Penally Mothers Union's 'special' meeting on March 29 focused on 'Mothers in Mind'. St. Mary's MU joined Penally for an anthology in words and music created and led by Iris Taylor and Diana Lunn. The contemporary composer John Tavener's 'Hymn to the Mother of God' and John Rutter's 'Nativity Carol' complemented St. Luke's account of Jesus' birth. The outstanding Australian choir of St. George's Cathedral, Perth, sang Mary's Magnificat to a setting of Stanford, which contrasted with Donald Swann's 'Storke Carol'. There was music, too, by Debussy, played by the celebrated Japanese pianist, Noriko Ogawa, who performed so brilliantly at last year's Tenby Arts Festival. Iris Taylor's choice of readings included Roy Hattersley's 'Mum to the Rescue' and Sophie Dahl's 'Memories of Grandma', which were a reminder of our dependency from birth on our mothers and how in later life we return something of our love and care for them. Three MU members shared the readings, Valerie Jenkins, Nancy Overend and Valerie Paley. A Penally resident and WI member, Ann Cornish, added appropriate lines in her poem 'By Love, Laughter, Tears and the Lessons Learnt at Mother's Knee', giving a sensitive insight to 'Mothers in Mind'. No MU meeting is ever complete with what they are known for and do so well. Doreen Axon was on hand to make tea and provide Welsh cakes and other delicacies made by members. Margaret Brown's springlike table centres were beautiful and much admired. Suzanne Bevan, on behalf of the Rector and St. Mary's, thanked Penally for their wonderful hospitality and enjoyable afternoon.
