MARCH 2026
Special services in March
15th March – Mothering Sunday 08.00 at Apuldram when flowers will be distributed.
29th March – Palm Sunday 09.30 Benefice Eucharist at Fishbourne. There will be no 08.00 at Apuldram.
Church Road
Church Road was completely flooded two years ago. And now? Just some puddles but easily navigable. In spite of the interminable rain throughout January and February and a great deal of localised flooding, the drainage work carried out in 2024 has held up and the road and corner on Appledram Lane have remained relatively dry. Such a relief!
Remembering Ritson Gillings
Ritson, a longtime resident of Apuldram, died early in February. For many years he was a regular worshipper at St Mary’s and a member of the PCC. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Jean and all his family.
Church visitors
The church will be open again every day from Easter until the end of October. It is interesting, and sometimes surprising, to look back at the previous year to see where those who wrote in the visitors’ book have come from and to read their comments. In 2025 the majority were UK visitors, most relatively local but also ranging from Cornwall through to the Midlands. At least six entries came from people closely linked to the church, either with relatives buried in the churchyard or having grown up in Apuldram. In addition there were visitors from the USA, Australia and New Zealand – but only one from the EU. However, wherever visitors came from they all appreciated the peace and beauty of the church and warmly commented on the flower displays, especially at festival times. Let’s see who visits in 2026!
Bishop Martin to retire from office
As readers will be aware, Bishop Martin has announced that he will retire from office at the end of May 2026. The suffragan bishops, Bishop Will (the Bishop of Lewes) and Bishop Ruth (the Bishop of Horsham) will together oversee the life of the diocese during the vacancy which is likely to be between twelve and eighteen months.
Easyfundraising
It really is easy to raise funds for St Mary’s! Just start your online shopping journey at easyfundraising, then shop as normal with any of its 7,000+ brand partners. When you make a purchase, the brand partner will make a small donation to your chosen cause.
Here’s how to do it:
- Go to easyfundraising.org.uk
- Click on “Find a cause”
- In the box type St Mary’s Church – Apuldram, then click Search Cause
- On the next page click on St Mary’s Church – Apuldram
- This page shows you how to sign up and support St Mary’s
It is very straightforward and we could raise so much more for the church if everyone gave their support. Next time you shop online please go to easyfundraising and sign up if you have not already done so.
St Mary’s Meeting Room is available to hire Please email apuldramchurch@gmail.com for information