Welcome to the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Painswick
ABOUT US:
Painswick St Mary’s lies in the centre of the Benefice and is the largest church and parish. Painswick.is in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds and has a population of about 2000 people. The village is known as the ‘Queen of the Cotswolds and is one of England’s oldest ‘Wool Towns’, the wealth from wool production and weaving in the area gave the town many fine buildings, particularly St. Mary’s Church.
Whenever you approach Painswick, from north, south, east or west, your eyes will rest upon the tall, beautiful spire of St. Mary’s Church with its weathercock standing some 639 feet above sea level. As a church in the heart of our community, we are committed to sharing the love and hope of Jesus Christ with everyone who lives here whatever their age or background. Our church is open all day, and many visitors come to enjoy the peace of our church building and churchyard. Painswick Church is also very famous for its 99 Yew Trees (dating back to the 18th century), which stand in the large churchyard. The legend states that 100th tree will never grow but who knows!
Save Money This Summer with CAP
Have you started making plans for the summer yet? It’s just around the corner.
However, as with most things, when you’re trying to keep to a tight budget, affording to take part in summer fun can be a challenge. Plus, businesses know to raise their prices during the summer, especially when it comes to activities for children and families.
But you know how we think here at St Mary’s Painswick – there’s always a way to save money! Plan ahead, seek out free and inexpensive things to do and take a look at these tips for making summer life more affordable.
Look for free family events
To keep the family entertained over the summer break, there are bound to be events near you that are suitable for all ages and free to enter. My church often runs free fairs and other events – why not check your local church’s notice board or website for ideas? There are also lots of museums with a free entry around the UK.
Temporarily cancel your subscriptions
As you may be out of the house more over summer enjoying the weather, or even going away on holiday, an easy way to save cash is by cancelling subscriptions you won’t need as much. For example, you could take a break from Netflix, or cancel your gym membership and go out for a run instead. Often we forget about these things and they can drain our money in the background. If you’re not using it, save the money and sign up again later in the year if you need to. It may also be the push you need to explore new hobbies.
Cancel Your Phone Contract and Switch to PAYG
Most companies offer sim only contracts and they are far cheaper than a phone contract. If you already have the gadget that you want and only want to subscribe to a postpaid service, a sim only deal is your perfect option.
All the UK’s major network providers including Three, Virgin Mobile, Vodafone, No Hassle Mobile Phones and O2 offer sim only plans that are catered specifically for people with bad credit. There are a number of reasons why you would want a sim only offer aside from the fact that it is easier to qualify for.
A sim-only contract allows you to keep your existing handset and number. Sim only contracts are more flexible, giving you the freedom to choose between three to six months contract or even a 30-day rolling contract for you to test the service.
They also have cheaper rates of mobile services compared to a standard mobile contract, and you can take advantage of even more savings by signing up under a twelve-month contract.
Save energy
Summer is an ideal time to save energy – from turning down your thermostat and switching off the lights when you don’t need them, to using a washing line instead of the tumble dryer, to even ditching the car and walking or cycling instead. It’s good for your budget and for the environment too.
Research before travelling abroad
If you decide to head overseas for your summer break, be sure to do your research beforehand. Check restaurant prices in the area you’re visiting and consider booking activities in advance. This can help you get the best deals and avoid being hit with unexpected costs. Also, don’t underestimate the importance of travel insurance – it may seem like an extra expense, but in the long term it could save you a whole lot of money.
Holiday at home
Opting for a staycation in the UK this summer is an easy way to save the money you’d ordinarily spend on flights, luggage charges, travel agents and exchange rates. How far do you really need to go to find beautiful and interesting places? Give camping a go if you haven’t tried it before – you might find a new hobby! Remember, it’s not about where you go, but the people you’re with and the memories you’ll make.
Enjoy festivals for free by volunteer
If your family’s keen to go to a festival this year, you may be able to bag yourself a free entry in exchange for a few hours of your day spent volunteering. Free or discounted food may even be included. This summer, CAP is on the lookout for volunteers to lend a hand in their cafes at the Big Church Day Out (25 to 26 May) and United 19 (27 July to 10 August).