There weren’t really many other people out and about when I was walking to Manchester during half-term. I’m guessing that the formidable heat which marked the first part of the week was a significant factor in deterring other would-be hikers. There would be a few dog-walkers around up until nine-ish, but after that sort of time they tended to disappear and the footpaths and fields were my own. So it was that when I met a man who clearly wanted to spend a few minutes passing the time of day, I was more than happy to stop. It was late morning and the heat was beginning to gather uncomfortably.

As we chatted the man kept glancing at the t-shirt I’d had made, which said that I was doing a sponsored walk for a suicide prevention charity, and featured a QR code for my fundraising page. “Let me get my phone out,” he said, “that’s a good thing to be walking for and I’d like to make a donation.” He held up his phone, scanned the code and I guessed it was nearly time for me to be getting going. Suddenly his voice was breaking, broken, and he told me that many years ago, a long time ago, he had tried to take his own life: “A lot’s changed since then,” he said. He said that almost nobody knew what had happened. We stood there together with his long-silent secret, and the sun shone on.

In my last few years in the Diocese of London, I volunteered as a chaplain at St Paul’s Cathedral. Three of four times a year, I would spend a day simply wandering around the cathedral floor, being visible, being available. Those few days exposed me to some of the most harrowing pastoral conversations I’ve ever had. In that place, people felt able to share things which in their everyday lives were buried deep. I was struck by how often these encounters, almost always with tourists from overseas, came on one of the very last days of their holidays; it was as if the things that these people needed to say, could only be said in a place which they would soon be hundreds, thousands of miles away from. I remember some of those conversations still: I pray that those people left London with a real sense of having put down a burden which had borne down on them for too long a time. 

I can’t really remember much else that the man on the footpath and I said to each other. We did talk about what he’d told me, briefly. We exchanged our names and shook one another’s hands. At times I worry that our encounter might just have re-opened an old wound, but it really didn’t feel like that in the moment; I believe and pray that we parted company with a sense of peace and hope.

What I want to do, because it feels like what I’m meant to do in a piece like this, is conclude with some lines of wisdom about what these sorts of conversations might mean, or what they might tell us about the God Who has ‘searched us out and known us.’ However, I’ve read and re-read these paragraphs several times over, and I haven’t got any neat, wise conclusion. These things happened on a footpath. A man spoke to me a secret. I give thanks for the privilege of being able to listen.

Saturday 13 June at 10:00 am
Scaffolding down – clean up!

Last week's parish news email was a little over-optimistic reporting that the scaffolding had been taken down - dismantling work had begun, but there was still hoarding up on Sunday.

We are pleased to report that the scaffolding has now come down. The Lady Chapel needs to be cleaned, and so volunteers are invited to join in a big clean-up on Saturday 10am-12pm.

Sunday 14 June
Choral Evensong

There will be a sung evensong for RSCM Music Sunday at St Peter's. This is a UK-wide celebration of church musicians promoted by the Royal School of Church Music, and the music will be fantastic. The canticles will be the awe-inspiring setting in B minor by Thomas Tertius Noble (1867-1953), a British choirmaster composer whose career took him to St Thomas Episcopal Church in New York City. The anthem will be the triumphant "Let all the world in ev'ry corner sing" by that most English of composers, Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). 

Our choir work very hard to make evensong possible, and we are most grateful for all that they do to enrich our worship at St Peter's with glorious music.

We are most fortunate to have wonderful cathedral-style worship in our parish church, so do please support these services.  Don't stay at home - you can catch up with Antiques Roadshow on iPlayer later!

Saturday 20 June
St Peter’s Market Stall

Once again St Peter's will be out meeting the people on Saturday 20th June. We will be publicising the Petertide Fair. For the children there will be a colouring competition - colour a candle and take it to the church for display - and everyone wins a prize. It's important that we are seen out and about. Volunteers are needed, 9am to 1pm, to promote St Peters and the Fair. Please give us an hour and meet the crowds and help the children. A rota will be at the back of church at the 9.30 service.

Contact:

Carolynne Charman   

 Email Carolynne Charman

Stephen Lally    

 Email Stephen Lally

Sunday 28 June
The Petertide Fair

Everyone is invited to this fun-filled family fête, with afternoon entertainments, games, stalls, food and drink. Drop by for Pimms or a beer in the sun, browse the plant stalls and bric-à-brac stalls. For youngsters, there are train rides - and bring a cuddly toy to ride the daring Teddy Zip Wire from the bell tower! Entry is free, and all proceeds will go to the St Peter's Renovation Appeal, helping us to fix our leaking church roof!

This is another opportunity for St Peter's to welcome the wider Berkhamsted community, and an important fundraiser for our repair costs, so please support this in any way you can.

Contact:

Hilary Armstrong   

 Email Hilary Armstrong

 www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk

Petertide Fair – donations wanted!

We are gearing up for our fundraising fair on 28 June and we are looking for donations:

• good quality bric-à-brac (homewares, kitchenware, toys, ornaments, books etc - no clothes please)
• plants for the plant stall
• wine/beer/spirits for the bottle tombola
• cakes for the cake stall

There are specific instructions for items - donation times, packaging etc. Please see the info leaflet below (this will be given out on Sunday too):

petertide donations

Contact:

Hayley Khazaneh     07734 601 136

 Email Hayley Khazaneh

Hilary Armstrong    07969 654 160

 Email Hilary Armstrong

Carolynne Charman (cakes)    07506 156 751

 Email Carolynne Charman (cakes)

Sarah Dawson (plants)    07788 843 186

 Email Sarah Dawson (plants)

 www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk

Big Nature Hunt draws families to our historic Cemetery

Last weekend, more than 30 families gathered at Rectory Lane Cemetery for a lively Great Big Nature Hunt as part of Churches Count on Nature Week, organised by the Friends of St Peter's with the conservation charity Caring for God's Acre. From pond dipping to bug hunting, children and adults discovered the rich wildlife thriving in this carefully restored green space. Rectory Lane Cemetery is the historic burial ground for St Peter's, opened in 1842 after our churchyard was full up.

Our Cemetery ranger Kate Campbell said, "It was about helping people notice what is already here and feel a sense of shared care for it. Seeing families exploring, learning and enjoying the space together was just wonderful."  Read the full story on the St Albans Diocese website:

 www.stalbansdiocese.org

Rev Olivia Davies

Ordination to the priesthood: please pray for Olivia Davies, our former Graduate Pastoral Assistant, who is being ordained to the priesthood on Saturday 4th July at St Albans Cathedral. We pray too for the people of Flitton, Silso and Pulloxhill, where Olivia is serving as curate.

Victoria School news

This week we have been focusing on our Great Big Green week, where we started the week wearing green to support looking after our environment and local area. We were hoping to go on our litter pick on Wednesday but the weather had other ideas! We have postponed until the weather is a bit more settled. On Friday we are going to have a power down in the afternoon, where classrooms will be turning off their devices and thinking about the little changes they can make to help the planet.

This links into our value of thankfulness, as we are all thankful for the wonderful world we live in but we need to remember to take care of it. With our continuing mission to be more sustainable, we hope all the little changes make a big difference.

Mrs Lisa Freeman
Head of School, Victoria CE Infant and Nursery School

Saturday 20 June
Alban Day: Pilgrimage & Festival

St Albans will be holding its city-wide celebration of Britain's first saint, Alban the Martyr. The day begins at 11am with the Alban Pilgrimage procession of giant puppets through the city centre, followed by a Pilgrimage Eucharist at noon in the Cathedral. Throughout the day there are entertainments and activities across St Albans city centre. Parishes and pilgrimage groups are invited to walk in the procession - see the Cathedral website for details.

 www.stalbanscathedral.org

Bishop of St Albans Open Garden

Our new bishop is moving into Abbey Gate House, the episcopal residence in St Albans, later this summer. Bishop Andrew has kindly agreed for the annual Bishop's Open Garden event to go ahead again this year. This is an opportunity for the public to visit the lovely gardens over four Sunday afternoons 2pm-4pm. It's only £5 entry, and all proceeds go to the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust. So far, these events have raised nearly £25,000 for the trust! Abbey Gate House is on Abbey Mill Lane, just opposite the Cathedral west end.

• Sunday 28 June
• Sunday 4 July
• Sunday 12 July
• Sunday 19 July

 maps.app.goo.gl

Bishop Andrew – Confirmation of Election

The Rt Revd Dr Andrew Rumsey has formally become Bishop of St Albans, following the Confirmation of his Election on Wednesday at St Mary-le-Bow in the City of London, with Archbishop Sarah. This now enables Andrew to take up the legal responsibilities of the role. Bishop Andrew will move to St Albans and begin his ministry in the Diocese later this year. Further steps will follow, including paying Homage to His Majesty the King and his installation at St Albans Cathedral on Saturday 19 September. Arrangements for tickets will be announced soon.

 www.stalbansdiocese.org

Saturday 13 June at 7:30 pm
Bridgewater Sinfonia concert

Bridgewater Sinfonia promises a wonderful concert on Saturday, with a performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor (soloist Michael Foyle) and Shostakovich's famous 5th Symphony. This is an ideal concert for young people because the programme will also feature Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. Originally composed for a 1946 educational documentary film, this piece takes a melody by Purcell played by different sections of the orchestra, showing off the distinctive sound of each family of instruments - woodwind, brass, strings, and percussion. What's more, tickets for under-18s are free!

Advance tickets are available from Ashtons Estate Agents (next to Tesco) and online for £20, or £22 on the door.

 www.bridgewater-sinfonia.org.uk

Sunday 14 June
Berkhamsted Artisan Market June

The next Artisan Market is on the High Street, offering handmade jewellery, gifts, crafts, wooden homewares, ceramics, sculpture and more. Cand have a browse - all stall fees go towards the Friends of St Peter's.

 www.berkhamstedartisanmarket.co.uk

Sunday 14 June
Reveley Lodge Summer Garden Party

Did you know that there is a Grade II-listed Victorian house with rose gardens and an exotic plants conservatory just 30 minutes' drive from Berkhamsted? Reveley Lodge in Bushey Heath near Watford is holding a garden party this Sunday afternoon, featuring an arts and crafts and plant market, garden games, rose garden tours, live music, teas and home-made cakes and a licensed bar serving beer, wine and Pimms. Entry: £5 adults, children under 16 free. All proceeds go to the upkeep of the house and gardens.

 www.reveleylodge.org

Thursday 18 June at 6:00 pm
Ashlyns Concert

Ashylns School Music Department invite you to a recital of music in St Peter's.

Free admission!

Sunday 21 June
Marsworth Steam & Classic Rally

Enjoy a family day out for Father's Day at the Marsworth Steam & Classic Rally, with over 25 full-sized steam traction engines, plus a display of miniature engines, vintage cars, tractors, commercial and military vehicles. Startops Farm, Marsworth near Tring, HP23 4LL.

 www.marsworthsteamrally.co.uk

Friday 10 July - Saturday 11 July
Berko Beer Festival

at Kitcheners Field, behind Berkhamsted Castle over the weekend of 11 & 12 July, featuring stand-up comedy, live music, food stalls, and a huge range of cask and craft beers and ciders.

This year, BerkoBeerFest is supporting four wonderful charities: Electric Umbrella (as seen on Britain's Got Talent), the Swan youth Project, Toy Hub and Save Castle Fields. Advance tickets are now on sale - they always sell out!

 www.buytickets.at

Outdoor Theatre at the Castle

There's another fabulous summer of outdoor theatre in the ruins of Berkhamsted Castle:

• Saturday 27 June at 2pm & 7pm: Northanger Abbey
  an adaptation of Jane Austen's 1799 novel - a thrilling Gothic tale of dark deeds? or a playful, heartwarming Regency romance?
• Saturday 11 July at 2pm & 7pm: Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
  a medieval romp promising a touch of Men in Tights and Monty Python and the Holy Grail
  
  

Bring a picnic, a picnic blanket or camping chair, and come prepared for the Great British summer: sun screen, warm clothes and waterproofs! Booking info on the Castle website:

 www.berkhamstedcastle.org.uk