Parochial Church Council

St Mary's Church, Great Bealings

More about St Mary's church

St Mary's Church

We are lucky to have a beautiful church and tower, St Mary's, which dates back to before the Norman conquest. We have an active Parochial Church Council and a small but loyal congregation. Since 2020 we have been part of a united Benefice with St Mary's, Woodbridge, based on strong historical links, particularly through the Seckford family. We previously belonged to a Benefice of rural parishes with Playford, Culpho and Little Bealings. That grouping remains in the shape of the Fynn-Lark News, the secular community magazine which also publishes details of church services in the four parishes. (It is accessible on-line). The church remains relatively traditional in outlook, with a fine Victorian organ, and music enhanced by links with Woodbridge. The churchyard is a dedicated wild-life area, with an observation cabin which doubles up as a protected space for those visiting graves. See the Links page for more.

The Parochial Church Council

The Parochial Church Council meets four times a year to discuss all matters pertaining to the continued well-being of St Mary's Church, Great Bealings. The Annual Meeting is open to all.
The current members of the PCC are:

• Rector: Rev Nigel Prior, Chairman
• Mr Norman Porter, Church Warden and Vice Chairman
• Ms Bridget Tanno , Secretary
• Mr Eric Barnett
• Mr Will Self, Treasurer
• Mrs Virginia Porter, Deanery Synod Representative
• Ms Jonathan Keer, Electoral Roll Officer
• Mr Julian Haywood Smith
• Mr Anthony Sheppard

Recent and Future Developments

The PCC has recently completed a £200,000 building programme, including interior decoration, repairs to the stonework, a re-tiling of the North face of the roof, major repairs to the East wall, plus repairs to the organ, stained glass windows and bells, all of which are of recognised high quality. Previously basic kitchen facilities were installed, mains water laid on, and an outside toilet/storage block built.

There have long been plans to adapt the back of the church, removing some pews, to free up more space for social events, and for moving around when refreshments are served.
The church is the only public building in the village, so is used for a range of purposes, including talks, concerts, exhibitions, and festivals organised by Friends of the Church. The car park is informally leased to the PCC while a significant car park extension to it is similarly leased by Lord Cranworth.

Bealings Plant Sale.

This annual fund raiser started around 1990 by Hugh and Monica Philbrick, now held in the Village Hall, provides extremely valuable funding for the parish churches of Great and Little Bealings. It includes an official Raffle. In recent years some £3000/£4000 has been raised. Please contact Norman Porter at nhp@rillcott.co.uk if you would like to help in some way.

Annual churchyard clear-up

This happens every year around September/October. Church-goers and non-churchgoers alike gather together for an energetic morning's work, cleaning up the churchyard for winter.

Appropriate refreshments are on offer, including a Ploughman's lunch, for all participants. All very welcome to join in what is a very sociable morning. Just contact the churchwarden if you would like to help. Details appear in the Fynn-Lark news.

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