'SEASON of mists and mellow fruitfulness!'

Autumn may be that for some, but for the team at St Laurence's, it was the time when our minds turned to Christmas. You raise your arms in despair, worse still pen a letter to the Editor, but the brutal truth is this: carols have already been chosen, Christmas cards have arrived, and we are under full steam; at times it seems unrelenting, even to us.

Autumn brought with it many gifts, not just just those presented at the Harvest Festival. After a year of waiting, an acting Rector has been appointed, the Rev Kelvin Price; known to many of you already as vicar of the parishes to the south east of Ludlow, Kelvin's youth and much needed energy are very welcome.

For Kelvin, and the community at St Laurence's the challenges are ever increasing. Recently we've been in Ludlow and London discussing: Who we are? and What we are here for?

Like 300 major churches in England and Wales, we are not like 'normal' parish churches, but exceptional in our size and history, with thousands of visitors (we've made the top 10 free visitor attractions in the West Midlands 2015), we have opportunities and burdens unlike the other 15 000 parish churches.

Many know me simply as 'the organist'; the truth is I spend four days a week managing the building and community, as well as searching and applying for funding to repair and develop the building.

As for many colleagues across the UK, the realities of large utility and insurance bills are daunting; we have to raise £45k per year just for these basic items. So if you see an ice-cream banner, or Christmas cards on sale, spare a positive thought for those working hard on your behalf to keep the ship afloat and doors open; better still, support us!