Friends of St Mary's

A big thank you to everyone who has and continues to support the Friends in all our fundraising efforts.

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At present some of the Friends' Committee members are working with Fr Nigel, the PCC and volunteers on options, costings, available grants, and fundraising ideas to replace the heating in the church, following the breakdown of the old system. This isn't an easy task, as there is so much to consider, including St Mary's Church's wish to comply with the Church of England’s policy of not allowing the installation of new fossil fuel boilers, and achieving net zero by 2030.

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As the main fundraisers for the church building, the Friends' Committee are always busy organising and running events, and trying to come up with new ideas for the future. The Committee is a very small team, so we would love some more Friends to help us with events. We've become adept at running our Donation Bar at various events, and you'd soon pick it up! We're also looking for a new Treasurer, as Michael is to stand down after several years of excellent service, keeping our accounts in order. It's not an onerous task, and Michael will be happy to 'show you the ropes.' Please have a word with our Chair, Nick Cottam, if you'd like to join us.

 

NEXT EVENT

'Burdock Scones & the Mystery of the Tricky Triads'

Sunday 18th October at 3pm

An entertainment of music, nonsense and a tall yarn, with 'Stacks of Sax'

(a Suffolk and Essex based saxophone group who have performed in the area for over 25 years)

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So far in 2026 the Friends have hosted:

 

'Hope against Hope,' an event introduced by the Rector, and chaired by Sir Nick Young, where Ukrainian people living in Suffolk told their own stories in an afternoon of personal testimonies, music and poetry.

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'To the Shady Woods: Music for a May Evening,' a concert by Illuminati Choir, which was a delightful mix of motets, madrigals and folk songs from across the centuries. 

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Leee John Jazz Quartet, a fabulous evening to begin Woodbridge Art & Music Festivals 'Civil Nights' Festival.

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In June we supported the Church Summer Fair, and we will have a mulled wine & mince pies 'bar' at the Christmas Fair on 28th November, and during the (Woodbridge Rotary organised) town Christmas Carols on Market Hill on 16th December.

 

In August we were delighted when our Secretary, Kay, won the silent auction for a generously donated painting of St Mary's Church by Michael Coulter - we had no influence on the result!

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In September Jan Pulsford invited us to run our 'infamous' donation bar at the opening event of the Woodbridge Ambient Music Festival, a ceilidh, with music from Aartwork, held in the church hall. Rumour has it that Linda & Alison may have joined in with a dance or two! The bar will be open again at the Tom Rogerson & Friends concert on Saturday 26th September, at 7pm.​