Last week saw the retirement of John, our long serving postman to our villages here in the Langtons, Stonton Wyville and Glooston.
John took up his round 34 years ago. A staggering number which we’re all quite amazed by. It feels like five minutes! The time truly flies!
Over the years, John has become a friend to us all, always ready with a smile and wave.
All the villages paid tribute one way or another and his last round on Friday took much longer than usual as he was greeted along the way.
Gifts and cards were given and I reckon his van was riding a little heavier on the way back than when it came out!
Local artist, Maxine Dodd, was asked by Church Langton residents Sue Atton and Maxine Johnson to create a leaving card for John. A task that she was delighted to undertake for this valued friend of the community.
Maxine created a map of his route with a card from the people. The envelope bears a special stamp featuring the King himself toasting his dedicated postie!
John’s card
The card was printed and signed and the original framed as a special gift for John to remind him of us.
The framed artwork and card by Maxine Dodd
We were all out waiting to wave him off…
Church Langton resident Sue presents John with his gift and card.
We are a small community and the post is a vital service. How fortunate we were to have such kind and dedicated man to bring our post to us.
Thank you John, happy retirement and come and see us soon!
Reading my comments from last year’s Christmas message, I was hoping that things were starting to improve – now I am not so sure! 2020 will certainly go down as Annus Horribilis not only for our group of villages, but the country and the world as a whole. We certainly do not want too many of them in a one hundred year period! We all go through a bad patch from time to time for whatever reason, but for all of us to be thrown into a maelstrom not of our making, is a rare thing indeed.
2021 began as a year of great hope for a return to normal life, which it has, but with one hand tied behind our backs! We try to get our lives back on track, only to find we end up in countless dead ends of red tape and officialdom – and all for our own good! Will this be the new norm? We pray not.
If we feel our lives have not returned to anything like normal, we can look to someone who is a constant source of continuity and comfort. For all his run-ins with officials, Jesus understood that life is not easy, but is made a whole lot easier by being at peace, knowing that you have a Father who loves and cares for you. The saying, ‘a problem shared, is a problem halved’, is never truer than when praying for guidance and support throughout difficult times. We have certainly needed to find peace in this chaos, I know I have.
In Church Langton in 2020 and also 2021, we have been blessed by the arrivals of new babies to several of our young families. Speaking as a child of the village myself, it’s been wonderful to see these precious new lives begin, as mine did, in this most beautiful and peaceful part of the world, and to welcome them into our family community.
At this Christmas time, when we are reminded that humanity was saved by a baby and the peace, joy and love shone around; I pray that you let that love rub off on you, so you see life maybe, in a way you once did, or as a revelation.
Maxine Johnson, Lay Reader
Service pattern for Christmas for our churches The Langtons and Shangton
We are delighted to invite you and your families to attend in person – following current Covid-19 guidelines for England.
Church Langton
ST. PETER’S CHURCH LANGTON 12th December – Communion Revd Martin Hathaway 10.30am 19th December – Carols, Readings and Communion Revd Martin Hathaway 10.30am
Tur Langton
ST. ANDREW’S TUR LANGTON 12th December – Carols/Nativity Maxine Johnson 6.00pm 24th December – Midnight Mass Revd Martin Hathaway 11.00pm
Thorpe Langton
ST. LEONARD’S THORPE LANGTON 19th December – Carol Service Canon Philip Norwood 6.00pm 25th December – Family Communion Revd Martin Hathaway 10.30am
Shangton
ST. NICHOLAS SHANGTON 19th December – Carol Service Tim Tregunno, Chaplain to Oakham School 6.00pm
Christmas worship in the Langtons and Shangton Benefice
St Peter’s woolly nativity
A special date for your diaries in 2022: We are delighted to invite you to enjoy and sing! Handel’s ‘Messiah’ Performed by Knighton Chamber Orchestra and Community Choir on Saturday 14th May 2022 at 7.30 pm. In aid of St. Peter’s church building fund Tickets: £5 to sing; £15 to listen Book tickets: or register your interest by email to r.folwell@btinternet.com
St Peter's Church, Church Langton 