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Not only was it the end of the spring term for our village school, it was also Rev Bridget Hill's last school assembly. In the afternoon of Tuesday 15th April, the church was full of children, parents, grandparents and parishioners, all there to watch the last assembly being conducted by our vicar. The children who attend the after school drama club performed a short narrated play about Jesus.

Several trophies were awarded during the service. The Construction Club winners were Sophie & Samantha Wallace & May Woods. The Tryers Trophy was awarded to Lucinda Krohnen, and Attendance Awards were handed to the eight children who have attended school every day of the spring term. This year's competition was a decorated egg with two prizes being awarded to a member of the infant and junior classes.

Bridget presented the school with a children's bible and in return she was presented with a luxury chocolate Easter egg and an engraved glass from the Friends of Saltfleetby School. It was so nice to see the church filled with people from all generations, and although the occasion was tinged with sadness at Bridget's fast approaching departure we wish her and her husband well in Dereham, and would like to thank her for everything she has done for our village school in her time here.

Mandv Truslove.

Next came the Easter Sunday Communion: -

The church had been beautifully decorated and was full of people for this very special service, with St Helen's Church Theddlethorpe joining with St Peter's for Bridget Hill's last service in our villages.

St Peter's choir started the service by singing a psalm of praise 'Praise the Lord, 0 praise God in his sanctuary' to a setting of music by C. V Stanford. Then followed a Service of Holy Communion. Readers were Maurice Priest, representing Theddlethorpe and Barbara Farrey representing Saltfleetby. The singing of the Easter hymns, with a full church led by the choir and organ, played by Eileen Borrill was very impressive. Bridget Hill gave the address and presided over the Communion assisted by Brian Farrey and Jean Douglass, churchwardens.

After the service Jean Douglass paid tribute to Bridget's work and contribution to the church, village and school and presented her with several gifts, which had been bought with money donated by church members and friends. in Norfolk. The gifts included a bookcase, desk light and earrings.

Norman Borrill handed Bridget a card with a photo of St Peter's church, signed by many people from the church and Saltfleetby residents, and he also paid tribute to Bridget's work during her five years as our rector. Bridget then presented the wardens of both churches with an inscribed copy of a large print bible.

Tea, coffee and refreshments were served to everyone, including a piece of simnel cake - an Easter speciality. This was a very special service and a fitting end to Revd Bridget Hill's ministry in the village. She has worked very hard in the ecumenical church partnership at Saltfleetby and everyone is very sorry to see her go, but wish her well in her new work.

Easter Monday and more farewells were planned for The Rev. Bridget Hill, by the parishioners at St Helen's Church Theddlethorpe.

Unbeknown to our Rector, plans were afoot for her to travel to Theddlethorpe in style! Norman Borrill in his beautiful 1936 Rolls Royce, arrived at the rectory in time to transport Bridget and Paul to St. Helen's.

All of this aptly timed to coincide with the 'Grand Sale and Coffee Morning' being held there. The event was underway, everyone was busy doing a brisk trade when Alan and Peggy Carter, Bridget Hill's Dad and Mum arrived to say" She's on her way".

Photographs were posed for outside the church (passing motorists must have thought it a Wedding), then into the church where St. Helen's gift to Bridget had taken center stage.

Maurice Priest presented Bridget and Paul with a substantial garden seat displaying a plaque inscribed " Hic posterium saepe deponere" More photos and lots of laughs here, but as Maurice said, "Both a Sad and Happy Occasion".

We will all miss Bridget and Paul very much indeed. It was lovely to see so many were able to join in wishing Bridget well in her new appointment and we look forward to going to Dereham for her licensing in May.

Finally the Coffee Morning and Sale raised a much-needed �207 for St. Helen's Church Funds.

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