as a Countryman, I certainly miss my early morning walks at this time of the year. I also feel that the lengthening evenings give one a false impression of the onset of Spring, although it is obvious that Spring is only just around the corner. Mistle Thrushes are in full song - I heard one in the churchyard only this week. Snowdrops and aconites are out in many gardens and to my mind the hazel catkins have graced our hedges with their drooping lamb's tails much earlier this year - I actually saw my first on January 23rd in Queendown Warren.

After a rather mild winter there is every indication that a great number of Blue Tits have survived, obviously helped by many of our readers who have provided food and water during the short cold spells. With a high population there is going to be a great deal of competition for nesting sites, and once again we can give assistance by erecting nest boxes in our gardens. A great deal of pleasure can be obtained from watching the titmice raising their families and nest boxes should be placed where one can see them from one's dining-room window, but a word of warning - if you own a cat remember that Blue Tits and "puss" are not the best of friends!

W.F.A.B.

A THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

"I am the Way ... no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me".

John 14:6.

During the dark days of 1940, we lost something which we had always taken for granted and had relied upon to no small extent. All signposts were taken down. Today these friendly guides stand once more in their old places. And how welcome they are. No longer is there uncertainty about our direction. They would be of little use, however, if we ignored their pointing fingers and went the way we thought was right. Yet that is just what we do on the journey of life. God has given us some very plain pointers, but we hurry on and pay no heed. We congratulate ourselves on our progress, but rarely consider our goal. "There is a way that seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death". So speaks the Bible; and if to our modern ears the words sound far too extreme, may it not be because we live so quickly and superficially that we seldom, if ever, give five minutes earnest thought to the deep and final issues of life! Which way then is God's way? Jesus said, "I am the Way . . no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me". We take our first step on God's way when we surrender ourselves unconditionally to Him.

FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS

Baptisms

Feb. 14Mark Ian, son of Barry and Pauline Carlton.
18David Norman, son of Robert and Mary Varrier.