Greetings dear Friends of The Valley
As I write at the end of the day and look ahead to a wedding on Friday at All Saints I’m thankful for the beautiful weather. All the more so as I visited Olive and Katherine Signy’s stables earlier today as part of the National Racehorse Week. It was a great joy to meet four week old baby Thea who will soon be baptised in St Michael & All Angels.
I also met Robin des Fox a huge but gorgeous horse . . . and my next racing tip is . . .
If you missed it this year do look out for the National Racehorse week event next year as it is a fabulous opportunity to gain an insight into the life of the stables which are so very much part of our community.
St Michael’s Patronal Festival weekend
Looking ahead we have a busy few weeks coming up with Harvest services and St Michael’s Patronal Festival weekend.
There are a couple of special opportunities this year – the open ringing on Saturday afternoon – your chance to ring and then on Sunday evening Songs of Praise at 6.30 followed by refreshments including a glass of wine for which we will be asking for a donation. Here is the timetable. Refreshment and cake at every opportunity!
September 25th Saturday morning:
- Receiving of Gifts at the lychgate
- Coffee morning with refreshments
- Church decorated with flowers
- Neighbourhood Plan Exhibition
- Camera Club Exhibition
September 26th Saturday Afternoon:
- Open ringing and refreshments in aid of East Garston Bell Repair Fund
- Church decorated with flowers
- Neighbourhood Plan Exhibition
- Camera Club Exhibition
September 26th Sunday:
- Benefice service 10.30
- Songs of Praise and refreshments 18.30
- Flowers in Church
Patronal days are when we celebrate the Saint after whom a church is named and as usual Lambourn is making the most of this celebration of St Michael & All Angels!
Do come along over the weekend – I am very much looking forward to seeing you at any time especially on Saturday morning when, along with the Wardens I will be at the Lychgate to receive your gift and enjoy time in conversation. Please find attached a letter explaining all about the Gift Day which we do hope that you will be able to support.
Lambourn Lambs
Lambourn Lambs is re-starting on September 20th so do please spread the word to all those friends who have new-born babies, are expecting a baby or have a toddler! All are welcome on Mondays from 10 – 11.45. We will be as Covid secure as is possible and feel more confident now the numbers of cases has declined.
If you’d like to keep an eye on the covid case numbers this link will take you there
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/search?postcode=RG178PD
Harvest Festivals
Harvest Festivals will be taking place in October in each of the Lambourn Valley churches and this year we will once again, be welcoming Lambourn CE Primary school. They will be bringing Harvest gifts for the West Berks foodbank collections.
Since January the West Berks foodbank has provided emergency support to over 1000 adults and children each month, and a staggering 3,401 in the last two months. The items specifically requested are coffee, biscuits, instant mash, pasta sauces, tinned fish and soup, shower gel, shampoo, tinned meals, sponge puddings and tinned vegetables.
Each class will gather one of the urgent needs the foodbank has shared. There is a West Berks foodbank poster in each church so please do join in and support this cause over the Harvest period.
Please make a note of the Harvest Festivals (attached) and please donate as you are able. Many thanks for your support for our neighbours in difficulties.
Finally
Finally, and returning to the racing theme – Keith had his first walk out this afternoon following his knee operation. I took him back to Oliver and Katherine’s stables up at The Croft in Upper Lambourn where he too met the gorgeous Robin des Fox! We love it as a string of horses clip clop their way past the Vicarage on their way to the Gallops and it’s always a joy to see them after Morning Prayer as they pass church. Talking of which – if you are interested in either joining in with Morning Prayer at 8.30am or Compline 8.30pm via Zoom please do just ask.
With warmest best wishes and every blessing
Julie