A Day of Congratulations and Celebrations

Another busy but exciting Sunday.  I skipped breakfast this morning and got to all Saints Church just before 9 a.m. as I was acting as sidesperson for a Baptism Eucharist Service.  The church was by no means full and excluding the baptism party did not number more than about 35 with only four children attending the Junior Church.  Back home by 11.30 a.m. for a light snack of spaghetti bolognaise after which Sara took Thom to his friend's house for some revision and homework study (hopefully). This afternoon Sara and I and the Winterslow Calendar Girls attended the Local Heroes Awards 2012 at the Salisbury Arts Centre.  The Girls won the Fundraiser of the year Award for their marvellous achievement in raising £17,000 for the Salisbury Hospital Stars Appeal Breast Cancer Fund - an amazing achievement.  There were 15 nominations in this category and the Girls received the biggest number of nominations - ten different people/organisations.  What a fantastic way to end their year of achievement.  A wonderful recognition for all that hard work led by Sara.  Those of us who attended went for a quick celebratory drink afterwards and then I had to drive over to Farley for the service to licence Cynthia and Jane as Team Associate Priests - marking the end of their seven years of training and four years curacy.  The service was taken by the Archdeacon of Sarum, Alan Jeans, with Nils preaching.  I gave the first (Old Testament) reading from Numbers and assisted Mandy in directing the congregation up to the altar rail for communion.  Another celebratory feast afterwards with wine and nibbles in the church.  what a fantastic day a great day of celebration.  for me 21st October has always held a special significance - being the date of the Battle of Trafalgar - one of the greatest victories of all time and I have always felt a closeness because Lord Nelson was not born too far away from my own birthplace.  I couldn't think of a better day for these wonderful accolades - prizes for such hard work, determination and focus.