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Friends Events for 2023

On Wed 26^th April, the Friends Trust held its AGM at St Hubert’s after which refreshments were served. Then followed an excellent talk by Mark Seaman of the Chichester & District Archaeology Society, entitled: ‘The History of Idsworth from the Prehistoric to the Medieval’. Some 35 people attended the event. Marquee up for St Hubert’s Open Afternoon Following a generous donation of a marquee to the Friends Trust, we were determined to make use of this excellent new facility: a team of volunteers gave of their time and muscle to put it up prior to Open Afternoon on Saturday 20^th May. Come the day, the sun shone and the Trust was delighted to welcome 150 people for the afternoon programme of music- making in the church, including a surprise visit from the Downland Singers, the Driftwood Folk Duo who were in very good voice, and two staff from the South Downs National Park who gave an insightful and fascinating talk about St Hubert’s, the Idsworth Valley and its significance in the SDNP. Over £400 was raised during the afternoon

Empty Frets’ Perform Wonders at Sun-Soaked Musical Picnic A chance meeting by the Trust Chairman, Andrew Callender, a year ago led to a booking for Steve Adams and his 5-piece band, ‘Empty Frets’ at the 2023 Musical Picnic at St Hubert’s on 23rd July. This was our third Musical Picnic and once again it was very well received by a highly appreciative audience of some 200 people. This highly talented and enthusiastic band from the New Forest played a selection of Folk, Blues and Country which had many people tapping their feet and out of their seats and dancing. What has now become an annual event proved a great success and was most warmly appreciated by all who came. The handsome sum of £1500 was raised for much-needed funds at a time when further repair and conservation work is about to commence on the church porch.

A Special Date for Your Diary: Art Exhibition at St Hubert’s
Tell your Friends – Bring your Friends – Do Come!

Annual report and Financial Statement 2023

(click to read)

Friends AGM 2023 Chairman's Report and Minutes of the Meeting

(Click to read)

Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 March, 2022
(Click to read)

Friends AGM – 27th April 2022 This year it was possible to return to St Hubert’s for the AGM and some 30 Friends joined us. The afternoon began with the AGM itself followed by refreshments. Peter Martindale, Wall Paintings Conservator, gave a very interesting talk on the Wall Paintings in the East Window reveals. Firstly, he outlined his role in protecting the paintings of St Peter and St Paul whilst the East Window frame was replaced and the old cement render was removed from the outer East wall during the summer of 2019. Peter Martindale then went on to describe the processes he used in ‘touching out’ the wall paintings during his 5-day project work in 2021. There followed an interesting question & answer session .

The Minutes of the Friends AGM, 27th April 2022
(Click to read)

Friends Events – Summer 2022

There was plenty to see and enjoy at the Friends’ Teas and Refreshments Afternoon held up
at St Hubert’s on 21 st May. Not only did a band of ladies provide tea and home-baked,
colourful, calorific cakes to all who climbed the hill on foot or by bicycle but there was music
both inside and outside the church. Local folk musicians, the ‘Driftwood Troubadours’
performed a range of songs including their composition, ‘St Hubert’s, the little church on the
hill’. Deb Henning-Vears played a number of pieces on the newly refurbished 1913 church
organ, supported by renditions from John and Jackie Butt.
During the afternoon, Tim Norriss, trustee of the Hampshire Swift Society, talked about the
fascinating life of swifts, regular summer visitors to the Idsworth valley.
The event was a great success and £500 was raised.
***

Thanks to the generosity of local farmer, Andrew Fisk, the Friends Trust held its second
Musical Picnic on 23 rd July. Once again, the weather was superb, and the plans for a wet
weather programme could be put aside. Picnics were assembled in the field on the south side
of the church where our audience could sit and enjoy a glass of wine in the warm evening
sunshine.
It was great to welcome back Katie’s Crooked Swing Band for this event: the catchy music
by this talented six-piece jazz band was very well received by the 240 people attending.
A splendid total of £1600 was raised.

The Sun Shines on St Hubert’s for the Musical Picnic

The sun shone and the skies were blue for the Musical Picnic held against the backdrop of St Hubert’s, ‘the little church in the field’. Some 175 picnickers attended the event on Saturday 14th August, organised by the Idsworth Church Friends Trust, their first such event since the easing of the Covid lockdown. The event, conceived by trustee Ann Hartley, was a Musical Picnic for families and friends of all ages. ‘We wanted to stage an event where people could come with friends and family but be able to socially distance and enjoy their picnics whilst listening to some jazz and some folk music.’ Trumpeter, Colin Berry, provided some great jazz music to get the toes tapping whilst the Driftwood Troubadours, Gordon Charlesworth and Dave Mitchell, sang a range of their own folk songs. ‘St Hubert’s, the little church on the hill’ proved an especially popular rendition. The evening was rated a great success. ‘How lovely to be out and about enjoying ourselves once again’, remarked one contented member of the audience as the sun set over the Idsworth Valley. Andrew Callender, Chairman, The Idsworth Church Friends Trust