rehersal.

An old tradition climbs the heights

For generations, the people of Cripplestyle Chapel near Alderholt, have climbed Kingbarrow Hill to celebrate Whit Sunday with an open-air service. The Alderholt Family of Churches (made up of St James' Parish Church, Crendell Methodist Church and Camel Green Tabernacle) arranged this year's 'pilgrimage up the hill' to gather around the traditional flag erected for the day and to enjoy the stunning view for miles around and a short service with hymn singing that could be heard back across the fields in Crendell.

Midges and Mystery: Ascension Day morning:

Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday, 40 days after Easter, and we celebrate an early morning service at St James' followed by a legendary big breakfast. This year our communion at 6.30am was outside in mild, still weather: it was beautiful and prayerful - but also ideal for little bitey things! People's devotions, as a consequence, were punctuated by much waving of arms - and everyone was keen to be close to the incense!

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