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THE FOUR PARISHES NEWSLETTER

 

BECKLEY -  FOREST HILL - HORTON-CUM-STUDLEY - STANTON ST JOHN

 

 

Stanton St. John Village Shop & Post Office

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR

from Sandra & Peter

 

Shop opening hours over the holidays:

24^th December – open 8am to 1pm

25^th December to 28^th December – closed

29^th, 30^th & 31^st December – open 9am to 1pm

1^st & 2^nd January – closed

Then open as usual.

 

  

PINCHIN & SON

 

OPEN EVERY DAY EXCEPT SUNDAY

FROM 9^th DECEMBER

FOR MEAT & FRESHLY CUT CHRISTMAS TREES

Open every Friday & Saturday from 10am – 5pm

Open till late 20^th – 24^th December,

but do call in if you are passing at other times

Call 01865 872 231

 

SEASONS GREETINGS TO YOU ALL

  

Massage / Muscular Therapy

by

Cathy Genevie, M.A., C.M.T.,

 

Specialising in therapy for

pain relief and stress reduction

 

Freelands, Pound Lane, Stanton St. John, Oxford

Tel. 01865 351 318

 

 

 

THE FOUR PARISHES NEWSLETTER

 

BECKLEY 8 FOREST HILL 8 HORTON-CUM-STUDLEY 8 STANTON ST JOHN

 

DECEMBER 2004 – JANUARY 2005

 

 

5th December Beckley         9.30am  Family Communion      

            Forest Hill    10.00am  Patronal Festival

                                     Family Service

            Horton-cum-Studley 10.45am     Morning Worship

            Stanton St. John 8.00am  Holy Communion (BCP)

 

12th December              Beckley  9.45am     Christingle Family Service

            Forest Hill     8.00am  Holy Communion (BCP)

                            3.00pm  Evensong

    Horton-cum-Studley 10.45am     Christingle Family Service

            Stanton St. John 9.30am  Family     Service

                   

19th December              Beckley  6.00pm     Carols & Claret

                                     [Carol Service]

            Forest Hill     6.00pm  Carol Service

            Horton-cum-Studley 3.00pm Carol Service

            Stanton St. John 6.00pm  Carol Service

 

20th December            Sandhills  7.00pm     Carols & Mince Pies

Monday      [in the Community Hall at Sandhills School]

 

24th December              Beckley  10.30am    Crib Service

Friday      Forest Hill    11.00pm  Christmas Eve Communion

                                          [please note earlier time]

            Horton-cum-Studley 4.00pm Crib Service

                           11.00pm  Christmas Eve Communion

                                          [please note earlier time]

            Stanton St John 4.00pm  Crib Service

                           11.30pm  Christmas Eve Communion

 

25th December              Beckley  10.00am    Christmas Day Parish

Christmas Day                             Communion

            Forest Hill    10.00am  Christmas Day Parish

                         Communion

            Stanton St John 9.30am  Christmas Day Parish

                         Communion

 

26th December Stanton St John 10.00am Benefice Parish

St Stephen’s Day                          Communion with Carols

 

The Benefice Service is for the four parishes: please note that there are no services in the other three services this Sunday.

 

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2nd January Beckley         9.30am  Family Communion

            Forest Hill    10.00am  Family Service

            Horton-cum-Studley 10.45am     Family Communion

            Stanton St. John 8.00am  Holy Communion (BCP)

 

9th January Beckley         9.15am  Parish Communion

            Forest Hill     8.00am  Holy Communion (BCP)

                            3.00pm  Evensong

    Horton-cum-Studley 10.45am     Parish Communion

    Sandhills      11.00am  Family Service

    [in the Community Hall at Sandhills School]

    Stanton St. John 3.00pm  Christingle Family Service

     

16th January Beckley         8.30am  Holy Communion (BCP)               9.45am      Family Service

            Forest Hill    10.00am  Parish Communion

            Horton-cum-Studley 10.45am     Family Service

            Stanton St. John 9.30am  Morning Prayer

 

23rd January Beckley         9.15am  Parish Communion

            Forest Hill    10.00am  Morning Prayer

            Horton-cum-Studley 10.45am     Parish Communion

            Stanton St John 9.30am  Parish Communion

 

30th January Forest Hill     9.00am  Benefice Holy Communion

                            6.00pm  Benefice Candlemas

                                     Service

 

The Benefice Service is for the four parishes: please note that there are no services in the other three services this Sunday.

 

Rev. Dr. William Brierley (Team Vicar)                        [ 01865 351 142

Rev. Brenda Knight                                                [ 01865 351 227

Rev. Angela Butler                                                [ 01189 422 055

Rev. Dr. John Edmonds-Seal                              [ 01865 351 582

Capt Michael Collyer                                    [ 01865 450 125

 

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If you have any notices for this Newsletter please give them to your parish contact:

 

Beckley                       Claire Tasker           [ 01865 351 470

Forest Hill & Sandhills       Islay Charman           [ 01865 872 514

Horton-Cum-Studley            David Turner            [ 01865 351 460

Stanton St. John              Bobbie Stormont         [ 01865 351 765

 

There will be no newsletter in January. The closing date for items to be included in the February issue is Tuesday, 18th January 2005.

 

If you or your organisation or business are interested in sponsoring the newsletter, please contact the Team Vicar [  01865 351 142

 

 

 

 

 

Flowers at Christmas: Greenery and flowers to decorate the church will be very much appreciated ,  and also your help at 10.30am on Saturday 18th December (please note this date is earlier than usual).

 

CANDLEMAS

The last celebration of Christmas 2004

The Presentation of the Baby Jesus in the Temple

CANDLELIT SERVICE at St Nicholas Forest Hill

Sunday 30th January at 6.00pm

please come

 

Next PCC meeting: Friday 28th January at 7.30pm at Ardun

 

Parish Council:

It was reported at the last meeting that a Dial A Ride scheme is to be put into operation in this area for people who do not have their own transport. More information will be available shortly

Parishioners are again reminded to use the buses as we do not want to lose this vital service. Please pass on any comments or complaints to Malcolm Leeding,

Thanks are due to Ricky Grandi for painting the football goal posts on the recreation ground. A new net has been purchased and will be put up shortly.  Thanks as ever to Gordon Shepherd for mowing the rec. so regularly.

A new notice board is being obtained to replace the old one on Mickle Way.

Next meeting:  Thursday, 6th January 2005, 7.00pm.

 

 

 

 

BR Cars

 

Local company based in Beckley

o Taxis o Contract o Shopping Trips o

o Competitive rates   o   Call: 07742 648 900 o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

Baptism: Natalie Ann Ockenden Kyte was welcomed into the Church when her family and friends brought her to be baptised on 31 October.

 

Frank Veness came to live in the village only a short while ago after the death of his wife. Some of us got to know him at church and had hoped to get to know him better, but sadly he has died. We extend our deep sympathy to all his family.

 

Poppy Appeal: In buying a poppy we remember the work and purpose of this appeal. Our organiser and collectors once again did a very good job and the total collected from the village was a record, £253. 95p.

 

Sandhills Community School: We congratulate everyone involved in the School Project:

the building and landscaping have received an Oxford Preservation Trust Environmental Award. The formal opening of the school by the Princess Royal was on 8th November and was a very exciting and successful day.

 

Village Hall: The Christmas Fayre was well attended, making £234 which will go towards Village Hall expenses. The Committee thanks all those who supported the afternoon and helped in any way. Next year perhaps more young people from the older age group could design a Christmas card. Many this year were very interesting and thoughtfully designed.

 

St. Nicholas Day, our Patronal Festival: We celebrate this special day at 10.00am on Sunday 5th December. The young people perform scenes about the life of St Nicholas. We all sing special St. Nicholas songs and put out a shoe to receive a golden coin. Everyone joins in, but we have a special practice for the children, which you will be told about.

 

Bells: The final part of the Project has been the refurbishment of our two bells dated 1652 and of the smaller Sanctus bell. Soon you will hear them ring again! The Vicar will re-dedicate them on St. Nicholas Day at our 10 o` clock service.

 

Carols at St Nicholas - 6.00pm Sunday 19th December:

We sing the familiar carols as the story unfolds in the readings, but wait for the Feast of the Epiphany for the arrival of the kings. The choir (specially volunteering for Christmas and Candlemas) ventures into other lands and traditions. Please volunteer (enthusiasm only qualification) and ring Mary-Rose, 872 514, for time of practices. New members needed to swell the joyful strain.

 

Carols at Sandhills - in School Community Hall

Monday 20 December at 7.00pm

followed by mulled wine and mince pies

(nb.  there is no service in Sandhills on 12th December)

 

Everyone is always welcome at all our services and especially so at the Christmas Celebrations

 

This newsletter contains the time of all the services in the Four Parishes in December and January. Please keep it carefully.

10

 

 

3

Stanton St. John Children's Club: The next meeting of the club will be on Monday 6th December at the normal time of 4.30 to 5.30pm in Stanton St. John Village Hall. We will not meet in January, so the next meeting after December will be on Monday 7th February. All children are very welcome. For more details call 351 142.

 

The Four Parishes Fellowship Group meets once a fortnight in Stanton St John. All four of the Parishes have at least one person attending. All are welcome. More information from Brenda Ingram (FH), Phil & Joan Webb (SSJ), Pam Edmonds-Seal (B), or David & Rita Turner (HcS). Contact David Turner (351 460) or Brenda Knight (351 227) for venue and for more details.

 

Operation Christmas Child Appeal: Run by the Samaritan’s Purse International Organisation (a Christian charity). This year we hope to send even more Christmas shoeboxes filled with gifts to children in need in Eastern Europe. Last year one million boxes were sent from UK. If you would like to be involved please contact me for details of how to fill a shoebox. Lucy Betts, Wheatley Area Representative. 5 Tyndale Place, Wheatley OX33 1YY Phone 875 436

 

 

 

JAN WELLER PRE-SCHOOL

Holford Centre, School Lane, Stanton St. John

We offer care and education for children from 2 ½ to 4. The children have the opportunity to learn through play in a safe and stimulating environment.

Registered with Ofsted and the Charities Commission. We can offer government funded places for 3 to 4 year olds.

Sessions: Monday – Friday 9.15 – 12.00

Lunch Clubs Monday, Wednesday & Friday 12.00 – 1.15pm (Term Time Only)

Please ring Hazel Christian to arrange a visit on 01865 358 076

 

 

 

Ewelme Watercress Beds Local Nature Reserve: Wildlife and Heritage

Enjoy a guided winter walk around the 2.5Ha (6.5 acre) Ewelme Watercress Beds, LNR. Meet at the Watercress Beds Centre, High Street, Ewelme (recently opened by HRH the Duke of Kent) on Sunday 5th December at 10.00am or Sunday 9th January at 10.00am. Admission: Adults £2, Children free. Tea, coffee or squash and biscuits available afterwards. Toilet facilities. Waterproof footwear advisable. No dogs please. Free car parking in east end of Ewelme (past the church and school – please allow 8-10 minutes to walk to Centre) and some on-road parking.

 

4

 

On 9th November, Peter Ady, who lived for many years in Stanton St. John, travelled to her funeral service in Beckley Church by horse-drawn hearse. The service was attended by many of Miss Ady’s friends and members of her family, to whom we send our sincere condolences.

Hilda Greenwood: Sadly Hilda died at the end of October, after a long illness so bravely borne. Her funeral service was held at St Andrew’s Church, Old Headington on Thursday 4th November in the presence of her family and friends. Our sympathy and prayers are with her husband at this time.

 

The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2004:

The collection in this parish amounted to £459.39 [which includes £86.47 donated at the Church Service on Remembrance Sunday]. Many thanks to those who gave so generously and to all of you who gave your time to display the collection boxes and to make the house-to-house collections: all very much appreciated.              Brenda Knight

 

Village Christmas Celebration: Bah Humbug ! Join fellow villagers for an evening of mulled wine, readings, poetry and song to celebrate Christmas on 11th December at 8.00pm onwards in the Village Hall. Tickets £5 / £3.50 concessions, includes mulled wine / soft drinks and mince pies. Profits will go to the Oxford Children’s Hospital and the Village Hall Fund. Tickets available from the village shop or by calling 351 803.

 

Social Events Past and Future:

In October we had an excellent Quiz evening run with his usual panache by John Lauder. Thirteen teams took part and it was a close contest with Mill Street providing the brains once again. Thanks to John (and Kathy, his scorer in-chief) and to Sheila for excellent refreshments.

At the end of the month, a skittles evening proved equally popular. Our enthusiast for the game, Reuben Malin, provided the transport to bring the skittle alley and for that we are very grateful. He didn’t figure among the leaders, however, and Dave Hughes came from behind with a final clean sweep of all 9 pins to win first prize. Again Sheila and her family are to be thanked for refreshments and setting out the hall.

In November we have had a Coffee Morning at Olive and George Lee’s home, which was well supported.

These 3 events have between them raised almost £400 for Church funds.

The future event is, of course, our very popular ‘Haggis Evening’ on Saturday 29th of January. Tickets (which are limited) are now available form Sheila (351 210) or George (351 486). Our entertainment will be provided this time by ‘Short Back and Sides’, a Barbers’ Shop Quartet including David Willcocks. Book Early!!

 

Women’s Institute: Our thanks to Betty Carter and Josie Johns for organising such a successful 82nd Birthday Party. We must also thank Mary Anthony for giving us an interesting and informative lecture. The December Meeting is on the second Tuesday, the 14th when Hugh Grainger will give a talk ‘Stagecoach – The Christmas Special’. The meeting on 18th January will be a talk and demonstration on Belly Dancing - the Oldest Dance by Lindsay Gasper.

 

Carols at Stanton House – Wednesday 15th December at 7.30 – see page 2

9

 

St Barnabas Church:

A special service with Focus on Youth was well supported on 7th November. The oldest person present was over 80 and the youngest was 8. More than 10 young people, some parents and many of the regular congregation joined in traditional hymns, listened to a modern song by a Christian band, watched a PowerPoint presentation on ‘What’s been going on at Youth’, and heard a presentation on AIDS by one of the group, questions answered by a ‘distinguished panel’, and even some jokes! If you weren’t there, see what you missed.

There was a larger congregation than normal on Remembrance Sunday and small crosses were placed in the garden in memory of those who had died in war.

 

The Christmas Carol service will be on Sunday 19th December at 3.00pm. Christmas Eve communion will be at St Barnabas at 11.00pm, and Christmas Day Communion Service at 10.00 am at Beckley. The Christingle Family Service will be on Sunday 12th December, and the Crib Service will be on Friday 24th December at 4.00pm.

 

Youth will meet from 7.30 to 9pm at Kirsty and Warwick Teague’s (351 702) on 10th December for “Fair crack of the whip”. Contact them for details of arrangements in January. Anyone aged 10 to 15 is welcome.

 

Gardening Club:

There is no Gardening Club meeting in December, but on January 18th we have our AGM when the business meeting will deal with annual reports, election of the committee, and you can find out the contents of the programme for 2005.

Mulled wine and mince pies will then be served, and we shall enjoy some memories of recent years’ Club activities as we see some of Bob Wakelin’s collection of slides. It’s a good time to become a member. At a cost of £7 it’s excellent value. Details can be obtained from Annabel Hitchens (351 434) or Allan Tuckley (351 432).

 

Women’s Institute:

We are always delighted to welcome new members and if you would like to come to a 'taster' meeting before deciding to join us, please contact Annie Anderson (President) on 351 551, or Julie Ogden (Secretary) on 351 421. Meetings are on the second Tuesday of the month at 7.45pm in the Millennium Village Hall.

Our subs year starts in January and on the 11th we are looking forward to hearing about 'Q' of James Bond fame. Do come and try us!

 

Wanted for Recycling:

Old greetings cards (but not Christmas cards) are wanted for recycling to help Sobell House. So far thousands of pounds have been raised to aid their work and the latest benefit provided was a computer in the day centre. Your old cards may be left with Ann Stearns (351 334).

 

Waste & Recycling:

Green bins will be emptied on 6th December & 31st January. Brown and blue bins will be emptied on 13th December & 24th January. Householders will be advised of special holiday collections between 20th December & 21st January.

8

 

Beckley Church:.

There is now a Sunday School, on the first Sunday of each month during the  Family Communion Service. The children start in church at 9.30am for the first part of the service, and then go to Beckley School Hall. They return to the church later in the service. The Sunday School is for children aged two and a half upwards, and there will also be a creche for younger children, so long as a parent stays with them.

The Family Communion Service will remain in its present form, having been designed for the whole church, and especially for families with children.

Offers of help with running the Sunday School would be very gratefully received. Appropriate Child Protection measures will be observed.

For more details, or if you’d like to be involved, please ring Kate Lea on 358 522, or Katie Hunt on 351 359.

Special Christmas services: Carols and Claret will be on Sunday 19th December at 6.00pm. There will be a Christingle service at 9.45am on 12th December, and a Crib Service on Christmas Eve at 10.30am.

 

Carols on Christmas Eve: 6.00 to 7.15 pm.

Come and sing around the village, instruments welcome too. We have sheet music and words . BRING A TORCH. We are not collecting money, just wishing everyone a Happy Christmas. Please join us or sing a verse on the doorstep. Starting at Otway, Woodperry Road with drinks at 5.45 pm and finishing with a carol in the pub.

 

Beckley Bells: The bells are restored and with financial help from “Awards for All” we are increasing the number of bells. We would welcome new members. Anyone who would like to join us please call 351 582. We meet to play on alternate Tuesdays 2.30 to 4.00pm in Beckley Village Hall.

 

Winter Warmer Lunch

on Saturday January 15th  12.30 to 2.00 pm

(there is life after Christmas!)

You are invited to join us for lunch at Beckley Village Hall. Home-made soup, Bread & Cheese, Bacon Butties. Donations to Tearfund. We hope to raise funds towards a well- a clean water supply for 1 village in India. BECKLEY BELLS 1.30 pm.

Activities for children. All Welcome.

Ian & Erica Cave will tell us about their trip to Tearfund Projects in India.

For more info. phone Ian & Erica 351 226 or Pam & John 351 582.

 

Beckley Village Hall: After a very enjoyable evening at the Harvest Supper in October, we had an excellent firework display and bonfire in November.

The next event is a Burns Night Supper in January. So dust off your tartans and sharpen your appetite for haggis, tatties and neeps. See you there!

For hall bookings contact Brian & Barbara on 358 911.

 

 

For House & Garden Maintenance

call 01865 351 170 (after 6.00pm)

 

 

 

 

GENERAL

 

 

FOREST HILL with SHOTOVER and SANDHILLS

STANTON ST JOHN

BECKLEY