“Greetings on the autumn equinox. The light and dark of our days are tipping over. I knew it as the calendar page turned with its autumn picture of September. Summer seemed to disappear on the same day. The Atlantic lows moved in and cradled us in storms. The avenue of trees so richly lush and darkly green were showing russet blemishes that were the beginning of a rash that will soon cascade onto the pavements. It’s been a lovely summer but the pendulum is falling back. We know that balance in nature’s world is transitory.

September restarts our energy stream. Back to school in a new year, off to university or college, back to the club and the society winter programmes. Time to think ahead to Christmas and next year’s holiday.

Time to bid farewell to the long shirtsleeve summer and search for pullovers! We hope you have enjoyed your summer. Let us share the blessings that autumn brings.”