As the summer comes crashing to an end, and the heavens open to dump on us all the rain they should have been dropping bit by bit over the past few months, we can sit back and reflect on the glorious summer we have just enjoyed. Not since 1976, I hear you say, have we had weather like this – and who knows, you may well be right.
We were delighted to see the field full once more over the Bank Holiday weekend for the Family Fun Day, beautifully organised by Chelsea and her team of helpers. Henry’s book stall was doing a roaring trade, as ever, the children’s entertainer kept the air waves thick with joyous banter, the alpacas were eyeing up the punters and the tower tours kept your correspondent busy in the sunshine. All was well in the world and we look forward to next year for another great day.
To mark the end of summer, and the fifth Sunday of August, we hosted a service in the church for the whole of the West Wight Benefice, and I think it would be fair to say that Shalfleet laid on a splendid spread. Maureen rustled up some amazing tray bakes, the sherry and rosé flowed, and once the oven had got its act together, the sausage rolls were out in force.
The traditional Shalfleet welcome extended to one and all, dogs included!
This sense of togetherness is very important to us, and we are delighted that the new team at Shalfleet Parish Council share this view. Their new website has just gone live, and positively buzzes with it. Do have a look here: https://shalfleet-pc.gov.uk/
Meanwhile, although we are still basking in our memories of the warm summer, who can forget the feeling of stepping into the church in November and wondering why it is colder inside than it is outside? Well, we hope to be helping with that, and as I write, the amazing team from Electric Heating Solutions are busy installing new under pew heaters. The theory is, as I’m sure you know, that the only way to cope with cold weather in a grade 1 listed church is to heat the people, not the space. Improved under pew heaters may not make the building glow with central heating style warmth, but they will, I am assured, keep you nice and snugly during the sermon.
So here’s to some more warm weather to help the grass regrow, followed by some mildish weather to allow us to prove the new heating works, before a blast of frost to really put it through its paces.
Meanwhile, it is Ride and Stride on Saturday, so good luck to anyone out and about on the day (myself included). I will be very much thinking of our our former rector, Clive, as I head out on my bike, and if anyone is kind enough to sponsor me, that would be much appreciated. The link to the fundraising page is here: https://www.goodhub.com/go/shalfleetchurch2025
Many thanks in advance!