Goodhand in Banbury

The need to attend a funeral meant that instead of a day trip there and back to Leigh on Sea we went via a daughter in London so we could stay overnight and be fresh the next day. Or wsas that an excuse to see some very excited grandchildren when they saw us? But rather than just head to London we took the opportunity to fit in a visit to a National Trust property. Ascott House is an old english manor house dating back to 1606, but having been acquired by the Rothchilds in 1873, it now houses a collection of paintings, fine furniture and fine porcelain, with extensive gardens mix of formal and natural with specimen trees, shrubs and herbaceous borders. It made a great break to our journey. The sun dial was in fact a Yew with all the Roman numerals . Our picnic meant we could sit looking out on glorious countryside. With the manor behind us. And the sun shone so sunglasses were required. A delightful lake filled with fish. No photos allowed inside so you will have to take my word that t

 Everyone says it and it's true "where have all those years gone?" So we decided we should celebrate 40 years. As it rained on our wedding day and only briefly stopped as we came out of church, we hoped we would get a dry day otherwise where would everyone go? We became obsessed with checking the weather forecast which in true British fashion kept changing right up to the finally day. So we managed to get two awnings to play safe. Thankfully we had a dry and sunny day so everyone could sit under shade or wander around the garden. We had a lovely cake which one of our daughters had arranged to be made. The cake  like all the food we prepared needed to be Gluten Free, so our grandchildren and son in laws, who have been diagnosed Coeliac had no worries about what they could eat. No one knew at all. It was so lovely, if somewhat challenging, to invite friends from all around the country to share the day. We were just so delighted that folk came considering it was in the summe

St Hughs 11th August 2024   - Transfiguration Let us Pray, On waking up they saw who he truly was. In a moment in time Jesus was revealed as the Christ. But was it on the mountain top ? or   in the healing of the boy? We pray O God   help people to wake up   and see with their eyes your activity in the world In the beauty of creation in moments when sport   bring people together when a homeless family is housed when an empty stomach is filled when a lonely person is listened to open our eyes   to see your activity in the world. Lord in your mercy   Hear our prayer We pray O God for the parish we serve that our eyes might be open to see what you are already doing and be enabled to discern the needs of people and by your Spirit make us responsive acting to bring wholeness to our community. Lord in your mercy   Hear our prayer We pray O God for our country praying for the families of those   murdered and injured in Southport that they will be given space   and time to rediscover wholeness