Our lovely church held its first Holy Communion Service on Sunday, August 9th. Although it was rather different, it was very special to be back and we all enjoyed listening to Martin playing the organ – indeed he got a round of applause at the end! Please see the rota at the back of the monthly Parish magazine for September’s pattern of services across the Rutland Water Benefice. St Mary Magdalene and St Andrew’s, Ridlington remains open for private prayer on Sundays and Wednesdays 10am – 4pm.
You can still access the weekly services on YouTube or Facebook. If you would like any help with this, please let Anne Harvey know and she’ll give you a hand.
CHURCHYARD
Weeds of Wildflowers? During lockdown when you were taking your daily exercise did you have time to look at the wonders of nature? In addition to the new wildflower bank on the north side of the church where the yellow rattle has performed well this year we have let the grass on the church lawn around the heritage apple trees grow over the summer to see what wildflowers were in the turf. Setting aside the liverworts and mosses, I spotted the following, in no particular order: orange hawkweed, dandelion, sow thistle, ragwort (although no sign of the cinnabar moth caterpillars), groundsel, daisy, buttercup, meadow plantain, speedwell, shepherds purse, selfheal, cowslip, creeping jenny, dog violet, field pansy, meadow cranesbill, and clover. I daresay that I have missed some – did you spot any others?
Cutting of both the wildflower bank and the church lawn in August was part of the planned maintenance programme for these wildlife areas and next year we think that we might mow a path on the church lawn so that it is easier for people to look at the heritage apple trees that we will let fruit next year for the first time. If you have comments about the wildlife areas please contact Debra Thatcher.
Meanwhile, a big thank you to David Harvey for his work in the graveyard, mowing and pruning the trees which were not safe and/or were tangled in the electricity cables on Main Street. More work is to be undertaken at the far end of the churchyard in accordance with the relevant permissions.
THANK YOU FROM RIDLINGTON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
Following on from the ‘Coffee Break’ letter, we are delighted to say we have received a number of both one off and regular donations to the church. This generosity is hugely appreciated by us all so THANK YOU.
We still have some way to go before we can safely commence on the installation of toilet facilities and servery, not to mention the general upkeep of this beautiful historic building and its maintenance.
We have been heartened by those parishioners who have responded. If you have not got round to making your donation yet, or need another copy of the letter, please contact one of the PCC members named below:
Louise Fox; Anne and David Harvey; Bart Hellyer; Andy Hoult; Maggie Mortell; Richard Thatcher; Margie Wall.
CHURCH CLEANING
Now that the Church is open again for services, we are hoping to reintroduce the regular cleaning rota. We also have a ‘Spring Clean Day’ in the diary for Saturday 26th September 9am – 12noon. Volunteers are always welcome, so please contact Anne Harvey, if you think you can help. Tea/coffee and cake or bacon butties will be provided – all Covid-safe, of course.
