Reflections Blog

Dear All

ST. IPPOLYTS PCC

Our PCC for the coming year will be made up of the following people:

The Reverend Ginni Dear - Vicar

Jane Veasey:                Churchwarden

Clare Reid:                  Churchwarden

Michael Hooper:         Treasurer                                             Jenny Sheach:              Safeguarding Officer

Roger Cox:                  Secretary                                              Shelagh Cox

Howell Davies:            Reader                                                 Anne Steel

Dee Soden:                  Deanery Synod Representative                        Frances Williams

Irene Isaac:                  Deanery Synod Representative

THINK POSITIVE

I never thought I would ever look forward to having my hair cut but it has happened in the past month.  Sartorial elegance has never been my strong point but, blessed though I am with more hair than most other

men of my age it was good again to look less like one of those objects that were once put into fields to scare

off crows.  It has been marvellous too to see my grandchildren again after months apart and to have to warn the neighbours in advance that screams heard in our garden would not be from child abuse but sheer larking around.  As I write this we are about to be allowed to have meals out with friends and even to hug them.  As we reach

the height of summer we are finding restrictions at last being lifted and life potentially getting closer to what it was once like.

Of course problems remain.  We talk about a return to normality but we have no idea of what that normality will be like.  There will be long term effects of the virus.  The education of young people has suffered dreadfully, there are huge financial and employment problems to be met.  People are finding it difficult to get an appointment with their GP and there has especially been an upsurge in mental illness.  Then there is the more immediate problem of holidays, where it is safe to go and whether a holiday might have to be cancelled at the last moment.  We are not going to return to where we were (if we ever do) for a very long time and we must accept that.

We need however to remember three things as we look forward to the future with more optimism than we would have done (say) in March.  The first is that it is negative to live lives of fear.  As a sufferer from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) I know that arguably the most dangerous phrase in the English language is 'What happens if...?'.  We waste our lives if instead of taking sensible precautions we also allow our lives to

be taken over by a terror of the virus returning and affecting us.  There is too much to live for to do that;  life

is too short and too precious.

The second is that as the danger recedes we must never ever forget the work done by those who created and distributed the vaccine that has been the gateway to where we are now - or those who have worked so hard

to help the victims of the virus, often at a cost to themselves (my younger daughter who is a hospital sister

has had the virus twice).  If ever people have been doing God's work it is them.  We have taken the medical profession for granted for too long;  this must surely stop now.

The third is that the Church is always there for you and always will be, Covid or no Covid.  For all the superficial changes in its life and practices its message remains as unchanging as its buildings.  We are there

for you and we always will be.  And since God cares as much for those without faith as He does for those

who believe it is there for everyone.  So if you need us, just contact us!

Have a great summer and think positively!

                                                                                                            With very best wishes, Paul.

Pax                  JUNE  2021

Price:  40p.

The Parish Magazine for the Benefice of St. Ippolyts with Great and Little Wymondley

VICAR

The Reverend Ginni Dear, The Vicarage, Stevenage Road, St. Ippolyts SG4 7PE                   01462-237032

Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHURCHWARDENS

St. Ippolyts

Jane Veasey, Gosmore Cross, Newlands Lane, Gosmore SG4 9BD                                        01462-434254

Clare Reid, 6 The Bury, Codicote SG4 8GG                                                                           07765-264452

Great Wymondley

Cherry Carter, 2 Church Green, Great Wymondley SG4 7HA                                               01438-724919

Caroline McDonnell, 1 Graveley Road, Great Wymondley SG4 7EX                                                07975-798132

Little Wymondley

Mike Allardyce, 81 Whitney Drive, Stevenage SG1 4BL                                                        07967-831968

David Palmer, 198 Cleveland Way, Great Ashby, SG1 6BY                                                   01438-367912

Visit our website - www.stippolytschurch.org.uk

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THINK POSITIVE

I never thought I would ever look forward to having my hair cut but it has happened in the past month.  Sartorial elegance has never been my strong point but, blessed though I am with more hair than most other

men of my age it was good again to look less like one of those objects that were once put into fields to scare

off crows.  It has been marvellous too to see my grandchildren again after months apart and to have to warn the neighbours in advance that screams heard in our garden would not be from child abuse but sheer larking around.  As I write this we are about to be allowed to have meals out with friends and even to hug them.  As we reach

the height of summer we are finding restrictions at last being lifted and life potentially getting closer to what it was once like.

Of course problems remain.  We talk about a return to normality but we have no idea of what that normality will be like.  There will be long term effects of the virus.  The education of young people has suffered dreadfully, there are huge financial and employment problems to be met.  People are finding it difficult to get an appointment with their GP and there has especially been an upsurge in mental illness.  Then there is the more immediate problem of holidays, where it is safe to go and whether a holiday might have to be cancelled at the last moment.  We are not going to return to where we were (if we ever do) for a very long time and we must accept that.

We need however to remember three things as we look forward to the future with more optimism than we would have done (say) in March.  The first is that it is negative to live lives of fear.  As a sufferer from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) I know that arguably the most dangerous phrase in the English language is 'What happens if...?'.  We waste our lives if instead of taking sensible precautions we also allow our lives to

be taken over by a terror of the virus returning and affecting us.  There is too much to live for to do that;  life

is too short and too precious.

The second is that as the danger recedes we must never ever forget the work done by those who created and distributed the vaccine that has been the gateway to where we are now - or those who have worked so hard

to help the victims of the virus, often at a cost to themselves (my younger daughter who is a hospital sister

has had the virus twice).  If ever people have been doing God's work it is them.  We have taken the medical profession for granted for too long;  this must surely stop now.

The third is that the Church is always there for you and always will be, Covid or no Covid.  For all the superficial changes in its life and practices its message remains as unchanging as its buildings.  We are there

for you and we always will be.  And since God cares as much for those without faith as He does for those

who believe it is there for everyone.  So if you need us, just contact us!

Have a great summer and think positively!

                                                                                                            With very best wishes, Paul.

2.

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SERVICES FOR JUNE

SUNDAY 6^th JUNE

8.00am.          Holy Communion (BCP)                    St. Ippolyts Church

9.15am.          Parish Praise                                        Great Wymondley Community Garden

     (bring a chair)

SUNDAY 13^th JUNE

9.15am.          Holy Communion                               St. Ippolyts Church

SUNDAY 20^th JUNE

9.15am.          Holy Communion                               St. Mary’s Church, Little Wymondley

4.00pm.          Family Service with picnic                   St. Ippolyts

     (bring your own picnic and blanket)

6.30pm.          Evensong                                             St. Ippolyts Church

SUNDAY 27^th JUNE

9.15am.          Holy Communion                               St. Ippolyts Church

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FAMILY SERVICE WITH PICNIC

Sunday 20^th June at 4.00pm. in St. Ippolyts Churchyard (inside if wet).  Bring your own blanket and a 

picnic for after the service (that way we can comply with Covid restrictions as we mustn't share food).

                                                                                                                               Reverend Ginni 

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BIBLE STUDY

The next Bible Study Group meetings will take place on Wednesdays 9^th and 23^rd June.  We will meet on

Zoom at 2.20pm. with a cup of tea and we begin our Studies at 2.40pm.  We will be continuing our study of

The Acts of the Apostles.  If you would like to join us please telephone Margaret Edmonds (01462-452340)

or Clare Larsen (01462-453541) for further information.  New members always most welcome.

                                                                                                                                    Clare Larsen

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NEWS FROM THE WYMONDLEYS

ST. MARY’S LITTLE WYMONDLEY

Last month we were able to resume services in St. Mary’s, and it was lovely to be back.  After a Spring cleaning session, to brush off the dust and cobwebs, we put some of the pew runners and hassocks back and it looks like our dear church again.  The service was very well attended and we were pleased to welcome some new members to our congregation.

A.P.C.M.

We were able to have our annual meeting last month, planning to meet in The Vicarage garden, but took to the safety of the church to avoid the gales and rain.  I am pleased to report there are no changes to our P.C.C., David Palmer and Mike Allardyce continue as churchwardens, Angie Tether as treasurer and I as secretary.  We were pleased to welcome Peter Steele, our organist onto the P.C.C.

The complete list of members is as follows:

            Reverend Ginni, Chair

Mike Allardyce, Churchwarden

David Palmer, Churchwarden

Peter Steele

Harold Lindsay

Melanie Whittick

Anthony Stratton

Rosemary Chambers, Secretary

ASSORTED DUCKS ………..

We have two ducks nesting in the garden, one is just outside the back door under a shrub.  We can see her

from the kitchen window, her partner sits dutifully on the lawn to keep watch and escorts her down to the door to get a daily meal, he patiently lets her eat first and then takes his.  Our dog knows she is there and is fascinated, so we have to keep her at bay, so far so good.  I expect any day to look out and see a clutch of ducklings, more mouths to feed.

Our other mum to be is at the top of the garden, I couldn’t see her nest until one day I was weeding and she suddenly emerged from a large planter box on the patio.  When I looked, she is sitting on the soil, the level has dropped some 30cm. and we have a box hedge around the edge, so she is well protected, but the ducklings will need an air lift to get out.  I check her every day in eager anticipation.  She flies out and comes to find me to

feed her, gets cross if I don’t go immediately, so I drop everything;  she has me well trained.

                  Rosemary Stratton

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WYMONDLEY PARISH COUNCIL

The Parish Council will return to face to face meetings at the Wymondley JMI School.  The dates for the

next three meetings are as follows:

Monday 21^st June         Monday 19^th July          Monday 6^th September

Meetings will start promptly at 7.30pm.  Members of the public and press are very welcome to attend and

should ensure they arrive at least 5 minutes before the start time.  They will need to wear a face mask whilst in the school hall (unless a medical exemption applies) and should bring hand sanitiser.  Contact details will need to be provided to the Clerk to enable NHS contact tracing if necessary.  They should not attend if they have any COVID-19 symptoms on the day.

The Parish Council has published its first Annual Report on its website.  For environmental and cost reasons

it will not be published in hard copy.  The Annual Report provides a review of the activities of the Council and the Financial Report for year ending 31^st March 2021 and can be viewed at https://wymondleypc.org.uk/parish-annual-assembly/

Sharon Long

Clerk to Wymondley Parish Council

Phone:  07733-853263

E-mail:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

                                                                                                  www.wymondleypc.org.uk

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ST.MARY’S GREAT WYMONDLEY

Almost June already!  How time flies!  Where does it go to?

So many jobs to do in the garden at this time of year to try and get everything up and running for a good growing season.  All hampered by the strange May weather we have been having lately;  frosts, sun, rain,

hail and unusually strong winds.  The continual rain just lately has given the grass and weeds a heyday!

Earlier on though the weather was good for the fruit blossom and we are hoping for a good fruit harvest.

In the churchyard there has been a big increase in the cuckoo flower also known as lady’s smock, mayflower or milkmaids.  They are a major food source for the Orange Tip Butterflies which drink the nectar and lay one egg on each flower head so that the caterpillars feed on the flower seed.  I hope they leave some seed to spread for next year!  Luckily the Orange Tips also feed and lay eggs on Garlic Mustard or Jack by the Hedge which also grows in the churchyard verges.

The Great Wymondley swifts are back to nest under the eaves of the apse on the north and east side of the church.  We first saw them on 18^th May which was rather late and we were worried that they might not return.  It is possible that they were here earlier and we did not see them with the low cloud or they could have stopped off somewhere warmer in Europe on their long journey from Africa sensing that the weather was not good here.

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

Our PCC is now made up of the following members:

Ginni Dear

Cherry Carter

Caroline McDonnell

Mike Bradly Russell

Peter Mackenzie

Paul Harding

CHURCH RESTORATION BOARD

The big white board at the bottom of The Green is being taken up to the church to dry off so that it can be re-painted and brought up to date.  The Restoration is still not complete and Fundraising continues.

5.

FAMILY SERVICE SUNDAY 6^th JUNE

The Family Service for Great Wymondley will be held at 9.15am. at the Community Garden.  You can park

on the hard standing at the edge of The Green or by the Village Hall and walk up the road to The Green Man. Cross the road carefully as it is by the junction and walk up the No Through Road and the Community Garden is on your left.  Alternatively walk up through the churchyard where you might see the swifts high in the skies. Go to the top left hand corner and go along the track past the allotments.  You will pass our allotment where a lot of the fruit for the Church Jam is grown.  Turn left and carry on down past the houses and the parked cars and the Community Garden will be on your right.

Bring a folding chair to sit on if you can and a mug if you would like tea or coffee afterwards.  As we will be outside we will be able to sing!  If the weather is bad the service will be held in the Village Hall as the church here is still closed.

We look forward to seeing you.

We hope that you are enjoying some of the freedom that Stage 3 is giving us all.  Stay Safe.

                                                                                                                                    Cherry Carter

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WYMONDLEY BAPTIST CHURCH

Well, this past month has brought us plenty of rain!  When it started, after a dry spell, the general feeling

was 'Oh Good! the gardens really need it!'  But now, we are longing for the bright dry sunny days of June.

However, when we think of water of which there is plenty in our land at this time, we are very thankful and

we remember the times when we longed for the rain on dry hot days.  We are also so aware of the countries

which suffer many months without rain and long for the sound of raindrops!

We have recently been celebrating Pentecost and we have been reminded of the words of Jesus, as recorded in John's Gospel:  ‘On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice:  'If a man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.  By this He meant the Holy Spirit whom those who believed in Him were later to receive.’  And we know, when we read The Book of Acts that when the Holy Spirit did come, the Believers were transformed as we saw when Peter preached that powerful sermon and 3000 people were added to their number in one day.  So the Holy Spirit brought about the birth of the Church and we can still experience that new life promised to the woman at the well in John 4 v14.  ‘Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’

We also see in the Old Testament the importance of water as we read in Jeremiah 17:  ‘Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes;  its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year

of drought and never fails to bear fruit.'

We are forever thankful for the vaccine and for the great improvement in the Covid situation and the way things are beginning to get back to a kind of normal.  We are all fairly cautious as new variants of the virus can appear, so we will announce when the Chapel Hall is open for activities again.  We hold services in the Chapel every Sunday with the usual guidelines and these services are also on zoom.  Anyone wishing to attend, please email the church on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the church phone 07531-081621.  If you are joining from your home on zoom dial in at 10.30am. for a 10.45am. start on 01314-601196 or 02030-512874.  Please use the link https/zoom.us/j/8675752648 or download the zoom app. and join using ID 86775752648.  Any problems please phone 07531-081621.

'First Tuesday' will be on 1^st June when we 'meet' with Will and Lynne Andrews for coffee and chat from 10.30am.  Join us if you can on zoom link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9128138308.

Tuesday evening is the time when we pray together without zoom.  At present this is still from our homes and we will announce when we meet together in the Church or home again.  So why not join from your home as we pray for our community, our loved ones, our neighbours, our country and our Queen.  We continue to pray for the NHS and for those still suffering with new strains of Covid.  We pray for the Government in all their decisions and we pray for the parts of the world struggling with increased numbers of Covid sufferers and fatalities.  We have also joined in with the worldwide prayers of 'Thy Kingdom come' from Ascension Day to Pentecost.

On Wednesdays 9^th and 23^rd June The Community Bible Study Group meets at 2.20pm. and a warm welcome is extended to all who wish to join this.  At present we are still on zoom and the link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3707228114.  There is also weekly Bible Study at 7.30pm. on the same zoom link as the Church service and fortnightly at 11.00am.  Both open to all.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all in our villages who are poorly at this time or who are missing and mourning loved ones.

Sundays in June:  10.45am. - 12 noon

6^th        Martin Watson

13^th      Bryan Field

20^th      Tim Wells (Fathers' Day)

27^th      Matt Summerfield

"Let your living water flow over my soul.

 Let Your Holy Spirit come and take control

 Of every situation that has troubled my mind.

 All my cares and burdens on to you I roll.

 Jesus.....Father......Holy Spirit......."                            John Watson

                                                                                                      Marjorie McCarley  (01438-727050)

7.

NEWS FROM ST. IPPOLYTS

STOP PRESS !!

Plant Sale in aid of Send A Cow

At Audrey and John Burr's, 15 Grange Close on Thursday 10^th June 10.00am. - 12.30pm.

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ST. IPPOLYTS PARISH COUNCIL

The next meeting will take place on Monday 14^th June at 7.30pm. in St. Ippolyts Parish Hall.  A copy of

the Agenda will be displayed in the notice boards and on website www.stippolyts-parishcouncil.org.uk.

There is always an Agenda item for Public Participation where residents can ask questions and raise issues. Please contact Susan Mears on 01462-421409 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

GOT SOME GET UP AND GO?  BE A PARISH COUNCILLOR

Wanted four Parish Councillors (2 in north ward and 2 in south ward)

“Someone should do something” - could that someone be you?

Are you interested in community life?

Would you like to “make a difference” to your local parish?

If you would be interested in being co-opted onto St. Ippolyts Parish Council, please apply by email to the

Parish Clerk by Friday 4^th June, co-option to take place on the Monday 14^th June Parish Council Meeting.

For more information about being a Parish Councillor, please see our website.

                                                                                                                                    Pam Skeggs

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ST. IPPOLYTS PARISH HALL

The next management meeting will be held on Wednesday 30^th June.  User Group representatives welcome.

In accordance with the government’s roadmap Step 3 we were able to welcome back some of our users on Monday 17^thMay for permitted activities and Step 4 no earlier than Monday 21^st June hopefully for a new normal.  By following the mantra of hands, face, space, we can all keep ourselves and others safe.

For enquiries, please contact Sam Kelly, Bookings Secretary, on 01462-423291 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

or visit website www.stippolyts-hall.co.uk.

Diary dates:

Management Meeting              Wednesday 29^th September 2021

Christmas Fair and Raffle         Saturday 27^th November 2021 from 2.00pm. to 4.30pm.

AGM                                        Tuesday 22^nd March 2022 at 6.00pm.

                                                                                                                                    Pam Skeggs

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ST. IPPOLYTS PCC

Our PCC for the coming year will be made up of the following people:

The Reverend Ginni Dear - Vicar

Jane Veasey:                Churchwarden

Clare Reid:                  Churchwarden

Michael Hooper:         Treasurer                                             Jenny Sheach:              Safeguarding Officer

Roger Cox:                  Secretary                                              Shelagh Cox

Howell Davies:            Reader                                                 Anne Steel

Dee Soden:                  Deanery Synod Representative                        Frances Williams

Irene Isaac:                  Deanery Synod Representative

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DEADLINE

The next issue of Pax will be a double issue covering JULY and AUGUST.  Material should reach Clare Larsen, 24 Ninesprings Way, Hitchin SG4 9NN (tel. 01462-453541 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by Tuesday 15^th June, please.  Or given to Rosemary Stratton by Saturday 12^th June.

                                                                                                                                    Clare Larsen

8.

There will be a family service and picnic, bring your own food, at 16:00 on Sunday 20th June outside St Ippolyts  Church.

Everyone welcome!

Christian Aid Week May 10 to 16 .

This is Christian Aid's 75th year of supporting the very poor in the world
where people are often forgotten by those in power. The focus this year is
Kenya where water supplies are suffering from climate change. People are
having to walk long distances to collect water. The money will be used to
build Earth dams to trap water nearer to homes. See their website for more
information. Envelopes for your donations will be in church. Should you prefer
to donate on line please go to https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.caweek.org%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C15f9e2eefc944ca83ecf08d90af31c56%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637552861524919587%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=ea1hira5a8M4e1%2FA%2BJjcDRHrqNFfYdLQZjiNm%2BdQOqU%3D&reserved=0. If you would like an envelope
delivering to you please contact Barbara Thomas 01462 421647
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

HRH PHILIP DUKE OF EDINBURGH

My late father (who was a much loved parish priest) often described himself jokingly as 'Mrs Lanham's husband'.  When she was in her prime, my mother was on a committee responsible for Vicarages in the Gloucester Diocese;  her job  was to give a woman's advice on the design of kitchens so that they could be

as user friendly as possible.  Since I am married to a leading member of Clifton Parish Council I am inclined

to give myself the same title as Father did, but in the interests of domestic harmony I shall refrain from doing

so.  Perhaps Rumpole of the Vestry would be more appropriate and I would wear that with pride - though whether Judy is 'She who must be obeyed' is open to debate, and I do not drink vast quantities of Pomeroy's Plonk.

This came to me as I shared the grief of the nation over the death of Philip Duke of Edinburgh, because this could be applied to him.  He was a formidable person in his own right, enormously respected, enormously gifted, deeply religious and with an ability to relate to ordinary people.  Above all, he was the power behind

Her Majesty, her rock.  Always there, seldom obtrusive, enabling her to be arguably the mightiest and most loved monarch this country has ever had.

What has struck me is that the universal sense of grief that has enfolded this nation is not just that we have

lost a unique figure in our history, though that is bad enough.  It is the sense of loss that we have felt for Her Majesty.  We have been grieving for her as well as for him.  The vast majority of us have lost someone very

near and dear to us, so we can relate to what she feels as she faces life without a husband to whom she was married for a staggering 74 years and to whom she was devoted.  There has been a kind of closing ranks around her, the spirit of which is best summed up in the heartfelt message by the Prime Minister of Australia.  ‘She has been there for us over such a long time;  let us be there now for you, Your Majesty, and allow us to send our love to you.’  Nothing could be added to that;  he might be speaking for us all.

And what of his epitaph?  He probably wouldn't want one because it would seem sentimental.  Rummaging through the hundreds of newspaper cuttings which, as an historian I keep, I found a quotation by Jacob Rudin that seems to sum up what needs to be said at a time of national mourning over such a mighty man.  ‘When we are dead and people weep for us and grieve, let it because we touched their lives with beauty and simplicity.  Let it not be said that life was good to us but rather that we were good to life.’  The Duke enriched our lives and the life of the nation just by being himself.  As many have said he could have risen to the very highest ranks of the Royal Navy.  Instead he became husband to a queen and devoted himself to her life and to the life of this nation. We are indeed the richer for his being among us and poorer for his passing.  May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

    Warmest good wishes, Paul

BIBLE STUDY

The next Bible Study Group meetings will take place on Wednesdays 12^th and 26^th May.  We will meet on

Zoom at 2.20pm. with a cup of tea and we begin our Studies at 2.40pm.  We will be continuing our study of

The Acts of the Apostles.  If you would like to join us please telephone Margaret Edmonds (01462-452340)

or Clare Larsen (01462-453541) for further information.

                                                                                                                                          Clare Larsen

Pax                           MAY  2021

Price:  40p.

The Parish Magazine for the Benefice of St. Ippolyts with Great and Little Wymondley

VICAR

The Reverend Ginni Dear, The Vicarage, Stevenage Road, St. Ippolyts SG4 7PE                   01462-237032

Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHURCHWARDENS

St. Ippolyts

Michael Hooper, Hillrise, Stevenage Road, St. Ippolyts SG4 7PE                                           01462-457350

Jane Veasey, Gosmore Cross, Newlands Lane, Gosmore SG4 9BD                                        01462-434254

Great Wymondley

Cherry Carter, 2 Church Green, Great Wymondley SG4 7HA                                               01438-724919

Little Wymondley

Mike Allardyce, 81 Whitney Drive, Stevenage SG1 4BL                                                        07967-831968

David Palmer, 198 Cleveland Way, Great Ashby, SG1 6BY                                                   01438-367912

Visit our website - www.stippolytschurch.org.uk

1.

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HRH PHILIP DUKE OF EDINBURGH

My late father (who was a much loved parish priest) often described himself jokingly as 'Mrs Lanham's husband'.  When she was in her prime, my mother was on a committee responsible for Vicarages in the Gloucester Diocese;  her job  was to give a woman's advice on the design of kitchens so that they could be

as user friendly as possible.  Since I am married to a leading member of Clifton Parish Council I am inclined

to give myself the same title as Father did, but in the interests of domestic harmony I shall refrain from doing

so.  Perhaps Rumpole of the Vestry would be more appropriate and I would wear that with pride - though whether Judy is 'She who must be obeyed' is open to debate, and I do not drink vast quantities of Pomeroy's Plonk.

This came to me as I shared the grief of the nation over the death of Philip Duke of Edinburgh, because this could be applied to him.  He was a formidable person in his own right, enormously respected, enormously gifted, deeply religious and with an ability to relate to ordinary people.  Above all, he was the power behind

Her Majesty, her rock.  Always there, seldom obtrusive, enabling her to be arguably the mightiest and most loved monarch this country has ever had.

What has struck me is that the universal sense of grief that has enfolded this nation is not just that we have

lost a unique figure in our history, though that is bad enough.  It is the sense of loss that we have felt for Her Majesty.  We have been grieving for her as well as for him.  The vast majority of us have lost someone very

near and dear to us, so we can relate to what she feels as she faces life without a husband to whom she was married for a staggering 74 years and to whom she was devoted.  There has been a kind of closing ranks around her, the spirit of which is best summed up in the heartfelt message by the Prime Minister of Australia.  ‘She has been there for us over such a long time;  let us be there now for you, Your Majesty, and allow us to send our love to you.’  Nothing could be added to that;  he might be speaking for us all.

And what of his epitaph?  He probably wouldn't want one because it would seem sentimental.  Rummaging through the hundreds of newspaper cuttings which, as an historian I keep, I found a quotation by Jacob Rudin that seems to sum up what needs to be said at a time of national mourning over such a mighty man.  ‘When we are dead and people weep for us and grieve, let it because we touched their lives with beauty and simplicity.  Let it not be said that life was good to us but rather that we were good to life.’  The Duke enriched our lives and the life of the nation just by being himself.  As many have said he could have risen to the very highest ranks of the Royal Navy.  Instead he became husband to a queen and devoted himself to her life and to the life of this nation. We are indeed the richer for his being among us and poorer for his passing.  May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

    Warmest good wishes, Paul

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SERVICES FOR MAY

Service times may vary and may be in any of our three churches so please check the time and venue carefully.

SUNDAY 2^nd MAY

8.00am.          Holy Communion (BCP)                                St. Ippolyts Church

9.15am.          Parish Praise                                                    Great Wymondley Village Hall

SUNDAY 9^th MAY

9.15am.          Holy Communion CW)                                   St. Ippolyts Church

SUNDAY 16^th MAY

9.15am.          Holy Communion (CW)                                 St. Mary’s Church, Little Wymondley

6.30pm.          Evensong                                                         St. Ippolyts Church

SUNDAY 23^rd MAY

9.15am.          Holy Communion (CW)                                 St. Ippolyts Church

SUNDAY 30^th MAY

9.15am           .           Holy Communion (CW)                                 St. Ippolyts Church

BCP = Book of Common Prayer, traditional language

CW = Common Worship, contemporary language

The money in the collection plate on 5^th Sundays will be given alternately to the Wymondleys as they would usually have hosted this service.

                                                                                                                                         Ginni Dear

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NEWS FROM THE WYMONDLEYS

ST. MARY’S LITTLE WYMONDLEY

SERVICES AT ST. MARY’S

Services will resume at St. Mary’s on Sunday 16^th May at 9.15am.  We will then have a service of Holy Communion every third Sunday of the month at 9.15am.

On Thursday 13^th May the church will be open from 10.00am. when we will give it a much needed Spring Clean.  As you will appreciate, it has been shut for many weeks, and the dust has built up.  If anyone can spare an hour and come and polish a pew, that would be a great help, many hands make light work, as the saying goes.  Cleaning materials will be on hand and social distancing will be managed.  Thank you, it will be lovely

to open the doors again and see people coming in.

A.P.C.M.

Please note that our annual meeting due to take place on Sunday 16^th May following the 9.15am. service has been cancelled.

CHANGING SEASONS

There are never two gardening years alike.  This time last year we were topping up our sun tans, going straight from Winter to Summer, this year the big jumpers are still in use and we have had some hefty night frosts to deal with.  A few weeks ago we were wading through mud and saturated ground which has now dried out and is like concrete.  I need a chisel instead of a fork, and we could do with some rain.  I have spent some time having to water containers;  us gardeners are never happy. 

But Spring is a special season, full of hope and expectations.  I get a lot of pleasure growing things from seed, seeing them germinate and the green shoots coming through, then it’s time to prick them out, try to find space to put them all in.  I end up balancing pots and trays everywhere.

Our poor Magnolia has taken a bashing from the frost, and I think I have lost all but two Rosemary plants, they really didn’t like that cold week in March.  As I have been weeding through the beds I have found some hidden treasures, some snakehead Fritillaria, which I had forgotten, they look so fragile and beautiful, and I can see Fox Tail Lilies beginning to show through.  The Camellias were fabulous last year, but are going to be poor this;  I can see one that is flowering, it is in a sheltered spot near a horse trough which we planted up with some aquatic plants and can boast one goldfish, Michael (after Michael Fish, weatherman).

It is this time of the year when I open the garden shed.  I can’t believe I left it in such an untidy state last Autumn, I’m sure we have shed gremlins who go in over Winter and turn everything about.  I manage to get the mower out, dust it down and always delighted when it fires up for the first time, the same with the bar-b-q.  By the time I have cleaned it all, carried it into place and assembled it again, the sun has gone in, but I shall be ready, tongs in hand, at the first chance now.  Let’s hope we have a lovely Summer. 

                                                                                                                                    Rosemary Stratton

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ST. MARY’S GREAT WYMONDLEY

SUMMER’S COMING

‘Summer is Icumin’ is a song written in the Wessex dialect of Middle English and this manuscript was made between 1261 and 1264.  It is the oldest musical composition featuring six-part polyphony.  

We know it as:

     ‘Summer is a-coming in 

      Loudly sing, Cuckoo! 

      Groweth seed and bloweth mead 

      And springs the wood anew, sing Cuckoo!’  

We used to sing this when I was at school.  I often sing it to myself at this time of year when Spring is edging towards summer but sadly these days in Great Wymondley we do not hear cuckoos at all.  It must be at least

15 years since I heard one here.  Due I think to the loss of habitat and trees in the fields around and changes in our weather patterns.  We sometimes used to see one on the top of the church tower.  They continually called

so that it was almost annoying!  I would give anything though to be able to hear them here now.  Still Summer

is getting nearer and in spite of the frosty nights lately, Nature is working its magic and the continuity of life unrolls.  A solace in these strange times. 

EASTER VIGIL

The Easter Vigil service was held here in the churchyard on Easter Saturday and a good number of people took part bringing chairs and sitting round in a circle outside the church porch with a small bonfire in the centre to ‘Lighten our Darkness’ and remind us of Christ’s Resurrection.  The fire kept us warm, it lit the Paschal candle and we were even able to sing as it was Easter and outside

                                                                                                                                    Cherry Carter

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WYMONDLEY BAPTIST CHURCH

I'm sure that our thoughts and prayers are especially with Her Majesty the Queen at this time and we shall always remember the deeply moving funeral service of the Duke of Edinburgh which was so powerful in its simplicity.  While the number in St. George’s Chapel was 30 in accordance with the Covid guidelines the military pageantry outside had 730 taking part which is still etched in our memories.  We are so thankful for

the long and happy marriage of the Queen and Prince Philip, the longest serving Consort in our history, and

we praise God for their Christian faith.  When the Queen reached her 90th Birthday a book called 'The Servant Queen' was published.  At the beginning of the book there was a message from her which included these words:

"In 1952 I asked the people of the Commonwealth and Empire to pray for me as I prepared to dedicate myself to their service at my Coronation.  I have been - and remain - very grateful to you for your prayers and to God for His steadfast love.  I have indeed seen His faithfulness".  The Queen has now reached her 95th year and we thank God for her and as we continue to pray for her, the longest serving Monarch of our land.  We also remember her beloved husband's constant and unwavering loyalty and devotion through over 73 years of marriage.

As May approaches so do the blossom and the bluebells and as the world around us is growing more beautiful by the day so things are getting better for us to begin to enjoy all the 'normal' things which were out of reach for so long.  The Chapel is open for services with the correct guidelines being observed but the zoom facilities are still being used as some are still enjoying services on zoom.

As soon as we can use the Hall again for activities we will let everyone know.  Actually, the first time the Chapel Hall will be in use will be for the local elections on Thursday 6^th May.

On Tuesday the ‘First Tuesday Coffee and Chat’ will be on zoom on 4^th May from 10.30am. with Will and Lynne Andrews.  The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9128138308.

On Tuesday evening we pray together but from our homes, so join us from yours as we pray for our Community, our Country, the NHS, the Government and our Queen.  We remember all those who are suffering from illness or bereavement both here and abroad.  We are so grateful for the vaccine and the way things are improving by the day.

The Community Bible Study is on zoom on Wednesday 12^th and 26^th May from 2.20pm.  A warm welcome

to all.  The link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3707228114.

Oasis 'The Time of Refreshment' is on Wednesday 19^th May at 2.30pm. on the same link when the speaker will be Bessie Januarius.  So join us if you can!

Bible Studies are also held on Wednesdays (weekly) at 7.30pm. and (fortnightly) on Friday at 11.00am. on

the Church Service zoom link.

If you want to be at the Chapel for the Service please book on the Church email address - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the Church phone 07531-081621 when the usual guidelines will apply.  If you are joining us from your home on zoom dial in at 10.30am. for a 10.45am. start on 01314-601196 or 02030-512874.  Please use the link https/zoom.us/j/8675752648 or download the zoom app. and join using

ID 8675752648.  Any problems phone 07531-081621.

Sundays in May:

2^nd       Hannah Dengate

9^th        Will Andrews

16^th      Rev. Ray Thomas

23^rd      Margaret Edmonds

30^th      Kieran Murphy

“We can surely be grateful that, two thousand years after the birth of Jesus, so many of us are able to draw inspiration from his life and message, and to find in Him a source of strength and courage.”

             Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second

        Marjorie McCarley  (01438-727050)

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HERE AND THERE

BIBLE STUDY

The next Bible Study Group meetings will take place on Wednesdays 12^th and 26^th May.  We will meet on

Zoom at 2.20pm. with a cup of tea and we begin our Studies at 2.40pm.  We will be continuing our study of

The Acts of the Apostles.  If you would like to join us please telephone Margaret Edmonds (01462-452340)

or Clare Larsen (01462-453541) for further information.

                                                                                                                                          Clare Larsen

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WYMONDLEY PARISH COUNCIL

The next Parish Council meeting, which is also the Annual Meeting of the Council, is due to take place on

Monday 17^th May at 7.30pm.  Residents should please check the Council's website https://wymondleypc.org.uk/ and Facebook page @WymondleyParish Council as this date may be subject

to change if the government does not extend the current deadline that enables Parish Councils to meet remotely.

WYMONDLEY PARISH SCARECROW FESTIVAL - 21^st to 28^th August 2021

The Parish Council is to hold its first Scarecrow Festival from 21^st to 28^th August.  We are hoping this will

be a Parish wide community event, attracting participants of all ages, with residents able to make their own scarecrow and then follow a walking trail(s) to view the scarecrows displayed in front gardens and in the Community Garden in Graveley Road, Great Wymondley.  So why not join in and start designing your scarecrow - any theme, big or small.  You can find lots of ideas on the internet, including from scarecrow festivals held in other parishes.  The event is intended to be COVID-19 secure - depending on the restrictions

(if any) in place at the time, residents will be able to make their scarecrow at home and then walk around the Parish with members of their own households (and/or friends and family, if permitted) independently at a time of their choosing.  For further information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sharon Long

Clerk to Wymondley Parish Council

Phone:  07733-853263

E-mail:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

                                                                                    www.wymondleypc.org.uk

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NEWS FROM ST. IPPOLYTS

ST. IPPOLYTS PARISH COUNCIL

The May election for councillors was uncontested.  North Ward:  Rebecca Elliott and South Ward:  Peter Hobson, Robert Moore and Pamela Skeggs.

There are two vacancies in both wards.  If you would like to know more about being a councillor, please look

on the website or notice boards and if you are interested in being co-opted, please contact the clerk.

Thank you to Sulu Pike, Trevor Smith, Paul Thaper and Barbara Thomas for your voluntary work, you will be missed and we wish you all the best for the future.

The Annual Parish Council Meeting will take place on Monday 10^th May at 7.30pm.  A copy of the Agenda

will be displayed in the notice boards and on website www.stippolyts-parishcouncil.org.uk.  There is always an Agenda item for Public Participation where residents can ask questions and raise issues.  Please contact Susan Mears on 01462-421409 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to join this meeting.

                                                                                                                                            Pam Skeggs

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ST. IPPOLYTS PARISH HALL

At the 23^rd AGM on Tuesday 23^rd March Frank Harding, Phil Byford, Michal Fisher and Carl Watson were elected as Trustees, and Rebecca Elliott was co-opted.  Barbara Thomas was appointed subject to confirmation by St. Ippolyts PCC and Pamela Skeggs subject to confirmation by St. Ippolyts Parish Council.

In the year ended 31^st December 2020, the trust received rental income as well as grants and donations.  Total income generated amounted to £16,961 (2019:  £23,341) with outgoings totalling £14,670 (2019:  £26,975) giving a surplus of £2,291 (2019:  deficit of £3,634) which has been added to reserves to fund on-going maintenance.  It was agreed there would not be an increase in hire charges again this year and to continue with 2019 rates.  This will be reviewed at the January 2022 Management meeting.

In accordance with the government’s roadmap Step 2 we were able to welcome back some of our users on Monday 12^thApril for permitted activities and no earlier than Monday 17^th May for additional activities but we recognise that required limitations may mean not all users will be able to return.

On polling day, Thursday 6^th May the polling stations will be open from 7.00am. until 10.00pm.

By following the mantra of hands, face, space, we can all keep ourselves and others safe.

For enquiries, please contact Sam Kelly, Bookings Secretary, on 01462-423291 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

or visit website www.stippolyts-hall.co.uk.

Dairy dates:

Management Meetings             Wednesdays 30^th June and 29^th September 2021

Christmas Fair and Raffle         Saturday 27^th November 2021 from 2.00pm. to 4.30pm.

AGM                                       Tuesday 22^nd March 2022 at 6.00pm.

www.stippolyts-hall.co.uk

                                                                                                                                          Pam Skeggs

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ST. IPPOLYTS AND GOSMORE WI

The St. Ippolyts and Gosmore Women’s Institute is closing.  Their first meeting was held at the Parish Hall

on 18^th June 1941.

                                                                                                                                           Pam Skeggs

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8.

PARISH CHURCH REGISTERS

ST. IPPOLYTS

Service in St. Ippolyts Church and burial in Hitchin Cemetery

5^th January:      Jean Molly Grimmer

LITTLE WYMONDLEY

Service in St. Mary’s Church Little Wymondley and burial in the churchyard

16^th March:      Angela Christina Watts

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ALAN COWLISHAW - A Thankyou

Liz, John, Tim, David and Chris would like to thank the many kind people who sent cards and letters to us following Alan’s death.  We received over ninety of these, all with wonderful tributes.

In addition there were many donations to the memorial fund in Alan’s memory for UNICEF and these have taken the total to over £4000 - awesome!

Thank you all so much from the family.

                                                                                                                                    Liz Cowlishaw

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100 CLUB

The winners for APRIL were:

No. 69             Joy Cooper                              £20

No. 55             Jane White                               £15

No. 80             Elizabeth Cowlishaw                £10

                                                                                                                                          Shelagh Cox

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DEADLINE

Material for the JUNE issue of Pax should reach Clare Larsen, 24 Ninesprings Way, Hitchin SG4 9NN

(tel. 01462-453541 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by Saturday 15^th May, please.  Or given to Rosemary

Stratton by Wednesday 12^th May.

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CELBRATING EASTER Easter Sunday falls this year on 4th April - the most important day in the Christian year. It is when the Church rejoices at the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son of God after His crucifixion three days earlier. After death comes rebirth, with all the overtones in that glorious idea. This year however it is particularly special. We were unable to celebrate it last year; churches were closed because of the Covid virus. This year they will be open again and we can mark it properly, although there must be certain differences from what we were once used to. At the time of writing I do not know what these will be and what services will take place because the situation remains fluid. For information please see the church noticeboards and look at the website; both of these will provide more information than I can at present. Easter speaks of rebirth, and if ever there was a theme for April 2021 this is it. There is the rebirth of the natural world after the seeming death of winter. I have been very frustrated for the past few months at being unable to work in our garden. However in the last month I have seen the emergence of the spring flowers - snowdrops, aconites and above all daffodils. Soon there will be primroses, tulips, lilac and finally roses that I love so much. I will also be able to sit on the swing seat at the bottom of the garden and feel the sun again. Nature is reborn after the darkness of winter, the days are lengthening and the temperatures are rising. Small wonder that for many spring is the best time of the year. But we are also hopefully seeing the lifting of ever more restrictions after the lockdown caused by Covid. Perhaps that is why this winter has been so difficult. Weatherwise it has not been the hardest. We older ones might remember the appallingly cold winter of 1947, rather more of us the very hard one of 1962/3 - and there was also the Winter of Discontent in the late 1970’s. But it has been the suffocation of the past three months that has been so hard to bear. The enforced closure of all but essential shops, of pubs restaurants, hairdressers, gyms and other places we might normally frequent. Not being able to visit children and grandchildren. Now hopefully things are going to improve and we can look forward with hope. Rebirth after a very dark winter. So Easter 2021 speaks of resurrection and rebirth in far more than a Christian sense. As we see the nation coming alive again after the darkness of the past we are reminded that after death there is new life - and that is the heart of our Christian faith. This year it means more than it has done for a very long time; the message could not be more relevant. With warmest good wishes, Paul

Pax                  APRIL 2021

Price:  40p.

The Parish Magazine for the Benefice of St. Ippolyts with Great and Little Wymondley

VICAR

The Reverend Ginni Dear, The Vicarage, Stevenage Road, St. Ippolyts SG4 7PE                   01462-237032

Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHURCHWARDENS

St. Ippolyts

Michael Hooper, Hillrise, Stevenage Road, St. Ippolyts SG4 7PE                                           01462-457350

Jane Veasey, Gosmore Cross, Newlands Lane, Gosmore SG4 9BD                                        01462-434254

Great Wymondley

Cherry Carter, 2 Church Green, Great Wymondley SG4 7HA                                               01438-724919

Little Wymondley

Mike Allardyce, 81 Whitney Drive, Stevenage SG1 4BL                                                        07967-831968

David Palmer, 198 Cleveland Way, Great Ashby, SG1 6BY                                                   01438-367912

Visit our website - www.stippolytschurch.org.uk

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CELBRATING EASTER

Easter Sunday falls this year on 4^th April - the most important day in the Christian year.  It is when the 

Church rejoices at the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son of God after His crucifixion three days earlier.

After death comes rebirth, with all the overtones in that glorious idea.

This year however it is particularly special.  We were unable to celebrate it last year;  churches were closed because of the Covid virus.  This year they will be open again and we can mark it properly, although there

must be certain differences from what we were once used to.  At the time of writing I do not know what these will be and what services will take place because the situation remains fluid.  For information please see the church noticeboards and look at the website;  both of these will provide more information than I can at present.

Easter speaks of rebirth, and if ever there was a theme for April 2021 this is it.  There is the rebirth of the 

natural world after the seeming death of winter.  I have been very frustrated for the past few months at being unable to work in our garden.  However in the last month I have seen the emergence of the spring flowers - snowdrops, aconites and above all daffodils.  Soon there will be primroses, tulips, lilac and finally roses that

I love so much.  I will also be able to sit on the swing seat at the bottom of the garden and feel the sun again. Nature is reborn after the darkness of winter, the days are lengthening and the temperatures are rising. Small wonder that for many spring is the best time of the year.

But we are also hopefully seeing the lifting of ever more restrictions after the lockdown caused by Covid. Perhaps that is why this winter has been so difficult.  Weatherwise it has not been the hardest.  We older

ones might remember the appallingly cold winter of 1947, rather more of us the very hard one of 1962/3 - 

and there was also the Winter of Discontent in the late 1970’s.  But it has been the suffocation of the past

three months that has been so hard to bear.  The enforced closure of all but essential shops, of pubs

restaurants, hairdressers, gyms and other places we might normally frequent.  Not being able to visit children and grandchildren.  Now hopefully things are going to improve and we can look forward with hope.  Rebirth after a very dark winter.

So Easter 2021 speaks of resurrection and rebirth in far more than a Christian sense.  As we see the nation coming alive again after the darkness of the past we are reminded that after death there is new life - and that

is the heart of our Christian faith.  This year it means more than it has done for a very long time;  the message could not be more relevant.

With warmest good wishes, Paul

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SERVICES FOR APRIL

SERVICES DURING HOLY WEEK

All services will be held at St. Ippolyts Church and will also be live-streamed to Facebook with

theexception of the Good Friday Meditation.

SUNDAY 28^th MARCH - Palm Sunday

9.15am.          Holy Communion

MONDAY 29^th MARCH                   9.00am.     Morning Prayer         7.00pm.     Compline

TUESDAY 30^th MARCH                   9.00am.     Morning Prayer         7.00pm.     Compline

WEDNESDAY 31^st MARCH             9.00am.     Morning Prayer         7.00pm.     Compline

THURSDAY 1^st APRIL - Maundy Thursday

9.00am.    Morning Prayer          7.00pm      Compline

FRIDAY 2^nd APRIL - Good Friday

9.00am.     Morning Prayer

2.00pm.     Meditation

The Good Friday Meditation will last approximately one hour and include a mix of Bible readings,

poetry and music.  It will be led by The Reverend Paul Lanham.

SATURDAY 3^rd APRIL - Easter Eve            

8.00pm.     Easter Vigil

This service will be held outside at St. Mary’s, Great Wymondley

SUNDAY 4^th APRIL - Easter Day 

8.00am.          Holy Communion (BCP)

9.15am.          Holy Communion (CW)

During Holy Week, St. Ippolyts Church will be open for private prayer and reflection from

9.30am. until 6.30pm.  

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NEWS FROM THE WYMONDLEYS

ST. MARY’S LITTLE WYMONDLEY

GOOD NEWS

I am pleased to report that services will resume at St. Mary’s on Sunday 16^th May.  We will have a service

of Holy Communion every third Sunday of the month at 9.15am.  On Thursday 13^th May the church will

be open from 10.00am., when we will give it a much needed Spring Clean.  As you will appreciate, it has been shut for many weeks, and the dust has built up.  If anyone can spare an hour and come and polish a pew, that would be a great help, many hands make light work, as the saying goes.  Cleaning materials will be on hand 

and social distancing will be managed.  Thank you, it will be lovely to open the doors again and see people coming in.

A.P.C.M.

Our annual meeting will take place on Sunday 16^th May following the 9.15am. service, so approximately

a 10.15am. start.  This is a public meeting to elect Churchwardens and P.C.C. members, so all welcome.

WELCOME SPRING!

Spring is definitely in the air, the daylight lengthening, the warmth of the sunshine, the germinating of seeds

and the grass growing.  I love it!  Listening to the dawn chorus and then getting out in the garden again, all of a sudden there are jobs to be done as the new season gets under way.  Every year I think I am going to make

the garden look the best it’s ever done;  not sure I ever achieve it but my enthusiasm peaks now and gradually wains as my back starts complaining.

The ducks are pairing up and looking for nest sites.  In the mornings when Lola and I are walking, the woodpeckers are hammering away in the park and flocks of little birds are chatting excitedly, it is quite deafening.  No cuckoo’s last year, we used to have quite a few, but I live in hope to hear their call.  Our little muntjac still comes into the top of our garden and I’ve noticed he’s grazed the tops of the bluebells, not a bad thing as we are overrun with them.

Last year I lost all my tubs of tulips to a mouse or army of mice, but I’ve beaten them this year.  Pots were 

kept in the summerhouse under lock and key until well established so we will have a lovely Spring display. 

We are looking forward to that.

                                                                                                                                    Rosemary Stratton

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ST. MARY’S GREAT WYMONDLEY

Spring is most certainly here with the promise of better days to come.

Yesterday however was quite cold and grey but I had snowdrops-in-the green to divide and plant in the churchyard and there are more to do in the next few days.  Each year we divide and re-plant big clumps

to encourage the snowdrops to spread around the graves, the church building and alongside  the churchyard paths.

One spring day we can perhaps have snowdrop walks in the churchyard and around the village followed

by teas in the church.

Today though was a different day with sun and blue sky.

The white blossom of the wild plum was magnificent against the blue sky.  Petals were starting to fall like snowflakes and the trees had the soft roar of bees foraging for pollen and nectar.  Close up on a short hedge

of white plum blossom our honeybees were foraging with delight as well as a peacock butterfly basking in

the morning sun, perhaps having its first food after hibernating through the winter

                                                                                                                                    Cherry Carter

CHURCH RESTORATION

We are very pleased to say that after many months, if not years of waiting, we have finally received our Faculty approval for the work to the church floor as well as the approval to the Kitchenette and WC.

We are going to be starting work as soon as possible on the floor as the next phase which together with the electrical work will enable us to reopen hopefully no later than the autumn 

We all look forward very much to that day.

                                                                                                                                    Paul Harding

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WYMONDLEY BAPTIST CHURCH

Have you noticed that many of the expressions we often use find their origin in Scripture.  We find ourselves saying words which have come straight out of the King James Bible, whether we are 'falling by the wayside', talking about 'feet of clay', 'a leopard changing his spots' or 'the writing on the wall'.  Some years ago Melvyn Bragg wrote a book called 'The Book of Books' and it was about the radical impact the King James Bible had

on our culture and language.  So for one example, we often hear about a 'doubting Thomas' and we can recognise that straight away from the Gospels.  At this Easter time it is a good exercise to re-read the events recorded in Scripture from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection and here we meet Thomas.  John tells us that he was also called Didymus and he was one of the 12 disciples.  He had missed the amazing moment when the Risen Jesus had appeared and spoken to the disciples and being rather sceptical he wouldn't believe it until he saw the actual wounds on the hands and side of Jesus.  And of course, a week later his unbelief was changed

to utter belief and he saw and believed that Jesus had risen from the dead, and he cried out in worship and praise 'My Lord and my God'.  The words of Jesus to Thomas are to us as well, 'Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed'.  Believing in Jesus makes us blessed indeed and at this Easter time may we be very conscious of the Living Lord Jesus in our hearts and in our lives.

This time last year we were in the first lockdown so it was all new to us as we celebrated Easter in a different way.  This year we look ahead to better times and less restrictions as well as the vaccine which has been given

to over 25 million people, for which we thank God.

'It's Monday' - we are into our 19^th year but haven't met in the hall for just over 12 months.  But we keep in touch and look forward to the day when we meet on a Monday morning again.

'First Tuesday' has continued on zoom when we meet for ‘virtual coffee and discussion’ and the next one will

be on 6^th April from 10.30am.

Tuesday evening is Prayer Time when we pray for our community, our loved ones, our country and our Queen. We keep our Government and the NHS in our prayers and we lift up all suffering with ill health or bereavement.

Bible Studies on zoom on Wednesday at 7.30pm. (weekly) and Friday (fortnightly).  Both on the Church zoom link.  The Community Bible Study will be on the 14th and 28th April from 2.20pm. when the link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3707228114.  We will start with a cup of tea and a chat before we start our studies in the Book of Acts.

On Wednesday 21^st April we are having Oasis on zoom and the speaker will be Joy Burnham on this same link.  A warm welcome to all at 2.30pm.

The Chapel is open on Sundays and if you want to attend the service please book on the church email address - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on the church phone 07531-081621 when the usual guidelines will apply.  If you are joining us from your home on zoom dial in at 10.30am. for a 10.45am. start on 01314-601196 or 02030-512874.  Please use the link https/zoom.us/j8675752648 or download the zoom app and join using

ID 8675752648.  Any problems phone 07531-081621.

We send our love and deep sympathy to those in the village who are missing and mourning the loss of loved ones.

On Maundy Thursday 1^st April we will have a Communion Service at 7.30pm. on zoom.  On Saturday we

will put flowers on the cross at the front of the Chapel to celebrate the resurrection.

Sundays in April:

4^th        Dr. Barry Funnell - Easter Day            11^th      Pauline Wade

18^th      Doug Richardson                                 25^th      Clive Bacon

‘With a loud cry, Jesus breathed His last.  The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 

And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how He died, he said, ‘Surely this man 

was the Son of God.’                                                                                        Mark 15 v37-39

                                                                                                              Marjorie McCarley  (01438-727050)

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HERE AND THERE

BIBLE STUDY

The Bible Study Group will resume meetings after Easter on Wednesdays 14^th and 28^th April.  We

will meet on Zoom at 2.20pm. with a cup of tea and begin our studies at 2.40pm.  We will continue

our study of The Acts of the Apostles.  If you would like to join us please telephone Margaret Edmonds 

(01462-452340) or Clare Larsen (01462-453541) for further information.

                                                                                                                                    Clare Larsen

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WYMONDLEY PARISH COUNCIL

There is a Parish Council meeting on Monday 19^th April at 7.00pm., which will be followed by the Parish Annual Assembly at 7.30pm.  They will be held remotely by Zoom - joining details will be on the Council's website: https://wymondleypc.org.uk/ from the Wednesday before the meeting.

The next Parish Council meeting, which is also the Annual Meeting of the Council, is due to take place

on Monday 17^th May at 7.30pm.  Residents should please check the Council's website: https://wymondleypc.org.uk/ and Facebook page @WymondleyParishCouncil as this date may be 

subject to change if the government does not extend the current deadline that enables Parish Councils to 

meet remotely.

WYMONDLEY PARISH SCARECROW FESTIVAL - 21^st to 28^th August 2021

The Parish Council is to hold its first Scarecrow Festival from Saturday 21^st to Saturday 28^th August.

We are hoping this will be a Parish-wide community event, attracting participants of all ages, with residents able to make their own scarecrow and then follow a walking trail(s) to view the scarecrows displayed in front gardens and in the Community Garden in Graveley Road, Great Wymondley.  So why not join in and start designing your scarecrow - any theme, big or small.  You can find lots of ideas on the internet, including from scarecrow festivals held in other parishes.  The event is intended to be COVID-19 secure - depending on the restrictions

(if any) in place at the time.  Residents will be able to make their scarecrow at home and then walk around the Parish with members of their own household (and/or friends and family, if permitted) independently at a time

of their choosing.  For further information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sharon Long

Clerk to Wymondley Parish Council

Phone:   07733-853263

E-mail:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  www.wymondleypc.org.uk

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NEWS FROM ST. IPPOLYTS

ST. IPPOLYTS ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

The St. Ippolyts Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Monday 12^th April at 7.15pm. on Zoom.  A

Copy of the Agenda will be displayed in the Council notice boards and on website http://www.stippolyts-parishcouncil.org.uk.

As usual invites to present or submit a report will be sent to HCC/NHDC Councillors, Police, School,

Church, Bowls Club, and Football Club.  The meeting is open to all electors of our Parish, who have the right not only to attend but also to speak on matters of local interest.

This meeting is a legacy from the Middle Ages, when Local Councils did not exist, and all local decision 

making was carried out by meetings of the whole community, taking place in the church vestry.  Please

contact clerk on 01462-421409 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to join this meeting.

                                                                                                                                         Pam Skeggs

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ST. IPPOLYTS PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

This will follow the above meeting.  Copies of the Agenda and Approved Minutes are displayed in the 

council notice boards and on website http://www.stippolyts-parishcouncil.org.uk.

There is always an Agenda item for Public Participation where residents can ask questions and raise issues. Please contact clerk with your questions if you would like to join this meeting, details above.

                                                                                                                                          Pam Skeggs

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ST. IPPOLYTS PARISH HALL

At the time of writing due to the coronavirus pandemic and the Government’s restrictions the Parish Hall

is still temporarily closed to the public.  In accordance with the steps, trustees plan to open on Monday

12^th April for permitted activities and on Monday 17^th May for additional activities.

We look forward to welcoming back our users.

For enquiries, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or website http://www.stippolyts-hall.co.uk.

Diary dates:

Management Meetings on Wednesdays 30^th June and 29^th September 2021.

                                                                                                                                         Pam Skeggs

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PARISH CHURCH REGISTERS

ST. IPPOLYTS

Funeral and Burial   15^th January:    Jean Margaret Elsie Jones

                                    9^th March:        Peter French

Cremations                2^nd February:   Jean Eunice Bishop

                                    4^th February:    Patricia Newstead Willmott

LITTLE WYMONDLEY

Burial                         16^th March:      Angela Watts 

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100 CLUB

The winners for March were:

No. 131                       Mark Skeggs                £20

No. 55                         Jane White                   £15

No. 85                         Chris Cowlishaw          £10

                                                                                                                                         Shelagh Cox

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DEADLINE

Material for the MAY issue of Pax should reach Clare Larsen, 24 Ninesprings Way, Hitchin SG4 9NN 

(tel. 01462-453541 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by Thursday 15^th April please.  Or given to Rosemary Stratton by Monday 12^th April.

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During Holy Week, St Ippolyts Church will be open for private prayer and reflection from 9.30am until 6.30pm.  

After Easter Sunday, the church will continue to remain open during the day but times may very depending on the availability of those locking and unlocking it.

During Holy Week, St Ippolyts Church will be open for private prayer and reflection from 9.30am until 6.30pm.  

My family were overwhelmed by the messages, letters and cards sent to us on Peter's recent death. They were of great comfort to us at a very difficult time. We were upheld by your love and prayers for which we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Wendy and family

The crocuses planted by Hitchin Priory Rotary club are making a fine display in the churchyard opposite St Ippolyts School. The corms were purchased by the Rotary club and all procceds from the purchase were donated to "Purple for Polio' Rotary's campaign for the worldwide eradication of polio.

LINK TO HOPE SHOE BOX APPEAL

I have recently received a communication from Link to Hope in which they say that:

‘We would like to say a huge thank-you to all of you who took part in our Christmas 2020 shoebox appeal.

We sent a total of 20,768 boxes.  Whilst normally 20,768 boxes would be a disappointing number, considering the extremely difficult circumstances, we are delighted with this total.’

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions no delivery team was able to go out from the UK and so the boxes had to be sent.  It then fell to the project managers in the countries concerned (Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine) to think very creatively as to the best way to safely give out the shoeboxes.  They all managed this successfully and reported back that people were shocked to receive a shoebox this year, as they didn’t think that they would receive anything at all given the situation.

There were lots of tears and many smiles.  Fortunately, the project managers managed to obtain some photos using their mobile phones and the picture below shows part of our thank-you poster to give an idea of some of them.

So thank you all for all of your help - a truly AMAZING result all round.

This year (2021) Link to Hope will be celebrating their 30^th Birthday, (perhaps not quite in the way that they may have anticipated);  but who knows, as they continue to do what they do best - Rebuilding Lives and Communities in Eastern Europe - just what impact they will go on to have in the lives of all of these people.

Arthur Sibun

Pax            MARCH  2021

Price:  40p.

The Parish Magazine for the Benefice of St. Ippolyts with Great and Little Wymondley

VICAR

The Reverend Ginni Dear, The Vicarage, Stevenage Road, St. Ippolyts SG4 7PE                   01462-237032

Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHURCHWARDENS

St. Ippolyts

Michael Hooper, Hillrise, Stevenage Road, St. Ippolyts SG4 7PE                                           01462-457350

Jane Veasey, Gosmore Cross, Newlands Lane, Gosmore SG4 9BD                                        01462-434254

Great Wymondley

Cherry Carter, 2 Church Green, Great Wymondley SG4 7HA                                               01438-724919

Little Wymondley

Mike Allardyce, 81 Whitney Drive, Stevenage SG1 4BL                                                        07967-831968

David Palmer, 198 Cleveland Way, Great Ashby, SG1 6BY                                                   01438-367912

Visit our website - www.stippolytschurch.org.uk

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WINNERS AND ALSO RANS

On 1^st February Judy and I had our first Covid vaccinations (we are that age!).  There was nothing but kindness, efficiency and friendliness from everyone and it was very quick.  We came back none the worse apart from a couple of sore arms (and in my case 24 hours of being lead weighted).  Even for a needle coward like me it turned out to be nothing to be afraid of.  So if you have not had your jab yet, please don't worry about the thought of it.

So here we are at last in March.  If I wrote of saints’ days in the last issue my mind this month is firmly on the secular, the Cheltenham Steeplechasing Festival.  I am a Gloucestershire lad through and through, and while I have never been to it I love watching that kind of horse racing, while the hills above the course have romantic memories from days long gone.  The Cheltenham Festival is also a gateway to spring and that makes it even more special.

For every horse that wins there are hundreds of also rans, but the Festival wouldn't be the same without them.  That leads my wandering mind to another great Gloucestershire 'sporting' event, the annual Coopers Hill cheese rolling which takes place just behind Judy's family home.  This famous English custom (dating back centuries) encourages the mad to race down a steep bumpy slope in pursuit of a runaway cheese.  What is less known is that there are also races up the slope and they too are not for the faint hearted.  When I last saw it there was a small boy struggling far behind the others;  he was roared on, and got an ovation as great as any of the winners. It was an afternoon of pure lunacy, a reminder that Britain can't be that bad if this kind of thing takes place within it.

What that boy taught me and what can be seen in any sporting event like the Cheltenham races is that it is not necessarily winning and succeeding that is important, it is being a part of it.  Society today is rooted in success - being important, achieving things.  So there is this pressure to succeed and not be a failure (whatever we mean by that word).

By contrast St. Paul painted a picture of the Church as the Body of Christ, a unity composed of parts of different values and sizes, each essential to its health.  Humanity likewise needs its also rans as well as its winners, and each are equally important.  Above all, this principle applies to God.  Everyone is important to Him, regardless of who they are and what they achieve - those who the world might regard as failures as well as those who are successful, the also rans as well as those first past the post.  As a psychotherapist friend said to me many years ago, you have value for being you.  If you feel down at the end of this long dark winter this may be of comfort and support to you.  You matter to your fellow men and to God, regardless of who you are and how high (or low) your sense of self-esteem is.

March is the season of Lent and it leads to Easter.  As with last month it is not for me to say what will be happening in the life of our three churches - especially as the situation is still fluid.  Please look at the website and on the church noticeboards for information about what we will be doing in this important Christian season.

                                                                                                                               Very best wishes, Paul

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HERE AND THERE

SERVICES FOR MARCH

There will be a service of Holy Communion at 9.15am. on Sundays in St. Ippolyts Church.  It will also be

live-streamed on Facebook.

                                                                                                                                    Ginni Dear

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BIBLE STUDY GROUP

The Bible Study Group will be meeting on Zoom on Wednesdays 10^th and 24^th March and we will be 

continuing with our study of The Acts of the Apostles.  The meetings will start at 2.20pm. with a cup of

tea and we begin our studies at 2.40pm.  If you would like to join us please telephone Margaret Edmonds (01462-452340) or Clare Larsen (01462-453541).

                                                                                                                                    Clare Larsen

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LINK TO HOPE SHOE BOX APPEAL

I have recently received a communication from Link to Hope in which they say that:

‘We would like to say a huge thank-you to all of you who took part in our Christmas 2020 shoebox appeal.

We sent a total of 20,768 boxes.  Whilst normally 20,768 boxes would be a disappointing number, considering the extremely difficult circumstances, we are delighted with this total.’

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions no delivery team was able to go out from the UK and so the boxes had to be sent.  It then fell to the project managers in the countries concerned (Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine) to think very creatively as to the best way to safely give out the shoeboxes.  They all managed this successfully and reported back that people were shocked to receive a shoebox this year, as they didn’t think that they would receive anything at all given the situation.

There were lots of tears and many smiles.  Fortunately, the project managers managed to obtain some photos using their mobile phones and the picture below shows part of our thank-you poster to give an idea of some of them.

So thank you all for all of your help - a truly AMAZING result all round.

This year (2021) Link to Hope will be celebrating their 30^th Birthday, (perhaps not quite in the way that they may have anticipated);  but who knows, as they continue to do what they do best - Rebuilding Lives and Communities in Eastern Europe - just what impact they will go on to have in the lives of all of these people.

Arthur Sibun

3.

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NEWS FROM THE WYMONDLEYS

ST. MARY’S LITTLE WYMONDLEY

MAKE DO AND MEND………………

I’m sure we are all getting weary of this lockdown, having our dog has been my salvation, walking her twice a day gets me out and eats up the day.

Apparently lots of people are turning to craft and have taken up sewing and household repairs, this is nothing new to me, I was raised in a make do and mend house.  My maternal grandmother was the queen of making things last, living through two world wars and raising three children, she was well practiced at it.  She would be horrified at todays ‘throw away’ society.

From an early age she taught me to knit, a challenge, as I am left handed but she succeeded.  She showed me how to darn, turn collars on shirts and patchwork.  Nothing was wasted, clothes were gradually demoted from best, to everyday, gardening and decorating, and when she finally decided they were no longer fit for purpose (a hard decision) they would be cut up for aprons, dusters or anything else she could think of.  Bed sheets were her speciality, the centres wore thin but the outsides still had mileage, so the sheet would be cut in half, the outsides put to the centre joined by a huge run and fell seam, which wasn’t very comfortable to sleep on, but no good complaining.

Ironing was something she was very particular about, the use of electricity was kept to bare minimum;  garments were pressed on top of a sheet or table cloth so that you pressed two items at once.  When you got to the last item the iron was unplugged, ‘there’s enough heat in the iron to finish that’ she would tell me.  She must have had a sixth sense because she would always appear as you were getting to the end, and I still do this today.  If I should forget I find myself saying ‘sorry Nan’.

My Mum used to tell me the tale of the banana trifle.  On one of her birthday parties Nan produced this trifle;  bananas were a rare treat and very expensive then and everyone was excited and in awe of how she achieved it.  It was years later that she confessed that she had cooked and sliced some small parsnips and soaked them overnight in banana essence, but the trifle must have tasted good!

                                                                                                                                    Rosemary Stratton

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WYMONDLEY PARISH COUNCIL

The next Parish Council meeting will take place remotely using Zoom on Monday 15^th March at 7.30pm.  Full details will be on the Parish Council's website at www.wymondleypc.org.uk/parish-council-meetings/.  Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting and should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

Sharon Long

Clerk to Wymondley Parish Council

Phone:   07733-853263

E-mail:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  www.wymondleypc.org.uk

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ST. MARY’S GREAT WYMONDLEY

Marmalade production is almost completed with just two batches to do from the remaining Seville oranges.

There are still many walkers taking their daily exercise in the village, through the churchyard and up to the Community Orchard.

We have just carried out the formative winter pruning on the apple and pear trees with the help and advice 

from Paul and Diane Kennedy.  An important procedure so that the framework of the trees is good for the years to come.  The plums, gages and damsons will be pruned during the summer.

The snowdrops around the village are beautiful especially on the Graveley Road and in the churchyard.

What contrasts in the weather.  So cold earlier on.

Then warm sunshine and a rise in temperature.  Spring has sprung!

Our honey bees were out in full force, loving the crocus in the garden and flowering shrubs around the village.  We saw the first yellow brimstone butterfly in the garden on the day of the crocus photo.

Earlier on we took part in the RSPB Garden Bird Watch and saw 15 species in the front garden.  Sadly the wren and greenfinch did not turn up and luckily neither did the sparrow hawk that sometimes sits on the fence and sends all the birds into a panic.

Hopefully the vaccine is getting administered to more and more people and soon the restrictions will gradually be lifted and life will be easier for everyone.

                                                                                                                                              Cherry Carter

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IN MEMORIAM

Barbara Billingham, nèe Westwood, born in Great Wymondley, sadly passed away on 12^th February aged

74.  Barbara had shown amazing strength to overcome many health issues.

                                                                                                                                      Linda Westwood

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NEWS FROM ST. IPPOLYTS

ST. IPPOLYTS PARISH COUNCIL

The next meeting takes place on Monday 8^th March at 7.30pm. on Zoom.  Copies of the Agenda and Approved Minutes are displayed in the council notice boards and on website http://www.stippolyts-parishcouncil.org.uk.

There is always an Agenda item for Public Participation where residents can ask questions and raise issues.

Please contact clerk on 01462-421409 or mail to:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your questions if you would like to join this meeting.

                                                                                                                                          Pam Skeggs

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ST. IPPOLYTS PARISH HALL

The 23^rd Annual General Meeting of the 1998 St. Ippolyts Hall Charity will be held on Tuesday 23^rd March 2021 at 6.00pm. on Zoom.

The Agenda is on the website.

If you would like to attend please email me on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I will forward the link.

At the time of writing due to the coronavirus pandemic and the Government’s national restrictions (Lockdown 3) the Parish Hall is still closed to the public.

Trustees hope to welcome back users in due course.

For enquiries please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or website http://www.stippolyts-hall.co.uk

Diary dates:

Management Meetings on Wednesdays 30^th June and 29^th September

                                                                                                                                         Pam Skeggs

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ST. IPPOLYTS - An Early History

I was looking at a North Hertfordshire Museum recent blog and was pleased to find as promised the early history to about 1400 of our parish.  ‘St. Ippollitts:  A Village of Many Spellings’ by Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews.  Visit www.northhertsmuseum.org.

                                                                                                                                         Pam Skeggs

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100 CLUB

The winners for February were:

No. 46             Julian Cox                   £20

No. 49             Sue Sykes                    £15

No. 172           Isaac Driver                 £10

                                                                                                                                      Shelagh Cox

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DEADLINE

Material for the APRIL issue of Pax should reach Clare Larsen, 24 Ninesprings Way, Hitchin SG4 9NN 

(tel. 01462-453541 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by Monday 15^th March, please.  Or given to Rosemary Stratton by Friday 12^th March.

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Items needed for our local communities.

Please label bags clearly for either the school or the Foodbank, if you have a preference.  Bags can be left at The Vicarage, Stevenage Road, St Ippolyts, SG4 7PE.

Thank you for your support, both the school and the Foodbank send their heartfelt thanks each time I drop supplies off but I have assured them that there is no need for them to formally write and thank us as I am sure they have enough to do.

Below is a list of what is currently of greatest need but please feel free to add other non-perishable items of food or toiletries (including sanitary products) and I will update the list weekly if it changes.

Foodbank

Long life Juice
Tinned Potato
Instant potato [Pkts]
Tinned Veg [Not pulses]
Tinned meat [Not Hotdogs]
Tinned Fruit
Dried Milk
Sugar
Small Coffee
Nappies size 5

St Ippolyts School (for children’s grocery packs)

Tinned soup

Tinned spaghetti hoops 

Tins of ready made meat such as minced beef, stew, bolognaise 

Tinned tomatoes

Tinned peas 

Jam

Cereal bars

Biscuits

Bottles of squash/cordial 

Fruit juice cartons

Pasta sauce

ST. IPPOLYTS CHURCH APPEAL

As everybody is aware most charities are going through a difficult time with the coronavirus pandemic causing the amounts of money they receive being severely reduced.  St. Ippolyts Church is no exception and for the year of 2020 we have had a deficit of approximately £9000 and as a result we are delving deeply into our dwindling reserves to keep our beautiful church running.

Our regular Church expenses are about £60,000 each year and include our Parish Share to the Diocese of St. Albans (which in turn pays for Reverend Ginni), our worship costs, regular maintenance, utility bills, churchyard maintenance and administration costs.

Over 90% of our income comes from members of our church family and local community.  We receive nothing from either Government, the central church or from other charities to meet our regular expenses.

We are fortunate that a number of people give regularly via regular standing order payments.  This has been a Godsend during the pandemic and without these payments our finances would have been even more severely compromised.  Regular giving enables people to plan their giving and support our valuable work even if they are unable to attend a service and put money in the collection plate.

We are therefore asking that you:-

• Consider making a commitment to our church by setting up a standing order to give to our church on a regular basis whatever amount you feel is within your means.
• If this is not possible make a one off donation to help us through this difficult period.
• For those that already give on a regular basis perhaps you may feel it is possible to increase your monthly amount.

If you decide to make a one-off donation there is a facility on our web site to make a gift though we are unable to collect gift aid through the web site donations. 

An alternative is to make a donation by text.  To make a text donation,

Text - STIPPSCHURCH 5 to 70085 to donate £5 or if you wish to donate a larger amount then substitute the

5 with the amount you would like to donate up to a maximum of £20.

Texts cost the amount you have donated plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS.

If you’d like to give but do not wish to receive marketing communications, 

Text - STIPPSCHURCHNOINFO 5 to 70085 to donate £5 etc.

If you are able then a direct bank transfer can be made to the church bank account details of which can be obtained from our treasurer.  For those who are able to give regularly then please contact our treasurer, Michael Hooper on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. who will let you have details of ways to set up a standing order and how to gift aid any donation. 

Thank you. 

                                                                                                                                            Michael Hooper

8.