Dear Congregation and Friends of St Mary,

Please find attached this week’s Benefice Newsletter and associated documents.

Longcot Flower Festival.  The Flower Festival has now begun and the church will be open from 10am to 4pm daily between Saturday 15th May and Sunday 23rd May.  The only exception to these times will be on the afternoon of Saturday 22nd May, when the church will just be open for performers and concert goers during the Clarinet Collective’s afternoon concert.  Shirley and her team of flower arrangers have outdone themselves this year with some stunning displays on the theme of ‘A Village Celebration’ from the 1940s with a street party and designs featuring Longcot in a different era.  Please find attached a photo of the nave, which provides a flavour of the decorations, but you will need to visit in person to see the wonderful displays on the windowsills!  Normal COVID rules will apply so please wear masks, sign in and use the hand sanitiser when you visit. In addition, Robert and Jill Baker will be serving teas at Treetops, The Green, from 1pm to 4pm daily.

Sunday 16th May – Choral Evensong with Choir at 6pm in St Mary.  As part of the Festival, a Choral Evensong will be held at 6pm in St Mary’s Church tomorrow, Sunday 16th May.  The choir from St Andrew’s Church have kindly agreed to sing for us.  Due to COVID restrictions seating will be limited, so please call or text Lucy to book in.  Details: 07958 378822.

Community Space. Work on the Community Space inside St Mary will start on 1st June and Parish services will be held in St John’s Church, Fernham from Sunday 6th June until the end of November.

Online Services. As usual the details of the Benefice online services for this Sunday can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/shrivenhamandashbury/.

Best Wishes,

Dennis

Church Warden St Mary The Virgin, Longcot