A Note from the Treasurer
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Yes, it is that time of the year.
As you may know Liz Atkinson stepped down this past September as Treasurer of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) after five faithful serving years. She conducted the financial affairs in a very clear and efficient way that has made the turnover in a very seamless and easy way for me to be able to take over the duties. Nevertheless, I still have some things to catch up on.
As a first duty, the PCC would think me remiss in my new role of Treasurer if I did not offer a short note at this time of the year about .....yes finance.
We are very fortunate at St Peters to have a very stable and solid financial support from its parishioners. In this past year of incumbent change we have continued our financial support to the diocese that was asked of us, financed our programmes and made significant gifts to many charitable causes in our outreach. On behalf of the PCC I thank you for that support.
Our financial picture at St Peters is sound and at PCC we do look to make efficiencies where possible and to look at ways to be as prudent as we can in caring for the resources that we have. However our expenditures do go up year on year and we would not want if at all possible to cut our programmes and outreach. For this reason I would urge you to continue and if possible increase your giving in the coming year. For your guidance the Government Pension increase (CPI) for 2016 will be 2.5%.
For those who give to the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS), thank you. This is the most efficient way in which to contribute, they collect in the donation, obtain the gift aid and send the funds directly to our account each month. For those who donate by direct debit themselves again thanks, but I ask if you would also consider taking up the PGS. In case you were unaware the bank does deduct a service charge for each DD. For those who generously give through the pew blue envelope also thanks and I would ask if you also would consider donating on a regular basis also through the PGS.
If you would like to know more about the PGS there is information on the web at www.parishgivingscheme.org.uk The PGS has over 10,000 parishioners and over 500 parishes participating, it is a very confidential service and donations can be made if you so wish on an anonymous basis and any gifts or changes can be made and communicated directly with PGS.
Please e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like further information and I would be pleased to send you an enrolment form.
Thanks again for your parish support in 2015.
Tony Cook
PCC Treasurer
From the ethereal beauty of a bridal arrangement, to the pastel shades of flowers dancing round a beribboned maypole, to the vibrant hues of "Colours of Day", the Flower Festival delivered the promised explosion of colour. 
The annual Open Gardens weekend was blessed with glorious sunshine this year. Eleven keen and extremely talented gardeners opened their gates for people to see their beautiful lawns, borders and vegetables. With the Flower Festival in the church too there was plenty for everyone to feast their eyes on.
On 
In the second half the young and very gifted 
The service was led by The Right Reverend Mark Sowerby, Bishop of Horsham assisted by The Venerable Fiona Windsor Archdeacon of Horsham. The entrance procession was led by the choir of St Peter's followed by the visiting clergy, the Parish Priest Designate, the Rural Dean, the Archdeacon, Churchwardens and, finally, the Bishop and the Bishop's Chaplain.
The service followed fairly closely the standard "Sung Eucharist" with the actual licensing element sandwiched in the middle.
This was a fitting celebration of a new phase for us. After the service an amazing firework display took place up and over the churchyard and then drinks and canapés were served in the Village Hall. There have been many lovely comments about the welcome and celebration which took place on that evening, which can be summed up in the words of one of the visiting clergy in an email he sent to us afterwards - 'Well done for last night to everyone from your place who made us so welcome and created a very special greeting to Clive. Fireworks - a crowning glory. Brilliant!'
LANDS END TO JOHN O’ GROATS … 1100 MILES … ON FOOT
The walk will take him well away from main roads, starting on the northern part of the south west Coastal Path, across Exmoor, the Somerset Levels, Offa’s Dyke, The Wirral, Ribble Valley, Pennine Way, Southern Upland Way, West Highland Way, Great Glen Way and finally up the east coast to John O’ Groats – a distance of about 1100 miles. Various family and friends will be joining him at different stages. See route map (right).