Friends of Great Bealings church

Introduction

FOGBC was launched in 2011. The formal constitution has lapsed, but the current informal organisation consists of more a group of people, supported by the PCC, determined to ensure that the beautiful church, set amongst meadows between the two major residential areas, Boot Street and Lower Street, should remain a centre for community activities. With just two services a month, one of them lay-led, there is clearly scope for greater community use of what is the only public building in the village. There are plans to make better use of the space, and to encourage a wider range of activities.

In order to make better use of the facilities - now enhanced to modern standards by mains water, basic kitchen facilities and a toilet - the Friends of the Church organise a programme of events to bring people of all religions and of none into the church to enjoy what the building and the churchyard have to offer. In recent years the church has staged talks, concerts, (indoors and outdoors), festivals, exhibitions, and an Open Evening with Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Off-site, members have organised cricket matches, progressive suppers, Plant Sales, Garden Parties, various national celebrations, Christmas Dickens performances, Open Gardens etc.

Events

The pattern of events was severely disrupted by the coronavirus lockdown, but a range of events have followed since, including French and German evenings, a full-scale resumption of the annual Plant Sale, Open Gardens, probably biennially. In 2024 the church will stage a special Tribute Concert, remembering the philanthropic work of Hon Jill Ganzoni, whose ashes are buried in the churchyard alongside those of her brother, the late Lord Belstead. In November 2024 there are plans to hold a "Pride in Heritage" evening, all as part of a campaign to engage villagers in keeping their church alive and active.

Concert on September 29th 2024

This takes the form of a Tribute to the late Hon Jill Ganzoni, a philanthropist, who spread much benevolence across her home county of Suffolk, and continues to do so, through a Trust. Rosemary Hinton, currently violinist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, was helped by Jill at the start of her career, and she will be performing with her husband, Jonathan, playing cello. There will be verbal tributes from representatives of local organisations, as well as the musical programme. The concert is at 4.00 on Sunday September 29th, preceded by a reception at 3.15.

Tickets are @ £10, ordered from nhp@rillcott.co.uk - payable on the door.

Pride in Heritage Event

This will take place at 4pm on Sunday 3rd November. The first half will be taken up by well-known church historian, Canon Roy Tricker, who will show why Great Bealings should be proud of its church building. The second half will consist of a tribute to the people who have made the church what it is. The talk will be given by churchwarden, Norman Porter. Both talks will be illustrated. The event will be free, but there are just 100 golden tickets available. To apply for one of them contact nhp@rillcott.co.uk, or telephone 01473 735565.

Bealings Plant Sale

The Bealings Plant Sale is an annual event, held, usually at the end of April, in the Village Hall. The proceeds are divided between the two Bealings churches. The event is organised by Caroline Saunders - caroline_saunders@hotmail.co.uk

The Annual Plant Sale

Annual churchyard clean-up

This is an annual event, around September/October bringing together churchgoers and non-churchgoers in a joint enterprise to ensure that the village churchyard is cleaned up and prepared for the winter. The usual session is on a Saturday morning. Refreshments are provided, including a ploughman's lunch. The 2024 gathering is 8.30 - 12.30 on Saturday 28th September.

All manner of implements will be useful: secateurs, strimmers, rakes, loppers etc. Details usually appear in the Fynn-Lark News.

Merchandise

An illustrated 320 page History of Bealings (Great and Little) was written by Churchwarden, and copies are still available, by contacting the author - email address below.

An illustrated History of Great Bealings Church is also available at the cost of £3.

Various cards are also stocked, including a card featuring a picture of the church painted by local artist Thomas Churchyard.

Please address any queries, inquiries, suggestions, offers etc to Norman Porter (FOGBC and Churchwarden at St Mary's, Great Bealings), tel: 01473 735565.