• It was a good thing to do for two significant anniversaries, but not to be repeated until some equally auspicious occasion.
• Work week probably works better running from Friday to Saturday of following week, as hitherto (and I would have thought that having a clear day between Work Week and Family Holiday Week would be good for the sanity of all concerned)
• All in all, it was a wonderful balance of the serious and the hilarious, hard work and relaxation, all reflected in the offering of the final Eucharist.
• Having something artistic but not elitist running alongside the other activities for most of the week for people to dip in and out of was an innovation which could bear repetition in an 'ordinary' work week, but would obviously need someone with Sue's gifts to oversee and sustain it.
• Having chocolate cake available at tea time every day (I think) slightly compensated for the presentation/serving of meals being below the usual standard, but it will be good to go back to eating around a single table for the volunteers/community next year.
• 'Prom from scratch' was brilliant; the music was much more to my taste than the usual groups in the theatre, but doesn't seem to attract much of an audience.

This s a BIG “Thank you” for two thoroughly enjoyable occasions – the weekend of 19th and 20th was great! And must have entailed an ENORMOUS amount of work on your part before the rest of us turned up to help.  It all seemed so much fun and worked smoothly and seamlessly!  CONGRATULATIONS!!  The second weekend of the 26th was also amazing.  The Street Heat Band; the Prayer Leaders and the Crowd all came together wonderfully and extremely movingly, all augmented by the glorious weather! The Good Lord surely smiled down on us all.  I also appreciated very much indeed having an email of thanks for the small part I was able to play in helping in the kitchen!  You must have worked enormously too on the liturgy which was perfect for the occasion.  Thank you all!

What a joyous celebration of your 21st, with the inspired (and inspiring) prayers and the cheerful beat of the Samba Band and the glorious weather and delicious lunch!  Well done, and thank you for including me – a great honour and a truly memorable occasion.

My thoughts on the eleven days of the Festival I spent at Sheldon, in no particular order:  It was a good thing to do for two significant anniversaries, but not to be repeated until some equally auspicious occasion.  Work week probably works better running from Friday to Saturday of following week, as hitherto (and I would have thought that having a clear day between Work Week and Family Holiday Week would be good for the sanity of all concerned).  All in all, it was a wonderful balance of the serious and the hilarious, hard work and relaxation, all reflected in the offering of the final Eucharist.  Having something artistic but not elitist running alongside the other activities for most of the week for people to dip in and out of was a innovation which could bear repetition in an ‘ordinary’ work week, but would obviously need someone with Sue’s gifts to over see and sustain it.  Having chocolate cake available at tea time every day (I think) slightly compensated for the presentation/serving of meals being below the usual standard, but it will be good to go back to eating around a single table for the volunteers/community next year.  ‘Prom from scratch’ was brilliant; the music was much more to my taste than the usual groups in the theatre, but doesn’t seem to attract much of an audience.

What a weekend!!  The structure, symbolism, setting and sensitivity of the many events especially The Coming of Age Liturgy were most moving. Between you all, you have an amazing gift of being able to strike such an harmonious balance of work and play – A great combination!  Thank you so much for allowing me to share in the Celebrations.  Here’s to the next 21 years and dare it way it AdbA!!!

We enjoyed our 8 nights as ‘fringe’ campers – the old Beatles song may hold true – ‘Fool on the Hill’!  We had the most relaxing ‘Holiday’ since our visit to Sheldon in 2002 – and with so many nex experiences!  We were thankful for the way we were allowed to be ourselves and yet be valued by both Community members and Friends as part of the Festival.  We could ask no more for ourselves – the idea to camp away from ‘Elvis’ and Carl’s ‘ankle bitters’ was good – the only issue we had was whether or not the woodpecker in the branch above us would succeed in bringing it down on to us.  Our journey home went well – damp in places and very muggy when we arrived home (275 miles in just under 5 hours driving!)  Now we are back in the ‘thick’ of things – makes you wonder why you go away sometimes!  We are already plotting our next escape.  With our love and thanks.

!It was really good to celebrate the SMM’s 21st anniversary with you all.  We found the liturgical procession remarkable moving, in its simple tributes to what your community stands for, and the journey you have travelled together.  Though the Sheldon beginnings were basic, you have been able to move with the times in a very creditable fashion, and in a way that the Church you serve is able to own and feel proud of.  And given that much of your most important work cannot be exposed to public scrutiny, we can trust your integrity that the inner processes match the outer structures.  May it remain so, as when the time comes for your pioneers to had over to new maintainers!   We really enjoyed the scratch Prom, and I certainly think it could be the start of a new tradition for the Open Air Theatre.  The prom tradition, with its questionable patriotic gestures, is not the only formula for the scratch process, and other reasonably popular choral works could be included.  The quality of the accompaniment (both in technique and the instrument used), and Roy’s reassuring confidence in the face of passages which there wasn’t time to work on properly, really made the occasion.  Even though we were disappointed that there were relatively few of the original Theatre company there on the Sunday evening, it was good to join others who have been part of the thing though 30 years, and to bring away a truly symbolic reminder of what remains to be prayed about.  Our 5 year old grandson was intrigued by Wild about Sheldon, as was his minder for the day.  These early impressions can be so formative for later enthusiasms.  And to have that amazing bunch of roses given to us at the end of the weekend was a wonderful surprise, and rounded off our rather unusual celebration in a memorable fashion.  We may not have played a visible role in Sheldon’s development over the period since the theatre was established, but it certainly brought us together with certain people who have been key and ongoing members of our several spiritual communities.  So it was very fitting and we are most grateful to you and the Mary and Martha community for your love and servanthood.

Mary and Martha came of age in inimitable, wonderful fashion, with prayers and blessings underlining the vitally important and unique work of your most admirable Society in the beautiful place you have created, all on a perfect summer’s day.  The frustration of being stuck on the motorway and delayed in its aftermath was immediately forgotten on arrival, but I was desperately sorry to arrive late.  You were all typically kind and comforting.  The drums were rising into a crescendo in the theatre and surprisingly quickly your delightfully colourful and noisy procession was back in the central courtyard, such a joyful moment.  The 21 gun canon salute was magnificent!  The gardens are strikingly lovely.  I could hardly believe it looking at the Pig Pens, a quite miraculous transformation. The hebe hedge is truly a wonder.  You generously gave us all a good lunch with the fine Sheldon Manx ingredient, always a treat.  I am left with a clear picture etched in my mind’s eye which brings a smile to my heart.  Sheldon, well established in its faithful contentment gives so much of itself which is so precious.  All your friends and especially all the people who have benefited from your comfort and your healing are extraordinarily fortunate.  You are wonderful people – and you are such fun too!  With my heartfelt thanks for all your gifts, for a memorable stay, and with my love.

A note to say thank you for inviting me to be part of the 21st birthday celebrations.  It was an amazing time and looking around at Sheldon something really good to celebrate.  I remembered the old chalets, now the beautifully restored pig pens, the Linhay lodges, what a treat to stay in one this time and of course the Pound house, restored so well, not to mention the beautiful upstairs chapel and the refurbished old chapel.  Everything has been done to such a high standard, so definitely cause to celebrate.  I enjoyed the concerts, meeting old and new friends and especially the liturgy round the grounds with the samba band in attendance and the 21 gun salute.  For me, it was good. I did so many different things, frying onions, cleaning toilets, dead heading roses and attempting to get to grips with the till.  All good for my c.v! I realized too that you don’t go in for sermons during prayers and worship – I’m considering suggesting it at my church – may not go down too well but letting the Bible speak rather than words of other people! Trust that the holiday weeks are going well, the first one already over and that you all as a community are not too worn out.  Enjoy your holiday at the end of the month and thanks again for allowing me to be part of the celebrations.