Hethersett at the Millennium

EVENTS AT ST REMIGIUS

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ST REMIGIUS MILLENNIUM FLOWER FESTIVAL

PLANTING OF HETHERSETT'S MILLENNIUM YEW TREE

HETHERSETT'S MILLENNIUM YEW

TIME CAPSULE

FAREWELL TO PHIL AND BRENDA UNSWORTH

ST REMIGIUS MILLENNIUM FLOWER FESTIVAL

Two thousand years of Christianity were celebrated in an impressive Flower Festival at St Remigius Church, Hethersett, from Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st October. It was the culmination of a suggestion made three years earlier and involved much planning and preparation during the earlier months in 2000. Some thirty arrangements depicted themes representing the following:

The life and teaching of Christ
Pentecost
The early Christians
The Christian faith in this Country and notable events and people
The People of God today
The role of the Church in all times of life
The spread of the Church into all the world and how God is working his purpose out

Local flower arrangers including members from Flower Clubs in Wymondham, Costessey and Cringleford & Hethersett were responsible for the arrangements. Each display expanded an aspect of one of the main themes, the arrangers having for guidance notes prepared by the Reverend Di Lammas, which explained the significance of the events to be interpreted.
A Planning Committee from St Remigius, under the leadership of Monica Moore and Adèle Kent, provided the organisation necessary in the months leading up to and during the Festival itself. This included various fund raising during the previous year, which contributed over £1600 towards the cost of staging the Festival. Individuals, local organisations and businesses also sponsored displays.
In support of the Festival, light refreshments were available throughout, organised by Rose Smith and a catering team. The church tower was open on Sunday afternoon and musical events took place each evening. A Concert by young people on Friday night, an evening of choral and instrumental music by the Church Choir and friends on Saturday and finally, on Sunday evening, a 'Songs of Praise' with the Sprowston Band.
Kevin and Andrew Smith were the publicity team for the Festival, which was mentioned on Radio Norfolk, in the local press and advertised by posters throughout the Village. Supporting the Committee, were many other members and friends of the Church who helped in the preparation, with the catering, stewarding and welcoming the many people who visited during the three days of the Festival.
Much of the profits from the Festival are being put towards improving access to the Church.
Some of the Arrangements are pictured:-

Flower Arrangements (1) Flower Arrangements (2)

PLANTING OF HETHERSETT'S MILLENNIUM YEW TREE
AT 2.30PM ON SATURDAY 6TH MAY 2000

More than 50 people were present on a sunny afternoon to see Hethersett's Millennium Yew planted in the churchyard at St Remigius.
The ceremony commenced with a short address and a prayer by Duncan Pigg. He explained that all over Britain yews taken from trees estimated to be living at the time of the birth of Jesus are being planted in churchyards, and similar places, to mark the third millennium.
Children representing Hethersett Woodside School, Hethersett Middle School and Hethersett Old Hall School did the planting and also buried a Time Capsule nearby to the yew tree. Those involved were Bethany Aylmer , Aditi Chitale, Emma Larner, Naomi Larner, Libby Folker and Matthew Molloy.
Kate Wood organised all arrangements after receiving the tree until its planting and for the time capsule.

Duncan Pigg

Planting the Millennium Yew Burying the Time Capsule

HETHERSETT'S MILLENNIUM YEW

Hethersett received its yew tree at a service in Norwich Cathedral on Sunday 24th October 1999. The tree, which is just under 30cm tall, was looked after in locally until its planting. The three-year-old tree is one of over 7000 new trees provided by the Conservation Foundation as part of an imaginative scheme to mark the beginning of the third Christian Millennium. Yew trees, a traditional tree of the English churchyards, live to a very great age and about four years ago the Foundation began taking slips from a number of trees that have been dated at least two thousand years to the time of Christ's birth in Bethlehem. Many of the selected parent plants are three to four thousand years old! Our tree came from Old Enton Yews in Surrey which are thought to be at least two thousand years old and it's a very healthy looking new plant.

Hethersett's Millenium Yew

Millennium Yew Commemorative Plaque

TIME CAPSULE

The time capsule contains contributions from Hethersett Woodside School, Hethersett Middle School and Hethersett Old Hall School. In addition, items significant to Hethersett in year 2000 were also added. Further details are provided here.

FAREWELL TO PHIL AND BRENDA UNSWORTH

Over 100 parishioners from the United Benefice of Hethersett, Little Melton and Great Melton said farewell to the Reverend Phil and Brenda Unsworth on Sunday, 27th February 2000. A united service in St Remigius was followed by lunch at Hethersett Middle School. Phil and Brenda were presented with a painting featuring the churches of the three villages. The Reverend Di Lammas and representatives from each village spoke about the contribution made by Phil and Brenda to the Church and the community. Phil was appointed as curate in Hethersett in 1997 and has now taken up a new post at Blofield.