parish news - Churches of Arden

PARISH NEWS

St. Michael and All Angels, Claverdon
• All Saints, Preston Bagot
September 2014
TIME TO REFLECT
Dear Friends
A favourite film of mine is ‘Groundhog Day’ with Bill Murray. It is the story about
a weatherman sent to a small town called Punxsutawney to cover the annual
Groundhog Day festivities where a prediction is made about how long winter will
last.
Murray’s task should have been easy but when a snow storm traps him in the
small town something strange happens to him, he finds that he is caught in a
time warp! When he wakes the next morning Murray finds it is Groundhog Day
all over again…. and again… and again!
This comedy captures beautifully Murray’s nightmare as Groundhog Day turns
into the worst day of his life. The clever twist contained in this film unfolds when
Murray’s portrayal of a weatherman, whose dead end job has made him overly
cynical and self-centered, is given an opportunity to reform his character. As he
re-lives Groundhog Day over and over again Murray slowly irons out his personal
faults and becomes quite the charming character that everybody starts to like
and in the end personally benefits from knowing.
The hidden catch for Murray is that the time warp he finds himself in will only
end when he genuinely becomes a reformed character who seeks no benefit for
himself!
The moral of this classic American comedy is found in the idea that it doesn’t
matter how long we have to live if we never learn from our mistakes. What really
counts is ‘HOW’ we live and treat each other.
Groundhog Day provides an interesting way to see the worst and best side of
human nature; it also offers a chance for us to imagine how our world could be
different if we made a little more time to reflect on how we could better live
together.
Revd. Terry Mason
The Revd Terry Mason announced in August that he would be leaving the Churches
of Arden to begin a new ministry as the Rector of Brown Clee United Benefice which
is in the Diocese of Hereford. The parishes are set in rural Shropshire and number
seven churches in all; they sit just south of Bridgnorth. It is uncertain yet when Terry
will leave, a date will be announced as soon as possible.
News of the process to appoint a successor will also be made known in due course
once the Diocese begins consultation with our three parishes of Wootton Wawen,
Preston Bagot and Claverdon. Terry and Norma want to thank all the people who
have sent such kind messages as they prepare to take this next step in ministry.

Rotas - SEPTEMBER 2014
CHURCH SERVICES - SEPTEMBER 2014
TIME
Heather & David Howell; Jeanne Dorsett
CLAVERDON
DATE
8.00am
SIDESPERSON
7th Sept.
George Cooper, Chris Thompson, Chris Lawson
Roger & Helen Hughes; Meryl Hopkins
Reg Lilly, Pat Humphreys, Norrie Moore
11.00am
8.00am
Tony Archer, Bev Beaumont, Jenny Wilcox
Roderick Boswell
FIRST READING
Norrie Moore
SECOND READING
Roderick Boswell
First Sunday Worship Team
John Knightbridge
Pat Humphreys
Third Sunday Worship Team
Brian Ollis
Cleaning
David & Tricia Hardy
Jenny Wilcox & Rita Hanks
Reg Lilly
Brasses
David Major
Altar Flowers
Rosemary Holding
David & Tricia Hardy; Julia Seymour-Smith
Rosemary Holding
-
11.00am
11.00am
Tricia Hardy
-
FLOWERS, BRASSES AND CHURCH CLEANING
-
11.00am
14th Sept.
21st Sept.
28th Sept.
Date
7th Sept.
14th Sept.
21st Sept.
FLOWERS & BRASS
PRESTON BAGOT
-
SECOND READING
Wedding
Joan Bridge
FIRST READING
Ros Belcher
28th Sept.
Mary Herbert
SIDESPERSON
-
Jill Forsyth
7th Sept.
Hugh Carslake
Luke 15: 11-24
Margaret Duke
Exodus 17: 1-4
-
28th September
14th Sept.
Matthew 9: 9-13
21st Sept.
Proverbs 3: 13-18
Valerie Rooke
21st September
Sheila Goudge
Matthew 18: 10-14
Simon Hammond
Revelation 3: 14- end
Christopher Rowe
14th September
Valerie Rooke
Matthew 18: 21-22
Carol Marrison
Genesis 2: 15-17 & 3: 1-7
-
7th September
Christopher & Geraldine Rowe
BIBLE READINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 2014
28th Sept.
Wednesday, 3rd September
Holy Communion
BCP
Wootton Wawen
Celtic Service
Wootton Wawen
Sunday, 7th September (Twelfth Sunday after Trinity)
8.00am
Holy Communion
BCP
Claverdon
9.30am
Morning Prayer
BCP
Preston Bagot
11.00am
Café Church
Wootton Wawen
11.00am
Family Service
Claverdon
Wednesday, 10th September
10.00am
Holy Communion
CW
Wootton Wawen
Sunday, 14th September (Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity/Holy Cross Day)
11.00am
Holy Communion
CW
Claverdon
11.00am
Morning Prayer
CW
Wootton Wawen
12.30pm
HARVEST SERVICE
Preston Bagot
Wednesday, 17th September
10.00am
Holy Communion
BCP
Wootton Wawen
7.30pm
Healing Service
Claverdon
Sunday, 21st September ( Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity )
8.00am
Holy Communion
BCP
Claverdon
9.30am
Morning Prayer
BCP
Preston Bagot
11.00am
Holy Communion
CW
Wootton Wawen
11.00am
Third Sunday Service
Church Centre
Wednesday, 24th September
10.00am
Holy Communion with Healing
Wootton Wawen
Sunday, 28th September (Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity)
9.30am
Holy Communion
BCP
Preston Bagot
11.00am
Holy Communion
CW
Claverdon
11.00am
Morning Prayer
CW
Wootton Wawen
6.30pm
Evening Prayer
BCP
Claverdon
10.00am
7.30pm
FROM THE REGISTERS
BAPTISMS
3rd August Jack Thomas Austin ((son of Amie and Rob, grandson of David and
Anne Eastham) at Claverdon
23rd August Isla Rose Virgo (parents Matthew and Soraya) at Claverdon
WEDDINGS
27th June Brett Mackay and Emma Morton were married at Claverdon
28th June Wedding Thanksgiving for Bob Manekshaw and Caroline Daniels at
Preston Bagot
12th July
Thomas Lott and Naomi Weir were married at Claverdon
19th July
Daniel Evans and Natalie Lunn were married at Claverdon
25th July
Thomas Gold and Alice Moore were married at Claverdon
1st August Andrew Wallis and Amy Norton were married at Preston Bagot
2nd August Ian Tranter and Laura Davis were married at Claverdon
15th August Daniel Malone and Annabelle Taylor were married at Preston
Bagot
23rd August Matthew Virgo and Soraya Hughes were married at Claverdon
WHAT
Informal Family Service
Sunday Club
Stepping Stones Pre school
Mother and Toddler Group
Monday Club –for retired people
Children’s Dance Class
Badminton
Quilting
Yoga
Slimming World
FUNERALS
26th June Memorial Service for Professor Michael Langman at Claverdon
15th July
The funeral and burial of Mark Waterworth of Claverdon at
Claverdon Church .
4th July
The funeral service for Joe Cardall at Claverdon followed by
cremation at Oakley Wood
29th July
The funeral service for Elizabeth Kinsella at Claverdon followed by
cremation at Oakley Wood
Adult & Community Learning Mixed
Media - Art
Coffee Morning –residents & friends of St
Michael’s Close
NEWCOMERS
Andy Pilkington & Charlotte Thompson with Hannah (3) & Georgia (18 mths)
have moved into 1, Glebe Road
Joe and Louise Hart with Phoebe (3 and a half) and Zoe (6 months) have moved
into Beech House, Langley Road
Art
FLOODLIGHTING
The Church was floodlit on 30th July. "Happy Birthday memories of Bob
Halfpenny", and again on 13th August, You are always in our thoughts, with love
Doreen and the Family
THANK YOU
Mary Beezley and family would like to thank all those who donated so
generously to the Habitat Survival Trust, at Arthur’s funeral. The amount
collected so far is £565.94
Table Tennis
Relaxation
Aerobics
French
Christianity Explored
Spanish
Noah’s Story Box - preschool children &
carers
Rural Cinema
Women’s Breakfast
Men’s Breakfast
WHEN/TIME
rd
3 Sunday in the month
11.00am - 12.15pm
2nd and 4th Sunday-term time
11.00am - 12noon
Every day in term time
9.15am-1.15pm
Monday 1.15pm-2.45pm
Monday in term time
9.15am-11.15am
Alternate Mondays
2.30pm-4.30pm
Monday in term time
5.00pm-7.30pm
Monday in term time
8.00pm-9.30pm
Alternate Tuesdays
1.30pm - 3.30pm
Friday in term time
9.30am-11.00am
Tuesday
7.00pm - 8.00pm
Tuesday
10.00am-12noon
Wednesday
10.30am-12noon
Wednesday
2.00pm - 4.00pm
Wednesday
1.30pm - 3.00pm
Wednesday
7.30pm-8.30pm
Thursday - term time
10.00am-12noon
Thursday- term time
9.30am-11.30am
Thursday - Spring term:7.30pm9.30pm
Friday
9.30am-11.30am
Second Friday in the month
2.00pm-3.00pm
Friday (9 times a year)
7.30pm-10.00pm
Saturday twice a year
8.00am-10.00am
Saturday three times a year
8.00am-10.00am
CONTACT
Phil Hanson
01926 843421
Mandy Dowson
01926 843612
Rachel Clark
01926 843353
Rachel Clark
01926 843353
Shirley Reading
01926 842628
Krystle Jayne’s
Dance Academy
07791852891
Paul Anthony
01789 730850
Heather Sharp
01926 842557
Karen Sear
01926 842843
Sarah Hall
07789 096273
Lynne Marcel
01789 416963
Rita Hanks
01926 842977
Gina Graham
01926 842927
June Peace
01564 792715
Julie Gilbert
01926 843487
Barry Wills
01789 551182
Cathy Scott
01527 596739
Phil Hanson/John
Knightbridge
01926 843421/
842795
Cathy Scott
01527 596739
Gill Evans
01926 842690
Alan Chant
01926 842702
Gill Evans
01926 842690
David Markham
01926 843399
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ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
Claverdon & District Branch
This year the Claverdon & District Branch of the RBL decided to hold an
evening of cocktails and canapés in lieu of the annual summer wine evening. Hosted
by Toby & Fran Lapage-Norris, the committee pulled out all the stops to ensure that
all 120 or so guests from across the spectrum of members and their families had a
fabulous time. Despite having a marquee like an aircraft hangar, a wonderful
summer evening prevailed with superb food (provided by The Woodland Kitchen)
which was balanced by copious refreshment and a musical duet providing
background tunes. The result was that a soiree became a really successful
party. The branch would like to thank all those who helped on the night and all the
guests who joined in the fun to make it such a fun evening.
As the nation joins together to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
outbreak of World War One and remember all those that have lost their lives
serving their country, the Claverdon branch of The Royal British Legion will be
holding a Poppy Ball at The Ardencote Manor Hotel on Saturday 8th November.
Dress will be Black Tie. The evening will begin with a drinks reception at
7:30pm followed by a three course meal, cheese and port. The meal will be followed
by an auction and dancing with a disco/band. Those wishing to continue with
conversation instead of dancing the night away will be able to retire to the lounge
for coffee and brandies/liqueurs.
The cost will be £45 a head and we also plan to have a number of tables for
16 - 18 year olds at a reduced price of £30.
Tickets can be obtained from members of the committee or by e-mailing
Stuart Hatton ( stuart@umberslade.co.uk )
Graham Cook
Children under-five and their carers are warmly invited to
at Claverdon Church Centre
Friday, 12th September at 2.00pm
Join us for children’s songs, a story and prayers with an activity for the
children followed by drinks and biscuits – tea & coffee and time for a chat
for the grownups!
Contact Gill for further details and
to tell her you’re coming!
Gill Evans (01926 842690)
FLICKS IN THE STICKS
The Book Thief (12a)
Starring Emily Watson and Geoffrey Rush, The Book Thief
tells the story of an extraordinary, spirited young girl sent
to live with a foster family in Germany in the Second World
War.
Friday 19th September
7.30 pm in Claverdon Church Centre (Doors open 7.00 pm)
Tickets £3.00 on the door
Bar and refreshments
Next Date: 17th October
Regulars at our film shows will be delighted to learn that the Church Centre
Management Committee plus a contribution from the small profit built up over the
years, have made it possible for us to buy our own screen. This will make the
job of setting up the room for these popular evenings very much easier.
It
should be in situ by 19th September, a worthwhile asset for the Centre for all sorts
of activities as well as our shows, so thanks everyone for your support.
The Flicks in the Sticks Team
Christmas Fair Meeting, Monday, 15th September.
This year’s Christmas Fair will take place on Saturday, 29th
November. The preparation for the Fair and the day itself are hard work
but really great fun. As usual, we need help and would welcome any
volunteers, hopefully with some fantastic new ideas! There will be a
planning meeting on Monday, 15th September, in the Red Lion at
7.30pm. So if you would like to help or if you just fancy a glass of wine, do come
along. We will be delighted to see you.
Sue Jacques and Karen Baker.
A GOLDEN WEEK-END - post-script to AMANDA’S CHALLENGE
In the July Parish News the article about ‘Amanda’s Challenge’ stated that
£10,500 had been raised for Myton Hospice in memory of Amanda Dyer. That
was ‘way back’ in this wonderful summer - the total donated from the Claverdon/
Chepstow (and back!) cycle ride and the Tennis Marathon is over £12,000. A real
tribute to Amanda.
Don Hanson
PARISH MAGAZINE VILLAGE CONTACTS PAGE
If your organisation appears on the Village Contacts page, or if you know of
changes, please can you let me know? The page needs to be updated so that
information is relevant and accurate. Many thanks - Editor
IN MEMORIAM - IAN MILLIGAN
It was with great sadness that members of the Patient Participation Group
read of the sudden death of Ian. At the inaugural meeting of the Patient
Participation Group for the Claverdon Surgery, Ian was unanimously elected
Chairman, a position he held until his resignation on their move to Lower Brailes
although even then such was his loyalty that he still returned to the Group as a
committee member.
Ian skilfully guided the committee through its early stages, making full use of
his knowledge of the initial setting up of the surgery. His experience enabled the
Group to become an established part of the Claverdon surgery. All members of
the Patient Participation Group send sincere condolences to his wife, Sheila, and
three daughters.
Jayne Kempster
Many other readers will remember Ian’s enthusiastic and committed
involvement in the life of Claverdon: he served as a conscientious Parish Councillor
and District Councillor and took part in many other local activities. We all send our
sympathy to his wife Sheila and the family.
Operation Christmas Child
HARVEST FESTIVALS
Preparations are going on apace; the combining and gathering seems to have
been so early this year, and everywhere there are people picking blackberries and
other fruit. So it’s time to tell you about Harvest Festival arrangements in the
parishes.
PRESTON BAGOT is holding their Harvest Festival celebration on Sunday, 14th
September. There is a service in All Saints Church at 12.30pm followed by a parish
lunch at the Art Barn, by kind permission of Hugh and Helen Carslake.
CLAVERDON Harvest Festival is Sunday, 5th October at 11.00am
The Speaker will be Bridget Mile from Cord (Peace through Partnership) who will
tell us about the work of the Charity and share some of the projects our donations
have and will support in Africa and Asia.
Cord’s theme this harvest is ‘Secrets of Peace’. They have
set up a Cord Virtual Garden for children to help spread the
word of peace and Cord’s work:….. cord.org.uk/harvest. The
offering will be donated to Cord .
The usual Harvest Supper has been amalgamated into The Travelling Supper on
Saturday, 4th October (see page 14)
time to pack shoeboxes again ...
Since 1990, caring people across the world have packed more than 113 million
shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child, which means that millions of girls
and boys in more than 150 countries have experienced the joy of Christmas.
2013 was the first year that OCC UK sent shoeboxes to Zambia – 41,000 in total.
4,000 of these boxes were distributed in an extremely remote part of Zambia,
which takes two days to reach by road. Our local partner said, "One cannot
explain the joy and excitement that hit not only the children but the entire
community because they have never experienced that kind of love expressed
through a simple shoebox. The gift box means so much more than the sweets,
balls, crayons, etc., but also the greater expression of God's love to children in the
remotest areas.
One little girl in remote Zambia had always longed for a pair of sunglasses. When
she opened her shoebox last Christmas, she found on top the very thing she has
been hoping for! Her squeals of delight told of her joy, as she snatched up the
sunglasses and put them on to show her friends.
If you would like to send a shoebox to a child in a poor country this Christmas,
you can order or download all your FREE resources from
www.samaritans-purse.org.uk
Messy Church in Claverdon
Continuing our exciting programme for 2014 aimed at parents and
children (toddlers to age 12), our fun afternoon will include craft activities
for the children in the Church Centre, a walk across to Church for twenty
minutes and a time to eat.
Saturday 27th September
4.00pm - 6.00pm
For more information contact
Gill Evans 01926 842690
Nicky Arnott 01926 842110
Emma Rundle 01926 842267
Sarah Breen 01926 840049
In memoriam - Elizabeth Kinsella
Elizabeth was born in 1915, the youngest in a family of five children in a wellestablished family of market gardeners in Bromsgrove. On leaving school, she worked
in Birmingham as a shorthand typist and was still taking notes and messages in
shorthand until February of this year, when her health began to fail. Elizabeth married
twice, firstly in 1941 and had two sons - Paul is the son of her first marriage and
Martin, the son of her second marriage. Martin now lives on Vancouver Island in
Canada.
After the War Elizabeth ran a shop in Marston Green, near Solihull until Martin
was born and three years later in the 1960's, she opened another shop in Warwick, and
later she worked for two firms of local Estate Agents until she retired in the early
1980's.
After being widowed, she came to the cottage in Claverdon in 1983, and so was
there for thirty years. She made many friends here; she was Clerk to the Parish Council
for some 12 years; Secretary to Claverdon WI, and also to The Monday Club (only
standing down from this at the age of almost 95). She lived longer in Claverdon than
she had anywhere else and spent some of the happiest years of her life here.
Remarkably, Elizabeth engaged in a computer course when she was over 90 years of
age and she flew to see her son in Canada at the age of 92.
Her garden was very important to her, she played the piano until she was into
her 90's and only gave up when she suffered arthritis in her fingers. She also loved
Word Games and Crosswords and worked at these until as recently as March this year.
She was able to live in her own home with her beloved 14 year-old cat Timmie until
two days before her death. She passed away peacefully in Warwick Hospital on
Monday, 7th July, at 98 years of age.
The Well Healing Centre (www.wellhealing.org)
invites you to
Pathway through Blocked Anger with Pauline Andrew
Saturday 4th October 20114 at St Paul’s Church, Leamington Spa,
9.45am – 4.00pm.
This day shows how befriending our anger can help us break free from depression and ill
health and release us into new health and freedom!
For men and women,
‘OK God, I stand in Awe! Reflections on Job
Thursday 16th October or Saturday 18th October 10am – 4pm.
Email: office@wellhealing.org
Telephone: 01926 888003
CLAvErDoN WoMEN’S INSTITUTE
Our July meeting was a special one, with competitions devised
by our itinerant President (sunning herself in Spain) and giving
everyone the chance to show their varied talents – the winners were
Gina Graham for her handmade card, Diane Whitehouse (Victoria sponge), Penny
Humberstone (fruit jam) and Chris Kenny – who did particularly well by coming first
with her crochet and ‘three floating flowers’. Now the five awards, some of which
actually require regular cleaning, will be in safe hands until next year!
Today, 5th August, was our much anticipated trip to Halfpenny Vineyard in
South Staffordshire, when a coachful of members, husbands and friends enjoyed a
rather short vineyard tour (it would rain today, wouldn’t it!), sampled several
different wines and chatted over the excellent lunch provided. Needless to say, with
wine to be bought and varied craft shops to be explored, the coach returned home
with extremely well satisfied and appreciative passengers. Thanks were given to our
capable Treasurer, Sue Bancroft, who organised the whole event.
Several new members came on the trip, and I’m sure would recommend
anyone new to the village to come along to the next meeting on Tuesday,
2nd September, when we’ll learn more about the History of Baking – maybe we’ll all
be inspired to start making our own bread!
Tricia Hardy
CLAVERDON COMMUNITY SHOP
We are all aware how important our Community Shop is to the Village. We
have come to rely upon it, it's always there, it's part of our lives and, as
Lord Digby Jones predicted, it has become our "Totem" - a place not only
to buy what you need but also to meet, share news, get an update,
generally keep abreast of what's happening. There's no doubt how important our
Community Shop is to the community.
So thank you to all our loyal and hardworking volunteers, without whom the shop
would simply not exist. That leads me nicely onto the point of this piece. We do need
more volunteers, we also need more volunteers who can prepare the papers
at weekends. The Community shop plays a vital role in the village, so please help,
come join the band of volunteers - contact Val on 01926 843707 or e-mail her on
valcleverdon@btinternet.com.
Bye for now Barry
STOP PRESS: we have been approached by Post Office Ltd about the possibility of
installing a post office within the Community Shop. We would love to be able to save
this valuable village amenity if we can - but there are a number of practical matters to
think about, some of which are not straightforward. We will see what we can
do. Watch this space!
Jonathan Evans
AROUND THE PARISHES
THE MONDAY CLUB
GRAND VILLAGE TRAVELLING ‘HARVEST’ SUPPER
The end of our Summer season was overshadowed by the loss of two of our
most longstanding and respected members, Joe Cardall and Elizabeth Kinsella, who
sadly passed away within a few weeks of each other. For many years Joe served as
our Treasurer and Elizabeth as Club Secretary, and each of them made a huge
contribution to the Club. We offer sincere condolences to Joe's wife, Margaret and
their daughters Linda and Jennifer and also to Elizabeth's sons, Paul and
Martin. Both Joe and Elizabeth will be very affectionately remembered.
A fine afternoon on 23rd June saw a visit to the garden of David and Heather
Howell at Hatton. A quiet stroll around this lovely garden and also that of their
neighbours, Ann and Peter Thomas, was followed by a delicious Strawberry and
Cream Tea. The Raffle Stall was popular, being particularly well-stocked with some
tempting prizes. Many thanks to everyone who helped in organizing (and jammaking for!) this enjoyable event. The two gardens were open in aid of Lupus
Research.
Mary Herbert gave a delightfully informal talk on 7th July, recollecting her
career in nursing and midwifery, in both military and civilian life. She decided at the
tender age of seven that she would become a nurse and went on to fulfil that
ambition with a forty-two year career that was, as she says, satisfying, challenging
and interesting. Mary described the rigid discipline of those days. She also related
her experiences whilst undergoing part of her midwifery training in Cornwall, before
joining Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps in the 1960's. After Officer
Training , she served in Germany and the Far East. In both postings she encountered
interesting characters and challenging situations, giving rise to a fund of entertaining
anecdotes about her work with British and Ghurkha service families. In contrast,
Mary also gave us an insight into the harsh treatment endured by nursing colleagues
in the occupied Far East during World War II. Mary served for six years in the
Regular Army and eight years in the Territorial Army. She married and continued
her nursing and midwifery work locally until her retirement. Her talk was packed
with fascinating detail and human interest and was given in aid of 'Help for
Heroes'. Thank you, Mary.
Our summer programme ended on July 21st with a Lunch Outing to the 'Finest
Catch' restaurant in Henley. Visitors and new members are most welcome to join us
at the Church Centre at 2.30pm on alternate Mondays.
Diary Dates.
1st Sept. 'Both Sides of the Law'. A talk by local barrister, Ian Speed LLB.
15th Sept. 'The Autumn Garden'. An illustrated talk by David Howell.
29th Sept. 'Forty-seven Years of Cancer Research. 1967-2014'. A talk by
Prof.M.Tisdale
SATURDAY, 4th OCTOBER
To help raise funds for special equipment for the Cancer Ward and Eye
Unit planned for the new STRATFORD-UPON-AVON HOSPITAL
development
If you’d like to help in any way (with starters or apple pies) please ring
Tricia, (01926 842351), Kath or Les (01926 843365)
Bring your own booze - Raffle on the night
Tickets £10 on sale now!
The COFFEE MORNING in aid of the new Cancer and Eye Units at Stratford Hospital
proved to be a real success. The grand total of £501.10 was raised (as at the time of
writing), so what can I say but a huge thank you to all who braved the horrible wet
Saturday morning to come and give so generously to this very worthy cause. I do also
want to express my sincere thanks to all those who donated prizes for the raffle, as this
proved to be a real money spinner.
I also wish to express my appreciation for the help given to me by a band of
fantastic helpers, without whom nothing would have been achieved and who must take
credit for the success of this venture, thank you all very much - Phyllis McQuillan
How very grateful I am to Phyllis and all her team for what she has achieved in raising
such a great amount, and what a big difference such events make to our fundraising
efforts for the hospital Development
Jenny Farrell,
Chair of the Fundraising Committee Working Group
The final exhibition of the season
“CANVAS & CLAY 2014”
13th September - 28th September OPEN 10.00am - 6.00pm
Paintings, Prints
and Ceramics
Hilary LaForce, Brian Fletcher,
Jan Gay, David Harban,
Paul Hipkiss and Jill Jeffery.
The Art Barn at The Old Rectory
Preston Bagot, Henley in Arden B95 5EB
www.oldrecaccom.com
Telephone: 01926 843023
Hazel Luckett
Claverdon neighbourhood
watch
All the Claverdon Community Speed Watch volunteers have completed
their vetting forms so that the police can arrange a speed gun training session
later this year.
As previously explained:

Community Speed Watch training will go through how to work in pairs
using speed detection equipment to monitor vehicle speeds at a safe
location in Claverdon

Volunteers will merely log number plates of vehicles and record their
speed through an approved check point

Only the police follow up logged speeders by issuing letters to vehicle
owners warning them of their recorded speed

Only the police actively follow up drivers caught repeatedly speeding

Volunteers will be covered by Police insurance
If you want to come along to the training to see what it’s all about (even if
you’re unsure if you can or want to participate) please let me know as soon as
possible on (01926) 843365.
The same goes for Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators – we really do need
more of you to support the scheme. Neighbourhood Watch coordinators simply
keep an eye out in their local community, report anything suspicious and perhaps
talk to their friends and neighbours on the latest crime concerns and advice.
Cyber crime continues to increase and even the most wary and enlightened
can get caught out by seemingly genuine approaches. A regular reader of my
column recently received a weekend call purporting to come from her telephone
provider. The caller insisted that her bill hadn’t been paid, and they were about to
cut off the service. She was then told to expect a call from her bank’s Fraud
Investigation Team. That call arrived about ten minutes later and they even
quoted one of her bank passwords to allay her remaining suspicions. Despite this,
it still took the caller 40 minutes to convince her that fraudulent payments were
about to go out of her account unless she assisted them.
The next working day, still concerned, she went to her branch as soon as it
opened and was shocked to find her credit balances had been transferred to her
current account then the credit balance AND the overdraft had been transferred
out of her account.
From having the security of credit monies, she now had NO money, plus a
sizeable debt to the bank on overdraft.
Continued over the page ….
Claverdon neighbourhood watch
Continued from previous page ….
This sort of crime is more common than you would think. If you get any
telephone call asking for sensitive bank account information, tell them
nothing. Instead, put the phone down, and immediately call your bank’s fraud
team - you will find the number somewhere on your bank statement or on their
website. Even if the bank is closed, the fraud team will be working.
Les Edwards - Beat Chairman
Claverdon Area Neighbourhood Watch
I am sorry to admit that the gullible one was me. There is another, nastier side to
this episode which people may not think about. Yes, I felt stupid, all the things we
think of when we hear of someone taken in like this. These people knew far more
about me than they ought to have done; they had obtained really confidential
information about me which convinced me the call was genuine. But what was far
worse was the feeling of violation, the feeling of absolute vulnerability. Thank you to
everyone who offered loans (thankfully not needed in the end!) but the moral
support, I can’t begin to tell you how important that was to me. I can only reiterate
Les’ advice - PUT THE PHONE DOWN AND RING YOUR BANK’S FRAUD TEAM
Norrie
A Prom for All!
at Coventry Cathedral on
Saturday, 27th September 2014 at 6pm
Come and raise the roof and enjoy a rousing programme of
orchestral and choral music including “Pomp and
Circumstance”, Traditional British folk tunes, extracts from
popular musicals and the Cathedral Organ played in all its glory!
Conducted by Paul Leddington Wright and Kerry
Beaumont and featuring St. Michael’s Singers, Coventry
Cathedral Orchestra ,Coventry Cathedral Choristers and
Coventry and Warwickshire Primary School Choirs
Tickets: £15 and £10 (£12 and £8 concession)
on-line at www.coventrycathedral.org.uk
by phone on 01676 532436
and from the Coventry Cathedral Shop.
Flags and refreshments available!
IN MEMORIAM - JOE CARDALL
At 10.45am on Friday, 4th July, the bells of Claverdon Church rang out,
loud and clear, to be replaced by a single bell tolling. The bells were ringing in
tribute to Joe Cardall, to celebrate his life and to acknowledge his contribution to
the village and as a bell ringer.
Joseph Stanley Cardall was born in 1923 in Birmingham, the “Stanley” part
of his name was because Stanley Baldwin was prime minister at the time and Joe’s
father was a staunch Conservative. Joe left school at 15 and went to work at
BSA. However, the Second World War intervened and, aged just 17½, Joe joined
the RAF. His choice of service was influenced by his father’s experience of the First
World War, hearing of the suffering of men who fought in the trenches. He served
with 149 and 199 Squadrons of Bomber Command as bomb aimer and co-pilot
flying Stirling bombers on raids over France and Germany. His choice of service
was ironic, given that the RAF suffered a 60% loss rate in the skies over Europe. He
had a charmed existence, completing the war years without injury, and after the
war he went on to serve in India and the Middle East.
Joe had lived at The Green, Claverdon, with his parents and sister. He
became Chief Buyer of BSA Machine Tools which meant that the family had to
move away. They returned to Claverdon in 1979 and quickly became involved with
village life. Joe was a staunch member of the Royal British Legion, serving as Poppy
Appeals Organiser and also as President. His service to the Claverdon Branch was
recognised by the Royal British Legion when he was awarded lifetime
membership. Both he and Margaret were committed helpers at Stepping Stones,
although it has to be said that Joe’s effect on the children was not always good,
getting them wildly excited at times. He was a dedicated member of the bell
ringing team and even in his eighties was negotiating the spiral staircase to the bell
tower. His input to the Church didn’t end there, either. He was a familiar sight to
everyone, on the ride-on mower, keeping the churchyard trim and tidy, only
retiring at the age of 85.
First and foremost though, Joe was a family man. He always said that he
loved being a dad, it was fantastic, but being a grandfather was even better. So
finding himself with eight great grandchildren left him speechless with delight,
something which was a rarity for him. He could often be seen in the middle of his
family, just gazing with delight at grandchildren Sally, Emma, Nicholas, Claire and
Andrew and then his great-grandchildren Lily, Evie, Kaitlin, James, Alex, Mia, Max
and Amelie. His son in law referred to Joe as someone being part of the
community, a helpful neighbour and one of life’s gentlemen and offered thanks for
a very special person who will always remain in their hearts. One of life’s true
gentlemen, he will be sadly missed.
CLAVERDON GARDENING GROUP
What wonderful weather July brought us, so no wonder we
gardeners almost welcomed the rain when it came, but what a pity
it came with such force; it nearly knocked all the petals off the
flowers and fruit off the trees! However, the sunshine gave us many
opportunities to prepare our gardens and vegetable plots for the
visitors we had on July 12th for our Open Gardens Walk around Claverdon. A big
thank you to all who took part, we finished up at the last garden for drinks and cakes
and a relaxing chat in the sunshine. Over 50 members and visitors were present to
make a very enjoyable get-together and a day to remember.
This month we have three events to look forward to:
On 13th September the Claverdon Gardening Group will be holding their
Annual Autumn Show at the Dorothea Mitchell Hall where members will be
displaying their best Vegetables, Fruit, and Flowers. Other categories will show
member’s other skills in Art, Craft, Cooking and Photography. There is also an Art
section on a sunflower theme for children.
Judging will commence at 11.00a.m. – 1.30 p.m. and the show will open at
2.00 p.m. with winners announced at 3.p.m. The produce will be auctioned off at
around 3.30 p.m. and the proceeds given to S.P.E.A.R. (Sue Pike Equine Animal
Rescue), who will be bringing along some of their animals for us to see and handle.
On 16th September our usual monthly talk in the Dorothea Mitchell Hall will
take place – see notice boards for details or contact the number below nearer the
date.
27th September sees our visit to the Malvern Show, where there is so much
to do and see. Certainly a day not to miss; there are a few tickets left which can be
purchased at either of the dates above or by phoning the number below.
For any further information please contact Mick/Iris Kitchen 01926 843159.
Paul Dryhurst
Beware new technology ...
A friend of mine, a professional organist, was asked to play for a wedding.
Unfamiliar with the church’s organ, she went to the sanctuary to practice. Curious
about a small keyboard that slid out from under the two regular keyboards, she
tapped out a couple of bars of a simple tune but heard nothing. Then she played a
few more notes, but still no organ music.
Just then a man came running into the church, shouting, "Who’s playing ‘Three
Blind Mice’ on the church bells?"
She had been operating the carillon.
CLAVERDON SCHOOL
At the end of the summer term we said goodbye to our Year 6
pupils. These children had a special bond as they were classmates of Molly
Ollerenshaw who sadly lost her battle with cancer in June 2011. The school
supports the work of Molly Olly’s wishes, the charity founded by Molly’s
family in her memory.
The end of school party on the last evening of term was a truly family affair with all
Year 6 pupils and their families enjoying a hearty barbecue along with a disco and outdoor
games - something for everyone.
A highlight of the evening was the screening of ‘Year 6 Year Book’ on DVD. Mr Steve
Wild produced the year book and put the pictures onto a DVD. What we didn’t know was
that he had filmed the class in their ‘Alice the Musical’ costumes dancing and playing
around on the school field after their dress rehearsal. The results were carefully edited and
set to music. The film was brilliant and featured all the children in the class fooling around
and dancing – having a great time! Steve Wild gave us a copy of the DVD for school. We will
definitely be watching it again. We wish all children all the very best for the next stage of
their lives.
While Year 6 pupils and their families enjoyed their party, staff were not too far away
enjoying an end of year get together at a curry house in Henley. We spent an enjoyable
evening relaxing, eating and chatting. Staff were then in school the next day working on our
new pupil progress tracking software.
Our INSET days at the start of the autumn term will give everyone more time to
familiarize themselves with this system and to continue to prepare their teaching materials
in line with the new National Curriculum. I hope that all staff enjoy a restful holiday as we
shall be continuing our steep learning curve throughout the next Academic Year.
The new curriculum poses a challenge for staff and pupils and we embrace this new
learning and see it as an exciting challenge which will keep us all on our toes as we learn
together. We have a good team here so we look forward to helping and supporting each
other as we learn and grow together.
Kate Gover, Headteacher
First day back
It was the first day of school. As the Head made his rounds, he heard a terrible
commotion coming from one of the classrooms. He rushed in and spotted one boy,
taller than the others, who seemed to be making the most noise. He seized the lad,
dragged him to the hall, and despite his protests, told him to wait there until he was
excused. Returning to the classroom, the Head restored order and lectured the class
about the importance of good behaviour. “Now" he said, "are there any questions?”
One girl stood up timidly. "Please sir," she asked, "May we have our teacher
back?"
"Where exactly is your teacher?"
"He's in the hall, sir."
HEL’S kITCHEN
Mango and Passion Fruit Roulade
This is a whisked sponge, which is low in fat, especially if you use yogurt or lowfat crème fraiche as a filling, instead of cream. Can be cut into 10 slices.
Ingredients
Sponge
3 eggs
85g (3oz) golden caster sugar, plus 1 tblsp
85g (3oz) plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
Filling
1 tblsp caster sugar
flesh from two large ripe passion fruit
2 ripe mangoes, peeled and cut into small chunks
250g (9oz) fresh or frozen raspberries
200g (7oz) Greek yogurt or low-fat crème fraiche
Method
Pre-heat the oven to 200C/Fan180C/Gas 6
Grease and line a 30 x 24cm Swiss roll tin with non-stick paper. Break the eggs
into a large bowl; add the sugar and whisk until thick and light, about 5 minutes.
Fold in the sifted flour and baking powder, and the vanilla extract. Tip the
mixture into the Swiss roll tin and tilt to level the mix.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden and test with a skewer, which should come
out clean. Turn out onto another sheet of paper, which has been dusted with 1
tblsp of sugar. Roll the paper up inside the sponge, then leave to cool
completely.
Fold the sugar, passion fruit pulp and one-third of the mango and raspberries
into the yogurt or crème fraiche. Unroll the sponge, remove the paper, spread
with the filling, then roll up again.
Serve with the rest of the fruit on the side. The roulade can be filled and rolled
up to 2 hours before serving and kept in the fridge.
Helen Archer
THE MoNTHLY HMMM….
Two Bibles
Charity Number 1027310
www.steppingstonesclaverdon.co.uk
Tel: 01926 843353
When you read this news we will be preparing to return to Stepping Stones
to begin a new academic year. Some children will be returning and we will be
welcoming new children and their parents.
Our Mini Graduation and Leavers Party was an opportunity to celebrate the
older children’s time with us and share some of our favourite songs as well as
presenting the children with a medallion and a certificate.
We have had lots of opportunity to play outside. The children have enjoyed
plenty of sand and water play, obstacle courses, building sites and being
policemen, it has been great!
We hope to return to good weather and continue playing outside and
settling our new children. Lots of messy play with mixing colours is planned and
walks around the village looking for shapes and colours. Once everyone is settled
we look forward to visiting Hill Close Gardens and welcoming Noah’s Story Box to
our group.
With thanks for your continued support and interest, Lisa Loughlin
Stepping Stones
NEW SCHEME To HELp THE ‘vICAr of BAGHDAD’S’
parishioners in war-torn Iraq
As Iraq faces continued unrest, a Christian ministry called ‘Leading The Way’ is
partnering with Canon Andrew White, who is known around the world as the
‘Vicar of Baghdad’, to distribute 3,000 Navigator ‘pocket missionaries’ throughout
Baghdad.
The Navigator is a solar powered audio player that has the capacity to hold the
Bible as well as a selection of Christian teaching material. Its version in Arabic can
be given into the hands of Iraqi people in areas around Baghdad, where many
people have a low level of reading ability, but are in desperate spiritual need.
‘Leading The Way’ President and Founder, Dr Michael Youssef, is a friend of Canon
Andrew White, the UK-born vicar of the only Anglican church in Iraq, where some
1000 of his people have been killed in the last five years.
Dr Youssef said: “We are delighted to be able to send Andrew White these
Navigators, because some of his people dare not go to church, the bombings are
so bad.” If you would like to help, please go to: www.leadingtheway.org.uk
One of the trips we made over the summer was to an ‘Old Favourite’. On
reflection perhaps I should describe Slimbridge - the former home of Sir Peter Scott
and birthplace of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust - as a place of pilgrimage. As a
would be Ordinand in the Church of England, I never would have dared to say such a
thing for fear of committing a heresy. After all, how could I possibly claim that a good
spot for birding was any kind of a pilgrimage?
Well, let me tell you all my fears of making such a claim were dissipated on our
latest trip. It all happened when I was sitting in the church of St John the Evangelist in
the little village that lent its name to WWT’s eponymous headquarters. I was looking
at a modern stained glass window, designed to commemorate the life of Sir Peter
and, at the same time, I was admiring a rood screen commemorating the fact that
William Tyndale, the translator of the Bible into plain English, was born in the village.
Whilst I gazed alternately at the window and the screen, the weather roared
outside. It was one of those summer thunderstorms that although forecast seem
always to catch us by surprise. The thunder broke and the rain beat on the steeple
roof with such vigour that I half expected to see a tube train come blasting down the
nave.
I will confess that I had no real blinding epiphany of understanding – certainly
not whilst the storm dumped its wrath upon us. To be honest all I could think at that
point was that I was glad to be under shelter. I felt like Elijah in his cave and God
wasn’t speaking to me either.
I was confused. How did the Word of God as revealed in the Bible and
represented by Tyndale’s rood screen really marry up with the created world as
represented by Sir Peter Scott’s commemorative window? Later in the quiet the
answer was revealed to me that the good old Church of England had it right all the
time. We come close to God and making sense of things when we combine scripture,
tradition and reason. And to do that we need we need two Bibles – one in English
and the other that’s all around us.
James Holden
Back to school
Young James finished his summer holidays and went back to school. Two days later
his teacher phoned his mother to tell her that James was misbehaving. "Wait a
minute!" protested his mum. "I had him here for weeks and I never once called
YOU when he misbehaved!"
(Sorry, James….. Ed.)
MALAWI UPDATE
When Julian and Caroline first moved to the farm at Dedza three years ago,
they applied to be connected to the mains electricity. It soon became clear that it
wasn’t going to happen quickly unless some “additional payments” were offered.
They declined and decided to live the best they could without the mains connection.
We (the SaltMalawi trust) shipped out solar panels for the lighting and eventually
we located a suitable solar powered fridge and freezer (the sort used by the army in
Afghanistan). They managed to survive this way until quite unexpectedly they were
connected to the grid just two weeks before returning to UK for a break this
summer. High on their shopping list for the return trip was a lightweight vacuum
cleaner!
The work in Malawi has seen many significant encouragements. There are now
eighteen orphaned children living with families in four houses that have been built
on the farm. The agriculture is going well and the land is gradually being restored.
They have livestock to help with the organic fertilisation and they have planted
hundreds of trees. The electricity has now enabled them to have a powered pump
for the water supply. The farm provides work for many people from the surrounding
villages. A new initiative will start in the autumn to bring some of the older people
who have no family onto the farm in a specially built facility. They have been able to
continue the feeding programme and they have distributed hundreds of blankets for
older people who struggle with the night time temperature drop. The farm has been
officially recognised by the Malawian Government as an approved orphan centre.
The churches continue to be an amazing encouragement and people who have
known nothing other than a witchcraft culture are seeing their lives utterly
transformed.
This summer Julian and Caroline were able to enjoy their son Tom’s wedding
to Naomi which took place in Claverdon Church. It was an
amazing occasion of Christian celebration. As well as
taking some time to relax they also visited many of the
churches that support them across the country finally
taking part in the service in Claverdon, the day before
their return flights. They are safely back in Malawi and
probably more encouraged and energised than at any
time in the years they have worked there.
Phil Hanson
A SIGN of THE TIMES … ?
We were all shocked and surprised at the news of the sudden closure of
‘Burmans’ , such an important part of life here for almost 65 years. Many customers
have had the pleasure and convenience of being able to walk to our friendly butcher’s
shop, for the proverbial ‘service with a smile’ by David, who originally came to help his
father, Norman.
Forty-one years is a very long time to be in a job, and many of us can remember
the days of power cuts and shortages, and times when the village was cut off from the
outside world by deepest snow or floods, then come what may David must have
driven over here from his home in Bidford-on-Avon to keep us supplied with meat,
those famous sausages and vegetables too.
It was never too much trouble to provide a hamper for a raffle, a complete
selection of food for a harvest supper or chicken and chops for barbecues. If
customers were unable to get to the shop, then David would deliver their order, even
on one occasion taking a box of Christmas produce late on Christmas Eve to a forgetful
customer!
Helped by Alan then Eileen and later Corinne, who ‘looked after’ the vegetables
for many years, David always seemed to be there with the shop a meeting place for
villagers. The additional responsibility of becoming Sub-postmaster made the job even
more demanding. with Sue Bicknell quickly organising everything in the Post Office and
dealing with any questions or requests from customers, (with a wonderful additional
talent for producing those fantastic commemorative cakes of all sorts – what a great
designer she is!)
There have been many messages expressing great alarm at the loss of our
butcher’s shop and all say how much the special service found there has been
appreciated. So thank you, David, and all the team for what you have done for
Claverdon over many years. Thank you very much from your many friends and
customers: we miss you, and we all wish you well. Your village friends
It is hoped to find out more of the history of Claverdon’s shops, particularly the butcher,
in time for the next issue

Please see the “Stop Press” on Community Shop article