ROGATION PRAYERS: Rogation Sunday was marked again this year by members of the congregation of St James' Church walking through the village and stopping from time to time to say prayers and ask blessings at each station. This ancient practice, introduced into England in the eight century, combined pagan tradition with religious observance and had a practical application. Prayers were said for a bounteous harvest and the church congregation were expected to practise abstinence and regular periods of prayer three designated days at this time of year, thus reinforcing the urgency of their request for God's blessing on their crops. At one time, boughs and crosses made of greenery cut from the young branches of trees were carried, some being left to mark the prayer stations and the boundaries of the village. This gradually became the ceremony of the beating of the bounds, which may still be remembered by older villagers. While this was happening on Sunday, with the Rector leading the perambulation, those members of the congregation who are now too frail or lame to do the walk held an informal service in church.

An announcement was made by the Rector at the close of the service about the launching of a monthly get-together designed to bring together for tea and conversation anyone in the village whether churchgoers or not whose lives might be enlivened by an opportunity to meet other people and to make new friends and acquaintances. The tea-party will be held in the church from 3pm to 4.30pm on the second Wednesday of every month and will cost £1 which will go towards meeting the cost of provisions. Transport can be provided and anyone needing this service is asked to contact Mervyn Huggins on 871238. The club is to be called Cameo, the letters standing for Come And Meet Each Other and is an idea developed by the church's pastoral care committee.

YOUTH PROJECT: A new youth leader has been appointed for the village. Emma Lucas, with her husband Ben, hopes to move into the village later this summer in time to take up the appointment and start work at the start of the school's term in September. At present Mr and Mrs Lucas live in Dorchester, Dorset, but it is their wish to find a home in Harvington and become part of the community. Dr Nunn, who heads the steering committee responsible for the search for a new leader, spoke with enthusiasm about both of them and said how fortunate he feels the village will be to have them here. Volunteers who have kept the various youth clubs going since the departure of Neil and Vicky Dunlop have been praised for their loyalty and commitment.