10 ½ mile walk around the historic churches of Reepham Benefice of St Peter & St Paul’s Salle, St Andrew’s Wood Dalling, St Andrew’s Thurning and the Churches of Reepham churchyard St Mary’s,   St Michael & All Angels and the ruins of All Saints

Three years ago, during repairs in Reepham Church Street, ancient bones were dug up. The Norwich Archaeologists were immediately interested and excited. All digging stopped, the area was cordoned off, and painstaking research was undertaken by the specialists. The people of Reepham were enthralled and delighted when it was established that the remains were lying in a Saxon Ditch, and some of the skeletons dated from the 13th 14th centuries. Finally the remains were taken away for further research.

In June this year the 63 skeletons were returned to Reepham. A large grave was dug in the south east corner of the beautiful churchyard, close to the road where the bones had been uncovered. This was the first grave to be dug in the churchyard for many decades.

On June 17th 150 Reepham residents assembled for a short service in St, Mary's Church. Shortly before the service most of the bones were placed in the grave. At the start of the service, one representative bag, wrapped in Hessian, was carried by the Chairman of the Town council, James Joyce, and placed at the head of the nave
The service, in olde English, was conducted by The Venerable John Ashe, Archdeacon of Lynn, assisted by the Rt. Rev Tony Foottit. and The Reverend Charles Hall.

Following the service a long solemn procession was formed behind the clergy and Mr Joyce, once again carrying the old bones. The space round the grave was filled with Reepham people, standing in silence as they honoured their unknown friends from 700 years ago After the words of the final committal, three pupils from Reepham High School placed roses in the grave.

The people then moved to St. Michael's, the second church in Reepham churchyard, They enjoyed an exhibition prepared by pupils from the High School depicting life in Reepham in the 14th century, Another display, prepared the Norfolk Archaeologists explained more details about the find of bones. The Reepham Society and members of the church hosted the reception.  Pupils from the school read from fictional diaries of the time and Dr Andrew Rogerson, a landscape archaeologist addressed the assembly.

Proposed Headstone

There are plans for a headstone to commemorate the event. A design for this has been prepared by Teucer Wilson, a local stonecutter. The Town Council have pledged over £2000 towards the cost of this; the people of Reepham will need to find the remaining £800. The words of the headstone will read: "Here lie Unknown Friends from the !4th century, laid to rest by the people of Reepham, June 2010. 'Their Souls are known by God!'"

The Reepham congregation held its Rogation Walk on Sunday 10th May, led by Bishop Tony.  Nearly 40 people of all ages met on the Market Place at the start of the outdoor service, which went on to  visit the Doctor’s Surgery, the Primary School vegetable gardens and the Fire Station.  En route we joined our Methodist friends for a hymn, prayer and reading at the chapel. Other readers were a Police Community Support Officer, a Nurse, a Retained Fireman and the Head Teacher of the Primary School. We were delighted to be accompanied by the Reepham Rover minibus which allowed those who find walking difficult to take part. Some of the children also had a ride. The service ended at St Mary’s and all enjoyed the refreshments provided in St Michael’s.

On Tuesday 23rd December, the Benefice heard the sad news that Marion Key, Churchwarden of Thurning, passed away peacefully.

Marion was an extremely popular person both in Thurning and throughout the Benefice, and will be sadly missed.

There will be a service to give thanks for her life on Thursday 8th January 2009 at 2:00pm in Thurning Church, following a private family cremation.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Francis and the rest of the family at this time.

Wood Dalling Church are thrilled to announce that they have received a cheque for the sum of £9000 following the Music in Country Churches concerts this summer. The first Concert, held on 30th July, was held in the presence of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and was a huge success. This kind donation from Music in Country Churches comes just at the right time with a death watch beetle infestation having been identified in the south aisle timers earlier this year.

“We have lift off!”

After many months of planning, our new website was launched at a special service in Reepham on 11th November.

The service invited us to reflect on our past, present and future, those who have shaped our past, and what the website means in terms of our outreach.

After the service in Church, Sally Bishop, granddaughter of L/Cpl Leonard H Barber (see memorials page) laid a wreath in his memory and in memory of all those whose names are recorded in the benefice as losing their lives in war.

The Last post was sounded, the British Legion colours were dipped, and after the sounding of Reveille, and a few words from our Rector, we grabbed a glass of wine, and were able to see the website pages projected onto a screen.

The general opinion ? Well most people said the site exceeded their expectations!

An alternative service for peace was arranged in the Reepham Benefice; some 16 people attended what proved to be a moving and sometimes personal occasion.

Candles were lit by individuals and prayers were said, each asking for peace in our world, our community and within each other.

Music was provided by one of our resident organists, with the group singing not only three beautiful pieces of recent times but also a wonderful song now more widely known as being sung by the African Children’s Choir.

Incense was used and communion shared in what can only be described as a deeply meaningful service of hope.