Special events

Douglas Zanders was a New Zealander who joined the Australian Army at the outbreak of WW II in the Pacific, firstly as an infantryman and then as part of a concert party providing entertainment to fighting units in Australia and New Guinea. This talk by his son, Ed Zanders, will provide the background to the unit and describe some of their experiences as they performed in various shows, often under arduous conditions in the jungle or outback.

This is an ecumenical Prayer group for the churches at Castle that will help us deepen our prayer lives and come closer to God in Quiet Reflection and Prayer. We will meet monthly in each church in rotation. We hope that the timing will enable those at work to drop in on their way home.

After greetings and refreshment there will be some opening prayers, usually a time of Bible reading and/or poetry, perhaps followed by some music. This will lead us into a short period of silence before our main time of prayer. The atmosphere will be informal, the prayers freely formatted; ‘the Spirit is the wind in the sails of our prayer’ (Michael Reeves).

St Augustine's: October 2019, 2020-January, April, July, October
St Giles': November 2019, 2020-February, May, August, November
St Luke's: December 2019, 2020-March, June, September, December

Come and enjoy a choral concert of Brahms’ German Requiem with the St Augustine’s Singers conducted by Paul Jackson. Soloists include Alanya Reynolds (soprano), Alistair Bamford (baritone) – with Philip Mead (piano).

To be followed by an Italian Buffet Supper at 7.30pm prepared by Antonio and Celeste Potenza.

This monthly working party meets at the Burial Ground (off Huntingdon Road) to clear graves, working under the guidance of Rod Ailes for a couple of hours. Please bring gloves (if you have them) and stout shoes are essential, secateurs, loppers and any garden waste sacks very desirable if you have them. It can also be thirsty work, so do bring a drink as well.

Final date this year is: 7th December (followed by mulled wine and mince pies).

The Friends aim to protect and enhance these remarkable burial grounds for the public benefit as a place of remembrance, spirituality, history and nature. You can read more about the Friends and join here. New members are most welcome.