Dear Friends,

My apologies if I have ruined your eye-sight with the small print in the two poems, but I wanted to put them side by side. November is sometimes thought of as the ‘fag end’ of the year. It is associated with dripping trees, chilly night mists and nothing much to look forward to except foul weather until the spring. It is the month of All Souls and Remembrance, and as the year slips to it’s close so it can seem that it takes our spirit with it. It is easy to slip into despair – into negative thinking, to let the mood of the weather or other external factors, be they personal issues, politics or the state of the world, blight our lives.

Yet underneath the damp trees in my garden is the amethyst of tiny cyclamen flowers. The winter clematis are beginning to bud – and I know we have the greatest display that nature has to offer yet to come as the trees flame red, yellow and orange in the late autumn sunshine. If we look, all around are little signs of the greatness and glory of God – and of his promise of hope to the world. And this year, November brings the greatest promise of all – for Advent begins on 28^th November. The beginning of the new Church Year – and the time when we begin to prepare once more to remember that God came into the world to live as one of us. He came to share our hopes, our joys – our ‘amethyst days’ and our ‘no healthful ease’ days.

I wish you all a joyful – and positive – Advent Season

Yours in Christ

Jo Spray

all who serve in our armed forces and their families, and those who have kept our country safe in years gone by.

the work of the Royal British Legion.

our Parish Council and Borough Councillor.

a spirit of Advent hope and joy.

Remembrance Sunday is on November 14^th this year. Our Service of Remembrance will begin, as usual, at 10.40am by the War Memorial so that we are in Church to observe the two minutes silence at 11.00am. In the evening of that day, at our evening Holy Communion Service, we shall remember all those whom we loved who have gone before us. If you would like to remember by name someone whom you loved who has died, please will you add their name to the list at the back of the Church.

Jo Spray

Jo Spray (881312)

Coffee Mornings. The next coffee morning will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, 11^th November at Barton Homes. There will be a raffle and bring-and-buy stall for which contributions especially of cakes and produce would be very welcome. Please do come - all are welcome. If you need transport, please contact Anne Claypole White (881661).

Many thanks to Mickey Bradley and Di Gamble for hosting the October Coffee Morning. This raised the wonderful sum of £797.

Church Flowers. A big thank you to the small band of willing helpers who worked so hard to decorate the church so beautifully for Harvest Festival. The scaffolding presented a challenge but was put to good use and the church looked stunning.

Mothers’ Union.

Next meeting is on Thursday 18^th November at 2:30 pm in the Manor Room.

Harvest Supper and Sale. Many thanks to all who helped with, and supported the Harvest Supper. The supper raised £683 and the sale raised £255 for the Bishop’s Harvest for the Hungry appeal.

Rehearsals are about to start for a nativity play, to take place during the Christmas Eve Crib Service, from 4:15 to 5:15 on Fridays; first meeting to be Friday 8^th November. Please let Sarah Beecham know if you would like to become involved in this. Telephone: 881688.