Preserving Tradition - - - Embracing Change
Preserving Tradition - - - Embracing Change
Some of our residents within the village are kindly opening their garden gates for us to take a closer look at their wonderful wisteria, rambling roses and dazzling dandelions (it's only a weed if you don't want to grow them).
Residents will be on hand to show you their gardens and no doubt plenty of tips too, along with beautiful borders, architectural plants we are sure you will walk away with some great ideas to implement in your own garden.
Gates Open 2pm - 5pm. Tickets £10 from the church on the day, includes tea and cakes served in the churchyard.
Open Gardens 9th June 2024
Over a weekend blessed with blue skies and sunshine, our Church was host to over 300 visitors who came to witness our “Wedding Dresses through the Decades” display. On approaching the church, a beribboned classic car loaned by volunteers from the County Classics Motor Museum on Saturday and a red MGB by Jaqui Besley on the Sunday, set the mood. Upon entering the west door, gasps of delight could be heard as the impressive display of 22 wedding dresses from 1940 through to present day came into view. They were, indeed, a spectacle; raised on platforms, their beauty enhanced by the church architecture and the diffused glow from the sun through the stained-glass windows, happiness, warmth and nostalgia in the air was palpable.
Each dress was identified by its own name plaque and a photograph taken on the wedding day. Visitors were invited on a journey, following a specially prepared brochure containing a memory from the day, recalled by our blushing brides and their grooms.
The granite pillars of the church were adorned with wall hangings containing individual paper roses, hand-crafted out of vintage book pages by members of the congregation and community. These were mirrored by the pew ends, where vintage hearts also captured the theme of love. Marriage registers dating back to 1710 were available to look through and many were able to see their own entry, having married in the church.
Pausing for a cup of tea and choosing from a selection of delicious cakes, provided by church and community alike, many people stayed for a couple of hours or so and viewed the exhibition more than once – there was so much to look at.
It was widely agreed that the whole weekend was an unqualified success; it raised the sum of £1500 through donations alone and generated a stream of overwhelmingly positive comments about the vision and delivery of the project. We reflect with pride and are hugely thankful and encouraged that we were able to welcome so many new friends into our space and, most importantly, that church and community came together – working side by side to deliver this vision together. This is the way forward …
Wedding Dress Owners
Vintage rose and heart makers & Cake makers (too numerous to mention but incredibly important) including Monkton Evening WI
Church members who acted as Stewards and served refreshments
Izzi Stockton Bridal
Lynne Clements
Jane Robbins of Saltrock, Minehead
Bridgwater &Taunton College
Jason Criddle of Direct Delivery Logistics
Robert & Tim (County Classics Motor Museum)
Jaqui Besley
Georgette van Hoof / Lynne Bates / Jo Griffiths
Annie Suddaby / Colin Ayres
The Minster, Taunton
Bradfords Building Supplies
Monkton Players
Mark & Mary Thomas of Glebe Court
Somerset Heritage Museum
Finishing touches
We welcome you to our Sunday services, where we come together to worship, take communion at our various weekly services across the month. Stay for refreshments and a chat after the service. For our service schedule click on the picture. We look forward to seeing you there!
Our lovely church costs well over a hundred pounds a day to run, not including maintenance. There are many ways you can donate, whether standing order, join the 100CLUB and contactless pay by card or phone in the church.
For more ways you can donate click on the 100CLUB.
The list is endless and any time, skill, knowledge, fund-raising ideas you can contribute is very much welcome.
Remember two things. Firstly it's volunteering, so any time is apricated, you don't have to clock in or told off if you are late.
Secondly, there is always tea & cake.
See our how you can help page.
West Monkton Church
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