A year in the life of St. Mary Magdalen, Sheet

Gifts to the Church:
Charles Meader

During 2004 we have been blessed by a number of gifts and donations: -

• A wooden music stand, for the choir leader - an anonymous gift.
• A candle holder for the paschal candle, in oak, to match the altar and credence tables - given jointly by Heather Bird and Daphne Clark.
• 20 NRSV Bibles, purchased with donations from the congregation.
• An anonymous donation, and a donation from The Friends of Sheet Church, to meet the costs of improving the church entrance, the steps and the provision of new wrought iron gates and handrails.
• Replacement of parts of two mullions paid for by The Friends of Sheet Church.

Church Cleaning:
Jeannine Davies

I write this shortly after the ‘Church Cleaning Day’ when no less than 17 of us gave the church its regular annual top to toe clean. What a joy it was to walk into church, expecting to find the usual 5 or 6 people only to find a true hive of activity was well under way. Thanks to some very long ladders and willing workers, even the eaves were reached and a good deal of the once inaccessible cobwebs have now been removed.

Many thanks to everyone who turned up and gave so willingly of their time, especially those people who are already regular cleaners of our church and who are not expected to give yet more time on this day. I can only add that the atmosphere and friendship was, again, very special as we shared our mops, polish and dusters.

We’re blessed with a wonderful team of cleaners who turn up quietly and keep our church looking cared for and welcoming. We are greatly indebted to them all. As usual, we are in need of more regular cleaners; if you feel you could possibly give us half an hour of your time once a month, please talk to Sonia Ratsey who would welcome your offer of help.

The Church Garden:
Heather Bird (Head Gardener)

The bed along the east side of the steps was emptied of all plants before work began on the alteration of the steps. It has now, as I write in February, been partially replanted and I hope to complete this after Easter as the warmer weather arrives.

The new planting under the Hawthorn Tree is maturing nicely & giving some good spring colour.

The mystery of the lack of flowers on the 36 lilies planted on the east wall 4 years ago has not been solved. Every year they appear strong and healthy and budding well and then each stem is found reversed with the top lying on the ground. The RHS experts have examined the bulbs and stems and can find no evidence of disease or pest damage and can only suggest vandalism, which is very sad.

The garden as a whole seems very happy. Thank you to all in the mowing team and to Rob for his dedicated work on the hedge.

Team:	Gardener:	Heather Bird
	Mowing Team:	David Burstall, Vaughan Clarke, Jane Fuller, Eric Gorvin, Tim Horne, Olivia Tottle, Ken Tottle, Nigel Wells
	Hedge:	Rob Wood