Feeling sheepish? Head for Bishop Middleham!         

Sheep of all shapes, sizes and colours will soon be flocking into the quiet village of Bishop Middleham on the outskirts of Sedgefield. They’ll be heading to the village Post Office and then to St Michael’s Church as part of a year-long, sheep-themed project to strengthen the relationship between the church and the local community.

Villagers have been asked to knit, sew, crochet or craft in felt, wood, clay or any other material sheep of all kinds for use at a wide range of activities throughout the year.

The project was officially launched this week with a display in the window of the village Post Office which is stocking craft materials, knitting patterns, wool and examples of what can be created.

Children have already produced sheep puppets from kits and there will be sheep-making groups locally throughout the lambing season. Sheep-related themes will be used during St Michael’s Mothers’ Day service and at school assemblies. Happy Days Playgroup, Rainbows and Brownies have already offered their sheep-making skills. There will be quizzes and lamb treasure-trails in April and Autumn and sheep-craft challenges will also feature in some categories of September’s popular village Horticultural Society Show.

The project will close in December when a flock of crafted and donated sheep will accompany this year’s ‘Posada’, a 400-year-old Mexican tradition, which sees a Nativity Crib travelling around local households during Advent until a final celebration at St Michael’s Crib Service on Christmas Eve. Each participating family will receive a sheep to keep as their own.

The Revd. Geoffrey Short, Team Rector of the Parish of the Upper Skerne has described the sheep-based campaign as a “wonderful way of bringing the church and community closer together” and has praised organisers for their hard work and vision.

 

Article courtesy of Ron Eyley

 

Page added 22nd March 2019