Back to the evening of 20th March, the village hall being the venue for the Film Club and the showing of ‘War Horse’. Many thanks to Sue for organizing and providing refreshments during the interval. The following day the hall was full for a Winter Warmer Lunch of delicious, homemade soups and rolls. This was in aid of St Michael’s Hospice as sadly; the Bluebell event was unable to go ahead this year. The representative from the Hospice gave us valuable insights into this amazing place. Over six million pounds per year to run!! Donations from the lunch raised £150, plus an unknown amount from the card machine, which is great as every penny helps.
Sunday 29th, a jolly gathering built up for Palm Sunday’s short service at St Nicholas, before a delightful walk across the fields, dogs as well, to St Michael’s North Waltham, where the service continued. Thank you to those who provided coffee & biscuits afterwards.
The last day of March! The Crucifixion. The United Benefice choir had been rehearsing for weeks! What started off as ‘oh no, we will never be able to do this etc. etc. reminded me so much of our Panto rehearsals!! Which always ended up being brilliant, well this was no exception. Absolutely wonderful, all so thoroughly enjoyed it. We also had a Tenor solo with Robert Gunn and a Bass solo with Ian Miller, with of course our wonderful Paul on the organ. Well done Marilyn.
The beginning of April a small group of volunteers met up at church to do a great tidy up around the grounds, which ended up looking brilliantly refreshed thanks to them. Just in time for Easter. On Saturday 4th our beautiful little church came alive with colour. What a transformation as the flower ladies worked their amazing floristry displays whilst chatting and enjoying Emma’s very yummy brownies and coffee, thank you Emma. A lovely Easter service took place the following day, followed by the traditional Easter egg hunt around the church yard, well done Barbara. Luckily the weather was behaving very nicely! Book group met on Friday 10th thank you Rachel for hosting and providing delicious scones & coffee, also to Susie & Barbara for lovely cakes. The book for review was ‘Slow Horses’ by Mick Herron. A brilliant, witty and gritty spy thriller focussing on a team of disgraced MI5 agents exiled to “Slough House” It scored a 5
On the morning of Saturday 11th, a full village hall gathered to hear of the up-and-coming Excavation Dig. Firstly, delicious cakes and coffee was served before settling down to hear Deborah Charlton give a very informative archaeological talk on J. A. 2026 dig with the option to participate. Fingers crossed for good weather during May & June. As most of us would have seen by now, there is a beautiful new bench around the tree on the triangle. This was provided by the immense generosity of Roy Cross, a small brass plaque has been placed on the bench depicting this. A Huge Thank you, may you have many years of enjoying your tranquil times there Roy. Also a thank you for the new base provided by contributions from the Parish Council, Steventon Players, Village Hall Committee and the defunct Steventon Cricket Club.
A very warm welcome to Andy & Kay Stewart at Hillside House and Rupert & Katherine De Wilde, baby Freddie at 3 Ashe Park Cottages. We all hope you will be very happy in our beautiful little village. Here we are, almost into May with the landscape offering stunning displays of floral beauty everywhere. I walked through a long narrow footpath with blackthorn either side, bursting into what looked like a winter wonderland as it was so thick and bright with the sunshine. The trees competing with one another with their colours of greens, a truly beautiful time of the year. Lambs now can be seen and heard as they emerge into the world, staying close to their mums until they get a bit older! Wonderful. The dawn chorus, glorious, as is the evening as they all start to settle down. The stunning colours of the sunrises and sunsets continue to amaze. If ever one is feeling a bit out of sorts, we just need to take a look outside, smile and know just how very lucky we are. Mike has just finished the mowing, a cup of tea is in order, I think. Outside in the garden. Enjoy.