Horningsea village green was glowing on Sunday 2nd November as families, friends and neighbours gathered for this year’s Bonfire Night and Firework celebration hosted by Horningsea Residents Association.
The evening kicked off at 17.30 with music on the green with long queues all evening for the ever-popular hotdogs and hot chocolate.
At 18.30 the fireworks were set off with a bang drawing ooh’s and aah’s from the crowd. Lighting of the bonfire followed sending a warm glow across the green. A single guy sat on top of the fire.
Visitors commented on the family friendly atmosphere, great food, how well the event was organised and the hard work of the committee and other volunteers from the village who helped on the night.
All of the profit made from the night will go towards funding Horningsea’s social events throughout the next year.
A special thanks go to Scotsdales for opening up their car park allowing cars to park for free. Scotsdales staff also very kindly gave up their time to safely man the car park. With people also arriving by bus the High Street, apart from resident’s cars remained clear all evening.
Thanks to the careful planning of organisers and volunteers the evening ran smoothly and safely.
The first weekend of November is going to be busy!
There’s a Halloween party in the Plough and Fleece tonight (friday), A “Time to Remember” service in the church tomorrow and the event of the year with the Horningsea Bonfire on Sunday!
Do not forget to give any feedback on the Parish Council’s proposals for traffic calming which will be discussed at the meeting on the 26th.
…and congratulations to the Plough and Fleece’s Petanque team for a double win! They won the cup (again!) and came top of the league (again!).
A Very Short Nativity followed at about 12 noon by Holy Communion
Sunday 11th January, 16.00
Village Service
Christmas Tree Lighting
Sunday 30th November
Kickoff the traditional Horningsea Christmas on the 30th November when we light the Christmas Tree then the next event is the Candlelit Carol Service.
Horningsea’s Candlelit Carol Service
Sunday 14th December at 18.00
The annual service Carols by Candlelight will be on Sunday 14th December at 18.00. Working parties will have been decorating the church with hundreds of candles which will be lit, alongside the oil lamps. The Carol service is very traditional … children will sing the first verse of Once in Royal David’s City, the Horningsea Young Persons Orchestra will play a specially adapted piece, Fen Edge singers will sing a lesser known carol and the congregation will sing well known and favourite carols. In between the singing the story of Christmas will be read in the traditional readings and children will carry lanterns to the crib for a blessing. Come early to help light the candles and to get a seat, wear something warm as the church is always chilly! After the service there will be mince pies and mulled apple juice or mulled wine – contributions of mince pies always welcome!
This splendid small choir will present a concert of Christmas music on the Friday evening of 19 December. Entry will be by donation. Take time out of this busy weekend to sit, listen and contemplate beautiful music.
A very short nativity
Sunday 21st December, 10:30
Children of all ages and their families are invited to come and join in a Very Short Nativity on Sunday 21 December. The Christmas story will be read as children dress up and take part. No one has to learn any lines. We will need one grumpy innkeeper, one Mary and Joseph but as many shepherds, angels, Wise People as we can muster. The whole event will only last about 15 minutes or so.
There will be refreshments at the end.
Then, at about 12 noon, there will be a short service of Holy Communion for anyone who would like to stay on.
Saturday 1st November at 15.00 at St Peter’s Church Horningsea
If you have a family member or friend who you would like to remember, then come along to this quiet reflective service. There will be a chance to light a candle and put a flower in a vase in their memory. They may be someone who died in the last year or so, or who died many years ago who you remember with affection. It is always a very moving service.
Remembrance Day service in Horningsea
Sunday 9th November at 10.15 in St Peter’s Church – 10.45 at the War Memorial in the Jubilee Gardens
The annual service of Remembrance for those who fought and lost their lives in War will take place at usual in Horningsea. Representatives of all the Village societies will lay wreaths of poppies, the Last Post will be sounded on the trumpet, the names of the fallen from the village will be read and this year we will include James Farmer, the USAF pilot who died on Quy Fen 80 years ago. John Wilson has researched the stories of each of these men and this year he has asked that names should be read by younger people in the village. If you live in the house where they lived, if you are of the age of those who went to war, if your parents, grandparents or great grandparents took part in one of the World Wars, if your family came as refugees to escape the conflicts …would you be willing to read a name? If so please contact Lindsay on churchwardenhorningsea@gmail.com. Representatives of the various Societies in the village are asked to volunteer to lay the wreaths – Parish Council, HRA, Hall and Green trust, Friends of Horningsea Church, the Monday Hub, the PCC ….
The 80th Anniversary of VE and VJ Day reminds us of the hardships suffered by our parents, grandparents or great grandparents. It is also an opportunity to remember those who are still suffering from wars and conflicts all over the world in 2025 – and to give thanks for those who work for peaceful solutions to these conflicts.
Monday 20th October, 10:30 – 12:00, Horningsea Village Hall.
Horningsea Community Hub is discussing it on Monday October 20 — so come along for information and bring your questions!
We’ll have Will Plant, Digital Inclusion lead with Connecting Cambridgeshire to guide us through the switch, which is all about upgrading traditional phone lines.
The UK’s traditional phone network is being switched off by January 2027, meaning all traditional landlines will move to a digital system.
The switchover will mainly affect people who:
Don’t have an internet connection at home
Rely on a traditional landline (not already using a digital phone service)
Use telecare and personal alarm systems (such as fall monitors or lifelines)
But don’t worry, Will has information and top tips on what you need to do.
Come along on the 20thth October. Our hub runs 10.30 to 12:00 at Horningsea Village hall
As usual the Herald has and update from Horningsea Parish Council, Church times plus events at both our superb pubs!
Very sadly Jenni Hill, who started the trend of Horningsea newsletters and was a core member of the HRA, died in July. Inside are a few words about her.
