News

Find out more about the history of St Giles and how it relates to the development of Standlake as a village

Jo Hurst — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 10:34:24 +0000

Canon Sarah Sharp

Jo Hurst — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 19:21:54 +0000

Congratulations to Sarah Sharp, our former Rector,who was installed as an Honorary Cannon of Christchurch on 1 February 2025

Bellringing in Standlake

Jo Hurst — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 10:19:27 +0000

It’s been a number of years since the bells at St Giles Church, Standlake, have been rung regularly. In an attempt to rectify this, when the King’s Coronation was only a few weeks away, a call went out on the village Facebook site in March last year for would-be bellingers to make some noise for the Coronation in May. While this seemed like a tall order, a group of volunteers got together and made up for what we lacked in knowledge and experience with bags of enthusiasm. At this stage we were chiming, but since then we’ve embarked on proper training, initially with weekly sessions with lan and Catrin at Aston, plus at St Peter and St Paul’s, Broadwell, to which we’ve added Saturday morning Ringing School at St Helen’s, Abingdon, St Mary’s, Witney, St Mary’s, Kirtlington, and St Peter and St Paul, Dorchester. We’ve progressed at varying speeds, and with some having achieved our Level 1 in bell handling we thought we would be safe to start ringing for services in our own tower and the Carol Service was our first public performance! We are now ringing regularly for services and, having started with simple rounds, are extending our repertoire with some

“simple” changes with the mysteries of Plain Bob Minor and Grandsire among the many challenges that await us. We’re still brimming with enthusiasm, and a welcome spin-off of the venture has been the group’s friendship and team spirit (together with plenty of ribbing), not to mention the occasional evening at the local pub.

We are very grateful for the expert teaching, patience and encouragement of so many, and special thanks must go to Catrin and lan from Aston (and Hilary, Martin and Phil), who have given up so much of their time over the last ten months.

Alan Mordue

Standing with Giants

Jo Hurst — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 22:00:47 +0000

A group from the Benefice Churches had a great time doing their bit to get a few more silhouettes ready to be shipped off to Normandy. We applaud the huge effort by Dan Barton on this amazing project.

Standing with Giants will install a staggering 1,475 silhouettes across the wild meadow fields of the British Normandy Memorial called ‘For Your Tomorrow’ in April 2024 – Mid August 2024. The 1,475 giants reflect the number of servicemen who died serving under British command on D-Day itself. The public will be able to see this installation as part of the D-Day 80 commemorations throughout Spring and Summer 2024.

Lest we forget

Bingo! Saturday 16 March 2024

Jo Hurst — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 19:53:48 +0000

Thank you!

Jo Hurst — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 19:51:09 +0000

So many people contribute to church life across the Benefice; not all of them come to services regularly (or even occasionally). But they quietly get on with so many different tasks, often unseen and usually unthanked. It was decided that these often unsung heroes should be unsung no more!

A Benefice “Thank You” party was organised – can you believe that more than a hundred invitations were sent out for a late January evening? It was a lovely occasion. Fairy lights and chatter, wine and cheesy stars, Lindt chocolates and laughter!

Epiphany Christingle

Jo Hurst — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 11:54:53 +0000

This joyful celebration of Jesus as Light of the World was a special way to start 2024. It brought all ages together in a circle of light around the church, spreading a message of HOPE. Having the Church Bells ringing and the Standlake Belles playing the handbells made the event extra special.

BINGO! Saturday 16th December

Jo Hurst — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:55:50 +0000

Come and join us at Stanton Harcourt Village Hall. Doors open 6:30, Eyes down 7:30

Bar, Optional Christmas Fancy Dress (for a prize)

St Giles Leaf Clear – November 2023

Jo Hurst — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:25:24 +0000

A HUGE thank you from our Rector, Jo, for the tremendous effort of many kind villagers who gave of their time to come and help clear the churchyards in Standlake of leaves. It was the most successful churchyard clear to date, and we are hugely grateful for everyone’s kindness is helping to keep this community space looking lovely. The bacon and sausage baps were also a great hit – so big thanks to all those who helped cook and serve refreshments! Until next year – thank you!

Coronation Services – May 7 2023

Jo Hurst — Tue, 09 May 2023 09:35:04 +0000

There was a service at every Church in the Benefice to celebrate the Coronation and each village had its own community celebration later in the day. Rev Jo had breakfast at Stanton Hardcourt, Lunch in Northmoor, Tea in Standlake and then onto Yelford. Do you remember the Vicar of Dibley at Christmas? It was a bit like that.

Here are the Standlake Belles who played after the service at St Giles then again at the Village Tea later.