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