Reflections Blog

As we ease into the long, warm days of July and August, everything seems to slow down just a little. Summer has a way of inviting us to pause, take a breath, and enjoy life’s simpler moments—whether that’s birdsong in the morning, children laughing outside, or the smell of freshly cut grass drifting through the air.

It’s a gentle reminder that it’s okay to step back from the rush of everyday life and simply be.

The Need for Holidays

Holidays aren’t just a nice extra—they’re something we really need. Taking a break from our usual routines gives us the chance to rest, recharge, and come back feeling a bit more like ourselves again. Life can get so busy, and it’s easy to keep going without stopping.  Whether you’re heading off somewhere new, exploring closer to home, or just enjoying a few quiet days, this time away helps us regain a sense of balance. It reminds us that rest isn’t wasted time—it’s essential.

Spiritual Rest: God’s Gentle Invitation

Rest isn’t only about our bodies—it’s something our souls need too. Throughout the Bible, God invites us to rest. Even in creation, there was a pause. Jesus himself made time to step away, to pray, and to be still.

The idea of the Sabbath—a day set aside just to rest and reconnect with God—isn’t meant to feel like a rule, but more like a gift. It’s a loving invitation to slow down, reflect, and remember what really matters. When we accept that invitation, we often find we feel renewed and ready to face whatever lies ahead.

Farewell to Revd Tricia

This summer also brings a moment of change for us as a parish, as we prepare to say goodbye to our lovely Curate, Revd Tricia, at the end of July.

Over the past three years, Tricia has been such a special part of our church family. She has given generously of herself—her time, her care, and her presence—and so many of us have been touched by her kindness. Her pastoral care has meant a great deal, whether in quiet conversations, times of difficulty, or moments of celebration.  Tricia has a way of making people feel seen and supported, and that’s a real gift. Her warmth, her gentle encouragement, and her thoughtful listening have made a lasting difference to many of us across the benefice.  She has been there for us not just as a priest, but as a compassionate and faithful companion on our journeys through the ups and downs of life.  We are truly thankful for all she has shared with us, she will be greatly missed.

As she moves on to her new role as Priest in Charge at St Francis of Assisi Church in Welwyn Garden City, we send her with our love and our prayers. We hope she knows just how much she is appreciated, and how grateful we are for everything she has given.  May God bless her in this next chapter, and continue to guide her as she cares for others in the same wonderful way that she has cared for us.  

Revd Tricia’s last day in the benefice is on Sunday 26^th July and you are all welcome to join us for drinks and nibbles in the Vicarage garden between 3pm and 5pm that afternoon.  RSVP to either myself or any of the Churchwardens please.  Offers of donations of a plate of nibbles, contributions towards Tricia’s leaving gift, or farewell cards are also very welcome – again, via me or the Churchwardens.

Looking Ahead

So, as we journey through the summer weeks, may we all find moments to rest, reflect, and refresh ourselves. And as we say goodbye to Tricia, we do so with gratitude and hope, trusting that wherever each of us goes next, God walks with us all.

With love

Ginni

St Ippolyts Church is once again organizing a quiz night, with Ploughman’s Supper, in the Parish Hall.  On this occasion we will not be running a bar, but you will be able to bring along your favourite drinks.

Fund raising committee

I was a war baby born in 1940 at the Benslow Nursing Home in Hitchin on 6^th May 1940 (and incidentally delivered by the first lady doctor in the town – Winifred Symonds!)

Soon after my fifth birthday I was in for a big shock for my mother drove me from our home in Gosmore in our little Austin 10 with the apt registration number VE 9513 – we had just celebrated VE Day – to school! The school was St Luke’s in Walsworth Road, a large double-fronted Victorian/Edwardian house on the left-hand side before the Woodside Theatre. The school took girls and boys up to 11 years and the Headmistress was a rather fierce lady named, I think, Miss Noble.

Prior to that eventful first day I had led a happy somewhat isolated life as I was an only child, living with my mum and dad and our dog, cat, Jersey cow, “called” Winky”, chickens, a horse and pigs. We were pretty self-sufficient and Grandad, dad’s father, lived next door and grew all the vegetables and fruit we needed. He kept bees and also a goat as I, apparently, drank goat’s milk as dad was worried about TB. Probably why I dislike milk so much today!

However, back to St Luke’s and that first day. All the children – I’d never seen so many – filed into a large room with long tables. One by one each child (except me) put a small package into an empty biscuit tin and walked on. What was all this about? I soon found out because at break time each child collected their little package which contained a biscuit or some other form of snack. I soon realised that I would need to bring a snack and mum packed mine from then onwards into an empty tobacco tin of dad’s. There were no raised eyebrows over this, but can you imagine what would be said today!

I remember going upstairs to the Kindergarten classroom presided over by a tall, grey-haired and kind lady called Miss Fitch. She looked formidable but looks can be deceptive, I remember being taught the French words for different coloured pieces of material hung on a string across a large table, but the other lessons seemed to go straight over my head – especially ‘sums’! Mrs Webb was our pretty, kind nature study teacher and her lively and energetic son, Peter, was in our class and we became friends. Another friend was Malcoln Paul who lived in Charlton. He was very sweet and walked with a limp. I was once invited to his party and proudly wore a new pair of bronze sandals. We must have been six by then. A pretty blonde curly-haired girl in our class was called Penelope Jane Grimes, and I was very envious of her beautiful voile blue-spotted party dress. 

Lunch time on my first day was a new experience! Squashed together on benches on either side of a long table it was difficult to use a knife and fork without digging your elbows into children on either side! I can only remember corned beef and beetroot being on the menu. Not appealing to a child.

But, of course, there would be rationing for years to come, I actually love both now.

One day a child in great excitement brought in a banana for their snack. What a letdown! I’d heard people talking about bananas which, of course, were unobtainable during the war years. The brown, wizened object we were shown was not appetising in any way, shape or form!

One unhappy experience each week was the dancing class in the head’s drawing room each Friday afternoon. For this we wore little shoes made of chamois leather. I was shamed by the teacher because I couldn’t skip!

When we were sent outdoors at playtime the overpowering sickly-sweet smell from the Tanyard at the back of the garden over a wall topped with broken glass made us eager to escape indoors.

When mum collected me at the end of that first memorable day, I was never allowed to forget that all I said was “I’m not going there again”!

Needless to say, I did – in fact I stayed till I was seven, never moving from Miss Fitch and the Kindergarten. My next school was Oaklands School at Lytton Lodge, Codicote and was a Christian Science School. There I was happy and was fortunate to have some wonderful teachers and learned to love English, history and the natural world but not ‘sums’! That being said, I’m lucky to have lived perfectly happily to 82 without too much trouble!

Jane More (Linfield)

My mum, Joyce was a regular worshiper at St Ippolyts and a member of The Friends of St Ippolyts. When I was a baby, she took me along to WI Committee meetings at the home of a lady called Mrs Huckle.

We are involved with the small Church of St Thomas à Becket at Capel. Although owned by The Churches Conservation Trust there is a very active Friends Group and I must confess that we have “borrowed” the idea of Crib and Wedding Festivals from St Ippolyts but, as they say “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”!

THE BEAVERS AND CUBS are having a great Summer and have already been lighting fires and cooking. Building shelters and pitching tents. In the next few weeks we will be completing the Athletics badge and having a sports evening. The Cubs will be sailing at the Blue Lagoon and we finish with a BBQ and swim at the home of the Crous Family. 

Andrew Russell, our  Group Lead Volunteer and acting Beaver leader, has been called to run the water activities at a Summer Camp in the USA so the assistant Leaders have taken up the role, we do however need a new Leader or if you know of a young person age between 6 and 10 half who would like to join us please contact me.

Paul Pinkstone 

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With the increase in the number of accidents, 5 since the New Year, the local residents along with the Parish Council, County Councillor Ralph Muncer and MP Alistair Strathern have been pushing for the speed limit on the B656 to be reduced to 40mph, along with changing the crossroads from ‘Give Way’ to ‘Stop’. One of the main stumbling blocks is the cost but already a local Developer has given £5000, and Ralph has pledged part of his limited budget to fund a survey. We are grateful to BBC Three Counties Radio and BBC Look East for highlighting this issue.

Paul Pinkstone

Would you like to take part in this annual event to help maintain your church building. Monies raised are split between the trust and your designated church. 

You can cycle, walk, run or even motorcycle visiting the many local churches who give a very warm welcome, including some delicious homemade goodies. 

If so, contact Nicky Gilbert on 07788417145 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

St Ippolyts Church is once again organizing a quiz night, with Ploughman’s Supper, in the Parish Hall.  On this occasion we will not be running a bar, but you will be able to bring along your favourite drinks.

Fund raising committee

It was the steam fair last weekend and I saw lots of steam vehicles making their way down London Road. I couldn’t go to the fair but a few weeks ago I went on a steam train. It was my dad’s cousins birthday, and he hired an observation carriage on the Bluebell Railway. They gave me a really good party bag with a wooden train, a coaster and a pen and pencil. We had lots of food and cake, but I had a packed lunch. It was a really fun day. The locomotive was called Sir Archibald Sinclair and was a Battle of Britain Class No.34059. The website for the Bluebell Railway has lots more information about their locomotives if you are interested. I like going to the Swanage railway too in the holidays and I hope one day I can go on the Nene Valley Railway.

I recently went to watch the womens League 2 play off final which was a really exciting match because it went to penalties. It was the first game I have watched that has gone to extra time and penalties. It was a long hot day, but I had lots of fun and I would like to go to watch more of the womens football team next season. I am looking forward to watching some of the World Cup as well although most of the matches are really late which is sad. 

James

Many thanks to all those who helped at the Plant Sale. While the weather wasn’t quite as good as previous years it remained dry! We had an amazing selection of plants as well as delicious cakes. A hand total of £900 was raised for the church.

Barbara Thomas

Friends of St Ippolyts Church will be holding their Community Coffee Morning on Wednesday 1^st July in St Ippolyts Hall Committee Room.

The start time is 10.30am until 12.00 midday. Everyone is welcome to come and join local friends for refreshments including cake and selection of biscuits. We look forward to seeing you.

If you would like a lift, please contact Joan Pinkstone on 01462 457660

There is not a Coffee Morning in August.

Franie Williams, Carol Scott, Joan Pinkstone

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We will be holding our plant sale outside the church on Saturday 16 May from 2-4.

Come along and find some gorgeous plants to restock your garden and also a selection of pots, not only that but our pop-up cafe will be open for a cuppa and a slice of delicious, homemade cake. (Please feel free to just come for cake if gardening is not for you!)

If you have any plants that you are able to donate, please bring them up to the church on Saturday morning.

Many thanks

Barbara Thomas

07443228468

As the spring blossoms unfurl and the days grow longer, our parish prepares to mark Whit Sunday, known more widely as Pentecost. This day, (24^th May, this year), which arrives fifty days after Easter, is not merely another date on our liturgical calendar—it is a time to pause and reflect on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Christian Church. 

Traditionally, Whit Sunday was marked by a public holiday on the Monday after, up until the early 1970’s, and often evokes memories from the more mature in years among us of processions, white robes, and community gatherings, reminding us of the unity and joy that the Holy Spirit brings.

Pentecost commemorates the moment when the disciples, gathered in Jerusalem, received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Book of Acts describes how “tongues as of fire” rested upon them, and they began to speak in many languages. This miraculous event was not simply about spectacle; it signified the empowerment and commissioning of ordinary people to share the Gospel far and wide. It was the beginning of the Church’s mission in the world, and it teaches us that spiritual transformation is possible for each of us—no matter how ordinary we may feel.

Within our own parish, Pentecost challenges us to ask: How do we embody the Holy Spirit’s presence today? The festival is a call to openness, to listening, and to embracing diversity—just as the apostles welcomed people from every nation. It is a reminder that the gifts of the Spirit are not reserved for a select few, but are poured out on all who seek God with humble hearts.

For many, Whit Sunday is also about community. In years past, people would have celebrated with processions through the village, hymn singing, and shared meals. And even if traditions have changed over time, the spirit of togetherness endures. This year, as we gather—whether in church or in our homes—we are invited to pray for a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit upon our parish and our world.

As we reflect on Pentecost, let us consider the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. These are not abstract virtues, but practical guides for daily living. Perhaps the Spirit’s greatest gift is the ability to see God’s presence in ordinary moments—in acts of kindness, forgiveness, and hope.

On this Whit Sunday, may we each open our hearts to the Spirit’s gentle prompting. May our parish be a beacon of God’s love, welcoming all and reaching out to those in need. 

As we remember the first Pentecost, let us pray:

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in us the fire of your love. Strengthen your children with the gift of faith, revive your church with the breath of love, and renew the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

With love

Ginni

Thank you to all who made St Ippolyts Church look so very beautiful to help us celebrate Easter. The lilies looked especially astounding. Thank you to Dee Soden and her team for all the children's decorations which were also beautiful and very welcome too.

Sunday 29^th March – Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem

9.15am – Benefice Holy Communion – St Ippolyts Church

11.00am – Holy Communion – Iris Court Residential Home, Gosmore

The service lasts about 25 minutes and is followed by coffee and cake.  Open to everyone.

Monday 30^th March

6.00pm – Compline (night prayer) – St Mary’s Church, Great Wymondley

Compline, or night prayer, is a quiet, prayerful service lasting around 20 minutes.  It is a beautiful way to step out of life’s busy-ness and spend some time with God before the day ends.

Tuesday 31^st March

6.00pm – Compline – St Mary’s Church, Great Wymondley

Wednesday 1^st April

6.00pm – Compline – St Mary’s Church, Great Wymondley

Thursday 2^nd April – Maundy Thursday, commemorating the Last Supper

11.00am – Chrism Eucharist – St Albans Cathedral – all welcome

7.00pm – Holy Communion – St Ippolyts Church

Friday 3^rd April – Good Friday,a day of solemn remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion

2.00pm – The Way of the Cross – St Ippolyts Church

This is a quiet service of music and readings as we reflect on Jesus’ crucifixion

Saturday 4^th April – Holy Saturday, a day of quiet reflection and remembrance before the celebration of Easter Sunday

9.30am-10.30am – Children’s Easter Workshop – St Ippolyts Church

Come and hear the Easter Story, make an Easter Garden, craft activities and refreshments.  All welcome

7.00pm – Easter Vigil – St Mary’s Church, Great Wymondley

We gather around the fire and mark the end of the emptiness of Holy Saturday as we lead into the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.  This is a service of readings and hymns and lasts around 35 minutes.

Sunday 5^th April – Easter Day, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ

8.00am – BCP Easter Holy Communion – St Ippolyts Church

9.15am – Easter Holy Communion – St Ippolyts Church

11.00am – Easter Holy Communion – St Mary’s Church, Little Wymondley

We will be selling plants both at our Plant Sale 16 May and at Open Gardens 28 June so we will need lots and lots of plants. Now it is getting warmer and we are all getting busy in our gardens if you are digging plants up or separating them, please pot a few up for us. If you are sowing seeds a few more sown for us would be wonderful.

Many thanks

Barbara

Please bring arrangements in a vase, flowers in a jam jar or spring plant to St Ippolyts Church on Saturday 4^th April from 9.30 am. There will be refreshments and hot cross buns on offer. We would love to see you as we decorate St Ippolyts Church as we prepare to celebrate Easter at the service to be held on Sunday 5^th April.

There is the Community Coffee Morning on Wednesday 1st April. This is our lead up to Easter and we welcome all who would like to join us with refreshments. This is being held in the Hall Committee Room and starts at 10.30 am until 12.00 pm. If you would like a lift, please let Joan Pinkstone know on 01462 457660.

St. Ippolyts feels a huge hole and it is hard to take in that Gillian is no longer with us in person (though no doubt looking upon us with that glorious laugh).  She had been such a central figure for so many years, involved in every event and doing such a huge amount for the Church and community which were both so important to her.  We give thanks for all her hard work and inspiration to us all.

David, Gillian’s son, quoted so aptly from this poem at the beginning of her Service: 

“I shall pass this way but once:  any good that I can do or any kindness I can show let me do it now”

How well that sums up Gillian – so many kind and thoughtful acts – so many people when ill must have found wonderful homemade food on their doorsteps, offers of help and/or a visit to cheer them.  She truly put into practice “Love your neighbour as yourself”.

James (another of Gillian’s sons) gave an excellent Eulogy at her Funeral Service, excerpts of which are below.  It gave a true picture of her and all the things which were so important to her:

“Our family would all like to thank ‘All of You’ for being here today to remember and celebrate Gillian’s life in this beautiful Church which meant so much to her and where she spent so many happy hours and celebrated so many special occasions during her life.  Church was a very important part of her life, and she said that the hour in Church on Sundays, when all five of us had to sit still and in silence, gave her an enormous sense of calm, a place of peace in more than one sense.  She loved to see the Church full, especially with young families.

Gillian was brought up at Girons in Hitchin and spoke very fondly of a happy childhood.  She married Hugh in 1957 and so began the key roles in mother’s life, being a great wife and a fabulous mother and homemaker.  

Central to my mother’s life were family, friends, creating a welcoming home, being with people and the importance of fun and laughter … and she certainly loved a party. She was proud of being a mother and of the importance of making a happy and comfortable home for her family.  So many of our friends have commented how welcome they felt when they visited.  A key part of our happy childhood was built around the community. She was a great contributor to events in the village to which she gave her time, energy and an awful lot of cooking. She was totally committed to the parish and community and to raising money for good causes – but also having lots of fun.  Charity and being charitable to others was one of her key beliefs and she enjoyed her involvement with many local groups.  And she had a staunch devotion to the British Monarchy.

She was happy in her final home in Cranborne Avenue, enjoying the garden, and deriving so much pleasure in seeing people.  We are so grateful that all the kindnesses mother had shown people during her life were repaid in her later years – keeping her spirits up.

Gillian, Granny, Mother – you can rest now – thank you from us all.”

Anne Steel

Have you time to spare?!

The Vicarage in St Ippolyts is currently undergoing some changes.  I am really hoping to make both myself and parts of the Vicarage more accessible to everyone!  French doors have been added to my office and a patio is being laid outside with direct access from the driveway.  The intention is that when I am working from home I will be able to invite people to ‘drop in’ for a coffee, a chat, or for anything else really!  The French doors lead out onto part of the garden that I would also like to leave open regularly for people to enjoy.  I would like it to be a place of peace where people can sit and read or have their lunch, or somewhere that could be used for a youth or children’s club.  I have visions of seating areas with fragrant shrubs, etc, and maybe even making use of the front garden too.  

Grand plans – in my head anyway!!  But I will need some help to make the vision a reality.  If anyone else thinks that this a great idea – and has an hour or two to spare every now and again – I’d really appreciate your help in making it happen.  So, if you can spare any time to garden, cut grass, prune, mend, sand/stain, etc, or have any surplus seating to donate then I would love to hear from you!!  

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