'Senior' Readers celebrated at the Cathedral

Bishop Tom presided at the first service to give thanks for the work of retired Readers and those who could retire but had chosen to carry on with their work as 'PTOs'.

In his sermon he paid tribute to Solomon Pratt who had been a Reader for 50 years having been licensed in Sierra Leone. He joked that he was a bit puzzled about the notion of a service for retired readers as he thought that they just kept going as Honorary Readers or Readers Emeritus! He spoke of the significance of what a person wears and how their robes help to show what Readers have been set apart to do.

Valerie Bird to be 'hung' in Cathedral

Artist Valerie Bird is holding her first large exhibition from Friday 4 to Tuesday 8 October, at The Cloisters Gallery, in St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Valerie and husband Richard moved to Bury St Edmunds when the former Archdeacon of Lambeth retired and Valerie now paints in the garden studio/shed which the Diocese gave as a retirement gift to the couple. She also works with pupils at Horringer Court Middle School. Valerie and Richard say they would welcome any old friends who are able to visit the exhibition.

Carshalton church warden honoured

Jill, Eileen Carey, the Archbishop & John Thewlis, Rector of All Saints

Jill Hale, churchwarden at All Saints Carshalton for over 20 years, received the Cross of St Augustine from the Archbishop of Canterbury on 29 July. The cross is awarded for outstanding service within the Church of England, in Jill's case her 'immense contribution' to the life of All Saints.