This month Jackie Jackman writes the ‘Dear Friends’ text, on the importance of the art of listening.

Elsewhere, the Mothers’ Union celebrate the life of Mary Sumner, and Jill Clarke reports on Open the Book at Barlow primary school. We also receive a postcard from Hilary Putman from Australia, via Linda Crackles, which includes a cracking picture of little Jemima and a teddy.

And I'm pleased to include a portion of the presidential address given by the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, to the General Synod. (I had to stand up whilst writing that sentence; I still feel a little dizzy…)

Finally, we look forward to the St Wilfrid’s Flower Festival in September. As usual I made up the rest.