The Bale & Stiffkey Benefice SAXLINGHAM
Home	Bale & Stiffkey Benefice	Binham Priory	Glaven Valley

Saxlingham is the second smallest village in the benefice, with around 70 residents of all ages enjoying this peaceful, unspoilt and beautiful hamlet. With no pub, shop, or school, the church of St Margaret's, which dates from the fifteenth century, forms the focal point for village life as the only 'communal' building. Services are held twice a month enabling villagers to share worship and keep abreast of news and events.

We value close links with our neighbouring village of Field Dalling, with whom we share a village hall, a Friends and Neighbours Club, a monthly newsletter and an alternate pattern of services with St Andrew's Church, which hosts the popular monthly Family Service. This arrangement enables parishioners to attend a service in one of the two villages every Sunday of the year, thanks to both the support of our vicar and retired clergy in the area.

Saxlingham has an active PCC as well as a good network of support in the village. Fundraising events are diverse, from quiz, salsa dancing and race nights, to art history and fashion talks, and an annual coffee morning with stalls. The highlight for the last sixteen years has been our summer concert in the church, 'Jazz in June,' with the kind support of Gresham's School's three jazz bands - this is always a sell-out event with great entertainment and a good supply of sustenance! Our annual fete is shared with Field Dalling and is another important fund-raising opportunity. We also hold an annual Patronal Festival followed by a garden tea.

We are fortunate to enjoy the committed support of our organist, a former village resident, who not only directs our musical activities but leads the monthly Family Service too. Our two Churchwardens, together with our Fabric Officer, ensure that the church is well maintained and in good repair and we employ both monthly cleaning and grass-cutting contractors. Our Treasurer keeps a tight rein on finances and last year we were able to pay our parish share in full.

The local landowner is an Italian sugar corporation and both farms are run by a resident manager. There are no other sources of employment in the village which again highlights the importance of St Margaret's as the only means for villagers to meet and come together, fostering bothcommunal and spiritual health.

Salsa Evening