Shalfleet Churchyard has been the haunt of the Island’s keenest birders in the past few weeks as they seek out a scarce visitor, a hawfinch, which has been around the churchyard since the third week in January. The hawfinch is the largest of the finches. At first glance it looks like a large chaffinch but […]
Lent is just around the corner, but not before we’ve had our pancakes! Lent is the period when we commemorate the 40 days that Jesus spent in the Wilderness, being tempted by the Devil, before getting started on his ministry. It is a time for making resolutions: giving up chocolate, booze, swearing, or whatever else […]
The flag was at half mast last Wednesday to mark the funeral of our former vicar, John Ryall. The following obituary comes from another former vicar, David Bevington. David writes: A former Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight described John to me as “a traditional Anglican scholar-priest”. He had studied at Oxford and Cambridge […]
We were very sorry to hear of the death of Rev John Ryall, formerly Vicar of Shalfleet. John was Vicar from 1980-96 and was a very popular and caring member of our community. His funeral will take place in Shalfleet Church on Wednesday 31st January at 2.00 pm. All are most welcome, and there will […]
And now for the news you have all been waiting for… the winners of our Christmas Crackers Prize Draw. Shalfleet Church lies at the very heart of our village, right by the pub, and we are delighted to be supporting the jolly links between these two ancient buildings – one rather more ancient than the […]
It was lovely to see so many of you in church for our annual Christmas service, and many thanks again to Jan and her team for making it look so festive. We all owe Rev. Val a huge thank you for all her help and support during the year, and look forward to welcoming her […]
As we reflect on the lovely carol service we enjoyed last week, with the church so beautifully decorated by Jan and her amazing team of helpers, and that wonderful tree from Avril, we have to feel that… it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Thank you so much to everyone who helped make the […]
For those who have not yet heard the news, we have a new vicar! The Rev Clive Todd, currently Rector of the Lower Swale in North Yorkshire, was appointed last week as Team Rector Designate and will be licensed in April. He will have responsibility for Shalfleet…. Thorley, Calbourne, Newtown…. Brighstone, Shorwell…. (hope you’re keeping […]