Ascension Service
Our Benefice Ascension service is on Thursday 26th May at 7.30pm in St Bart’s.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
On Sunday 5th June we will be joining with the Free Church in Pickford’s Park at 10.30am to have an outdoor ecumenical service. After this we will be celebrating the Jubilee by having a picnic (also in the park), which will include fun outdoor games for kids & the young at heart. Please come along if you can and feel welcome to invite others to the service (10.30am) and/or the picnic (approx. 11.30am).
VILLAGE TAKES A STEP BACK IN TIME
Take a step back in time this summer, when the streets of Desford come alive with its rich and fascinating history.
A special festival will take place in the village over the Weekend of July 2nd and 3rd.
Desford will be divided into time zones, from the medieval era to the world wars.
In each zone, residents and visitors will be transported back in time by a whole host of re-enactors, musicians, actors and entertainers – experiencing what Desford might have been like in each era.
The festival will also officially launch a brand new heritage trail around the historic village, which will be unveiled for the first time during the weekend’s festivities.
The trail comprises of 16 heritage boards, which will showcase specific aspects of Desford’s history and provide a legacy for future generations of villagers.
The project, a joint initiative by two prominent community groups – Desford & District Local History Society (DDLHS) and Desford in Bloom (DiB) - has taken nearly five years to get off the ground, from funding to fruition.
Chair of Desford Parish Council, Colin Crane, said “The completion of the heritage trail is such a fantastic achievement. It will really connect residents and allow them to discover so much more about their village.”
Kate Twitchin, member of DDLHS, has led the project from its infancy and devised the idea for a special festival weekend.
Kate said: “I have lived in the village most of my life and having the opportunity to share its history has been a privilege. We are so lucky to live in a place where its origins stretch so far back in time. That deserves to be celebrated and preserved.
“The festival will provide the perfect opportunity to unveil the trail to the public and to put on the biggest celebration of Desford’s history that it has ever seen.”
Dozens of community groups, including the churches, schools, pubs, shops and other local businesses are involved with the staging of the festival.
Desford Parish Councillor and member of Desford in Bloom, Pat Crane, said: “Desford has had many new residents during the pandemic who have not been able to experience what our village has to offer. This is a unique opportunity to do just that - showcasing all community groups and celebrating residents’ shared heritage.”
There will be a fusion of history around Desford as residents and visitors experience everything from Medieval sword fighting to life in a Victorian school room and much, much more.
The village will be alive with the sights, smells and sounds of each unique time period in this fun-packed weekend.
There is a 1940s night planned for Saturday 2nd July, with entertainers set to recreate some of the era’s classic music. Tickets for this will go on sale in February, so keep your eyes peeled because it’s first come first served.
Further details about the festival and the heritage trail can be found at: www.facebook.com/desfordheritage
Confirmation & Baptism
On Sunday 25th September 2022 in the evening, our Benefice will be hosting the Bishop (Martyn or Saju, TBC) for a Deanery Confirmation service at St Martin’s Church. I’ve already had some enquiries from people who would like to be Confirmed and so we’re planning to organise a short preparation course for those who may wish to consider being Baptised or Confirmed. Baptism and Confirmation is a wonderful way of declaring your faith publicly and receiving the blessing and support of the wider church family in your Christian journey.
If you’re interested in this or would like to talk further, please speak to Gareth and he’d love to involve you. Depending upon who wants to be involved we will then find dates/times that work best for the group.
Facemasks update April 2022
The wearing of facemasks in places of worship is now optional.
Join Our Facebook Page Here
St. Martin's Desford Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/145136167480
Services Can Be Seen Online
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_B0Evb69xYeevGbVtX5tBA
We will continue to have online services on Sundays, these will be available by 5pm on the Sunday.
These will continue in September after our break in July and August.
Weekly Groups
Online Weekly Monday Night Prayers 7.30pm (20-30min)
This is a chance to come together to pray for our communities and for those further afield. Please do join Gareth and Rob as we gather to pray. This will be hosted on Zoom, which is a free videocall platform, so if you’ve not used Zoom before please do let Rob or Gareth know and they’ll be happy to offer some advice.
These are the login details…
Meeting ID: 881 9851 0430
Password: eveprayers
Coffee & Chat (Tuesday)
On Tuesdays from 10.30am to 12pm in St Martin’s Church Hall you are invited to come along to Coffee & Chat. This is an informal social group, open to anyone, just turn up and stay for as long as you like. Please bring a facemask.
Wednesdays at 8am – BCP Holy Communion service
Rainbows Toddler Group (Wednesday)
Calling all toddlers, on Wednesday mornings from 9.30am to 11.30am, we have fun, games, snacks & some songs in St Martin’s Church Hall. Do bring your parent or carer along and join in the fun. There is a charge of £2, but we think that’s a bargain, so do come along! Adults please bring a facemask.
Craft Group (Thursday)
The craft group is on Thursdays in St Martin’s Church. The group meets from 10am until 12pm for a chat and all sorts of crafts, just bring along a project you’d like to work on, we’d love to welcome you. Please bring a facemask
St Mart’s & St Bart’s KIDS ONLINE 
We will be doing a bi-weekly Kids Online service. As with our regular online service, this will be found on our YouTube channel
When? Every other week on Sunday…
What is it? a 10-minute, child-oriented service, with worship, story and activity
Please do spread the word and let us know what you think.
Users of St. Martin's Desford Church Hall 2022
Monday:
- Table Tennis – January – March 7.00pm – 10.00pm
Tuesday:
- Coffee & Chat: weekly 10.30am – 12 noon
- Lunches: 2nd Tuesday in month 12.30 – 2.00pm
- Loving Hands: 4th Tuesday 1pm – 4pm
- Rainbows (5 – 7 year olds) 4.45pm – 5.45pm term time
- Brownies (7 – 10 year olds) 6pm – 7.30pm term time
- Guides (10 – 14 year olds) 7.30pm – 9pm term time
Wednesday:
- Rainbows (weekly Mums & Toddlers) 9.30am – 11.30am term time
- Living Sober 6pm
Thursday:
- Zumba 10am on 1st, 2nd & 4th Thursday
- Forget me Not, on the 3rd Thursday 10.30am
- Exercise Class 5.30 - 7pm
- Yoga 7.30pm on 1st, 2nd & 4th Thursday
- Desford Wine Circle on 3rd Thursday 7.30pm
Friday:
- Tai Chi 2-3pm
Saturday:
- Occasional bookings for parties etc
Important Notice, all material on St. Martin’s Website is Copyright © of St. Martin’s Church Desford and may not be used on other sites without express permission. If you would like to use any images then please email me so I can give you a high resolution copy.
P.Stokes (Website Editor)
Email: webmaster@stmartinsdesford.org.uk
www.stmartinsdesford.org.uk