The Vicarage,
April 27th, 1928.

My dear Friends, -

It is a long time since there has been so severe an epidemic in Hartlip as we have had recently with the measles. It has been an anxious time for some parents. However, I think that most of the children affected are now doing well, and I hope that soon the village may be free from the complaint. Some of our arrangements were, of course, upset, and the Band Concert and the G.F.S. and Mothers' Union Entertainment had to be put off. The former is now to be given on Friday, May 4th, and it is hoped that the latter may take place about the middle of the month. The exact date is not yet settled, but it will be announced soon. The Band goes to Folkestone for the County Competition on May 19th, and we hope it will take a good place in it. We owe much to Miss Faussett-Osborne for she does (and has done for many years) for the music of our village.

With the daffodils just in their prime at Easter this year, our Church looked exceptionally pretty for the Festival, and we thank the ladies who took so much trouble with the decorating. The large congregations, the hearty singing, and the ringing of the bells made the Great Day very happy and bright. The number of Easter communicants (93) was less than the exceptional number last year, but above previous years.

The Annual Easter Vestry Meeting, with a meeting of the Church Council, was held in the Schoolroom, on April 11th. I had the pleasure of again nominating Colonel Locke as Vicar's Warden, and expressing my thanks to him for his valuable services in this office in the past. In accepting the re-appointment Colonel Locke mentioned that he had now been Warden for 32 years, exactly half his life! A truly valuable record of service to the Church, but Colonel Locke is not one to get "weary in well doing" as we all know. The Easter offerings for the Dilapidation Fund amounted to £9/3/9, and this sum was handed to me at the meeting. May I say how much I appreciate this help towards the cost of the upkeep of the buildings, etc., of the benefice, and express my sincere thanks to all who contributed to it? Mr. S. D. HoHands was re-elected as the People's Warden, and our thanks were given to him also for his past work in the office of warden.

This concluded the meeting of the Vestry, and some Church Council business was then taken. Miss Faussett-Osborne was re-elected as Vice-Chairman, and Mr. Hollands as Hon. Secretary.

The Council decided to ask the Parish Trustees to invite Mr. W. G. Kitchingham to represent them on the Committee which is being formed. It was left to the Treasurer to arrange for the fire insurance of the Lady Chapel and the new win-

dow in it, and to, carry out, in consultation with the ringers, any repairs to the bells which were found to be required.

Miss Faussett-Osborne kindly undertook to superintend the repair of the hassocks in the Church, and to arrange with other ladies for the work to be done.

The Council discussed at some length the best way of making use of the Prayer Books and Hymn Books provided in the Church, and of keeping them in order. It was decided that to leave them in the seats, as at present, is unsatisfactory, and that they should be placed together so that the Sidesmen on duty can take them, and hand them out as they are required.

We shall be glad if those attending the services will, as far as possible, use their own books, but we are always pleased to provide books for any members of the congregation who may not have their own with them.

The billiard table which Mrs. Denson kindly presented to the parish is being so much used that over £5 has already been made for the Parish Hall Fund.

I remain,

Your sincere Friend and Vicar,
D. H. CREATON.

The Rogation Days, May 14th, 15th, and 16th are appointed, as usual, as special days of prayer for (1) The Church in our Diocese. (2) The Church in the country. (3) The Church throughout the world. On Monday, 14th, and Tuesday, 15th, services will be at 11 a.m., and on Wednesday, 16th, we are to have our service in the churchyard at 7.30 p.m., followed by a short service in the church.

On Ascension Day, May 17th, there will be Holy Communion at 8 a.m., Mattins at 11 a.m and Choral Evensong with Sermon at 7.30 p.m.

On Whit-Sunday the celebrations of the Holy Communion will be at 7 a.m., 8 a.m., and mid-day.

EXTRACTS FROM THE REGISTER.
BAPTISM.

April 8th - Stephen Ernest, son of Henry Clarence and Margaret Emma Pepper.

COLLECTIONS IN THE CHURCH.

£s.d.
April1st-Quota to Diocesan Fund11410
"6th-Church Expenses11011
"8th and 10th - Easter Offerings939
"22nd-Church Expenses1711
"26th-Church Expenses008