from the Feb 2010 magazine
The Rectory, Mickleham
Dear friends

As I write this letter the snow is continuing to fall, and the landscape looks more and more like a classic Christmas card. A bit like the Christmas event itself, lovely to look at, but difficult for many of us to handle.

At the start of a new decade, I suspect you may have made some New Year resolutions. Mine have been heavily influenced by the pre-Christmas conference in Copenhagen. I realise just how much my continuing consumerism affects those in other parts of the world, threatening not just their lifestyles but their very existence.

One resolution which I hope we can fulfil together is the vexed issue of car parking at the Village Hall which seems to have reared its ugly head once more. I do feel that the issue can be addressed if we all lay aside our individual agendas and try to work together for a communal solution. We pride ourselves on being a community, but all communities, like families, depend on a lot of ‘give and take’. Let’s put it to the test and find a permanent solution.

We are very fortunate, as a community, to have so many talented people living here. In particular we have a number of very accomplished musicians, several of whom have already taken part in our ‘Sundays at Seven’ concerts in St Michael’s Church. To date we have had some wonderful performances, worthy of any concert venue. Sadly the support for them has not been as good as we had hoped so please make a note of the details to be found in the hard copy magazine page 10 and enjoy first class entertainment, without the need to travel miles, and in the most beautiful of surroundings.

In addition Box Hill School’s Choir is giving a concert in Paris, and has kindly agreed to give a pre-tour performance at St Michael’s on Thursday February 11th at 6.30 p.m. So there is plenty to entertain us all in the coming months.

On Sunday February 28th there will be a Special Service of Thanksgiving to mark the completion of the programme of building works at St Michael’s. The Bishop of Dorking will be the preacher. The church certainly is now equipped to meet the challenges of providing a range of activities to meet the needs of many within our parish; thus fulfilling our vision of keeping the church as the heart beat of the community. The service is at 10 a.m. and everyone is warmly encouraged to attend.

Meanwhile I trust 2010 will be a peaceful and fulfilling one for you all.

As ever
David Ireland
PS Don’t forget that it is the year of the Village Fête – on Saturday 26th June.
PPS We are joining with Leatherhead for the service of Holy Communion and of Imposition of Ashes at Leatherhead Parish Church, 8pm on Ash Wednesday, 17 February