Following a Christmas lunch with the Clergy Chapter of Ingworth & Sparham Deanery, Bishop Graham joined in with Buxton Primary School’s Christingle service at St Andrew’s Church, Buxton. The service resounded with lively singing from the school children, covering a variety of Christmas classics.
Bishop Graham then went on to the Manor Care Home, Aylsham – a 17th-century building serving as home to some 30 residents. The choir from St Michael’s Church of England Primary School joined him and the Manor’s residents gathered to sing carols and Christmas songs.
Staying on an Advent theme, the Bishop travelled to Salle Farm to see where many local Norfolk Christmas trees are grown. The staff there explained the differences of the varieties of tree they grow and supply to garden centres and farmshops iacross the county. The farm’s 34 hectares of land are solely given over to growing rows and rows of Christmas trees, and they also have a shop selling local produce and Christmas wreaths.
From Christmas to creative reuse; Bishop Graham then went indoors to see the Aladdin’s cave of art and craft that is Mini-Scrapbox, Reepham. Mini-Scrapbox is a charity that saves hundreds of perfectly usable “waste” items from landfill and sells them to local artists, craftspeople, and schools. Their aim is to educate people about the reuse of clean, safe commercial and industrial “waste” – such as overs, reject goods, ends of ranges etc.
The day ended with Bishop Graham being interviewed in Bawdeswell Village Hall with members of the deanery and Christmas music chosen by Bishop Graham.
