AUTUMN IN DUNHAM PARK


As I cycled down by the wall
I saw them burning the leaves and the twigs;
It was autumn and they were burning the dead -
The decayed and the dead were consumed
Leaving only the good for the spring.
The smoke of the fire and the smoke of the mist
Mingled and received one another,
As the twigs cracked in the fire and the frost
And the smoke rose up and was lost
Like incense carrying their prayers to God.
Spare us, O Lord, in our autumn
To enjoy the peace of thy spring.

(Reproduced by permission of the author, Michael Self, a personal friend, and written when in his late teens. He has broadcast several times in B.B.C. Epilogues. - Editor.)

ROUND THE SOCIETIES

Young Wives' Fellowship

At the first meeting of the session our Vicar gave the Young Wives' a lecture on psychology and the infant child. It was an interesting and helpful talk, and there was a busy question time afterwards. Members with children were reminded of the enormous responsibility involved in caring for a very young baby. We look forward enthusiastically to the programme for the coming months.

On 17th October we shall be visiting Maidstone for a cookery demonstration, and shall leave from the Church at 7.10 p.m.

J.V.M.

Women's Institute

In the absence of Mrs. Wallis, whom we very much missed at this meeting, Mrs. Marshall kindly stepped in at short notice, and gave us a most interesting and informative talk on a holiday she spent in Denmark last year.

A small group of members were shown over the Sittingbourne Police Station during month - it was enjoyed so much that a further group are hoping to go on a second visit when it can be arranged.

It was Mrs. Scott's last appearance at our meetings before leaving for her new home in Sheerness. We shall all miss her very much, for she has been such a regular attender over the past years. We wish her and her husband a long and happy retirement.

Mrs. Chismon was the competition winner with 70 articles contained in a match box.

We look forward to the October meeting, and hope there will be many nominations for Committee for the following year.

D.P.