Our ramble for 2021 was a pleasant afternoon walking along some new footpaths for your reporter despite lifetime associations. We were graced with two trains to watch as we walked across the new footbridge and then around our circular walk. Upon our return Phil was busy at the BBQ and sausages and burgers enjoyed by all. Our thanks to Pauline and Phil and others for their help - thanks washer up crew too. We finished our event with a service lead by the Rev Warren Bardsley who was our minister from 1977 to 1982. He was prevented from attending the bicentennial celebratory service in the middle of lockdown and based his service on the story of strangers welcoming people. 

Eight teams each comprising of six people battled it out at the fish and chips quiz. The food was cooked and delivered by Atlanta fish shop at Kingsbury. Sausages and pies were an alternative but most enjoyed the fish deal. Tea, coffee and bread with butter was provided by Val and Colin, Susan and Malcolm and Christine. Vincent gave us a thought provoking quiz, too clever by half for some of us, but great fun! Many thanks to him and all the workers. Congratulations to the  Pointers (friends and family) who were the victorious team and thanks to all who helped raise a profit of £138.

Playing once again to a near full church Switched on Swing entertained with a range of songs from Uptown Funk to some Beatles songs. Interval tea and cakes were enjoyed with the chocolate being demolished. Many helped washing up afterwards including our young reporter. Ours thanks to the band for supporting the Methodist Chapel once again raising £272 in total.

A group of about thirty enjoyed the sunny afternoon ramble around the village footpaths travelling down through Teals Wood and along the reservoir returning via Hayfields and through Bakehouse lane. We returned to find Phil and the ladies had prepared the BBQ and after a hearty supper we celebrated the creation of the new red district with a service lead by Rev Neil Johnson the district superintendent.

A lovely sunny weekend allowed many to enjoy the twelve or more gardens open to view. Refreshments sold well with a wide range of cakes. Did you buy a plant to take home? We thank all those who opened their gardens and helps their visitors.
Can you spot the houses these flowers were seen in?

Brian came and sang for us and the concert was a big success raising a total of £180 to church funds. Thank you to all who attended enjoying a splendid evening and especially to Brian for entertaining us again.

​Our chapel was full as we met together to be part of the World Day of Prayer service 2019 which was this year prepared by the women of Slovenia. We were joined by our Romanian friends and their families who use our chapel for their worship every Friday, and it was lovely that they could be involved in this celebratory service with us. Indeed our Romanian friends introduced our service by laying a table of food and drink items typical of Slovenia.

Will Southall led us in our reflections, encouraging us to remember that God provides everything for us - ‘Come, everything is ready’ - and the readings from the women of Slovenia, and from Luke’s Gospel, continued the theme that God’s invitation is for all, whatever their religion, race, gender, sexuality, age or handicap. God turns no-one away.
Will and her team had decorated the church beautifully with food, flowers and pictures of Slovenian wildlife; the Whitacre choir made a joyful noise and led our singing with gusto. Red carnations, signifying celebration in Slovenia, were given out as the offering was taken.
After the service, hot drinks and home made Slovenian honey biscuits, were on offer to all.

The World Day of Prayer takes place in over 120 countries. Starting in Samoa, it travels the world through Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas....thank you to all those who were involved in our celebration and helped us here in Whitacre to play our part.