We are currently fundraising to build a sizeable hall for church and community use, right in the centre of town, next to this newly renovated historic church as in the original Victorian design. A new vision for town and parish! And building work has now started!
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To view our JustGiving page, to browse or donate, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/stjohnsmm
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Fundraising News
Here are a few ideas for you to sponsor, or to inspire you to run your own fundraiser for the cause. We do need your help!! If you would like to help at any event, you would be more than welcome to come along, make new friends and help a good cause.
You can email Frances at franceslevett@gmail.com
Oh, don't forget, too, that Frances has written a much revised and enlarged version of her History of the Church. It's absolutely fascinating and you can buy it for £6.50.​​​​​​​​​
Global Harmony Concert, Friday 2 May 2025, 7:30 pm.
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Come along to St. John's church and hear a brilliant local choir! You will be taken away to far countries as you listen to a variety of music from all over the world. This is their second visit to our church and we previously had a capacity audience, so book your ticket early.
The price is £10 and we will have refreshments available . There is no charge for refreshments, but donations gratefully accepted. There will also be a raffle on the evening. You are guaranteed a great evening with this first-class choir. Email franceslevett@gmail.com for a ticket.
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​​​Melton Mowbray Open Gardens, Sunday 8 June 2025,11:30 am to 4:30 pm.
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Come and spend time relaxing in the gardens of our beautiful town. These are not show gardens, but real gardens used by ordinary people, with some really interesting features and idea. If you are a gardener, and you live in Melton, why not contact us and ask for your own garden to be included? We have gardens large and small, all shapes and sizes, and they don't have to be pristine, just interesting. Don't be shy! It's a very friendly, relaxed day. If you are a visitor, we will provide a map of the gardens, and descriptions of them all so you can plan a route to include your interests. Admission is just £5 to get in all the gardens. You'll be amazed at what ordinary people get up to in their gardens! Contact Frances for a map and details, or to offer your garden.​​
​​(Provisional) Flower Festival, late June 2025.
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This would be a first:: something which we have never done before! Melton Mowbray Flower Club have agreed to lend their skills and expertise and to join with the small team of church flower arrangers to see what may be possible. If you love flowers and have any ability at arranging, please don't hesitate to offer your assistance. We'd love to hear from you! Email Frances.
​​Cream Teas in the church Memorial Garden, Saturday 6 September 2025, 1 pm to 4 pm.
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Come and enjoy a delicious cream tea in the delightful walled garden next to the church. Bring the family! We always aim at having a raffle, some bric-a-brac for sale, home-made cakes to supplement the cream teas, and lots of friendly chat. Many people don't know there is a church garden, but there is and it is beautiful and peaceful. The building site where our long-awaited church hall is taking shape is on the other side of the church: the garden is secluded and is not affected by it. Come and enjoy!​​
​​Christmas Wreath Festival, Saturday and Sunday, 6 & & December 2025, 10 am to 4 pm, admission FREE!
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A unique event! As part of the Melton Mowbray Christmas weekend, we run a competition to see who can make the most inventive Christmas wreath, using ANY MATERIALS. The entries are all displayed in the church and admission to view them is free. We have had some amazing wreaths made from lego, nail varnish, ceramics, a vinyl record, a bicycle wheel, bottle tops, clothes pegs - whatever you can think of. Entries are welcome from schools, individuals, groups, and businesses wishing to promote their products. There is carol singing, refreshments, something for all the family. History tours of the church too! Why not make a wreath yourself this year? It will be an extra exciting event because our fantastic new hall will be almost finished.
Archived
The Christmas Wreath Festival
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Was a great success. Thank you so much to everybody who worked so hard to produce an amazing variety of wreaths. We welcomed around 200 visitors to our church. This was not intended as a money-making event and there was no admission charge, but we raised £703.17.
The Plunging Parishioner
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On Sunday 2 December, with incredible courage Rachel Cousen launched herself into space from 14.000 feet in a tandem skydive. This was the first time she had ever made such an attempt. Rachel looks set to raise over £1,400. An absolutely fantastic effort so well done and thank you Rachel! Donations are still being accepted.
Open Gardens Needed
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Our Open Gardens last June was so enjoyable and successful, raising £800, that we are repeating it on Sunday 4th June 2023 so please put the date in your diary. We need volunteers so could you open your garden for one afternoon? It does not have to be a pristine, tidy garden for people to enjoy it and find interest. If you can offer some refreshments that's great but it is not compulsory. Ring 07790 631635 or email franceslevett@gmail.com if you would like to know more.
Open Gardens - Sunday 12 June 2022.
Seven gardens open for only £5 admission to them all!
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We are delighted to have seven gardens opening to the public between 11:00am and 5:00pm. The church itself will be open for visitors, with its small but award-winning garden, and we hope to welcome many visitors who will be able to see exactly why we are fundraising. Coincidentally, the new designs are floral-based! The Convent garden will also open from 1:30 pm, including the fields which the Sisters used to farm in the past, now uncultivated but a haven for wildlife. Move quietly and you might see a fawn! There are five other private gardens whose kind owners are waiting to welcome visitors, many with refreshments and plant sales available. We are being listed by Open Gardens UK. Tickets, a list and a map are now available and can either be bought on the day at any garden or in advance by emailing franceslevett@gmail.com or phoning 07790 631635. They are already selling well, and we have heard from several people intending to make a walking day of it. It should be a grand, enjoyable day.
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A Mohican when the amount raised reaches £1000
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I'm Friends of St. John's chairman, Frances Levett, and I'm tired of my lockdown locks getting in my eyes. That has inspired me to want to celebrate by having a special hair cut when our individual donations and fundraising total reaches £1,000. Then I will have a Mohican, and have it coloured red and green to match the colours of the original Victorian paintwork discovered on the sanctuary arch. If you want to see the new me, please donate!
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UPDATE: We have reached our first £1,000 target!
A marvellous achievement in only about 3 weeks. Thanks are due to all our supporters for their generosity. Now Frances has made a provisional appointment with the hairdresser on May 18. Vicky Clifton, who has cut her hair at home for many years, has offered to cut the Mohican, while Jane of Eclips has ordered Crazy Colours to colour it to match the Victorian paintwork. Keep your eyes skinned for the midget Mohawk!
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We have set a new target of £4,500 (1/10 of the cost of the redecoration) - the fundraising continues!
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UPDATE 2: The mohican...
As promised, once the target hit £1,000 Frances would have a multicoloured mohican. Well the clippers have been to work and the hair dye successfully applied.
Wouldn't it be great to reach £2,000 by the end of May?
To donate, and for more information on the project, please visit our JustGiving Fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/fosjmm
Bakewell Tart Sale
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Friends of St John's Treasurer Ann Kirby has been busy with her rolling pin and mixing bowl. Ann spent a day making no less than thirteen large Bakewell tarts, which she sold to the worshippers at St John's on Sunday 28 March. All sold like - dare we say it? - hot cakes, and she raised £39. Ann's Bakewell reputation had obviously gone before her! A very appropriate reminder of the church in Victorian times, when the organist used to bring a supply of buns for the children once a month.
Ann's efforts were so much appreciated that she has decided to repeat the sale after church in the coming weeks.
Sponsored Walk now completed!
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Aria Dunn, aged 4 likes walking in Melton Country Park, and she will try to do a 2 mile sponsored walk for the St John's sanctuary appeal. One of her difficulties will be doing the walking instead of playing on the climbing frames! Will you sponsor Aria? You can either donate via JustGiving (see link above) and mark your donation "Aria", or contact her Mum on fannyvanwall@gmail.com. Aria will attempt her walk this week. She has just cut her eye on the dog agility equipment in the park so maybe those play things will be less of a temptation! We will let you know how she did.
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UPDATE. Aria completed her sponsored walk on Thursday, 15 April, raising £62.
She did a total of 2.1 miles round Melton Country Park, mostly at a run, which meant she needed an ice cream stop half way round. She was delighted to complete the route, but her legs were a little tired at the end, so she returned home on her Mum's back, shouting her triumph to the neighbourhood all the way. WELL DONE, ARIA!
Calling for your jewellery and watches - gold, silver, platinum.
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Go gold mining! Mary Cosgrove is collecting old and broken jewellery and watches to sell. If it's made of gold, silver or platinum there is a market for it. So look our your broken chains, grandad's broken watch, and single earrings. De-clutter and help the cause too! To give items, either drop the in St John's sacristy if you go to church there, or ring Frances on 07790 631635 (Melton) or Mary 07792 162518 (elsewhere)
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UPDATE. FRIENDS OF ST JOHN'S JEWELLERY APPEAL RAISES NEARLY £1000.
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Some time ago we appealed for you to bring in gold jewellery and watches, to be sold to help the expenses on St John's. We have just received a cheque for an amazing £936! Many thanks to all who donated items, and please could you all search in your cupboards for more jewellery and watches, even if broken. They may be hidden treasure!
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Thank you all again.
