Despite the attempts of crawling infants to set the (loo-roll based) nativity scene alight, the Carol service enjoyed a record attendance (some 75 people) to give Bonnie Evans-Hills a real welcome to Ayot St Lawrence. The church looked great, thanks to Sally, Deborah and Lindsay, and this year's manger scene, all made using recycled items, looked great, thanks to Emma, Kelly, Kate, Amanda and Helen plus assorted offspring. We all enjoyed the Kimpton handbell ringers at the start of the service, some obviously well-rehearsed readings from our younger residents  (and Sally, not quite in that age group!) and an entertaining story from Joe, replete with party poppers and sweets being thrown around. Thanks to the same Joe for sweeping it all up at the end..... All of this topped by copious mulled wine and never-ending mince pies, the latter thanks to the Ayot Manor Clay Shoot earlier in the day. And as there is mulled wine left over (and mince pies) we'll welcome the congregation to our Late Service on 24th December (starting at 11.30pm) with the same.  Hope to see you there! Why not call in to the Brocket Arms first where you'll be sure to find a lively welcome? 

First service this morning with Bonnie Evans-Hills, our new vicar; great to have you with us, Bonnie. We look forward to many more of your thoughts and suggestions! Let's hope we have a good attendance at our carol service next Sunday (21 December at 16.00) so that people can chat and mingle over mulled wine and mince pies, etc....hmm, must put out a request for more mince pies this year (home-made preferably) as last year we ran out.

Thanks, Julia,  for the photos of the church with its biggest-ever Christmas tree: and a rather belated thank you to those who helped with the perilous task of tree-erection, particularly as the promised refreshments did not materialise...

How amazing to hear Jason Kelly, Professor of British History at the University of Indiananapolis/Purdue speaking about the life and work of Nicholas Revett in the church that he designed for Sir Lionel Lyde. And suddenly to see the church we know so well (or thought we knew so well) pop up on Jason's list of slides, alongside all those greek images, some drawn by Revett himself. Thank you so much, Jason, for visiting us and rekindling our affection for this most curious and stately building. Next time you come we'll have the portrait of Revett hanging up - even if it is in the loo which he didn't design! We await your book with interest... and meanwhile we have to get used to calling the building's style:  "Grecian"!http://www.jasonmkelly.com/nicholas-revett-and-georgian-neoclassicism/