This year I didn’t see the blackbird chicks in my garden, but I have noticed their parents much more over the past few weeks.

At the weekend, the male perched on the bird table and, for nearly half an hour, this usually shy garden visitor seemed to share some moments chirping back and forth with me. I imitated his chirps, and each time he answered with a slightly different pattern. I finally had to get on with my day, but it felt quite unusual for such a shy and cautious bird and was a wonderfully uplifting way to begin an early summer morning.

Though blackbirds are not strictly monogamous, pairs will often return to the same territory together year after year if both have survived the winter. They are also remarkably intelligent and can recognise individual humans by their appearance, routines and even their voices.

The blackbird is actually a member of the thrush family, a medium-sized, ground-feeding songbird with a truly beautiful voice. It is no surprise that Paul McCartney wrote his famous song, Blackbird.

“Blackbird singing in the dead of night…”

Blackbirds sometimes sing after dark because of light pollution confusing them.

The female is a gentle, soft brown, while the male is unmistakable with his glossy jet-black feathers and bright golden-yellow beak. They have long been woven into myth and folklore. Far from being a bad omen, the blackbird has often been seen as a messenger of hope, renewal, transformation and new awareness.

Last night we had many messengers of hope and love as our own Sarah Dorgan took the platform to share an inspiring message about slowing down, taking a moment to stop and smell the roses. She then went on to bring some beautiful messages. It was a lovely evening of laughter, and chaired beautifully by Virginia Gordon. Thank you so much, ladies.

Our church family offered beautiful prayers and readings that lifted the energy in the room. There was cake, there was music, and there was much laughter.

Thank you, Julie, for our music. Thank you, Carol and Chris, for your wonderful hospitality. Thank you to our healers, and to everyone who helped with the setup and breakdown after the gathering.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Please pray for Peace close to home and across our world, for all those who need that solace in their lives.

Calendar up tomorrow.

Have a beautiful week.

Take a moment…. You’re allowed.

Catch Up on Rob Harvey’s Latest Blogs: Purpose, Service and Free Will

Every week I share thoughts and experiences from over 50 years of working as a medium, answering many of the questions people ask about life after death, spiritual development and our purpose here on Earth.

If you’ve missed some of the recent blogs, here’s a quick look at the latest three articles.


What Is the Purpose of Life?

One of the biggest questions humanity has ever asked is, “Why are we here?”

In this blog, I explore why I believe our life on Earth is just one stage of a much longer journey. Through my work helping spirits move on and teaching mediumship, I’ve witnessed countless examples that reinforce the idea that life continues beyond physical death.

Rather than seeing life as something to simply get through, we can begin to understand it as a school—a place where we learn, grow and develop spiritually. Every challenge, every joy and every relationship has a purpose in helping us become who we are meant to be.

Read the full blog here:


The Secret to Spiritual Progress: Help Others First

Many people spend years searching for spiritual growth, wondering how they can become more connected with the spirit world.

The answer may be much simpler than you think.

In this article, I explain why genuine spiritual progress doesn’t begin with seeking special abilities or extraordinary experiences. Instead, it begins with service. When we focus on helping other people, we naturally become more compassionate, less self-centred and more aligned with the qualities that allow us to develop spiritually.

It’s a lesson I’ve seen repeated countless times throughout my years of teaching and working as a medium.

Read the full blog here:


Understanding Free Will: Why the Choices We Make Matter

If our loved ones in spirit still exist, why don’t they simply tell us exactly what to do?

This is one of the questions I hear most often.

In this blog, I explain the importance of free will and why those in the spirit world cannot live our lives for us. They can offer love, encouragement and reassurance, but the decisions remain ours to make.

Our choices shape who we become, and it is through making those decisions ourselves that we continue to learn and evolve.

Understanding free will helps explain not only how mediumship works, but also why personal responsibility is such an important part of our spiritual journey.

Read the full blog here:


Continue Your Spiritual Journey

Whether you’re exploring the purpose of life, looking to deepen your spiritual understanding, or simply curious about what happens after we die, I hope these articles give you something to reflect on.

Each blog explores a different part of our spiritual journey, but together they reveal a simple message: we are here to learn, to grow, to help one another and to make the most of the choices we are given.

If you enjoy these articles, keep checking back as new blogs are added regularly.

After obtaining a hedgehog house at our Garden Party Auction on Saturday, I think I might need to brush up on my quill-osophy! Sorry, just had to.

These are the only creatures of their kind in the UK, and, in fact, can be found in Europe and Asia, but not the Americas. Although the Americas have their own spiky dude, the porcupine, he is from a completely different family.

Those spiky quills of a hedgehog are made of keratin and are a wonderful deterrent and defence system. Not many will mess with the hedgehog except the badger, who is able to unfurl him with his strength.

Summertime is busy, as the breeding season stretches from May to September, and those little hoglets will be nursed and hopefully get off to a good start. Strimming is always a worry in the garden, as a female hedgehog, whilst nursing, will likely abandon her brood if disturbed.

These very fast runners are quite quirky nocturnal creatures and, on encountering a new scent, will chew on the source of that scent, mixing it with their saliva, and then cover their quills. This is thought to be a form of scent “camouflage”.

Spare a thought for any hedgehogs that visit your space or garden, as dehydration can have them sighted in the daytime, circling in confusion. Some water, not milk, and some non-fishy cat food will do the trick and get him back on track.

He can be inspirational also in his character and simplicity. The Hedgehog Concept is a business plan developed based on his character, simplifying complex things into a single concept that guides all decisions, and his symbolism is that of obvious self-protection and healthy boundaries, a continual lesson for us all, especially when we are serving a spiritually focused life.

What a weekend! Amidst the football and Wimbledon, we had the continuing heatwave. Summer is in full blast.

Saturday we enjoyed our annual Garden Party!!  A lovely afternoon of Pimms, sandwiches, cream tea and much laughter and conversation, followed by the famous Garden Party Auction led my Rob and Sue. We raised £235. Thank you to Chris Shore and all who prepared, and helped run the plates of food and keep us filled up with tea, amongst other things.  Thank you to Rob for sharing his beautiful house for the occasion  

 On Sunday, so many made it into Chawton for our Divine Service, braving the heat, and we were glad to welcome John Morrow. And we did have such a lovely time, as John shared his journey towards Spiritualism and becoming a medium. So very interesting, and then he went on to share some absolutely lovely messages and information. Thank you so much! Our lovely Chris Shore chaired the proceedings with her usual ease.

Thank you to our readers. Thank you, Lisa, for the music. Thanks to our hospitality team, and yes, there was cake! We are growing our healing team, and so we were in full force for anyone wanting healing. Set-up and break-down were done so smoothly. Thank you, everyone!

Prayer of the week

Please pray for more love and kindness in this world. These simple ingredients could make such a vast difference in the lives of all who share this Earth.

There is a beautiful breeze today and some rain coming midweek.

There are a few who will be happy about that.

Have a beautiful week.

I have been watching the bumblebees favour a particular wildflower growing through the cracks of my patio. She has been growing in complete wild abandon this year, I might add. The bees just keep coming and coming to her, and I found myself wondering why this flower, in particular, was so favoured.

The flower is Linaria purpurea, originally from Italy but brought to the UK in the 1700s. She also has the wonderful common name of Purple Toadflax. With a name like that, it was enough to entice me to search further.

Although originally introduced and cultivated in the UK, she, like so many others, became an escapee and can now be found growing in the poorest of soils and in the most unlikely places of wasteland, like my patio!

The bees love her, especially the ‘Bumbles’ because their weight allows them to press down the lower lip of the two-lipped bloom and reach the rich treasure of nectar that so many other pollinators simply cannot get to. Bees, in general, are also drawn to that beautiful purple-blue colour.

Folklore has had a field day with this flower. The two-lipped flower resembles a toad’s mouth, giving her common name. Of course, she is associated with the faeries and their hidden treasures, but she also carries symbolism of protection, resilience, and even the breaking of hexes!

She must indeed be a treasure, for I have watched the bumblebees visit her from dawn’s early light right through until dusk on these beautiful summer days.

We gathered again last night in Chawton after one of those glorious summer days. Rob Harvey, our President, gave an address on just how close spirit can be. He then shared a little clairvoyance, with education and demonstration, with the help of some of the people who sit in Circle. It is a wonderful way for the whole family to understand, at a deeper level, just how close and real the other realms truly are.

Thank you, Rob, and thank you to Sarah Dorgan, who chaired the evening so beautifully. It was such a lovely, relaxed evening.

Thank you to our readers and prayer people, who help to build the energy. Thank you, Carole, for another delicious cake, and thank you to everyone who helps with hospitality. Thank you, Julie, for the music, to our wonderful healers, and to everyone who helps with setting up and packing away afterwards.

Prayer of the Week

Another heatwave is on its way. Please hold in your prayers all those who are vulnerable, people, their beloved companion animals, and don’t forget our wildlife and all animals. Yes the bees and the little ones too. They all need hydration. Prayers for all. Thank you.

Calendar up tomorrow.

Drink before thirst, take care in the heat, and enjoy these beautiful sunny days and heavenly blue skies!

Photo credit :Ross Knowlton

What exactly is it that foxes are doing at this summertime point in the UK? I’ll tell you.

Most kits are probably fairly grown by now and getting into all sorts of mischief. The other morning, at precisely 3.30am, I was awakened by quite a din of yelps and general chaos. Looking out of the window in the early morning light, I saw five fox kits, all slightly different in size, playing with,and enjoying immensely,an old ice cream carton that appeared to have some ice cream still in it, obviously thieved from a nearby dustbin.

What a delight.

I watched them for so long that, yes, I got dressed and went downstairs. Standing in my little front garden in the early morning light, I was amazed that the birds were singing so early and so loudly.

The smallest kit came bounding into my garden. He froze on seeing me, like a rabbit in the headlights, then darted back to the safety of the woods. All the others froze too, before quickly following suit.

They have a rough road ahead of them. Not all will survive their first year. There are so many perils for young animals as they begin exploring their newfound playground.

With everything going on in this world, and sometimes in our own lives, reminding ourselves of the beauty and enchantment of nature is just the tonic to start the day,even if it is a little too early. The small things are actually the big things.

We were enchanted Sunday night to have Sarah Wawman, aka Pink Sarah, come to visit us in Chawton. It was a beautiful evening filled with her inspired thoughts and simply wonderful messages. Thank you so much, Sarah. We loved having you.

Our dear Nerina chaired the evening beautifully. Thank you!

The family gave readings and prayers to uplift us, and we were in fine voice. Carole had made the most beautiful chocolate cake, which most definitely did not disappoint. Thank you to our wonderful hospitality team. Thank you to Lisa for running the music, and thank you to our healers. Very quick work was made of packing everything away afterwards.

Prayer of the Week

Please pray for the people and animals affected by the recent disaster in Venezuela. So much chaos and suffering has been caused, and they need our thoughts and prayers.

Calendar up later.

Have a beautiful, and hopefully cooler week.

One of the most striking butterflies to be seen in the UK during June is the Red Admiral. Originally known as the “Red Admirable”, his original English name, the butterfly’s name became “Red Admiral” over time.

This beautiful butterfly is migratory, arriving from North Africa each spring. Many return south in September, although not all make the journey. With the milder winters Britain has experienced more recently, increasing numbers are choosing to remain here, hunkering down in sheltered locations through the winter.

The Red Admiral is particularly fond of Buddleia, AKA “butterfly bush”, for the nectar-rich blooms. He is also frequently seen feeding on fermenting fruit, when necessary, and tastes with his feet, marching up and down to see whether it is worth a munch.

He is fiercely territorial and a little grumpy. Males will often establish their patch and aggressively chase off rival butterflies.

In folklore and spiritual symbolism, the Red Admiral is often regarded as a messenger, representing transformation, protection, and courage. A sighting of him is sometimes interpreted as a sign of guidance, reassurance, or positive change on the horizon.

After another gorgeous day in these parts, we welcomed Karen Bazazan Noghani to us in Chawton last night for our Friendship Service. Thank you so much for your inspired thoughts and bringing our messages last night. We were so glad to meet you. Steve chaired our evening beautifully. Thank you, Steve.

The energy was high as we enjoyed beautiful readings and prayers and sang some lovely hymns. Thank you to our readers. Thank you, Julie, for running our music, and thank you to the hospitality ladies. Carole and Sue. Our healers stood by to help those in need after the service. Thank you, and so many pitched in to pack up and clear away.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Please pray for our little church, that we can find new ways to serve our own church family, but also those in our communities.

Calendar up tomorrow.

It’s almost midsummer. Enjoy the long light evenings!

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One small creature that probably survives the winter well is the wood mouse, also known as the field mouse. Unlike the dormouse, he is not usually found inside our homes unless he is desperate for food and shelter in the colder months. Instead, he prefers sheds or the endless tunnels he creates, where he stores food to sustain him through the harsh winter months.

With his large eyes, big ears, and soft light-brown fur, he has that appealing, almost Disney-like look we associate with many cartoon characters. At this time of year, he becomes especially active, with the approaching breeding season, which can last until autumn! And there is a flurry of activity as nests are built and food is gathered.

He is nocturnal, an excellent climber, and a fast mover. However, despite his speed, he is vulnerable, for owls and foxes see him as a substantial snack. Spiritually, the wood mouse symbolises resourcefulness, humility, attention to detail, and the ability to find magic in the mundane, truly wonderful qualities indeed.

We gathered on Sunday evening, over the bank holiday weekend in Chawton and shared a lovely evening of prayers, readings, and hymns, some well-known and perhaps one less familiar, though we made a valiant effort!

Our own Steve Lidgett Williams chaired the evening beautifully for Rob Harvey, who led an ‘Evening of Clairvoyance.’ Rob gave an address concerning recent healing and clairvoyant work he had undertaken. He then invited a couple of the house mediums, along with two fledglings, to come forward, and together, they brought the messages while explaining what they were perceiving, helping everyone gain a clearer understanding of how clairvoyance works.

The mediums and fledglings taking part were Nerina Dannatt, Steve Lidgett Williams, Rob Harvey, Chris Elliott, and Alison Keogh. It was a truly lovely evening, spent with our church family, who also gave prayers and readings. Thank you, everyone!

Thank you, Sue and Carole, thank you for your wonderful hospitality and another divine cake creation. Julie, thank you for the music. And many thanks to our healers and trainees for offering healing after the service. Thank you also to those who helped with the set-up, break-down of the evening, and the washing up.

Prayer of the Week

Please keep in your prayers children who may be unwell or in hospital. Illness can be frightening for a child, and it is also a deeply distressing time for their parents and families.

Calendar to follow shortly.

Wishing you all a beautiful week!

Happy May!!

Picture credit: Simon Dell, George the mouse.


The garden birds are busy preparing at this important time of year, and the birds of prey are going through the same motions and stresses also. The Eurasian Sparrowhawk may be one of the smallest birds of prey, but it is mighty in its own way. After a decline in numbers several decades ago, they are now quite abundant around the UK.

From March through to June, you can witness their stunning aerial “skydancing” displays, part of their dramatic mating ritual. The female takes charge of nurturing the eggs once laid, while the male goes on the hunt, using that remarkable stealth to provide the extra food needed. One swoop with a sudden shower of feathers often signals a sparrowhawk nearby.

Interestingly, the females are quite a bit larger than the males, which is unusual. Symbolically, they represent extreme focus and awareness, reminding us to pay attention. They are also linked to new beginnings and, in some traditions, are thought to be spiritual messengers.

We were fortunate to have one of our own spiritual messengers last night, as our dear friend Lesley Knight came to visit. What a beautiful evening it was. Lesley shared beautiful thoughts and gave wonderful evidence of continuing life, along with such lovely messages. Thank you so much.

Our own Sarah Dorgan chaired our gathering beautifully, and we are grateful to our family for the beautiful prayers and readings.  Thank you to Julie for the music, Sue for her hospitality, and to Carole for another divine cake creation.

Thank you to our healers, always ready to help afterwards, and to all the wonderful healing trainees. And thank you to everyone who helped set up, break down down, and take care of the washing up.

Prayer of the Week
Please, let us pray for peace everywhere. May leaders find peace within themselves and become more aware of the consequences of their actions.

Calendar to follow.
Have a beautiful week!