The Coronation of our new monarch, Charles 111, was marked on Sunday 7^th May with the ringing of our 6 bells by our loyal team of bellringers. I hope you heard them! Earlier in the day, some of us from the 2 parish churches joined the congregation of the United Parish at St. Laurence, East Harptree, for a Morning Service to celebrate the Coronation and the re-opening of the church after the completion of major works of restoration. It was a joyful service, led by the Ven. Tony Wilds, with some marvellous singing and Coronation cake and coffee was served after the service.

Our planning application for a small wooden building in the churchyard to house an accessible WC and kitchenette is being processed by the Local Planning Authority. The consultation period is now closed and I was heartened to see there were 71 messages of support for this tiny structure which, if permitted, will make such a difference to the use of this beautiful church. Thank you to all of you who submitted these messages; we’re immensely grateful to you for all the different and very positive points you made. It’s now in the hands of the planners and I’ll report further in due course.

Just a word to say that the National Garden Scheme opening in Stowey will be on Sunday 23^rd July from 2pm to 6pm. This is a week later than normal, so as not to clash with Wimbledon. Even I recognised I couldn’t win that battle! Teas and plants will be for sale as usual and an article about the event will be in next month’s magazine.

Finally, on Trinity Sunday, 4th June at 6.30pm the Archdeacon of Bath, Dr Adrian Youings, will preach at a service of Choral Evensong with the Choir of the United Parish, directed by Mrs Tricia Rees-Jones, with Jean at the organ. We’re delighted to welcome our Archdeacon, as well as our good friends in the Choir. Drinks and canapés will be served after the service. Everyone is welcome to attend this special service, in which there’ll be some exceptionally good music and singing, as well as an opportunity to socialise afterwards. Hopefully the sun will shine! Please attend if you’d like to do so.

Jill Nicol, Churchwarden