St Giles' Church held many successful fundraising and community events throughout 2014, including a Watch Night service on New Year's Eve, a quiz night and comedy show that raised over £900, and a Valentine's service with homemade chocolates. Additional events included launching a local food bank, Lent lunches, monthly Messy Church sessions, an Easter egg hunt, and a church fete that raised nearly £6000. The church also held services to commemorate WW1 and extended the churchyard. Overall, 2014 was an active year for the church community.

1. 2014 in pictures

2. Our Watch Night
service and
gathering is
becoming an ever
more popular way
of seeing in the
New Year!

3. The quiz night was a great success and
raised nearly £900 for church funds

4. Everyone was well fed and well
entertained by comic Duo “Dandy” at
“Lunch ‘n’ a laugh” in February - a
brilliant event that raised £951 for
church funds

5. Hearts and handmade - by the Rev -
chocolates were the order of the day at
our special valentines service

6. Launch of the Lichfield Foodbank.
Over the year St Giles’ became the third
largest church collection point in the
area. Thank you all for your generosity

7. Lunches in aid of
the Bishop’s Lent
Appeal – every
Wednesday
throughout Lent.
Many thanks to
Margo Christie and
her happy band of
helpers

8. Messy Church was launched at Easter
and became a monthly favourite for
children and parents alike

9. ‘Churches Together in Lichfield’ Good
Friday Walk of Witness setting off from
Whittington

10. The family Easter Egg Hunt was enjoyed by
many on Holy Saturday. Many thanks to
everyone who so generously donated eggs

11. Once again the Church Fete was the
highlight of the year – a very enjoyable
day that raised nearly £6000

12. We paid a sad but very proud farewell to the
McCosh family as Andy was ordained Deacon
in Lichfield Cathedral and left to take up his
curacy in Shelfield & High Heath

13. The tour and supper at Sheepwash Farm
and Fisherwick Lakes was greatly
enjoyed by all those who came along

14. Two special services to commemorate
the centenary of the outbreak of WW1
were well attended and very meaningful

15. 180 spaces were created by the churchyard
extension, consecrated by Rt Rev’d Clive
Gregory. Many thanks to Roy Baxter who
gave the land and to Harry Wiggins whose
scrappage appeal paid for the iron railings

16. Once again the Church provided some
very enticing refreshments during the
Countryside Fair

17. £3500 was donated at our Gift Day
in September. It is so affirming to
find that we have such generous
support from so many people

18. Another way in which we taxed those little
grey cells! The village Treasure Hunt,
followed by cream tea in the Church Hall,
was greatly enjoyed by everyone

19. A great time was had by all at the
Harvest Supper!

20. Our All Souls ‘Service of Remembrance
and Thanksgiving’ in early November
was very well attended

21. Rain didn’t prevent folk turning out ‘en masse’
for the Remembrance Service at the Village
War Memorial and learning about the
significance of the humble whistle

22. Many different village organisations came
and helped make the Georgian Christmas
Market another happy and successful event

23. New for this year – Christmas Praise in the
Barn - a very well attended and meaningful
way to get into the Christmas spirit

24. The School and Community Choirs, a brilliant
band, half the village, gluwein, and a faltering
attempt to tell the Christmas story – it must be
carols around the Christmas Tree!

25. The handwritten cards delivered to every
house were very well received. Young and old
came to church to belt out their favourite
carols and listen to the Christmas story – this
year using village groups and street names!
Happy Christmas!

26. Many thanks to all
those who have
worked tirelessly
throughout the
year to help us;
including the
ladies who run
our stall at the
monthly food and
craft market….

27. ….the flower arrangers
– a very talented group of ladies….

28. ….all those who keep the churchyard
looking so neat and tidy – ours is the
best kept churchyard for miles….

29. ….all those who help with the weekly
‘Coffee Stop’ and arrange the much loved
summer outing and Christmas lunch….

30. ….those who run and support the
weekly ‘Whist for pleasure’ group….

31. ….our organist and choir….

32. ….our band of bellringers….

33. ….monthly ‘Flicks in the Sticks’….

34. ….and all those who
clean and help look
after the fabric of our
church – which this
year included the
much needed repairs
to the stonework of
the Tower

35. In 2014 at St Giles’ we had eight
Baptisms….

36. ….six weddings….

37. ….and, sadly….
….twenty six funerals – many of which
were for well known and much loved village
characters