The Church has just had its five yearly assessment of work which needs to be carried out to keep the building in good condition. Major repairs and renovation will have to be carried out over the next ten to fifteen years at a total cost of £165,000 or thereabouts. We have completed renovation to the Vestry and the cloakroom as well as repairs to part of the roof where rainwater was causing a problem, the cost of this work was just over £8,000. There is still a great deal to be done and the following list is a summary of major work which will need to be funded:

1. The priority is to make sure that the Church is watertight and the drainage is operating so that the walls are free of damp and may be re-decorated. Before this can happen there has to be an inspection of the interior walls to discover if there are any further medieval wall paintings. The plaster may then be completely removed and decoration done as required.
2. Roof repairs.
3. Re-leading of windows. This is because the lead is cracking and crumbling in places.
4. Exterior walls to be assessed for removal of render and slabs. Re-pointing and re-rendering as necessary.

There are many smaller repairs which will need to be done and we felt that everyone who lives in Northwold should know of the major challenge ahead. The Church is the oldest building in the village with its origins dating back to the tenth century. It is a magnificent structure which must be retained and cared for by us so that it is here for the coming generations. We all appreciate the beauty, serenity and eternal charm of the Church and we are asking you to help us to restore it. Even if you don't attend services we hope that you will feel able to contribute to the funds required. As a first step to raising the money we are hoping to form a group of people, not necessarily church goers, to be named Friends of St Andrew's If you would like to play a part in our endeavours (or send us a donation!) please contact the Church Wardens: Chris Collins - 01366 728404 and Carol Sharp - 01366 728227.

The sun shone and the weather was truly barmy for most of this very successful and stimulating two day celebration of Northwold's past with displays including Church monuments, shops, buildings, local characters, school, sports teams etc.. Wedding dresses worn by villagers at their weddings in St Andrew's were displayed and enjoyed. Many visitors and villagers came to view the displays in the church, school, pub and war memorial. Some came twice or three times, complaining that there was so much informaion and too little time to take it all in.

The Church Tower was open on Sunday afternoon and some braved the steep climb to take in the scenery and have birds eye views of their homes and gardens. A Songs of Praise style service was the finale for this wonderful weekend when poetry and prose alternated with well known hymns. Tribute was paid to those who lived in Northwold and are now buried here. The service was well attended and appreciated by all.

Two day celebration of Northwold's past with displays including Church monuments, shops, buildings, local characters, school, sports teams etc.. On Sunday we will hold a family service paying tribute to those who have lived in Northwold and are now buried here. Teas and refreshments will be available during the weekend.

They say the sun shines on the righteous... and what a glorious weekend we had for our celebrations! The church looked magnificent, filled with the sight and scent of nineteen impressive and imaginative flower arrangements on the theme Songs of Praise. (How we shall miss them when they are gone!) This was our 'Flower Festival', and a great credit to all the flower arrangers, who had spent longer than one would think to get everything 'just right'. The 'inner man' (and woman) was not forgotten, and luscious cream teas were available on both days, whilst on Sunday, a tasty wine and canape lunch was to be had in the garden of the Old Rectory.

The flowers provided a fitting setting for the evening concert given by pupils and staff from our own Norman School and of Thetford Grammar School. We enjoyed a whole range of talent and must congratulate all who took part in a very varied programme.

To add to the occasion, on Sunday afternoon, Charlie Askew - Tower Captain of St Andrew's Bellringers, and ringer for over 60 years, was honoured by the ringers who rang a special peal for him, and we all had a piece of celebratory cake!

This has been a weekend to be remembered, not only as a Celebration of 900 years of the Ely Diocese, but as a splendid coming-together of families, friends, neighbours and visitors! Congratulations and a big thank-you to all who contributed to making this the success it was!

Once again the Christmas Tree Festival was very successful. This year we had 25 trees all decorated by local villagers. The lights from these, together with over 100 candles glowing throughout the church gave a warm and welcoming atmosphere to start our festive season at St. Andrews. The church was full for the annual carol service on the Sunday Evening. The service followed its now traditional pattern, beginning with Joseph Whiting singing Once in Royal David's City. This set the tone for a very enjoyable evening of poems, readings, soloists and the Breckland Hand bell ringers alternating with the Christmas Carols. Martin Chilvers again returned to the village to host the event and this year we were pleased to welcome John Rone, who read the Nativity Story and led the prayers for us. The congregation then enjoyed mince pies and mulled wine and a bit of a mardle before leaving our beautifully decorated church and wending their way home.

Our thanks to everyone who works so hard to make this happen each year. Once the trees have been delivered from Didlington Nurseries our local team of tree men trim, pot and set these up in the allocated places, sometimes having to move them around in different positions in the church until the 'organisers' are satisfied! This is all done with much good humour and a few aching backs. Then follows a frenzied few days whilst the decorators work their magic on the trees. It's always lovely to see who will do what with their tree and what will the children produce this year for their trees. Of course, after all the services and events over Christmas the inevitable happens and everything has to be taken down by the 6th January. Again our army of helpers clear the church with the same good humour as they showed when preparing for the start of the celebrations of Christmastide. Our grateful thanks to everyone involved.

As most of you are aware, we have a charity tree in the church which raises money for the East Anglian Children’s Hospice. This year the donations for the tree amounted to £52. This was added to the amount raised from the Chris tingle service and so a cheque for £132 will now be sent from the people of Northwold towards the deserving cause.

Thank you all again and we wish everyone a happy and healthy 2008.

Plough Monday was again celebrated in the fast reviving traditional manner on 7th January. The event began with the torchlight procession from The Crown to the Church, where the plough was blessed by The Reverend Angela Nichols, and Martin Chilvers welcomed us all. This was followed by Molly dancing by The Norwich Kit Witches and The Ouse Washes Molly Dancers, who performed their traditional dances.

No sooner had this ended than The St Andrew’s Mummers appeared from the darkness to perform their play to the amusement of the gathering. Jack Tar was slain by Jack Ketch despite entreaties from his girl friend, the king of Little London’s daughter, not to hurt him, with assistance and advice from Old Bessie Tosspot.

As he lay apparently dead, a Doctor was called who on examination discovered that Jack Ketch had not killed him but that he was critically ill due to a long string of sausages stuck in his inside. These were duly removed, to amusement of the gathering. So everything turned out alright in the end.

After the play the King’s Morris men danced and then it was time to tour the village where dancing took place at other locations before finishing up in John Haylock’s yard. Here the whole performance was repeated, and mulled wine and mince pies were handed round.

Andrew and Ginny are to be congratulated for the effort and expertise that they have put into this venture. More people than ever came to watch and enjoy the occasion,which bodes well for the revival of such traditional events.

Grateful thanks are extended to everyone who helped in any way to make this event such a success .

In spite of very unsettled weather, a good number of pets and their owners took part happily (and peacefully) in the occasion to celebrate the pleasure we enjoy with our pets.

Rev. Angela Nicoll retold the colourful tale of Noah's Ark, and we all introduced our pets to each other. We made a 'friendship' paper chain bearing our names and the names of our pets, and each child took home a small model of an animal to remind them of the event. We sang with enthusiasm some appropriate songs and Janet played the organ for us.

A very happy event altogether!

Left: Saffy, often seen accompanying Church Warden Jane Luckman to the church.

The second edition of the Church History & Guide, by Dr J A Norris, was published in 2003 and contains the same information as the online version, except that, for reasons of cost, the photos are in black and white (apart from the front and back covers, which are in full colour).

The Guide is available in the church for £1, but if you would like us to mail you a copy, please send a cheque to the value of £1.75 (inc. P&P), made out to St Andrew's Church, addressed to:
Miss Jane Luckman, 12 West End, Northwold, Norfolk IP26 5LE.

If you are interested in obtaining copies of the images displayed on this site, or any other images of the church, whether for use in print or on the web, please contact Jane de Silva.