The Friends

St Thomas à Becket Church, Framfield
Friends Association

About The Friends

By way of introduction, my name is Peter Berry. Currently I am Chairman of the Friends of St Thomas à Becket, our parish Church. The Friends were formed just over ten years ago by the then Vicar, Canon Geoffrey Daintree, the late Tony Carter, and several like-minded people. They clearly saw the pivotal place this lovely church and churchyard has had, and continues to have, in the life and heritage of our parish. This has been so for countless generations over hundreds of years. Equally they understood the need to move the burden of upkeep and maintenance from sitting on the shoulders of the congregation alone.

So the Friends were formed with this specific task in mind. Any funds we raise go only to this purpose. So membership of the Friends is open to absolutely anyone; all that is required is an appreciation of the beautiful and historic church we have in our parish.

Funds are raised through annual subscriptions and social activities. In recent years Friends have organised concerts, open gardens and dinners. Since it was formed the Friends Association has contributed to the overhaul of the organ, roof repairs, the refurbishment of the Gage Chapel, the recasting of the bells and repairs to the stonework of the church windows. We are currently refurbishing the buildings iron guttering. Over £75,000 has been raised since the association was formed to maintain this beautiful building. 

New members are always welcome and events offer the opportunity for meeting people throughout the parish church goers and non churchgoers alike. Forms are available in the church and from the church office.

If anyone has ideas for social events or fundraising activities the committee would be more than glad to hear them. In addition the committee would like one or two more people to join them; ensuring the maintenance of the church is an interesting project. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested.

There are various ways in which you might care to consider supporting the Friends - an annual subscription, a donation, helping to organize or even hosting an event etc.

If so, please either:

  • Email us using the form below
  • Write to The Friends Association, Church Office, Vicarage Barn, Framfield, East Sussex, TN22 5NH enclosing a stamped addressed envelope to receive further details.
  • Fill in and send the form below (a copy of the details submitted will be sent to your inbox):
Name:
Telephone number:
Email address:
 

 

Activities in 2012/2013:

Church Renovation Project - Update

Preparations for beginning the work are now well underway. However, this will involve closing the main church building for three months (1st September - 1st December 2013). All services will be held in the Church Hall with the exception of the Remembrance Sunday Service (10th November) which will be held in the Framfield Memorial Hall.

Financially, ~£57,000 has been raised to date with £13,000 to go. If anyone would like to make a donation towards achieving the final figure it would be very much appreciated. A big thank-you to everyone who has already contributed; your generosity will enable Framfield Church to continue to be a delightful place of worship for this generation and the generations to come.

The Restoration Appeal was launched at a Special Service on
Sunday 25th March 2012

Activities in 2010:

  • By kind invitation of Dr and Mrs M Gurney a picnic and entertainment evening in their beautiful gardens at The Hundred House was arranged for 1 August. True to form for English weather what was hoped to be a beautiful summer day turned out to be very wet and unsettled and at short notice the event was re-organised and held in the Memorial Hall. However, despite the last-minute change of venue 85 people spent a thoroughly enjoyable evening with entertainment provided by singers 'Bubsie and Dougie', and Bertie Pearce, a member of the Inner Magic Circle, who performed amazing illusions. The event was also a financial success, raising £1168.
  • The bonfire social evening on 5 November, held in the vicarage paddock, was once again a very popular event. Over 100 people attended and enjoyed excellent refreshments, mulled wine and a raging bonfire. This was a non-profit event, although a profit of £57 was made.
  • On 12 March the 'Friends' organised a dinner at the Wok Inn, Holland, followed by a talk by film maker David Batty. This event was a great success, attracting 87 people and raising around £630.

Activities in 2009:

Ashdown Singers Concert - A net profit of £242.24 was raised for church funds. A big thank you to all who came and supported the event and to Delia and Frances and the team for the excellent catering and to Richard and Sarah for looking after the drinks.

Open Garden : A picnic and entertainment evening by kind permission of Dr & Mrs M Gurney. In spite of being driven by the weather to the Memorial Hall this was a great success and we much enjoyed raising £1194.