It was just a mention at a social event that a choir formed of Ukrainian ladies currently living in the Petersfield area, said they were looking for a venue to hold a concert. Christina Chard, who is hosting a Ukrainian family, explained that the choir needed a venue and asked if Langrish church could help. Sue Ricketts of the Langrish PCC committee was there at the time, and was subsequently given the go ahead. The families being hosted around Petersfield came together to form a ladies choir. These resilient brave women wanted to raise money for armoured medical vehicles to support the efforts in their home country. Once the PCC approved the request and the choir had visited the church, it was full speed ahead. The PCC agreed there would be no charge for this event and a date of Sunday 12 March at 3pm was confirmed. It was advertised locally and many Langrish residents helped with parking, organising access and refreshments were provided. The choir sang songs from their home country and were dressed in their national costume. When they sang the Ukrainian national anthem, it moved the spectators to tears. Over 80 people attended and were very generous. The concert raised over £1,000 towards their target. The choir hopes to visit other venues to increase their funding.
On Sunday 16 January Plough Sunday was celebrated in St John the Evangelist church Langrish with a blessing by Rev Philippa Good. The observance of this goes back to Victorian times, but behind it there is a much older tradition associated with the first working day after the twelve days of Christmas, hence ‘Plough Monday’ in some places. Back in mediaeval times the plough was often stored in the parish church over winter months. So early in January, usually the Monday after Epiphany, the farmers would gather in church to get the plough out of hibernation. The farming year would begin with a blessing of the plough and the ploughmen in church. Afterwards the plough would be pulled through the village to the local inn, where everyone would be fortified with much food, ale and merriment. These days Langrish no longer has a local hostelrie but plenty of merriment. In addition to the blessing of the plough this year Rev Philippa blessed our new ciborium, which contains the wafers given at the Eucharist. It is engraved to the special memory of Rosemary Hopewell, of this Parish who died in August 2020. The ciborium contains the wafers given at the Eucharist. She was friend to many in the village, a benefactor to the church and churchwarden for many years. It is fitting that we have something we can use regularly and to remember her by.
