Hitchin Nub News is renowned for the quality of its columnists as well as the quality of its reporting.

Whether they be on sport, nature, politics or community, our stable of must-read trusted contributors is growing by the day.

This month we're delighted to add another name to our ever-growing list - a weekly column from the churchwardens at St Mary's Church in the heart of our town.

So, read on for their second column as share the latest news and happenings around St Mary's Church as Remembrance Day looms.

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This week has been one of rather mixed emotions, as Christmas decorations have begun to appear on lamp posts and cheerful displays fill shop windows, while at the same time the Town stops to remember Armistice Day on 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month.

The main service of Remembrance at St Mary's will be held on Sunday morning but a short ceremony was held at the War Memorial in the Churchyard on Thursday.

Representatives of the Royal British Legion, with our Parish Clergy, laid wreaths and held the two minutes silence until the chimes rang out from the Church Tower where the Union flag also flies this week.

The cenotaph now contains a stone plaque carved with a VC cross for Frank Young, Hitchin's own VC, who you can read about here.

The plaque was installed in 2018 as part of a initiative to commemorate all VCs, one hundred years after Frank's death. His family visited the church at the time.

Of course, the sanctuary of St Mary's contains many signs of battles past. On the north wall, medieval knights in armour lie carved in stone on the windowsills, and brass plates remind us of the Boer War.

On the south side the large stained glass memorial window has flag panels for all the WW1 allies, and above the main door regimental colours hang high up on the walls.

The wonderful displays of poppies which now decorate the inside are a beautiful tribute to loss.

The doors are open from 11 am until 3pm on Saturday and 1130am until 1pm on Sunday.

The pursuit of happiness

On Sunday evening the focus changes to the present day and 'the pursuit of happiness', as our new Theological Society meets at 630pm.

With Churches Together in Hitchin, this is a monthly discussion space for all comers to share, challenge or confirm views and thinking on 21st century topics.

Next week

Next week ....how Sir Henry Wood and the Proms are linked to Hitchin, and we prepare to hold our own 'Last Night of the Proms' with the talented 'Cambridge Wind Band' returning 'by popular demand'!

This will be their third performance in St Mary's, but the first for two years as we restart our series of fundraising concerts, with all profits in aid of the Church.

Tickets available on the door and in Church House from 630pm as well as online in advance from www.wegottickets.com/event/527986

Join us after the Christmas lights switch on in the Market Place!

Further details of our services and events are found on our public Facebook page @StMarysChurchHitchin

https://www.stmaryshitchin.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/stmaryshitchin_