It’s time to book your places for Picnic and Play in the holidays 2026!
PICNIC and PLAY dates for the holidays:
29 Jul / 5 Aug / 12 Aug / 19 Aug
Wednesdays in the Summer Holidays 11:30 – 15:00
Text to book! 07730 609446 (Phone / Text / imessage or WhatsApp)
We need your names and sandwich choices asap please, to secure your places and ensure we can cater for everyone. Sandwich options are: Ham / Cheese / Houmous / Vegan Cheese / Jam / Chocolate Spread. (Please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary needs for us to be aware of e.g. gluten free when you book.) Everyone gets a picnic, grownups and children alike – just be sure to book!
Picnic and Play is an open event for the whole community, all ages welcomed. It is free to attend, but we do ask for donations on the door or online if you can please, so we can keep the doors open for everyone, every Summer.
All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult and supervised by their grownups at all times. There are activities such as water play and pyrography on offer, so you MUST keep an eye on your children please to keep them safe.
Please dress for mess! Leave your sunday best clothes at home – we have different activities every week from rock painting to beads and from water play to clay to paint…. Arts, crafts, disco, sand, gardening and more. Please also be sure to dress for the weather, remember your sun hats!
Foodbank News: Did you know? We were very blessed to have support from The National Lottery Community Fund granted last year. We have been using it to help local people in need for many months, and it has made a huge difference! Did you know that in 2025 the Ash Villages Food Parcels Project fed 4600 people? We are hugely grateful to all our supporters and donors including this amazing fund. So, thank you National Lottery Community Fund, and thank you to all those who contribute by taking part in their draws. You make a big difference to people in their time of need.
If you need us, please have a look at the Foodbank Web Page here: https://ash-vale.org.uk/foodparcels-2/ Referrals line for the Foodbank is: 07762 136542
If you would like to help, please get in touch! We need everything from funds, to tins, to carrier bags, to volunteers. You can reach our Project Manager on 07730 609446.
Have you heard Mary’s beautiful song from Luke 1.46-55? This is our theme for the service today. See you at 10:30am.
46 And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendantsforever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
Do join us for the service at 10:30am, there is prayer ministry available after the service if you would like someone to pray with you, and all are welcome for cuppa&fellowship in the large hall.
Did you know? Eggs lose moisture through their shells over time, so the older an egg is, the more likely it will float. You can test your eggs in a bowl of cold water, so you never waste a good egg.
What to do:
Fill a bowl with cold tap water, enough to fully cover the eggs
Gently lower the eggs into the water
If the eggs sink to the bottom they are fresh
If the eggs sink, but stand upright, they are older but still ok to use in cooking & baking.
If the eggs float to the top, they are not fresh and shouldn’t be used.
One more test if you’re not sure: Crack the egg into a separate bowl, and have a sniff! If there is a foul, sulphurous smell the egg is rotten.
‘Best before’ on an egg box is a guideline for best quality. In the UK this date is always 28 days after the egg was laid. If you keep your eggs in the fridge, and check your eggs rather than binning them after this date, you can avoid wasting good food, and save money too. (Note – you should take extra care if you are in a vulnerable health group, and eat your eggs fully cooked and not runny).
Did you enjoy this article? Let us know if you would like more tips on reducing food waste, spending less on food, and eating well. Why not send us your top frugal eating tips? Or your favourite recipe with eggs! Send us a message or email us parishioner@ash-vale.org.uk
Wow wow wow! These kids are unstoppable! The Foodbank Youth Group, plus friends and family had an amazing night last weekend. They played badminton all night long from 7pm to 7am, to raise money for the Ash Villages Food Parcels Project. Their original target was £280 (enough to buy 1000 tins of beans), but they have absolutely smashed it! The sponsor money is still coming in, but as of today they have raised £477 online, plus more offline, and their latest total is £811.50 – simply amazing! Huge congratulations to the team who took part, and massive thanks fo the volunteers and generous donors. You are amazing!
We had a wonderful visit from the Ash Vale Brownies this week! They were working towards one of their badges by learning about the foodbank and making a difference in their communtiy. They learned what goes into a food parcel, how a foodbank works, and they even went shopping to practice some savvy shopping and made their pennies stretch to a lovely crate full of donations! When they got back they created a super banner for the next foodbank bottle tombola fundraiser. Huge thanks to the girls and their lovely leaders and families. We hope to welcome you again soon and see you at the village Summer Fair!
Would you like to visit the Foodbank with your childrens group? We love to welcome young people to find out what we are all about, have some fun and make a real difference! Give our Project Manager a call on 07730 609446 if you would like to find out more.
Wow! We have had an amazing Food-Drive Day today at Asda Farnborough in aid of the Ash Villages Food Parcels Project. Hats off to the amazing foodbank team who worked so hard today, a very big thank you to the amazing Jenny – Asda’s community Champion – and a very very big THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts, to the amazingly kind shoppers in Farnborough who gave so very generously.
In 6 hours you have gathered a staggering 5 trollies of food donations for our local foodbank here in Ash, Ash Vale, Ash Green and Tongham. These donations will make all the difference to struggling families and residents in need in our community. Every single item will be a blessing to someone in crisis. Thank you so much from all our clients and volunteers.
We’re hosting an Open Day at our Cedar Lodge Care Home in Frimley on Wednesday 10th June from 10am-5pm, and we’d love to welcome you.
As part of the day, Phillips Law will be giving a special talk at 12noon on the two types of Lasting Power of Attorney: Property and Finance, and Health and Welfare (details enclosed).
The Ash Villages Food Parcels Project team are delighted to share that we have been given a “Food Drive Day”! We will be at ASDA Farnborough on Saturday 9th May from 10am until 4pm. (Other foodbanks will be there on other days). We will be collecting food donations in a trolley outside. If you see the team, please encourage them and – if you can – please pop a tin in our trollley! We are always happy to chat if you have questions about the project, see you on Saturday!
The Parishioner was delighted to interview Refeia, a locally based Holistic Life Coach:
Parishioner – It was lovely to meet you at a community coffee morning organised by the ladies from the Ahmadiya community at the Ash Centre recently. What is your local connection, and what does community mean to you?
Refeia – I have lived in Frimley Green for the past 26 years, my children grew up and went to school around Frimley. Community to me means friendship and support during good times and the not so easy times.
Parishioner – We are always interested in what people love about the local area and what would you suggest to newcomers to try within a few miles of Ash Vale. Any favourite pass times, places to visit, walks, clubs or groups you would recommend?
Refeia – My happy place is feeling the sun on my skin. I take a daily walk through Frimley Lodge Park, along the canal. It is so peaceful and I love being in nature. There’s lots to do for those with children and a cafe. The past couple of weeks, the ducks and geese are having their babies, so I’ve been feeding the ducklings and goslings. Tip: Try leaving your phone at home.
Parishioner – We understand that you are a professional Holistic Life Coach, how did you find your way in to this profession, and can you give our readers an idea of what you get up to in a typical week?
Refeia – I’ve always been interested in helping people become the best version of themselves. About five years ago, I trained as an organisational development coach, and through working with people, I quickly realised that you can’t really separate work life from home life. When things improve in one area, it often has a positive knock-on effect in others.
In any given week, I might be supporting someone who’s feeling overwhelmed and trying to find a better work-life balance, helping someone build confidence, or talking things through with someone going through a big life change such as becoming a parent, going through a divorce, retiring, or coping with bereavement.
No two days are ever the same, and that’s something I really enjoy. But what I enjoy most is seeing people start to feel more like themselves again, often through small, simple changes that make a big difference.
It’s not about having all the answers or making huge life overhauls. Sometimes, it’s just about having the space to pause, reflect, and take that next step forward.
Parishioner – You gave us a wonderful deep breathing exercise to try at the coffee morning. It was a very effective way to release some of the stresses of the day. If you had one piece of advice for a new habit for someone to start, what would you suggest?
Refeia – Step outside and pause long enough to take it in. Properly pause and let your attention land on something natural around you. A tree, the sky, the sound of the leaves rustling or the birds singing. The calm you’re searching for isn’t something you need to build from scratch but something your body already knows how to access.
Parishioner – Thank you so much for being our “meet the local” for April 2026. If a community group, company or individual is interested in your services how can they reach you?
Refeia – Thank you so much. I work with both individuals and groups.
