Spring is here with us now and we can begin to say goodbye to the short days and long nights – not that all was gloomy over the winter! We had great Christmas celebrations around the Benefice, and I enjoyed many mince pies and other festive cheers with so many of you, thank you. I have been here three years now and it was so good to see so many people gathering and enjoying community activities fully again.

Spring will bring its own celebrations and opportunities and of course I have already been in conversations about when the grass will need to start being cut! I am sure we will all be busy. It is the season of new life as so much activity is seen as nature bursts around us.

You will find in our churches that we are making an effort to put in prayer stations, where candles can be lit, or a prayer can be written and hung on a prayer tree or put on a prayer board. These activities can really help when we have something we want to say thanks for, and for those times we want to ask for some help. Often, we want to do something physical even if we cannot do something directly to help – so please do look out for them.

And of course, over this next season we’ll be celebrating Easter in the churches and I am really pleased that families have been asking if we will be having our Easter egg hunt and egg decorating again – of course! Please check out our calendar and what will be happening around the villages. I hope many of you will find gatherings and events that will suit you. Please do feel welcome to contact me, by phone, email, or call by the vicarage,

All blessings to you,

Reverend Paula Smith 01280 701631