St Botolphs Church
Millennium Introductory Video by Revd Paula Griffiths
An introductory video to the Millennium Celebrations by the chair of the Hadstock Millennium Group
‘Remembering: what’s the point of the past?’ by Revd Paula Griffiths
Held in St Botolph’s Church on September 15th 2016, Revd Paula Griffiths presented her views and led an interactive discussion with the attendees.
Parochial Church Council (PCC) retirements, 21st March 2017
Patricia Croxton-Smith (known to us all as Crocky) was Fabric Officer for the church for 40 years, and worked tirelessly to see it through many phases of essential building repairs from the 1960s on. She stepped down from this post at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on 21 March 2017, when Rick Albrow took her place. Robin Betser was churchwarden for 8 years and also stepped down at that meeting. Members of the congregation, the Friends of St Botolph and the Hadstock Society joined together to thank them and celebrate their achievements. Left to right: Irene Stapleton, Robin Betser, the Revd Paula Griffiths, Crocky, Hamish McIlwrick, Tony Handley and Malcolm Seward.
1020-2020 Millennium Service and Sermon, 18th October 2020
The Revd Paula Griffiths, Priest at Hadstock, led the service and gave the sermon on 18th October 2020 to celebrate the Millennium of the consecration of St Botolph’s Church. Due to restrictions caused by the prevailing Covid 19 pandemic, the congregation was limited to 30, each person spaced 2 metres apart, except for family groups. Singing was not possible.
St Botolph’s church is thought by many experts to be the minster built by King Cnut to commemorate all the dead on both sides of the Battle of Assandun in 1016 fought between the English and the Danes.
Millennium Service Sheet, 16th October 2016
This is the order of service for the commemoration event held in St Botolph’s Church on the 16th October 2016 at which former Archbishop of Canterbury, Right Reverend Rowan Williams, was the preacher.
Pictures from the Millennium Service held to commemorate the Battle of Assandun, October 2016
On Sunday 16th October 2016, Revd Paula Griffiths, Priest at St Botolph’s, led a special service to commemorate the Battle of Assandun Millennium. The preacher was the Right Reverend Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury 2002-2012.
Saxons at the Hadstock Fete, June 2016
Regia Anglorum visited the Hadstock Fete in June 2016 as a forerunner to the Battle Reenactment Celebrations later in the year. The visit proved very successful and provided an opportunity for all ages to experience Saxon Life.
2004 Seminar on the history and development of St Botolph’s Church
Read the summary of a seminar organised by the Hadstock Society and held on 8 July 2004 in which experts discussed the latest research findings into the foundations and fabric of our village church, including the north door.
BBC Essex comes to Hadstock, April 2021
On 25th April 2021, Liana Bridges and Barry Lewis from BBC Radio Essex came to St Botolph’s for a live broadcast as part of their Essex Quest programme. The team has to solve 3 cryptic clues with audience help, each of which leads them to a specific Essex destination, not more than 15 miles away.
Choral Evensong for St Botolph’s Day, 19th June, 2016
As part of the activities to commemorate the Millennium of the Battle of Assandun, evensong was sung by the choir of St Mary’s Saffron Walden. The choir was led by their Director of Music, Oli King, and Jeremy Allan played the organ.
Choral Evensong for St Botolph’s Day, 19th June 2016
The congregation gathers for a special service on St Botolph’s Day, to commemorate the 1016 Millennium year of the Battle of Assandun. The Bishop of Colchester, seen by our Saxon door, preached a sermon on ‘The Open Door’
St Botolph’s Church Baptism Records, 1871-1920
The records of 472 baptisms were transcribed by Roger Mance during the course of his research into the names on the WW1 memorial.
A Confirmation Service on Easter Eve, April 2021
The Bishop of Colchester, Rt Revd Roger Morris, led this Confirmation Service. It was the first to be held in St Botolph’s since 2007. Originally planned for July 2020, it had to be postponed twice because of Covid restrictions. Five candidates were confirmed – Melanie Abbiss, Charli Batley, Benedict Hannam, Cecily Hannam and Felix Hannam.
St Botolph’s Church on Christmas Day 2018
Light in the bleak midwinter
Visit by the British Archaeological Association, 2018
Members visited St Botolph’s church on 3 September 2018 during their annual conference in Cambridge.
The Memories of Bob Morris
Bob Morris was not only choirmaster at St Botolphs Church in the 1960s but also ran a Youth Club for a time.
Six new bells were hung in 1970
The four 18th century bells at St Botolph’s were recast by Whitechapel Foundry in 1970 to produce six new lighter weight bells.
Churchyard wall repairs
Hadstock Gravestone Records
This survey of gravestones and memorials in St Botolph’s church and churchyard was carried out by Rick Albrow in 2009/2010
Four banners created by Hadstock villagers to commemorate the Battle of Assandun in 1016AD
Four banners created by Hadstock villagers to commemorate the Battle of Assandun in 1016AD
War Records – The stories behind our WW1 war memorial, by Roger Mance
Read this fascinating research by Roger Mance into the background stories and family history of 18 men who gave their lives in the Great War, 1914-1918 AD. The names of the 18 are to be found on the village war memorial in the south transept of St Botolph’s Church, Hadstock. All were born in Hadstock or had families with a close association to our village. Roger’s account was created as a tribute to the memory, courage and sacrifice of these men and produced as part of the 2020 Millennium celebrations for the Church.
Choir with Joan Allnutt on organ, 1960s
Village view from church tower, 1998
