Ayot St Lawrence
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News and Views

The challenges and joys of a Greek Revival church in the middle of a field

New church guide book

19/3/2016

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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."


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Outstanding performance from the WGC Male Voice Choir

14/6/2015

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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.
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New look to the 2015 Ayot Art Show: thanks to Suzanne!

20/5/2015

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Great Wine Tasting last Saturday

20/5/2015

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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 
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An evening with strings..

10/5/2015

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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!
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Spring has sprung..

12/4/2015

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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!
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Easter Sunday - Flowers at the Church

8/4/2015

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Thank you to everyone that helped decorate the church for Easter with beautiful and seasonal floral displays!
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A big thank you to Strutt and ParkerĀ 

4/3/2015

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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!
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Je suis Charlie, Ahmed, Raif, Juif

13/1/2015

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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/

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A Successful Carol Service 2014... and mince pies and mulled wine for our service on 24 December at 11.30pm

23/12/2014

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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? 
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    Christine Stevenson

    Secretary to the Parochial Church Council - and carer (with others) of this marvellous building

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SErvices in  2024

2024  Monthly Sunday Services at 11.30am (excepting when there is a major festival)
 
Feb 18th         Lent & Ashing Holy Communion 
March 10th      Mothering Sunday-with posies
March 31st        Easter Day-Holy Communion – Ven. Jonathan Smith
April 21st        Service
May 19th         No Service – Manor House open garden day 
June 16th        No Service – Art Show in church
July 21st        Ecology Service: Margaret Johnson 
Aug 18th        St Lawrence Day Holy Communion
Sept 15th        Pet Blessing-- Margaret Johnson   
Oct 13th                Harvest Festival Supper at 18.30
Nov 10th         Remembrance Sunday at the War Memorial 10.50am
Dec 1st           Advent Holy Communion
Dec 22nd        Carol Service 4pm with mulled wine & minced pies.
       
 
Everyone very welcome
 We are hoping to move towards "Festival Church" status, which means we will follow dates for Christian  and secular Festivals, and try to focus on the interests of our community, linking the secular with the spiritual.

​After any of these services, why not book yourself in for lunch at the lovely Brocket Arms, originally the monastic quarters for the old, now ruined church a short stroll away 01438 820250. 

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