Earliest records of our Church date from the thirteenth Century. The Chancel is from this period; the tower, chancel arches, and the nave of four bays are from the fourteenth Century. The tower was rebuilt or altered in the fifteenth Century and the font dates from the sixteenth Century so we are a mix of different Centuries!
Our Church seats approximately 200 in the nave with additional seating in the choir stalls and we are one of the larger churches in the group. We had major works in 2014/2015 including electrical and improvements on our heating.
We have a regular Communion service at 9.00 am on the second Sunday of each month and an Evensong on the fourth Sunday of each month - this is at 6.00 pm in Summer time and moves to 3.00 pm over the Winter. Like other parishes, we also have special services at different times in the Church calendar. You are welcome to any of our services and we would love to see you.
Coming up at Stetchworth:
Queen's Jubilee Weekend Events: All of our Jubilee events went very well and were, I think, enjoyed by all those taking part. Thank you to all those people who helped with the planning and execution of the events, those who donated prizes, cakes etc. and those who helped in any way clearing tables and chairs away, washing up etc.
Village Show - Sunday 17th July
This was well attended - though such high temperatures had been predicted that the dog show was postponed. However, shade was arranged and people were happy to sit in the shade with a drink or food from the barbeque.
Raddesley Festival - this is our next event - a New event for us - this will be held on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September 10.00 am - 4.00 pm. Each of the churches in the group will have different displays, sales tables, refreshments etc. £5 entry fee to visit all six churches, or £2 if you are just visiting one church. In Brinkley there will be a demonstration of bell ringing and hand bell ringing and photos of Brinkley old and new. Burrough Green - flowers and produce, probably a sales table with produce. Carlton - a flower display. Dullingham pictures by a local artist, also photos old Dullingham. Stetchworth - photos, maps etc. of Old Stetchworth, sales table of jams and preserves. Westley Waterless Brass rubbing and a display of flowers. Tickets on sale in each church for a raffle for a hamper. This will be drawn at the evening Songs of Praise and Prayer service at Westley Waterless at 6.00 pm on Sunday 11th September.
Cambridgeshire Churchyard Conservation Award Scheme: We have just heard that we have been awarded a Bronze award under this scheme. Unstable gravestones: To comply with Health and Safety Regulations, The PCC has now had the older unstable stones (where no relations are now available to tend to them) repaired and stabilised. Thank you to those families who looked after their own family stones. The PCC carries out an annual check on all gravestones. If you are tending a grave please check it from time to time and ensure that it does not develop a 'wobble'. In the closed churchyard, the Parish Council has had unstable gravestone stabilised and some that had been leaning at an angle have been straightened up.
Work in the Cemetery - almost all of the unauthorised kerbs and the stones used to infill these have now been removed - thank you to all those relatives who have complied with our request. The work to remove the large spoil heap has begun and should be completed in the next few days. Adopt-a-grave On the same theme, PCC members wondered whether there is anyone in the village with a bit of spare time who might like to look after some of the older graves that have kerbs around and are no longer tended. The surrounding area can be mown but the area within the kerb has to be strimmed or cut with shears separately
Some additional village links which might interest you:
Christmas Tree Festival and BEM Presentation Thank you to everyone that supported this event - it was amazing to see so many people there to support and honour Lily's achievement - some photos below and more on our gallery pages: