Below is a list of photos of special events in the Benefice. Click on any item to see a summary with links to a slideshow.
Snowdrop Coffee Morning 2025
The Snowdrop Coffee Morning was held on 1 February 2025 at Keepers Lodge, Brook Street, Milborne Port, by kind permission of Drs Holden and Salkeld. Visitors were able to view snowdrops in the garden and coffee, tea and biscuits were served.
A raffle was held with lots of prizes. The funds raised were for St Peter’s Church, Goathill.
Christmas Tree Festival 2024
The 2024 Village Christmas Tree Festival was held in St John’s Church, from Sunday 8th December to Saturday 14th December. As in previous years, the trees were kindly donated by The Spirit of Milborne Port. The theme this year was a Christmas hit single and each one was decorated by a village group to represent one of the singles. Visitors had to guess which song corresponded to each tree and record their guesses on paper together with their vote for the best tree.
Christmas Lights switch on 2024
Following last year's success, the Christmas LIghts Switch On took place in and around St John’s Church and in Church House. There were stalls in Church House, the church and outside. Wayne's Barbecue offered beefburgers and hot dogs while cakes, tea and coffee were in Church House. Santa's Grotto, children’s stories and craft activities took place in St John's church. The school choir provided some musical entertainment.
St John's Open Day 2024
The theme for this year's Open Day was 'All Good Gifts Around Us' and included Arts & Crafts Display, Flower Arrangements, Organ recital, Poetry Performance and other entertainment during the day. Refreshments were provided in Church House during the morning.
St Johns Church Fete 2024
The 2024 Church Fete was held as usual on the church lawn and in Church House. A larger number of gazebos were erected for the stalls because of the forecast rain which arrived just as the fete started and lasted for most of the time. However the fete was well attended and over £2,000 was raised.
While most stalls were outside, tea, cakes and scones were available in Church House, which also provided visitors with shelter from the rain.
Parish Picnic 2024
This year's Parish Picnic was held on 8 June in the gardens of Ven House by kind invitation of Lord Allen and Mr M Fisher. Although the day started cloudy the sun came out and all who came enjoyed being in the gardens. A total of close to £1,000 was raised for St John's church.
Goathill Duck Race 2024
The annual Goathill Duck races were held on 6th May 2024 on a cloudy bank holiday afternoon, with the threat of rain which fortunately came later than expected. The recent weather meant that the river was higher than usual.
Cream teas were served and many people attended including Bishop Michael and his wife. There were eight races with 60 ducks in each race. People paid £1 per duck in each race, the winners given a prize.
Snowdrop Coffee Morning 2024
The Snowdrop Coffee Morning was held on 3 February 2024 at Keepers Lodge, Brook Street, Milborne Port, by kind permission of Drs Holden and Salkeld. Visitors were able to view snowdrops in the garden and coffee, tea and biscuits were served.
A raffle was held with lots of prizes. The funds raised were for St Peter’s Church, Goathill.
Christmas Lights switch on 2023
For the first time, the Christmas LIghts Switch On took place in and around St John’s Church. There were stalls and Wayne's Barbecue outside, mulled wine etc in Church House and Santa's Grotto, children’s stories and craft activities in the church. The school choir provided some musical entertainment in St John's Church.
Open Day Art Exhibition 2023
This year's Open Day was an art exhibition showing pictures and other artwork from people living in or near Milborne Port.
Milborne Port Church Fete 2023
With very high winds and rain forcast the fete was held in St John's church. A large number of visitors filled the church where most of the stalls were located. Church house was, as usual, used for tea and cakes and the barbecue was located just outside Church House where there was some shelter from the wind and rain.
Coronation Tea May 2023
The Coronation Tea was held on Sunday 8th May in Church House. A plentiful supply of cakes plus sandwiches were consumed with sparkling wine.
Goathill Duck Races 2023
The annual Goathill Duck races were held on 1st May 2023 on a sunny bank holiday afternoon. Cream teas were served and many people attended including Bishop Michael and his wife. There were several races with 55 ducks in each race. People paid £1 per duck in each race, the winners given a prize. The event raised a whopping £675 for Goathill Church.
St John's Christmas Tree Festival 2022
St John's Christmas Tree Festival was held from Friday 25th November to Saturday 3rd December2022. A total of 31 trees were donated by The Spirit of Milborne Port and decorated by church and local organisations.
The theme was Christmas Carols and visitors were invited to decide which carol was depicted by each tree.
£190.44 was collected and this was shared between St John's, The Spirit of Milborne Port and Foodshare.
St John's Open Day exhibition of childhood memories 2022
St John's Open Day took place on 24th September 2022. The theme was childhood memories and there were several exhibits comprising photographs and items from childhood. During the day coffee and tea were served and the day ended with 'Pimms and Hymns'.
St John's Summer Fete 2022
St John's Summer Fete took place on 23 July on the church lawn. It was well attended and, unlike last year, it was dry but windy. These photos show some of the stalls and visitors.
Prayer Corner for Ukraine in St John's Church
A prayer corner has been created in the Gethsemane Chapel in St John's Church in support of Ukraine. Also a Ukrainian flag is flying on St John's Church Tower.
Open Day 'Silver Linings of Lockdown' 2021
Milborne Port villagers were asked to display their creations during lockdown. This slideshow includes some of the many that were displayed in St John's Church on 9th October 2021.
Sarah's Last Sunday on 22 August 2021
Sarah's last Sunday in the Benefice was on 22 August 2021. She moved to Lyme Regis and was licensed as Team Vicar of the Golden Cap Benefice on 7th September. These photos, taken by Sarah Mumford, show Sarah receiving a gift from the Benefice, with the two churchwardens.
Christmas Tree Festival 2019
The Christmas Tree Festival was held on 29 to 31 November 2019 in St John's Church, Milborne Port. The trees were donated by Spirit of Milborne Port and decorated by organisations and businesses in Milborne Port.
St John's Pumpkin Festival October 2019
St John's, Milborne Port, held its first Pumpkin Festival on 26th October 2019. Carved and painted pumpkins from the local primary school and parishioners decorated the church. A selection are shown here.
Poppies for the Armistice 2018
Over 1,000 woollen poppies were knitted or crocheted by members of St John's congregation and displayed in St John's church during November 2018, to mark the centenerary of the Armistice.
Church Fete 2018
Photos of the Church Fete held at St John's Church, Milborne Port on Saturday 21 July 2018 and included a hat decoration competition and children's entertainer as well as the usual stalls.
Zambia 40, July 2018
A celebration of 40 years of the link between the diocese of Bath & Wells and Zambia, including a service in the cathedral followed by entertainment and picnic in the Bishop's Palace grounds.
Church Barbecue, July 2018
Church Fete 2017
Wedding Dresses at Open Day 2016
The Open Day at St John's, Milborne Port on 24 September 2016, featured a collection of over 40 wedding dresses kindly loaned by members of the congregation and cocvering every decade from the 1930s to the present day. Photos of some of them can be seen here.
Farm Service at Golden Valley Farm, 31 July 2016
On 31 July there was a Farm Service at Golden Valley Farm for the whole Benefice. A few photos can be seen here.
Church Fete 16 July 2016
Photos of the Church Fete held at St John's Church, Milborne Port on Saturday 16 July 2016.