All services at Duns Tew, unless stated otherwise. Details of all services in the benefice can be found at www.dornandridgebenefice.org.uk/

Family @ Church Breakfast Service Following a very successful event in May, we will be holding another family breakfast service on Sunday, 21st July at 09:00. The event will begin with breakfast at 09:00 after which there will be a short simple service at 09:30. A Eucharist service will follow the short service, for those who wish to stay. If you would like further information or would like to help with the breakfast service then please contact Clare Burgess (01869 347382, clarebugress@gmail.com). If you prefer to join the service just for communion, please join us at 09:30 or at 10:00. All ages welcome!

Our Charities

Christian Aid Week

In May we raised a total of £1058 – with a further £182 to be claimed in gift aid. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this collection, and to everyone who gave up their time to distribute and collect the envelopes.

Charity of the Quarter

For May, June and July the PCC will be collecting donations via the charity plate near the door of the church, to help the work of the Banbury branch of The Samaritans. Nationally, the Samaritans receive 600 calls every hour from people who are struggling to cope. For more information please go to: www.samaritans.org. Please give generously. Thank you to Kate Wait for telling us about the charity on 23rd June.

Polly

As always please leave in-date food donations in the basket in church. Thank you to everyone who supports Polly. Clare Burgess 01869 347382.

Church Fete

The Church Fete on 16th June was a great success despite the weather! A big thank you to all our visitors, donors and to everyone who helped before and on the day. The amount raised was £5,360 and, although there are a couple more expenses expected, this is an amazing total. This is the church’s major fund-raising event of the year and makes a vital contribution to the running costs of the church. THANK YOU!

Competition Winners

Tug of War – Duns Tew was soundly beaten by North Aston once again. Sadly at least 4 strong team members couldn’t make it on the day. Come and support our team for a second chance at the North Aston Fete on 13th July. If anyone can be part of the team on 13th July, please contact Marshall Brooke. marshall.brooke@gmail.com

Guess the Number of Sweets was won by James Marsden with his guess of 320. The actual number was 337

Welly Wanging – Male: Charles Stapleton, Female: Ellen Smith, Child: Theo Rittson-Thomas

Paper Plane – Ethan Birch’s plane flew the furthest – a massive 1080cm. Well done, Ethan. We have your prize waiting for you if you’d like to contact Clare Burgess 01869 347382

Fun Races – Egg & spoon, sack race and three-legged races were very popular once again. A big thank you to Jon Burgess for organising these for us.

Silent Auction for 15 tonnes of Aggregate, courtesy of Smiths of Bletchingdon: highest bid was from the Hall family.

Congratulations to all. Thank you to everyone who joined in the fun.

We are extremely grateful to everyone who made the fete possible, particularly:

Fiona and Gavin McAlpine for their generosity and support, particularly for the use of the Manor Gardens, hiring the large bouncy castle, organising our outdoor power circuit, and much more, all of which ensured a fabulous afternoon.

Clive Tompkins (Cherwell Graphics Ltd) for printing all the raffle tickets, banners, signs, leaflets, raffle tickets, and for putting them all up.

Charles & Caroline Landless for storing the fete equipment for us

David and Margaret Goundrey for giving up their garage space for White Elephant

The White Horse, Duns Tew for the donation of burgers and buns

Moore & Lyon, Middle Barton for the donation of sausages

Smith & Sons of Bletchington for donating 15 tonnes of aggregate (Silent Auction)

PLUS the following organisations for their support in donating Raffle Prizes:

A big thank you to everyone who donated anything to the fete and to all the stallholders for their preparation work beforehand and everyone who set up/cleared away on the day.

Thanks, too, to our 2019 Fete committee: Marshall Brooke, Nicky Brooke, Clare Burgess, Helen Hammond, Clare Howard, Chris Keeping, Steph Lacey and Sarah Taylor.

Advance notices

Progressive Supper – Saturday August 17th

The Progressive Supper is a great way to meet fellow villagers and enjoy a fun evening moving between a number of venues in the village.

The evening starts with drinks and canapes, moves on for a starter, then a main course and the evening ends in the village hall for dessert and coffee. If you are willing to host a course or help with the cooking, or if you are new the village and would like more information please get in touch with either Stephanie Lacey 01869 347350 stephanielacey@btconnect.com, or Carol Rigby 01869 340632 (nonesuchcarol@gmail.com)

Special diets can be accommodated if we know in advance. Tickets at £27.50 each are available from Steph and Carol – the profit is used to support the upkeep of the church.

Ride or Stride 2019 – Saturday 14th September

Would you like to spend an enjoyable afternoon in the countryside and raise some money for the ancient churches of Oxfordshire – including our very own St Mary Magdalene, Duns Tew?

If you do, then why don’t you consider getting someone to sponsor you to cycle or walk around the churches of Oxfordshire. If you don’t wish to be so active you can still support by volunteering an hour of your time to welcome walkers and cyclists to our church. This year the Historic Churches Bike Ride will be held on Saturday 14th September.

For more information, contact Clare Burgess clarebugress@gmail.com or 01869 347382