1 October 2026
People from church and farming communities across the Diocese as well as county civic leaders, gathered at Chelmsford Cathedral on Sunday 27 September for the Essex County Harvest Service.
The service celebrated the interdependence of rural and urban communities in our Diocese. The Cathedral was adorned with sheaves of corn and bales of straw from Essex farms, and the service began with a procession led by a tractor, followed by local young farmers carrying donations of fresh produce. Also joining the procession were animals from Barleylands Farm, and an owl who flew the length of the Nave.
The Revd Canon Janet Nicholls, Diocesan Rural Adviser and Agricultural Chaplain preached at the service, and it was an opportunity to say thank you to our farming community for the work they do caring for the countryside and producing our food.
Those present also gave thanks for Janet’s Ministry as will shortly be retiring from her role. She is pictured below with the Rt Revd Roger Morris, the Bihsop of Colchester, after the service which marked eleven years since she was commissioned in the role.
-
At the service the congregation gave thanks for The Revd Canon Janet Nicholls Ministry as she will shortly be retiring from her role as Diocesan Rural Adviser and Agricultural Chaplain. Janet is pictured here with Bishop Roger.
-
Animals from Barleylands Farm formed part of the opening procession.
-
Essex young farmers carried donations of fresh produce into the cathedral. The produce was later gifted to the local homeless charity, Sanctus.
-
The service began with a procession led by a tractor.
-
The Revd Canon Janet Nicholls, Diocesan Rural Adviser and Agricultural Chaplain preached at the service.
