We were delighted to welcome the Bishop of Basingstoke, the Rt Rev David Williams, last Sunday who kindly agreed to lead our Evensong service whilst Christine was taking some well-deserved time off.

Bishop David also took the services elsewhere in the Benefice: 8am at Ashmansworth and 11am at Highclere. So we are all truly grateful. The Bishop has also been instrumental in the appointment of Rev Dr Chris Hancock as Associate Priest who we hope will join us in March. We have much to thank him for!

We have recently invested in a new wireless microphone system which has greatly improved the sound quality, particularly the ‘loop’ system which transmits the sound direct to those with hearing aids. The lectern microphone, amplifier and speakers are unchanged and their long life is a tribute to the work and expertise of Charles Vaslet (who died a few years ago but whose sister Vera still lives in the parish) and Tim Foster (a former headteacher of St Martin’s School) who installed the original system.