Par sh News - St. Michaels Parish Church

St Michael, St Albans with St Mary, Childwick Green

May 2018

Par sh News

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Letter From The VicarageKenneth is on extended study leave between 1 April and 1 July 2018. For information about this sabbatical, please see his article in February’s Parish News. During his absence, Kenneth would offer for your meditations this month a window from the chancel at St Mary’s.

Here we have a nineteenth-century depiction of charity. It was installed in memory of the Toulmin family who built St Mary’s in 1867. It is one of three windows commemorating the ‘theological virtues’ discussed by St Paul in his famous 13th chapter of the First Letter to the Corinthians. In the traditional language of the King James Bible, ‘now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity’. In more modern English, we would talk about ‘faith, hope and love’.

Paul’s assertion that love is the greatest of all virtues explains why this reading is frequently heard at weddings. So Paul’s exposition is well worth considering as we head into the wedding season. Modern western conceptions of love centre around notions of self-fulfilment: love is what I feel when I hold someone’s hand or get butterflies in my stomach in their presence. Love in this interpretation is about me becoming more me. By contrast, St Paul asserts the exact opposite: that love is a great quality because it finds fulfilment in the happiness of another.

We think of love as spontaneous, but Paul says that ‘love is patient’. We associate love with lust – demanding things for oneself – but Paul says that ‘love does not envy’. And we think of love as concerning one’s own feelings, but Paul teaches that love ‘is not self-seeking’. St Paul thus challenges popular western assumptions about love with something that is more permanent and more mutual. Love can indeed make me more fully myself, but not because I’m looking out for Number One, but because I find my happiness in the happiness of someone else. ‘Love is patient; love is kind; love does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not self-seeking.’

This is exactly the depiction of love that we find in St Mary’s chancel. In the other two windows, faith holds onto the cross and hope clings to an anchor. Here, charity (represented by the androgynous adult figure) is caring for another – the vulnerable child at her feet. Notably, it is an affection which the child returns.

The goal of love is mutuality, not self-aggrandisement. This is a quality shown to us supremely in Jesus and especially at this time of year as we continue to celebrate his resurrection at Easter. As Edmund Spenser put it in a sonnet about love and Easter:

So let us love, Dear Love, like as we ought,

Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.

(From Amoretti ʟLXViiiʟ)

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Easter 2018Palm Sunday, 25 March

Dandy The Donkey

Walking with Dandy is very fun. We meet and have a little service at Prae Wood School, feed Dandy some carrots and then walk down through the park to St Michael’s Church to finish our worship. We do this like the crowds of Jerusalem did on Palm Sunday during Passover. We wave branches of palm while walking to church. In 2018 someone even brought a lamb!

Alex Padley

In the service following the procession, Kenneth’s sermon focused on Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem, his going into the temple and overturning the tables of the money changers. This was signified in church by tables and chairs suspended from the roof (thanks to Steve and Andy Walsh).

Instruments of the Cross, 26–28 March

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week saw three compline services at St Michael’s, preceded by talks about the instruments of the cross. I have never considered the spear, the crown of thorns and the dice in any significantly wider context than we find them in the gospels, and these short talks were a perfect opportunity to revisit elements of the crucifixion from fresh points of view.

Taken each in turn by Kenneth, John Hayton and Dr Mike Ford, these snapshots of the differing ways in which the instruments could be seen were an interesting hook for greater contemplation of the Easter story. Touching on historical information, earlier biblical imagery and the use of the instruments in later Christian thought, these talks were lovely little jewels for the part of me that loves to learn something new. They follow on from several years of compline talks in Holy Week, all of which I’ve found focusing and interesting in the lead up to Easter.

On a slightly separate but related note, compline is one of my favourite services. It is a short and lovely ritual, all about laying down the burdens of the day and finding peace in the night’s rest. I would urge you to join us the next time that St Michael’s has a compline service.

Kerry Wells

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Stations of the Cross, Wednesday 28 March

On Wednesday morning of Holy Week, Kenneth led approximately 20 people in a series of meditations on the stations of the cross, which were positioned at various points in the church. This was followed by a shortened service of Holy Communion. The regular Wednesday 10.00 a.m. Holy Communion is a quiet, reflective service; do try it if you have not been before.

Sandie North

Good Friday, 30 March

Good Friday is crucial to the Christian story: Jesus could only rise after he had died. Just so, Christians cannot celebrate the joys of Easter without experiencing the harrowing of the cross. So, while Good Friday may on first inspection seem intermittently bad, for all the reasons above it is a supremely good day, key to God’s plan to save and shape humanity.

Kenneth Padley (from the ‘Good Friday Liturgy’ booklet)

The first hour of the service started and ended with silence, interspersed with readings, prayers and hymns from the ‘Good Friday Liturgy’ booklet. We heard the Passion story (John 18.28–19.37), read movingly by John Hayton.

The second hour was led by Kenneth, on ‘Preaching of the Cross’, and demonstrated the cross as history: humility; reconciliation (inclusivity and atonement); transformation; and the tree of life. Under all these headings we had short readings and silence.

The third hour saw the children’s service and the building of the Easter Garden – inside church this time because of the inclement weather. We finished with hot cross buns in the Parish Centre.

Thanks to all those who made the Good Friday services so meaningful, and also to those involved with the children’s activities in the Parish Centre.

Sandie North

A Child’s Good Friday

The children started their Good Friday message with Pauline and Jo in the Parish Centre. They busily made Easter cards, coloured crosses and stained-glass windows, created ‘biscuit tombs’ and prepared windmill daffodils for the annual Easter Garden. After a thoughtful and prayerful hour during the ‘Preaching of the Cross’ service for the adults, the children joined us inside the church as the rain continued to lash down outside.

Kenneth bravely requested an unrehearsed reading of the Easter story from the Explorers and Seekers (five years+), and each and every one of them did so with confidence and clarity. The

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large group of children built the Easter Garden in stages as the story was told, beginning at Palm Sunday and ending with the stone rolling across the entrance of the tomb. The final line of the readings read ‘They thought it was all over …’

Kenneth then encouraged everyone to think of something we were sorry for, as this was the day that brought us closer to God and paved the way for our forgiveness. Kenneth read out several things for which we were sorry, followed by a lovely response led by Colin on the organ: ‘Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom’.

When the service was finished, everyone was encouraged to write down ‘something we were sorry for’ on a small piece of paper. The paper was then burned, symbolising God’s forgiveness.

Much to everyone’s delight, tea, coffee and the promised hot cross buns were then served in the Parish Centre. Thank you to all involved!

Kyna Mason

Easter Saturday, 31 March: Baptism and Confirmation – Easter Vigil, St Albans Cathedral

I found the Easter Vigil service, which took place during the evening of 31 March, a deeply moving and enriching experience, an occasion not only for personal inner joy but also reflection and introspection. My baptism and then confirmation during the service were particularly emotional moments within my own journey of faith. They marked the point at which I committed irrevocably to live openly as a Christian, and through this affirmation to reconnect in a meaningful way to a Christian life and the Christian community.

For this reason, the lighting of the new fire at the very beginning of the service, made in complete darkness and followed by the lighting of the Easter candle itself, had particular spiritual resonance for me. It was also very good to be with my fellow confirmands from St Michael’s, Adam, Ellie, Sevan and Darren, and to enjoy this special service together as a mutually supportive group. Many thanks to Kenneth for his guidance and insight throughout our confirmation classes, and his support during the service itself.

Nicholas Herbert

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Easter Day at St Michael’s, Sunday 1 April

The 9.30 a.m. service of Holy Communion began with no light. The paschal candle was paraded through the church and then lit. All the lights went on and the service proceeded joyfully. The church was full; there were 185 adult communicants plus children. The singing of well-known Easter hymns was much appreciated and afterwards the children were encouraged to find a plastic egg or a rabbit and swap it in the Parish Centre for something more edible. This was Kenneth’s last Sunday with us before he started his three months’ sabbatical, and many of us shared Easter greetings over coffee in the Parish Centre afterwards.

Sandie North

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Being MarriedThis year, three close friends of ours are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary – 50 years of marriage. This set me thinking about being married, its positive aspects and what it means to me. Many people today think that marriage is just a piece of paper and ‘Why bother?’ When we wed in 1970 there was no question of just living together. Life was different then, and the thought of doing anything other than getting married did not cross our minds – what our parents would have said does not bear thinking about! Richard’s parents had been married for 30 years by then, and my parents a year less.

I remember, the night before our wedding, thinking ‘What am I doing?’ It was such an enormous decision to make a promise in public before our friends and family, and I felt very apprehensive about the whole thing. I had no doubts about getting married to Richard but felt the commitment for life was a big thing to do. Needless to say, it was a lovely day, in spite of the pouring rain (which didn’t dampen our spirits). We were married at St James’ Church, Muswell Hill, in north London, and had our reception at the Old Kitchen in Kenwood House, which had just opened as a venue. The official photos were all in black and white but our friends’ and family’s photos were in colour. Our honeymoon was spent in Jersey; we returned to the same hotel 30 years later, for old time’s sake.

I often think of the comparison with arranged marriages, where the couples hardly know one another before the wedding ceremony. Although Richard and I had been going out for three years, it was still a steep learning curve, being together seven days a week and learning of each other’s little foibles that we had not known before. With time, I think that being married requires an enormous amount of give and take: of compromise, not just on the big things but also on the day-to-day minutiae; respect for each other and for the family on both sides (in the early days it was Richard’s or mine, but now it is just ‘family’); being able to say please and thank you even for the small things; sharing in tasks, especially when we had elderly parents and could support each other over their difficulties; and not taking sides, either when the children came along or with extended family. Being married for me means stability, knowing who I am and my place in society. It has grounded me and made me the person I am today, for which I feel truly blessed. I am not saying that it has been a bed of roses all the time, but the commitment of marriage means that one sticks at it through thick and thin, good times and bad, sickness and health, till death do us part.

In our retirement we have found a new lease of life, doing things together and separately, having time to pursue new interests and enjoy our friends’ company. Whether any of our golden-wedding couples will celebrate with others or quietly slip away for a holiday remains to be seen, but their celebrations have set me thinking about what being married means. The young people of today may think differently to us and that marriage does not matter, but for me the public commitment and promise was a serious decision and one which I have had no regrets in making.

Sandie North

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Diary for April 2018 NB during Kenneth’s sabbatical, the Wednesday 9.00 a.m. service

will be held in top school, St Michael’s Primary School, between April and the end of June.

29 FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion (St Michael’s) 9.30 a.m. All Age Communion (St Michael’s) We look forward to welcoming Rev’d Canon Dr Tim Bull, Diocesan

Director of Ministry, as president and preacher at the 8.00 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. services.

10.00 –11.00 a.m. Annual Meeting (St Michael’s) 6.00 p.m. Evensong (St Mary’s)

Diary For May 20181 9.45 a.m. Tiny Tots (Parish Centre)6 SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion (St Michael’s) 9.30 a.m. Parish Communion (St Michael’s) 6.00 p.m. Holy Communion (St Mary’s)8 9.45 a.m. Tiny Tots (Parish Centre)10 ASCENSION DAY 8.00 p.m. Holy Communion (St Michael’s) We look forward to welcoming Rev’d Ruth Goatly as president and

preacher at this service. Ruth, a priest living and working in the St Albans area, will be taking weddings in the parish during Kenneth’s sabbatical.

9.00 p.m. onwards Men’s Night (Six Bells) Ladies are welcome to come along too after the service!13 SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION DAY 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion (St Michael’s) 9.30 a.m. All Age Communion (St Michael’s) We look forward to welcoming Rev’d Jos Perris as president and

preacher at the 8.00 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. services. Jos is in her second term as chaplain at Aldenham School, having formerly served at St Peter’s Church in St Albans.

6.00 p.m. Evensong (St Mary’s)15 9.45 a.m. Tiny Tots (Parish Centre)16 8.00 p.m. Parochial Church Council (Parish Centre)17 8.00 p.m. onwards Ladies’ Night (Portland Arms)

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20 PENTECOST / WHITSUNDAY 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion (St Michael’s) 9.30 a.m. Parish Communion (St Michael’s) 6.00 p.m. Evensong (St Mary’s)22 9.45 a.m. Tiny Tots (Parish Centre)27 TRINITY SUNDAY 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion (St Michael’s) 9.30 a.m. Parish Communion (St Michael’s) 6.00 p.m. Evensong (St Mary’s) 6.30 p.m. Choral Evensong (St Michael’s)

Diary For June 20183 FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion (St Michael’s) 9.30 a.m. Parish Communion (St Michael’s) We look forward to welcoming Ed Hardyman as speaker at the

9.30 a.m. service. Ed will be a familiar face to those who attended the Reformation evenings last autumn. He is on the Hatfield ‘Root’ scheme and is in the process of applying for ordination training.

6.00 p.m. Holy Communion (St Mary’s)5 9.45 a.m. Tiny Tots (Parish Centre)10 SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion (St Michael’s) 9.30 a.m. All Age Communion (St Michael’s) We look forward to welcoming Helena Trent as preacher at the 9.30

a.m. service. Helena works for the St Albans and Harpenden Schools Project (STEP), and will be speaking about the amazing work that this charity does in secondary schools in our area. There will be a retiring collection in support of STEP after this service.

6.00 p.m. Compline (St Mary’s)

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Postcard from Sydney, AustraliaWe’ve been in Mosman, Sydney for four months now. We’re here for less than a year and most of our weekends are spent on trips out to see this beautiful country. However, occasionally we have managed to attend St Luke’s – our local Anglican church, which is very close by. It’s a lovely church, approximately 50 years old. We are slightly surprised how similar the form of the service is to that of St Michael’s – almost identical. Perhaps we shouldn’t be, but travelling all the way to the other side of the world, we had assumed there would be a few differences. It’s impressive just how consistently the Anglican Church has spread throughout the world. Mosman is a very English/European suburb, and there are many parishioners who, although they left many years ago, seem to know England better than we do. We have met several people who know St Albans Cathedral and the bishop!

A problem facing churches of all faiths in Australia is the general decline in the number of younger members, and we certainly notice this at St Luke’s. Everyone is extremely friendly but there is definitely an age gap. Our vicar, Max Wood, who has two young children, is conscious that they need to work more on their outreach programme to connect with a younger congregation. The church is not linked to a school like St Michael’s. They run a programme for children at the Sunday communion service. The children’s programme is similar to the one at St Michael’s, except that all ages are together. Occasionally there are only four children attending (including our two, Alexandra and Felix). At communion, children are not encouraged to take wine. They can receive stickers instead, if they (or their parents) prefer. Other differences are that there are fewer services (only one – communion – on a Sunday) and that churches in Sydney are generally locked except for services.

Another interesting aspect of the Church here is the way in which it is dealing with the rapidly changing and diverse cultural makeup of the population. We’ve heard there are Anglican churches in Sydney running services in both Cantonese and Mandarin. When Steve first arrived in the city, he went to a service at St Andrew’s Cathedral, the seat of the archbishop of Sydney, which featured a presentation by a family of missionaries. They had just been recalled from Germany so that they could continue their work among the many immigrants here. A significant landmark was hailed recently, when the Australian government passed a vote (narrowly in New South Wales) to allow gay marriage. This caused some division among different faiths and, interestingly, even between some Anglican dioceses.

That’s all for now. We often think of everyone at St Michael’s and send you all our very best wishes.

The Roberts family

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News From St Michael’s Primary SchoolThe archaeologists arrived in school on 5 March to begin their investigations, prior to the building development works starting over the Easter holidays. Within one day of arriving they revealed the corner of the main façade of the basilica, dating from 79 ad, and the late Roman portico, which extends over Roman Watling Street. They also unearthed a wide range of artefacts, including coins, window lead, bracelet fragments and a tile showing the imprint of a dog’s paw!

The children were very excited to hear about all these finds, and were lucky enough to welcome a member of the archaeology team into school to share the information with them. After the assembly, each class had the opportunity to get involved in a mini ‘dig’ of their own in their classrooms. In addition, the children went out onto the site in small groups to see the discoveries for themselves. They listened beautifully to what the archaeologist told them, and even came up with some very interesting questions of their own.

On Saturday 24 March the school held an open day, where members of the wider community were welcomed onto the site to see the findings. The day was a huge success, with over 500 visitors, some travelling quite a distance to attend. The mayor of St Albans, councillor Mohammad Iqbal Zia, visited, along with the local county councillor, Sandy Walkington.

James Fairbairn from Oxford Archaeology talked to the visitors, in small groups of 10–15 people at a time, from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. without a break. Robert Claridge, from the building contractors Claridge & Hall, played a supporting role by keeping the queue moving. School staff covered the health and safety aspects as well as contributing to the discussion about the artefacts, and the PTA provided the all-important refreshments.

It was a highly successful event and the school received many positive comments and thanks from the visitors, who were delighted to be able to have the opportunity to see this very important piece of history.

For further information about the archaeological findings, please visit the official website: www.locationzero.wixsite.com/stm1

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Down Under: A ReflectionOur third visit to Australia and New Zealand, in February and March 2018, was occasioned by a family wedding in Sydney and an invitation to visit friends in Auckland. Sandie North has invited me to offer some reflections.

British people immediately feel at home in both countries: in addition to the exclusive use of the English language in public life, shops are full of products similar to those on sale here, in terms of food, clothing and household goods. Veterans’ associations are very strong. In both countries one drives on the left, and the driving experience is almost identical (grid-plan streets are the only exception). Although both countries complain bitterly about the weight of traffic, there is nothing remotely to compare with traffic in south-east England, and driving is very easy indeed. This is especially true of New Zealand, where traffic can be almost non-existent for a few miles, even on the main roads. Houses are almost all individually designed and are what we would call bungalows – a term they do not use. And they are for the most part very attractive and spacious (often enormous) homes – but built on very small plots or ‘sections’. Amid its wide open spaces, New Zealand in particular promotes a high-density style of urban living; however, outside the few large cities, tower blocks are unheard of. Houses are much less robustly built, often with corrugated metal roofs, and are less well insulated than ours; in New Zealand the interiors reminded me a little of a mobile home. Both countries have whole districts of the most beautiful old-style colonial homes, with external wrought-iron decorations and extensive balconies.

The demographics are interesting. There is a large percentage of Chinese and other far-eastern peoples in Auckland, whereas in the rest of New Zealand the population often exclusively consists of those of white, expat British descent. Immigration into the country is strictly controlled and at a low level. As an aside, one might add that such is the low density of population in some parts of New Zealand that one can go for lengthy periods without seeing another soul! Apart from its wonderful harbour setting, Auckland as a city is a disappointment: it is an untidy conglomeration of ugly high-rise buildings, and it simply does not reflect the style or the sheer beauty of the rest of the country. And it is a stunningly beautiful country, with dramatic scenery. Even the weather is similar to that of Britain. The far south is rather cool and damp while the far north is semi-tropical, the whole experience being that of a changeable but rather fine English summer. Australia is completely different, weather-wise: the elegant city of Adelaide, where our family lives, can be ferociously hot (46C last December); water restrictions are common and bush fires a real menace. Here again (and in Sydney) there is a very high percentage of people from the far east; it is interesting that in both countries they are referred to as Asian, whereas, of course, in the UK we use that term for people from India and adjacent countries. Population in both countries centres on large towns, by this I mean that towns marked on maps can often be no more than a dozen houses with a single shop, which makes planning petrol and food stops tricky. The independent village, such as Redbourn, for example, is a rarity.

I have been intrigued on each visit by the issue of indigenous populations. The Maoris of New Zealand have integrated successfully into most aspects of what is now firmly a western lifestyle. Their culture is celebrated everywhere – it is quite simply the history of the place. The Te Papa museum in Wellington is a triumph of that celebration, and place names with their Maori ancestry are a constant reminder. It is a different picture in Australia, in my experience: one rarely sees any aboriginal peoples in the cities and those one does see look unhappy, shabby and physically unwell. I gather that they live for the most part in traditional settlements way

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out of the large towns, and often follow lifestyles dating back thousands of years. In the far north-west, isolated and poor communities are taught by visiting teachers in very challenging conditions. I found the separation of cultures here rather troubling.

Australians and New Zealanders are exceptionally welcoming of visitors. Accommodation is plentiful, and even quite modest motels are spotlessly clean and very comfortable. Kitchenettes in hotel rooms are common. Both countries are very spick and span: no litter anywhere and very little graffiti, except in Melbourne, where it was a serious problem in 2013, we found. It was the only place we didn’t really like, despite its international fame.

The cost of living is very high for us British, especially in New Zealand, partly due, of course, to an unfavourable exchange rate. When we first visited in 2004 the rate was heavily in our favour. The current prosperity of both countries stems from their not having experienced the financial recession of 2007 onwards. Prices in supermarkets appeared about 50% higher than in the UK – and the price of toiletries and cosmetics is astronomical! It seemed odd, in countries that grow much of their own (very high quality) fruit and vegetables, that prices should be noticeably higher than here. Wine is similarly more expensive and imported spirits are again very costly. Food in restaurants and food courts is of an extremely high standard. Housing is cheaper (dramatically cheaper outside of conurbations) and – strangely – petrol is cheaper, too, the price often varying by 10–20% in the same neighbourhood. Australia has not taken to electric cars; there are practically none, public charging-points are unknown and used electric cars are said to be worthless – extraordinary to us!

It has been interesting, on each visit, to canvas our friends – and in turn their friends – on their thoughts about a republic. Would they vote to keep the British monarch as head of state? Australia will undoubtedly vote for a republic (the next vote will follow the end of the Queen’s reign); it is quite clear that there is no wish to see Prince Charles in that role, although if the popular Prince William were to succeed, the result would be more difficult to predict. New Zealand is more pro-British, and could well vote for the status quo. Reading the newspapers each day showed that Australians are exercised by exactly the same issues that concern us here: political wrangles; worries about excessive immigration and the under-achievement of certain ethnic groups in schools; coastal erosion; the need for more housing, etc.

Both countries have far fewer cultural opportunities of all kinds – music, theatre, the arts, amateur associations – than we have in the UK, even in their cities. It reminded me of my upbringing in the cultural desert of Lowestoft. Theirs is very much an outdoor lifestyle, more laid-back and far less frenetic than that in the UK; in New Zealand in particular everything somehow seems simpler. There are many modern churches that appear well kept and popular. Rules and regulations (road speeds, the environment, civic responsibilities, etc.), advertised on all sorts of notices and billboards, are cheerfully obeyed – rather as in 1950s’ Britain. Smoking on the street is far less prevalent than here and smoking areas are strictly controlled; 20 cigarettes in Australia cost around £20 (yes, £). In New Zealand, smoking is simply not permitted anywhere near the serving of food – indoors or outdoors – and there is a declared intention to make smoking illegal in the whole country within a generation.

The two countries are wonderful destinations for a holiday. The distance and (these days) the cost are the bugbears, however.

Phillip Parr

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PTA Summer BallMajor fundraiser for St Michael’s Primary School expansion

St Michael’s Parent Teacher Association is running a summer ball / black-tie dinner in the Paddock (AL3 4SL) on Saturday 19 May. This is their major contribution towards the school’s expansion project – a very worthy cause as well as an excellent night out. There will be music from Swanvesta Social Club and great food.

This event is for the whole community and not just parents at the school. It would be great if members of the congregation and wider community could get involved and, through the ball, support the biggest investment in the parish’s primary school in two generations. Tickets are now available on www.stmichaelspta.org.uk/summer-ball-2018

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Team NewsThank you to Linda Withington

We are sorry that Linda has decided not to continue being joint editor of Parish News after the May edition, and we would like to thank her for her help and enthusiasm since we both started two years ago. Linda has found that family commitments as well as working at St Columba’s College mean that she cannot devote the time to Parish News that she would like to give. We will be sorry to lose her from the editorial team. Thank you, Linda, for all your hard work.

Welcome: Kyna Mason

We would like to welcome Kyna Mason as advertising manager of Parish News. Kyna is very happy to take any enquiries from potential advertisers. Kyna has written some words to introduce herself on page18.

Sandie North and the editorial team

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Advertising ManagerThank you to the Parish News team who have asked me to join as advertising manager for the magazine. I have lived in St Michael’s village and been a member of the church for six years. I have always enjoyed reading the magazine and I believe its contribution to the community is cherished by many of us. I look forward to working with the team and hopefully bringing in as much revenue for this lovely community journal as possible! If anyone has any suggestions or comments about the advertising for the Parish News, please feel more than welcome to get in touch – all advice is very much appreciated.

Kyna Mason

TOE-TAL FOOTCARE for all the family, for the treatment of corns, callusthickened nails, nail trimming, complaints. For an appointment that will last between 40 minutes and 1 hour, at a cost of £28own home at a time to suit yo

Book now on Graham Spendlove

Qualified Foot Health Professional

TAL FOOTCARE for all the family, for the corns, calluses, ingrown or

thickened nails, nail trimming, and other

For an appointment that will last between 40 minutes and 1 hour, at a cost of £28own home at a time to suit you.

Book now on 07799 033974 Graham Spendlove MCFHP, MAHFP.

Qualified Foot Health Professional

TAL FOOTCARE for all the family, for the , ingrown or

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For an appointment that will last between 40 minutes and 1 hour, at a cost of £28, in your

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Removal Of Pigeonholes From The Lady Chapel

Some people might not be aware that we no longer have pigeonholes for communication with individual parishioners. Instead, we now have a ‘Communications Box’ at the back of the Lady Chapel. I am not quite sure of the reasoning behind this – it may be because it is thought that almost everyone has a computer, is connected to the internet and can, therefore, contact others in this way. While this may be logical to the younger generation, there are those in the congregation who do not have and do not wish to have a computer, thus preventing them from receiving information that others take for granted. It is especially important when there are major events happening, such as the forthcoming September weekend of commemoration of the ending of the First World War. Individuals do not automatically know the email addresses of people, but they can use the pigeonholes and hope that people will collect from them at the Sunday services, or any time during the week.

The pigeonholes are not just for Christmas cards in December, but are a very useful means of communication for everybody throughout the whole year.

Sandie North

J & B NASHExterior & Interior Painting and Tiling

Local Family firm

Reliable and Professional

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Articles for the Parish NewsIf you have an article or notice for the Parish News, the deadline for

production for our June edition is Saturday 12 May 2018

Please send contributions to the magazine’s editors Sandie North – [email protected]

Kerry Wells – [email protected] a copy to

Katherine Crowdell – [email protected] leave them for our attention at the Parish Office.

If you or anyone you know would like to advertise in the Parish News, please contact Kyna Mason – [email protected]

DisclaimerThe views expressed in each edition of the Parish News are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, the parish or the vicar. The advertising in this magazine

does not imply an endorsement or promotion of the advertisement, nor its content, products or services.