On Tuesday 15th November four of us from South Hill joined a Save the Parish event at the Houses of parliament. Not quite a Trelawny uprising, but we did our bit! One hundred parishioners and clergy from around the country and MPs and Lords were in attendance. The speakers did a great job outlining the problems parishes are facing, the finances behind the scenes, and just how parliament can help change the tide.
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South Hill Bat Project Update – helping bats and humans share their space
South Hill Bat Project was thrilled to be nominated for an award from the Bat Conservation Trust, for work with Bats in Churches. Church Warden Miranda Lawrance-Owen stated how affirming this was for the work being done with our bats.
The campaign to help local bats keep the roof over their heads, was launched in August and has had an amazing response.
An article in the church Times stated:
Just before the £30,000 project to repair the roof began at St Sampson’s, South Hill, in Callington, near Saltash, it was discovered in May that two families of bats, pipistrelles and regionally rare Natterer’s bats, had set up a maternity wing in the roof. Work was suspended for a survey, and subsequent alterations to the plan to accommodate the legally protected animals.
Judith Ayers, project coordinator said:
“The £6,000 target is becoming a reality with £3,700 already secured through our sponsor a bat campaign. We now have bats named Eeyore, Sampson, Daisy, Brent, Acrobat, Batman and many more. Supporters are from all around the globe, with intertest as far away as Melbourne!”
There has been welcome support from celebrity Chris Packham, well know naturalist. He has personally sponsored a bat and named it Botham, as he said in his Tweet “he was quite handy with a bat.” His support and sharing on his social media has considerably increased the amount raised and the profile of the campaign.
St Sampson’s Church, South Hill where the project is situated, has recently received it’s bat mitigation licence and the urgent roof works have now begin, being sensitive to the resident bats who have finished breeding for this year. Some bat boxes have been sited to house any bats found in the roof, whilst works are being done, with an ecologist to oversee their safety.
The first bat talk has taken place with local bat expert Tony Atkinson telling the packed church all about the amazing habits of bats. There was even a special fly by of two bats as he was finishing speaking. The whole evening was bat themed with bat cakes and crocheted bats to buy. And to make the evening extra special it was announced that Tony had won an award from the Bat Conservation Trust. More talks, a bat walk and a bat box building workshop are planned for the spring.
You can donate on our Just Giving page South Hill Bat Project -helping bats and humans share their space. – JustGiving then send an e mail to stsampsonssouthhill@gmail.com to receive your certificate or, by sending a cheque made out to ‘The Rector and Church Wardens of South Hill – to Judith Ayers, Southview Barn, 83 Launceston Road, Callington, Cornwall PL17 8DS.
For further details of South Hill Bat Project, helping bats and humans share their space.
contact Judith Ayers judithayers@yahoo.co.uk or St Sampsons Unlocked | Facebook or St Sampson’s, South Hill – A Church Near You
St Sampson’s Day Celebration
Wednesday 28th July 6.30pm. At St Sampson’s Church, South Hill, outside event.
Celebrate St Sampson, and all the great things in our community.
Enjoy a free glass of Prosecco/juice, pasties, scones with jam and cream.
Bring your own plate and chair or rug.
Come and meet the donkey
Palm Sunday, 25th March, St Sampson’s Church, South Hill, are planning an informal service, with a real donkey, A good natured miniature chap called Corduroy, who is a local resident. it will take place at Golberdon parish Hall at 10am We will have a short walk of witness and singing, led by the donkey, starting from outside Green Meadow, (on the road towards South Hill) to the hall, join us there or along the route, or at the hall, bring a branch to wave. This will be followed by a short friendly service, biscuit making for all ages, tea coffee and hot cross buns.
Contact judithayers@yahoo.co.uk for more information.
St Sampson’s Harvest Supper and Auction
Harvest Festival
Thanksgiving for our animals
Thanksgiving service for our animals
Celebrating God’s care and concern for creation
Sunday 24th September 10am
St Sampson’s Church, South Hill
This will be a
short informal service followed by coffee, tea, juice and the best cake ever.
Our lives are enriched by our animals. They bring us many blessings and they play a big part in our lives, giving us joy, companionship, livelihood and sustenance.
You are invited to bring your well behaved: dog, cat, rabbit, parrot, stick insect, sheep, horse or chicken, whatever, to give thanks for the part they play in your life.
Bring a photo of your pet past or present.
St Sampson’s Day
The piece makers of South Hill have kindly given St Sampson’s Church a wonderful quilt showing St Sampson. This will be gratefully received during the service on Sunday 23rd July at 11.15. and will be hung for all to see. Come and learn a bit more about who St Sampson was and what relevance he has today.
Raising Funds for St Sampson’s
St Sampson’s Church are contacting architects to draw up plans for our renovations and improvements to the building and we are also looking at many funding options.
Did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be collecting free donations for St Sampson’s Church, South Hill?
There are over 3,000 shops and sites on board ready to make a donation, including Amazon, John Lewis, Aviva, the trainline and Tesco – it doesn’t cost you a penny extra
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3…
1. Head to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/stsampsonschurch/ and join for free.
2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping.
3. After you’ve checked out, that retailer will make a donation to your good cause for no extra cost whatsoever.
There are no catches or hidden charges and St Sampson’s Church, South Hill, Cornwall will be really grateful for your donations to help with the ongoing upkeep of this beautiful church.
Thank you for your support.
Plants at Sampson’s
Thank you to all who have bought or donated plants . The monies raised will go to Callington food bank.
More plants now required .
If you have any spare plants please bring them to St Sampson’s Church and leave them outside the entrance. Buy something new for yourself and leave donations in the jar.