All Saints receives award for outstanding achievement

At the 10.30 am Choral Eucharist service on Sunday 21st November Churchwarden Ray Sambrook received, on behalf of All Saints, a framed certificate from Church Action on Sustaining the Environment (CHASE) in recognition of the parish's "outstanding achievement" in protecting the environment and saving energy.

The service was attended by two members of the Diocesan CHASE group, Mrs Teresa Smith, reader from St Michael's, Llantarnam, and our own John Palmer.  Members of All Saints spoke briefly about the some of the ways in which the parish had responded to the Parish Green Guide, Caring for God's Creation:  Noel Challenger spoke about maintaining the churchyard in ways that were sympathetic to the natural environment, Russell Thomas explained the measures to conserve energy in heating and lighting the church, Marilyn Sambrook outlined environmental considerations in catering and Ken Jacob reported on activities at Ponthir Church in Wales Primary School.

The sermon was preached by Canon Robin Morrison, Bishops' Adviser on Church and Society, who established the CHASE group in 2001 and who was instrumental in producing the Parish Green Guide.

The certificate is now on permanent display at the rear of the nave near the door to the tower.