Harvington

THE GOLDEN JUBILEE: Readers are asked to keep a lookout for information about the Jubilee Festivities, two of which take place this month:

The St James' church Festival of Hobbies and Crafts taking place on May 17, 18 and 19, with an exhibition and demonstrations all day Saturday and Sunday until 4pm, after which the church will be closed in order to prepare for the Singers concert in the evening. Entrance to the exhibition is free but donations are invited for church funds; concert tickets at £3.50 are available from Linda Attwood on 870537;

Open Day at Harvington First School on May 31 with dressing-up, numerous games, entertainments and tea-for -all and at some time during all this the children will receive their commemorative mugs which have been bought for them, jointly, by the Parish Council and St James' Church.

ST JAMES' PARISH CHURCH: St James' Parish Church began its annual meeting after Evensong on Sunday, April 21, with a brief Vestry meeting at which the new churchwardens were elected, namely Mervyn Huggins who will serve for a further year and Bernard Dyson who will fill the post vacated by Ken Rowlands. The Parochial Church meeting followed, with the election of new Church Council members and two representatives to the Deanery Synod. The treasurer, Clive Allan, said that the renovations and additions to the church had made it a particularly expensive time and funds were lower than he would wish to see them, but he was confident that with continued efforts at money-raising such as had been seen over the past year, the shortfall could be met. He thanked Mr Brian Banting for the thoroughness with which he had undertaken the task of Independent Examiner and he thanked, also, all those who continue to give generously on a regular and committed basis. The Electoral Roll, newly completed after the statutory six years, was reported as having 89 names on it.

The main item for discussion proving to be the physical changes in the fabric of the church (ie the installation of new lighting and the removal of the pews at the West end of the nave) carried out since last year's meeting. The Rev Thorniley acknowledged having received a number of written complaints and apologised for the fact that in some cases replies had not been forthcoming, but he assured questioners that plans were now in place to ensure that a similar situation would not arise in future. A Fabric sub-committee will be formed as soon as the new Church Council meets and it will be their task to deal with all further alterations and additions and to investigate the possibility of modifying some of the changes which have proved unpopular. They will also consider the complaints already mentioned, which he will pass on to them. He gave an undertaking that, in future, all church members (and, where appropriate, a wider public) will be offered a chance of consultation about anything major which affects them in respect of the fabric of the church. Neil Dunlop, the leader of the Youth Project, reported on the pleasing progress made with the running of the various age-groups. He was enthusiastically applauded in recognition of the valuable work he and his fiance, Vickie.

The Rector said how grateful he and his wife and family are for all the care and consideration shown to them during the difficult time which followed his appointment last year when he was found to have a serious heart problem. He paid particular tribute to Jenny Grey, the church secretary, whose excellent record keeping and management of all secretarial matters had been a prime asset to himself and the church council, and who is now retiring. She is to be replaced by Michael Barbour of Bromley Close, a newcomer to the village.