East Tytherton, Wiltshire - October 2024

Time again for a look back at life in East Tytherton over the past year.

It seems that each time I have to start with sad news. Since I last wrote we have lost two of the village's oldest residents.

In December we said farewell to Gordon Archard, at 93 years old. Gordon and his wife, Joan, were very much part of village life and the church, having married there in 1952. When my father, John Mellowes, was the minister here in the 1950s I was a little girl and remember visiting the Archard's with my father and having biscuits! Gordon had been on his own for 12 years, though well looked after and supported by his family and thrilled to become a great granddad to Lynda's twin grandchildren, (his own mother having been a twin), he missed Joan so much. His cat, Baldrick, became his faithful companion and sadly died not long before him. When I visited him, we had

wonderful conversations about village life, his dance band that used to play in the village hall at dances was just one of those memories. We joined so many friends and family members at the Crematorium to say goodbye and this was followed a few days later by a service of committal here in the church.

On 25th July a faithful friend of the church, Winifred Pearce, known as 'Win', passed away at the age of 95. She was known for her strong personality and straight talking, a spade was most definitely a spade! But she was a stoic soul and bore many health problems without a word. I often visited her and left feeling grateful for what I have. 'Anne', she would say, 'if we have a roof over our head and food in the larder there is nothing to worry about!'

I, and so many others, will miss these two village characters so much. Of course, although he left the village some years ago, I have to mention Rev Peter Gubi. He had such a presence here with his dry sense of humour, compassion and kindness. We were so moved to have a thanksgiving service here in the church on 17th February, to give thanks for a life well lived.

Church has continued much as it did last year. Our yearly events, now advertised on our beautiful new church notice board, include the Easter Egg hunt, our ever-popular soup lunches, along with our new craft and chat group. Everyone seems to look forward to catching up and exchanging news and gossip. The highlight of the year has to be our cream tea on the lawns and a huge thank you must be given to Pat Holtham who made 150 scones! We served over 80 cream teas in wonderful summer sunshine. It was a really memorable and happy occasion, and a time of enjoyment and laughter.

'Summer', brief as it has been, seems to have left us! The leaves are turning and starting to fall and with evenings becoming darker as Autumn and Winter approach we look forward to Harvest, joining St Nicholas this year for Remembrance Sunday and our festive Village Carol service with Christingles, not to mention mulled wine and mince pies to enjoy after all the singing ... maybe the cooler days are not so bad after all!

As always a huge thanks to James and Tessa for giving me a hand with the grounds, Lynda for her constant support and Jane for her motivation and for steering us in the right direction with encouragement.

Sr Anne Mellowes Waldron