Read the latest from Hitchin's iconic church St Mary's with the latest A Churchwarden Writes column called Spring Overtures

Spring is in full swing in the Churchyard of St Mary's, all the flowering bulbs have burst out in the sunshine under the huge beech tree, ducks are eating the crocuses, squirrels are running amok and the moorhens have built another nest back on the base of the fountain. (Photos by Nick Senechal, moorhens and squirrels)

The joint efforts by NHDC and Hitchin BID to offer a drier nest site this year on two attractive garden platforms have not impressed them, and the tenacious birds are pushing twigs in between the wires which are supposed to protect the lights at the base of the fountain.

Moorhens

We can exclusively reveal that a moorhen house may be soon on the way to protect the wildlife even better, organised by Hitchin BID and HCC. More details soon.

The moorhen couple became H-town celebrities during lockdown, when the warm weather enabled them to raise nine chicks in the relative safety of the middle of the river.

However, this meant the fountain had to go off, spoiling the view of St Mary's for townsfolk.

We are anxiously hoping that the birds are making a wise decision this year.

For those worried about the church's avian neighbours, the town rangers are keeping an eye on the situation and if they see an established nest the fountain will be turned off to allow the birds to raise their brood there (Hitchin Nub News story here)

The mystery of the missing swans continues, but that's another story from the St Mary's riverbank.

Future services

On the theme of parenthood, do join us on Sunday (March 20) for our informal Early Evening service, which runs once per month from 5-6pm, this time with the topic 'Ready for Mothering Sunday'. All Welcome.

Ukraine

The flag proudly flying in the market square and on the town hall reminds us daily of the plight of the Ukrainian people.

Our town centre church continues to try to play it's part in helping the community to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and offers a collection point for the DEC Appeal.

All donations are being routed via the Disasters Emergency Committee, and in the ten days up to last Sunday, we have been able to send them cash and cheques to the value of £2,307.75, given by church members and visitors together.

Our Trinity Chapel, behind the East windows on the riverside, remains open as a place of quiet prayer, where you can light a candle for the Ukrainian people in peace.

The church is open, apart from services, from 11am until 3pm this Friday and Saturday, and from 11am until 1pm on Sunday.

Longer hours

We have been very moved by talking to some of the people coming in to use the chapel who have family links to the country.

On the first two Saturdays of April, St Mary's will be open for longer hours as there will be some wonderful music on offer in Church.

On April 2 musicians of local group, Aeterna, will be playing informally at a free event from 230 pm to 530 pm.

The following week on Saturday, April 9 a special day of live music for Ukraine has been organised from 10am until 4pm to help raise funds through the giving scheme already set up here.

There will be many well known and local groups of musicians giving their time and skills to help, so please do come along to support this if you can.

It will be an informal and relaxed time of music making in the beautiful setting of our medieval building, and you can drop in at any point.

Social media details

Further updated details of our services, opening times and events are found on our public Facebook page @StMarysChurchHitchin

Further information is found on our website:

https://www.stmaryshitchin.co.uk/ You can follow us on the following platforms: Instagram stmaryschurch_hitchin

https://twitter.com/stmaryshitchin_

https://twitter.com/@stmarysBFL Those who do not need to contribute directly to the collection in Church can do so via a QR code or by this link https://givealittle.co/campaigns/7611d290-b946- 4c9b-bd99-6dcc6e6f88bb Details are on our website https://www.stmaryshitchin.co.uk/