Everyone is welcome

Monthly Letter

Spring At Last

April 2026

As March unfolds around us, there’s a collective sigh of relief drifting through Morley and Smalley. February, with its seemingly endless grey skies and relentless rain, has finally loosened its grip. The puddles that took up permanent residence on our paths and lanes are beginning to shrink, and there’s a warmth in the air that feels like a promise. Snowdrops have given way to daffodils, the birdsong has turned up a notch, and the evenings are stretching out just enough to remind us that brighter days are well and truly on their way.

Spring has always felt like a season of renewal, and perhaps this year we feel that more keenly than most. It’s a good time to step outside, take a walk, and appreciate the beauty of the countryside we’re so fortunate to call home. After weeks spent dodging downpours and drying out coats, even a dry afternoon feels like something to be thankful for.

Many of you will know that since Kate’s departure we have been without a vicar. She is greatly missed, and I won’t pretend it has been easy holding things together without her, especially alongside running my business. Balancing the role of church warden at Smalley with everything else has been a stretch, and there are only so many hours in the day. But our church community continues to come together, and that fellowship means more now than ever. I have every faith that the right person will come along to lead us into our next chapter, and until then we carry on in the way we always have — together.

Which brings me to something I’d like to ask of you. This magazine has been part of our community for over twenty years. That’s two decades of local news, familiar voices, and stories that bind us together, and it’s something truly worth protecting. But keeping it going takes time and effort, and honestly, we could do with some help. There’s no pressure, no fixed commitment, and no experience needed, just a willingness to have a chat and see if there’s something you could lend a hand with. Whether it’s writing a few lines, gathering news, helping with distribution, or simply sharing ideas, every little bit makes a difference.

If you think you might be interested, please do get in touch. A cup of tea and a conversation is all it takes to get started.

Here’s to a beautiful spring, and to looking after each other as we always do.

Phil Scott