I am delighted to pass on to you that our own Margaret Williams has been awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours list. The award is for outstanding voluntary service to our Bristol Diocese and Swindon community. For those of you who don’t know, Margaret was the first woman lay reader in our Malmesbury Archdeaconry over 40 years ago. She was the first Head teacher of Oliver Tompkin Infant school. Margaret’s award will be the front page story of the Swindon advertiser tomorrow. Margaret is on BBC Radio Wiltshire at 9.30am after leading Morning Prayer at CC tomorrow at 9am . If you would like to join us you would be welcome. The Welsh flag will be flying outside Christ Church and a special banner inside.

There was a quarter peal in Margaret’s honour at 9.30am. Margaret shared with us in a Watchnight Holy Communion service at 11pm on New Year’s Eve followed by an opportunity to climb the bell tower and hear the bells peal over Swindon and watch the fireworks across Swindon. If you would like to send Margaret a congratulatory email her email address is margaretwilliams111@gmail.com

Happy New Year to you all

Every blessing

Simon