Rev. Ruth Farrell officially retired as Rector of the Woolpit and Drinkstone Benefice on 20 th July 2024. Amazing retirement parties were put on for her, with many gifts in grateful thanks for what she had done for the congregations of All Saints, Drinkstone, and St. Mary’s, Woolpit. However there was one gift to come that was a total surprise. On August 5 th Rev. Ruth was persuaded to visit a garden in Woolpit on the basis that the churchwardens had something to present to her.  But there were canapes and champagne, too. What was going on? Out came a framed certificate for “Long and exemplary dedicated service”, presented by the churchwardens and the Reader of the Benefice. This particular gift is rarely given, and was from the Bishop of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury as an acknowledgement of Ruth’s faithful service to the Diocese and our Benefice.

Party 1 – Ruth’s last service at All Saints was a total joy. Ruth had chosen some of her favourite hymns and Drinkstone Tones were there to help sing them. At the end of the service Ruth was presented with a giant card which had been signed by everyone who wished – at secret signing sessions so she was blissfully unaware. Plus, a decorated fruit cake that was just amazing, plus gold and amethyst drop earrings – and a handsome cheque to boot. All followed by plentiful cake and coffee.

Party 2 – Ruth’s last service at St Mary’s – followed a similar pattern with wonderful singing, a presentation of great gifts, followed by a buffet lunch in Woolpit Village Hall for which a team from both churches had worked many hours to produce fantastic food.

And so, after 18 years, Rev’d Ruth has left the Rectory to retirement on the Suffolk coast. We will miss her so much and the first week following her departure showed hom much she did behind the scenes!!

Friday 23rd  February 2024 at 7pm – Drinkstone Village Hall

“Ringing the Changes: an intriguing look into the world of Bell Ringing”

Neal Dodge, the Suffolk Guild of Ringers Publicity Officer, is giving this talk to help publicise the Drinkstone Bell Restoration project. 

Refreshments will be available afterwards. Whilst the talk is primarily for non-ringers, Neal is an acknowledged expert on local bell history, so there should be something for everyone. 

ALL WELCOME

 There is no charge for this event but there will be a retiring collection in aid of the project. 

For any further details contact: Nigel Gale on 07751 765675 or drinkstone@suffolkbells.org.uk

IN ALL SAINTS CHURCH

Sunday 18th February 2024 at 9:00am

This is not your usual sort of service!

We start at the back of the church for a socialble breakfast – this month, sausages and proper coffee, and probably fruit…

This is for anyone and everyone!

Breakfast is followed by a Bible reading and a very informal discussion on what it might mean for us, or how it could help us. There could be some singing too. And coffee refills. 

The Carol Service is always a memorable occasion, with the ‘Ahhhh’ moments usually being provided by the children’s Nativity tableau – but we did something different this year.

The story was about a dog who wanted to give something special to Jesus. He thought he could join the angels maybe, or the shepherds, or perhaps the kings. But it was clear that none of these were going to be possible – for some rather hilarious reasons. In the end, he decide to just be himself and do what dogs do so well; he curled up at the Baby Jesus’ feet and kept him warm.  And that’s what we need to do – be ourselves and do what we can. As the Carol puts it: ‘Yet what I can I give him, give my heart’.

The children were asked to come dressed as their favourite animal, which lent itself to an excellent photo opportunity, which included two brave adults…

As in other years, we managed to put together a scratch four part choir, accompanied by the very clever Calvin on keyboard, and the amazing Astrid on oboe, which according to the congregation, sounded really rather super.

We had mulled wine and mice pies afterwards, along with flapjacks and assorted  cakes.

The weekend started with the annual Harvest Supper,  which took place without a hitch. Many folk said it was the best ever. Indeed the atmosphere was fantastic; and new choices for the vegetarian option had the meat eaters clamouring to try them too. The generosity of many produced the best raffle ever (if a little embarrassing when one of the organising  team won the first prize…). Unfortunately, the photos that were taken have been lost…

On the Sunday, at the Harvest Service— the decorations were amazing, as ever, despite the scaffolding in the chancel. Numbers were swelled because it was a Benefice Sunday. Practical goods were collected for the Bury Women’s Refuge, and a monetary collection went to the Bahamas Relief appeal. Displays here.

What an evening! ‘Champagne Moments’ was set in 1953, seven years after the 2018 event. Rev’s Ruth excelled herself with this script, combining lots of fifties references (some laugh out loud moments here) and even more references back to previous Mysteries.

He knack of bringing back ‘murdered’ characters is second to none, all the while  finding a way to refer to missing characters who had booked a holiday at just the wrong time and ingenious ways of bringing in new characters to accommodate new people clamouring to be in the cast.

And this time, Dr Will (already a murderer who got away with it) was the one who was murdered. Deserved it too! How will she bring him back next year? And Mrs Tate Lyle – who shot him inn cold blood? We can’t wait.

Sorry there are so many photos!