September 2023

Events and Services

Saturday 2nd at 10.30am Coffee morning

Sunday 3rd at 11am - Holy Communion (Rev’d James Pitkin)

Sunday 10th at 11am Modern Morning Prayer (Clare Durham)

Sunday 17th at 11am Harvest Festival followed by Ploughman’s Lunch

Sunday 24th at 11am Modern Morning Prayer (Julia Noble)

I doubt I’m alone in hoping for a late summer as we head into September. August, at least, has got the hang of the better weather as I write this. Our Songs of Praise family service – which has recently become an August tradition – got a summery twist and became ‘Hymns and Pimms’. A small glass of that most British of beverages whetting everyone’s whistle for the myriad of favourite hymns chosen in advance by several members of the congregation. With over 30 in attendance, it had a real celebratory feel as

we spilled out into the sunshine afterwards.

September will bring Harvest Festival on the 17th, and a ploughman’s lunch will be served afterwards. As always, everyone is welcome but (if you can) please let one of the churchwardens know in advance if you will be coming. There are worse things than running out of cheese, but not many. The Reverend Nick Grew and his wife, Christine, have been invited as guests to that service and I’m delighted that they are

able to come. Nick became our first port of call for important services

during the vacancy (where James was already committed to Thorngate)

and this will be our chance to thank him for everything that he did. On 11th September I am picking up a brand new card reader for the church. This – at the request of some of our younger members – will allow

people to use a credit or debit card for the service collection, informal donation, or payments at the regular coffee mornings or other events. We have been granted the reader by Winchester Diocese at a hugely reduced

cost, but we will have to give it back if it doesn’t get used. It may seem an odd concept in a traditional world, but with an increasingly cashless society

I’m sure it will soon prove its worth.

Finally, we have three baptisms in September – possibly a month

record! We have already had a good number this year, and it is always a

pleasure to welcome families into St Leonard’s. Long may it continue!

September 2023

Funded and run by the village charity SERP 2000. Defibrillator here.

Volunteers and new committee members always welcome.

Contacts: Chair: Jerome Hoffman 07881 314584 Sec: Julie Bellamy

serp@sherfieldenglish.org.uk

Play area: 07979 785 559 Croquet & Bowling: Contact Jenny Hayter 322674

Mon/Wed 2-4pm Fri 2-4pm & 6-8pm Annual fee £40 £2/2 hour game

Football manager: Mathew Mills – 884 731

Tennis court: –Contact Toni - 323 325 for access

Events: See Newsletter, website & Facebook for dates. Come and join in!

Though traditionally a quiet period August has seen not just the usual comings and goings of local families to the play area and the fields in

general but also in early August the hosting of a junior football tournament at the Sherfield English football pitches.

A host of youngsters expended some of their seemingly limitless energies playing a series of matches with quarter and semi-final matches topped off

by an exciting final itself which was won by a team from Totton.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable day over at the field and it was an

absolute pleasure to see the players and their parents enjoying themselves

so very much. It provided a great reminder as to why the recreational field is such an important part of helping provide the services and facilities that

are an integral part of any community, but especially one so rural and dispersed as our own. Thank you to all those who attended for making it such a success and

please allow me to extend a special vote of thanks to the host of volunteers who gave up their own time so freely to provide the tuck shop, teas and coffees and the delicious BBQ burgers and hot dogs. And a huge thank you also to SERP’s own Matt Mills who once again surpassed himself in an

amazing feat of organisation and communication and pulling the whole day

together.

News from the Pavilion

Not too much to report from the running of SERP perspective for this edition. Watch out for news of the annual bonfire night, date soon to be

announced.

We’re still very keen to hear from any volunteers in the village or surrounds who would be willing to come along and join in with our activities. Please

do feel free to send us an email at serp.field@gmail.com

Jerome Hoffman Chairman SERP2000 serp@sherfieldenglish.co.uk

April 2023

Coronation update – save the date Sunday 7th May 2023!

Preparations for the upcoming event to mark the coronation are

progressing well and we’re happy to confirm the date here so you can make

a note in your diaries.

Celebrations at the Sherfield English playing fields will take place on

Sunday 7th May, starting with a football tournament in the morning with

BBQ and tea stands available.

Then, from 3pm cream teas will be sold, there’ll be live music, the BBQ and

bar will continue and we’re planning, amongst other exciting events, a

charity auction, tombola, face painting, coconut shy and the legendary

Sherfield English skittle alley. Looking forward very much to seeing you

there.

We want to extend our thanks to all the local businesses and organisations

who are providing their support for this event – we’ll highlight them all on

the day and perhaps here in the newsletter also – but we would like to put

on record our thanks to Test Valley Borough Council and the Sherfield

English Parish Council who have made generous contributions.

A big vote of thanks is also due to the members of the SERP2000

Committee who have jumped in as always to plan and organise this event,

but we would love to have more volunteers – please get in touch through

the number below if you can help at all – don’t forget the more help we get

the bigger and bolder the event can be on the day!

Update from the Pavilion.

Despite a great deal of the SERP Committee’s time being spent on the

coronation event planning we’re working hard to make sure that we’re

keeping a focus on the renovation projects that are underway for the SERP

facilities and playground.

We’ve invested in better storage and outside furniture; we’re looking to

improve the lighting for our evening court users and enhanced signage and

security for the site.

Although the committee do a great job we’re always keen to find new

volunteers who would like to help. We’re a friendly bunch and we’re

committed to making the playing fields an ever more important part of the

fabric of our community and bring us all together. Please join us – just

contact us through the details below.

SERP2000

serp.field@gmail.com

Julie 07979785559