MAYFAIR SUCCESS

Mayday got off to a cold wet start that dampened the hopes of the May Fair committee as they set up on Morgan Rec. However during the morning the weather dried up and the sun tried to break through. By 2pm when the Mayor of Bracknell Forest, Councillor Jacqui Ryder, enthusiastically opened the Fair, yet another traditional Crowthorne Fair was underway and the crowds poured in!

Despite the cold edge to the weather, the Jayne Coleman Dancers gave an excellent display and many local children took part in Crowthorne Olympics. Overall attendance was probably very similar to last year. Already over £10,600 has been raised (and when outstanding advertising/sponsorship is in it is likely that the final result will be similar to last year's £11,500!). The May Fair is the parish's main income generating event and is really important to our finances.

The raffle made £1,500+ and all stalls did well, the plant stall made about £1,200, the White Elephant made over £1,000, Ice Creams made £540, and Teas, Cakes, Hot Dogs, the Tombola stalls, Children's Toys and Books made about £400 each!

None of this would have been possible without the support that members of the parish gave to the event, a really big thank-you to all those who toiled in the cold manning stalls or otherwise supporting the event. We would also like to thank Ian Williamson who, after four years, is standing down as Chairman having led the May Fair Committee so ably and having so enhanced the event's success. Ian would also like to offer his personal thanks to all those who have given him and the Fair their support.

Guy Sutherland has now taken the Chair of the May Fair Committee and planning for next year's event has already started! Many thanks Guy! However developing the event will only be possible if we can get more support, we were fully stretched for stall helpers and could not offer any more attractions this year. If you didn't help this year, could you put 7th May 2007 in your diary for support next year?
Guy would also welcome new members to the committee or new ideas for stalls or attractions. In particular we are thinking about what affordable arena events could be offered to draw the crowds in? Now is the time to contact us.

WINE TASTING WITH JUDY MULLINS SATURDAY 10th JUNE 8PM A talk and sampling of wines with complimentary nibbles. Judy Mullins, a master of wine from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust will educate our palates with a selection of fine wines. Tickets £7.50 each, from Social Committee Do join us and bring along friends, over 18's only

PATHFINDERS AT PINEHURST
On April 30th,Pathinders went to Pinehurst Home for the Elderly just after tea time. They performed an adapted version of the Mothering Sunday Service for the elderly. About 20-25 residents attended. They did not worry that Mothering Sunday had been 36 days before. The service started with a saxophone solo by Madeline, followed by a prayer just before the hymn Lord the light of your love is shining, in which even the oldest people took part. After another performance by Madeline, there was a pleasant surprise, a trio on guitars. Then before the Lords Prayer, reflections on Motherhood, a story about Moses' mother and another hymn. The service concluded with Dominic on the cornet and a blessing by Sophie. The service was well received as a nice change to the residents' Sunday evenings. They showed their appreciation and invited us to cake and drinks. It was brilliant to see their grateful faces light up and enjoy. It made the service very special to us.

PATHFINDERS PET SERVICE
On 21st May Pathfinders held their third annual pet service. Hazel Berry ably led the service, with lively hymns with an animal connection (thank you Irene). Pathfinders read poems, told us 18 amazing animal facts, and also told us about bird flu, climate change and whales. Maddy played Under the Sea and Colours of the Wind on the sax. We heard about St Francis of Assisi and Hazel blessed each animal offered.

Afterwards the pets went into competition. Edward and Polly won the prize for the smallest pets, their goldfish. Jean won the prize for the largest pet (Leela the dog). The most exotic pet was Cheetah from Laurent and Sarah. Leela was also the most active in the service and Eloise's hamster Lulu tried hardest to escape! James was thought to look most like his pet Pippin. Hazel decided that the pet she would most like to have taken home was Peter's guinea pig Sunny. Finally Edward and Polly gave the best impersonation of a pet, their goldfish.

PATRONAL FESTIVAL SUNDAY 25TH JUNE Visiting Preacher 10am Rev Richard Warden, Vicar of Finchampstead PARISH BARBECUE Noon, St John's Lodge Get your tickets £5 each, £15 family Bring picnic furniture and children's drinks.

CONFIRMATION 2006
Now is the time to think about Confirmation. The Junior Class will meet at Church on Tuesdays at 5-6pm from June 13th-July 18th and then from September 5th-October 3rd. We shall be using the Junior Emmaus Course. The Confirmation Weekend will be 23rd/24th September, Confirmation Rehearsal 7th October at 6pm in Church and the Confirmation at 10am on Sunday October 8th

The adult Confirmation Discussion Group is meeting on Monday evenings at 8pm at 90, New Wokingham Rd starting on June 12th through to July 17th.Then again from September 4th - October 2nd. We shall be looking at the Emmaus Nurture Course.
If anyone is interested in joining either group, please contact us.

Dr Carling then braved a heavy cold to deliver a speech on The Ethical Dilemmas Raised by Modern Science, in which he outlined the problems that arise from the advances of science (pollution, destruction of habitats, reduction of biodiversity, biomedical technol-ogies, etc) and some possible applications of technological advance, before raising some of the ethical dilemmas and how Christian theology and responsibility may be applied to resolve them and concluded by serving a cautious message of hope and optimism. This was then followed by a lively Q&A session.

See Christians in Science at www.cis.org.uk

FLOWER FESTIVAL at St John's Fame and Fantasy Saturday 8th July 10 am to 6 pm Sunday 9th July noon to 6 pm Monday 10th July 10 am to 4 pm

Licensing: Rev Lisa Cornwell licensing will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday 5th September. She moves to the Vicarage in August and then has existing holiday plans.

June will be a busy month! Tuesday 6th June at 8 pm we have our AGM. This will be followed by a talk Crowthorne Re-visited with Christine Rees and Audrey Hooper.

On Monday 12th June there is an Archdeacrony Day at Finch-ampstead Pastoral Centre, l0 for l0.30 pm. until about 2.30 pm. Please bring a packed lunch. Tea and Coffee are available.

The Wave of Prayer falls on Wednesday 14th June, and we shall meet as usual in the Hall at 2.15pm. After the Prayers afternoon tea will be served.
On Thursday 15th June we are holding a Coffee Morning and Bring and Buy at Margaret Barnes home, Red Lodge, in aid of the Mothers Union Overseas Literacy Project. Please support this project.

On Sunday 18th June eleven new members will be admitted to the Mothers Union at the 10 am Service. Please come along and give these new members your prayerful support. After the service we shall be selling cakes to generate funds for the forthcoming Flower Festival. Offers of cakes will be greatly appreciated.

Looking ahead to July, our Summer outing on Wednesday 12th July will be lunch at the Holiday Inn Caversham, followed by an afternoon river trip to Mapledurham.