Nov-Dec 2026

Another year ends, the 13th during which I have had the privilege of editing these pages. It's a good time to pause and to ask ourselves, as readers and contributors, what we want our parish magazine to look like in 2027.

You'll notice that this issue is four pages shorter than its predecessors. There's a reason for that. Our pool of writers is not getting any bigger ... or younger. This edition has been produced by just ten people who live, or have lived, in Kings Norton and one of those has been dead for over 50 years! Five of them carry significant additional responsibilities in the church, proving the truth of the cliché, 'If you want something done, ask a busy person'. Most contribute to every edition we print.

I'm not sure that we should continue to expect such a level of commitment indefinitely. Nor am I sure that our wider readership appreciates how much is done for so many by so few, with so few resources and against such powerful headwinds. In some senses, it's a miracle that St Nicolas' is still able to serve its parish. But serve it does, faithfully, with hope and with great determination in challenging circumstances. It needs all the help, understanding and goodwill you can give it.

A former vicar of Kings Norton, the Revd Edward Ashford, wanted his church to serve 'this vast community' (p. 29). I share that aspiration for the parish magazine. Much good news in our part of Birmingham goes unreported and deserves to be shared. If you could write about it, take a photo or two, or suggest an idea for publication, please get in touch. I would be delighted to hear from you.