Hello EveryoneWhat a wonderfully sunny, dry week we have had with temperatures soaring into 30 degrees. Phew! Summer has finally arrived for a run of consecutive days. The Olympics are in full swing and there have been many amazing achievements with athletes, swimmers, runners, cyclists, gymnasts etc producing incredible displays of achievement, determination and skill - a culmination of years of testing and dedicated application. To take part in the Olympics is a massive achievement in itself, and is such an inspiration to us all. There have been so many sights of 'don't give up' - 'you never know what you can achieve unless you try'. And how they have tried! Anything is possible.By contrast, there has been much sad news on our screens this week. We pray for those who live in fear, for those injured and for those who have lost their homes, their lives, loved ones, and their hope. Let us all unite this week to pray for peace and for the Lord to pour his light and comfort into those dark places.This week at church there has been much to be grateful for: The Saturday Toddington Community Fridge is proving popular with more people visiting last Saturday, and this Saturday, we have been promised a bumper delivery of fresh food and store cupboard foods which would otherwise waste. Do come along to Wilkinson Hall between 9.30-11am to choose 3 kg of food to take home. It is all free. I thank Cllr Andy Snape, and the Flitwick Community Fridge volunteers who collect, sort, and deliver, so much for their generosity of time and effort. They really do so much to make this a successful project. It is a great initiative. Do pop along to the Hall to see for yourselves. Mid-week you can visit the Rufus Centre, Flitwick, to gather up new fresh items. The fridge there is restocked daily and their new 'shop' will soon be open.Youth Group gathered on Tuesday evening at the Rectory for some fun and food. Thank you to Kate, Doug and Bridget for guiding us through the activities, quiz and fun. The evening went very quickly and was enjoyed by all. We are hoping to meet again during the holidays – date tbc. The Bible Course group also met Tuesday evening and had a fruitful discussion.Toddington Ploughman's Lunch went well on Thursday with lovely main course food and puddings. Chalgrave Church cleaning volunteers were in full force in the afternoon polishing, sweeping and cleaning. We have such a wonderful team of helpers and volunteers. I know that many church folk also help at Singing Cafe on Thursdays, at Friday Lunches and with Toddington Help. Thank you all so much! You are all very special! If you would like to help at Chalgrave church as part of a working party to tidy up the church grounds, or to join the church cleaning group please let me or Sandy know. Similarly, Dee, would be grateful of offers to help keep Toddington Church grounds and church tidy. Foodbank weekly donations are much needed, please. Dee keeps an up-to-date list in church of key requested food items needed and donations can be left in church or at 22 Leighton Road. Thank you so much for your continued generosity. Events going forward:Saturdays Toddington Community Fridge, Wilkinson Hall, 9.30-11am. 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st AugustCoffee Morning 10am Wilkinson Hall, 10th August Sunday Services 9.30am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th August11am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th August6pm Evensong, Toddington Church, 18th August Mondays 9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington Church, 5th, 12th, 19th August (Not on 26th - Bank Holiday)2pm Seated Pilates, Wilkinson Hall, 12th August (not 26th – Bank Holiday) Tuesdays 10.30am Knitting Group Wilkinson Hall WednesdaysArty Crafty fun days for children (accompanied by an adult please) Wilkinson Hall from 10am on 7th, 21st and 28th August. (please provide an apron or a shirt for protection..or come dressed to get messy. You may also like to bring a picnic lunch) ThursdaysTime with Friends, Wilkinson Hall 2pm 8 AugustSt George’s Fellowship, Wilkinson Hall, 2pm 15 AugustChalgrave Church Cleaning 1pm 15 AugustDavid Ward’s funeral North Herts Crematorium, 1pm 15 AugustBible Study Course wk 3, The Rectory, 7pm 15 August FridaysPainting for Pleasure, 10.30am, Wilkinson Hall 9th, 16th 23rd and 30th August Scarecrow Festival: Sunday 25th August and Monday 26th August. More details to follow. NB No Messy Church in August and no Pop Up Tea Room in August. Wishing you all a restful time. I am not planning to send a letter next week but will keep in touch with any important news. With best wishes LindaRectorToddington and Chalgrave07715603557
Dear AllI hope you had an enjoyable and restful week.Tomorrow we host the second Community Fridge at Wilkinson Hall, at 9.30am, with food collected from local supermarkets which will be delivered by volunteers from Flitwick. The food is all free and is offered as part of a sustainability initiative to avoid wasting food. Do come along, with a bag, to see what is on offer. We will be grateful for offers of help in the future to either collect and deliver supplies to the Hall on Saturday mornings, or to assist during the Community Fridge operating hours between 9.30-11am on Saturdays. Please let me know if you would like to be involved. It is a great opportunity to meet new people and to join together in this community initiative.On Sunday afternoon at 6pm you are warmly invited to the Hymns and Pimms evening at Toddington Church. See poster. Last Sunday we had wonderful concert at Chalgrave Church of contemporary songs, played and sung by Richard. It was so wonderful to be back socially in church again to share a special time of music, enjoyment and afternoon teas. Thank you so much Richard for the wonderful music and songs which had us singing along and remembering those golden classics. Thank you to all who baked and served. Thank you for attending to help us raise funds to maintain and restore the church. There was also another special Chalgrave Pop Up Tea room this week but the ladies are having a rest in August so the tea room returns in September.Looking ahead to this week:Saturday 27th JulyToddington Community Fridge, Wilkinson Hall, 9.30-11amSunday 28th July9.30am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church - Linda and Nigel11am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - Linda and Nigel6pm Hymns and Pimms Songs of Praise ' Friends of St George's evening, Toddington Church. Come and enjoy singing your favourite hymns (donations invited to support the maintenance of the church building)Monday 29th July9.30am Morning Prayer, Toddington ChurchToddington PCC meeting 7pm (or earlier tbc))Tuesday 30 July10.30am Knitting Group, Wilkinson HallYouth Group, 4.30pm, The Rectory (TBC) - time to consider Youth Alpha7pm The Bible Course, part 2 - The Rectory.Wednesday 31st JulyWorking Party at Toddington Church ? Please speak to Dee if you are able to help.Thursday 1st August12 noon, Ploughman's Lunch, Wilkinson Hall1pm Church cleaning, Chalgrave ChurchFriday 2nd August10.30am Painting for Pleasure group, Wilkinson HallSaturday 3rd August9.30-11am Toddington Community Fridge, Wilkinson Hall,Sunday 4th August9.30am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church - Linda11am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church - LindaWednesdays 7, 21 and 28th August Arty and Crafty days at Wilkinson Hall from 10am - see poster.Saturday 10th August - 10am Coffee Morning, Wilkinson Hall and 9.30am Toddington Community Fridge (outside Wilkinson Hall.. Hoping the weather is kind!)Scarecrow Festival Sunday 25 and Monday 26 August. Please let Sandy or me know if you have time to spare to help maintain the grounds at Chalgrave Church. Shrubs need cutting back and we need help to weed and keep the grounds tidy.Thank you all for your help and support in these busy weeks of Summer, and throughout the year.We hold Ruth Betts (deceased), Geoff her husband and her family in our prayers at this very sad time. We like so many in the village were so incredibly sad to hear the very sad news today of Ruth's death in Scotland. She has been such a special and valued member of the church bell ringing team. We will miss her bell ringing presence and her skilled ringing out of the good news of Jesus' birth and Jesus resurrection on Christmas and Easter mornings which always drew me to look upwards with joy. Thank you so much Ruth. We will miss you. RIP. I wish you all a good week, with sunny weather and chance to relax and restore your energy levels.With best wishesLindaRectorToddington and Chalgrave07715 603557revdtoddington@gmail.comrevdchalgrave@gmail.com
Hello all The school holidays have officially started, and the weather has warmed up, at last! Well done to all teachers, staff and pupils for easing successfully to the finishing line. How you coped with all you have tackled and achieved this term I don't know - and you were still smiling! (although exhausted!). The Summer Term is always a busy term, and this one has been no exception. Dee and I joined the leaver's assembly on Friday afternoon, along with year 4 parents, to hear a review of the special memories and achievements from the children who will be moving up to Middle school in September. There were some lovely light-hearted memories and some more serious, and there was a mix of emotion too at the prospect of the new adventure ahead, and of leaving the security of a special school with friendships and special teachers. It brought back memories of my own teaching days. Dee and I were very pleased to hand a Youth Bible to each leaving student which have been gifted by Chalgrave and Toddington Parish Churches. Now, let’s hope everyone at school gets a well-deserved rest, and a time of restoration as a reward for all their hard work, dedication and commitment. This morning at Toddington we launched the first pop-up Toddington Community Fridge in Wilkinson Hall and were delighted with the wonderful range of fresh and long-life produce supplied by Flitwick Community Fridge and local suppliers like Tescos, Waitrose and other local stores - organised by Cllr Andy Snape. It is an exciting extension of their work in Flitwick, reaching out to other neighbouring areas to share produce that may otherwise go to landfill or waste but helping folks when the cost of living is a challenge. We are trialling the pop up over the Summer and hope that they will be weekly on Saturdays 9.30 - 11.00 am at Wilkinson Hall. Do come along, with a bag. The food is free, and each person can take 3kg of produce - subject to availability. Toddington and neighbouring villagers can also visit the Flitwick Community Fridge in the Reception area of Rufus Centre, where there is a regular supply of incoming food (but best to get there in the morning) Tomorrow we are looking forward to Songs and Scones concert at Chalgrave Church with Richard playing his acoustic guitar, entertaining us with contemporary songs (eg Beatles numbers and other memorable songs). Cream teas are available with entry £7.50 per adult (phone or text Alison on 07771897451 to pre-book). Or tickets for the concert are £3 on the door and there will be a good range of cakes to tempt you during the interval. Please see attached poster. Chalgrave Pop Up Tea room returns on Wednesday at Tebworth Memorial Hall. The next one will be in September. The ladies are having a well-deserved rest in August. See poster. Next Sunday 28th, we are spoilt with opportunities as the Hymns and Pimms at Toddington Church 6pm offers another great opportunity for a sing along with your favourite hymns. Poster attached. No entry charge, but donations invited as you leave. See attached poster. During the Summer holidays we are also offering Art and Craft fun days for children (with their accompanying adult) on 7th, 21st and 28th August. Poster attached. No charge.. just come along and enjoy, and bring a picnic lunch. Starts 10am at Wilkinson Hall. I have attached a photo of places that are offering meal deals for Children and families during the summer holidays. The local libraries offer a range of activities during the Summer for families and so do Central Bedfordshire. Do look up on the Central Beds web pages for more information. We plan to arrange some dates for youth group to meet during the summer holidays and are looking to start a Youth Alpha course. Do let me know if you would like to join us. (Next tentative date to meet is the afternoon of Tuesday 30th July but we’ll be in touch to confirm). The ‘Bible Course’ session 2 (a Bible Society course which explains how the Bible came to be, with an explanation of the books and information it contains) is on Tuesday 30th July at 7pm at the Rectory. The Funeral of John Ware will take place on Monday 22nd July at 2pm at Toddington Church and we hold his family in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Finally, please see attached ‘What’s On’ for July with the other weekly events listed. Please note that the Scarecrow Festival will be on Sunday 25 August and Monday 26 August. Do please let Dee know if you can create a scarecrow for the festival This Sunday’s Services: 21st July 2024 9.30am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church, led by Linda and Nigel 11am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church, led by Linda and Nigel 6pm Evensong Service, Toddington Church led by Malcolm Have a good week. Thank you for all your support, and for all that you do to help the life and activities of the church. I hope you manage to get some rest and restorative sunshine during these summer months. God bless Linda Rector Toddington and Chalgrave
Hello Everyone,I'm afraid it is a late email this evening. It has been a very busy week with lots going on and new events before us.Thank you to everyone involved in the Open Gardens event last weekend. Despite the 'changeable weather', visitors to the gardens, refreshments, the Tombola, and the plant stall raised just over £2,000. A wonderful result! Thank you so much to everyone who opened their gardens, met us with a cheery welcome, baked and served refreshments or enticed people to buy tombola prizes or plants. It was a quality experience all round. We have three fundraising social events ahead. Songs and Scones is at Chalgrave Church next Sunday at 2pm (or you can come and listen to the songs without the scones if you wish). This celebration event marks the completion of the latest restoration work and the opening up of the church for social events again. Chalgrave cakes and scones are very enticing.. But so is Richard's playing. Do please join us. (see poster)Pop Up Tea Room is at Tebworth Memorial Hall on Wednesday 24th July 11am.On Sunday 28th July, Friends of Toddington Church host 'Hymns and Pimms' at 6pm with David Warner playing some of our favourite hymns. (see poster)This is a busy week-end in Chalgrave. Today, was fun and games Saturday (with more cakes provided by the Chalgrave ladies!), and tomorrow afternoon is the Vintage Car Show in the afternoon at Tebworth. We also hosted coffee morning at Toddington this morning. What would we do without cakes?! Thank you to our wonderful bakers.On Tuesday, Dee and I met with Councillor Andy Snape from Flitwick to discuss the possible introduction of a 'Toddington Community Fridge' stall at Wilkinson Hall on Saturday mornings 9.30 - 11am. We agreed to offer a pop-up stall next Saturday 20th July at Wilkinson Hall (See attached posters). Community fridges are a simple solution to reducing food waste and sharing good-quality food with local people. The food in the fridge is donated by local businesses and individuals. Our nearest fridge is at The Rufus Centre in Flitwick and is open daily and open to Toddington residents! We will work with the team in Flitwick to try out a pop-up food stall at Toddington, over the Summer, to see if there is demand for us to open a fridge in Toddington. It is an exciting prospect. We will need help to run this facility so would welcome volunteers who would be willing to collect the produce from Flitwick on a Saturday morning and deliver it to Wilkinson Hall for distribution. Offers of help from anyone willing to lift will be very welcome. Until we gather a team of volunteers, we will probably trial this on a fortnightly basis initially. If you would be willing to cover one week.. it would be great so we can gather a rota of volunteers. Please let me know if you can help and do come along next Saturday between 9.30 and 11am to collect some fresh produce.Over the summer, we will be holding three fun Art and Craft Days on 7th, 21st and 28th August, at Wilkinson Hall. See poster. These are instead of Messy Church in July and August. Youth group this Tuesday will be the last with Rebecca leading, as she will be easing back to focus on her roles in Westoning Benefice and some other projects that she is involved in. We will miss her and thank her so much for all the support, leadership and friendship she has offered. Hopefully, she will still visit us occasionally so we can stay in touch. Over the Summer we are looking to start a Youth Alpha course so still have plans to get together. More dates to follow. This Sunday’s Services:9.30am Holy Communion Service, Chalgrave Church11am Holy Communion Service, Toddington Church Upcoming Events: Mon 15th JulyMorning Prayer 9.30am Toddington ChurchTues 16th JulyKnitting Group 10.30am – 12.30pm Wilkinson HallYouth Group Yr5 upwards 5.45pm-7.15pm Wilkinson HallThurs 18th JulySt. George’s Fellowship 2pm – 4pm, Wilkinson HallChalgrave PCC Meeting 4pm The CaldersThe Bible Course 7pm The RectoryFri 19th JulyPainting for Pleasure 10.30 am – 12.30pm, Wilkinson HallEnd of Term for SchoolsSat 20 JulyToddington Community Larder 9.30-11am Wilkinson HallSun 21th JulyHoly Communion Service 9.30am Chalgrave ChurchHoly Communion Service 11am Toddington ChurchSongs and Scones concert and cream teas. 2pm, Chalgrave ChurchEvensong 6pm, Toddington ChurchMon 22nd JulyMorning Prayer 9.30am, Toddington ChurchSeated Pilates 2pm – 3pm, Wilkinson HallTues 23rd JulyKnitting Group 10.30 am – 12.30pm Wilkinson HallWed 24th July Pop Up Tea-Room 11-1pm, Tebworth Mem HallFri 26th JulyPainting for Pleasure 10.30am – 12.30pm, Wilkinson HallSun 28th JulyHoly Communion Service 11am, Toddington Church6pm Hymns and Pimms, Toddington ChurchMon 29th JulyMorning Prayer, Toddington ChurchTues 30th JulyKnitting Group 10.30am – 12.30pm, Wilkinson Hall AugustArt and Craft Fun Days from 10am Wilkinson Hall 7, 21 and 28th AugustScarecrow Festival Sunday afternoon August 25th and all day Bank Holiday Monday 26th Have a good week.. and let’s pray for some sunshine to lighten and warm the summer months. God bless LindaRev Linda WashingtonRectorToddington and Chalgrave07715 603557
