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The Royal Foundation has informed us that a gift donated by Hobbycraft is subject to an official recall, issued in coordination with Trading Standards.

While neither Taunton Minster nor the event organisers were aware of this issue at the time, it is our responsibility to ensure this information is shared as widely and clearly as possible.

Official Notice from The Royal Foundation

Dear Parent / Carer,

We are writing to inform you of an important safety notice relating to a craft box that may have been received at a Community Carol Service on 6 December 2024 at Taunton Minster.

Hobbycraft has recently issued a recall of certain Giant Craft Boxes. This recall is being undertaken in coordination with Trading Standards after independent testing identified traces of asbestos in a limited number of samples of the sand contained within the box.

We have been advised that the craft box distributed at the Community Carol Service you attended is among those included in the recall.

We appreciate that this information may be concerning. The safety and wellbeing of children and families is of the utmost importance, and we are working closely with Hobbycraft to manage this matter responsibly and in line with official guidance.

What to Do

• Stop using the product immediately.
• If the sand is still in its packaging:
  • Place it in a heavy-duty plastic bag
  • Double tape securely
  • Clearly label the bag
  • Store it safely out of the reach of children
• If the sand has been used:
  • Clean affected areas using wet cloths to avoid generating dust
  • Wear gloves and a mask
  • Double-bag the sand, gloves, mask, and cloths
• Keep children and others away from the area until cleaning is complete
• Return the sand vials to your nearest Hobbycraft store
  • If this is not possible, follow the steps above and dispose of the sand in your general household waste

At this time, there is no evidence of any injury or harm.

We apologise for any concern this may cause and thank you for your understanding.

If you have immediate concerns, please refer to the official recall advice issued by Hobbycraft or contact their Customer Service team on 0330 026 1400.

Kind regards,
The Royal Foundation

Additional Information

Affected product numbers:

• 6686021000
• 6505261000
• 6099201000
• 6597221000
• 6606171000

Further information is available via the official Hobbycraft recall notice:
Hobbycraft | Product Recall – Giant Box of Craft

Our Commitment

Taunton Minster takes the safety of all children, families, and visitors extremely seriously. While this issue was unknown at the time of the event, we are committed to sharing this information promptly and transparently, and to supporting families in following the appropriate guidance.

If you know of someone who attended the service and may not see this notice, please consider sharing it with them.

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• Paying for care
• Finding the right care home
• Specialist care
• Help for carers

The social care guide also gives you a comprehensive list of care providers in Somerset, so whether you’re looking for a nursing home for dad in Frome, or a home care service for mum in Taunton Deane, this health and social care directory can help you.

Social Care and Support for Adults – The Somerset Care Services Directory

Download Somerset 2026 Ebook PDF

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Being a demonstrator church also provides the opportunity to share what is learned so that other churches in Bath and Wells and neighbouring dioceses can be encouraged and supported on their own path to net zero and take important steps towards reducing our overall carbon impact.

Speaking about the award, Dan Wills Bath and Wells Net Zero Adviser said,

“We’re really pleased Taunton Minster has been chosen as a Demonstrator Church. It’s a great opportunity to explore what a realistic path to net zero looks like for a large and much-loved church building. The work they do will help other parishes in the diocese and beyond understand what’s possible and what support is available to help them get there.”

Taunton Minster is one of the larger churches in the Diocese of Bath and Wells. It is situated in the heart of the town. It has a dedicated and committed environment team who have worked for some time to improve energy efficiency at the church.

Nicola Johnson, the environment lead for Taunton Minster says, “We are delighted to have been awarded stage one of the Demonstrator Grant. It will

make a huge difference to the work we want to do here and also means we can share what we learn so that others can also take practical steps towards net zero. The church is such a big part of our lives, and it too has an environmental impact. If God has told us anything, it’s to look after creation.”

Under the stage one grant, The Minster will also have access to expert advice to identify the best low-carbon heating and energy options available to them, and fundraising advice to help raise the 50% match funding needed to qualify for the next stage of capital support.

The project will focus on identifying a suitable retrofit heating and energy system for the main church building. This will include exploring air-source heat pumps, infra-red heating and under-pew heaters, as well as feasibility work for solar panels and battery storage. The funding will also support design and procurement planning, and guidance on the right time to replace the church’s existing 2013 gas boiler.

Murray Cochrane is also a member of the Taunton Minster Environmental Task Force, he says the Minster’s congregation will be involved in all aspects of the decision making. And says the team are looking forward to working with other churches and diocese to support the work they are doing to reach net zero. “We’re absolutely delighted to be able to support others. At the beginning of our journey, we were often thinking. ‘Where do you go for this advice? How do you know what to do? So, it’s going to be great to be able to provide that advice to others. But the support will go both ways – every interaction with other churches brings learning for both sides.

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Minster Communion

You can view the service via this livestream link.
(You don’t need a Facebook account.)

President and preacher: Rev’d Louise Bale

Reader: Young People
Intercessor: Young People
Organist: Miles Quick

Epistles: Ephesians 1:11-23
Gospel: Luke 6:20-31
Hymns: For all the Saints; From Heaven You Came; All heaven declares; O when the Saints
Anthem: Down by the riverside
Preservice Voluntary: Chant Donné – M.Duruflé
Organ Voluntary: Final (from 1^st Symphony) – L .Vierne

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Minster Communion

You can view the service via this livestream link.
(You don’t need a Facebook account.)

President: Rev’d Gwen Smith
Preacher: Rev’d Caryl Plewes
Deacon: Alli Saltrease-Taylor

Reader: Caroline Bolt
Intercessor: Jean Lee
Organist: Henry Collard-Jenkins
Conductor: Julia Trigg

Epistles: 2 Timothy 2:8-15
Gospel: Luke 17:11-19
Hymns: Immortal Invisible; Beauty for brokenness; Ye that know the Lord is gracious; Jesus shall reign;
Anthem: Ave Verum by Elgar
Preservice Voluntary: Hymn Prelude ‘St Thomas’ – by Colin Mawby
Organ Voluntary: Prelude and Fugue in F BWV 555- by J.S Bach

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Minster Communion

You can view the service via this livestream link.
(You don’t need a Facebook account.)

President: Rev’d Tobie Osmond
Preacher: Rev’d Gwen Smith
Deacon: Rev’d Caryl Plewes

Reader: Nicola Johnson
Intercessor: Jean Lee
Organist: Henry Collard-Jenkins
Conductor: Julia Trigg

Epistles: 1 Timothy 6:6-19
Gospel: Luke 16:19-31
Hymns: All my hope in God is founded; For the Healing of the Nations; Majesty Worship his Majesty; Tell out my soul;
Anthem: God so over the World
Preservice Voluntary: Impromptu no. 8 – by Eric Thiman
Organ Voluntary: Prelude in C BWV 553- by J.S Bach

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Minster Communion

You can view the service via this livestream link.
(You don’t need a Facebook account.)

President: Rev’d Louise Bale
Preacher: Rev’d Caryl Plewes
Deacon: Rev’d Tobie Osmond

Reader: Sasha Collard
Intercessor: Richard Austin
Organist: Andrew Carter

Epistles: Proverbs 3:13-18
Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13
Hymns: God of Grace and God of Glory; Lets saints on earth in concert sing; All my days I will sing this song of Gladness; Ye watchers and ye holy ones
Anthem: Day by Day
Preservice Voluntary: Music From Henry V – William Walton
Organ Voluntary: “Spitfire” Prelude – William Walton

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Minster Communion

You can view the service via this livestream link.
(You don’t need a Facebook account.)

President: Rev’d Tobie Osmond
Preacher: Rev’d Ben Whiteworth
Deacon: Rev’d Caryl Plewes

Reader: Roger Trigg
Intercessor: Sasha Collard
Organist: Henry Collard Jenkins

Epistle: Exodus 32:7-14
Gospel: Luke 15:1-10
Hymns: New every morning; Before The Throne; Justas I am; We sinf the prais of him who died
Preservice Voluntary: Interlude no.1 – Eric Thiman
Organ Voluntary Prelude in Fugue in F Bach

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Minster Communion

You can view the service via this livestream link.
(You don’t need a Facebook account.)

President: Rev’d Gwen Smith
Preacher + Deacon: Rev’d Tobie Osmond

Reader: Andrea Davis
Intercessor: Jean Lee
Organist: John Bodiley

Epistle: Acts 5:12-16
Gospel: Luke 22:24-30
Hymns: Ye Holy angels bright; Be Still for the presence of the Lord; Lord Jesus Christ; Be Thou my vision

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