I still have two dear Godmothers of whom I am very fond – and very proud. At the age of 94 one still does all the cooking, and an invitation to lunch means four courses, with a choice of puddings, all home cooked. I love to hear her when she clears up after a meal – any unused cutlery or crockery is always referred to as ‘a blessing’! It seems to me to be quite profound to see blessings in such simple things.

In an age when many people are discontented – seeking more and more material benefit for themselves and their families, often looking over their shoulder to see if someone else has more than them, people like Joyce and Dorothy are a blessing in themselves. A blessing in the joy they have in their extended family, in their friends, in their garden and in their community.

Two years ago we took them to France for a holiday – it was such enormous fun, especially when we miscalculated the time it takes to help two elderly ladies through the usual facilities and so missed the ferry home. We changed the booking, drove along the coast – and what a blessing, we were able to see the Mulberry harbours and the Normandy beaches we would otherwise have missed. Well, we were just about able to see them with powerful binoculars, for Dorothy, who does all the cooking is almost blind.

We were supposed to go to Rome this year but Joyce had to have treatment for cancer – but what a blessing, they were able to go to Holland with a church group instead.

I often see the same kind of positive attitude in the elderly here – and in those who are coping with difficult illnesses or other major problems. It is sometimes only the healthy and fit who seem sick.

As we approach the holiday month when perhaps there is a little more spare time than usual – may we, as the old fashioned hymn says, ‘Count our blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.’

Yours in Christ

Jo

Grace that we may be able to see our many blessings

All who are sick in our parish and congregation

Those in the world who are suffering persecution and injustice.

Once over the hill, you pick up speed.

I love cooking with wine, sometimes I even put it in the food.

Whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.

Everyone has a photographic memory, some just don’t have film.

Dogs have owners, cats have staff..

If the shoe fits, buy it in every colour.

If you’re too open minded, your brains will fall out.

Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.

Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of cheques.

Some days are a total waste of make up.

Men are from earth, women are from earth, deal with it.

A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.

Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of waist change places.

Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.

Junk is something you’ve kept for years and thrown away three weeks before you need it.

Experience is a wonderful thing, it enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.

By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.

Learn from the mistakes of others, you can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.

May today be peace within you.

May you trust god that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.

Let his presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, and to bask in the sun.

It is there for each and every one of us.

Sit back, relax, and imagine a Midsummer Sunday afternoon in a rural Bedfordshire village church together with tea, cake, scones with jam and cream; all washed down by Choral Evensong.

… Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? Well, the weather over the last few weeks tried its utmost to thwart the plans of the RSCM Area Committee in providing such a treat in the guise of the latest Regional Evensong in Turvey, located just to the West of Bedford. Nonetheless, against all the odds, someone must have been looking after us, as the weather held off for the entire event. This was also quite fortunate in that sectional rehearsals were held both in the church and the Manor Room a few hundred yards away up next to the Village Hall, and sodden robes would quite literally have put a dampener on the occasion.

Christopher Muhley put the choir of just under 100 choristers through their paces in a quite demanding, but nevertheless rewarding, selection of some of the best in English church music, which included Responses by Richard Ayleward, Psalm 60 (of deadly wine, Moab and washpot fame), Canticles by Stanford in the key of C, and that glorious anthem by John Ireland, Greater love. And, as if there was not already enough cake on offer, the icing was provided by Paul Edwards, organist and choirmaster at All Saints Turvey, in the form of a very singable introit based on words by Percy Dearmer from the English Hymnal, Holy God, we show forth here. Paul very generously allowed those attending to take copies away with them for use in their own churches. Despite a severe case of ‘frog-in-throat’, Paul also ensured he spent time in welcoming everyone to Turvey.

The Revd Jo Spray – officially Priest-in-Charge to give her formal title, but just ‘Jo’ to those who know her – officiated at the service, and gave a very uplifting and timely address on the positive role of choirs within the framework of the church’s mission in terms of nourishing the soul as well as enhancing the liturgy and illuminating the Gospel. Jo also stressed that part of a Christian’s duties which often gets overlooked; namely, praising God through active and regular worship. Music has a vital part to play in all these roles.

These Regional Evensongs have now become an established part of the Royal School of Church Music’s work in the St Albans Area, and it was really fantastic to see choristers from so many churches represented – the range of coloured robes on display was certainly very eye-catching, as the accompanying photographs reveal.

Apart from the ladies who provided the refreshments (have I mentioned the cakes yet?) it is worth mentioning that the organist’s duties were shared by Paul Edwards, who played some organ miniatures expertly at the start of the service, and Andy Benoy, who accompanied the choir for the sung parts. Incidentally, it is unusual in a village the size of Turvey to find a four manual organ complete with Tuba stop on 11½ inches of wind pressure. Unsurprisingly, the temptation to use said tuba proved a tad irresistible. The result, for those not present, can best be summed up as "quite loud…" For those who were present, I trust your ears have now returned to normal.

Please take a look at the photographs that accompany this report, and also watch this space for details of the next Regional Evensong. Who knows – it could be in a church near you!

*** Event reviewed by Andy Benoy ***

It all began one wintry Sunday morning when we abandoned all attempts to control our lively toddler and screaming baby and left the stressful Mass in the calm of Turvey Abbey. On our way home we met the Beechams who were escaping from the service at All Saints. We had the usual "Someone should do something" conversation and went home. Little did I realise that I was talking to a real "doer" and within a few days, Sarah had spoken to Rev. Camp, who had given his permission for a "pram service". Little Lights was born and we had our first service in January 2001. I don’t think either of us thought it would still be going strong over 6 years later!

At the moment, Little Lights is run by a team of four: myself, Claire Grey, Rosemary Gentry, and of course Rev. Jo, who has brought so many initiatives for children and families to Turvey—thank God for her ministry! It seems strange to think that when we started Little Lights there was nothing else specifically for children and now we have the Family Service, as well as the Easter and Harvest workshops and the Nativity play.

Our aim was, and still is, to make Church accessible to parents of young children and to help children realise that Church is for them too. We use the same broad format each month with stories, songs and prayers followed by some kind of craft activity, and a cup of tea and chat for the mums, dads or grannies. We have about 10 families who attend regularly and we always have some grannies, both actual and honorary! We meet on the fourth Monday every month, the day after the family service, at 2:30 pm in the church. Everyone is welcome.

After all, those lively toddlers and screaming babies have turned into well-behaved girls and boys who (mostly) enjoy going to church and can be relied upon to read and to help serve at the Family Service. I don’t think Sarah or I believed that would ever happen!

We hope you have been enjoying your ‘New Look’ newsletter during the last few months – I particularly enjoy the profiles of people in the parish and think it is really good of those who have been interviewed to let us share their earlier experiences. Unfortunately, like many good things, this comes with a cost! The price of producing the newsletter has more than doubled – so from January we will be asking 20p a copy. If your newsletter is delivered, please let your collector know in plenty of time that you want to continue to receive it; they will then collect the money in advance at the beginning of the year. If you pick up your copy in church each month – please don’t forget to put a donation in the wall safe!

Many Thanks

Jo Spray (on behalf of the PCC)

At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam’s ribs. Later in the week his mother notice him lying down as though he were ill, and said, "Johnny what is the matter" Little Johnny responded "I have a pain in my side, I think I’m going to have a wife".

I am delighted to have been asked to baptise our new grandson, Oliver William David, on 2nd September. If you are planning to be in church that day, we should be pleased if you would join us after the service to toast Olly’s baptism—and that of his cousin Eleanor, who was baptised in Wales at Eastertide. And to give thanks for all our grandchildren. Jo Spray

On Sunday the 1st July I had the privilege to sing with many members of the Royal School of Church Music. The conductor was very accomplished and his enthusiasm inspired us to give our best and to enjoy the whole occasion. Choirs from villages throughout Beds and Herts. came for our Church Choral Evensong. During a short break in the rehearsals I spoke to a lady sitting beside me and asked which village she had come from and to my utter amazement she said "Newgate Street". I told her that I was evacuated with my brother the day war broke out, 3rd September 1939, to Newgate Street, a village in Hertfordshire. I was "chosen" to live in Ponsbourne Mansion with five other girls, the home of the billeting officer and his wife and two daughters. We attended the village church with them and to my joy I was asked to sing in the choir, my first ever experience of singing in a choir. I can remember being very thrilled and showing my mum and dad on their first visit where I sat in the choir pew, and possibly the pew where the lady beside me now sat. What a coincidence!

" Be faithful because it is in small things that your strength lies".

Mother Teresa

Although we don’t yet seem to have had summer, here are some dates for your diary:

Friday 28th September: Michaelmas market in aid of charity at Hall Farm, Turvey, combined with Macmillan Coffee Morning

Sunday 7th October: Harvest Sunday

Tuesday 9th October: Turvey Lower School Harvest in Church

Wednesday 10th Oct: Harvest Auction in the Three Cranes

Friday 12th October: Harvest Supper in the Village hall

A big thank you to Roger and Marilyn Eaton for hosting last months coffee morning and to everyone who supported the event. We raised £168.40 towards church funds. Once again we were lucky with the weather and were able to sit outside and enjoy the views. There is no coffee morning in August but they will resume in September.

The day dawned bright and sunny which, in the context of this miserable summer, was not far short of miraculous. The business of setting up, although partially accomplished the previous day, got under way seriously at 8.30. The anxious cries of "where can I plug in for my electrical supply?" "Where is my "pitch"?" "Is there any float money?" etc. carried on the morning breeze.

Annas and Caiphas thought it would be a good idea to try out the sumo wrestling kit, not realising that there was an adult set and a junior set. Yes, you guessed it, they promptly donned the junior set and set about one another! (Note: Annas won this particular contest by pushing Caiphas out of the ring) It was getting out of the kit which proved the difficulty as the aperture for the heads in the junior set was correspondingly smaller. It was only with the help of Anthony Ormerod who was able to pull the outfits off with much folding of ears, that they were spared the embarrassment of spending all day in them.

The quality of the beer in the beer tent was being tested at an early hour of the morning and the "balloon man" struggled to contain helium - inflated balloons under a net with limited success. (To date, only two balloon cards, both bought by Turvey residents, have been returned but we are allowing four weeks for any more to be returned before announcing the winner of the race.)

Time flew by and before we knew where we were, it was mid-day, the Ouse Valley Swing Band, led by Tim Brewster, swung into action, our inimitable MC, Rob Spray declared the party open and Daniel Hanbury aided and abetted by Len Savage, took up his position by the gate and began the business of extracting money for the Prize Draw – a skill at which he is highly accomplished.

As always the people of Turvey rose to the occasion and poured through the gates in large numbers, anxious to spend their hard earned cash including many noisy and happy children. We were entertained by Brackley Morris Men who put on a classic performance of their art – enormous fun and requiring great energy. Phil Burley and family did a tremendous job with the barbecue and once they started selling, there was a constant flow of customers until all was sold out.

It was a true village party and exactly what the organisers wished to achieve with everyone, especially the children, enjoying themselves and generally having fun.

It is impossible to thank individually everyone who helped because there were so many but to all "stallholders," performers, organisers of children’s games and races, generous sponsors and donors a huge thank you. Special thanks to Anthony and Sheila Ormerod for generously allowing us to use the unique setting of Chantry House so soon after taking up residence there.

Finally, to everyone who came and spent their money, helping us to raise the enormous sum of £3500 all of which goes to F.A.S.T. and will be used for repair and renovation of the fabric of our beautiful church, THANK YOU.

Sorry to all of you expecting a profile this month, watch this space in next months copy!

To everything there is a season, a time for purpose under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4.