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During Covid-19, St Augustine’s went online to continue worship during lockdown.

From July 2020, 9.30am services have started to be held periodically in person at St Augustine’s. Social distancing precautions in place and we use Zoom software to allow anyone to join either by smartphone, computer or any standard telephone. As a precaution, participants in the in-person service are asked to register beforehand with the Parish Office by phone or e-mail.

On other Sundays, a service is held by Zoom only.

You are very welcome to join us.

Latest details can be found at the Church at Castle website and are sent out by e-mail, or by post for those without e-mail. Please contact our Parish Administrator, Sheila Rozeik, at office@churchatcastle.org to ask to be added to the list and to receive the latest details and instructions about how to join. Alternatively, you can ring on 01223 315000 – messages are currently checked every weekday.

All events below are held at St Augustine’s Church and Community Centre in Richmond Road and are open to all. Entry is normally free, although a small charge or retiring collection may be held where fees are requested by speakers or performers. A complimentary glass of wine or fruit juice and nibbles are served at most events.

FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER   6- 7 pm   LOOKING FOR THE GOSHAWK: THE LOST RAPTOR

Hear about the natural history of this enigmatic bird of prey, how and where it lives, and why it might be missing from our lives. Conor Jameson, who works for the RSPB, explains how his search for the Goshawk took him to some unexpected places at home and abroad, from city centres to dense forests – and how this adventure turned into a prize winning book.

FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER   6 – 7 pm   100 000 MILLION STARS AND SILENCE:  ARE WE ALONE?

We live in a universe perfectly suited to our existence, in a galaxy of 100 000 million stars and possible as many planets, containing giant molecular clouds full of the building blocks of life, and yet it is silent out there. Dr Robin Catchpole of the Institute of Astronomy will consider the question as to whether there is life – and in particular intelligent life – beyond our planet, and if not perhaps why not.

SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER        7 – 10.30 pm    QUIZ NIGHT  

Hosted by Richmond Road Residents’ Association, this popular annual quiz is open to teams from the local area who compete across a range of subjects for the magnificent Challenge Cup awarded to the winner on the night. Teams of 6 pay £12 pp to take part and the price includes a buffet meal and drinks. Book a place now (01223 364929).

FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER   6 -7 pm     A PIANIST DOWN UNDER – DOUGLAS ZANDERS AND THE AUSTRALIAN ENTERTAINMENT UNIT IN WW II      

Douglas Zanders was a New Zealander who joined the Australian Army at the outbreak of WW II in the Pacific, firstly as an infantryman and then as part of a concert party providing entertainment to fighting units in Australia and New Guinea. This talk by his son, Ed Zanders, will provide the background to the unit and describe some of their experiences as they performed in various shows, often under arduous conditions in the jungle or outback.

FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER 6 – 7 pm   THE ART HISTORIAN GOES TO BETHLEHEM AND SINAI

Robin Cormack, Emeritus Professor at the Courtauld Institute, shows Byzantine mosaics, icons and books in places now difficult to reach but built in the Sixth Century AD as pilgrimage destinations for Christians. He uncovers new questions in old art.                                 

SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER 6- 7pm    A EUROPEAN EVENING OF MUSIC AND FOOD

Come and enjoy a choral concert of Brahms’ German Requiem with the St Augustine’s Singers conducted by Paul Jackson. Soloists include Alanya Reynolds (soprano), Alistair Bamford (baritone) – with Philip Mead (piano).

To be followed by an Italian Buffet Supper at 7.30pm prepared by Antonio and Celeste Potenzaros.                                                                     

SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER    7 – 9.30 pm    DRAWING  EXHIBITION

An exhibition of the latest collection of work by artists from St Augustine’s Drawing Group in a variety of styles and medium. Wine and nibbles available throughout.  

FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER 6-7 pm  FRAGMENTS BETWEEN TWO CONTINENTS:THE AZORES AND ATLANTIS

Nine small islands in the middle of the Atlantic have enchanted sailors and adventurers from the 15^th century to the present day, and fuelled speculation as to whether they once formed the lost land of Atlantis mentioned by Plato in c400BC. Richard Footitt explains his own life-long fascination with the Azores – and with the myth of Atlantis.  

SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER  6 – 7 pm     PIANO CONCERT

A tribute concert celebrating the Bicentenary of the birth of Clara Schumann, with compositions by Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann and of course Clara Schumann. Neil Colledge on the piano.

SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER     4 – 5.30 PM     COMMUNITY CAROL SERVICE

Come and enjoy the real thing – a local Community Carol Service, with traditional lessons and carols followed by mulled wine and mince pies, and much more!

TUESDAY 1 JANUARY       10 AM – 12 PM    VIENNESE COFFEE HOUSE

A welcome return of the New Year Coffee House with drinks, cakes, and live music reminiscent of Vienna in the early 20^th century. Relax after the holidays in good company and with beguiling music played by Chihiro Ono (violin) accompanied by Philip Mead on the piano.

And why not enjoy a coffee and cake at Café@99? Open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10.30am to 12pm at St Augustine’s – run by and for the local community.

… and don’t forget on  the 1^st SUNDAY of each month (1 SEPTEMBER, 6 OCTOBER, 3 NOVEMBER, 1 DECEMBER and 5 JANUARY) come and share a COMMUNITY LUNCH starting at 1 pm: two courses with wine and fruit juice for only £4.50 per head.

Separate publicity will appear for each event and on the St Augustine’s Calendar