The Parish Barn Dance at the end of September was great fun. Music was provided by local band Inisheer, with Howard Ballard as caller guiding us through the dances. We have booked the band again for next year, so put Friday 28th September 2018, 6.30pm, in your diaries! The proceeds of the evening came to £219 which we are donating to the Churches in Reading Drop In Centre (CIRDIC). Read more...
The Summer Ramble held on 10 September 2017 had a definite focus - to explore the Wilfred Owen connection at Dunsden.The walk was organised by Francis Sergeant and incorporated Clayfield Copse and Blackhouse Wood where we enjoyed seeing the various wooden sculptures and coppicing, noticed the original parish Saxon boundary between Mapledurham and Binfield Heath, and learnt about the gravel pit workings in that area. We then walked along old paths to Dunsden Church where we heard interesting talks about notable features of the church, the life of Wilfred Owen, and a recitation of three of his war poems (thanks... Read more...
Our curate, Judith Ryder, was ordained at Reading Minster by Bishop Andrew on 24 June 2017.The following day, Judith led the communion service at the St Peters patronal festival, assisted by Marion acting as Deacon and by Penny preaching.Judith writes, “I would like to thank everyone for their welcome, prayers and support, and for the home communion set I received from the parish as my ordination gift. I look forward to serving the parish in my new ministry.” Read more...
There is a silent eloquence
In every wild bluebell
That fills my softened heart with bliss
That words could never tell.The Spring Ramble began in St Margaret’s Church Mapledurham with a reading of two bluebell poems written by the Bronte sisters to whet our appetite for what was to come.The large company then set off up through the woods, past the monument of Father Palm, spotting our first solitary bluebell along the way.We arrived at a beautiful copse where the air was scented with the large drifts of bluebells which formed pools of the most exquisite... Read more...
On a beautifully sunny afternoon, St John's held a Mother's Day tea for the local community, an opportunity to bless mothers. Donkeys Buffy and Solo were outside, their panniers loaded with posies of flowers. The church filled up with families, enjoying a cup of tea and a scone or homemade cake. There were crafts for the children who made gifts or cards to give to their mum. Read more...
Discover Life is the invitation from churches in Caversham Thameside and Mapledurham this Holy Week and Easter, April 9 to 16. The invitation is being shared with everyone travelling the River Thames, walking the Rivermead towpath or passing through Caversham or Mapledurham.A poster and banner campaign in Caversham, Mapledurham and across the water highlights the central message of the Easter story: the violence of the crucifixion leading to the shining transformation of the Resurrection and Jesus’ invitation to discover life in all its fullness."Easter lies at the heart of the Christian faith, when Christ burst from the tomb... Read more...
The parish annual meetings took place on Sunday 2 April 2017 at St John's church. There was a short meeting to elect wardens, followed by the main Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Read more...
An assorted group of 17 ramblers with an age range of 6 – probably around 80 plus met beneath the clock tower of St Peter’s to ramble over Bugs Bottom, up the hill to Chalkhouse Green, across the fields to Tokers Green, and then through the woods to arrive at the Packhorse, where they were greeted with a warm fire, mulled wine and ginger and chocolate mince pies. The mud was bravely borne and some even returned on foot though the gloaming.Click on the images for larger versionsThe next ramble will be through Chazey Woods at at Bluebell... Read more...
On 18 February 2017 there will be another chance to hear a recital on the wonderful new organ at St Peter’s Church, Caversham. The recital starts at 4pm. Read more...
