The evenings are drawing in and there is a hint of autumn in the air. Summer has been wonderful, but the time has come to hang up the shorts and sandals for another year and to embrace everything that autumn has to bring.

Autumn is beautiful, with its colours and textures, the golden leaves that crunch underfoot and the gentle breeze that gently delivers them there.

The shops are filling with Halloween decorations and, dare I say it? Christmas gifts and cards.

Autumn is full of magic, three months of pure joy, apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, firework displays and, dare I say it again? Christmas shopping.

Layston Grove is about to become a hive of creative activity preparing for all that this autumn may bring. As our preparations begin our minds are cast back to previous years both here, celebrating with new friends and to years gone by with the children watching the fireworks in awe.

There has been a frenzy of reminiscence and an air of sheer excitement at what this season has in store.

The autumn months that I have spent here at Layston have been wonderful and this year looks set to be no different.