On Sunday 7th July the congregation gathered with other community groups to celebrate the Churches' patron St Thomas a Beckett and bless the World War One memorial.
Lanercost Primary School Visit in May
Children from Lanercost School visited Farlam Church as part of their study of the history of RMS Titanic and Chief Engineer Joseph Bell. They looked around the church, visited the memorial and said prayers of thanks they had written themselves.
Remembrance Day Service
November 11th, 10.50am led by Janice Murray
Unloading the display made by class 2 at Hallbankgate School
The poppies were made at school. The children learnt about live in WW1 from letters and diaries and they wrote out some memorable parts.
The Church was open on the 22nd June
The beautiful Victorian tiled floor as revealed for the first time in decades, Armed with micro fibre clothes and brushes it was carefully cleaned. Water would have created a mud pack with the fine dust making it difficult to bring the colours out. As each tile was cleaned it looked better and better. The whole chancel looked a lot lighter. There is still some work to do on some of the glue but a good days cleaning.
Whilst this was happening the alter cloths were laid out, brushed and vacuumed. Then packed with tissue into a clean box to keep mice and moths off.
We welcomed a number of visitors to the church and hope they enjoyed looking round.
Conservation and cleaning training.
Members of churches across the county gathered in Farlam church on the 19 April. Under the experienced eye of John Greenwood, expert in conservation of historic artifacts, we were guided round the church. He explained how to clean and care for the windows and wall. What wild life to expect and how to manage it. The best way to clean wood mouldings, marble and stone was explained. Much of the equipment was brush, microfibre cloth and vacuum cleaner.
The old Victorian tiles lay under the carpet in the chancle. After rolling back the carpet we discussed the conservation and cleaning of the surface. It is hoped that they can be full uncovered and restored.
The Palm Sunday walk Carrying the cross from Cumrew to Castle Carrock
Maundy Thursday walk from Cumwhitton to Hayton. Good Friday the cross was carried from Talkin to Farlam and on to Lanercost for the Deanery service.
The Joseph Bell memorial in the old church yard has just had its annual wreath laid in memory of all the engineers who died on the 15th April 1912 when the RMS Titanic hit the iceberg.
Make your own sheep by needle felting with Brenda and Pat
Pam from Fluff n’ Nonsense in Brampton helped lots of flowers bloom by wet felting. Anyone wanting a go can book a course through her web site: pamelabarrington.com
Catherine and Clara brought their spinning wheels. Lots of people found out just how skilful out ancestors were when it came to making yarn. Catherine’s colourful fleece from natural dyes brightened up the room.
Having spun wool Lynn showed us how to croquet it into practical squares or ornamental flowers. A whole range of unique pompoms were made. After all the concentration decorating biscuits and refreshments were much appreciated.
There was a definite sheep theme to the event with pin the tail on the sheep, finding Bo Peeps lost sheep and colouring in .For those wanting a break ,a train track by the alter.
At the end of the afternoon and a drenching Ewe and Lambs left the church after a busy day. These came with Nickie from her Eden Gotland Flock. Nickie brought her peg loom and some processed wool from her sheep.
Church as a venue
The Church will soon be available to hold events, exhibitions, meetings etc. There is a large space in the centre of the church now the fixed pews have been removed. The rails at the front and back of the seating can also move away.
The building has a small kitchen and modern toilet facilities.