RICHARD Rand: very sadly I report the death of Richard on June 20 whilst on holiday on the Isle of Barra. There will be a Thanksgiving Service in the parish church on Monday, August 20 at noon. Richard had held almost every office in our church and in the village and was a fount of information on all places and people who lived or had live here. He was also a former magistrate and served on the General Synod of the Church of England. He was a keen sportsman (retired) and was a member of several clubs in the Reading area and locally. If any questions needed an answer, “ask Richard” was the best thing to do! We send our sympathy to his wife Robina and his four children and eight grandchildren. He will long be remembered by his many friends in Silchester.

CREAM teas in the Methodist Hall, continues each Sunday through July, from 3pm to 5.30pm.

SUMMER teas in our Parish Church, continue every Saturday and Sunday during July and August, with money raised going to charity, no charges but a nice donation is hoped for. Timings from 2pm to around 5pm. The church is lovely and cool inside!!

ORGAN recital on Saturday, July 21 from 7.30pm by Nicholas Woods – our church organ is a Bates Pipe organ and it is very surprising how different organists can make this organ “talk”. Music will be by Bach, Handel, Mozart plus “lollipops”, including Paul McCartney. Retiring collection for the Organ Fund.

SILENT Soldiers: we shall have six soldiers around Silchester to commemorate the six local men who fell in the Great War. Many thanks to those who contributed to the cost, more donations will of course, be very welcome. Further commemorations are planned for November 11, 100 years after the end of hostilities.

DATES for your diary: Charity cricket match on August 19, Silchester vs The Plough. Beer Festival on Saturday, 8 September. Bonfire Night on November 3.