Petertide thanks

Huge thanks to absolutely everyone who helped at the Petertide Fair, to everyone who baked, carried, set up, worked on stalls, served food & drink, and generally ran around like a mad thing. Thanks are especially due to Hilary and Hayley who organised the whole day with so much energy.

We've had lots of positive feedback from visitors within and outside the church community and we hope you all enjoyed it too. There was a great atmosphere and everyone looked to be having fun and making new friends. The whole community enjoyed all the family games and browsing the stalls for plants, bric-à-brac, books and CDs, and there was fabulous entertainment from the Choir on the Green and BURP (Berkhamsted Ukulele Random Players). And it was with heavy hearts that many parishioners queued up to throw wet sponges at the Rector, locked in Medieval stocks.

In total, the Petertide Fair raised an amazing £6400 for the St Peter's Renovation Appeal, which will help us to continue our vital roof repair programme! What a fantastic result - well done everyone!

A note for Petertide volunteers from Hilary & Hayley:  Huge thanks to everyone who helped make the Petertide Fair such a success. We look to have raised £6,400 towards the renovation appeal, and perhaps more importantly, we had a great community event with lots of fun and laughter. There will be a brief wash up meeting after the 9.30 service on Sunday morning. All who attended the fair are welcome.

There are fabulous photos of the day on our Facebook page:

 www.facebook.com

Friday 3 July at 5:00 pm
St Thomas Mass

There will be a Mass to celebrate the Feast of St Thomas at 5pm on Friday 3rd July, followed by drinks at The Rectory. Please do let Fr Stuart know if you're able to come for a drink so that he can cater accordingly.

Sunday 12 July at 6:00 pm
Choral Evensong

Our choir promises a truly glorious 12th at St Peter's with a sung evensong. Music will include the Responses by William Smith of Durham, the evening canticles by Thomas Attwood Walmisley in D minor, and Henry Purcell's famous anthem, O God, thou art my God, ending with its wonderful Hallelujah chorus. All is to the glory of God, and everyone is welcome.

Sunday 19 July at 11:00 am
Sunday School Picnic

There will be a picnic for children of the Sunday School at the Rectory. Come along after the morning service - full details from Fr Stuart.

Contact:

Fr Stuart Owen   

 Email Fr Stuart Owen

Parish Office closed in July

Please note that the Parish Office is closed for the first two weeks of July. Please try not to email the office as there will inevitably be an email backlog which will take time to deal with. Parish notices and pew sheets have been prepared in advance and any notices will be dealt with after 15 July.

For all pastoral matters and bereavements, please contact the Rector, Fr Stuart. For church and Court House matters, please contact the churchwardens. Contact details can be found on the church website.

Contact:

Fr Stuart Owen    01442 879 739

 Email Fr Stuart Owen

 www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk

Petertide Down Under

Last Sunday, the Feast of St Peter was celebrated here in Great Berkhamsted and at churches dedicated to Peter the Apostle all over the world. At St Peter's Eastern Hill in Melbourne, Australia, worshippers gathered for the High Mass for the Feast of St Peter. The priest-in-charge there is of course Fr Michael Bowie, who was Rector of St Peter's Berkhamsted 2005-2014 (and who celebrates 34 years of ordination this Petertide). The service was live-streamed on YouTube, with visiting preacher Fr Christopher Waterhouse, Rector of Welcome to St James' King Street, Sydney. You can download the order of service from the link below.

Video:

Farewell to Mark Bonney

Last Sunday, the Ely Cathedral community gathered at Sung Eucharist to bid farewell to Dean Mark Bonney, who has served at Ely for the past 14 years. Fr Mark is another former Rector of St Peter's Berkhamsted (1996-2005). As Mark retires after more than 40 years of ministry, the church thanks him for his dedicated service, wishes him all the very best in his retirement, and we all hold him in our prayers. The service was live-streamed on YouTube, and you can follow the order of service via the link below. Go well, Mark.

Video:

Bishop of St Albans Open Garden

Visit the lovely gardens at Abbey Gate House, the episcopal residence in St Albans, 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 5 July
• Sunday 12 July
• Sunday 19 July

 maps.app.goo.gl

Saturday 4 July at 11:00 am
Community Coffee & Well-Being Morning

This free event is for anyone who is thinking about the challenges of maintaining their independence and well-being at home in later years, and the possibilities of living in a care home. It's organised by home care provider Caremark Dacorum and speakers will include a doctor, a former care home manager, and local funeral director Charlie Jarrett. Come and discover local care, support and well-being options for living and ageing well. Coffee and cake will be served and it's free to anyone - St Mary's Northchurch Parish Rooms 11am - 12noon.

Sunday 5 July at 2:30 pm
Organ recital at All Saints

The last of the 2026 Sarah Garrett Recital Series will be given by acclaimed organist Iestyn Evans, Director of Music at St James Spanish Place London, one of London's foremost Catholic churches, and of St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate in the City. Interval refreshments will be available. Entry is free, no booking required, retiring collection to support All Saints Church funds.  All Saints Church, Shrublands Road, HP4 3HY.

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

Saturday 11 July
Northchurch Summer Fête

Our friends at St Mary's Northchurch are holding their annual Summer Fête 12 noon - 3:30pm. BBQ, a fully licensed bar, stalls, entertainment, fun and games. New this year is a dog show, all entries welcome!

Saturday 11 July at 7:30 pm
Chiltern Chamber Choir 50th anniversary concert

It's a very special concert for a very special occasion - the Chiltern Chamber Choir marks its 50th anniversary with a concert in St Peter's. The CCC was founded in 1976 by Adrian Davis, and is still thriving! Join Calum Zuckert and the CCC in a celebration, with music by Vaughan Williams, Schumann and Bob Chilcott. Then enjoy a glass of celebratory fizz and a slice of cake after the concert! Tickets: £20 in advance, £22 on the door, under 18s and full-time students free - gettickets from choir members, Brown & Merry Estate Agents (next to church) or online:

 www.eventbookings.com

Sunday 12 July
Berkhamsted Artisan Market July

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

Wednesday 15 July
RHS Britain in Bloom competition

On 15 July, three judges from the Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom competition will be visiting Berkhamsted. This map shows the beautiful gardens and projects that the judges will look at. Among the planted areas is the glorious garden along the High Street side of St Peter's, tended by our devoted team of gardening volunteers. Naturally, we're biased, but there are some lovely other floral spots around town, including Rectory Lane Cemetery, Lower Kings Road and the railway station. If you would like to support our wonderful volunteer gardeners in applying for this prestigious award, please follow the Berkhamsted in Bloom Facebook page:

 www.facebook.com

Saturday 18 July at 2:30 pm
Historic Churches meeting

The Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust (BHHCT) are holding their annual meeting at St. Mary's Church in the village of Pirton, North Hertfordshire, near Hitchin (SG5 3QE). There will be an opportunity to look around the church, with tea served at 3:30pm. This will be followed by a service of sung evensong at 4:30pm, with Archdeacon Charles Hudson preaching. If you would like to attend, please email the BHHCT secretary so they can cater for tea.

Contact:

Revd Canon Lynda Klimas    01234 745 407

 Email Revd Canon Lynda Klimas

 bedshertshct.org.uk

Saturday 25 July
Hans Zimmer concert

Hans Zimmer is one of Hollywood's most celebrated composers - he wrote the scores for Gladiator, Kung Fu Panda, Interstellar, The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean and many other films.  Enjoy a candlelit performance of his music here in St Peter's - tickets are on sale now. We've secured a limited number of discounted tickets giving 15% off gold tickets. To take advantage of this offer, simply book online at the link below and use the discount code WELCOME15 at the online checkout. These are strictly limited, so be quick! Book one of two performances: 7-8pm or 9-10pm.

 www.lumos-experiences.com