Our previous church guide book has sold out, so somewhat slowly we are rewriting it to make it somewhat more "accessible" and interesting. How's this for a great ditty, of uncertain authorship and age but probably early C19, collected by W Branch Johnson in his "Welwyn By and Large", a collection of Historical Gossip (available in the local reference section of Welwyn Garden City Library):

"Clergy of Ayot St Peter and St Lawrence too, 
Misture of Piety and Tally-ho;
Builders of chuches by way of gammon,
To keep on good terms with God and mammon.
Preachers of love, Apes of Humility,
Proud as Lucifer, laking his ability."

The Welwyn Garden City Male Voice Choir performed last night in the Church..and what a performance it was! Led by conductor Les Rayner, and accompanied by Mary Anstey on the piano, we were treated to songs such as Let It be Me, The Sloop John B, Unchained Melody and I dreamed a dream.

The fabulous soloist Soprano Lucy Black also sung for us, with songs including Summertime (Gershwin) and Scarborough Fair.

For more information about the choir, please visit their website www.wgcmalevoicechoir.org.uk The group train on Thursday evenings in Ludwick Way Methodist Church in Welwyn Garden City and are always happy to welcome new recruits!

Thanks again to all for a truly memorable performance.

Huge thanks to Mark (from the Wine Society) and Kate Buckenham for Saturday night's really enjoyable tasting of wines that might be experienced along the Camino to Santiago - and to Bonnie Evans-Hills for sharing her reflections on pilgrimage. Watch this space for more events and concerts, including the Art Show of course!


I've included the link to the Wine Society here - but if you are not already a member do make contact and we can nominate you.  https://www.thewinesociety.com 

We were treated to a performance from a string quartet from the Hertfordshire Philharmonia Orchestra last night in the church. The quartet included two violins, a viola and cello and played classic pieces composted by Beethoven, Debussy and Dvorvak. A huge thank you to the performers (for their future events, please see www.hertsphil.org.uk). We plan to have similar events here in the future so please keep an eye on our events page!

A glorious springtime day in Ayot St Lawrence; the Easter flowers are still in full glory inside the church and the new notice board is in place. A few of the parishioners were lucky enough to hold a three-day old lamb too!

Thank you to everyone that helped decorate the church for Easter with beautiful and seasonal floral displays!

We are very grateful to Strutt and Parker who have agreed to help us financially with this year's Ayot Art Show ( 6 - 8 June: more details on this website); it's particularly important to us as we are increasing our cost base by hiring in some marquees to allow more space and comfort for the Show. You will also see some Art Show signs with the S&P logo; these will greatly assist in directing people to us, as we know that our village is a little "tucked away": whilst it is part of our charm it can be alarming for those unfamiliar with our narrow lanes!

Take a look at Bonnie's sermon from Sunday 11th, January; the title above needs no introduction.https://bonnieevanshills.wordpress.com/2015/01/11/jesuis/

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?