www.stmichaelandalla nsglsesh.btFk.co. u k

November Lst All Saints' DayNovember Llth St. Martin's DayNovember 25th St. Catherine's DayNovember 27th Advent Sunday

November 2nd All souls' DayNovember 22nd St. Cecelia's DayNovember 30th 5t. Andrew's Day

Two Harvest Festival services were held in church, one for the congregation and one for theChurch of England School" The school children were challenged to provide 200 cans of foodwhich, judging by the display, must have been exceeded. lfelt quite sorry for Vicar Michaelwhen I saw the groceries bagged up ready for him to take to the Food Bank - quite a fewjourneys up and down the church footpath to his car - but a very much appreciated'Harvest' gift to their recipients.

Harvest in the Esh area finished by the end of September - the first time I can rememberthat happening for many years. Yields were low due to the late spring and very wet June,but good weather in September made harvest time and sowing the 2017 winter wheat, oilseed rape etc. much easier. Hopefully a good start to 2017 will allow easy sowing of springcrops. The once simple farming year of growing a crop or raising an animal and selling it atthe traditional time of year has long gone. Forward selling on world commodity markets orkeeping on farm until prices rise, exchange rates, deciding which currency to deal in (sterlingor euros), and adherence to EU rules and regulations etc. certainly provide some pencilchewing calculations in the farm office.

I recently had the opportunity to chat to Mrs. Johnston, Head Teacher of Esh C of E School.The PCC would like to re-establish closer links between church and school and Mrs.Johnston is very supportive of this. I explained the church's serious financial loss, flVg -there HAS been progress in this mctter ond news of the developments will be included in theDecember magazine), and explained how the very small congregation on!y just rnanages topay the regular bills, the biggest of which is the heating oil. Mrs. Johnston was verysympathetic to the problem and offered to help in any way the school can and also offeredto provide a paragraph or two of developments within the schoolcommunity for readers.Coffee Mornings cover the insurance each month, (very expensive for a stone buitt, ancientListed Building), and the tremendous support from around the cornmunity enables TheFriends of the Church to pay for essential repairs. lt is the heating costs for the extraservices during autumn and in the run-up to Christmas that are difficult to cover fromSunday collections.

Everyone was back from late holidays and able to exchange news at the October CoffeeMorning held in Linda and Arnold's home. Some excellent garden produce, fresh eggs,delicious cakes and pastries were available, an attractive Tombola and the ,,Any OffersStall", {Linda's clever idea}, helped to raise a wonderfulflgg. The Christmas Hamper Listmade its 2016 debut and got offto an excellent start. Thank you to our hosts and toeveryone who came and enjoyed the morning.

The Harvest Supper on 7th October was a success in every way. please see the article fordetails. To date f425 is in hand with a promised f25 to follow rnaking a grand total of €450for The Friends. Michael is researching replacement lightening conductors, the ladies whoclean are keen to seal the stone walls of the Vestry!

Plans for Tony's, (our very popular Lay Reader), Ordination Celebration to be held in Langley

Park on 11th December will be well underway. Our church is providing savoury finger foods

for around 100 guests - no small task! Please could you supply a plate of sandwiches orsausage rolls, minisausages, cheese/biscuits. bite-size vol-au-vents, quiches, crisps etc. *even if you can't attend? Your contribution would be very much appreciated. Please letLinda, Gillian, Carol or Judy know what you would be willing to provide.

Note change of venue - Evelyn is in the throes of moving house so understandably is unable

to host this event. The next Coffee Morning will now be held in the school hall by kindpermission of Mrs. Johnston on Saturday 5th November 10.30 am - 11.45 am. This will be a

whole parish effort, all hands on deck affair, back in our original popular venue! Do come

along and rnake the morning a big success. We have Tombola gifts left from the Harvest

Supper but home-bakes would be especially welcome - we have lots of buyers but neverenough bakes! Vanessa will kindly host the Christmas Coffee Morning - her second of 2016.

Thank you to everyone who has signed up to donate an item for the Christmas Hamper.Determined to 'keep tabs on it' this year, I circulated it at the October Coffee Morning, itwent to Knit and Natter with Judy, came to church with me then visited Hall Road with arequest to return it to me, but it ended up in Green Court where most people had alreadypledged their item! lf you have it or have passed it on to a neighbour please could you letGillian or I know so that we can locate it. Meanwhile Gillian has circulated the f10 of raffletickets for each of us to sell during the ten weeks to Christmas. This super raffle raises a

considerable sum for the church so please do buy or sell all your tickets, (more available onrequest!), to friends and family over the coming weeks and return to Gillian asap. lf youknow of anyone 'new' who may take a few tickets please let us know.

The Remembrance Day service takes place at 9 am on Sunday L3th November. One hundredyears ago the dreadful carnage of World War ll was mid-way. Do try to attend this servicewhich remembers not only sII who have lost their lives during wartime, but particularlythose men from our localvillages who lost their lives.

St. Cecelia, the patron saint of music is celebrated on 22nd November and appropriately, anybudding singers are invited to join the choir for the village Carol Service which will be held at7 pm on 20th December. Rehearsals will take place during Advent. Do come early to get aseat. To ensure that everyone can enjoy this service, extra seating is made available in thetransept. The Harnper raffle is drawn at the end of the service.

The Advent Sunday service will be held at 9 am on 27th November urhen we light the first ofthe candles leading to the central white candle, representing Christ the Light of the World,at Christmas.

Dates for social diaries:

Nov. Sth Coffee Morning 10.30 am - L1.45 am School Hall Everyone helping please

Dec.4th Coffee Morning 1.0.30 am - noon Vanessa's homeJan 27th Burn's Night 7 pm - 9.30 pm Parish Hall Volunteer helpers please

With best Wishes,*{