INDIG+O - Munch with Music - 3 June 2026

Since INDIG+O last visit to St John's there has been a considerable change in the line up which now is:

Linda: Recorders
Liz: Violin
Penelope: Recorders
Samuel: Acoustic Bass Guitar and Ukelele
Philip: Bouzouki, Hurdy-Gurdy, Concertina and others

The programme of music was:

Planxty Fanny Power / John O’Connor. Written by Turlough O'Carolan, 1670–1738. Ireland.
The Pride of Petravore (or Eileen Oge) / Drowsy Maggie. Collison / Traditional, Ireland. William Alexander Houston Collisson (20/5/1865–31/1/1920) was an Anglo-Irish priest, writer, impresario, composer, pianist & organist. Pride of Petravore was pub. posthumously in 1939.
The Lass of Peaty’s Mill. From ‘Orpheus Caledonius’ published 1725 by William Thomson, (fl. 1695–1753), editor of the first collection of Scottish folk songs published together with their melodies.
Zeytuni Zar. Written by Arto Tuncbayaciyan, 2019; Armenian/American, born Istanbul 4/8/1957.
Thezhustalazurang Bryshtamorogista. Philip Burry, 2025.
In Seculum Artifex. Anon., Mediaeval motet, 13th Century.
Bourées: Bourée Carrée de La Chatre & Bourée des Dindes / Kolomtanz. (All traditional; the Bourées are both from Central France, Kolomtanz from the Netherlands.)
Cartoline dell’Italia. (Postcards from Italy), 2006. Written by Zach Condon, (American), leader of ‘Beirut, a gulag orchestra’.
Quatre Branles. Tielman Susato, (1510/15 to 1570) from the ‘Danserye’, published 1551 in Antwerp.
The ‘House of Eliott’ Theme. Written by Jim Parker for the BBC T.V. series ‘The House of Eliott’.
Douce Dame Joli. Virelai by Guillaume de Machaut, French, c.1310–1377.
Leftbank Two. 1963, Wayne Hill, of the Noveltones, Netherlands.

Evocative, nostalgic, wistful, joyous and varied, it seems that though INDIG+O changes, it pretty much stays wonderfully the same (with a bit of inter-generational banter thrown in).

From the numbers who went forward to speak and inspect the instruments, it's obvious that the harmonious relationship between the group and St John's is highly enjoyed and needs to be renewed in the future.

Felix Ottaway O' Mahony - Munch with Music - 6 May 2026

Felix is studying for an under-graduate degree at Trinity Laban Conservatoire and started playing the piano at six.

The programme was:

Litzt - Harmonies du soir, from Transcendental Études

Mompou - Cançó i dansa No. 2

Bach - Prelude and Fugue in F minor, BWV 881

Liszt - Vallée d'Obermann, from Années de pèlerinage

A polished performance, filled with emotion and very well received. We hope that Felix will be able to return soon.

My apologies for this post being so late (again).

Spring Cleaning in June

It's not often an Archdeacon's Visitation Service comes around, so, as when visitors are coming round to visit, it's time to clean up, do the dusting and tidy up.

Being God's house a very large duster is required capable of reaching to the heavens. Noel was tasked with the East Window which, with an extendable pole, was at least possible.

Brass work is being polished, carpets hoovered, woodwork and stonework dusted, and all before the service in the church on 17 June 2026.

Roll up, Roll up for the Circus Fair!

Roll up, Roll up!
Circus Fair
St John's Caterham
6 June 2026

The show must go on, so the tents were assembled, the unicycle prepared, the BBQ fired up and the performers prepared.

Opened by Sonia the Caterham Town Crier, the fair was soon in full swing, with exploding dogs (inflatable ones), decorated biscuits (clown faces), spinning plates (at the refreshments and the circus skills tent), the Sundance Kid working some kind of arrowing angle (it looked like Robert Redford) and preloved goods, toys and games, plants, books, cakes and jams flying off the shelves.

Cancerhelp provided many goods and much support and sound advice.

There were tests of skill (egg roll) and games of chance (human fruit machine, chocolate tombola, game of chance and the raffle).

Our ringmaster (other than Jaimée) was Julie who pulled everything together despite much adversity. Thanks also goes to those who volunteered to take (a) part and of course to all the people who came and guessed, rolled, bought and ate.

Thank you all!

The result of the Egg Roll was (sponsored by the security rats)

1st - Brigitte with 22 Points
2nd - Noel with 19 points
= 3rd - Oliver and Dorothea with 18 points

with 16 points (or a few less) were - Margaret, Sonia, Peregrine, Lady P, The Twins, Yoke, Maggi, Daisy, Julie, Emily, Lucas, Gabriella, Annie, Tony, Flora, Mia and Elliott.

Given the dodgy eggs a great performance by all!

Circus Fair 6th June 2026

Our Circus themed Summer Fair is happening on Saturday 6th June at 11.30am - 3.30pm.

Hone your Circus Skills
Walk the tight rope
Spin a plate
Topple a Clown

There will be a BBQ.

St John’s Church Hall
Clareville Road
Caterham Valley

St John's Church is Open

Friday 5th June
Friday 12th June
Friday 26th June

10am to 12 noon.

Visitors welcome!

Munch with Music - June 2026

The next Munch with Music will be held in the church on 3rd June 2026 featuring INDIG+O.

You are invited to bring your own ‘Munch’.

Admission is free, donations are welcome.

Coffee, tea and biscuits from 12:15pm, with the performance starting at 12:45pm and lasting about 45 minutes.

The following Munch will be on 1st July 2026, with Esther Cavett on piano and Jane Faulkner on the violin.

Beating the Bounds 2026

Rogation Sunday
10 May 2026

After a three year break, St John's once again Beat the Bounds. Three years ago suntan cream was advisable, this time it was not.Nevertheless, a quartet set out to circumnavigate the parish, pray to God for all that is included within and have a bit of healthy exercise. Church Hill soon bought the exercise element into clear focus, but once conquered set us up for the run down to Caterham School.

Passing the woods where St John's Forest Church hangs out, we climbed up towards View Point where reinforcements and lunch awaited. Jaimée took pity on me and lent me a brolly so I was mostly dry while I ate. Hobbit, not being a daft dog, took refuge in the Lord and disappeared up the Vicar's jumper!

Onwards and downwards and then very much upwards. After crossing the A22 by bridge, the long steep haul up the downs on the other side took some determination and a great deal of breath. Green fields spread out before us, but this time instead of a herd of cattle, just the solitary cow who was gathering her two calves while keeping an eye on the unfamiliar humans.

Heading towards the northen edge of the parish, the A22 was recrossed by bridge and we headed home to St John's via footpaths above the town.

A different second experience, more reflective than the first, I pondered on the noise pollution that seems too prevalent in too much of the parish and on the umbrella I forgot to return to its owner.

Forest Church 2026!

All sessions are free, on Saturdays at 3pm, at Caterham School Pre-Prep Outdoor Learning Area, which is next to the pre-prep car park.

11th July: Wild Music (we will be making musical instruments from natural things like bamboo, sticks, coconuts etc) and using them to praise God!
1st August: BUGS & the little details of God's creation
29th August: Footprints & Next Steps

There will be a Christmas session, "Carols under the Stars", the date for that is yet to be confirmed.

Bingo!

There will be another Bingo Evening to raise funds for the Accessibility Project on Saturday 16th May starting at 7pm.

Please bring own drinks, glasses, snacks and money for the Raffle.

Hot and cold drinks will be available for a donation.

Cost is £10 per head for a 6-page book and flyer.

St John's Church Hall
Caterham
CR3 6LA

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