Thank you to all who took part in Christian Aid week in May this year, especially the collectors and donors. The sum raised in Swavesey was £856.62, in Fen Drayton £434.20, in Conington £207.26 and in Lolworth £119.69.
This is, of course, in addition to sums raised earlier in the year and sent to the tsunami appeal through Christian Aid.
St Andrew's Choir visited Conington on 23rd April to sing at a wedding. Also in April the Choir were present in force for the Bells Dedication Service and sang a short but rousing anthem.
Eleven members attended the Choirs' Festival at Ely Cathedral on 21st May.
Plans for the autumn are now well in hand. We shall have our usual break from practices in July/August.
Keith Lofts
The total collected in the boxes for 2004 to 2005 is £448.24.
This is a very satisfying result a 25% increase over last year. Many, many thanks to each box holder.
This amount added to the Christingle collection brings the final total for the year to £550.29, a really great effort. Thank you to all who have contributed.
Just to remind ourselves about the Society's work, I quote from the Society's magazine Bright Futures Spring Issue: "We, i.e., the Society, start, pioneer, research, campaign and influence. What hasn't changed is that children all over England still need your help as much today as they did in 1881 when Edward Rudolf founded the Church of England Central Home for Waifs and Strays.
"By 1919, 113 children's homes were caring for around 5,000 children. Now in 2005 the Society still cares for children most in need."
If anyone would like to add to our list of 28 subscribers, please ring me on 01954 205254 and I will be only too pleased to deliver a box.
Dorothy Gilbert
Three of our churches - Swavesey, Fen Drayton and Conington - are having their five-yearly inspection this summer. This is carried out by the Parish Architect and sets the agenda for all the repair and restoration work to be undertaken over the next five years.
One of the responsibilities of the architect is to check for potentially dangerous monuments in the churchyard. If any are found to be unsafe they must usually be laid flat on the ground to protect visitors to the churchyard and, in particular, children.
At the recent inspection of Fen Drayton churchyard, several monuments were found to have become unsafe over the winter and have therefore been temporarily laid on the ground. We are very sorry for any distress or inconvenience this may cause.
Owners of these monuments are urged to contact a monumental mason to discover how best to have them repaired or strengthened. Alternatively, please approach the Vicar if you are unsure whom it is best to talk with.
A team from Swavesey won the Ely District Call Change Striking Competition which took place at Haddenham on Saturday 4th June. This is the third year in succession that Swavesey have retained the trophy. The Method Competition had to be abandoned due to a mechanical problem with one of the bell clappers. This has been rescheduled for August.
Ringing Opportunity
There will be an Open Afternoon on Saturday 17th September where everyone is invited to come and see what is involved in bell ringing. This will include visits to the bell chamber to see the bells, your chance to have a go at ringing and some exhibition ringing.
For more details, please contact Andrew Stevens, Telephone 01954 231433, email: steeplekeeper@ely.anglican.org
The Vicar is very willing to offer holy communion in their homes to those who are housebound, particularly at Festivals. Please contact him to arrange a time.