NEWS FROM 5T. MICHAE!. AND AtI. ANGETY CHURCH

May 5th Ascension Day May L5th Whit Sunday, Pentecost

April brought us the return of dropping temperatures, snow flurries, and a lot of rain so I

hope that by the beginning of May we are all enjoying warmer weather and the longer days.

Many Esh residents attended the beautifulfuneral service on 31* March at KibblesworthMethodist Church for our friend and neighbour Audrey Wilkinson. Audrey had plannedmuch of the service and the hymns and readings chosen truly reflected her love of flowersand the countryside, the stars of the heavens, family love and her unshakeable faith. tt wasa privilege to attend the service for, {as Audrey's Order of Service stated), "A Lovely Lady".Please do call in or stop and chat to Alan, so often tending his garden, when out and about.

Claire, AIex, Anna and I hosted the April Coffee Morning on Znd April- still in the schoolholidays so I had the additional help (chaos) of resident grandchildren, (note to self - badtiming!!). Huge thank you to Carl's parents, Jim and June, who 'manned the door' and soldraffle tickets. Despite so many 'regulars' being on holiday a wonderful f488.95 was raised,(f55 via Phoenix cards commission), rounded up to f500. f350 was donated to The Friendsand f150 banked for general funds. Thank you to Jim and June, Jim O'Connor, Barbara andArlene, Judy, Linda and Brenda for additionaltombola prizes, those who gave donations andto all those wonderful bakers.

I invite family friends each year who enjoy coming along and their contribution is very muchappreciated. One friend who wishes to remain anonymous, is aware of the ongoingfinancial investigation and so sent me a cheque rnade payable to The Friends for an amazing€500. This gesture, frorn someone who does not live within the parishes, demonstrateshow much people are committed to helping our ancient church out of its current difficulties.

The AGM of The Parochial Church Council was held in church after the service on 10th April.Vicar Michael chaired the meeting providing general updates, financial information, and theprogress of The Friends; Carol gave the report of Electoral Roll Members; Mauricecontinues his work to claim the Gift Aid; Claire will continue to act as Child SafeguardingOfficer. Appointed to the PCC to serve 2015 to ZOLT are Brenda, Linda, Joan, Judy and Kay.I hope that Phillip will confirm his willingness to be re-elected. We STTLL need more peopleto create a vibrant committee, sc please consider being co-opted. The next pCC meetingwill be held in the C of E school hall at 7 pm on 26th May - do come!

The May Coffee Morning will be hosted by Mary and Steve, Judith and John, 10.30 am -noon on Saturday 7th May at 24 Green Court. Contributions for the tombola and the cakestall would, as always, be gratefully received.

A couple of months ago there was a snippet in the magazine encouraging all churchesthroughout the UK and Commonwealth to celebrate H.M. The Queen's 90th birthday. Tomark the occasion a small, informal group is exchanging ideas - hopeful that more peoplewill wish to help. How well I remernber the Queen's !977 Silver Jubilee in Esh - probablythe last time that everyone came together, bunting, flags, a maypole, picnics, presentationchina mugs for the children - everyone and everything in the village decked out in red,white and bluel

It has been decided that, in support of The Friends of the Church, The Queen's Birthdaypicnic will be held on the afternoon of Sunday l2s June in the grounds of Esh Hall. At this

stage please keep the afternoon free - full details will be provided in the June magazine.

Guests will provide their own picnics, chairs/rugs, but soft drinks and ice cream will be

available. There will be a children's competition for the best home-made crourn. lf you can

help organise cricket, football, rounders or egg & spoon/ sack/3-legged/bean bag races; or

give an hour selling raffle tickets, selling drinks or running some kind of stall (eg. do you

fancy being the target for wet sponges - no? I don't blame you, then perhaps throwing the

bean bag at tin can targets?), then please let Gillian or Kay know asap.

ln keeping with the regaltheme we will be using the Treasure lsland Map to find the

location of a Gold and Silver Hamper and so we need lots of gold and silver items - colour or

name - eg. Golden Syrup, 6olden Nuggets Cereals, Silver Shred Marmalade, Silver Spoon

Sugar or gold wrapping paper, silver foil, any item in these two colours' There are all sorts

of items on supermarket shelves that would be ideal. Please drop off to Gillian or Kay asap.

We continue to pray for Alison Golightly, Margaret O'Connelley, Ann Hollamby and Mary

Pierce. Please let carol know if you wish someone to be added to the Prayer List' we send

get well wishes to Ken Whitfield and son Stuart who have both been unwell- Throughout all

ihe hospital appointments, surgery and treatments Audrey and ken have never failed to

edit, print and staple the magazine together for us each month ... and both Audrey and Ken

are, 1if they will forgive nne mentioning it), in their ninth decadel What a remarkable couple'

Upon the arrival of the month of May and allthe traditions associated with May Day, I

remember reading recently that 19th century navvies and their brides considered

themselves legally married if they jumped across a birch-broom held over the threshold on

May Day - a considerably cheaper option than today's expensive, themed weddings! We

wish the young couple who will rnarrY in Esh in May, a very happy future together'

With best wishes,