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Dear Friends, I have been conscious in the last few months that it is easy to

become possessive when handing on our precious endeavours for others to complete, but as St Paul reminds us, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” God’s purposes are worked out through human links in a chain that stretches back through time and forward into eternity: each generation building on the foundations of the past. Much of the ministry of Jesus was spent building up people’s confidence. Jesus encouraged those he met to understand that they were filled with the Holy Spirit, that they were loved by God. He gave purpose and direction to their lives. When I was a young man my Baptist Minister did just that for me! Following his final service Malcolm was too overwhelmed to stand at the door to bid people farewell; instead we

Thomas

Woodhouse

Editor

Margaret Morrissey OBE 9 Hessary Street, Poundbury

Dorchester DT1 3SF 01305 250366

dorchestermagazine@hotmail.co.uk

Advertising Manager

Liz Green 7 Sydenham Way,

Dorchester DT1 1DN 01305 269610

greenliz@hotmail.co.uk

Production Editor

Lucy Connelly 15 Came View Road Dorchester DT1 2AE

01305 751249 magazine@lucy—connelly.co.uk

Going Forward

went to see him in the Vestry. As I shook his hand he said, “This is an Elijah and Elisha moment,” a reference to the story in the Second Book of Kings when Elisha takes up the mantle of the Prophet Elijah (2 Kings 2. 9-14). It was many years before I came to understand that he was inviting me to share in his ministry; to continue that ministry. Christian discipleship is costly because it means abandoning any views of ourselves as in control of our destiny! Instead we are challenged to allow Jesus to work through us, as he grows his Body, the Church. I am thrilled to have joined in the ongoing life of the worshipping communities in Dorchester and the Winterbournes and thank you for inviting me to come! As ever, Thomas Team Rector

An

n O

nym

us Happy Birthday,

Dorchester Parish Magazine!

This is the 200th Edition (and 20th birthday) of the Dorchester Parish Magazine. See page 17 for how it all began.

Correction

Last month’s article ‘First Aldhelm Certificates Awarded’ was attributed to Jill Minchin, but was actually written by June Jenkins. Apologies to both and many thanks June for being so understanding and insisting you did not mind — typical of June who is a total angel in our Parish office with never a word of complaint.

Margaret M

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Dorchester Noticeboard?

Mothers’ Union Visitors and newcomers welcome

at all of our meetings.

Tuesday 4 March St. Peter’s MU meet at 2.15pm in the hall. Det. 267724.

Wednesday 5 March Dorcas MU Bible Study group meet at 10am at 19 Powys Close. To Proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom. Luke 9: 1-6. Details 260259.

Friday 7 March Women’s World Day of Prayer Services – 10.30am at St George’s Church & 7.30pm at the Quiet Space, Poundbury.

Monday 10 March Dorcas MU meet at 7.30pm at 4 Kingsbere Crescent. Update on the Hub with Margaret Barker. Det. 260592.

Wednesday 19 March Dorcas MU Bible Study group meet at 10am at 4 Kingsbere Crescent. To Teach, Baptise & Nurture New Believers. Luke 24: 13-27. Details 260259.

Tuesday 25 March Sherborne Archdeaconry MU Lady Day Service at 2.30pm at Sherborne Abbey.

Tuesday 1 April St. Peter’s MU meet at 2.15pm in the hall. Det. 267724.

Wednesday 2 April Dorcas MU Bible Study group meet at 10am at 155 Damers Road. To Respond to Human Need through loving service. John 13: 3-15. Details 260259.

THE THURSDAY GROUP PLEASE JOIN US - ALL WELCOME

The Thursday Group meets on the 2nd Thursday monthly, for talks on a wide range of subjects, occasional

lunches out and other events.

For more information, contact: Vernon Moffet 259755

Casterbridge Speakers Meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month

7.15pm — 9.30pm. Visitors welcome at the Wessex Royale Hotel, High West Street, DT1 1UP

Hang On In There Sharing & caring group for parents with challenging

teenagers — meets fortnightly Please e-mail hang.oninthere@yahoo.com

for further details and information

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION Contemplative Reflection and Silence

An invitation to ‘come and be’ with others in the stillness, silence and simplicity of contemplative prayer.

Our Meditation groups meet every Wednesday at 5pm in the Chapel at St Mary’s Church, Edward Rd, Dorchester

& also on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 7.30pm at the Quiet Space, Poundbury. All are welcome.

For details contact Rosemary Bassett 01305 262615 or Anita Finnigan 01305 259032

Dorset Chamber Orchestra Concert with Martin Clunes St Mary’s Church

Saturday 8th March — 2 pm

Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir Concert St Mary’s Church

Saturday 15th March — 7.30 pm

Lent Lunches Dorchester United Church

Wednesdays, 5 March to 16 April 12.00 to 1.30

£5.00 to include cost of Ploughman’s Lunch, dessert and coffee, in aid of Christian Aid

Poetry in Lent at St George's Hall

Wednesday 12th March 2.30pm Thursday 27th March 7.30pm

Please come with poems that interest, comfort or intrigue you, whether original, classic or modern, to read and

share as a basis for reflection—if possible bringing some spare copies. Each session will finish with a short service

of Evening or Night Prayer

Women's World Day of Prayer Service 2014 Streams in the Desert, prepared by the women of Egypt

Friday 7th March 10.30am — St. George's Church, speaker Rev. F. Hall.

7.30pm — The Quiet Space (same day)

LOTS MORE EVENTS HAPPENING THIS MONTH—SEE THE REST OF THE MAGAZINE

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Date for your Diary...

St George’s Day Fair — Fordington Green Saturday 26th April

Durnovaria Town Band — Stalls — Morris dancers

Cream teas — Refreshments — Choir in church Displays — Games — Donkey rides

Christian Aid ‘Fearless—a life free from fear’

Saturday 22nd March — 3pm St George’s Church, Dorchester

A representative from Iraq will tell of developments there with a Christian Aid linked organisation. It promises to

be a very inspirational occasion. Entrance FREE. Refreshments available

More information: 023 80706969 southampton@christian-aid.org

‘Visions for Dorchester’ Talks Programme for 2013 / 2014

The Dorford Centre, Top o’ Town, Dorchester, 7.30pm Free events but non-members of the Society are

encouraged to make a donation of £3

Tuesday 25th March 2014 Joe Doak Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning and Development, School of Real Estate & Planning, Henley Business School, University of Reading Resilient Dorchester - Lessons from an Interconnected World

Dorchester Civic Society Contact dorchestercivicsociety@gmail.com

Quiet Day At The Quiet Space in Poundbury

Saturday 22nd March, 10.30am – 3.30pm Ever Faithful God

Suggested donation on the day: £5—£10 Please book a place by email cellerby@uwclub.net or

tel: 01305 459755 or mob: 07795140708 Bring a packed lunch, Bible, notebook and pen

Tea, coffee and biscuits provided

Further information on The Quiet Space: www.thequietspacedorchester.org — 01305 250719

Lecture on Elisabeth Frink Thursday 20th March 2014, 6.30pm for 7pm

A lecture by the curator of the Frink estate and Archive, Annette Ratuszniak, entitled Elisabeth Frink and

Archiving the Arts in Dorset, at the Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester.

Tickets: £10 (including canapes and first glass of wine)

To book your place telephone 01305 228945 or pick up a booking form at the Dorset History Centre.

Charity Concert at the United Church, South Street, DT1 1BT

on Saturday 22nd March 2014, 7—10 p.m.

Supporting Mercy Ships (www.mercyships.org.uk) and featuring the Dorset based duo Ninebarrow, Jon Whitley and Jay Labouchardiere, combine vocal harmonies with a variety of musical instruments, including tenor ukulele, mandola and melodeon. They perform traditional and

contemporary material as well as their own original songs www.ninebarrow.co.uk

Tickets are available at the United Church Shop, Harmony Music

and online at: www.paulopenshaw.com/shop.

Dorchester Noticeboard?

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St George’s Fordington

Messenger

Church Correspondent: Margaret Morrissey 250366

Amy’s Antics

Crufts is nearly upon us again, and I remember one of my first dog shows. Fiona was persuaded to enter me into the ‘Working’ dog class, rather than the ‘Waggy

tail’ section. I pranced beautifully around the ring, flashing my long eye lashes at the judges and was shown the exit pretty quickly. I didn’t meet the breed standards, nor did I have the right papers. It was humiliating!

And what’s more, having been rejected from the pedigree section, I’m considered too much like my breed to enter Scruffs, the show for non—pedigree dogs – I can’t win! Too good for one group and not good enough for the other group.

Good job the Bible reminds us that “Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.’’ So if you’re feeling a bit like a square peg in a round hole or a triangle with nowhere to go, cheer up because, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, (nor cruft or scruff) for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

St George’s Day

Fair—Sat 26th April

The fun will start at 1.30pm on Fordington Green, inside the Church and the Church Grounds. This year will not only bring the usual stalls but we hope to welcome Donkey rides and a Fire Engine. We also welcome Vivo Choir and the Manor Park School Choir to perform inside the Church as well as Scottish Dancers, Morris Dancers and the Durnovarian Town Band which will all be on the Green.

Fiona

Hall

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Lent @ St George’s Fordington 2014 March

Tues 4 3pm Pancakes @ St George’s Hall — £1 for the first pancake 50p for seconds! All proceeds to charity.

Wed 5 10am Ash Wednesday Service

Fri 7 10:30am Women’s World Day of Prayer St George’s Church Egypt – Streams in the desert.

12:30pm Lent Lunch – St George’s Church

Wed 12 7:30pm Poetry Night – bring poem(s) St George’s Church Hall

Sun 16 12:30pm Children’s Easter Activity Day St George’s Hall please ring Allen Knot or Fiona Hall to book

Wed 19 7:30pm Film Night – Chariots of Fire – popcorn provided! St George’s Vicarage

Thurs 27 7:30pm Poetry Night – bring poem(s) St George’s Church Hall

Sun 30 10:15am Mothering Sunday – Come and Worship (Communion 8am)

April

Sun 6 4pm YP@D Passion Play - St George’s Church

Sat 12 10am – 3.30pm

Quiet Day at St George’s Church & Vicarage “Death, Grief and Resurrection’’ With time for reflection, art, craft, discussion and quiet Bring and share lunch cost £3

Sun 13 10:15am Palm Sunday – with a Donkey visiting.

3pm Fauré’s Requiem by Portland Singers St George’s Church

Please come and support us and have a delicious hog roast bun washed down by a refreshing pimms or juice, followed later by a traditional cream tea!! Plenty to do for the whole family from a bouncy castle,

skittles, many fun games for children and adults, raffles, tombola, home made cakes, home made jams, jewellery etc. etc. A date not to be missed—mark your diaries now, and we look forward to seeing you whatever the weather, although the sunshine has already been booked!!

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Service dates for March

Sunday 2nd March – Sunday next before Lent 8.00am – Mass 9.45am – Sung Eucharist – President & Preacher Canon Thomas Woodhouse 6.00pm – Taize service Wednesday 5th March – ASH WEDNESDAY 7.30pm – Sung Eucharist with Ashing Sunday 9th February – 1st Sunday of Lent 8.00am – Mass 9.45am – Sung Eucharist 2.00pm – Baptism of Amelia Harris Sunday 16th March – 2nd Sunday of Lent 8.00am – Mass 9.45am – Sung Eucharist 12.30pm – Baptism of Oscar Green 2.00pm – Baptism of Oliver Burden Sunday 23rd March – 3rd Sunday of Lent 8.00am – Mass 9.45am – Sung Eucharist Tuesday 25th March – Annunciation of our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary 9.30am – Mass Sunday 30th March – MOTHERING SUNDAY 8am – Mass 9.45am – Sung Eucharist 6.00pm – Meditative Communion with Laying on of hands and anointing. Weekday Mass on Tuesdays at 9.30pm and at festivals. The Contemplative prayer group meets each Wednesday at 5pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and at the Quiet Space at 7.30pm on 13th & 27th March

Other events coming up during Lent

Stations of the Cross will be on 11th, 18th & 25th March at 6pm

St Mary the Virgin

The Open Door

St Mary’s Lent lunch will be on Friday 28th March from 12noon until 1.30pm. All are welcome. On the 17th March the Monday Club will meet in the Church Hall, Alexandra Rd from 2.30-4pm when our speaker will be Ann Purvis who will give a “Talk on Canada”.

Concerts

Saturday 8th March – 1.00pm – Dorset Chamber Orchestra Concert Saturday 15th March – 7.30pm – Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir

Sic transit…

Although you’re reading this in early March you will probably remember that January was rather wet. Too wet for gardening, often too wet for

walking, really too wet to do anything outside, so it was a good time to catch up with jobs inside. “We ought to do something about the slides”, it was said, “and then we could get rid of the projector”. You remember ‘slides’? Long ago, in the days when you used films in your camera, you could get the pictures printed or you could produce slides which were then projected onto a screen (or the sitting room wall) to entertain (or bore) your guests and visitors. Over the years these slides accumulated in carefully labelled boxes in a cupboard or packed away in bigger boxes. Getting them out now and going through them was not a simple process. The projector was set up on a table top with the screen vertical and square and the required distance away. Slides were put into a rack, the right way up and the right way round and 5 o’clock was awaited, the time when, with curtains drawn, it was properly dark. The plan was to re-photograph the pictures we wanted to keep with the idea of transferring those through the computer onto a CD. The slide show progressed slowly over several days. We started with family pictures – babies, toddlers, school girls, weddings, career girls, parents getting older – who’s that young lady in the flowery dress or that young man with

Rosemary

Bassett

Robert

Potter

7

St Mary the Virgin sideburns and a wide tie?! How ruthless can you be in rejecting yet another picture that could be saved for posterity and the family record? Then it was the holiday pictures. We went to Moscow and Leningrad in the days when you had to fly with Aeroflot and stay in an Intourist hotel with an Intourist guide. Very interesting but do we still want pictures of forbidding government buildings or even of St Basil’s cathedral and the Hermitage? Skiing pictures from Austria, snow and ice in Canada, the mermaid in Copenhagen and so on. Then there were the closer-to-home holidays – the family on the summit of Tryfan, a picnic at the top of Coniston Old Man, views of Dorset and most English and Welsh counties, all of which had a story to tell. One other batch recorded a schools cruise. Years ago Dorset booked places each January on the Uganda, a ship which catered for educational cruises by school children. One year I was asked if I would like to be one of the staff members – I did say ‘yes’! There were pictures of children, some names still familiar, and pictures of places from Ceuta eastwards to Israel, all very nostalgic - but they had to go. A few of these holiday pictures were deemed worthy of re-photographing but most disappeared into a plastic bag. To a large extent it was pictures which included a member of the family which survived. In the days of film, pictures were taken more selectively than they are now and these reminders of faces and places represented important times in our lives. They had been projected and enjoyed several times but now it was time – after much heart-searching - to discard 5 ½ lbs of them. They may not have been ‘glories of the world’ but, like those glories, they passed away, leaving only memories. Sic transit gloria mundi – or photos of the past.

Monday Club Programme for 2014

17th March – “Talk on Canada” – Ann Purvis 28th April – “Kingston Lacy” – Mary Holman 19th May – “Listen & Laugh” – Tony Holt 16th June – “Working with children with Autism” – Alison Crawford 21st July – Outing and Cream Tea to be arranged August – No Meeting 15th September – “The Women’s Refuge” – Mollie Rennie 20th October – “Talk on Italy” – Jill Minchin 17th November – “Inner Sanctums” – Rob Curtis 8th December – Christmas Lunch

Concert Programme for 2014

Sat 8th March – 1.00pm – Dorset Chamber Orchestra Concert Sat 15th March – 7.30pm – Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir Sat 17th May – 7.00pm – Dorset Chamber Orchestra Concert Sat 24th May – 7.30pm – Occasional Singers Concert Sat 31st May – 7.30pm – Cor Meibion De Cymru Concert Sat 5th July – 7.30pm – Hardye’s School Concert Sat 11th October – 7.00pm – Dorset Chamber Orchestra Concert Sat 25th October – 7.30pm – Thomas Hardye School Concert Sat 1st November – 7.30pm – Dorchester Choral Society Concert Sat 29th November – 7.30pm – Dorset Chamber Orchestra Concert Sat 13th December – 7.30pm – Dorchester Choral Society Concert

Sanctuary Lamp candles

2nd Given by Cyril Treviss in memory of his wife Joan whose birthday was on the 2nd March.

9th Given by Adrian Downton in memory of his father Leonard whose birthday was on 8th March.

16th Given by Ellie Stephens in thanksgiving for her Grand-son Sam whose birthday is on 16th March.

23rd Given by Diana Barber in memory of her mother whose years mind falls on 21st March. Also by Evelyn Toogood in memory of her husband Maurice whose years mind falls on 21st March.

30th Given by Betty Batten in memory of her husband Gerald whose years mind falls on 31st March.

The only time you will witness this phenomenon in your life... This year, the month of August will count 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. Apparently, this phenomenon occurs only once in every 823 years. Don’t wait for the next time!

Vernon Moffet

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LENT 2014 in the Benefice of Dorchester

Ash Wednesday 5th March (all with ashing available) 10am at St George’s – Said Holy Communion 7.30pm at St Mary’s – Sung Mass 8pm at St Peter’s – Compline (Night Prayer)

Lent Lunches – donations to Christian Aid Friday 7th March at St George's , Fordington12noon Friday 14th March at West Stafford Village Hall 12noon Friday 21th March – Martinstown Village Hall 1230pm Friday 28th March at St Mary's, Edward Road 12noon Friday 4th April at West Stafford Village hall 12noon Thurs 10th April at St Peter's, Dorchester town 12noon

Lent Course — St Peter’s Hall Mondays 10th,17th,24th, 31st March 10.30am-noon led by the Revd Canon Michael Insley. Theme – The Lord’s Prayer * (see opposite page) repeated: Tuesday evenings 11th,19th, 25th March & 1st April 7.30pm-9pm

Lectio Divina – 10 South Walks, Dorchester on Mondays at 7.30pm ** see below

Stations of the Cross - St Mary’s Church Tuesdays 11th, 18th, 25th March & 1st, 8th April all at 6pm

Meditation — St Mary’s Church on Wednesdays at 5pm & on Thursdays 13th, 27th March &10th April 7.30pm at the Quiet Space

Poetry Readings: St George’s Hall on Weds 12th March at 2.30pm & Thurs 27th March 7.30pm. Please bring poem(s), original, modern or classics.

Film Night at St George’s Vicarage on Weds 19th March 7.30pm Chariots of Fire

Children’s Easter Activity Day at St George’s Hall Sunday 16th March 1230pm (contact Fiona - 262394)

Passion Play at St George’s Church on Sunday 6th April at 4pm "Emma's Mystery", presented by Young People @ Dorchester

School Holiday Activity morning at St Andrew's Church, West Stafford Thursday 10th April 10am -noon (contact Jane - 264360)

Quiet Day at St George’s Church & Vicarage (bring & share lunch) on Sat 12th April 10am-3.30pm - £3 -Theme: Death, Grief and Resurrection

Details for Holy Week & Easter next month and in individual churches

Lectio Divina

Every Monday evening during Lent

Listening to the bible reading through our hearts rather than our minds. Listening to God within our hearts. Listening through our hearts to how Christ would like us to live his life here on earth. Trusting the Holy Spirit as she dances between us and sings her songs within our hearts, within our spirit, within our being.

We meet at 10, South Walks Rd. Dorchester at 7.30pm every Monday during Lent. If you would like to talk anything through first, please do ring me, Rev. Jo Lacy-Smith 01305 889476

Lent 2014

A four session course on The Lord’s Prayer Led by Canon Michael Insley, a retired priest in the Parish of Dorchester, a Spiritual Director in the Salisbury Diocese and formerly Vicar of St. Luke’s Bromley Common and Canon Theologian of Rochester Cathedral.

On Monday mornings 10.30 a.m. – 12 noon: 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st March 2014 Or Tuesday evenings 7.30 – 9.00 p.m.: 11th, 18th, 25th March & 1st April 2014 Venue - St. Peter’s Church Hall (behind the church):

Seeing Jesus at prayer, his disciples asked him: ‘Lord, teach us to pray’. In response Jesus gave them the prayer we call the Lord’s Prayer.

This Lent will give us the opportunity to explore the Lord’s Prayer, to see what it meant for Jesus in the context of his ministry: to see how generations of Christians have engaged with this prayer; to see how we can use it ourselves and live out its petitions. A Course for Lent, open to all, on The Prayer that Jesus gave us.

Content:

1. Mon 10/3 or Tues 11/3 : Prayer’s Focus - Our Father and his kingdom

2. Mon 17/3 or Tues 18/3 : God’s will and Human needs – give us our daily bread

3. Mon 24/3 or Tues 25/3 : Broken Relationships – forgive us, as we forgive others

4. Mon 31/3orTues 1/4 Dangerous encounters–lead us not into temptation, rescue us

All welcome Further information from available from Michael at - michaelinsley@uwclub.net

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DORCHESTER Parish MAGAZINE – the Morgan years As the 200th issue loomed, Margaret asked me to give a flavour of the early years. Mike and I were editors of the Magazine from the first issue

in April 1994 to December 2010, when - on Mike’s death - Margaret and her team were catapulted into the job - without missing an issue.

I uncovered the 100th edition (March 2004) and read Mike’s editorial notes, his telling of the story so far:

‘About ten and a half years ago I spoke to Robin Johnson [then Team Rector] and offered to be Parish Publicity Officer. “Does that include producing a magazine for the whole parish?” he asked. “Why not?” I thought … ’

Previously there had been separate magazines for the three churches in the parish: The Open Door, The Fordington Messenger and The Bunch of Keys. These titles were retained for the church sections in the new magazine, initially with the same editors – Jean Saddington, Olga Kardas and Sylvia Herring, with Val Potter contributing the Churches Together page.

Mike continued: ‘As the Parish Office only had an Amstrad pcw, Jean Saddington ordered a proper computer and showed me how to use it. She helped us produce a few editions and then we were on our own.

For several years Felicity and I sat in the Parish Office, sometimes till midnight [with Bronwen, our guard-collie, under the desk], typing up the articles and laying them out. Fortunately now the same ageing computer is in our house and most of the articles arrive by email or are typed ready for the scanner, which reduces the person-hours considerably. …’

Again we moved with the times, switching to using our own computer and working in Word, then Publisher, and eventually emailing all the pages to Creeds in Broadoak for printing, rather than driving the hard copy over on the deadline weekend. (A few postal disasters taught us that this was the more reliable way to work.) Photographs got sharper - most of the time - and we could access the Web.

Further into the 100th issue Mike wrote, ‘People told me it was impossible to have a magazine that

appealed both to the church members and the wider community. At times I think we have succeeded. This has been mainly:

When we have featured articles looking back on the past of the town

When we have been involved in activities and issues that concern the whole town

When the churches themselves have been doing something interesting.

‘Someone said that the Christian Church is one of the few organisations that does not exist for the benefit of its members but for the rest of the world. That is how I’d like to see the DORCHESTER Parish MAGAZINE too.’

As Margaret would no doubt echo, we were grateful to the regular writers who could be relied on to help structure - and fill - each issue. Sometimes we felt we had not sufficient time to go out and find stories and interview people, and perhaps relied too much on what came in. However, Mike was always able to write a full-page article on a matter of local or global concern if he felt it was important (especially if we discovered we were a page

short!)

Mike thanked especially our tireless Advertising Manager in that 100th issue: ‘The person who really makes it all possible is Liz Green, who keeps the venture financially viable by seeking out advertisers …’ I thank her, too, for putting up with our occasional inefficiencies, when we forgot an advert or failed to take one out.

Commenting on the parish in 2004, Mike wrote, ‘I sense that we are less outward looking than ten years ago. We do less as Churches Together (remember Road to the Cross, the Youth Mission, Dorchester Praise…) and even as an Anglican parish each church is increasingly doing its own thing. Perhaps a group of a hundred or so people is the biggest size most people feel comfortable in?’

Thank you Margaret and your team for taking on the Magazine, and for continuing it - in your own style - for the churches and the wider community.

Felicity

Morgan

The first edition, in April 1994

Mike Morgan, the magazine’s first editor

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Serving the Community for 15 Years They came from North, South, East and West of the county to visit First Dorset Credit Union’s Open Day on Wednesday 19th February. (Some

even came from Dorchester!) There were members and other visitors from Easton, Fortuneswell, Blandford, Gillingham and Sherborne.

It was a very successful day with members of the public wanting to take out application forms and discuss the many aspects of providing ethical banking facilities, but not a high street bank! The purpose of the Open Day was to mark the transition of FDCU head office from a rented suite of offices to the former Magna office at 40 High East Street, which has been purchased on a 125-year long lease to provide permanency in fast moving credit union circles.

The space has been customised to provide a superior Service Point and offices for Admin, Treasury and Loans sections. Most of the work was done by volunteers already involved in working in Dorchester. Visitors commented on the high standard of workmanship in evidence.

A second reason was to express gratitude for the help given by Magna Housing Association over many years in allowing FDCU to operate its Dorchester Service Point rent-free and paying for the services required to run it – at a time when Magna had stopped using the offices themselves. FDCU would not have been able to expand without this assistance.

Among those coming to find out more — and sign up – was our new Rector, Thomas Woodhouse. He showed great interest in the work of FDCU and was impressed to be informed that senior volunteers of the credit union attend all the major churches in the Benefice. Like other visitors he was impressed that Dorchester SP had been open 4,000 times for members to transact business during the fifteen years of existence.

The activities continued into the evening with the Annual General Meeting of the credit union held, for the first time in the new, well-appointed rooms of West Dorset District Council Offices, known as South Walks House. Chairmen of the various sections reported to members on the operation during the last financial year, showing further growth, and plans for future expansion. A lively question session followed each presentation, with Directors able to satisfy the many searching questions posed fron the floor.

It was felt by those involved in setting up the Open Day and AGM that much had been learned with the opportunities to discuss matters with members, and that the two events had been well prepared and executed.

FDCU is looking forward to the future and hopes to be able to grant more and larger reliable loans to our members so that they can be persuaded the FDCU is a far better way of dealing with financial stress than falling into the clutches of doorstep lenders or payday lenders.

Brian

Parkhurst

Cheryl Edwards, Credit Controller (left) and Rachel Bailey, Office Manager (right)

South Sudan — Update

And we complain it’s bad here!

Fighting continues in parts of South Sudan. Almost a million people are

displaced with over 3 million at risk of hunger.

The Archbishop of Canterbury recently visited the country and saw the scale of the problem first hand. In Bor, 3,000 had been buried, a similar number had not. He could smell death. At St Andrew’s Cathedral the bodies of 20 clergy and lay workers were laid out and he was asked to bless a mass grave. There is deep anger at the perpetrators.

Our fellow Anglicans in the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan are responding directly on the ground. Their development agency, SUDRA, has the expertise,

experience and networks to make sure assistance gets quickly to these who need it most. As well as providing relief, the South Sudanese Church is providing courageous moral leadership at great peril, speaking out against political and ethnic factionalism and revenge.

That’s why our Diocese has launched a Diocesan appeal that will run until Easter to help the Episcopal Church. After Easter, we will ask again for help with more targeted projects to rebuild lives.

You can donate in three ways: Online via www.justgiving.com/sdbf , Text “SSUD14 £10” to 70070 to give £10 or By post make cheques payable to "Salisbury DBF SSA". Send to South Sudan Appeal, Church House, Crane Street, Salisbury, SP1 2QB.

David

Bowen

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The Right Reverend Michael Perham Michael Perham grew up in Dorchester and as a small boy was a member of St George’s church choir. It was with great joy Dorchester welcomed the Bishop back at the end of January, firstly to the funeral of Rev Canon Brooks’ wife Lyn, and then to preside over the Candlemas service at St George’s.

It was surprising to speak to so many clergy over that weekend that had been trained by Michael and had great admiration for him.

The Right Reverend Michael Perham became Bishop of Gloucester in 2004. After a lifetime within the church he is now a member of the House of Lords and of the House of Bishops’ Standing Committee. He serves on the Working Party reviewing the Church of England’s teaching on human sexuality. He has been a strong advocate of the role of women in the Church as priests and bishops. He is Bishop Protector of the European Province of the Society of St Francis, Chair of the Governing Body of Ripon College, Cuddesdon, President of the Alcuin Club, of the Retired Clergy Association and of Affirming Catholicism, plus numerous roles in the Diocese of Gloucester.

The Bishop has announced his retirement and has said he will go in November after more than ten "happy, stimulating and fruitful years" in the diocese. Bishop Michael said the time was right for him and his family and that he would be moving to Wells.

Hardye Boys

Michael Perham, who was a year below me at Hardye's School, and I last met nearly two years ago when he was guest of honour at the annual Hardyeans' Club Dinner. We kept in touch after leaving school and our paths have crossed several times; not least during his impressive stint as a 'Prep' Schoolmaster before reading Theology at Keble College, Oxford. His administrative and social skills, as shown to very good effect in the Geography conferences (one of which I attended) he mainly organised, augured well for his vocation in the Church of England which had been evident since boyhood.

Jonathan Pullen

The Church Times announces that The Revd Philip Lambert, formerly our Team Rector and then Canon Missioner at Truro Cathedral, is becoming Assistant Chaplain of Greater Athens where he will have special responsibility for St. Thomas the Apostle, Kefalas, Crete. You might meet him on your holiday.

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Getting Through Chemotherapy Five years ago I had bowel cancer which was successfully treated. However before my bowel resection and removal of lymph glands, it would

seem that a few cells fled to my liver, made themselves at home and now are evident. Cancer. It puts you in a dark and scary place. Worries flood in – how long have I got, will I be able to get treatment, what will it be like. Anxieties about close family, they are frightened and worried too - how can I support them? Regrets - would I see my grandchildren grow or be able do all the things I wanted to see and do. Then there is the question “Why me?” - wrong question. “Why not me?” - am I so special that I should be spared this? No. Evolution shows that we are created over a long time. Without mutations we would never have made it out of the primordial swamp.

Worries need to be sorted in order to make a plan. I pray to make a plan. I am not very good at prayer, they are usually more like telegrams, or in modern terms tweets, rather than long conversations. So my plan isn’t very grand. I pray: “Lord, hold my hand and light my path just one step at a time”. I remember Joshua 1:9 and the words of Mother Julian of Norwich come to me: “All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well”.

Step one meet my oncologist. The tumour is in the most inaccessible place it could be and so an operation is not an option. He recommends 4 x 3 week cycles of chemo-therapy. Next I have a pre-treatment appointment, where a friendly nurse outlines what my treatment will entail. She explains things very carefully, answers my questions and shows me the Chemo-therapy Lounge where I will receive the treatment — a room with 8 reclining chairs, so doesn’t look like the usual ward. She gives me a booklet with dos and don’ts and a daunting list of possible side effects. Will the treatment be successful? Don’t get ahead of yourself, one step at a time.

Next step the first chemo-therapy cycle: day one of the cycle in the Fortuneswell Ward. This is the only time in each cycle that I receive treatment in hospital. First they take blood to make sure I am fit for treatment. 45 minutes later the results say I am good to go and they make up the first infusion, which will take about an hour. An hour later it arrives and the drip is set up. It takes two hours to complete the procedure. Finally, a nurse goes through what seems like a carrier bag of drugs to take home with me. She also gives me a book with emergency numbers, note of treatment received and a colour coded list of side effects and how to deal with them.

Fortunately, I have few side effects and most of them wear off as the first week goes by, which seems to be the worst for me. This maybe because of the variety of drugs being taken. By the second week, I have only one drug to take

and the final week is a respite week, when I take no drugs to give my body a chance to recover, ready for Day One of the next cycle. Before I start it my case is reviewed by my oncologist, who listens carefully to how the treatment has affected me and amends my medication accordingly. This makes the second cycle is easier.

The wonderful thing that I have discovered is how kind and caring people are. I have always believed that almost all people are good almost all of the time, but the love and concern I have received is so up-lifting. I am constantly being reassured that people are thinking of me and sending messages by way of cards, e-mails and personally. So many people are praying for me, it’s wonderful. A friend of my sister, who I’ve never met, left a prayer for me in a prayer house while walking in the Florida Everglades. I feel that I am being carried along on a wave of love, it is quite humbling. Very many thanks to everyone. It has been much appreciated and I am truly grateful.

When you hear of someone with cancer, please don’t forget the family, who are also frightened and worried about their Spouse, Father, Mother, Sister, Brother or Child and it is helpful for them for this to be acknowledged.

Thanks too to the many researchers working to improve treatment for cancer, which has made the treatment less oppressive and more successful. The staff at DCH are successful at giving confidence in the treatment. My oncologist has been attentive and the specialist nurses are very helpful. The Fortuneswell Ward are competent, caring and will patiently answer any questions you may ask when you are there. They telephone during the second week of treatment at home to see if there are any further concerns. So if you ever need them, they will make the process as easy as is possible.

Tricia

Bowen

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St Peter’s High West Street · Dorchester

Vicar: The Revd Vicky Thurtell 268767 Churchwardens: Mr Brian Hellin 268844 and Mr Mike Nisbett 260983

Services in March 2014

Sundays 9am BCP Communion and 10:30am Sung Eucharist Ash Wednesday 5th March – Compline (night prayer) with ashing Choral Evensong – the hope is that this service will be resumed in March/April, Please look out for notices in church and magazine next month.

**Lent ** 2014

Easter is ‘late’ this year – Sunday 20th April so Lent begins on Ash Wednesday at the beginning of March – March 5th. Please look out for the selection of services across the benefice that day, including Compline at 8pm at St Peter’s (night prayer with hymns, anthems and ashing) During Lent the Revd Canon Michael Insley – retired parish priest and Canon Theologian of Rochester Cathedral - has kindly offered to run a Lent Course on the theme of the Lord’s Prayer. There is a choice am/pm – all in St Peter’s Hall: Morning sessions 10:30am-12noon on Mondays 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st March Repeated for Evening sessions 7:30pm-9pm on Tuesdays 11th, 18th, 25th March & 1st April There is a sign list on the blue noticeboard in church (to help Michael with planning) or just ‘turn up’. Further details about this and other Lenten opportunities may be found in the BENEFICE LENT pages elsewhere in this magazine. Mothering Sunday – this year falls on Sun 30th March. Services will be held at the usual times, 9am and 10:30am, both with distribution of posies for all. Welcome – on Sunday 23rd March, Dorchester’s new Team Rector Thomas Woodhouse will preach at St Peter’s at the 10:30am Sung Eucharist.

Congratulations to Edmund Clancy who celebrated his 90th Birthday on 11th February and shared in church with cake and bubbly – thanks to you, Ed and to Barbara and the family.

St Peter’s AGM

The AGM will be held on Sunday 6th April at 12noon, after the Sung Eucharist (with time to ‘grab a coffee’). AGM report booklets with accounts for year end 2013 will be available in church soon. All are welcome to the meeting – Church Electoral Roll forms available from Churchwardens/Vicar. Thanks to treasurer Beryl for driving the fundraising, excellent account keeping and to all who contribute through collections, regular giving and extra donations - St Peter’s has again paid its Share (the amount, which has to be paid to the Diocese each year) in full. This year there are vacancies on the Church Council for two new members, so if you would like to stand for election then please see notices in church (blue noticeboards) and ask someone to nominate you. Equally, if there is someone you would like to nominate then please give them a prod. The Council meets six times per year at a mutually agreeable time of day.

Ordination

Many will know by now that the ordinations this year are scheduled for Sunday 29th June at 10:30am at Salisbury Cathedral, to include ordinand Alison Whiting, to be made Deacon by the Bishop of Salisbury. Services at St Peter’s will continue as usual that day with Michael Insley officiating. All are welcome to attend the cathedral service – by car (parking is available in the close ~£5 or local car parks) or by coach, which has been ordered (cost ~£13 per person) picking up at Poundbury and in town. Thanks to

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Alison for organizing this – she will display a sign up list in church (noticeboards) immediately after Easter and it will be on a ‘first come first serve’ basis (sorry not the first shall be last etc– although we could ponder that one! ) Beyond that, I’m sure that we could share lifts. This vicar will be in Salisbury overnight – attending, on the Saturday evening in the cathedral, the ordination as priest of Rev Sue Linford (my tutee for three years) of the Bride Valley. Please ask Alison or me if you have any further questions. On Sunday 22nd June at 10:30am, there will be a ‘send off’ for Alison with presentations and usual fine fare of refreshments. Details of her ministry in the team after ordination have yet to be officially finalised with the Bishop, Director of Ordinands and Team Rector. We hold Alison, and all preparing for ordination at this time, in our prayers.

Theology/Ecclesiology Discussion Group

Those who were in church towards the end of February will have heard me mentioning in the notices the possibility of a discussion group around the issue of being church in this generation, our current context..in the 21st century; this in the light of recent lectionary readings and challenges in sermons and talks regarding ‘God talk’. Already I have many names of people interested in pursuing such discussions and debates. It’s most likely that I’ll offer dates for an initial meeting after Easter. Please let me know – if you haven’t already – if you wish to receive details (Vicar) vickythurtell@gmail.com or 268767.

Farewell

Farewell to Margory Winzar RiP, who died last month at Avenue House. Marjory worshipped for many years at St Peter’s – one of the original ‘Holy Trinity –ites’.

Whist at St Peter’s

On the cessation of the St. Mary's Whist Club, the Rowan Cottage Whist Club and the Maiden Castle House Whist Club, I was 'persuaded' by some of the

whist players to run a whist drive. On 7th September 1982 therefore, I began to run a whist drive at Maiden Castle House which I did until 6th June 1988. Surplus funds were paid to the Maiden Castle House Amenity Fund. From the 13th June 1988 with the permission of the then Rector and churchwardens I was permitted to transfer to St. Peter's, provided as I think Jimmy Hamilton -Brown put it, that the surplus funds should go to something vaguely Christian! The number coming to the whist drive grew to over 40 in the early years but has gradually declined through death and illness to only 14 players if everyone was well and available. Sadly therefore after over 25 years and 1139 whist drives held at St. Peter's it is no longer practical to carry on and the last drive was held on 30th September. The main purpose of the whist drives has always been social and many friendships have been made, which extended to members being helped/ visited by other members when unwell. The players came from several different churches and some from no church at all. Pews News was always available for them to look at or take away. At first the entry fee to each drive was only 50p, later rising to £1 which included refreshments at ''half time', all of which were donated, and cash prizes. The surplus funds over the years have amounted to £5078-45 of which £4393-45was paid to St. Peter's Church General Fund, £375 to Church Restoration and Repair Funds, £150 to Sunday School and Youth Club, £110 to the choir fund for choir music and folders and £50 to the old 'Friends of St. Peter's’. I am grateful for all the help received to run the drives during these 25 years and to Derek Norris standing in for me when I was away until he had to look after Joan. In recent years, although everyone has been so supportive, I would particularly like to thank Miriam Crofts, Ken and Joan White [the latter a 'founder member] and Steve and Judith Barrett. In conclusion I do strongly feel that it has all been a very worthwhile exercise.

...and thank you Ron for all your work in running this important community activity — Vicky

Ron

Cave

Response to Article — Feb 2014

I feel I must “cross swords” with my old friend and colleague Tony Wheeler, over his article “The Death of Democracy”. Surely the opportunity to vote is something we must always use unless the whole point has collapsed. I don’t honestly feel we have arrived at this stage yet. Democracy has always been a fraught business with temptations and failures. But what is the alternative ? My somewhat cynical view is that we vote for the Party that is the least awful! Can I suggest that the only other choice can be found in North Korea? I understand in North Korea people who oppose the governing dictator are normally thrown to hungry dogs – watched by friends of the ‘beloved’ leader. If we fail to vote we might find ourselves adopting this alternative. Come what may – VOTE. We could well do worse.

Rev D Parry

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Dates for March

2nd Sunday next before Lent 10am Parish Communion 9th Lent 1 10am Morning Prayer 14th 12-1.30 Lent Lunch Village Hall 16th Lent 2 10am Parish Communion 23rd Lent 3 10am Parish Communion 30th Mothering Sunday 9am Holy Communion 10am Mothering Sunday Family Service Please note the change to the normal pattern of services for the last 2 Sundays in March

Lent Lunches

This year there will be two Lent Lunches held in West Stafford Village Hall on 14th March and 4th April from 12 -1.30. In previous years there has been good support from across the benefice and although the lunch is only simple this is a good opportunity for fellowship as we eat together. We look forward to welcoming old friends and new once more. Donations are for Christian Aid.

Churchyard Maintenance

The churchyard is looking well cared for but to keep it in trim there will be the first of this year’s gardening and maintenance mornings on Saturday 22nd March from 10-12. All are welcome to join in. Wearing old clothes and gloves is essential while bringing gardening tools such as secateurs or a trowel is helpful.

Mothering Sunday

Posies for Mothering Sunday will be made up in the church on Saturday 29th March from 10am ready to distribute at the Family Service the next day. As Easter is late this year and the spring flowers have been out since mid February, the posies may have a different look this year. Come and Worship with us and give thanks not only for our mothers but the mothering love of God.

St Andrew’s Church

West Stafford Church Correspondent: Revd Jane Culliford

Children’s Activity Morning

On Thursday 10th April there will be an Activity morning for children in the church telling the story of Holy Week and Easter with lots of arts and crafts and refreshments. Anyone from the Benefice, friends or visitors is welcome to attend.

Come and Worship

There is a varied pattern of worship at St Andrew’s Church and on the 4th Sunday of the month after a 9am Service of Holy Communion the 10am service is a Service of the Word –Come and Worship (changed this month because of Mothering Sunday). This is a more informal service and usually has a theme. In January we welcomed Alison Whiting talking to us of her Christian journey and vocation as she approaches ordination as a deacon this summer. This was within the theme of each person’s calling to discipleship. In February, having experienced wind and storm and flood, the theme was Delight in Creation as we looked not only at the fast flowing river and flooded fields but trees coming into bud and all the bulbs that have been planted around the village beginning to blossom.

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Services in March

In March we have reversed the order of our services, so that we have Matins on Sunday 2nd March and Holy Communion on Sunday 16th March taken by our new Rector the Rev Canon Thomas Woodward – we extend a very warm welcome to him and to his family and trust that they will very soon feel at home amongst us.

Advance notice

A note for your diaries – we are holding our main fund-raising effort, a Coffee morning, at Ursula Norman’s house on Tuesday 20th May at 10am. Because we are one of the smaller Churches in the Benefice, we are always very grateful to members of the other Churches who come and support us.

St Simon & St Jude Winterborne Monkton

Church Correspondent: Ursula Norman

Dorchester’s Sixth Community Play

Some readers will recall Dorchester’s first community play of recent times David Edgar’s Entertaining Strangers performed to great acclaim in St Mary’s Church in 1985. Some may even have taken part. From the success of that play came the formation of Dorchester Community Plays Association and four further plays the last of them in 2007. A sixth play is now well underway and will be performed at the Thomas Hardy School at the beginning of April. Drummer Hodge, written and directed by Rupert Creed, is set in the Dorchester of around 1900 with the Boer War as a backdrop although its closing scenes take us to the verge of a much more terrible conflict. We see a town becoming steadily more prosperous, outgrowing its boundaries and taking to new modes of transport and complacently basking in the fading glory of one of the greatest empires the world had ever known. As a garrison town Dorchester was more aware than most of the string of small wars fought by the British in far off places throughout the second half of the nineteenth century including Afghanistan and indeed early in the play the local hero Sam Vickery returns home to welcoming crowds honouring him for the VC he was awarded during the Tirah campaign. But although broadly the town was proud of its men who went to fight the Boers some of its people were troubled by the stories which seeped back of the slash

and burn policies adopted to subdue them and the treatment of the Boer women and children who were herded into what became the first concentration camps. Rupert Creed’s play shows us the glory of the war and its tragedy: its bravery and its brutality and will encourage us to ponder what constitutes a just war and the legitimacy of the tactics used to pursue it. No play set in Dorchester in the early part of the twentieth century could ignore its greatest son. But the problem for Rupert as he wrote the play was how to involve Thomas Hardy without letting him take it over. The ingenious solution adopted is to employ Hardy as an observer, as indeed he was, commenting on the action mainly through his poetry. Come and see for yourself. The play will run from Tuesday 1st April until Saturday 12th (no performance on Sunday 6th). Doors open at 7.15 p.m. and performances start at 7.30. The performances are promenade but some seats are available for those who might find standing for over two hours difficult. Tickets are now on sale at £12 (with a range of concessions for families) and can be bought by phoning the play office (228269) or calling in (it’s in the former public lending library opposite County Hall, open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) or on-line: www.dorchestercommunityplay.org.uk

David Lang Dorchester Community Plays Association

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CHURCHES TOGETHER

DORCHESTER

Compiled by Val Potter

264416

Quiet Space

Despite the recent dreadful weather we can soon look forward to spring and time outdoors. The Trustees took the decision to open the garden of the Quiet Space at weekends after Easter. We have depended on the availability of Companions for the present opening hours, but felt it was more important that people of all ages and those who are at work during the week, can enjoy this beautiful oasis of peace, so the garden (but not the building) will be open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10.00 till 4.00, without Companions to chat to, so come along and enjoy it.

In the first full week of Lent (Monday 10th April – Friday 14th), we shall have some new and different ways to help you to reflect and find tranquillity in the Quiet Room. You will have the opportunity to lose yourself in our multi-coloured activity, contemplate a series of devotional pictures, use your hands for tactile peace seeking and read or take away our pocket size reminders. Come and see for yourself.

Seek out this lovely place for yourself and direct others to it so that it really does become an oasis of peace and tranquillity for everybody, as the original vision intended.

Churches Together

We are gradually building up a committee consisting of ministers and representatives of each member church and people to represent the main ecumenical groups: Poverty Action, Quiet Space, the Ecology Group and Christian Aid. At the recent meeting we shared information on Lent activities, plans for the Good Friday walk of witness and progress on conversations about World War I commemorations. We also discussed ways to share information more effectively so that more people learn about not only activities planned together, but also the activities and events of all the churches in the locality which are open to all.

Walking with God — Churches

Together in Dorset

A spiritual exercise is planned in Lent around two of Dorset’s iron-age hill forts, walking along the concentric ramparts, from the outer circles to the centre, for a picnic lunch and short service, and then outwards again. Why? To draw closer to God and to each other. Where? Tuesday 18 March 2014, Badbury Rings, near Wimborne, BH21

5DD and Tuesday 8 April 2014, Maiden Castle, near Dorchester, DT1 2HH. Time: 10.30am gather in car park for briefing; 11.00am walk inwards around ramparts; 12.30pm picnic and service; 1.30pm walk outwards around ramparts; 3.30pm depart. Leaders: Dr Graham Kings, Bishop of Sherborne and Chair of Churches Together in Dorset and other Church leaders. Open to anyone to join in, of any church or none, of any age. School visits are welcome. Come to one walk or to both. Please don't forget to bring a packed lunch! The Churches Together in Dorset AGM will take place after the Walking With God event at Badbury Rings on Tuesday, 18th March, 2014 and will be held at the Kingston Lacy Tea Rooms, BH21 4EA, from 4-5pm

Contact: Katja Babei, County Ecumenical Officer for Churches Together in Dorset email ctdorset@clara.net tel: 07500 660 455 or Robert Shuler, Assistant to the Bishop of Sherborne email robert.shuler@salisbury.anglican.org tel: 07500 660455

Ecology Group

As the group has not met recently, but recent flooding and extreme weather has renewed the climate change debate, it is worth giving the text from the summary of the proceedings of the February General Synod:

“Another important debate was on Climate Change. This motion was put forward by the Diocese of Southwark. In moving the motion, Canon Giles Goddard said that all the evidence leads us to realise that we are creating climate change on a massive scale. All faith groups should be engaging in these issues. The motion called on synod to recognise the damage being done through the burning of fossil fuels; the fact that huge reserves are being held by the energy companies; the commitment we should have to care for our planet; the financial responsibilities we have as a major investing body; and to note that the Ethical Investment Advisory Group is reviewing its policy so as to take seriously issues of environmental concern. The motion, which was overwhelmingly carried, called for an alignment of our investing policy with environmental concerns, a report from the EIAG to be published before the end of the year and the establishment of a Working Group on the Environment.”

All are welcome to join the growing Dorchester area Churches Ecology Group. Contact Jo Lacy Smith jolacysmith@copperstream.co.uk

New Roman Catholic Bishop

The new Bishop of Plymouth is Monsignor Mark O’ Toole who was ordained bishop and installed on 28th January by

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A new arrival at St Mary’s – no, not Rector Thomas. In church two Sundays ago Jan came over to talk to a couple of us. She

was so excited as she had in the past 24 hours become the Grandmother of a baby girl. Her face was lit up with the joy in her heart — a really wonderful moment.

It took me back to the moment I held my first grandchild, also a little girl, Eva, my mother‘s name. My mother’s sister, a second mother to me, was called Edie, her birthday was the day this new baby girl was born, and would you believe this new baby has been named “Edie” — life is full of coincidences. I hope this little one brings as much joy to her Grandmother and all her family as my Eva has to us.

February started well — all the children well and peace all round — well, it went as far as the 3rd. Early Monday morning the phone rang — can you take Rocco to hospital the doctor has seen his hand and said A & E . In panic shot to the house — very brave boy with very messy fingers. For what reason only a small boy would know he had found it necessary to work on a rusty bike in the summer house trying to move the chain. Do not need to tell you chain moved, taking at least one finger and trapping two more. After a very rough night we hit the hospital, we waited 45 minutes with Roc explaining his entire problem and giving intermittent flashes of his bloody finger to all around.

We arrived with the doctor who immediately said this should have been cleaned up, not what you said yesterday says Rocco, you said take some Calpol, keep it clean, be okay. Not knowing he had even been there, he then said, well I did break my arm before. I told him he had never broken his arm but he insisted, turned out to be his hand and 3 days after his visit to A & E hospital rang to say his hand was broken. Doctor looking suitably worried by now, mother in the law profession, rushed him to x-ray, yes, one finger broken, other badly cut, so massive antibiotics and strapping and off we went All this took the entire morning but despite all not one tear or complaint. Life is never dull with a Rocco and his four bruised fingers in it.

A Month in the Life of a Grandma Update on short trousers — still being worn, one downside with rain lashing down in buckets, yes he wears wellingtons — trouble is with no trousers to soak up water it runs down his legs and fills the boots — on most days you could keep a goldfish in them!!!

Exercise I felt like my body was totally out of shape, so I got my doctor's permission to join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for the mature lady. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But, by the time I got my leotards on, the class was over.

Facts about staying healthy 1. If walking/cycling is good for your health, the postman would be immortal 2. A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water and is fat

3. A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years 4. A tortoise doesn’t run, does nothing... yet lives 450 years And you tell me to exercise, I don’t think so.

Secrets of Life When I woke up this morning I asked myself: what are some of the secrets of success in life. I found the answer right there in my room. The fan said: Be cool, the roof said: Aim high.The window said: See the world, the clock said: Every minute is precious. The mirror said: Reflect before you act, the Door said: Push hard for your goals. And don’t forget, the Carpet said: Kneel down and Pray.

The Senility Prayer Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

Always Remember This... You don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing.

Margaret

Morrissey

Rocco, dressed for the school play

his predecessor, Bishop Christopher Budd. Plymouth Roman Catholic Diocese covers most of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. Mgr O’Toole was previously the rector of Allen Hall Seminary and in the past he was supervised for his M. Phil thesis at Oxford by the Lady Margaret Professor, Dr Rowan Williams. His subject was the relationship between Divine and Human freedom. At his ordination Mgr O’Toole said: “I am deeply humbled that the Holy Father, Pope Francis,

has appointed me the new Bishop of Plymouth. Recognising that I am a sinner who experiences the love and mercy of the Lord Jesus, I embrace with my whole self this deeper call to service in His Church. I know that the example and witness of Pope Francis will continue to inspire and shape my ministry as Shepherd to all in the Diocese, especially to serve the poor, the weak, and those who feel alienated from God, as I work alongside fellow-Christians.”

Churches Together (continued from previous page)

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Italy Sarah saw the work of women sculptors and on her return she planned substantial alterations to Woodside some of which she executed herself having learnt to work in wood and stone.

Having extended and improved her home Sarah set about work in the village. In 1841 she persuaded the local landowners and the diocese to let her rebuild the chapel at Wreay and “to erect a new and more commodious structure”. Her father had been a political radical, a friend of Wordsworth and Coleridge and Sarah was an independent thinker and that independence of thought showed itself in the church design. The nave was low and simple but the apse was curved and round and the front façade was rich with carving. Inside carving tumbled off the window ledges and around the doors, the candlesticks, which Sarah carved in alabaster, were the shape of the lotus flower, the lecterns a stork and an eagle while wood used for the pulpit was bog oak left untouched for over 3000 years. Everywhere there were carved pinecones, whose bracts swirl from the base in opposing directions following the Fibonacci sequence, an ancient symbol of regeneration and enlightenment.

Sarah continued to live at Wreay until her death in 1853, the Church gradually deteriorated until “rediscovered” by Pevesner in 1967 and the subject of a major renovation in 2006. It stands now between the railway line to the East and the M6 to the west a monument to the imagination of one women who herself is now rediscovered in this beautifully written recreation of a time and a place.

“The Pinecone” By Jenny Uglow (Faber)

The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers where the next number is found by adding up the two prior numbers. So 0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34… The curves that

frequently appear in nature whether petals/pods or pinecones often reflect the Fibonacci numbers.

Five miles south of Carlisle is the small village of Wreay and in it a small church which looks like a Byzantine basilica. Inside every surface is covered with carvings; ammonites, fossils, monsters, snakes, corals, poppies, tortoises and pinecones. The building is the work of Sarah Losh, it is her story and that of her church that Jenny Uglow tells in “The Pinecone”.

Jenny Uglow writes biographies amongst then that of Mrs Gaskell, of Thomas Bewick (the engraver) and of The Lunar Men. This book feels very much a labour of love. Jenny Uglow was brought up in Cumbria and her telling of Sarah Losh’s life is in part a tribute to that part of the country. It tells “of a colourful extended family and the changing life of a village………of the growth of the Tyneside industries, the coming of railways, the fight for electoral reform and how the industrial revolution made some women independent.”

Sarah Losh was born in 1786 at Woodside, a comfortable Georgian mansion on the outskirts of Wreay. Her father was a local landowner but also an entrepreneur. In 1794, with his brother William, he formed the Walker Chemical Company to produce refined soda – used in glass making and other chemical processes. Other brothers developed other businesses – the Hexham brewery, the Tynemain Colliery, the Leven Iron Works, and the Newcastle to Carlisle Railway Company. On her father’s death in 1814 Sarah and her sister Katherine (then 26 and 28) were heiresses to the land, the alkali works and sundry other interests. Sarah’s new found financial independence and status allowed her to travel and with her sister she toured the Low Countries, France and Italy returning in 1817. In

Jean

Lang

Bookworm Two and three make five!

Editor’s Comment

The Telegraph newspaper told us on 31st January: “Church fears end of parish magazines”. The Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev Nick Baines, said, “The whole media world has changed. People look at a church on the internet, not wandering around the building.” Well, fortunately in Dorchester this is just not so: St George’s has a large number of visitors from many parts of the world, and so I am sure do St Peter’s, St Mary’s and St Andrew’s, and all enjoy taking away with them a copy of our parish magazine.

So let us all support the magazine and prove to the Church, who have stopped producing a paper version of Sarum Link, that we can all use computers but there is still something special about picking up a magazine and enjoying it.