Well you know what they say about an Easterly wind… It brings snow, and – on this occasion – a Bishop! Many thanks to Bishop Christopher for making it over the snow covered Solent and coming to take our service at Shalfleet on Sunday.

Those of us who braved the Arctic conditions enjoyed a lovely service and thought-provoking sermon in the church and then escaped to the snug surroundings of the Village Hall where Michael and Maureen had laid out a fantastic spread of sandwiches and cakes, with hot coffee (very welcome) and bottles of wine to drive away the chill. Many thanks to them for their wonderful catering, and also to Bishop Christopher’s chaplain Richard for getting the Bish to the church on time.

The church and churchyard were looking beautiful in the snow, but we now look forward to the arrival of Spring, with a few more daffodils and slightly fewer snowflakes!