Category: St Marks Church

Posted on

St. Mark’s Church News – November

Parish Church of St Mark the Evangelist

So, what has been happening in and around St. Mark’s?Well, we had a lovely Harvest Service on 25th September. We sang the old favourite Harvest Hymns and felt that everything was ‘safely gathered in’. The school had also had their Harvest Service, so we had all their produce displayed in the Church. Nowadays the gifts that are given tend to be the packet and tinned variety, rather than fresh produce, as it all gets taken to the Food Bank for distribution, where it is very gratefully received.
The flower ladies had done their usual excellent job of decorating the Church, so that was a lovely welcome, and we thank them for their faithfulness in doing the flowers.
There was also a beautiful exhibition of Harvest pictures by the school children displayed in the Nave of the church.
Continue reading “St. Mark’s Church News – November”

Posted on

St. Mark’s Church News for August

Well, by the time you all read this, July will have gone, and Christmas cards will soon be on sale!
We’re just pottering along St Marks. We have a few faithful worshippers, every Sunday, which is great, but no new faces yet. We used to have some families twice a month, but now that our Jubilate service that used to engage the children has been stopped, we just get a few families at the All-Age Worship service on the first Sunday in the month, but they are absent for the following 3 Sundays. We are fortunate to have Duncan Irvine to take those, so that relieves the Rector from having to do so many services every week.
So, all we can really report on is to tell you about our wonderful Churchyard. It started blossoming with the primroses in February and March, making a lovely splash of yellow. Continue reading “St. Mark’s Church News for August”

Posted on

ST MARK’S CHURCH NEWS – July 2022

Summer in the churchyard is now well underway. Some of the trees need cutting but unfortunately birds are nesting so nothing can be done yet. The recent rain has meant that the grasses and foliage are growing fast but so too are the early purple orchids – there seem to be more than ever this year. However, I overheard someone recently commenting on how ‘scruffy’ it was all looking. This churchyard is an important area for wildflowers and wildlife. Once all the wildflowers finish flowering and go to seed, they will be cut down and left for the seeds to return to the earth. Then all the grass will be raked up because wildflowers need to flower on a poor soil not one that has been mulched by the fallen grass. As ever when we rake, we will need help, please contact me if you feel so inclined. Continue reading “ST MARK’S CHURCH NEWS – July 2022”

Posted on

St. Mark’s Church News – June 2022

April and May have disappeared and important church festivals for St Mark’s Church have finished for another year too.
In mid-April the church was resplendent for our Easter services. After the lack of decoration during Lent which culminated in the stripping of the altar after the Maundy Thursday service and the removal of crosses and candlesticks, it was wonderful to enter the church on Easter morning and see the beautiful display of flowers everywhere; I always think that as well as being a feast for the eyes, the smell of the lilies and spring flowers is quite magical too; it’s a pleasure to worship there. Continue reading “St. Mark’s Church News – June 2022”

Posted on

St Mark’s Church News for May 2022

Well, spring seems to have arrived now, and St. Mark’s churchyard is resplendent with daffodils and primroses. They are such a welcoming sight as you walk through.  They are a reminder of the new life that Jesus came to bring us.

The Sussex Wildlife Trust has been taking an interest in the churchyard, because we have several special species of plants there, especially green winged orchids and wax caps.  Members of the organisation came and worked hard, one morning, clearing specific areas and giving us advice as to how to manage the churchyard and give the various plants the best opportunity to survive and flourish.   We will be following that advice now.
Continue reading “St Mark’s Church News for May 2022”

Posted on

Hadlow Down Poppy Appeal 2021


A huge “thank you” to all those in the Village who felt able to support so generously the vital work of the Royal British Legion this year. The Village raised £1,383.73, which was an excellent result.
Our gratitude must also go to those who volunteer so selflessly to help in collecting donations every year. If anyone would be interested in joining the band of collectors, please do let me know.

Nigel Russell

Poppy Appeal Organiser Hadlow Down01825-830891 or nigelrussell@uwclub.net