Kitchen and Loo

The work has started including the removal of pews which have been sold generating almost £1,000. Donations are being sought from people who have supported the work of the Church, grants are being investigated and a loan is being applied for from the Board of finance.

Heating

An expert has confirmed that the current method of heating is the most efficient. Investigations have revealed that some of the ducting has collapsed and a heating vent was discovered in the choir under the carpet! The PCC has approved initial works to remove asbestos and ducting in preparation for a replacement heating system to be installed in late summer.

Church Fete

A reminder that the Fete will be held on Saturday 29th June at Manor Farm commencing 2.30pm. Contact 01295 768922

Dorothy Micklethwaite

Dorothy is to be ordained on Sunday 7th July in Peterborough Cathedral and will celebrate her first communion in Helmdon that evening, Grand Prix traffic permitting!

Parochial Church Council AGM

This was on 3rd April and the following officers were elected:

Churchwardens: Morag Underwood and Carol Brookhouse
Assistant Churchwarden: Conrad Woolley
Treasurer: Claire Harding
Secretary: Paul Stothard
Deanery Synod reps: Jean Spendlove and Jenny Saunders
Electoral Roll Officer: Jean Brookhouse

Much was discussed and reported at the AGM. Whilst declining church attendances are generally reported it was of great encouragement to us all that John was able to tell us of a continued increase in numbers at Helmdon.

Morag Underwood presented a cake to John to mark his appointment as Canon of Peterborough Cathedral and a glass of wine was provided for all. The departure of Gill and David Derbyshire was marked by speeches of thanks and they were presented with a photograph of the Church pew which has been given to them.

Helmdon with Syresham Mother's Union - Events

Monday 24th June 10am - 11.30am
Syresham Chapel Schoolroom (creche provided)
Speaker from Northampton's Daylight Centre for the homeless

Wednesday 24th July 8.00pm - 9.30 pm
Helmdon Chapel Schoolroom
Plate supper with live music - all welcome.

Friday 9th August
Deanery quiet afternoon at Steane

Please contact Ann Smith (01295 760684) for further information.

Seekers
Meets on alternate Sundays from 6.30 - 8.00pm usually in the Chapel School room. It is a fun Youth Club for Years 5, 6 and 7. To find out more ring Jane Barnes (760444), Kathy Quiney or Phil Drage.

Summer Events

The Friends Of St Mary Magdalene

Thanks to those who supported our St. George's Day Supper especially to Richard Watson for use of The Old Glebe, to the Glassetts and Reardons for the loan of their St George flags and to all those who entered into the spirit by wearing something red somewhere about their person!! The evening raised approx. £300

Our next event will be the Jazz evening on Saturday 22nd June in association with The Brackley Music Festival, so if you feel like tapping your feet to the sound of the Porterhouse Six, tickets are available from Chris Gartside on 760523 or any member of the committee for £6 which includes a glass of wine and nibbles.

On Sunday 4th August Sue Wallace is opening the garden at Peter's Farm under the National Gardens Scheme and has offered us the opportunity to serve teas and retain the profit from these refreshments, so any contributions of cakes, scones biscuits for the day would be very much appreciated.

Vanessa Vicars (01295) 760477

The Churchyard

Some dedicated mowers are making a very good job of the area of visited graves. We should be very grateful for more hands for this work - please get in touch with Sue Lidgley (768170). It would help greatly if any of you could level your sunken family graves with the spare soil available.

We need keen conservationists too. This is our first full season with a programme of conservation, i.e., to limit and carefully time the mowing in the oldest part of the churchyard and most of the last extension, to encourage some flowers to spread (such as snowdrops, violets, primroses, cowslips, cuckoo-flowers, ox-eye daisies, greater knapweed etc.), and to help insects, birds and small mammals to live there. More things have been planted round the extension, and much hard labour has been spent on the planned strip of meadow grass and flowers. I am writing before we sow any of the seed and just hoping I can say, "Come and see it grow". If for all our pains there is too much twitch and the like coming up at once amongst it, I fear you must blame me - and overwhelm us with assistance. We're having a working party for various conservation jobs on Wednesday June 5th, from seven till dusk - do come and help.

A rough foot-path runs round the outside of the churchyard to the Falcutt road. There is no right of entry to the churchyard from it. Climbing over the dry-stone wall does very expensive damage, and the fall of the wall can do terrible injury to the feet that cause it. I appeal to you all to prevent any climbing over.

Jean Spendlove

Wool is needed

Margaret Reardon has a group knitting sweaters (Oxfam style) for children in disaster areas. Have you any spare double-knitting, even in small amounts, which you could give her? (Reartown House, Wappenham Road; tel. 768134).