What is the Contemplation Garden?

The Contemplation Garden is next to St Giles’ Church. It is managed sustainably in harmony with nature. It was originally sown with a wildflower meadow mix in 2013.

Additions in recent years have included native trees, climbers and bulbs, as well as hedges, benches, and boxes for bees and birds.

Volunteers maintain several distinct habitats: hedge, scrub, log piles, stone piles and meadow. Consequently the area around the church now supports more than 200 native species.

What’s new in the Garden this spring?

The views to the south towards the Ridgeway have been opened up, with work undertaken to remove excess ivy and prune trees. A wych elm given by the Diocese has been planted on the eastern boundary (bordering ‘Siberia’).

Anne and Mat have planted snowdrops, small daffodils and native bluebells.  Nest boxes have been cleaned ready for use, and a new bee house has been installed for native bees.

Established wild flowers to see in the garden now include primroses, aconites, white and purple violets, celandine and lords and ladies (in leaf).

Who maintains the Garden?

Anne Hamling, Lindsay O’Kelly, Mat Dempsey and Jacqueline Pumphrey are currently looking after the Garden. If you have any questions about it or would like to get involved, please contact Anne Hamling, [email protected]
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Dear all, 
 
Our next concert in the Stonevale Concert Series will be on Sunday, the 15th of March at 4 pm, at St Giles Church, Great Coxwell.  Treat your mum and come and join us.  Included in the ticket price is the usual glass of wine/soft drink, but also some tasty nibbles to celebrate the special day.  
 
Book your tickets here, or at the door (cash preferred as the internet is weak in the church!)
 
Please spread the word, as proceeds go towards the artists' fees and the St Giles Roof Fund Charity.
 
Best wishes,
Lynette
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Dear all,
 
This is my evening of marketing all of the wonderful music that is happening at St Giles Church, in Great Coxwell.  We have not only a concert on Sunday the 15th, but also an evening concert on Friday 13th of March, at 7 pm, where some of the award holders at Abingdon School will give a recital.  The concert will include a huge variety of instruments, as well as repertoire and some chamber music.   The concert is completely free, but it would be helpful to book seats here just to keep an eye on numbers. 
 
 Please come and support these young musicians.  
 
Best wishes,
Lynette

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I would like to convey my huge "thanks" to everyone who came along to the joyous soiree last Friday to send me on my way to pastures new. It was a wonderful evening, and I felt honoured to be with you and hear your many encouraging comments and best wishes for my future.
 
A very special "thank  you" to Pam, Pauline and Mandy (and their team of excellent helpers) who not only organized the event but provided such delicious and varied canapes to have with the fine wine.

Thanks also for the tribute, the beautiful flowers and cards and for the very generous gift voucher which will be used to purchase something for my new house and garden.
 
It has been a great privilege for me to get to know you over these past five years and to feel a real part of the village community. I will take away with me so many good and positive memories of my time here. 
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I wish you God's Blessings in everything you do for the village, for the support you give to the Church and above all, your friendship,
 
Sincerely,
Maureen

Dear all,
 
Please find the details about the next concert at St Giles, Great Coxwell.  Please spread the word so we can fill the church - money will go towards the artists' fee and the Church Roof Fund Charity.
 
Book tickets here, or buy at the door, cash or card accepted.
 
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Best wishes,
Lynette

In case you missed the last notice The Great Coxwell Village Community Group are holding a
‘Farewell and Thank You’ to our Vicar, Maureen, who is retiring and moving on to pastures new.
 
Friday 13th February
6-7.30 pm
Reading Room
Drinks and Nibbles
 
If you haven’t already let us know for catering purposes it would be good to know if you are joining us.  Children are welcome.
 
Please contact Pauline Durham on 07388506995 or Pamela Smith on 07744363697

Jane is having a Coffee Morning for Rev Maureen
 
You are warmly invited to a Farewell Coffee Morning for Rev Maureen Turner at 10.30am on Tuesday 17th February 2026 with Jane Holmes at Foxley.
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St Giles Church 100 Club was initiated by village resident Helen Anderson in 1983 and it has continued with a varying membership (from 70 in 1995 to 48 in 2025).  The 100 Club has raised at least £450 every year for church funds,  which has been used towards the actual running expenses of St Giles i.e. insurance, lighting, heating, and other routine outgoings including the annual Parish Share which has to be paid to the Oxford Diocese (approx. £5,500 per year). 

Friends of St Giles is a new group which has been specially set up to raise funds for the major repairs needed for  the church roof so this group is not currently able to  assist in raising funds for the actual annual maintenance costs. Stonevale Concerts at St Giles contribute to Friends of St Giles.

Because there have been quite a few changes in Great Coxwell over the last 40 years, it has now been agreed by the St Giles Church Council that the 100 Club is to be discontinued and for other ways of raising funds to be found – previously it has been coffee mornings,  plant sales etc. and a summer fete but perhaps a driveway - or boot-sale could be initiated or more updated ways of raising funds on a regular basis found in order to help meet the costs of maintaining our beautiful and historic church.  If you have any ideas, please let the PCC (Parochial Church Council) know.

The PCC may be contacted via any church member or by email to Sue Homersham, our Senior Benefice Warden  ([email protected])
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Maureen will be finishing as our Vicar – her last service in Great Coxwell being on Sunday 8 February.  Maureen joined our village and the Badbury Benefice during Covid and has been our Vicar for 5 years.  Maureen has seen many of us through highs and lows and we would like to thank her for all her devotion.  It goes without saying the entertainment on Christmas Eve at the Barn!  Maureen is now retiring and moving on to pastures new.

The Great Coxwell Village Community Group would like to invite you to join us to say good-bye to Maureen on Friday 13th February at the Reading Room.  There will be small eats (some children friendly) and a drink.  This will be between 6.00 pm and 7.30 pm. 

For catering purposes, it would be good to know if you are joining us – please contact

Pam Smith – 07443636497
Pauline Durham - 07388506995

For those interested in knowing when the Church services occur in Great Coxwell and other villages of this Benefice, details are printed on the back page of the recent Church Newsletter. An electronic version is attached and the last page with the calendar is shown below.

Link to Newsletter.
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