The times they are a-changin'

Kirby Misperton is now in the grip of Autumn's soggy breath. The wind is bending the trees and the rain is pattering against the windows like tap dancing insects skittering down the panes. So the year's great cycle moves on, and the evenings darken sooner. The temperature is falling and the open bedroom window may soon need to be shut.

In the village however life gets more interesting. While the seasons slow and darken, we villagers are programmed to think of September as the start of a new year, based on the academic cycle. As a result our most recent quizzes have been achieving high turnouts and enthusiastic participation. We are all starting to look forward to Halloween - the early pumpkins are already appearing in the greengrocer's shop in Malton. The great migrations of birds are under way, and winter edges closer as every skein flies overhead.

This is my favourite time of year, when darker evenings create a warm intimacy at home while there are new openings everywhere - from TV on rainy nights, to evening classes and village activities. Our forebears celebrated Harvest and the blessings of the earth; today we can still be thankful for all that we have received over the summer months and look forward to the autumn harvest still.