Parish Jottings

Parish Jottings - August 2019

Cream Teas in the churchyard

Satisfied customers enjoying their cream teas in the shade of the trees
Satisfied customers enjoying their cream teas in the shade of the trees

The question was, would Saturday 13th July, be a fine day, or not? As it turned out, it was, fine warm and sunny, just the afternoon for cream teas in the churchyard. Why go to Devon or Cornwall for your cream teas, when you can have them right here in your parish churchyard?

Sara Cook had made the scones for her annual Cream Tea event, which we all enjoyed as we chatted at tables in the shade of the churchyard trees.

Whether you prefer the Devonshire way, or the Cornish way of eating your delicacies, you had the option; jam first, or cream first on your scones, you could choose; this topic comes up every year. We all enjoyed a lovely afternoon’s outing, and in addition, caught up with each other’s news.

In the background, you could hear, at times, the amplified music coming from the Henley Festival, which was taking place that week by the river.

Cream Teas in the churchyard

Church Cleaning Team

The church has engaged a professional cleaner to vacuum the church once a week. Now that more services and events are taking place in church, the floors do take longer to clean. Therefore, our team of loyal church cleaners, currently, John Burton, Mike Hails, Peter Jones, and John Smiley, can now have a well-earned break from using the assorted collection of church vacuums. Some members of the team have been doing their monthly job for over 20 years.

However, there are still lots of dusting and other cleaning jobs to do in the church. The brass work, for instance, needs regular cleaning to look its best. A quick clean and polish every month will keep it looking shiny and bright; this is not a long job, but a job worthwhile doing. Windowsills and other dust-holding ledges need dusting occasionally, preferably before the cleaner does her vacuuming on Friday afternoons. Are there any out of work volunteers looking for a job?

Our Conservation Churchyard

Wild flowers in our conservation churchyard
Wild flowers in our conservation churchyard

When walking through our churchyard recently, you could not have failed to notice the diversity of colourful wild flowers showing through the tall grass. Some years ago, a survey of the churchyard found over 100 different species of flowering plants. Churchyards are amongst main custodians of the country’s flora, remaining undisturbed by weed killer and pesticide sprays that have affected our farmland. Since the 1930’s, we have lost 97% of our wild flower meadows in the UK. The grass must be cut at the right times of year in order to protect the rich plant life growing in our conservation churchyard.

Wild flowers in our conservation churchyard
Wild flowers in our conservation churchyard

The riverside scene at Regatta time (2019)
The riverside scene at Regatta time (2019)

Contacts

Vicar:
Reverend Duncan Carter
Vicarage, 16 Church Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 1SE (574822)

Trinity at Four Minister:
Reverend Sam Brewster
29 Gainsborough Hill,
Henley-on-Thames,
Oxfordshire, RG9 1ST
(07899 843461)

Churchwardens:
Peter Jones
Michael Forsdike

WELCOME

Welcome to Holy Trinity C of E Church.

Whether you have come to a service of worship, for private prayer, or just to enjoy a few moments of peace and tranquillity, we offer you our friendship and hospitality. This website gives some general information about the church and our fellowship.

Duncan Carter, Vicar.