Pew Sheet – 18th May 2025

The Rector writes ’Thank you to all of you who have volunteered to help with the grass cutting of the lawn areas in St Mary’s Churchyard. It reminded me to mention the fantastic work being done by the Parish Eco Group, namely Valerie and John Andrew, to ensure that this area is as biodiverse as possible.

Of course I’m biased as it’s kinda like my front garden! and I very much enjoy walking with the dogs there. I have attached a couple of photos I took during the week, at the moment the bluebells are dying away but the primroses are still fabulous.

The chestnut trees are in full bloom – the flowers are like ‘candles’, very fitting in this ecclesiastical site!

Again, thank you to everyone who gets

involved in maintaining our churches and environs , both for us and for nature!’

Music Notes 18/5/2025 (5^th Sunday of Easter)

Hymns at St Mary’s

39 For the fruits of all creation

300 Holy Spirit, truth divine

O Jesus, I have promised (Confirmation hymn)

683 All people that on earth do dwell

Our hymn at the Offertory today is ‘O Jesus I have promised’ which is this year’s Confirmation hymn chosen for us by Bishop Colton. The melody for this hymn was written by Geoffrey Beaumont (1903-1970). When I first played this hymn it brought to mind the type of tune you might hear attending

a musical, it has a definite jazzy feel. Having visited the

Canterbury Encyclopaedia of Hymnology to investigate it’s easy to see why that is the case.

Beaumont was ordained a priest in 1933 having trained at Ely Theological College. He served as chaplain to the RNVR during the war and finished a long career in ministry as a missionary of the Community of the Resurrection in South Africa.

Beaumont had written music for the University of Cambridge Footlights revues during his time there as a student of law.

He was responsible for introducing light music into church music in the 1950s founding the Church Light Music Group in 1957. Beaumont and his friend Patrick Appleford produced a number of hymn collections in a light music style between 1965 and 1971.

Bébhinn 087 228 5965

bebhinnmuire@gmail.com

Random Notes CDXCI

Always choose the right outfit, even when committing a crime. On November 4th, 1933, one burglar made a huge mistake.

The unnamed thief set out on that evening to rob the house of a renowned antiques dealer in Paris.

Less imaginative criminals might have chosen to work silently, but not this one. He seems to have decided that if he came face to face with his victim, a terrifying disguise would be best. He donned a 15th century suit of armour.

It was inevitable that a man dressed in armour would draw unwanted attention while moving around a house. As the thief climbed the stairs, the clanking alerted the house owner who confronted him. This left the burglar at a serious disadvantage because of his inability to manoeuver easily. The dealer seized the opportunity to drop a vintage sideboard on him.

The thief crashed to the ground and, his metal suit now dented, was even less capable of rapid movement.

Sensing the game was up, he awaited the police who promptly arrested him. He was eventually freed from his armour the next day.

MMPC