Hello Everyone What a busy time of year.. it is officially Summer with Wimbledon fortnight in full swing, the mens' and ladies' Ashes cricket matches in full swing, RHS Hampton Court flower show finishes tomorrow, schools are preparing their end of term performances, with Parkfields school also celebrating their special anniversary, and my daughter moved house this week... with a little help from me and Nigel in packing and unpacking boxes. Inspired by the wonderful Toddington Open Gardens last week, I have bought a wonderful array of new plants to set in the garden. Oh, that our garden could become a beacon of colour and interest like some of the splendid gardens I viewed last week. Thank you so much to everyone who opened their gardens, or offered cakes for refreshments, or plants for the church plant stall. It was a very special week-end and I understand that an incredible amount of about £2,700 was raised by the Friends of St George's Church as funds to care for the church building. Thank you so much for all your support and generosity. This week, Youth group met on Tuesday evening and had a happy time making home-made pizzas.. and eating them! Ploughmans lunches were in full flow on Thursday with Coffee Morning this morning. Everyone works so hard! Thank you so much to all involved for your commitment and for the many voluntary hours given to make and serve food and to offering such a warm welcome to the village communities. This Sunday's Services 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church (in church as rain is forecast) 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church This week's events and services Monday 10 July 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church 2.00 pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall Tuesday 11 July 10.30 am Knitting Group 5.45 pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall (tbc) Wednesday 12 July 10.30 am Toddington PCC, Toddington Rectory Thursday 13 July 2.00 pm Afternoon with Friends, Wilkinson Hall Friday 14 July 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 15 July 10.00 am Cake stall on the Green, Toddington Sunday 16 July 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington 2.00 pm Baptism, Chalgrave Church 6.00 pm Evensong, Toddington Church Have a good week, Wishing you every blessing Linda Rector, Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone I hope you have had a good week. Today is the 1st of July .. how can this be already?! As I write I hear a click of a ball against willow on the TV in the distance with two Ashes Cricket matches underway today, and next week Wimbledon will be in full force.. so Summer is officially here! Schools are busy preparing end of year performances with the staff and children looking forward to the Summer holidays after another very busy year. Nigel and I enjoyed a visit to Hidcote Gardens in the week marvelling at the array of flowers and fragrances, and next week we head off to a day at Hampton Court Flower show, so we too are enjoying the beauty of summer. This weekend the Friends of St George's Church have organised a busy Open Gardens experience, to raise funds for the church building, with about 17 gardens open for viewing around Toddington (tickets/programmes available at Wilkinson Hall). It is wonderful that so many people are willing to share their gardens, Thank-you! I am excited to walk around the different gardens, to have a chat on the way, to gather up inspiration and ideas, to meet people, to buy a few plants from the plant stall and have a piece of cake over a cuppa at Wilkinson Hall. I am so grateful for everyone's generosity of time and commitment, and to the willingness to share a joy of gardening and the blessings that fresh air brings. The Open Gardens are a joy each year. Opening Times: Saturday 11.00 am – 5.00 pm, Sunday 1.00 6.00 pm This week the monthly Pop-Up Tea Room at Tebworth Memorial Hall provided a lovely gathering for folks from the villages, again enjoying a cuppa and cake (or a sausage roll, scone or quiche) and a natter and catch up. A special time for Chalgrave Church and the villages. Again, thank you to all involved. Looking ahead to this week, on Thursday, Toddington will host their monthly ploughman's lunch which will be swiftly followed on Saturday, by a coffee morning. More lovely opportunities to gather over food. I send a huge thank you to everyone who keeps these functions alive and resourced. The Chalgrave and Toddington teams are such expert cakemakers and providers.. and are keen to extend a warm welcome at events and in church. Youth group also enjoyed meeting up last Tuesday for a fun visit to the park and they meet again this Tuesday at Wilkinson Hall. This Sunday's Services - 2 July 2023 9.30 am Holy Communion, Chalgrave Church - Linda and Nigel 11.00 am Holy Communion, Toddington Church - Linda (and possibly Nigel) This week's events: Monday 3rd 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 4th 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 11.00 am Funeral, Toddington Church 5.45 pm Youth Group Wednesday 5th 7.00 pm Dunstable Deanery Synod, St Mary's Eaton Bray Thursday 6th 12.00 noon Ploughman's lunch, Wilkinson Hall Friday 7th 10.30 am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 8th 10.00 am Coffee Morning, Wilkinson Hall Sunday 9th July 9.30 am Morning service, (second Sunday of the month - outdoors service, in the church grounds - if the weather is dry), Chalgrave Church 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church Sending you every good wish Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone What glorious weather it has been this week. The sunshine set the scene beautifully today for the Toddington village fete. There was much laughter and happy chatter as folks supped beer and ice-cream whilst exploring the stalls. I loved the children's street dancing - so much focused energy by the children, inspired by their energetic, smiling teacher. It was a wonderfully happy afternoon. Well done and thank you to everyone involved in organising the event - and to those who provided refreshments in Wilkinson Hall. It was a great success, and it's wonderful to hear that plans are already afoot for next year's fete. Looking ahead this week we will have Pop Up Tea Room at Tebworth Memorial Hall on Wednesday, swiftly followed by the Friends organised Toddington Open Gardens next weekend.. besides the usual regular weekly events. I pray the sun continues to shine this week for you and your families. This Sunday's Services 9.30am Holy Communion Service, in Chalgrave Church 11am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church This week's events: Monday 26th June 9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington church 2pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall Tuesday 27th June 10.30am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 5.45pm Youth Group, Wilkinson Hall Wednesday 28th June 10-12 noon Toddington Church, gardening working party. 11-1pm Chalgrave Pop Up Tea Room, Tebworth Memorial Hall Thursday 29th June PCC meeting - postponed Friday 30th June 10.30am Painting for Pleasure Group, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 1st July/Sunday 2nd July Toddington Open Gardens, with plant stall and refreshments at Wilkinson Hall. Saturday 11-5pm, Sunday 1-6pm Tickets available from Wilkinson Hall or at participating gardens. £5 each adult, accompanying children free. 'Spot the clue' game for children too. (poster attached) Have a lovely week. Best wishes Linda
Hello Everyone What a wonderful evening, with a welcome breeze in the air after such a hot day. I hope you have coped well with the high temperatures. It was a joy to lead a wedding today, with sunshine beaming down on the guests as they gathered, although I suspect I wasn't the only one glad of the cool of the church for a while. The church looked so special with its neatly cut grass, set against the backdrop of bright blue sky and smartly trimmed village green in the foreground. I smiled to see the wedding party gathered by Toddington pond for a set of special family photos after the church wedding. Toddington village is such a special place. Chalgrave Church is also very special and tomorrow morning (weather permitting) we are planning to meet outdoors for our morning service, in the beautiful grounds where we enjoyed so many services during lockdown. The chirp of the birds and the rustle of the leaves on the trees is such a wonderful setting and one can't help but ponder of the wonder of creation, in the midst of the peace and calm of the setting. Do join us, if you can. You will be most welcome (but please bring a garden chair to sit on - and if thunder storms begin earlier than expected.. we'll retreat into the church). This Sunday, 11th June, services: 9.30 am Morning Praise service, Chalgrave church - Linda 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Linda Next Sunday, 18th June, services: 9.30 am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church - Linda 11.00 am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Linda 6.00 pm Evensong Service, Toddington Church - Malcolm Upcoming events: Monday 12th June 9.30 am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church Tuesday 13th June 10.30 am Knitting Group, Wilkinson Hall 5.45 pm Youth Group, starting at Wilkinson Hall, but then heading out for a walk. Wednesday 14th June 10.00 am to 12.00 noon- Church Grounds Working party, Toddington Thursday 15th June 2.00 – 4.00 pm St George's Fellowship, Wilkinson Hall. Friday 16th June Painting for Pleasure 10.30 am, Wilkinson Hall Saturday 17th June 10.00 am Cake stall on Toddington Green Chalgrave Games - with tea and cake refreshments served by Chalgrave Church Friday 23rd June - Messy Church, 3.30 pm. My thoughts are with you all and even though my 'out of office' will be on from Sunday afternoon until next Saturday evening as we step back for almost a week, you will remain very much in my thoughts and prayers. God bless Linda
