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The clocks are being turned back at Haveringland Church this Harvest.  Thanks to vintage farm equipment and enthusiast Graham Kirk from Aylsham we will be re-creating a traditional harvest using his binding machine. 

Graham earlier in the year planted his ‘Historic wheat’ around the Church and hoped for good weather.  At first nothing happened, but thanks to our wonderful summer the wheat which is a variety used from around 1600, is now perfect for harvesting.

The Vintage Harvest will give 21st century consumers an insight into how harvests were very much a community event before the introduction of combine harvesters.  It will be a great opportunity to re-connect with our rural heritage.  Friends from Aylsham Town Band will assist with playing some harvest hymns and a short service will include harvest blessing and of course the hymn ‘We Plough the Fields and Scatter.’

Haveringland Church stands at the end of the old Swannington World War II runway. There is a memorial stone dedicated to the service men who flew from the base at the entrance of the Church.

The modern British tradition of celebrating Harvest Festival in churches began in 1843, when the Reverend Robert Hawker invited parishioners to a special thanksgiving service at his church at Morwenstow in Cornwall.

Revd Andrew Beane, Vicar of Aylsham said “This is a wonderful opportunity to see history come alive and realize why the end of the harvest was truly a time to celebrate!  Life through the winter depended on a good harvest.  We now so often forget the absolute dependence on the land that our great grandparents generation knew, and which so many people around the world still experience.  We are so grateful to Graham who has cared for the crop throughout the year to make this special event possible.”

The Vintage Harvest is free to all and anyone is welcome to come along.  It would be wonderful to see young and old together sharing in what was once a common event all around rural Norfolk.  Why not bring a picnic and join us!

Sunday 6th October, 2.30pm – Haveringland Parish Church

Haveringland Church can be found by following the brown Church signs off the B1149

WEATHER PERMITTING – FREE EVENT – PARKING AVAILABLE – REFRESHMENTS

Related article:  The Church in the Fields

Old School Gardener