Churches & Charities

Notes From St. Georges – October 2025

by
4 October, 2025

By the middle of September summer seemed to have departed and autumn had arrived with a bang. After the long dry period, straw-coloured fields were turning green again, as were our gardens. Hopefully farmers will soon be able to plant their winter crops, if there is sufficient moisture to encourage germination. Although nowadays farmers are planting and harvesting all year round, we will maintain our tradition of celebrating Harvest Festival on the first Sunday in October. This is our opportunity to give thanks for God’s generous gifts of physical and spiritual nourishment which we enjoy thanks in large part to the hard work of farmers near and far; we pray for them in these times which continue to be challenging.

This year we have seen the usual yellow fields of oil seed rape and also the purple fields of flax adding to the varieties of colour in the fields which feast our eyes. These have replaced some of the more traditional food crops and are a source of vital revenue for many farmers.

This year the harvest focus at St George’s is on local produce which can be given away to those in need. Charities nearby are not able to accept fresh fruit and vegetables, but there is a national organisation called FARE SHARE which has a temperature-controlled warehouse in Didcot. They are willing to come to Brailes on Monday 6th October to collect anything we are able to give them. So please bring harvest gifts from your allotment, or garden, or from the supermarket, to church either on Saturday 4th, between 12 and 5pm, or during the service at 11am on 5th October. Anything edible will be gratefully received, blessed by God and shared with people less fortunate than ourselves. (If you bring tinned or packet foods, please make sure they have a long shelf life.)

Finally, returning to the celebratory theme, the Harvest Supper will be on Saturday 11th October at 7pm in Brailes Village Hall. Tickets are available from the church, Forge Garage and Baldwin’s. Look out for more details elsewhere in this magazine. Please bring your own drinks and glasses, as usual.
God bless you

George

Revd  George Heighton
Email re********@*****ok.com
Telephone 01295 680 201

A View From The Pew – October 2025

by
1 October, 2025

“Beautiful Brailes”
(ILMODB)

I am an early bird! Living on my own means that I can be in the kitchen in the early hours of the morning cooking, or in my office catching up on correspondence, or writing sermons. One of the greatest pleasures for me, though, of being an early bird is that I can go on an early morning walk, weather permitting of course. We are so lucky in this part of the country to have such beautiful countryside and I am sure that whatever town or village you are reading this from, you can easily identify with what I am saying.

My walk begins at the gate in Friars Lane, just below the cemetery grounds. It takes me through the farmer’s fields up to Winderton. The fields themselves tell their seasonal story: fallow fields, sown fields, crop fields and harvested fields: and it is a sheer delight to walk through them throughout the year, sometimes disturbing the wonderful wildlife and birds along the way. The sky also has its tale to tell: the new dawn in June that can begin at 4.30am to the starlight and night skies of the autumn and winter, and the need of a torch for much of the walk.

I reckon the first part of the walk takes just over a mile to the Winderton gate that lies below the impressive chapel of St Peter and St Paul. It is there where I have the choice to carry on the road back to Brailes or make the same return journey. What ever the choice I always stop and look back to Brailes- and what a sight! No matter what time it is or season even, the sight of Brailes is always beautiful and uplifting: seeing the impressive tower of St George’s Church surrounded by the imposing hills as a backdrop, it always moves me to thank God for such a sight, to calm any restlessness that has accompanied my journey and to give me a sense of peace and faith and trust in God.

In writing about the beauty of the universe, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says:

“The order and harmony of the created world results from the diversity of beings and from the relationships which exist among them. Man discovers them progressively as the laws of nature. They call forth the admiration of scholars. The beauty of creation reflects the infinite beauty of the Creator and ought to inspire the respect and submission of man’s intellect and will”

I do hope that during this month, be it in the kitchen, in the office, alone, or with the family you will find calm and peace amid any worries and anxieties that you have at this moment in time. And whether you are a night owl or an early bird take time to enjoy the wonderful early mornings or the spectacular moonlit nights and be moved to agree that “The world is charged with the grandeur of God” (Gerald Manley Hopkins)

Fr David Tams

A View From The Pew – October 2025

by
1 October, 2025

Beautiful Brailes
ILMODB

I am an early bird! Living on my own means that I can be in the kitchen in the early hours of the morning cooking, or in my office catching up on correspondence, or writing sermons. One of the greatest pleasures for me, though, of being an early bird is that I can go on an early morning walk, weather permitting of course. We are so lucky in this part of the country to have such beautiful countryside and I am sure that whatever town or village you are reading this from, you can easily identify with what I am saying.

My walk begins at the gate in Friars Lane, just below the cemetery grounds. It takes me through the farmer’s fields up to Winderton. The fields themselves tell their seasonal story: fallow fields, sown fields, crop fields and harvested fields: and it is a sheer delight to walk through them throughout the year, sometimes disturbing the wonderful wildlife and birds along the way. The sky also has its tale to tell: the new dawn in June that can begin at 4.30am to the starlight and night skies of the autumn and winter, and the need of a torch for much of the walk.

I reckon the first part of the walk takes just over a mile to the Winderton gate that lies below the impressive chapel of St Peter and St Paul. It is there where I have the choice to carry on the road back to Brailes or make the same return journey. What ever the choice I always stop and look back to Brailes- and what a sight! No matter what time it is or season even, the sight of Brailes is always beautiful and uplifting: seeing the impressive tower of St George’s Church surrounded by the imposing hills as a backdrop, it always moves me to thank God for such a sight, to calm any restlessness that has accompanied my journey and to give me a sense of peace and faith and trust in God.  

In writing about the beauty of the universe, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says:
 “The order and harmony of the created world results from the diversity of beings and from the relationships which exist among them. Man discovers them progressively as the laws of nature. They call forth the admiration of scholars. The beauty of creation reflects the infinite beauty of the Creator and ought to inspire the respect and submission of man’s intellect and will”

I do hope that during this month, be it in the kitchen, in the office, alone or with the family you will find calm and peace amid any worries and anxieties that you have at this moment in time. And whether you are a night owl or an early bird take time to enjoy the wonderful early mornings or the spectacular moonlit nights and be moved to agree that “The world is charged with the grandeur of God” (Gerald Manley Hopkins)

Fr David Tams

2nd Call for Help! – Harvest Festival October 5th

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13 September, 2025

Some of us may remember those wonderful harvest festivals when the aisles were lined with flowers and the chancel was filled with a glorious array of pumpkins marrows, cabbages, cauliflowers, carrots and onions, harvest plaited loaves and sheaves of ripe corn.

As part of our 900 year celebration at St George’s, we are hoping once again to decorate our beautiful church with local produce which has been grown and harvested here in our village and the surrounding land.

For many years this has not been possible because fresh items couldn’t be stored safely. But now the 900 Years Group has found a solution. A charity in Oxford called Fare Share will collect all donations and they will store and distribute them. Nothing will go to waste.

So if you’ve been busy making preserves and pickles, save a jar or two to add to the collection. And if you grow vegetables or fruit then you may like to select a few items for contribution to the festival. Alternatively buy some local produce and bring that along too.

Not everyone will want to come to the service but you may still want to join in. We will be collecting fruit, veg, packets, jars, cans, toiletries etc. – everything EXCEPT perishables [eg. Meat, fish butter etc; things which need to be stored in a fridge].

Someone will be in church to collect and organise from noon until 5 p.m. on Saturday 4th and again after the service on Sunday 5th October.
Please help us to make this a very special occasion.

A View From The Pew – September 2025

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12 September, 2025

In loving memory of David Brooks (11.2 1960- 16.7.2025)

For many years David contributed to the Feldon News magazine with his “View from the Pew” articles. It was a way of sharing his faith and witness and reaching out to its readers in a humble and gentle manner. In recent months David revealed in his article his present health condition and that the cancer that we all had presumed had cleared had returned with a vengeance.  In giving an update about his palliative care David praised and was so grateful for the wonderful carers that were looking after him. As he prepared for death he hoped that his outreach would give support and encouragement to others, especially those who were undergoing similar treatment and circumstances.

David died peacefully in his home in Brailes on 18th July, surrounded by his family, carers and a close friend.

At his requiem Mass at Our Lady and St Michael’s on 7th August, a letter was read out from Archbishop Bernard acknowledging the wonderful help and assistance David had given the Archdiocese in his role as COO for the Archdiocese: And even though it was a very sad occasion the Mass was uplifting and a fitting celebration of thanksgiving for David’s life. At the Mass his three sons spoke movingly about their parent’s faith, their parent’s great example and the way their father had made that final journey with dignity and great trust in God. As you can imagine the church was full and there was a sizeable overflow in the parish hall where the Mass was relayed.

As well as a great pillar of the parish David was also a friend of mine for many years and I know that his great witness, faith, wisdom and example have inspired me in so many ways. I hope you will take time today to pray for the repose of his soul and remember his wife and family as they come to terms with their great loss. May David Anthony Brooks rest in peace.

Fr David Tams

Church Update on the Parish Giving Scheme

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27 August, 2025

Last year we introduced a new method that you can use to support our Church called the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS).  The scheme works well and many have already joined, thanks to all those who have taken the step.

If you are thinking about it but would like to know more, please speak to Caroline of me with no obligation, we would be happy to talk to you.

The team at PGS makes it safe and easy for everyone to give regularly, and safe and easy for your church to receive the monies donated. Your donation will be paid over to our Church bank account monthly and this can then be put to Christian service in your community, free from further administration costs. 

While there is joy in the spontaneity of a one-off gift, it is regular giving that offers a prayerful expression of faith in action. Regular giving sustains our church and helps us to plan for the future.

How to join the Parish Giving Scheme

In the Church there are copies of a paper headed ‘An Introduction to the Parish Giving Scheme’ which provides further information and a Gift Form that may be used to apply to join the scheme and post this to PGS.  Other options include “on line” applications, going to the website www.parishgiving.org.uk  finding our church using the easy search tool, and then follow a few simple steps to set up your donation securely, and by phoning the PGS team on 0333 002 1271, Monday to Friday, 9-5.

If you would like to know more, please contact St George’s Church Treasurer and PGS Representative: Caroline Scandrett – email sc**********@***il.com or by post to St Ronans Lea, Upper Brailes, Banbury, Oxon, OX15 5AT.

Thank you for all your work & donations to support the Christian Mission and Outreach in this village.

God Bless

Revd  George Heighton
August 2025

Notes From St. Georges – September 2025

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27 August, 2025

I’m writing this in the middle of August, when we have yet another yellow warning for unseasonably hot weather: a risk to health.  Some of you may remember 1975 and particularly 1976 (when I moved down from the north east).  The 1976 heatwave played a major part in the most significant period of drought since Met Office records began; it lasted from May 1975 to August 1976.  It was reported at the time that London had just 90 days of water supply left!

This year although the temperatures have surpassed those of ’76, there fortunately hasn’t been such a protracted period of drought – but our farmers have been badly affected and yields are down.  The consequence for you and me is that we probably will have to pay a little more for our food.  For farmers a difficult season like this can mean the difference between financial survival and catastrophe.

We are in our main harvest season now and we will celebrate Harvest Festival at Sutton at 3pm on 21st September and on 5th October at 11am at St George’s.  We hope you can join us to give thanks to God, not only for the work of our farmers, but for the richness and variety of food we are able to share.  Harvest Supper will be on Saturday 11th October – see details elsewhere in the Feldon News.

Alongside our celebration we should also remember those in our villages who are struggling to feed themselves and their families.  They rely on the Foodbank in Shipston so please share whatever you can with them, not only at harvest-time but all year round.

God Bless

George

Revd  George Heighton
Email re********@*****ok.com
Telephone 01295 680 201

Notes From St. Georges – August 2025

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1 August, 2025

In August many people will be taking their holidays, while some may already have returned.  It may seem that the church is taking a break too as this is a quiet time without any major festivals.  However, there are some notable exceptions.  I remember being on holiday in France in August and being advised that everywhere would be closed on 15th, which seemed quite strange to me as in this country Christmas Day is probably now the only day that most shops close.  In Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox countries the 15th is celebrated as “The Assumption of Mary”.  The belief is that the Virgin Mary, at the end of her life, was taken up body and soul into heaven. This doctrine is not shared by all Christians and there is no record of such an event in the text of the bible, but Tysoe’s church has retained this dedication since before the Reformation.

In the Church of England Mary’s role in salvation history is remembered on 15th August; the Gospel for that day is Mary’s Song – known as the Magnificat – which is lovely poetry, familiar to people who attend Evensong. (Luke 1.46-55)

Although there aren’t many special services in August, there is always plenty to do around the church.  The churchyard, so beautifully cared for and maintained by a team of volunteers, always looks wonderful and provides an outdoor space for people to sit and reflect.  Our church too always looks beautiful and is much appreciated by visitors.  This is thanks to the efforts of a few who clean, arrange flowers, and look after the building.  We depend on a team of volunteers who give their time and talents to keep it in good order.  We could always do with more help as the building and the “fabric” get older there is much to do to keep it looking welcoming.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Tim Rimell.

On Sunday 31st August at 11am there will be a special joint service of Holy Communion at St George’s for all five churches in the South Feldon Group to which everyone is warmly invited.

I hope you have a restful time during the holiday period and feel refreshed whether you go away or stay local.

God Bless

George


Revd  George Heighton
Email re********@*****ok.com
Telephone 01295 680 201