St.Wilfrids Church, Egginton (DE65 6HP) enjoys a joint benefice with St.Helens, Etwall.  Rector - Rev Fiona Solman Tel: (01283) 732349. Licensed Lay-Readers - John Cowdery, Peter Jackson Choir Master John Cowdery Churchwardens - Kay Marples, Anne Hill The Rector and Churchwardens are assisted in their responsibilities for the upkeep of the Church (its buildings, contents and community) by the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and many members who give freely of their time and talents for the church they love. Please take some time to read  My Confidence in God  (a meditation on Psalm 139), and A Letter from God St. Wilfrids possesses a lovely warm and peaceful atmosphere, like many ancient places of worship.  This is attributable, in no small part, to the synthesis of many centuries of devotion and worship by those who have gone before. Today we seek to continue that tradition and because of the help of so many people, we feel that our human efforts are blessed by God.  However, like all great work, there is always room for more helpers! Do you have talents and abilities which you would like to employ in the services of God and his community here in Egginton?  Here are just a few of the ways in which you could help:  St. Wilfrids Choir will always welcome new voices - in all departments. Administrative and financial skills will greatly benefit the work of the PCC and its sub-committees. Bell ringers (experienced or novice) are always welcome. Invaluable is the work we undertake with children - are you a leader, or do you just enjoy working with, and encouraging, young people? Flower decorations are a tradition here - do you have particular gifts in this direction? St. Wilfrids is blessed with a beautiful, well-kept churchyard - but there is always more to do: gardening, clearing, tending. Our annual cleaning rota guarantees a warm and fresh welcome to all - friends and visitors alike - and there is always room for an extra helper. Needless to say we always have a deficit in meeting our financial commitments to a building of this nature.  Any gifts you are able to make - a living contribution or a legacy - will always be very greatly appreciated. And, if you simply wish to join us for worship, then you can be assured of a special Egginton welcome at any of our services. The usual pattern is as follows, although these can change depending on the season.   9:30 am Afternoon/Evening 1st Sunday of Month Holy Communion 6:30pm Evensong 2nd Sunday Family Service No Service 3rd Sunday Holy Communion 4th Sunday Morning worship or Holy Communion 5th Sunday Open Church takes place from 2.00p.m. – 4.00p.m. during the first Wednesday of each month. A warm welcome is extended to visitors to join us for a chat, cup of tea and cake. St Wilfrid’s is a beautiful grade 1 Listed building with many historical points of interest within the building. Anyone researching their family history may find this an opportune time to hunt through the records that we have. Every 2nd Thursday of the month there is a Prayer Book Holy Communion service at 11:15am. Other activities associated with St. Wilfrid’s include:  Monthly bible-study meetings on the 1st Monday at 7.30pm; Occasional mid-week services and prayer meetings (30 minutes of prayer and meditation in church 10am on the 2nd Wednesday of the month) Monday Club Brown Bear Club Communion Club Sales of books, Fairtrade produce, village maps and souvenir tea-towels Annual St. Wilfrid’s night concert (Friday nearest to 12th October) Annual fête (usually the 1st Saturday in July) There are 13 bird boxes in the churchyard. These are monitored each Springtime and the fledglings are ringed. The records of which boxes are occupied, with what type of bird, how many eggs and how many chicks are registered on http://www.bto.org/nbc/index.htm Egginton Willow Festival Osier growing used to be a local industry in Egginton, supplying local basket and besom makers. The osiers were cut, boiled and stripped in April and May, when women and children were employed to do much of the vast amount of work involved. On completion of the stripping, the village celebrated with an Osier Feast. It is thought this tradition died out at the end of the 19th century as the willow industry declined. Some remnants of the old osier beds remain in the local fields, and cricket bat willows still grow near the River Dove. Renewed interest in this past tradition resulted in the revival of a Willow Festival in May 2005.  In 2009 a 3rd Willow Festival took place during the weekend of April 25th - 26th. The new build in the Memorial Hall provided accommodation for stalls and teas during the day and a barn dance in the evening. Lisa Brown opened the event and crowned the Willow Princess. A mysterious Green Man accompanied the Princess in leading a procession of Morris dancers and villagers to Mabel’s Lodge where Professor Rainer Goldsmith recounted the traditions and history of willow growing. During the afternoon he also led a ghost walk around the village. In church there was a Flower Festival depicting occupations carried out by residents of Egginton during the last century. There were Power Point presentations and a photographic history display depicting the village over the last hundred years. On the Sunday a Celtic Service took place in church and refreshments were served throughout the day for the visitors. The proceeds for this event were used to benefit the new heritage centre, now accommodated in the old Post Office building. Funds were given to extend the gravel path in Wilf’s Haven and to purchase Autumn Crocus for planting to celebrate the 1300th anniversary of the death of St Wilfrid. A photographic book recording the 3rd Willow festival was purchased. Funds were put aside for the purpose of having a workshop on willow weaving prior to the next festival in 2011.. .In recent years a Breathing Places grant together from funds from Willow Festivals have been used to create Wilf’s Haven This is an area at the far end of the churchyard where visitors can enjoy the peace and solitude of a wildlife area  Donations were given by BIFFA, for hand rails, and the Horticultural Association and Toyota for seating Wilf’s Haven was officially opened on 2 May 2008.  Come and admire our two new stained glass windows, complementing the medieval glass that is so much a part of our heritage. Whether a parishioner or a visitor you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome when you come to St. Wilfrid’s. Unfortunately, like most other churches, we find it necessary to keep St. Wilfrid’s locked. For access, please apply to one of the Church Wardens. However, the church is open on the first Wednesday of every month, between 2pm and 4pm. Why not come along for a cup of tea, a look through the parish records, a chat with friends, or simply for a time of quiet away from the day's noise and business.  We look forward to meeting you at St. Wilfrid’s Church, Egginton.