It is with great sadness to announce the passing of my beloved wife, Andrea Batten who died peacefully at home on August 1st 2023 after a long illness.

Algy, Caroline and I, would like to express our heartfelt thanks to friends, neighbours and in particular, to the kind and loving carers that looked after Andrea during her time at home.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene & St. Andrew, Ridlington on Tuesday, August 22nd at  2:00 pm.

Family, friends and members of the community are invited to join us at the Service followed by afternoon tea which will be served in the Village Hall.

Her cremation will be held at a private ceremony.

David Batten

How well do you remember the ‘70’s?  The cars, the fashion, the books and music, the TV programmes?

It is proposed to hold a light hearted quiz as a fundraiser for the church (£10 per person) – date to be settled once interest expressed. Teams of four, nibbles to be provided, bring your own drinks.

Please let Debra know if you are interested.

 

Another walk followed by a picnic is planned for Friday, 25th August – meet at the church porch at 6:30pm. 

If interested, please let Debra know.

 

In June a couple visiting family graves commented that [their relatives] would have loved the wildflowers and grasses in the churchyard!

They are not the only ones – our annual bio-blitz results demonstrate that the churchyard management plan is increasing bio-diversity.  A full list of all we saw forms part of the Nature Notes on the display stand at the back of the church.

 

CHURCH ROTAS
Church cleaning: Karen Baines; Jackie Ike
Church flowers: Annie Harvey; Pat Roome
Front of House Rota: Richard and Debra Thatcher; Ruth Lees; Louise and Steven Fox

 

CHURCHYARD “HARVEST”
Volunteers needed for the annual strim and rake of the churchyard on Sunday, 13th August at 11:00.  We hope it will take a couple of hours and we can then join together in our traditional ploughman’s lunch.

 

RIDE AND STRIDE
Volunteers also needed to participate in or to “meet and greet” participants in the Rutland Historic Churches Preservation Trust’s fundraiser on Saturday, 9th September. If you are able to volunteer for either or both events, please let Debra know.

 

CHURCH FUNDRAISING IN 2024
Volunteers needed to open their gardens and to assist on the day with parking, ticket sales, and refreshments.  Please let Debra know if you can help.

 

Thank you very much indeed for your continued generosity.

The up-to-date list of requested items is on the boxes in the church porch.

Next collection – 9th August.

SONGS OF PRAISE – Sunday, 30th July at 4:00 pm

 

Is there a hymn that means a lot to you?  One you always like to sing?  Nominate your favourite for our Songs of Praise service on 30th July at 4:00 pm to be led by Rev Jes Salt.

The nomination sheet is in the church porch or alternatively you can email Debra – debrathatcher@hotmail.com

Do you stand on one foot while brushing your teeth?  Dr Michael Mosley says that doing so improves balance and reduces the risk of injury.  For this and many other simple changes to transform your life read his book “Just One Thing” based on the Radio 4 programme.  Informative, interesting and entertaining.

Two twentieth century classics – “A Town Like Alice” by Nevil Shute, based on a true story although relocated from Sumatra to Malaya, the theme of this well written book is never lose heart. I enjoyed reading this one and also Albert Camus’ “The Outsider”, although when reading this I could not help thinking of themes for exam questions – being outside society, refusal to hide true feelings (or lack of them) etc.

To complete this month’s set – another police procedural.  If this had been written by MC Beaton it would have been called death of an accountant but this is by Alex Gray, one of her Detective William Lorimer series based in Glasgow, entitled “The Riverman”. The body count grows…