Weaving a Rich Pattern Together

I do hope you will be able to come along to St. Leonard's May Market on 16th May. It is a lovely community event, and one of it highlights is the maypole dancing performed by the children from Marston Green Infant Academy. It was my first visit to the May Market last year and I have to say I was particularly impressed by the dancing. It was so wonderful to watch the children holding their ribbons, skipping and dancing, weaving in and out in time to the music. It was only afterwards I noticed the ribbons wonderfully wrapped around the pole. It was a beautifully weaved pattern, and it occurred to me that no one person could ever do that on their own. It really was a team effort.

It got me thinking about the complicated lives we all live, and how they relate to one another. In a thriving community, individual lives interweave with other people's lives and like the maypole dancing, produce their own unique pattern. As we care for one another; have respect and regard for each other; as we join and participate in the many social activities on offer in our village; as we seek to volunteer and lend a helping hand; as we seek to simply enjoy life, may our individual ribbon help weave a beautiful pattern for Marston Green and continue to make it a lovely place to live.

Rev. Tony Rindl, Vicar of St. Leonard's

Eco Church

Nothing say 'Srping' like the buzz of a bee! But these precious polunators are declining due to habitat loss, climate change and agricultural intensification. Wednesday, May 20th is World Bee Day, so look around to see how you can improve habitats for bees and other pollinators. Sow a pollinator-friendly seed mix, make or buy a bee hotel, let some wild flowers grow in your garden, and don't use pesticides. Let's support pollinators and pray that our pollinators populations will increase.

Dates for you diary

St Leonard's major event of the year is the May Market in the Parish Hall on Saturday, May 16th between 10:00 and 14:00. There will be a wide variety of stalls and activities; pupils of the infant Academy will perform maypole dancing and there will be a line dancing demonstration; Jim Campbell will run his model railway, which is always a popular attraction; refreshments will be served in the Elmdon lounge Cafe.

Our Folk

Please pray for those who are sick, housebound, or in care homes: Lesley Farndon, Ethel Gough, Marie Hartley, Shirley Mellish, Patricia Musgrove, Beryl Robinson, Rick Smallwood, Vicky Spedding, Rob Sale and Jim Williams. RIP: John Halton Birthdays: Lily Hewitt (18), Doreen Rose, Becky Smith, Pat Musgrove, Mary Swindell. Happy Birthday everyone. Margaret Walton, who does a fantastic job running the Parish Hall, is also making an impact as a fund-raiser. She recently organised and Afternoon Tea which raised £600, plus a further £250 from a Curry and Beer night. The next Curry and Beer night is on May 8th. The proceeds from these events go towards the cost of the excellent redecoration of the hall. A sponsored 10,000 Steps event is being planned this month.

Community News

Marston Green 50 Plus

Members have a day trip on May 14th to The Quays, Manchester, home of the Imperial War Museum. There is also an optional one-hour canal trip around the Quays. On May 25th there will be a Social Evening with a quiz.

Literary Society

On Friday, Ma 15th, the subject is Gardens and Gardening. Be inspired by the Chelsea Flower Show! 19:30 Elmdon Lounge. Please bring own drinks and refreshments.

The Gardening Club

The speaker on Monday, May 11th at 19:30 is Gary Lever and his subject is Late Season Perennials. This month's competition is a Tied Posy of Spring Flowers. The club reaches its 100th anniversary later this summer.

Marston Green Library

Story times are 14:30 to 15:00 on Monday as usual, but only on the 11th and 18th due to the Bank Holidays.