Annual Parochial Church Meeting
The PCC has decided to change the format of this year’s annual meeting. The annual meeting of St Mary’s is going to be held this year on Sunday 21^st at 11-00am in the hall after a shortened Eucharist in church at 9-30am. I hope that this will enable more people of all ages to attend and participate in the life of the church. The APCM will finish by 12-15pm. There will be a crèche for children.

It is important that we have enough people willing to stand for the PCC so that the affairs of the church can continue to be debated in the lively way they have been debated during the past year. If you have not thought about standing for the Church Council now is the time to do so. We changed some of the committee structures during the past year and we will be reporting back to the APCM on the strengths. and weaknesses of the new arrangements.

Music Review
At the last PCC meeting before the annual meeting the PCC decided to undertake a review of the music in St Mary’s. This will take place on a Saturday morning in May probably on May 11^th. Anybody who wants to contribute to this debate will be welcome to attend although they will not be able to vote unless they are members of the PCC. I know that John Eagles and hopefully representatives of the choir will also be present. I hope we can ask ourselves questions like where do we want to be with our worship and music in 3 year’s time?

Church Heating
The church heating has been restored with a major overhaul and a new burner added to the boiler. I am afraid that there had not been any proper maintenance of the heating system over the past few years. I apologise for the varying heating temperatures during the early part of March as final adjustments were made to the installation. I hope by the time you read this it will be warmer both outside and inside the church.

Nelson Concert
To continue the theme of music there is to be a Nelson concert held in the church on Saturday July 20^th. It will follow (weather permitting} a picnic in the glebe fields and conclude with drinks in the hall and a firework display. It will be compered by Richard Baker. The music will include some compositions by Emma Hamilton, which have not been performed previously in public.

Richard Housden
I am sorry to report the death of Richard Housden a member of St Mary’s and a former member of the PCC. He will be sadly missed by his wife Marcella and his family. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.