dates for your diary the watershed...
TRANSCRIPT
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY DECEMBER Wednesday 3 7.30pm BEAT meeting Thursday 4 7.30pm Coates Gardening Club Christmas
supper and quiz Thursday 4 10.30am Frampton Mansell Coffee Morning Thursday 4 7.30pm Festive Whist Drive at Kemble Village
Hall Monday 8 Great Sapperton Bake Off Competition
at Sapperton School Thursday 11 12.15pm Good Companions’ Christmas Lunch Saturday 13 Sapperton’s Got Talent at Sapperton
School Tuesday 16 7.30pm Frampton Mansell Rural Cinema The
100 Year Old Man ……. Sunday 21 6pm Sapperton Village Carol Singing Tuesday 23 11.55am Mobile library visiting Coates JANUARY Wednesday 7 7.30pm BEAT meeting Tuesday 20 11.55am Mobile library visiting Coates Tuesday 20 7.30pm Frampton Mansell Rural Cinema Pride Friday 23 Mobile police station visiting our villages FEBRUARY Thursday 5 7.30pm Coates Gardening Club Saturday 7 7.30pm Quiz Night Rodmarton Village Hall Thursday 20 2.30pm Good Companions’ meeting
1 Christmas 2014
THE WATERSHED MAGAZINE
Drawn by Sophia Leatham of Rodmarton School
2
RECTOR
Rev Trevor Kemp 770550
Coates Rectory, Coates GL7 6NR [email protected]
CURATE (Non-stipendiary)
Rev David Austin 860692
READERS
Richard Marlowe 770401
Barrie Cran 770809
STRATEGIC YOUTH MINISTER
Anton Wynn 07816 315423
COATES
Church Wardens: Dickie Randall 771300
Tony Berry 770220
Flower Team Leader Heather Wheatley 770829
SAPPERTON WITH FRAMPTON MANSELL
Church Warden: Jeremy Hoskins 760227
Elizabeth Pick 01453 884791
Deputy warden St Kenelm’s Mark Hamer 760715
Rotas Kate Gordon-Lennox 760651
Secretary PCC Natalie Hunt 760421
RODMARTON AND TARLTON (Chapel of Ease)
Church Wardens
Rodmarton Mary FitzGerald 238607
Sophia Kinmont 841222
Tarlton Jasper Biddulph 770230
Flower Team Leader Sarah Pope 841253
Secretary PCC Jane Marlowe 770401 27
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS Watershed Editor Bob Merrill 771496 Watershed Treasurer Janet Loines 841578 Watershed Intercession Group Anne Chilton 770726 Coates Parish Council Bob Allen 771229
Coates Parish Council clerk Libby Harrison 07791 943822 Coates PCC Treasurer Janet Trinder 770525 Coates Gardening Club Margaret Reynolds 771354 Coates Social Club secretary Annabelle Crapper 770266 Coates Tree Warden Geoffrey Moore 770869 Coates Village Hall Susan PJ 770596 Coates Neighbourhood Watch Liz Allen 07771 553061/771229 Frampton Mansell Village Hall Bookings 760102 or 760300 Rodmarton & Tarlton PC C/man Paul Drake 770267 Rodmarton & Tarlton PC clerk Susan Hare Rodmarton PCC Treasurer Simon Biddulph 841462 Rodmarton School 841284 Rodmarton Village Hall Norman Hopkins 07514485555 841287 Jasper Biddulph 770230 Rodmarton Cricket Club Nick Clarke 841421 Sapperton with FM PC Chair Sarah Osborn-Smith 760874 Sapperton/FM council clerk Ruth Pittaway 644201 Sapperton/FM PCC Treasurer Peter Mammatt 760852 Sapperton/FM Snow Warden Mark Franklin 760226 Sapperton Tree Warden Paul Dingley 760788 Sapperton Village Hall Annette Bullock 760468 Sapperton School Dawn Thomas 760325 Royal British Legion John Chilton 770726 Good Companions Betty Mixture 770569 Watershed RDA Bob Merrill 771496 Watershed Farm Club Liz Collins 770621 District Councillors Thames Head Ward John Birch 770360 Avening Ward Jim Parsons 01453 836596 County Councillor S D E Parsons 821451 Member of Parliament Geoffrey Clifton-Brown 01452 371630 Cirencester Hospital 655711 Police non emergency (24hrs) 101 Lynn Saunders - Village Agent 07776 245 754 Coates Resilience plan agents John Birch 770360/07989946224 David Lattimore771006/07836511011
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CLOSING DATE FOR THE FEBRUARY MAGAZINE - 12
January
Contributions should be sent to Bob Merrill at Glebe House, Coates, GL7 6NU. Tel 771496, mobile 07866 972389 or by e-mail to the Watershed magazine at [email protected]. Articles should be in Arial font at 11 point with formatting kept as simple as possible. The editor reserves the right to edit any articles. All articles should be submitted by 12 January at the latest for inclusion in
the next issue.
MOBILE LIBRARY VISITS
The mobile library visits Coates every 4 weeks. The visit for the next
months will be on Tuesday 23 December and 20 January between
11.55am and 12.55pm outside the village hall.
ADVERTISING IN THE WATERSHED
If you wish to advertise in our parish magazine please contact Bob Merrill at Glebe House, Coates, GL7 6NU. Tel 771496, Mobile 07866 972389 or by e-mail to the Watershed magazine at
Adverts at a third of a page cost £15 for a single issue or £60 for 5 issues. Adverts at half a page cost £23 for a single issue or £90 for 5 issues. The magazine is published 10 times every year; July/August and December/January are joint editions. Cheques should be made payable to Watershed magazine.
MOBILE POLICE STATION The mobile police station will be visiting our villages next month at the following times:
Friday 23 January Frampton Mansell 9 - 9.45 Sapperton 10 - 10.45 Coates 11 - 11.45 Kemble 12 - 12.45 Somerford Keynes 1 - 1.45
There will be no visits in December.
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FORTHCOMING SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE 3 December Midweek Wednesday
10am Kemble Holy Communion
7 December 2nd Sunday of Advent
9.30am Kemble Holy Communion
9.30am Coates Holy Communion
11am Poole Keynes Family Service
11am Rodmarton Holy Communion
11am Sapperton Family Holy Communion
10 December Midweek Wednesday
10am Kemble Holy Communion
14 December 3rd Sunday of Advent
9.30am Kemble Family Service - Toy & gift service
9.30am Coates Holy Communion
9.30am Poole Keynes Holy Communion
11am Tarlton Holy Communion -
Christingle service
11am Somerford Keynes Holy Communion
11am Rodmarton Matins
11am Frampton Mansell Holy Communion
3pm Kemble Scouts Carol Service
17 December Midweek Wednesday
10am Kemble Holy Communion
20 December
3.30pm Coates Carol service
21 December 4th Sunday of Advent
9.30am Coates Morning Prayer
11am Frampton Mansell Carol service
11am Rodmarton Carol service
3pm Poole Keynes Carol service
4.30pm Somerford Keynes Carol service
6.30pm Kemble Carol service
24 December Christmas Eve
3pm Somerford Keynes Nativity Service
4pm Kemble Crib Service
5.30pm Tarlton Carol Service
6pm Frampton Mansell Crib Service
6pm Kemble The Tavern
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SERVICES IN OUR BENEFICE (cont)
24 December Christmas Eve
11pm Kemble Midnight Communion
11pm Somerford Keynes Midnight Communion
11pm Coates Midnight Communion
25 December Christmas Day
8am Tarlton Holy Communion (BCP)
9.30am Kemble Holy Communion
9.30am Poole Keynes Holy Communion
10.30am Somerford Keynes Family Service
10.30am Frampton Mansell Family Holy Communion
11am Coates Holy Communion
11am Rodmarton Holy Communion
28 December
10am Shorncote Carols and Prayers
REFLECTIONS FROM THE RECTORY Christmas is here again.
Christmas, what does it mean for you?
When I worked in London, December was a time when we were expected to see many of our clients, which was of course often a pleasure. It was also the time, love it or hate it, for the office party. For many of us Christmas is a time to indulge and to buy your favourite treats to go alongside the turkey with all its trimmings. Indulgence though is not that attractive on its own. Christmas is a time to be sociable, to share with friends, family, colleagues and neighbours. This remembering and sharing begins with the sending of Christmas cards including perhaps the seasonal newsletter. At Christmas our thoughts turn to others, we remember their place in our lives and ours in theirs and that might bring all sorts of emotions to us as we remember and reflect.
Christmas with younger children is a time of great excitement and it comes early; schools inevitably celebrate Christmas early and for weeks now the shops have been full of decorations and ideas for presents that heighten the spirit of hope and expectation.
Choosing Christmas presents should be as much fun, if not more, than receiving them. To choose the right present brings great joy to both giver and receiver. Certainly for us over the years we have watched the children’s faces to see which present hit the spot. It isn’t always the one you think it will be and it has nothing really to do with
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money; it is all about the matching of your head and your heart with that of the receiver and the look of joy on a child’s face is worth all the
thinking and searching.
For many people sadly, all there is to Christmas is a few days off work, too much rich food and some great presents. But the point of all these things is that they are intended to reflect the gift of Jesus and without Jesus there really is no point in Christmas.
I believe the world, the universe, creation is no accident but has purpose and has always had purpose and that is derived from the one who, like a great artist or teacher nudges and forms and encourages all into fruitfulness. God creates out of love and because he loves us without limit, Jesus enters creation to bring revelation to it and also to bring an eternal moment of correction to its failure to fulfil its purpose. Christmas is all about God’s relationship with us. The story of Jesus is a bit like that letter we send with love in the Christmas card. In Jesus we can see and understand all that has been happening and we are invited to share in it and rejoice in it. At the same time Jesus is also the best of presents, for while we were still groping in the dark Jesus comes to reveal the truth about creation to us and the truth about God’s love to us. He doesn’t fit most of our expectations or desires but the truth seldom does, the truth is much too powerful and important to be shaped by our wishful thinking.
This Christmas we will, as always, be encouraged to forget Jesus as we indulge in too much food and wine and to buy the latest gadgets for the children. But without Jesus there truly is no reason for the season, in fact without Jesus there is no meaning to life at all. Merry
Christmas.
With love and prayers
Trevor Kemp
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TIME OUT BIBLE DISCUSSION
The Time Out Bible discussion group for mothers of school age children in the benefice will not be meeting in December. For details of our meetings in January please contact Julie on 770123 or email [email protected] or [email protected].
PRAYERS IN THE BENEFICE
Wednesdays at Kemble at 10am (Holy Communion)
Tuesdays at Kemble at 8.30am
Fridays at Rodmarton at 9.15am
Saturdays at Somerford Keynes (first Saturday in the month only)
THE BISHOP OF TEWKESBURY, THE RT REVD MARTYN
SNOW, ON THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS
Most of us, when we picture the perfect Christmas, think of the young child waking early and rushing to see what has appeared under the tree. Every present is touched, shaken and inspected with a sense of awe and wonder.
It is a wonderful tradition. Gifts are a way of creating or deepening relationships. They draw us into community and give us a shared sense of belonging. They require thought, care and preparation. But they also create a sense of obligation: how will you return the gift? Or how will you pass it on?
This Christmas we will hear again from the shepherds and angels. And we will ponder the supreme gift of God’s own Son. A gift offered to us with the intention that it (he) draws us into relationship and into community.
But such a gift also creates an obligation. How will we respond? How will we pass it on? Giving to God our devotion and our love is our supreme gift. But love for God cannot be divorced from love of neighbour. I hope this Christmas, we will also give to our neighbour in Syria, Iraq, or Sierra Leone or to the homeless and isolated in our own town or village or to the person using the foodbank or the credit union. Such gifts may create new relationships, which will bring us much blessing and joy.
Want to find out more about what is happening in the Diocese?
Check out The Messenger. To read it online, visit www.gloucester.anglican.org/news/publications/the-messenger
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7
NEWS FROM COATES
THE WATERSHED INTERCESSION GROUP
The Group began in the mid-80s. Dee Hancock, our founder, had become a member of a Fellowship founded by Robert Coulson for Contemplative Prayer and we followed the same format. Sadly Dee died gracefully in October, as did another member, Freda Saunders.
The Watershed Group meets once a month and reads a very short selected passage from the Bible and then in silence concentrates on "The Words" from that passage, in a state of peace and calm. People known to the group who are sick are then prayed for and anyone who has requested prayer, for whatever reason are included - mostly by initial only to preserve confidentiality.
Our format changed in May 2000 when we realized that many members of our community for various reasons were not able to attend church on Sunday. Canon Andrew Bowden would then come to the House Group and we added Communion to the Service. Afterwards we all enjoyed a good fellowship tea. The Rev Stanley Emson took over when Andrew retired and at one time more than 20 people regularly attended.
The Group continues to meet monthly at The Blessings on the second Tuesday of each month at 3pm. Our numbers are less and communion is now given by extension, ie, by a lay person authorised by the Bishop. Our Prayers have not diminished...in fact they have strengthened.
A warm welcome awaits you if you come to join us and we still do a good tea.
COBALT APPEAL
The sale held on 1 November was a great success. We were very well supported with items for sale and tombola and raffle prizes. Thank you for your generosity and of course a big thank you to all who helped on the day and before. The final result was a profit of £817.21, the best result yet and that was the 12th annual sale!
We took a cheque for that amount to the Cobalt Headquarters together with some left over items which they will put in their own sales - so the Coates effort goes on!
Betty Mixture
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DEE HANCOCK
What follows is a précis of the funeral address given by Canon Andrew Bowden at the funeral service for Dee Hancock. If you would like the full text please let me know.
“Dee Hancock was the daughter of Sir Gerard Muntz and Henrietta and grew up near Stratford on Avon. Her father died suddenly and the family were more or less left penniless. Dee girded up her loins, shed governesses, went to school and got her matriculation, which she always regarded as infinitely superior to O and A Levels that you and I struggled for. She then set up a high-class confectioners shop in Winchester; she always called it a “sweet shop” but actually it was Thorntons plus plus.
When the build up to the Second World War started, Dee joined up. She was the first officer to be commissioned into the newly founded ATS. She had such a facility with words that she was seen as a future army lawyer and was sent on a law course at Balliol College, Oxford no less, at least 40 years before women students were formally
admitted there.
After the war, now with a family, Dee settled in this area, Caudle Green, Sapperton and finally, with the blessing of Anthea Payne, in Coates.
She loved ‘doing’ things for others. The day after I expressed an interest in applying for the job of Rector here in Coates, there she was at our Northamptonshire Rectory, sussing Sue and I out and, when she approved, leaving not a stone unturned until she’d got a field for
the ponies, vital, and the support of the local grandees!
She was an indefatigable doer, churchwarden of Coates, Governor of Sapperton School, sat on the PCC, a supporter of every village activity, always there. The last time saw her out at an open day in the summer at the Watershed Riding for the Disabled group – inclusive of both able bodied and disabled people – in her wheelchair but thoroughly enjoying herself!
But besides doing, and when doing became more difficult because of bodily infirmity, doing was always bound up with intercession. She had a list, not just names but also specific events, and I guess that all of us here were on it at one time or another. She used this this every month at the Fellowship meetings and every day in her quiet time. “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of” and she prayed for all of us.
May she rest in peace and glory.”
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KEMBLE AND DISTRICT ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
WOMEN’S SECTION
All are welcome, members, non-members and visitors to the annual Whist Drive (see poster) on Thursday 4 December in Kemble village hall at 7.30pm.
It is with great sadness that we lost two Coates members recently.
Desiree Violet Hancock (aged 98 years) became a member back in the 1960’s. Dee was an ex-servicewoman who served in the ATS which was the highlight of her younger days. Her daughter Antonia wrote saying that Dee had a truly splendid time being a member of our branch having the opportunity to connect with many local people.
Freda Sanders (aged 86 years) joined the branch in October 1969 and became a very active member. Freda was very gifted and whenever we needed a celebratory cake Freda would turn up trumps. We have many photos in our archives of her wonderful creations duly cut by officers and guests at the
events.
The branch was so fortunate to have such lovely ladies as members and they were duly respected by representatives attending their funerals.
The programme for 2015 will be printed and circulated to all members early in
the new year.
Pat Ayres Hon Sec and Standard Bearer.
Calling all card players Festive Whist Drive Kemble village hall
Thursday 4 December prompt start 7.30pm Entrance £2
includes refreshments, In-house raffle and whist prizes
Proceeds to the Kemble and District Royal British Legion women’s section benevolent fund
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Bertha sat on top of us for over a week, and was followed by a series of cold nights round about the 20th. September and August actually swapped positions this year, for September was sunny and dry - so warm and dry that the autumn fungi rather failed.
The autumn rains arrived in early October, and by the time of going to print have yet to relent. The first frost did not occur until Bonfire Night – the traditional date for the first real frost. The mildness meant that roses flowered deep into November. All this suggests we may experience another mild, wet winter – though hopefully not such a stormy one. But our seasons are impossible to predict, as almost anything might happen. It will be interesting to see how much better the Met Office’s new super computer will be in forecasting our weather, and in particular whether it can see any further into the future. As always, our varied and ever-changing climate leaves us wondering, Whatever Next?
Matthew Oates
NOTES FROM CULKERTON (cont)
CIRENCESTER EATING DISORDER SUPPORT GROUP
The local team will be on hand for the monthly meeting to be held on Wednesday 3 December which takes place in St Peter’s Lounge, St Peter’s Court, St Peter’s Road, Cirencester from 7.30 - 9pm. We will cover how having a member of the family with an eating disorder can affect the whole family at Christmas - the dreaded festive get - togethers.
The facilitator will be receiving some training from National BEAT via a link-up phone call covering the whole self help network in the UK during December. I was deeply moved when I attended the 25th anniversary of the formation of BEAT held in Norwich Cathedral recently when a father spoke about the death of his daughter through anorexia aged 29 years and how he and his wife felt so helpless in supporting their beloved daughter throughout her illness. The father was a practicing G.P.
We meet in the new year on Wednesday 7 January; location and time as above.
Further details about the group in confidence can be obtained from Pat 01285 770385.
9
FREDA SANDERS
Freda gave as much to community life in Coates as anyone of her generation. She trained as a secretary and was secretary or treasurer of most of the village clubs, notably the social club, WI and Good companions. She was the driving force behind the revival of the Coates produce show. She was a wonderful cook and made impressively decorated cakes for many village occasions. RDA lunches after the pageants in the church were catered for by Freda and Fiona.
When her husband, Peter the village postmaster died, Freda gave up her office job to run the post office which was the hub of village life. Freda was brought up in the Potteries but came to Gloucestershire where she met Peter who was doing his National Service. They lived at Thames Head Cottages but then moved into the village.
Freda had many artistic skills – flower arranging, painting, decorating porcelain and, of course, her wonderful cake decorations.
She will be missed by many in the village.
COATES GARDENING CLUB
At our AGM in November, chair Heather Wheatley paid tribute to Freda Sanders who had very long links with Coates gardening club, as she had with so many aspects of village life, particularly the produce show. She was our treasurer from 1987, and chairman for a time from 2000. She delighted in the table top competitions between
gardening clubs which were once popular. She is sadly missed.
Our last meeting this year will be our Christmas social on Thursday 4 December in Coates village hall. There will be supper and an entertaining quiz devised and conducted by Carol Wilson; wine and soft drinks will be provided. This is always a happy event and visitors are welcome to join us for £2.50.
Next year's programme is taking shape and we are planning a mix of outings and talks on local, rural and environmental subjects – some more gardening-related than others! We will learn more about the famous gardener Rosemary Verey, about Chedworth Roman villa and bats.
There will be no meeting in January and we meet again on Thursday 5 February 2015. Please put the date in your new diary.
Margaret Reynolds
10
Bathurst Row Coates
GL7 6NW
post box: top of car park stairs
tel: 01285 770 596
1st December 2014
My dear friends & neighbours, Much thanks dear Social Club Committee, Pippa Moore, Liz James & Betty
Mixture; your determined work to organise 3 separate events, namely the Bonfire night, the MacMillan coffee morning and the Cobalt table top sale
filled me with laughter, friendship & kindness.
Could you help look after or improve me? Could you give up to 2 hours a month to either regularly help with my general running or for a limited time only to help on a specific village project including the 2 projects below? To find out more please call the number above or contact one of the trustees Kitchen review & car park planting projects Have you ever used the kitchen? If so do get in touch to let me know what you think of it or post or email put your thoughts. I’m considering some alterations and want it to be right for you. Also I need suggestions on what 3B plants (bee, bird & butterfly loving plants) would be best if I put some planters in the car park, and what type and style of planter I should get– any ideas? May your Christmas be a happy one and bring happiness to others. Bye for now, as ever your
Village Hall PS Trustees as of the October AGM 2014 Betty Mixture 01285 770 569; Diana Crane (Secretary) 770976;
Jane Burr 770066/07775 686 301; Margaret Reynolds 771354;
Michael Vaughan (Treasurer) 770876; Phil Griffiths
771257 /07710 620 483; Ron Smith 770423; Roy Pond 770026;
Susan Parker Johnston (Chairman) 770596/07794 678 928
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rather crispy dry in hot conditions. The frogs rather sensibly viewed this as unsuitable for their growing youngsters. We also missed the pretty pond plants like water for get me not; the tough drought resistant Iris pseudacorus, sedges, and purple loosestrife survived. We now have one larger, deeper pond. All the original plants were put into trays of water during the renovation. Choosing some water lilies has been great fun, should they be wild sorts, perhaps all white? As with many other garden plants, some of the older varieties of water lilies are still
very worthy.
Happy Gardening for the New Year
Sally Oates
NOTES FROM CULKERTON (cont)
2014 AND ALL THAT…
This has been a curious and rather odd year. Someone, it managed to produce a grain harvest which was high in quality and quantity but
low in profitability! That rather sums up the year.
The winter was as memorable as winter can be, though for unusual reasons. It was mild but wet and stormy, notable for a sequence of gales that ran from New Year’s Day through to 24th February, when they suddenly ceased. The worst was on St Valentine’s Day. The land then slowly dried out during an early and distinctly rapid spring. By the end of April Primroses had finished flowering and the trees were all well in leaf – apart from the Ash, which doesn’t believe in climate change, or any sort of change, and is one of the few constants in our natural world. May started and finished wet, but produced a good spell in between.
June was superb, and July good. But the gaps between pulses of rain during those months were never long enough for the grass to stop growing, let alone for it to brown off. This was indeed a year of rampant vegetation growth. It was also the best year for thunderstorms for a long while, with memorable electric storms on July 18th & 19th and on September 18th. The warm, moist summer was also ideal for flies. This meant there were rich pickings for insect-feeding birds, and in general it was an excellent bird breeding season. Nonetheless, we were eaten alive by horse flies, midges and mosquitoes, and plagued in July by flying ants and thunderbugs. Strangely, though, the wasps never materialised.
It was August that let the show down – the tail end of ex-Hurricane
18
NOTES FROM CULKERTON
GARDENING TIPS FOR DECEMBER AND JANUARY
‘In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me lay an invincible summer.’ Albert Camus was an Algerian-French Nobel Prize winning author, journalist, and philosopher.
As this year draws to a close at the time of writing this, there has only been one hard frost on bonfire night. Autumn seems to be getting longer. The garden tidy up has been more thorough here with the extra time, and some garden renovation projects are in full swing. Flowers have kept coming, noticeably roses. One reader from Coates had an impressive crop of tomatoes still growing during late October. The grass also keeps growing and the final cut of the year has yet to happen.
Some plants have decided that winter has been and gone with spring on the way, does anyone else have early daffodil shoots coming up, or spring flowering roses like Rosa banksias or Rosa xanthina ‘Canary Bird’ in bloom? The crocuses know better and are keeping their little heads down for the moment.
As you tidy your garden, keep any useful woody prunings for plant supports next year. Even thinner trimmings can be used if they have sufficient length, these can be twisted together, and then interwoven through stouter sticks. Keep these in neat loosely tied bundles, until needed in March and April next year.
Thin trimmings can also be twisted into a circle as the base for a Christmas decorative door wreath, add some pretty ribbon, and work in any evergreen foliage you have. This could be long lengths of ivy, green or variegated, short sprigs of any other evergreens you have, mixed in with berries, crab apples, and fix into place with twine. Dark green rosemary, sweet box, osmanthus, holly, bay, also silver leaved lavender & santolina can be used, replace with fresh as and when required. Dried seed heads trimmed from the autumn tidy could also be incorporated, be creative, have some fun. Natural, English garden
is very trendy.
Our winter pond project is well under way. By the time you read this should have been completed, and settling in, ready for our returning frogs and toads in the spring, when we enjoy listening to a pond full of croaking frogs in the evenings. As with many ponds, ours developed a leak. This was minor for some time but the pond of water went to boggy garden, refilling when very wet weather prevailed, but became
11
THE GOOD COMPANIONS
The Good Companions Christmas Party will be held in Coates village hall on Thursday 11 December. Members are asked to arrive at 12.15pm to have time for a drink and a chat before having our traditional Christmas dinner at 1 o’clock.
Ukebox Jury Banjo Band will entertain and chairman Neeve has organised a super raffle.
There will be a meeting in January but we will get together again on Thursday 20 February at 2.30pm when we will have a quiz followed by
a beetle drive.
Betty Mixture
COME AND JOIN US! At Kemble Primary School on Monday - Friday 8.45am – 12.45pm
(with an option to collect at 11.45am)
Now also open Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from
12.45pm – 2.45pm
Open to all children aged 2 – 4 www.kembleplaygroup.co.uk [email protected]
COATES VILLAGE LOTTERY
The seventh draw of the Coates village hall lottery year was held at 7.30pm on 7 November. There were 57 participants. Prizes were awarded as follows:
First Prize: £50 to No 51 Jeanne Wilkinson
Second Prize: £30 to No 23 Fay Britton
Third Prize: £20 to No 09 Virginia Russell
New contributors to the lottery are welcome at any time, and can pay for any number of months at £4 per month. Forms are available from Diana Crane, Betty Mixture, Roy Pond, Ron Smith or Michael Vaughan.
Diana Crane
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NEWS FROM SAPPERTON AND FRAMPTON MANSELL
FRAMPTON MANSELL WEBSITE
This is a reminder about the website which you might like to access for a variety of information, to look at the calendar of events (What’s On), enquire about booking the village hall or other general and historical information about the village. Visit tinyurl.com/framptonmansell for more details.
TALKING TO MYSELF
Christmas is fast approaching. The tension is beginning to build. Time to order the turkey, how big does it need to be this year? Oh dear! - they want to know the weight in kilograms not pounds! Where are we going to put the tree? – should we have moved the furniture round? Cards - must get them written and posted. Have we missed last posting day for Australia? It’s always the same – panic! Why does the approach to Christmas make me so panic stricken?
Christmas over and it’s New Year. Another visit to the shops to buy birthday presents this time. It’s cold and miserable and maybe icy on the roads. Help!!!
Stop being so negative (I am talking to myself) - be positive. Relax. No matter how much energy is or isn’t spent in preparation, Christmas and New Year will come so why not enjoy them?
Christmas is a wonderful celebration when we hear again the story of the birth of a baby born to love us and show us how to live and love others. Those who know the joy of having a young child in the house know the feelings of love and care they engender in us. Christmas is a time to celebrate and give thanks and remember.
And New Year – well that is a time for looking forward. For some that may be an exciting prospect – maybe getting married; maybe expecting a birth. For others the coming year may be one when life becomes difficult and even frightening. Life is not easy; but if we are prepared to put our hand in God’s, He will be there to support and encourage us.
As Christmas gets closer why not, pause, take breath and hopefully feel able to repeat the words of the carol
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
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And we, what excuse shall we have if we come not? If so short and easy a way we come not, as from our chambers
hither, not to be so called away indeed?
And these were Wise Men, and never a whit less the wise for so coming: nay, never so truly wise in any thing they did, as in so coming. And we, if we believe this, that this was their wisdom, if they and we be wise by one Spirit, by the same principles we shall follow the same Star, tread the same way, and so come at last whither they are happily gone before us.
Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626) Sermons of the Nativity
MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER IN ADVENT
The Advent office will be said, Mondays to Saturdays, every morning in Rodmarton church at 9.30am, and every evening in Tarlton church at 6pm, up until Christmas Eve. All are welcome to attend as frequently or infrequently as they are able – an ideal way to prepare for Christmas.
RODMARTON CHURCH CHOIR
Forthcoming choir services over the next two months are:
Sunday 21 December Carol Service Sunday 25 December Christmas Day Sunday 1 February Candlemas
Quiz Night Saturday, 7 February, 7.30pm prompt
Rodmarton Village Hall £12 entry per person including 2 course meal
All profits are in aid of the churches of St Peter’s and St Osmund’s
Teams of six: to book please ring 01285 770401
RODMARTON PARISH COUNCIL WEB SITE
http://www.rodmarton-pc.org - information for the villages of Rodmarton, Tarlton, Culkerton, Ashley and Hazleton. WebMaster, Neil Hainsworth [email protected]
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NEWS FROM RODMARTON, TARLTON, CULKERTON AND HAZLETON
CHRISTMAS MEDITATION
‘ A cold coming we had of it, Just the worst time of the year For a journey, and such a long journey : The ways deep and the weather sharp, The very dead of winter.’ The opening lines of T.S. Eliot’s Journey of the Magi, one of the best known and loved of Christmas poems, were lifted almost word for word from a sermon preached at Whitehall on Christmas Day 1622 by the bishop of Winchester, Lancelot Andrewes, to the court of King James I. Andrewes, who had overseen the translation of the King James Bible from the original Greek and Hebrew texts, was a writer of inspired prose and the king’s preferred preacher.
That Eliot’s imagination was fired by Andrewes’ evocative words is no wonder, for the description of the journey is virtually an encore of the Christmas sermon he had preached two years earlier in 1620, which had clearly been so popular as to demand a repeat. In fact the message of the earlier sermon is more powerful in several respects. Here is a passage that can still speak to us as directly now as it did nearly four hundred years ago.
They came a long journey, no less than twelve days together. They came an uneasy journey, for their way lay through Arabia Petræa, and the craggy rocks of it. They came a dangerous journey, through Arabia Deserta too, and the black tents of Kedar there, then famous for their robberies, and even to this day. And they came now, at the worst season of the year. And all but to do worship at Christ’s birth. So great account they made; so highly did they esteem their being at it, as they took all this great travel, and came all this long journey, and came it at this time. Stayed not their coming till the opening of the year, till they might have better weather and way, and longer days, and so more seasonable and fit to travel in. So desirous were they to come with the first, and to be there as soon as possibly they might: broke through all these difficulties, Et
ecce venerunt, and behold, come they did.
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SCHOOL TIES - SAPPERTON CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL
NEWS
School’s Out! Half term is over, the clocks have gone back, Halloween and Fireworks night have come and gone and the dark winter evenings are now with us once again.
But that doesn’t mean there is nothing to do; far from it – school clubs continue to be busier than ever – with regular attendances of over 30 and a busy atmosphere at the school until 5 o’clock most evenings. A huge choice of activities exists with something for everyone!
News from the sports desk reports good results from the first “Quicksticks” tournament at Deer Park last month while a shift from tennis to tag rugby on Wednesday mornings marks the arrival of the winter months.
And academically? Well, Thursday 20 November proved to be an interesting – or maybe a challenging – Maths evening for parents! Now you know you cannot continue bluffing your children forever! And as astute followers of the school’s termly collective worship themes will know, this fits in very nicely with the current topic of Humility!
The school will be winding on the revolutions for the run-up to Christmas, always a busy time in primary schools. I have previously mentioned the Christmas Craft Day to make cards and decorations etc on 28 November while two new events are scheduled for early December; Monday 8 December will be the first Great Sapperton Bake-off Competition while on Saturday 13 December, there will be Sapperton’s Got Talent! Both promise to be great fun and opportunities to show off your skills while, of course, helping to raise money for the School. The Friends will be providing further details
soon.
Finally, other dates to note are the Christingle Service in St Kenelm’s Chuch, Sapperton, at 2pm on Tuesday 2 December and the School Nativity Service, also in St Kenelm’s Church, on Friday 12 December at 2pm and 7pm. As ever – all welcome. Lastly, but not least, the end of term comes on Friday 19 December.
Molesworth
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FRAMPTON MANSELL COFFEE MORNING
Thursday 4 December - 10.30am to 12pm at Woodstock. Please join us for a coffee and a chinwag! Everyone welcome.
SAPPERTON CAROL SINGING Carol singing in the village will take place on Sunday 21 December. The meeting time is 6pm, the place at the church gate. All singers are welcome.
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FRAMPTON MANSELL
RURAL CINEMA TUESDAY 16 DECEMBER at 7.30 pm
Our Christmas Special with mulled wine and a mince-pie for inclusive ticket price of £5
for adults THE 100 YEAR OLD MAN WHO JUMPED
OUT OF THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED (12A)
Based on the best-selling novel and full of humour and pathos….
After a long and eventful life involved in munitions and meeting everyone from Stalin to Reagan, Allan Karlsson ends up in a nursing home, believing it to be his last stop. The only problem is that he's still in good health, and in one day, he turns 100. Allan really isn't interested in the planned celebrations, and decides to escape. He climbs out of the window and embarks on a hilarious and entirely unexpected journey………….
TUESDAY 20 JANUARY at 7.30pm PRIDE (15)
starring Imelda Staunton, Bill Nighy, Dominic West PRIDE is inspired by an extraordinary true story. It's the summer of 1984, Margaret Thatcher is in power and the National Union of Mineworkers is on strike, prompting a London-based group of gay and lesbian activists to raise money to support the strikers' families. Initially rebuffed by the Union, the group identifies a tiny mining village in Wales and sets off to make their donation in person. As the strike drags on, the two groups discover that standing together makes for the strongest union of all.