A new priest-in-charge for the Fressingfield group of parishes

Reverend Susan Loxton was licensed as priest-in-charge for the Fressingfield group of parishes, by Bishop Clive, on Wednesday 1st October 2008 in the parish church.  She and her husband, Robin, now live at The Vicarage, Tansy Meadow.  We welcome them warmly and hope they have a long and happy stay with us.

Fressingfield Music Festival 

Photo: Professor Paul Carroll, artistic director of the Festival, with opera singer Siphiwo Ntshebe.

We were asked for the highlight of last year’s Festival. The jazz concert was fantastic with a line up of award winning and good-natured musicians with enthusiasm for the music and the audience. The Choir of Christ’s College Cambridge, in front of a full house, with violins, cello and harpsichord, transported an appreciative audience to Vivaldi’s Venice with their singing of his Gloria and Magnificat. Siphiwo Ntshebe sang with great passion and skill, with Her Excellency the High Commissioner from South Africa in the audience. He sang her poems which Prof Paul Carroll, the Festival’s artistic director, had set to music. The Festival finished with an evening of baroque music including a prelude and fugue by Buxtehude played by David Rowland on the church’s Father Willis organ and Paul Carroll playing a challenging flute sonata by Corelli.

How to pick a special moment from all that? The highlight was probably the least predictable event of the week. Forty school children from Fressingfield and Eye Primary schools joined the jazz rehearsal on Wednesday afternoon. The ease with which trumpeter, Paul Eshelby, who is also the Director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, and then singer Lee Cooper engaged the children was wonderful. As the rest of the band arrived they too joined in before turning to the rehearsal and sound check for the evenings concert. Next year we hope that even more children will attend and much emphasis will be placed on youth participation during the 2009 Festival.

The Fressingfield Music Festival 2009 will take place from Wednesday 23 September to Saturday 26 September and it is expected that singer Emma Kirkby will join Badinage in a programme of song and music that reflects her successful Australian concert tour.

Our thanks go out to all of those who made this Festival successful once again and helped us to raise £7000 this year. It allows us to continue with our financial support of the restoration of the bells in the parish church and to go forward with the planning of next year’s concert series.

The Festival could not happen without the continued backing of the Festival’s sponsors, advertisers and suppliers including; The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, The Leche Trust, The Simon Gibson Charitable Trust, Suffolk County Council–Hoxne and Eye Locality Fund, and HMPR Public Relations. We are ever grateful for their help and encouragement.

The Fressingfield Music Festival Committee

      
Professors Paul Carroll and          Fressingfield bell ringers receiving
David Rowland of Badinage         the gotch from our patron, Bishop Nigel

       
Pam Castro, Festival secretary, receiving      Choir of Christ's College Cambridge
a cheque from District Cllr Guy McGregor

Fressingfield - Mid Suffolk Village of the Year 2008

Prue Rush, chairman of Fressingfield parish council, receiving a plaque and cheque in honour of the village being declared Mid-Suffolk Village of the Year for 2008.  Fressingfield came third in the Suffolk competition.  We have been awarded a total of £450 and the parish council welcomes suggestions as to how we could use the money.  Please put your suggestions in the box in Fressingfield Stores or contact a member of the parish council. 

Thank you to all those members of groups who turned out for the judging and to all villagers who keep the village so presentable.  Your time and effort is highly appreciated.

The presentation was made by Councillor Poppy Robinson, of Mid-Suffolk District Council, during the Music Festival.

Fressingfield Croquet Tournament

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, 20th September, when Fressingfield Croquet Club held its first 'Open' or Singles Knock Out Competition on the Fox and Goose Green.  Around 40 people, regulars and visitors, some from as far as Norwich, came to play for the winning trophy.

The winner was Paul Clark.  Chris Squires came second and James Thorp, third.  The photo shows Paul receiving his trophy from Olav Wyper (right), Croquet Club chairman.  If you are interested in joining the Croquet Club, please contact Olav on 01379 586734 or Michael Pickstock on 01379 586493.

Fressingfield Fête

Flower and Produce Show

Saturday 5th July 2008

After a gap of several years, the many community groups of Fressingfield came together to celebrate village life in the form of a Summer Village Fête.  During the weekend of July 5th and 6th, a range of events based on the village playingfield allowed the many groups, old and young, to share their joy of living in Fressingfield.

The afternoon started at 2pm with the judging of the childrens' fancy dress competition, the theme being Fairy Tales and Stories!  

With marquees, stalls and an arena, a programme of traditional pursuits were held during the afternoon from 2pm to 5pm.   Traditional races, games and competitions for children and adults. Displays, exhibitions and demonstrations including a Produce Show.

In the evening a musical celebration of local talent was showcased with refreshments and barbeque, from 7pm till late.  On Sunday morning an inter-church service was held in the marquee at 11.30am

The organisations taking part could choose to raise funds for themselves or The Suffolk Air Ambulance, the nominated beneficiary of any surplus funds/donations.

 

Congratulations to all the Produce Show class winners and just as importantly, a huge thank you to everyone who took part. We were overwhelmed at the number of entrants and thrilled that so many children and adults took the trouble to enter and to support the show in this way.
Click here to see class winners

Thank you again.