Tower and Town, December 2025 (view the full edition)St George's, PreshuteSt George's, at the eastern end of Preshute Lane, is the parish church for Manton and the western side of Marlborough. We are charged with the 'cure of souls' for everyone in the parish, regardless of religious affiliation or none. We regularly have a sense of this as members of the local community and visitors to the area make time to appreciate the churchyard, set in an unusually beautiful position. And those who come into the building gain a sense of the continuing presence of God in a place which has seen centuries and centuries of Christian worship and prayer. The Reformed statement that "Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever" is one that resonates with us. A heart for the local community is a key part of being a Christian in the Anglican tradition. Anyone living in the geographic parish can be married in the church and choose to have their ashes buried in the churchyard when the time comes. As well as our foundational link with Preshute School, we would love to find other ways to grow our family ministry. But like many churches, we are an ageing community. Connecting with families and younger adults remains a keen challenge but one we are thoughtful as to how to meet in the years to come. But in the meantime and soon, there is Christmas! Our services and gatherings are very popular locally with children and adults alike. In particular we would love to welcome you to Carols by Candlelight on Sunday 14th December at 6pm, where we will gladly remember and jubilantly celebrate the great hope we have, in the face of a world desperate for a bit of good news. The Revd Pete Sainsbury |