DITTISHAM VILLAGE VOICE APRIL 22 2010

How we deserved the glorious weather this last  week which caused  nature to burst forth under cloudless skies and soft airs which warmed the earth and the  soul.  Manley Hopkins wrote far better than I ever could  ‘Nothing is so beautiful as spring – when weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush…..the glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush the descending  blue; that blue is all in a rush with richness…’

On the river too there is spring in the air.  How  lovely to see again dinghies out racing last Sunday whilst enjoying an excellent traditional  English breakfast at the Anchorstone Café (recommended in The Times no less last week)   Let’s hope the weather holds for a festive St George’s Day Concert tonight, Friday April 22^nd at the church.  The concert begins at 7.30pm but in the modern way there will be a wine bar open from 6.30pm.  We said ‘goodbye  to two very fine ladies over the last few weeks.  A service of Thanksgiving was held for Mary Hilda Greed on March 29^th.  Many will remember Mary’s sparkling, sapphire blue eyes like the skies we have enjoyed this week.  Mary and Charles Greed celebrated sixty years of marriage before Charles died a few years back.  Now they are together again  perhaps sailing  as that was one of their joys.  Mary had been known to pull in an anchor in her pyjamas. The funeral service for  Eunice Moore was held on April 19^th.  Eunice had  delightfully  twinkling eyes, in fact, her whole face twinkled.  She was one of those rare beings-  a true  Christian.  She had been in the choir and had been a bell ringer but it was her selflessness, her courage and cheerfulness which continued right to the end that I think  we will all remember as her family in Australia and her family here, Ann, Mark and Pip will...  The words ‘blessed are the pure in heart’ ring true like bells for Eunice’ The bell ringers who range for her are very proud of the fact that they  can now field a team of 7 regular ringers from Dittisham.  One has learnt in the last 6 months and two have learnt in the past 2 years.  Two teenage girls have been taught and are now competent to join in the Call Change ringing.  Well done Stephanie Ashton.  At the PCC meeting it was  announced that Doreen Barber is retiring after many years service as Sacristan.  Thanks to her, too.  Pat Stannard and Betty Gooderham will cover this position.

If you can escape from the garden some dates for the diary are Saturday, April 24 at 4.00pm at St Saviour’s Church, Dartmouth  Exeter Cathedral Choir tickets from the Tourist Office.  A BBQ and Music on the Beach in front of the Ferry boat on Sunday  May 2^nd from noon in aid of Devon air Ambulance also an All Starr Band for the  Dittisham Fringe Music Festival on Saturday May 8^th same place.