from the June 2010 Mickleham Magazine

The Rectory, Mickleham

Dear friends

Since writing in the last edition of the magazine about my 40th anniversary, many have coupled it with the news that I am radically reducing my time at Box Hill School and assumed that my retirement must be near at hand. Clearly this may be good news to some, but at the risk of disappointing them, can I clarify the situation.

I will, indeed, reach retirement age this year, but have agreed with the Bishop that I will continue as your parish priest for the next few years. I am, of course, only contracted to work three days a week, so I will endeavour to be more disciplined about my time in order to have a little more time for an expanding family. We now have 10 grandchildren! So if I am not always readily available please bear with me. I will get back to you as soon as I am able to do so.

Meanwhile we enter a month of numerous summer activities, which I trust we will all enjoy. Firstly for our youngsters and their parents, there is our Fathers’ Day workshop on Saturday 19th June. Once more we have very thoughtfully been invited to Juniper Hall to enjoy a morning of exploration and games organised by the staff at the centre. It will start at 10am and forms are available either from church or St Michael’s School. The following day there is an Open Air Service in the Rectory garden to which everyone is invited whether or not you were at the workshop. Do come along and experience worship in a very different environment. Those who came last year found it a very inspiring occasion.

Later that same day our prize winning Choral Society invite us all to A Beast of a Concert at Box Hill School at 3pm. Details of this fun concert are to be found on page 11 of the printed magazine. It is definitely an event for all ages.

Saturday 26th June is the Village Fête. This is back by popular request and is to be opened this year by Sherrie Valentine. The event starts at 2 p.m. and has something for everyone. It has proved a great occasion to meet old friends and make new ones, so do please join us. Programmes are on sale in advance, in order to help us calculate numbers. If no one contacts you, do make contact with one of the organising committee to get your lucky programme. We can still do with more tombola prizes, cakes and other goodies. They can be left either at the back of the church or at the Rectory.

Finally on Monday 28th June, St Michael’s School has an Open Afternoon to show off its beautiful new facilities. Do come and see how fortunate we are to have such an excellent Infants School within our community. There is already a waiting list for the Reception class for this September.

With every good wish
David Ireland