What’s on in February & March 2022 – Regular Groups

Mondays:
Keep fit:  HIIT at 7.45pm with Janet Thomas Fitness (St Mary’s, Vale Rd)

Tuesdays:
Baby Group 10am—11.30am : A support group for 0-12mth olds and their parents and carers. Tea, coffee, chat, and we have song time at the end. All welcome. Text or call Alex for details 07730 609446  (St Mary’s, Vale Rd)
Choir Practise: 8pm on Tuesday evenings, all welcome (St Mary’s, Vale Rd)
Keep fit:  Fit Steps 7.30pm with Janet Thomas Fitness (St Mary’s, Vale Rd)

Wednesdays:
Chapel Kids 11:30am—1.30pm Come and join our Baby & Toddler group with craft, story and songs at The Chapel. All welcome 0-4yrs and their parents and carers. We eat lunch together too. Bring a picnic or enjoy something from the community fridge! (The Chapel, Wharf Rd)
Chapel Craft 8pm-10pm Bring along your latest craft project and craft  enjoy a  sociable cuppa and chat as we craft. (The Chapel, Wharf Rd)

Thursdays :
Baby Plus (Tongham)  10.30am Baby group for non-walkers at The Old School, Poyle Rd, Tongham. (St Paul’s, Poyle Rd)
** Lent Special ** Thursday Lent Film nights 6.30pm at The Chapel  
Every Thursday in lent—Film, food and discussion. Starts on 3rd March, running for 6 weeks, all welcome. Text to book 07730 609446

Fridays:
Community  Café 10am-12 Noon Please pop in for a cuppa and a chat at the  St Mary’s community café. All are welcome, all faiths and none, all ages and stages. It’s free / by donation (St Mary’s, Vale Rd)

Sundays:
Sunday Services 10:30am at St Mary’s. All are welcome, whether life long Christians or just exploring. We serve refreshments after the service, join us for cuppa & chat. You can also join us via Zoom online.
Sunday School is on too!  Join us on Sundays at 10:30 at St Mary’s while your grownups are in church. The sessions are aimed at school age children.

More on Facebook: @StMarysAshVale @TheParishioner @AshValeChapel

A New Lease of Life for the Church Steps

By Nikki Glover (St Mary’s Church Warden)

St Mary’s church has changed over the years, from the tin hut it used to be in Victorian times, to the brick building it became, then the extensions of the entrance hall, office and small hall on one side  and the large community centre and kitchen on the other side. The need to accommodate those with extra needs meant a change to the front steps by the building of a ramp and extending the steps.

Continue reading “A New Lease of Life for the Church Steps”

Meet the Local

The Parishioner interviewed Graham Thomas, Treasurer of the Shawfield School Association

Great to meet you Graham, tell us about yourself and how you feel about the local area. How would you describe Ash Vale?

A well connected, friendly village. It has that lovely village feel, yet at the same time, it’s very easy to get to the nearby towns, and even jump on the train to London. I also love the fact you don’t have far to get before you’re either in the middle of various army lands, or in the countryside.

Continue reading “Meet the Local”

Cast your Votes at the Co-op to support Food Projects at The Chapel!

By Alex Sanderson (Chapel Project Manager)

As most locals will already know, the Chapel Project on Wharf Rd is all about sharing Christ’s love through creativity, hospitality and worship. We welcome everyone, of all faiths and none. The Chapel is a joint initiative between the Hants Surrey Border Methodist Circuit, and St Marys Church in Ash Vale (more on our website here: www.ashvalechapel.com and Facebook @ashvalechapel). Now you can help us do more in 2022, through the Co-op ‘Local Causes’ scheme! https://www.coop.co.uk/local-causes

Continue reading “Cast your Votes at the Co-op to support Food Projects at The Chapel!”

From my Nona, with love

By Val Hoppichler (nee Val Bianco-Martinez)

Dear Parishioner readers: This new column will bring you different recipes from all the Grandmothers, La Nona, Die Oma, La Abuela, La Grand-mère, in the world. In this first edition I share my Nona’s Panettone recipe. A beautiful Italian woman who emigrated to Argentina when she was young. I had the pleasure to enjoy every Sunday at her home, cooking or eating all kind of fresh pasta, sauces and sweets Italians pastries… all day long. In every Italian family you reunite every Sunday at lunch time and chat and eat until dinner with no less than 14 family members or closer friends. I grew up with this feeling of “belonging” that a family/friends gives you, where you are always welcome. And as all the Italian families sing in Argentina: Lo primero es la familia! Family comes first!

Merry Christmas!

Continue reading “From my Nona, with love”