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Summer now draws to a close
(September 20, 2015)For the second year running we have been delighted to play host to a number of overseas visitors (mainly from Australia and America) who have visited The Ley Arms and St Andrews as part of their tour of the region. Three things have stood out for me. Their immense friendliness, great interest in the history of St Andrews and their generosity. Hopefully we will see more such visitors next year.
Thanks to Karen and the team at the Ley and those who have acted as stewards over the summer, sharing their knowledge of St Andrews with our visitors.
Autumn is now upon us
With the advent of Autumn we have a plethora of exciting events. We kick off with the village quiz at the Kenn Centre on 9 October, there is still time to enter your team (entrance form in the post office in Kennford). Don’t forget, bring your own liquid refreshment. If you would like a pasty, please mark this on the entrance form.
Thoughts of Autumn lead us inevitably on to Christmas. St Andrew’s Christmas Fayre is on Saturday 28 November in the Kenn Centre (10-12). This seems to grow every year. Lots of interesting stalls selling a variety of things, ideal for Christmas presents and stocking fillers. This year, I hear that Father Christmas has agreed to pop down from the North Pole to join us – so don’t forget to bring your letter for Santa.
A must see event in the Church is the Christmas Tree festival over the weekend of 4-6 December. There is always very imaginative Christmas Tree decorating from the various bodies and organizations who kindly put up a tree. Our Christmas Tree festival culminates with our Carol Service on Sunday 6 at 5pm. This is a very unique service that includes a brass ensemble (organised by Paul Ryecroft) and participation by our local school children. Brass music in the church always sounds wonderful thanks to the Church’s acoustics.
Then we know that Christmas is nearly here when it is time for Words and Music, this year on Monday 21 December at 7.30pm. Every year is different and every year the event seems better than the previous year’s event. I just don’t know how they do it!
Church Toilet Update
Friday 4 September, our official proposal was considered by the Exeter Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC). I regret to advise that our proposals did not find favour with the DAC, principally over our proposal to reopen the doorway behind the font into the new extension that would contain the toilets and new heating boiler. Undeterred, the building committee has met with the Church architect and we have 2 new proposals on the table and hope that at least one of these alternatives will find favour with the DAC. One thing for sure, the DAC do know that we want to get on with this. Unfortunately, it is not going to be in time for Christmas this year. We will continue to nurse the heating boiler along for another winter and look forward to the new boiler next year.
Simon Preece
Churchwarden