Dear Friends,

So, for another year the exam results are published. For some it will be good news and for others there will be heartache and disappointment. I still find it rather strange, three years after retirement, not to be in the thick of the euphoria – or totally occupied in trying to redesign some one’s plans for the future. I was Head of Sixth in a large comprehensive school with an open access policy - if students were well motivated and we thought we could offer a course that would lead to success in some form, they were allowed to stay on. It was wonderful to be able to rejoice with those who had gained three or four ‘A’ grades and could take their place at Oxford or Cambridge. It was, perhaps, even more special to applaud the success of those who had struggled against all the odds to achieve two ‘E’ grades in their Advanced level exams.

So it was with GCSE – some students sailed through to gain top grades almost without lifting a book, for others it was a real triumph to get the necessary grades to move on to their chosen course. That is why I get so angry about reports that belittle our young people’s achievement. It is also why I get even more upset by the implication that academic success is the only measure of a person’s worth.

Of course, as most teachers will tell you, teaching a high flying A level class is a great experience, but some of the most rewarding and satisfying lessons I taught were to students who had very little hope of passing any formal exams at all. ‘In the good old days’ achievement might be measured by a file of course work and rewarded with a Diploma of Achievement, or exams set by the teacher to cover only what the students had learned. Of course they knew they were not going to grow up to be brain surgeons, but at least they experienced success before they left school and did not leave thinking of themselves as failures. They knew that they could succeed in different ways and that they had a value in society – that they were worth something.

I am always interested by the fact that many of Our Lord’s close friends and disciples, those whom he charged to do his work on earth after he returned to the Father, were not all the top scholars of the day. They were fisherman and tax collectors, ordinary people doing ordinary jobs – for Jesus recognised their worth as people, however they earned their living.

So he does with us. We need our research scientists, our lawyers and doctors, our thinkers and planners – but we also need our plumbers and road menders, our builders and doers – and think what a mess we would be in without our refuse collectors! I think Our Lord values kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity, humility, love and care for others – and there is no exam that measures these gifts.

I do hope that if you have been taking exams this year, you have achieved the grades you wanted and expected – and congratulations if you did. If not, don’t despair, in the words of the wise old nun from the ‘Sound of Music’ ‘If God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window’ – He needs, wants and values us all, whatever our grades!

Yours in Christ

Jo Spray

All young people as they start school again or move on to employment or further or higher education.

All the sick and housebound of the parish.

Peace in our world – and those who suffer as a result of acts of violence.

Colin Knight and Helen Fielding to be married on 6^th September.

Myles Tew and Sara Leaper to be married on 20^th September.

David Hardman and Alison Minto to be married on 27^th September.

Our Harvest Services this year will be on Sunday 5^th October. The morning service is at 11.00am and will be a Eucharist for Families. Evensong is at 6.00pm. We are delighted that Turvey Lower School is to have a Harvest Thanksgiving in the Church at 10.00am on Monday 6^th October.

Monday 8^th September, 2:30 pm in Church. Saturday 4^th October, Harvest Workshop in the Manor Room from 10 am to 11:30. Mondays 3^rd November, 1^st December and 12^th January, 2:30 pm in Church. All very welcome.

The coffee morning at Abbey Farm raised £428 towards Church funds. There was a record attendance and everyone had a very enjoyable time. Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Richter for providing us with such a stunning venue (not forgetting the horses!) and to everyone who helped with and supported the event.

There will be no coffee morning in September. The next one will be on Saturday 11^th October at 23 Norfolk Road, hosted by Margaret and Mike Marshall.

The Church will be decorated for Harvest Festival on Friday 3^rd and Saturday 4^th October. If you would like to help, please let Anne Claypole White know. We shall need autumn foliage, berries and garden produce, contributions of which will be very welcome. These can be brought to the church, preferably on the Friday.

18^th September, 2:30 pm. Holy Communion at All Saints Church followed by a short meeting and tea in the Manor Room.

There will be a cheese and wine evening with Rob Spray giving a talk about the Ukraine. Details later.

The Harvest Supper, including Harvest Sale, will be on Friday 10^th October starting at 7:30 pm in the Village Hall. Tickets, £7 (£3.50 for children), from Sandra Nightingale, Rosemary Gentry and others.