Sat	2	'Appeal of Bells' concert in aid of Tower and Bells Fund	7.30 pm
SUN	3	DEDICATION FESTIVAL
Mon	4	Magazine Panel meets at 35 Vanguard Way	6.00 pm
Tue	5	Visit from Sherwood Park School	2.00 pm
Wed	6"	St Mary's Guild AGM	2.30 pm
		Sutton Deanery Synod meets at Holy Trinity	7.30 pm
Thu	7	MU&OG. 'The Work of The Royal Marsden Hospital' - a talk by Amanda Heaton. Church Centre	8.00 pm
SUN	10	TRINITY 18
		Guides & Brownies at Sung Eucharist. Preacher: Revd Dr Raymond Burnish speaking about The Leprosy Mission
Wed	13	MU Corporate Eucharist	10.00 am
SUN	17	TRINITY 19
Mon	18	St Luke. Eucharist	9.30 am
Thu	21	MU&OG. 'Exploring the Waterways of England, part 1' - a talk by Mr Moir. Church Centre	8.00 pm
Sat	23	'How Well Do You Know St Mary's?' A quiz/social evening in aid of Church Funds	7.30 for7.45 pm
SUN	24	LAST AFTER TRINITY
Wed	27	Friends of Beddington Park meet at The Grange	7.30 pm
Sat/Sun	30/31	Don't forget to put your clocks back one hour before you go to bed
SUN	31	ALL SAINTS
		Families at St Mary's 'Alternative Hallowe'en Rainbow Party'. Church Centre	6.00 to 8.00 pm

Carousel

Our new look monthly Baptism Sundays got off to a good start on 12 September. For those who don't already know, from now on any Baptisms not happening during the 9.30 Sung Eucharist will take place at 11.30 am on a convenient Sunday and no longer at 3 pm in the afternoon. We hope this change will enable as many as possible of the regular congregation to stay behind on Baptism Sundays to be present during the Baptism service and be seen to welcome the children being baptised, and to give their parents and friends a very public sign of the church’s support and prayers. This is an important part of the ministry which we all share as Christians, and helps to re-assure parents and godparents that we will be there as the latest member of our congregation grows up, in faith as well as physically. There are also opportunities during the Baptism service itself for members of the congregation to take part, by reading the Bible passage for the day or by leading the formal prayers. Baptisms this month will take place on Sunday, 3 October at 11.30 am, and it would be good to see a large number of ‘regulars’ staying on to get used to the new service.

Saturday, 2 October: Peter and Joan Davalle return to present another show - 'Appeal of Bells' - in aid of the Tower and Bells Fund

On Sunday, 10 October the Guides & Brownies will attend the 9.30 Sung Eucharist. As the Old Testament reading for the day is the healing of Naaman the leper by Elisha, and the Gospel reading is Jesus’s healing of ten lepers, only one of whom turned back to say thank-you, the preacher at that service will be Revd Dr Raymond Burnish, speaking about the work of the Leprosy Mission. It would be good to see a large number of people there to welcome him.

The MU corporate Eucharist will be a week earlier than usual, on Wednesday 13th at 10 am.

There will be an additional Eucharist to celebrate St Luke on Monday, 18 September at 9.30 am.

Saturday, 23 October, 7.45 pm: time to put your knowledge of St Mary's to the test. Come along to the quiz, air your knowledge, and contribute to church funds at the same time.

Advance dates for your diary:

On Tuesday, 2 November we will celebrate All Souls Day. There will as usual be a list on the table under the tower for you to add the names of any departed loved ones, especially those who have died in the past year, to be included in the commemoration at the Sung Eucharist at 7.30 pm. The choir trebles will sing Fauré's Messe Basse.

Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10th, 11th and 13th November - The Shakespeare Revue performed by members of Imperial Opera. Directed by Cassie with Selwyn at the piano. More details here.

There will be a Quiz Night in aid of the Friends of Beddington and Grange Parks held at The Grange, Beddington Park, on Monday, 18 October, 7.30 pm. Tickets £5 each (max 6 per team). For further information contact Dee Hyatt on 020 8647 1014

Warm congratulations to Reg and Sheelagh Willis who will be celebrating 60 years of marriage with their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on the 21st October.

Congratulations to Jean Delahunty whose smiling face appeared in a recent Sutton Guardian when she received an award from the National Blood Service for contributing an incredible 75 units of blood over the years. Well done, Jean, we're proud of you.

The Diocese of Southwark Black & Minority Ethnic Forum

Tenth Annual Conference A roadmap to higher achievement?

(Issues for black and minority ethnic parents)

Saturday, 30 October 2004 - 9.30 am to 3.15 pm

St Cecilia's Church of England School, Sutherland Grove, Wandsworth

Adults: £6 Retired and under 16s: £3 Under 5s: Free

Further information from Delbert Sandiford (020 7939 9418) or Tony Haynes (020 7939 9421) at Trinity House

Saints in October

Mon 4 Francis of Assisi, friar, deacon, founder of the Friars Minor, 1226

Sat 9 Denis, Bishop of Paris, and his companions, martyrs, 250

Tue 12 Wilfrid of Rippon, bishop, missionary, 709

Wed 13 Edward the Confessor, King of England, 1066

Fri 15 Teresa of Avila, teacher, 1582

Mon 18 Luke the Evangelist

Tue 26 Cedd, Bishop of the East Saxons, 664, and

Chad, Bishop of Lichfield, 672, missionaries

Fri 29 James Hannington, Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, martyr in Uganda, 1885

Readings for Sundays in October

Sunday, 3 October

Dedication Festival

1 Chronicles 29: 6-19: Page 1030

Ephesians 2: 19-22: Page 1032

John 2: 13-22: Page 1033

Sunday, 10 October:

Trinity 18

Readings to be presented by the Guides and Brownies

Sunday, 17 October

Trinity 19

Genesis 32: 22-31: Page 1016

2 Timothy 3: 14-4: 5: Page 1018

Luke 18: 1-8: Page 1019

Sunday, 24 October

Last After Trinity

Ecclesiasticus 35, 12-17: Page 1023

2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18: Page 1025

Luke 18: 9-14: Page 1026

Sunday, 31 October

All Saints Day

Daniel 7: 1-3 and 15-18: Page 1039

Ephesians 1: 11-23: Page 1040

Luke 6: 20-31: Page 1041

Music at Evensong in October

Sunday, 3 October

Canticles: Murill in E

Anthem: O Thou The Central Orb - Wood

Sunday, 10 October

Canticles: Dyson in F

Anthem: Salvator Mundi - Tallis

Sunday, 17 October

Canticles: Holman in F Minotr

Anthem: Save Me O God - Boyce

Sunday, 24 October

Canticles: Arnold in A

Anthem: Like As The Hart - Howells

Sunday, 31 October

Canticles: Walmisley in D minor

Anthem: Give Us The Wings Of Faith – Bullock

From the registers

Baptisms

September 12 Natasha Faye Coughin of 12 Newnham Close, Thornton Heath

Holly Joanna Dunn of 3 Queenswood Avenue, Wallington

Milly Natasha Rook of 6 Tritton Avenue, Beddington

Weddings

August 29 Jody Long and Shirley Martin of 36 Bristow Rd, Beddington

September 4 John Lee Luke Lewis and Suzanne Jane Sainsbury of 21 Bloxworth Close, Wallington

September 11 Benn Steven William Finnis and Sian Louise Miller of Findon Court, Chiswick Close, Beddington

September 18 Christopher John Harlow and Sara Jane Townsend of 6 Bond Gardens, Wallington

Funerals

August 31 Lily Elizabeth Mary Rowe aged 83 of Croydon Road, Beddington

Oops!

80-year old George went for his annual check-up. All of his tests came back with normal results. Dr Smith said, "George, everything looks fine physically. How are you doing mentally and emotionally? Are you at peace with yourself, and with God?"

George replied, "God and me get on just fine. He knows I have poor eyesight, so He's fixed it so that when I get up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet, *poof* the light goes on. When I'm done *poof* the light goes off." "Amazing!" said Dr Smith, "That's just incredible!"

A little later in the day Dr Smith called George's wife. "Joan," he said, "George is doing fine. Physically he's in good shape. But, I had to call because I'm in awe of his relationship with God. Is it true that he gets up during the night and *poof* the light goes on in the toilet, and then when he's through *poof* the light goes off?"

Joan exclaimed, "Oh, no! He's peeing in the refrigerator again!"

An Ill Wind…

Readers who have followed the progress of nearly four years fund-raising, may be wondering why the bells are still ringing - and why the church clock hasn’t worked for five months!

Everything was on schedule for work to begin in April and the belfry was cleared in preparation. This included the clock workings, which spanned the ceiling and needed to be removed in order to lower the bells to the ground via the trap door. However, English Heritage decided they wanted some sort of record before we could begin.

After several months of correspondence, an agreement has been reached. The archaeological drawings deemed necessary for their records will have been done by the time this magazine is out. We must then wait for the Chancellor (of the diocese) to grant us a Faculty - a permission to do the work - and then things should start to happen.

Owing to the delay, we lost our slot at the foundry. As soon as we have the Faculty, the foundry will be told and, with luck, we’ll go to the top of the list. Whether things will happen this year or not, we don’t know. We are continuing with our fund-raising, as not only has the price increased with the delay, but we do need enough to cover tower work, new ropes, carpet etc. as well as heating.

Please continue to support us - we are certainly at the last hurdle now.

Jean Kimber

PS It’s an ill wind … at least we’ve been able to ring for this season’s weddings, pleasing the couples and adding much-needed cash to our bank balance!

STOP PRESS

Faculty for bells arrived …. Work will start November 8 but bells not going till January ….. Christmas ringing assured!

Whilst on the subject of bells…

Cassie has recently been corresponding by email with a new American friend, and the conversation came to the music at church. In this context, she explained about the handbell and tower bell ringers. This was her friend's reply...

'Your mention of the tower bell ringers reminded me of our trip to York. The bells were pealing and pealing (is that how you spell that?) and it went on and on and it was just mesmerizing and beautiful but also we thought that something big must have happened -- did the queen die?, did a war end? Wow, we couldn't figure it out. So we asked the proprietor of our b & b and he said, "Oh, that's Thursday night bell practice." So much for a world event…'

Alternative Hallowe'en Party

Once again we will be having an alternative Hallowe'en Party for the children which will have a ‘Rainbow Theme’. Traditional games – bob apple, sticky dip, flour dipping etc. Prizes for the most colourful children.

The date: Sunday, 31st October

The time: 6 to 8 pm

The place: Church Centre.

We are busy trying to raise enough money to hire a children’s entertainer for the Christmas Party and would welcome any donations for the raffle in October – chocs, wine, biccies, unwanted bath sets (before you get this years stock at Christmas!!!)

People have suggested that we charge for the parties, but we feel strongly that now we have a reputation for hosting these events, (which don’t cost anything to attend other than a donation of food ), we would like to continue to show the Christian spirit is active in our community by keeping the FASM events free of charge.

If anyone would like to help out on the evening or indeed at any event, or have something they feel they can offer please contact any of the usual suspects …

Carolyn - 8254 9522

Helena - 8395 2822

Ann - 8647 4996

Sharon - 8647 2651

Lizzie - 8688 5204

As if we didn't have enough to do...

Cassie and Selwyn have somehow found themselves jointly directing a production of The Shakespeare Revue, presented by Imperial Opera (the society that has the dubious responsibility for them meeting in the first place!).

The show was originally put together by members of the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1994. It was first produced at the Barbican, and afterwards in the West End and on a long successful tour in the UK and the States. It’s a totally unserious look at the world of Shakespeare, his plays and their actors, done in a traditional revue format of songs and sketches, with extracts from musicals, plays, comic novels, Music Hall numbers, Cambridge Footlights, and quite a number of new items written specifically for the show. The selection of authors includes Stephen Fry, Victoria Wood, Maureen Lipman, Alan Bennett, Richmal Crompton, with some bits of actual Shakespeare thrown in; composers include Cole Porter, Sandy Wilson, Fascinating Aida and Stephen Sondheim.

St Mary's folk will recognise a couple of the performers from Chimes concerts: Melanie Short and Ellis C Pike both take part, together with Alan Doherty, Sarah Humphreys, Claire Lapworth and David Phipps-Davis (London only).

London performances: Wednesday 10, Thursday 11 and Saturday 13 November at the New Arch Theatre, Waterloo. Tickets will shortly be available - watch the weekly notice sheets for details. The show is also being performed on Saturday, 4 December 2004 in The Public Hall, Budleigh Salterton, Devon; it's a long-standing and incomprehensible Imperial Opera tradition that takes us to the seaside to set up, rehearse and perform in one day!

Cassie

Communion before Confirmation

For the past 20 years or so, young people aged about 11 or 12 have been invited to decide whether they would like to join with the family of St Mary's and make their first Communion before considering, four or five years later, whether they wish to be confirmed.

Starting on Sunday. 10 October, we will be holding four sessions - each after church on Sunday morning - when Selwyn and Heather will be available to explore the Eucharist and unravel some of the meaning behind what we do on a Sunday morning. We will meet in the Carew Chapel at 11 am and aim to finish about 11.45 am We hope at the end of the four weeks to have a Passover meal when we can remember how Jesus ate his last meal with his disciples.

If you would like to join us we will be very pleased to see you. After you have explored with us you can then decide whether you would like make your first Communion one Sunday before Christmas.

STOP PRESS .... STOP PRESS …. STOP PRESS …. STOP PRESS!

Harvest Thanksgiving …. PLUS …

'We've done it' said the Rector, punching the air like an Olympic winner, 'WE'VE PAID OFF THE MORTGAGE'.

Now, as he went on to say, the Church Centre belongs to us - it is ours. Not one brick belongs to the Diocese any more. We all sang 'Now thank we all our God' as we remembered God's generosity to us all and everyone who in their own way had generously responded with their time, talents and money so that the congregation and the parish now have a space for so many activities which help to build up a community.

Harold Hore, the most senior of the Churchwardens, surrounded by his successors, cut the gold tape across the door and the congregation surged through for celebratory cider, coffee and biscuits.

What this all means for our finances and our future planning will be the subject of other articles - later. But for now let us just give praise and thanks.

Be A Friend

On 3rd October we will be thinking of the Friends of St Mary’s as we celebrate Dedication Sunday.

In 1961 a group of people realised that desirable projects at St Mary’s could not be carried out because all the money in the church funds had to be used on the day to day running of the church. Cornerstones was formed and a group of people gave a small donation to this new fund so that desirable projects could happen. The people involved were members of the church. In 1971 the group reformed as Friends of St Mary's and everybody who was interested in worship and the building was invited to join, and the constitution was agreed by the PCC. All the funds in the Friends’ account are used to enhance the worship and the building at St Mary’s.

There are only about 40 members now, giving a donation usually once a year, so that projects can be funded. A significant number of the 40 are people who have moved away but still hold St Mary’s in their hearts and prayers. New members are needed. To become a member please offer a donation (these donations have ranged from £1 to £60 a year). Margaret Treasurer, Friends’ treasurer (really), or Heather Cosgrove, Friends’ secretary, will willingly accept your donation or give you a standing order form for the Friends’ account.

Projects funded by the Friends over the last 25 years include the polycarbonate sheeting to protect the stained glass windows from vandalism, the amplification system, the Pascal Candle holder, the New English Hymnals, the Year's Mind book and, most recently, a large part of the bill for the restoration of the Gothic Knight.

If you are not a member, please consider joining, it is surprising how relatively small donations from many people can be gathered together and used for the glory of our Lord at St Mary’s. If you are already a member, perhaps you could consider increasing your donation this year. You can contact either Margaret, or Heather in Church or at home, her details are in the directory in this magazine.

How well do you know St Mary's?

Don't forget to be looking around you at the details of this fine edifice for the evening of close interrogation on 23 October

For the princely sum of £4 you too can enjoy an evening of discovery and a buffet - which will leave you replete both mentally and physically.

Tickets from Pat Kingsbury and Kevin Winstone

Peace & Reconciliation

I am so glad I went to Croydon Town Hall on Monday, 6th October to hear the Bishop of Croydon and the Imam of the Croydon Mosque speaking and responding to questions.

The meeting had been set up by Capt Terry Drummond CA, Diocesan Social Responsibility Advisor, and was made possible by Croydon Council providing the venue. It was held in one of the small rooms in the Town Hall and it soon became clear that there were more people than chairs and so many sat on the floor. In the chair was Canon Colin Boswell, vicar of Croydon Parish Church and the Croydon Borough Dean.

The Imam spoke first. He told us that Mohamed said he had been sent down to ‘complete all good morals and character’. Mohamed had been of good morals and character all his life, including the 40 years before he became a prophet; he was always calm, caring and loving as all Muslims should be. The Imam went on to say that all people were created from Adam and Eve, then divided into tribes and into families. What was the purpose of making people different? So that they can recognise and understand each other. People must feel safe from his neighbour’s hand and tongue. Islam orders everyone to protect children, women and the elderly even if on the battlefield.

The Bishop spoke next. He said that Islamic terrorists had made so many ignorant of the Islamic faith. Terrorism is a global problem and made many judge the people of other faiths by the acts of the terrorists. He wondered how others might see people of the Christian faith if they were judged by the Crusades or the terrorists in Northern Ireland. He saw the Ninth Commandment: 'Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour' as very important and one that is often forgotten. Peace and reconciliation begins with God, it is not about power but the laying down of power. We must learn from each other, be respectful of each other, look at what we have in common, seeing the differences and owning them.

Canon Colin, when asking for questions from the floor, requested that we keep them short and not use the time to preach a sermon, as that way we could hear the opinions of our two speakers. I don't think some of those asking questions could have heard him. Here are a few of the things I learned that evening:

The Imam said that the inspiration behind the Scriptures was more important than the actual words. The Koran is like a manual that must be understood. He can recite the whole of the Koran in Arabic. When he became an Imam in England he knew he needed to understand the Bible. He bought a copy in English but soon realised his knowledge of the language was not good enough for him to understand the meaning behind the words, so he bought a copy in Arabic and found many similarities with the Koran. When a member of the audience suggested Christians should read and understand the Koran, the Bishop suggested they should read and understand the meaning of the Bible.

The Books of both faiths are written in words, human words, and these words are not adequate to describe God and the true faith. As soon as anything is put in language it is bounded, remember The Word became flesh. God sees everyone, no-one sees him.

The Islamic faith teaches that all prophets must be believed; that Jesus is a prophet of God, but not the Son of God, who came to lead the people from darkness to light.

A common denominator in the two faiths is the fact that God has an individual relationship with every one of us. He loves each one of us and so, as we are loved, we must love by the grace of God.

The Bishop said that Britain can no longer be called a Christian country, it is a secular country but there is freedom to follow our chosen faiths. The Imam said that Muslims had more freedom to follow their true faith here in Britain than anywhere else in the world.

It was suggested that we should invite our neighbours in for a meal, remembering to take note of their religious observances. Those that eat together and get to know each other find it difficult to harm each other. We must stand side by side especially in times of trouble, like the Christian priests who stood by Mosques when English people were stoning them after 9/11. The leaders of the different faiths stand side by side and they must be seen to do so.

The Imam was asked if Islam is a missionary faith. He said that no-one can force anyone to believe, but it is the responsibility and duty of all Muslims to pass on The Message to others and to protect their fellow Muslims. The Bishop said that as we have received the Grace of God we cannot help but be a missionary, not by beating people with a bible but by showing them Christianity is all about love.

The Imam was asked if we (I presume that meant British Christians) could visit the Croydon Mosque. He said people were always welcome. The Bishop suggested that maybe we should invite the local Muslims into our churches and our homes.

Although several questioners were very rude, some even tried to tell the Imam the meaning of his faith, he remained very calm and gracious the whole time. The Bishop said in his summing up that if he had been the recipient of some of the remarks that had been directed at the Imam he would not have been so gracious and he thanked his good friend, his very good friend, for the patience and humility he had shown that evening

I had felt sorry that no-one had come with me to this meeting, but at the end I was glad to be alone; I did not want to talk but to remain moved by the whole evening and again to be thankful for the year I spent with VSO in Malaya. In that year I had stayed at a Muslim Girls College for 3 months, lived in teachers' quarters with Malays, Indians and Chinese people of different faiths and with a Hindu family where the wife had been to a Catholic School and the husband had trained as a teacher in Kirby. I thank God for that very special year and for two very special faith leaders in Croydon.

Heather Cosgrove

Book Review

Miniskirts, Mothers & Muslims – a Christian woman in a Muslim land

By Christine A Mallouhi : £10.99 : 1854246011

NB: for suggestions for sourcing books on the Internet, visit our Booklinks page.

This observant, witty book charts the ludicrous mistakes Western Christians make when meeting Muslims. It will be invaluable for Christians venturing among Muslims – for secular employment, humanitarian work, missionary work or even crossing the road to meet their neighbour. It makes the assumption that Christians will want to live honourably among Muslims for Christ's sake, and explores what that means.

The author writes as the Western wife of an Arab from a conservative Muslim family. The stories are from the cultures that Muslims living in the West either came from, or still observe inside their homes. It's the shadow side of Muslim culture, which is invisible to most Westerners.

The author explores the themes of status, the place of women, the veil, stereotypes, segregation, restrictions, family life, hospitality and witness.

Flower arrangers

We flower arrangers do not only arrange flowers in St Mary's, we also go out together. Yes, early in September, arranged by Sue, we went to the Royal Horticultural Society's garden at Wisley.

On arrival we were met by Pat Kingsbury who was to be our guide for the day, and what an exciting and interesting day Pat made it, telling us about the foliage and flowers as we walked around the different areas. Especially enjoyable were the herbaceous borders - such wonderful blends of colours and textures - food for thought for our arrangements.

Time for our lunch break at Wisley's very good restaurant where we were spoilt for choice. After a well-earned rest some went to see the orchids, others to the shop and display of plants to buy. It was then time to make our way home.

Thank you Pat for a very interesting day. I know we all thoroughly enjoyed every minute and learnt a great deal.

Who knows what spectacular arrangements you may see in the future

Doris Potter

Further outings have been arranged to visit flower festivals at Godstone Church and one to be held at the City of London Freeman's School in Ashstead Park.

We are gathering ideas for the next St Mary's Flower Festival which will be held on Saturday, 28 May , Sunday 29th and Bank Holiday Monday, 30th May 2005.

Hands & Voices !

Saturday, 18th September saw the return, after a three year absence, of the choir's musical evening, 'Hands & Voices'. The audience was entertained by a vast array of musical talent from within the choir, a former chorister and siblings, not to mention a guest appearance by a former cinema pianist.

The evening commenced with the choir singing a Communion Motet by William Harris, followed by Holy is the True Light, sung by the lower voices. Henry Burke bravely took the stage as the first soloist, playing Scottish Brawl on the violin. Then James Wood, playing the electric guitar, gave an instrumental rendition of Don't Look Back In Anger.

Two percussion numbers followed. The first was a lively quartet entitled Creepy Blues, with Chris Kimber and Jack Aguera on the xylophone, Chloe Aguera on the glockenspiel and Alfie Ford on drums. The second number, a drum duet performed by the same four artistes, was guaranteed to clear the wax out of your ears!

Lorna Nunn, accompanied by Andrew Wilson on the organ and James Pedrick on the cello, performed Pie Jesu. This was the first of several solo vocal performances throughout the evening giving the audience an opportunity to appreciate the individual voices within the choir that we so seldom get to hear. This was followed by Jackie Edgerton reading a poem entitled Diary of a Church Mouse - a poem all the more apposite in view of the harvest festival taking place in the church the following day!

The second solo vocalist was Paul Bransome with a robust performance of Nella Fantasia. Catherine Boxall, an organ scholar, treated us to Rheinberger's Trio in D Flat and Andrew Searle, the youngest solo vocalist of the evening, gave a commendable performance of Where is Love? from the musical, Oliver!

The first half concluded with Blessed be the God and the Father, sung by the trebles and Harrison Benson as soloist, and Andrew Wilson playing Bolero di Conte, a contrast to the organ music we are used to hearing in the church!

The second half opened with Patrick Gower's Libera Me - a piece that had featured in a television version of a Sherlock Holmes detective story in which a chorister had been kidnapped. Fortunately, the only similarity to the television series was the music! Tim Boxall continued with Premier Chagrin on the piano. This was followed by Andrew Searle playing a Purcell tune on the saxophone. James Pedrick demonstrated further musical prowess, this time on the piano, treating us to an Etude in A.

Kevin Winstone, more usually heard acting as Cantor for the psalm on Sunday mornings, performed Sonata Piccola on the treble recorder, accompanied by Selwyn on the piano. Curiously, the sound produced by Kevin on this instrument bore no resemblance to my recollection of that produced by most children on its smaller sibling, the descant recorder.

Lest anyone began relaxing into the mellow music following a glass of wine in the interval, Chris Kimber reappeared on stage with a selection of African drums, tom-toms and a tambourine to perform a number entitled Africantus. Such was the evocativeness of the rhythm, one could almost imagine oneself transported to a tribal village in the African homelands.

Lorna gave her second performance of the evening with a rendition of Vivaldi's Nisi Dominus. This was followed by Jackie's eloquent reading of a poem about Chocolate Cake. By the reaction of the audience it was clear that many could relate to the allure of the part eaten cake to which the poem referred! Catherine Boxall gave an excellent performance of an Organ Fugue by Bach in E-Minor.

For the penultimate performance of the evening, Les Couzens, a guest pianist, played a Jazz Pizzicato followed by a toe-tapping medley of Glenn Miller tunes. The evening concluded with the trebles singing the Magnificat to a setting by Malcolm Archer.

All in all, a most enjoyable evening. Congratulations to all the performers and to Andrew Wilson who co-ordinated the event and acted as accompanist as required. It was such a pleasure to see and hear the wide variety of talent from so small a group and to witness the upcoming musical talents of the future. Many thanks, also, to those who stepped in at the last minute to provide the interval refreshments.

Nicola Board

Exeunt Pursued By An Organ Tuner

They arrived promptly, on cue, in the early summer. The more they were swatted, the more their queen sent reinforcements. Search as we might, no-one could find their nest and unfortunately a number of people suffered from their painful attentions.

These wasps evaded all the powders and sprays in our store. We offered them marmalade - no takers. When the marmalade was replaced by beer, they all joined the Rechabites. Three-Nil to Vespula Vulgaris.

Until, that was, a few days before our 'Hands & Voices' concert. Mr Buttolph, our organ tuner, had been summoned to deal with a problem in the organ. Some notes sounded very odd and occasionally some notes did not sound at all! Mr Buttolph solved the problem with the organ and - at last - the problem of the wasps. They must have known about the Walls of Jericho as well as the story of the Rechabites for at the blast of the trumpet they all fled and their hiding place inside the organ was finally discovered, dismantled and disposed of.

According to the weekday Morning Prayer congregation who dubbed our wasps 'Rechabites', and continued to use the Carew Chapel in spite of the invasion, the name 'Rechabites' was adopted by an early 20th century society, now little known, for the promotion of total abstinence from