I learnt such a lot about the early days of the East India Company by reading the biography of James Achilles Kirkpatrick “White Mughals” by William Dalrymple – well researched and written, a fascinating insight into crossing cultures.

Two this month from C.S.Forester – “The Happy Return”, another enjoyable Hornblower adventure novel and “The Gun” set in the Peninsular War.

Last but not least, one of my favourite Agatha Christie novels –  “Five Little Pigs” – if your mother had been convicted of murder would you want to know if she was guilty.  Carla Lemarchant asks Poirot to investigate the five witnesses at the trial.

This Saturday, September 9th, Tim Brindley is taking on the cycling challenge as part of the Ride and Stride fundraising event organised by Rutland Historic Churches Preservation Trust.

Please support Tim and the charity which has kindly made grants to our village church by sponsoring Tim.  He has set up a secure means of donating through Just Giving  – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tim-brindley

Thank you.

A hearty thank you to the 12 strong work party who undertook our annual strim and rake of the churchyard.

Afterwards we joined together in a bring and share ploughman’s lunch – very well deserved after all the hard work.

A thank you also to those who have volunteered to “meet and greet” participants in the Rutland Historic Churches Preservation Trust’s fundraiser “Ride and Stride” on Saturday, 9th September.