St Mary's Scrapbook
This is a space for us to save items of historical interest to St. Mary’s and our community.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
We had a wonderful Jubilee Picnic on Saturday 4th June in the Church grounds. The weather was good and people appeared to have lots of fun. Thank you to all those who helped with the event, setting up, clearing away, making sandwiches and cakes and all those who attended. Thank you also to all those who help to keep the Church and grounds looking beautiful throughout the year. If you have time on a Monday or Friday morning then you may be interested in joining the working party who kindly work to keep everything looking beautiful year round.
The photograph above, is of the Queen’s Jubilee display put together to celebrate the event. If anyone would like to draw, colour, paint or otherwise create a portrait of the Queen we would love to have them to add to the display.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
We had a wonderful Jubilee Picnic on Saturday 4th June in the Church grounds. The weather was good and people appeared to have lots of fun. Thank you to all those who helped with the event, setting up, clearing away, making sandwiches and cakes and all those who attended. Thank you also to all those who help to keep the Church and grounds looking beautiful throughout the year. If you have time on a Monday or Friday morning then you may be interested in joining the working party who kindly work to keep everything looking beautiful year round.
The photograph above, is of the Queen’s Jubilee display put together to celebrate the event. If anyone would like to draw, colour, paint or otherwise create a portrait of the Queen we would love to have them to add to the display.
If you have taken any photographs of the event then we would love to have them to add here. We must have permission from all of the people in any photograph to be able to use the photographs.
St Mary’s 150th Anniversary celebrations on Sat 11th & Sun 12th September
St Mary’s 150th Anniversary celebrations on Sat 11th & Sun 12th September
This event was a great success with lots of local people visiting and enjoying the good weather and activities both inside & outside the church.
Thank you so much to all the people who put in such a huge amount of work to make it a success and to Bishop Alan for making our Sunday morning service memorable and for blessing the newly refurbished refectory for us.
Finally the event raised over £1,100 for church funds 🙂
The fall of the large beech tree
In August 2020 after some windy conditions, a large branch from a Beech tree in the Church yard fell across the footpath and the bottom of the steps for the footbridge going over the railway line. The branch was cleared away so that the footpath and bridge could be reopened. You can see how large the branch was from the large log pieces that can be seen in the photographs!
In March 2021 the tree was assessed and it was decided that the rest of the tree should be taken down which took place on 3rd March 2021.
Visit by Bishop Michael Hertford
We are delighted that Bishop Michael was able to undertake his long planned visit to us on Sunday 5th & Monday 6th July.
He took part in our service at 10am on Sunday 5th (via Zoom actually from within the St Mary’s building, while the rest of us were on Zoom from our homes). He also joined Virtual Messy Church later via Zoom.
The bishop visited Nash Mills C of E school (in a socially distanced way) on Monday as well as meeting the wardens from both St M’s & St B’s during the afternoon.
In the evening he joined the PCC from St M’s via Zoom.
Appreciations of Peter Ward
Many people will be interested to read ‘Peter Ward, An Appreciation’ by Mike Stanyon who succeeded Peter as President of HHLH&M (Hemel Hempstead Local History & Museum Society).
Thanks to Barbara Chapman for alerting us to it and for her item about Peter on the HHLH&MS Facebook page, (Hemel Hempstead Local History & Museum Society (HHLH&MS) .
There is also a wonderful article on the Benefice Newsletter 33 written by Sally Prue-Peter’s daughter. Please click here to read more.
Ted Adcook’s Memoirs
Most members of the congregation at St Mary’s will remember Ted Adcook who was such a character and who lived to over 100.
Amazingly, Lauren Shirley (during Lockdown 1) has transcribed his memoirs and offers them here in the season of Remembrance for everyone to read.
They can be found via this link.
Thank you so much Lauren, that really was a labour of love.