New Cross
Finishes off Nocton Church’s Nave and Chancel Re-Roofing
The re-roofing of Nocton
Church’s nave and chancel roofs, begun last July, has been
completed by the addition of a new Ancaster stone cross. The
original Victorian cross at the west end of the nave fell down in a
storm around eighteen years ago. Paul Mendham Stonemasons took a
rubbing of the surviving cross at the east gable of the nave and
later carved a copy of it for the west end. The new cross was put
into place on 3 May. The dates ‘1862’ and ‘2012’ are carved
on it, to mark the 150th anniversary of the finest Victorian Gothic
Revival church in Lincolnshire. The cross stands about five feet
high, and can be seen from a distance when approaching Nocton
village.
Fundraising
Having received generous
grants from English Heritage and the Lincolnshire Churches Trust
among others, people in the village are continuing fundraising
efforts to cover the costs and VAT of the roofing and the new cross,
the installation of new lighting in the chancel to show off the
ceiling and roof timber decoration, and the renewal of stencilling
around the east window. Still to come are the restoration of the
figures of two apostles in the chancel wall paintings, drainage
works, and repairs to the disabled ramp and churchyard light.
Donations have been coming in to help meet the target of £40,000.
Coming up soon in Nocton
Church is the Ellys Manor House Chamber Music
Festival. On Friday 18 May at 7 p.m.,
Saturday 19th May at 7.30 p.m. and Sunday 20th
May at 4 p.m., Clive Taylor of Ellys Manor House is putting on a
concert series of music for voice and ensemble by among others, Bach,
Handel and Telemann, performed on baroque cello, harpsichord, flute
and violin, by artists of international standing. For information
and tickets, phone Stamford Arts Centre on 01780 763203,
(www.ellysmanor.com).
The
Nocton Church Flower Festival Weekend runs
from Friday 29 June to Sunday 1 July 2012, with the theme of ‘Our
Village in 1862: Celebrating Nocton Church’s 150th anniversary.’
On the Friday at 7.30pm is the Flower Festival Preview Evening.
Admission (by ticket only) is £5, including wine and superior
canapés. On Saturday 30 June, and Sunday 1 July, the church is open
for visitors to the Flower Festival from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. There will
be refreshments on sale and a plant stall. On Saturday evening (30
June) at 7.30 p.m., the Lincoln Minster School Chamber Choir (Choir
of the Year 2010 category finalists) will give a varied concert of
choral music, catering to all musical tastes. Tickets are £9,
(under 16s free). The combined ticket price for the preview and
concert is £12. The Flower Festival will close on Sunday 1 July at
6 p.m. with a Service of Songs of Praise. Tickets are available from
Sue Morris (01526 321455). For more information see
www.nocton-church.blogspot.com
and www.noctonfestival2012.vpweb.co.uk.
