TAKE PRIDE!
One of the happiest men I ever knew was a man who used to work in a local garage.  He was not a mechanic or anything as high up as that. His job,  six days a week, was to wash dirty motor cars.  He washed them with such thoroughness and such pride that you could run your hand along the inside of the mudguard on the wing and withdraw it spotless!
Someone has said that what the world needs, and what God needs, is not so much people who can do extraordinary things, as people who can do ordinary things extraordinarily well.
The greatest unsung heroes are ordinary men and women, boys and girls, who make village communities the loving caring places they are today.  They are people who work quietly, and often unnoticed, for the common good.  People who sacrificially give of their time, their talents, and often their money to the village causes which the village at large often ignore. They are the people who take pride in their Church or Chapel, the village school, their pub, club, and everything which goes on in the community.
As a new year begins why not reflect upon the wonderful things we enjoy in this part of the world we call 'home'; recognise the Man and God given gifts we have inherited and remember, in some appropriate way, to say "Thank you".
Then pause awhile to consider how better our village would be if you were like the man in the garage and took pride in our community, its amenities, organisations and people; if you were to make 2001 the year in which you can say that you gladly and willingly have made your contribution.     Richard CP Terrel  Rector

THANKS

The Rector and Churchwardens of The Parish Church of Saint Martin of Tours, would like to record their grateful thanks to all who have been supporting the current Heating & Lighting Appeal to raise the £25,000 needed to replace the heating and lighting in the Parish Church.  The Appeal is currently approaching the hallway mark and it is hoped that during the coming year further strides will be made towards achieving the target.  Identifiable donors are always individually thanked but they would like to acknowledge receipt of an anonymous cash donation of £100 delivered recently to The Rectory.
January Church Services: