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HM The Queen Diamond Jubilee

After the 10.am service on 3rd June there was a Jubilee celebratory champagne toast followed by a picnic which due to the inclement weather was transferred from the church grounds into St George’s Church Hall.

In the evening a combined service in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee was held at the Sacred Heart and St Peter the Apostle Church. This included an address by the Mayor of Havant, Councillor Gerald Shimbart and 60 Words of Love sung by Fr Timon Singh and his daughter Tabitha.

Afterwards there was champagne and soft drinks and a slice of specially prepared ‘Jubilee Cake’.

Glendene Proms, 7th July

Due to bad weather this was transferred into the Church Hall.

We had all brought picnics and drinks and enthusiastically waved flags and sang and danced to the film themes and “Proms” music.

The weather cleared for a few minutes and we were able to finish with a short fireworks display.

Film Club: West Side Story, 13th June

This was shown as part of the Waterlooville Music Festival, was on a large screen, and we were treated to popcorn and choc ices as well as the usual tea and coffee.

West Side Story is an old fashioned musical with the most unlikely people breaking into song and dance at extremely unlikely moments. A lovely film with a sad ending.

Mothers’ Union Diocesan Festival Eucharist Portsmouth Cathedral, 20th June

On a sunny day five MU members went to Portsmouth Cathedral for the Mothers’ Union Festival Eucharist.

For the second time I was to carry St George’s branch banner whilst Margaret (Symonds) carried the banner for Action and Outreach. After a brief “talk through” we lined up in readiness to follow Bishop Christopher and the clergy.

We had received the usual instructions to “follow the feet in front” and not to peep around the side of the banner; as I approached a low hanging chandelier (a well remembered hazard from last year) I noticed it swinging gently - someone had not seen it in time!

Discreetly disobeying orders - peeping, looking up and not following anyone’s feet I nevertheless successfully negotiated the route and carefully leant St George’s banner against the wall before finding my reserved pew.

Bishop Christopher began with a confession: he had forgotten to wear his mitre! The service was lovely with hymns, readings and prayers, and the large MU choir sang beautifully.

During the last hymn we collected our banners and re-processed and stood in line as the service ended.

There were refreshments and a stall selling MU merchandise, including bags at greatly reduced prices - and no, I couldn’t resist buying two of them!

Film Club: A Farewell to Arms, 18 July

This 1932, black and white film, starred Gary Cooper and Helen Hayes. Its WWI based story of the doomed love affair between an American ambulance driver and a beautiful young nurse moved predictably to its finalé where, as nurse Catherine lay dying, an entire orchestra increased volume to give her a fitting “send off”. A famous film, but one we felt was showing its age quite a bit.

The next Film Club is on Wednesday 15th August and will be Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont.

Janet Johnson

Summer Edition 2012

St George’s News from the Pews