Bagshot Village

Photo by Jason Plimmer

A very big thank you to everyone who came along this evening, to the Carol Service at Bagshot Chapel. We were lucky to have the Chapel and pathways illuminated by lights ‘borrowed’ from the M3 construction team, Colas Ltd. We also had lanterns illuminating the Wall and Garden of Remembrance and the 1914 – 2014 Memorial Garden.
It was a tad chilly – inside and out, but the congregation sang with gusto, and the children gave an endearing rendition of Away in a Manger – cue tissues! Special thanks to Rev Andreas from St Anne’s, who held things together beautifully, to John, our guitarist, Nick and Mel our readers and Eugenie, who told us the sad story of Emily Jane Popejoy.
At the end of the service, many gathered around Emily’s final resting place, where a special winter floral tribute was placed. Eugenie then told us about three gentlemen, also now at rest in Bagshot Cemetery, who fought in the First World War and how their actions gave us the freedom we all enjoy today.
and finally, we sang the first verse of Silent Night, remembering Emily and the three war heroes, but also all those family and friends who are no longer with us, but always in our hearts at Christmas time. ………    Sleep in Heavenly peace ….. Sleep in Heavenly peace
Thank you Bagshot,
Valerie and Tina x

Bagshot Chapel will be open to all for a short Carols Service on Monday 19th December 6.30pm. Everyone is welcome, and any young people are welcome to come dressed as angels, shepherds or any other Nativity character to add a bit of atmosphere. There will be Readings and time for reflection of Bagshot past.

Since the Chapel is in the village cemetery, we will also focus a little on remembering those members of our family, friends and neighbours, who are no longer here to celebrate Christmas with us. Candles will be lit by the Wall and Garden of Remembrance to burn throughout the service. We will also hear as to how Bagshot was put on the map in Victorian times and how one young lady, Emily Jane Popejoy, tragically lost her life, one Christmas nearly 120 years ago.

There will of course be mulled wine, mulled fruit juice and mince pies at the end!!

This is the first time  Bagshot Chapel has been used in this way, but we hope it will not be the last. Thank you to Windlesham Parish Council for giving their permission to Bagshot Community Events and friends, to open the Chapel for this occasion. Special thanks as well to Rev Andreas, John Bauld and Eugenie Brooks for helping to pull it all together.

Tina and Valerie