NOVEMBER 2004

 

 

November 1st - All Saints’ Day

 

What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘saint’ ?

 

For some people it will be a typical stained-glass image of a rather pious looking person in a long robe, with a halo around their head. For others it might bring to mind someone who they know who is, or was, particularly kind or good. There are the officially recognised Saints of the Church, such as St. Paul or St. Francis, and there are the more everyday, domestic saints of our own experience. Either way, we tend to think of saints as a race apart. Saints are seen as an elite of holy people, who we might respect, and even aspire to be like, but who we are unlikely to claim to be.

 

However, this understanding of what it is to be a saint was not shared by the writers of the New Testament. St. Paul addressed his letter to the church in Philippi to ‘all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi’, and his letter to the Romans to ‘all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints.’ When he did so, he was not suggesting that every member of those early churches was a perfect Christian. He was using the word ‘saint’ to talk about what God had done in the lives of these very ordinary groups of men and women, rather than about any particular qualities which the individual members of the churches might have possessed.

 

The problem with setting the saints up, as a special and distinct group of super-Christians, is that they quickly become an excuse rather than an inspiration. We can hardly be expected to display the level of commitment, love and self-sacrifice which we see in the lives of the saints because, after all, we are not saints. On the other hand, when we read St. Paul referring to every member of the Church as a saint, the word takes on a rather different meaning. It now speaks of what God makes us, rather than what we can become by our own efforts. If this is the case, then saintliness is no longer an excuse, but is rather an invitation to allow God to make us into something which we could not possibly become by our own efforts.

 

We are all called to become saints: a holy people of a gracious God of love.      

 

 

Rev. Dr. William Brierley, Team Vicar.

 

Our thanks to the sponsors of this month's newsletter

 

Absolute Carpets

Unique Creations

Pinchin & Son

&

BR Cars

 

 

Young People In The Wheatley Team: There will be an all age service for All Saints at 7.30pm on Monday 1^st November in Holton Church.

 

Stanton St. John Children's Club: The next meeting of the club will be on Monday  1^st November at the normal time of 4.30 to 5.30pm in Stanton St. John Village Hall. We meet at this time on the first Monday of each month. 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

 

Stanton St. John Baby & Toddler Group: Are you a mother, father or carer looking after babies or toddlers ? Would you like something to do on a Thursday morning ?

Would you like to meet new people ? Would you like your baby or toddler to make some new friends ?

If the answer to one or more of these questions is ‘yes’, come and join an informal session of play, singing, chat and coffee.

Starting on 4th November the group will meet on Thursday mornings at The Holford Centre in Stanton St. John from 10.00am to midday.

 

VOLUNTEER WANTED for THE FOUR PARISHES NEWSLETTER

From January 2005 a producer will be needed to put together this newsletter from material supplied by the four parishes and by the Editor, Rev Dr William Brierley. If you have a computer, about a day’s time for each edition and are willing, contact the Editor on 01865 351 142 to find out what is involved.

 

 

BR Cars

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Baptism: Max Owen Hart  was welcomed into the Church when his family and friends brought him to St Nicholas Church to be baptised on 17th October

 

Village Hall: Still more improvements at our Village Hall . Come and see them at the

 

AUTUMN FAYRE

Saturday 13th November at 2.00pm

(Christmas Bazaar brought forward)

 

Many regular stalls, especially the RAFFLE, plus new ones. Bring the children,

there are many activities for them. See door to door leaflets for details. Don`t forget gifts for raffle, produce, tombola, children and trinket stall, are needed to make this event really successful.

 

Shotover Concert: Thanks to everyone who helped make the Shotover concert a great success; to Sir John who let us use his home, the performers who entertained us, those who provided the wine and supper, all those who helped before, during and afterwards, our Auctioneer and our enthusiastic audience who enabled us to raise over £1000.

 

Parish Council: Steps have been taken to have dangerous materials removed from the Sports Pavilion and the Council is awaiting quotes for the complete demolition of the Pavilion. The cost of this will unfortunately have to come out of taxpayers’ money.

Thanks to Malcom Leeding who liaised with the fire brigade and police at the time of the fire.

Our gratitude is also due to Alan Watts who keeps the cemetery in such immaculate condition, and to Angus Muldoon for all his help on the recreation ground.

The next meeting of the Parish Council is on Thursday 11th November.

 

SALE  OF  NEW  BOOKS

& coffee / cookie morning

bring your favourite cookies (for eating or selling) and the recipe

Forest Hill     Village Hall     Main Street

Saturday 20th  November  10.30am to 1.30pm

ALL BOOKS HALF PRICE & LESS

Ideal Christmas presents for all ages

In aid of Village Hall & St Nicholas Project

 

 

It was with sadness that we learnt of the death of Lady Iris Hayter, a much loved and respected former resident of Stanton St. John. A memorial service was held in New College, where her husband, Sir William Hayter, was Warden. We send our deepest sympathies to her family and many friends.

 

Village Hall Christmas Fair: This year the Fair will be on Saturday 27th November, starting at 2.00pm. Santa will come and there'll be cream teas too!  Please bring raffle prizes, cakes, produce, bric-a-brac to the Hall between 10.00am and 12 noon on the day. 

 

Village Christmas Celebration Bah Humbug:! Join fellow villagers for an evening of mulled wine, readings, poetry and song to celebrate Christmas on Saturday 11^th December from 8.00pm onwards in the village hall. Tickets £5 / £3.50 concessions include 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.

 

Womens’ Institute: Members enjoyed seeing May Porter’s excellent slides of Fruit, Fungi and Berries on 19th October.

Our Birthday Meeting will be on the 16th November. Don’t forget to let Betty or Josie have the photograph of yourself as a baby by 4th November; also remember to bring your wrapped present on the16th. It sounds as is we are in for an exciting evening!

 

Stanton St. John Parish Council: With the onset of winter and dark evenings ahead, could village residents please check their security lights, especially the low voltage halogen variety, so that they do not come on and stay on at inappropriate times.

It is important that lights are adjusted properly toward the ground so that they do not illuminate all the space around and cause light pollution.

A 500 watt, low voltage bulb is usually sufficient (as opposed to 1000w) in a rural conservation area with no street lighting. Traditional non-halogen lighting, placed sensitively and well-adjusted, might seem more appropriate than halogen lights.

 

STANTON ST JOHN PARISH COUNCIL: PART- TIME CLERK

10 to 15 hours per week, negotiable: Salary: SLCC/NALC scale depending on experience. General office duties, servicing meetings, liaising with organisations and individuals, book-keeping etc. Send written application to The Locum Clerk, Stanton St John Parish Council, 48 Beech Road, Wheatley OX33 1UR by 7 November, Interviews mid November – to be arranged

For Job Description etc.: Contact the Clerk, address as above or tel 01865 872 009. e-mail: pam@akitanet.co.uk

 

Beckley Church: Sunday School: A Sunday School, on the first Sunday of each month during the  Family Communion Service, will begin on 7th November. The children will start in church at 9.30am, for the first part of the service, and then go to Beckley School Hall. They will then 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. The Sunday School will provide a choice for parents and children, as to whether the children wish to stay throughout the service, or whether they wish to attend Sunday School. Older children will be encouraged to stay in the service, which provides a good introduction to the life and traditions of the Church.

Offer 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.

 

Baptism: On 10th October Charles Pauling was baptised and welcomed into the family of the Church. We send our prayers and very best wishes to Charles, his parents Nicola and Martin, his sister Olivia, and all his family and friends.

 

TEARFUND SALE: SATURDAY 20^th NOVEMBER, 10.00am to 2.00pm

For the sixth year running the Tearcraft/Traidcraft Sale will be held in Beckley Parish Church. This gives Beckley and the surrounding villages the opportunity to purchase attractive Christmas cards and fairly traded hand-made crafts and foods from the developing world. Refreshments will be available. For further details or Tearcraft Brochure phone Ian & Erica Cave (351 226).

 

Date for your diary: Carols and Claret – the Beckley Carol Service will be on Sunday 19^th December at 6.00pm.

 

Beckley WI: The weather in August was very mixed,  including the evening of our Garden Party which at very short notice had to be held indoors. However we had a very pleasant short recital from the Beckley Bells, followed by excellent refreshments and a lot of fun. We invited friends and partners and, including visitors, we numbered 25. Our link Delegate Elizabeth Vincenti attended the AGM in June on our behalf and sent us a resume of the Resolutions. In September we had an outing, including a pre-show buffet, to the Watermill Theatre, Bagnor near Newbury to see Pinafore Swing. This was an excellent, fast-moving production by a cast of eight talented actors and musicians who entertained us to music from the 1940s within a story loosely based on G&S HMS Pinafore. Contact Liz Bixby 351 282 for further information.

 

Bonfire Night will be on 6th November, with Fireworks, BBQ & Mulled Wine.

 

St Barnabas Church:

On Sunday October 3rd we heard from Graham Caldecott representing Biblelands. His presentation was very moving and we will be making our support more focussed by joining their child sponsorship programme.

 

A programme has been prepared for the Sunday services from September to the end of November. In November we will be considering the Old Testament prophets Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Daniel before we come to our first advent service on the 28th. This plan is a direct result of the discussions we held about Sunday worship and the aim is to give a connected theme from week to week.

 

Youth will meet from 7.30 to 9pm at Kirsty and Warwick Teague’s (351 702) on 12th November for “Strooth”, and on 26th November for “You little rippa”. Anyone aged 10 to 15 is welcome. Sunday 7th November the service will have a Focus on Youth and we hope young people and their parents will come and show their support for all that Kirsty and Warwick are trying to do.

 

Sunday School is not running at present and the PCC will have a special meeting in November to consider the work amongst children and how we can best provide for them in our weekly worship.

 

Autumn Fair: The Fair was a great success! It raised over £600 for church funds. We appreciated the support of all those who came and were glad that there were opportunities for people to chat as well as find bargains, eat scones and cream or try their skill throwing apples through a hoop. Our thanks to all who helped by running stalls, moving tables and chairs, giving food, books, or other items, and to all who came. Special thanks to Lis Pugh for co-ordinating it all and to Colin & Caroline Badger at Manor Farm who made it possible.

 

Garden Club: Our speaker on November 16th at 8pm will be Mary Spiller, someone who is very well known to local people, since she has been involved in the development of Waterperry Gardens and in teaching horticulture locally for very many years. In addition you may have heard her on radio Oxford, and she is well known nationally in the horticultural world. Her challenge this time is to teach us how to prune our fruit trees (with specimens)!  If you are interested in growing fruit, this is the best person to teach you.

Everyone is welcome - non members pay £1. 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 (our President) on 351 551, or Julie Ogden (Secretary) on 351 421. Our meetings are on the second Tuesday of the month at 7.45 p.m. in the Millennium Village Hall.

On 9th November we are looking forward to learning about flower arranging for Christmas. One of our members, Alex Wood, has kindly agreed to show us how we should make our homes look festive. On 14th December we are taking ourselves to The Pheasant pub at Brill for a Christmas Supper - everyone can make her own choice from the menu. In the New Year we shall hear about 'Q' of James Bond fame.

Do come and try us!

 

Waste & Recycling:

 

Brown and blue bins will be emptied on 5th & 19th November. Green bins will be emptied on 12th & 26th November.

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             [ 01865351 765

The closing date for the next issue is Tuesday 16th November 2004

 

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moving furniture and disposing of old flooring.

tel: 01865 351 851 / 07887 875 824

Silver Hayes, Horton-cum-Studley, Oxon, OX33 1BB

 

Pinchin & Son – Forest Hill Farmers

Home-grown quality meats

Orders taken for Christmas

Turkey – Chickens- Gammon

Chipolatas – Sausage meat etc

Reasonable prices

10.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday - or pop in when passing

01865 872 231

 

Unique Creations

Paint your own ceramics

‘Unique’ Christmas, birthday etc. gifts for family and friends

Prices from £5.00 to £60.00 -

huge selection of items from mugs, plates, piggy banks, jugs platters etc.

STRESS-FREE BIRTHDAY PARTIES IN OUR STUDIO

Baby and toddler hand/footprints on plates etc and also imprints in clay

Hilltop Barn, Elsfield, OX3 9UH tel: 01865 358 600

www.uniquecreation.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

OCTOBER 2004

 

 

 

 

Beckley Church:. Congratulations to Charlotte Rose and Darren Hicks who were married in Beckley Church on Saturday 11th September. The church overflowed with flowers and the sun shone. Charlotte was chauffered to and from the service in her father’s red vintage car “Gene”. We remembered Bill and how delighted he would have been to know that his car was used for so happy a day. Charlotte was given away by her mother, Barbara, and Rev. Dr. John Edmonds-Seal officiated.

 

Beckley Church held two baptism services over the summer. On 8th August Eleanor Giles, and on 22nd August Sky, Tiga and Tor Hormbrey, were welcomed into the family of the Church. We wish the children and their families every blessing for the future.

 

TEARFUND SALE – SATURDAY 20th NOVEMBER – 10.00am to 2.00 pm

For the sixth year running the Tearcraft/Traidcraft Sale will be held in Beckley Parish Church. This gives Beckley and the surrounding villages the opportunity to purchase attractive Christmas cards and fairly traded hand-made crafts and foods from the developing world. Refreshments will be available. For further details or Tearcraft Brochure phone Ian & Erica Cave (351 226).

 

Beckley WI: For details of the forthcoming programme see village notice-board, or visit the Beckley web-site:- beckley-oxon.co.uk. - for other details phone Liz Bixby on 351 282.

 

Beckley Village Hall:  The Harvest Supper and Entertainment will be on 15th October with the usual good food and local entertainment. Soft drinks & cans of beer/lager available (bring your own wine). Tickets £6 available now (phone 351 564, 351 581 or any committee member)

 

Bonfire Night will be on 6th November, with fireworks, BBQ & Mulled Wine.

 

PINCHIN AND SON

VENT FARMHOUSE, FOREST HILL

 

Meat for all occasions       Sunday roasts  /  Day to Day

Pork    Beef    Bacon    Sausages    all from our own stock

Traceability guaranteed        BSE and other disease free

 

OPEN  MOST  FRIDAYS   &   SATURDAYS    or pop in when passing

Reasonable prices   Special offers   Orders taken  872 231

 

HORTON-CUM-STUDLEY YOUTH

 

Horton-cum-Studley has been hosting a youth group for several years, which was initially the labour of love of Bev, a temporary, but cherished village resident from the USA. Not long after Bev returned home, we pitched up from Australia in 2001, and were thrilled to be able to pretty much pick up from where Bev left off. We have enjoyed three years of crazy antics with a fantastic bunch of young people, becoming their mates and learning stacks from each other.

 

Youth is held fortnightly on a Friday from 7.30 to 9.00pm for young people aged 10 to 15. We have been a small enough group to gather at our home in The Old Vicarage until now, but we seem to be ever growing and so may need to expand into a larger venue. We also now welcome people from at least 4 or 5 other local villages. As the group grows in size, it has been a wonderful blessing to have the support of another Aussie couple – Dan and Danny Evanhaus from Wheatley, who have brought with them a wealth of experience working with youth.

 

So what do we get up to? The typical routine is a gradual pile up of muddy shoes at our door as people drift in, followed by at least half an hour of games (inside or out). We then have a “God bit” for about 20 minutes. This has followed various themes over the years, but is aimed to help both those who know Jesus and those who don’t to take time to reflect on who we are, the world we live in, and especially to consider Jesus, meet him and learn what it means to live as a Christian. The young people are great at taking the time to think about things. They know we are sharing something which is real to us, and are refreshingly honest about whether they agree or not. Our prayer is always that agree, disagree or whatever, they will know God loves them dearly and have the confidence to respond to His love. The night then always finishes with some snacks and more general mayhem or chats.

 

We also have regular pure games or movies nights, or other special events. We have been to a few local Christian events, like Christian bands, and done fundraisers for charities or helped people in the village.

 

Please do be in touch if you are interested in coming to Youth. We would also like to encourage you to pray for the young people, and also for us as we lead the group.

 

Warwick and Kirsty Teague (01865 351 702)

 

 

Singers Wanted: If you would like to sing in a choir at the Four Parishes Benefice Service at 10.00am on Sunday 31st October at St. Barnabas, Horton-cum-Studley, please contact John Baker (351 514).

 

Young People In The Wheatley Team: There will be an all age service for All Saints at 7.30pm on Monday 1st November in Holton Church. Please come and help. If you play an instrument, bring it with you for a rehearsal at Holton Church on Sunday 31st October at 3pm. Also, you are welcome to come to Youth Club on Friday 15th October (from 7pm-9pm) at Holton Vicarage, where we hope to prepare an item (perhaps a sketch) for the service. More details from Angela (0118 9422 055), Caroline (873 451) or your Team Vicar.

 

Stanton St. John Children's Club: The next meeting of the club will be on Monday 4th October at the normal time of 4.30 to 5.30pm in Stanton St. John Village Hall. We meet at this time on the first Monday of each month. 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.

 

Stanton St. John Baby & Toddler Group sadly has stopped meeting on a Thursday at 10.00am, due to lack of members. If anyone is interested in continuing this valuable service, please contact Alice Poulson (01865 351 810).

 

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.

 

‘Wisdom of Age’: a service of celebration and thanksgiving organised by SCOP (Spiritual Care for Older People). Dorchester Abbey, Sunday 10th October at 3.00pm. Bishop Colin will preside and Rev. Albert Jewell will preach. Details from Janet Parker (01367 870 394)

 

 

 

Many congratulations to Robert Middlefell and Lucy Smith who were married in Stanton St. John Church on 18th September. We wish them every happiness in their future together.

 

Coffee Morning for Darfor in Sudan: Caroline Clark wishes to thank everyone who came and supported the Coffee Morning for Darfor, held at The Stable House on Saturday 21st August, and those of you who couldn't come but kindly made donations after the event. You will all be pleased to know that £330 was raised for the Sudanese people displaced and terrorised in DARFOR. Your kind gifts have been despatched to help them, through Save The Children.

 

Quiz Night – Tuesday 5th October: Entries from teams or individuals should be given to John Lauder (01865 351 141) or Sheila Pullen (01865 351 210). £4 per team of 4 or £1 each for individuals. You can of course enter on the night.

 

Skittles Night: Saturday October 30th: Another great night is promised and places are limited. If you want to try your hand at skittles or enjoy any of the other games, give your name to Sheila or George (01865 351 486) as early as possible. Only £3 per head.

 

Notecards: (or could be Christmas cards) We still have a supply of these cards showing the Church by floodlight. Order from George (351 486) 42p each or 5 for £2.00 or 10 for £3.60

 

Women’s Institute: There was a very good attendance at the September meeting when members and visitors enjoyed a talk and demonstrations by two representatives of the Body Shop. BUT there were only two flowers submitted for ‘Flower of the Month’. We must try to improve on the 19th of October when we look forward to a talk by May Parker on ‘Fruit, Fungi and Berries’. Visitors and new members are always welcome.

 

Dr. Pink’s Charity: This supports apprentices and students in Further and Higher Education so that they can buy books and necessary equipment. In very exceptional circumstances the Trustees may support those engaged in ventures such as Operation Raleigh. Applicants must be under 25 years old and resident in the parish of Stanton St. John. If you wish to apply, please do so in writing to: The Secretary, Hillside, Mill St, Stanton St. John, Oxford OX33 1HQ

 

Stanton St John Charities: Applications for help with fuel and heating costs are invited for 2004. This is not restricted to Pensioners and persons of any age may apply, but funds are limited and assistance will normally be given to households which have no regular wage earner. To assist them in the allocation, the charity trustees have requested that application be made on a form available from either:

The Village Shop OR Richard Ebbs, Stone Cottage, Mill Street.

The form should be returned to Roy Roden (2 Cox Lane) by Friday 29th October 2004. Information on the form will be treated in the strictest confidence by the charity trustees.

 

Local Bus Service: Please note minor changes to the local bus service – White’s Coaches, service 108, to take place from 26th September 2004. The bus leaving Oxford at 14.40 will now leave 10 minutes earlier at 14.30. Also the 18.10 bus from Oxford will go on to Waterperry if requested by passengers on board at Wheatley church.

 

Baptisms:  St Nicholas was full twice on a Sunday afternoon in September when we welcomed first Phoebe Morgan Latham-Jackson into the Church, when her family and friends brought her to be baptised, and then when the cousins Fae Louise Bolton and Isaac Rueben Curtis came with their families and friends also to be baptised. We wish all three every blessing.

 

Bill Merritt: The Vice Chairman of the Parish Council, Malcolm Leeding, writes  “Bill very sadly passed away on 6th September and his funeral took place on 14th September. It was attended by many friends from Forest Hill. On behalf of the Parish Council I would like to pay tribute to all the work he did as a member of the Council and as a member of the Sports Field Committee. He will be greatly missed by the community and also by my wife and myself as a good neighbour for many years. The Council expresses their sincere condolences to his family”.

We would all like to support Mr Leeding`s tribute recognising all that Bill did for Forest Hill and its residents in the many years he lived here and send his family and friends our deep sympathy.

 

Parish Council:

1.     The Council has been in contact with the Highways Department in connection with traffic calming measures on the B4027.

2.     The police now have a new telephone number:  0845 8505 505  (PC 2780, Richard Pribyl)

3.     Date of next meeting: Thursday 7th October at 7.00pm

4.     A further reminder to clear up after your dog, not only the pavements but also the lanes which lead to many houses in the village.

5.     Residents are again reminded that motor bikes are NOT allowed on the recreation ground

Users are asked to show consideration to other users and local  residents. A support to a piece of play equipment had been damaged, now repaired by parish funds, and could have proved dangerous. Parents please keep an eye on your children.

 

Vestry & Harvest Festival: By the time you receive this newsletter the new Vestry will have been blessed and dedicated as part of our Parish Church and Village; and after our Harvest Thanksgiving Service we shall have had the Harvest lunch in the re-furbished Village Hall. More about all of this in the next newsletter

 

THANK YOU to all who have helped with PROMISES, many of these are still available, including Indian Head Massage.

 

PCC: The next Meeting is on Friday 8th October at 7.30pm at Ardun

 

R.J.Wakelin

Painting and Decorating Specialist

Interior / Exterior     Private/Commercial

Tel. 01869  243 264

 

Need an interesting, flexible, part time job, with a proper salary scale and progression structure?[ Stanton St. John Parish Council needs a Clerk. Character and energy more important than qualifications, but exciting training and professional support is available.

For an informal, confidential chat, please ring the locum clerk, Pam Simmonds (01865 872 007).

 

God Our Rock: If you would like to learn more about the Christian faith, increase your understanding of God, the Bible and the Church and be better equipped to live faithfully as a Christian in today’s world, then this course may be for you. The God Our Rock course consists of 27 two hour sessions, arranged in 3 sections of 9 sessions over a year (October to June/July), looking at the Bible, 2000 years of Christian tradition and history and how we live as Christians today.

The course starts in early October, but it is not too late to join. There is a group meeting in the Four Parishes on a Friday morning, and others at various times of the day and evening throughout the Wheatley Team.

Please contact the Team Vicar (351 142) if you would like to take part in the course or want more information.

 

The Jan Weller Pre School welcomed ten new children this term. They are Ellie Cunningham from Elsfield, Cydney Waite Brown and Harriet Wilson from Forest Hill, Hannah Betts, Oliver Oxby and Theo and Alexia Zamani from Stanton, and Oliver Walton, Archie Walwyn and Simon White from Beckley.

 

Sadly twenty two children left in July, eighteen going to Beckley School: Edward Cox, Henry Cox, Abraham Lea, Millie Burt, Percy Hunt and Harry Drewitt from Beckley: Finn Salter Pietersen, William Munt from Horton-cum-Studley: Grace Plunket and Olivia Pauling from Elsfield: Matthew Thornton, Martha Paige, Samuel Graham and George Wilson from Forest Hill: Christopher Singleton from Noke and Charlie Betts, Rosie Foale and Florence Marsden from Stanton. Charlie Goulder [Beckley], Alex Phillips [Wheatley] and Anna and James Lockhart [Elsfield] have also left.

 

Stanton St John Festival – Thank you to all our supporters

In spite of some wet and windy weather the Festival was a great success raising nearly £5000 for three good causes: the upkeep of the Village Hall, the Church and the Holford Centre. More importantly it was good fun.

We could not have achieved it without the people who exhibited arts and crafts, opened gardens, served teas, donated prizes and gave of their time before, during and after the festival; the Millennium Green Trustees and the Willows Cricket Club who provided parking space and of course, the visitors.

Thank you all for your contribution.

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with Lionel Clowes following the death of his wife Isobel.

 

St Barnabas Church: Sunday October 3rd will be a special service when Graham Caldicott from Biblelands will be speaking about the work of the charity using a Powerpoint presentation. The congregation at St Barnabas have been supporting Biblelands work with both Jews and Arabs, for both able and disabled people, in health care and education, for a number of years. Some of our regulars will be away so why don’t you take this opportunity to show your support. (It is the charity that traditionally has provided the Bethlehem Carol sheets for our Christmas services).

There will also be a concert to celebrate 150 years of “Healing & Hope through Biblelands” on Saturday 9th October in London at 7.30pm. Tickets, £12.50, must be purchased in advance. Details are on the poster in the church porch. 

 

A programme has been prepared for the Sunday services from September to the end of November. In October we will be considering the Old Testament prophets Moses, Jonah, Ezekiel and Hosea. This plan is a direct result of the discussions we held about Sunday worship and the aim is to give a connected theme from week to week.

 

Youth will meet from 7.30 to 9.00pm at Kirsty and Warwick Teague’s (351 702) on Saturday 2nd October for ‘100 Hours gig’, on 15th October for ‘True Blue’, and on 29th October for ‘Ridgy Didge’. Anyone aged 10 to 15 is welcome.

 

There is a need for more people to volunteer for the rota for Church Cleaning. A volunteer is usually asked to do the cleaning each week for one month once or twice a year. As some members get older they find it more difficult to continue to serve in this way, hence the need for additional people. Even if you could not take on that amount but would be willing to do a week from time to time, your help would be appreciated. Please talk to one of the church wardens if you could help - Bill Bailey (351 525) or Nick Mynheer (351 340)

 

Autumn Fair: The Fair will be held on 16th October at Manor Farm from 2.00 to 4.00pm, by kind invitation of Colin & Caroline Badger. There will be teas, White Elephants(!), 50:50, games, garden, cakes, Traidcraft and other attractions. Watch out for the flyers with details of whom to contact to give your cakes or plants or White Elephants. Further information is available from Lis Pugh (351 559) to whom any offers of help should be addressed in the first instance.

 

Garden Club: Garden Club members (and some of their friends) have been able to enjoy exploring some beautiful, impressive and interesting gardens through the summer months. Visits to Barton House in Barton on the Heath, Abbey House Gardens at Malmesbury, Wheelwright House at Long Compton and Wichert Garden at Ford have all been very enjoyable occasions as was the very enjoyable members evening at Richard & Rachel Hawes’ garden in August. Now we are looking forward to our autumn programme of evening talks beginning on October 19th with Timothy Walker from the Oxford Botanic Gardens showing slides and speaking about enjoying Autumn colour until the first frosts. Everyone is welcome - non members pay £1, pretty good value! Details can be obtained from Annabel Hitchens (351 434) or Allan Tuckley (351 432).

 

Women’s Institute: We started the autumn season with delicious puddings by Rachel Hawes - and enjoyed afterwards by the members! On 12th October we shall learn about Alzheimers - something which concerns so many people. In November we hope to have guests from Stanton St. John for our Flower Arranging for Christmas by Alex Wood and then - of course - in December we shall enjoy a Christmas supper together. We do hope that any newcomers to the village - or those already here - who would like to join us will contact either Annie Anderson (351 551) or Julie Ogden (351 421) - you can always come as a guest to a meeting to see if you are interested. We shall be delighted to welcome you.

 

Harvest Supper: The Harvest Supper will be on Saturday 9th October in the Millennium Village Hall at 7.30. Tickets may be obtained from members of village hall committee.

 

Waste & Recycling: Green bins will be emptied on 1st, 15th & 29th October. Brown and blue bins will be emptied on 8th & 22nd October.

 

July 2004

Rev. Dr. William Brierley, Team Vicar

 

 

 

READERS - WHO ARE THEY?

 

I often get asked this question so perhaps I can give you a broad answer. The Office of Reader has existed in its present form in the Church of England since 1866 and there are now over 8500 Readers, some in every Diocese. They exercise the only nationally accredited voluntary lay ministry which is governed by Canon law, and episcopally licensed.

 

Readers are lay men and women from a wide diversity of occupations and backgrounds. They bring  wide experience of life to their work of preaching and teaching which is at the heart of their pastoral ministry.

 

Their close contact with everyday life helps them to interpret the Gospel and to proclaim Christ’s teaching in the world. Readers work as a team with clergy and other laity mainly in parishes, but also in prisons, hospitals and the forces.

As well as in worship, Readers are often involved in teaching in Sunday schools, confirmation classes, marriage preparation, young people’s groups, leading bible study and discussion groups and helping people to grow in their Faith. Their pastoral work might include visiting, counselling, comforting and generally showing the love and care of the Church for all, whatever their needs.

 

Readers find many informal ways of exercising their ministry by their presence and witness at their place of work, at home, among neighbours and in the local community. They may also be involved in ecumenical work. They provide a focus and encouragement for the witness of other lay christians.

 

In our diocese, readers are formally known as Licenced Lay Ministers; this certainly describes their activities more accurately.

 

 

Rodney Dawber, LLM, Beckley

 

 

 

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

 

Our thanks to the sponsors of this month's newsletter

 

G. Gomersall & Sons,

Oxford Garden Services

&

BR Cars

 

 

The Wheatley Team Annual Service was held at Sandhills Primary School on 27th June. This very joyful occasion was attended and enjoyed by people from across the Team. A very big thank you to everyone who contributed to the service by leading, organising, playing, singing, acting, serving or by participating in any way. And a special thank you to Sandhills School for providing us with such a wonderful setting, and to the Chair of Governors for all his help and support.

 

Stanton St. John Children's Club: The next meeting of the club will be on Monday 5th July at the normal time of 4.30 to 5.30pm in Stanton St. John Village Hall. We meet at this time on the first Monday of each month. 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.

 

In aid of the Jan Weller Pre-School

SUMMERFEST

on Saturday 3rd July 1.00 - 4.00pm at Beckley Village Hall & Playing Fields.

A massive fun event for all the family, with plenty of attractions:-

Bouncy Castle - Face Painting

children’s art competition - plants - lucky dip - music

Children’s races - tug of war - welly wanging - coconut shy

local and homemade produce - cream teas – BBQ - bric-a-brac - books

and lots more.

 

Jan Weller Pre-School

Holford Centre, School Lane, Stanton St.John

We offer care and education for children from 2½ to 4, and the opportunity to learn through play in a safe and stimulating environment. We are registered with the Charities Commission and Ofsted, and can offer government- funded places for 3-4 year olds.

 

Our sessions are: Monday to Friday 9.15am – 12.00 noon

Lunch Clubs :     Monday, Wednesday & Friday 12.00 noon to 1.15pm (term-time only)

Please ring Hazel Christian (Supervisor) to arrange a visit: 01865 358 076

 

 

Stanton St. John Church: Gabrielle Stern and Andrew Burke were married on Saturday June 5th. It was a very joyful occasion, enjoyed by their respective families and friends. We wish them both much happiness, now and in the future.

 

We hold a Family Service at Stanton St. John Church on the second Sunday of every month at 9.30am. The service can be enjoyed by everyone, but is especially suitable for families with children. Do come and join us: you would be assured of a very warm welcome.

 

Stanton St. John Parish Council:

 

. The next council meeting will be on Monday 5th July at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

 

. Does time hang heavy on your hands? A casual vacancy has arisen on the Parish Council. For more information contact Pam Simmonds, our locum clerk, on 01865 872 009 or pam@akitanet.co.uk

 

The Bernwood Ancient Hunting Project: This project is to raise public awareness of the history, archaeology, nature and landscape of Bernwood. Anyone interested to help, or who has knowledge of the local history of the Forest, should contact Becky Wilcox of Bucks County Council on 01296 382 656.

 

Women’s Institute: The next meeting on the 20th July will be the Garden Meeting at Hill Top, Mill Street. It will start at 7.00pm. Will members please bring a plate of refreshments and two garden chairs.

 

 

The next newsletter will be for both August and September. If you have any notices for this 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

 

The closing date for the next issue is Wednesday 14th July 2004

 

 

 

Baptisms: We welcomed into the Church Tate Samuel Rogers on 6th June and  Toby Michael Armstrong Jones on 20th June when their parents, friends and relations brought them to be baptised. We wish them many blessings.

 

Toddlers Party at  Ardun 2.30pm on Wednesday 18th August (under 5 approx). We look forward to seeing you’

Tea Party at Ardun  3.00pm on Thursday 19th August (over 60 approx!) Come and continue the chats you had at the Fete!

 

Fete: The weather was better than the forecast and it remained dry! A good time was had by all. So many thanks to everyone, for coping with preparations, for stalls and competitions, for coming and spending £920.00p….and then clearing up.

 

Parish Council:

. At the AGM Gordon Shepherd agreed to continue as Chairman with Malcolm Leeding as Vice-Chair.

. Sports Pavilion: It was felt that the pavilion may have to be taken down because of its deteriorating condition and estimates are to be sought. In the meantime the building will be checked to see if there is any risk from the possible use of asbestos.

. Bus Service 108 will have slight changes from 5th July affecting off-peak services only. The changes have been posted at bus stops. They are intended  to keep up the use of buses so that the service is continued at the end of the current contract. Copies of the timetables will shortly be available on the bus and at the shop and also from 86 Mickle Way.

 

Wheatley Girl Guides will reopen under my leadership on Wednesday 8th September 2004, at the Wheatley Youth Centre, from 7.00 to 9.00pm. Any girl aged 10 – 14 who is interested please contact me at the number below

Bernice Rye, Wheatley District Commissioner

33 Littleworth Park, Wheatley

01865 875 409

 

Vestry/ Parish Room and all the facilities we have needed  for so long are almost finished. and will shortly be open for inspection. It now only remains to finish paying  the bills! Many of you have already been very generous. Others are planning to make a gift.  And more fund raising events are planned. Please continue to give generously. Coins, notes and cheques payable to the St. Nicholas Project. In envelopes please with name and address. {Remember Gift Aid which increases your gift painlessly; we can give you a form.)

PROMISES - NEW FUND RAISING ACTIVITY

The donor offers a skill or job or service The purchaser pays the donor who gives the proceeds, or a percentage, to the Project Fund. To make this a success would you make an offer or buy an offer? Ring 872 514 to provide a service or use one.

(for example Jill wants her bucket carried up the hill and Jack is offering to carry buckets up the hill. She gives him £1 a bucket, he gives the fund a £1)

 

Offers available at present:    ring direct

Aromatherapy                                          07765832787

An hour weeding                           872399

Photocopying & Faxing                           872514

Lift to/from Park and Ride or trip to M&S Summertown  873296

Baby sitting (qualified)                  875679

Car washing                               874555

Cut and blow dry                          872514

Coaching in French and English as Foreign Language    875766

Cut your lawn                             874555

Computer sessions tailored to you         876848

3 Course cooked meal for 2                874555

Reflexology                               351810

 

Computers and the Internet

LEARNING FREE OF CHARGE

The South Oxfordshire Playbus is touring the villages offering tuition from qualified staff, and also provides crèche facilities. If you would like the bus to visit our four villages for regular morning or afternoon sessions please phone 01865 256 809 or 079079 691 530. There will be further details on the notice board at Forest Hill Village Hall.

 

 

OXFORD GARDEN SERVICES

For all garden design and outdoor structural alterations

Bill Chase, 'Freelands', Pound Lane,

Stanton St. John, Oxford, OX33 1HF

Telephone 01865 351 318

 

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

 

 

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with Audrey Smith following the death of her husband Jim.

 

St Barnabas Church:

Sunday July 4th will be a lay led service with the theme “Truth and Tolerance: are they compatible?” which seems highly relevant to our multicultural society. There will be a children’s spot and we hope you will be able to be there and support those taking part. The visiting preacher, Stephen Wallace, hopes to go with his family to work in an Islamic country.

 

The PCC met to follow up the special discussion of church and congregation which was held in the church on Sunday 28th March. Those involved should receive a letter from William Brierley and a report of the PCC discussion which contain some proposals for the next steps. There will also be copies at the back of the church – please pick one up if you are interested.

 

Sunday School usually meets on the second and fourth Sundays, ring Colin Jenkins (351 543) for further information.

 

Youth will meet from 7.30 – 9.00pm at Kirsty and Warwick Teague’s (351 702) on 2nd July for “Love Actually”, and on 16th July for “Monsters Unleashed”. Anyone aged 10 to 15 is welcome.

 

Garden Club:

The annual members evening will be on August 3rd at Yew Tree Cottage by kind invitation of Richard and Rachel Hawes. Members are reminded that they may bring guests and that this is a good opportunity to introduce their friends to Garden Club activities. Details can be obtained from Annabel Hitchens (351 434) or Allan Tuckley (351 432). There will be no meeting in September.

 

Women’s Institute:

There will be a Garden Meeting at Furze Farm at 7.00pm on Tuesday 13th July. There is no meeting in August and the programme will recommence on Tuesday September 14th.  New members are always welcome and anyone wishing to come to a meeting as a guest in the first instance might like to contact Annie Anderson on 351 551 or Julie Ogden on 351 421.

 

Waste & Recycling:

Brown and blue bins will be emptied on 2nd, 16th & 30th July. Green bins will be emptied on 9th & 23rd July.

 

 

 

Beckley Church:

The funeral of Jean Turney was held in Beckley Church on 22nd June and was attended by her family and friends. We send our deepest sympathy to her family at this sad time.

 

A huge thank you to everyone who was involved in Beckley Open Afternoon on Sunday 27th June. Thank you to all who were involved in organisation, who took part in events or ran stalls, who opened their gardens, who attended or who contributed in any way. Your support for the event and for the church is very much appreciated.

 

Beckley WI:

Our next meeting is on Tuesday, 6th July at 7.15pm. For details of the forthcoming programme see village notice-board, or visit the Beckley web-site:- beckley-oxon.co.uk. For other details phone Liz Bixby on 351 282.

 

Beckley Village Hall:

There is to be a Wine Bluff’s Evening in September (run in conjunction with the Friends of Beckley Church) (details later), and a Harvest Supper on 16th October. For general enquiries contact the booking secretaries Brian and Barbara Short on 358 911.

 

G GOMERSALL & SONS

Established 1978

 

Antique/Modern Re-Upholstery of all Types of Furniture

 

Furniture Restoration : Polishing : All Types of Repair

Wide Range of Fabrics : Free Estimate

 

[  01865 767 522

 

BR Cars

Local company based in Beckley

o Taxis o Contract o Shopping Trips o

o Competitive rates   o   Call: 07742 648 900 o

 

 

 

 

 

June 2004

 

 

SUNDAY 27^th JUNE

THE WHEATLEY TEAM SERVICE & BECKLEY OPEN AFTERNOON

 

Once a year the Wheatley Team Ministry, to which our Four Parishes belong, holds its Annual Team Service. Since the Team was formed in 1997, these services have been held in various locations around the twelve parishes, with the exception of the year 2000 when we went to Christchurch Cathedral. These have all been very happy and joyful occasions, where the emphasis has been upon celebrating our life together. People, from across the Wheatley Team, have taken part in the services, including many children and young people.

 

This year the Team Service is coming to the Four Parishes. The service will be held in the school hall of Sandhills Primary School, on Sunday 27th June at 10.30am. It will be an excellent venue for the service, as the facilities of the new school are exceptional, and include easy access and parking, a children’s play area and an amphitheatre in the grounds, where we will be able to picnic after the service. There are lots of ways in which you can take part in the service, and in particular we need the involvement of children and young people. Please see the notice in the general section of this newsletter for more details.

 

The theme of this year’s service is ‘Living Stones.’ In his first letter (chapter 2, verse 5) St. Peter wrote, ‘You also, as living stones, must be built up into a spiritual temple.’ Working and sharing together with other Christians is an essential part of our faith. The Team Service is a great opportunity to come together with many other Christians from across the Team, to witness to our faith and to create an act of worship which is to the glory of God. 

 

After the Team Service is over, Sunday 27th June continues to be a very important day in the Four Parishes, because it is also the day that Beckley is holding its Open Afternoon in aid of the Church. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit the village, and to enjoy the beautiful open gardens and all the other attractions and activities which will be taking place. There is more information in the Beckley entry: please do come along.

 

 

6th June    Beckley         9.30am  Family Communion

Trinity     Forest Hill    10.00am  Family Service

Sunday      Horton-cum-Studley 10.45am     Family Communion

                            6.30pm  Sung Evensong

                                     with the Studley Singers

            Stanton St. John 8.00am  Holy Communion (BCP)

 

13th June   Beckley         9.15am  Parish Communion

            Forest Hill     8.00am  Holy Communion (BCP)

                            6.00pm  Evensong

    Horton-cum-Studley 10.45am     Parish Communion

            Sandhills      11.00am  Family Service

            [in the Community Hall in Sandhills School]

            Stanton St. John 9.30am  Family Service

 

20th June   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

 

27th June   10.30am Annual Wheatley Team Service at Sandhills School

            [see notice in GENERAL]

[Please note that there are no other services in the Four Parishes 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

 

Our thanks to the sponsors of this month's newsletter

 

G. Gomersall & Sons,

Lower Farm Bed and Breakfast

&

Pinchin and Son

 

The ANNUAL TEAM SERVICE for the 12 Parishes will be on Sunday 27th June at 10.30am in the School Hall at Sandhills Primary School.

Please bring a picnic lunch to eat afterwards in the wonderful school grounds, which include an amphitheatre.

There will be a creche for young children during the service.

A rehearsal for everyone involved in the service (except the choir – please follow contact details below for choir rehearsal) will be held in the School Hall on Sunday 20th June at 4.00pm.

If you sing and would like to be in the choir, please contact Mary Rose Seldon (872 514) or Susan Prest (872 583).

If you play a musical instrument, and would like to join a group of musicians of all ages who will play at the service, please contact Alice Poulson (351 810) or Angela Butler (0118 942 2055 or angelabutler@nestledown68.fsnet.co.uk). We need the help of lots of young people and there are many ways of being involved in the service: please contact Angela Butler (contact details above).

Any other offers of help to the Team Vicar please (351 142).

Come along to join in an exciting act of worship !

 

Evensong For Trinity Sunday (Sunday 6th June) with the Studley Singers: Canticles: Walmisley in D minor; Anthem: Benedicta sit Sancta Trinitas by Palestrina. 6.30pm in St. Barnabas Church, Horton-cum-Studley. All are welcome.

 

Stanton St. John Children's Club: The next meeting of the club will be on Monday 7th June at the normal time of 4.30 - 5.30pm in Stanton St. John Village Hall. We meet at this time on the first Monday of each month. 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.

 

 

 

On Sunday 2nd May Georgina Smith was welcomed into the family of the Church by baptism at Stanton St. John Church. We send our prayers and best wishes for the future to her parents, Alex and Claire, and to all her family and friends.

 

Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust: This trust was founded 40 years ago as “The Friends of Oxfordshire churches” and in that time over one million pounds has been given in grants to churches of many denominations within the county. We were grateful to the trust this year for the grant of £2000 towards the electrical re-wiring of our Church. About half the money raised by the Trust has been by the Annual Sponsored Bicycle Rides. Stanton Church has always been open for this event which this year will be on Saturday September 11th and we are always pleased that volunteers are willing to sit in the church that day to welcome the sponsored cyclists. It would be even better to have cyclists and walkers from this parish taking part.

Please think about it and look out for further details or ask me about what it entails.

Brenda Knight 01865 351 227.

 

Coffee Morning: A new venue for coffee (or tea) and biscuits on Saturday 12th June from 10.30am to 12.30 at 17 Courtfield Road, thanks to an invitation from Julie Dyson. Usual Bring and Buy and Raffle. All welcome (children free) to drop in for a chat.

 

Safari Quiz: Once again this was very successful enabling us to give to Danny Clark a useful sum towards his Africa trip and still have a profit for the Church of about £320. Other parishes throughout the country benefited by about £270 too. Lancashire was the lucky county this year with 3 of the prizes plus the special prize for a small church which joined in for the first time this year. A list of prize winners and the correct answers can still be obtained from George Lees (phone 01865 351 486). Thanks to everyone who supported us.

 

Charity of the Month: The charity supported by the church this month is the International Nepal Fund. If you would like to make a donation please contact Gordon Screaton, the church treasurer, on 01865 351 208.

 

Women’s Institute: The June meeting will be on the 15th at the usual time of 7.30pm in the Village Hall. There will be a talk by Christine Paterson: ‘Hazards of Entertaining’. Don’t forget your ‘Flower of the Month’ New members are always welcome.

 

 

If you have any notices for the July 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

 

The closing date for the next issue is Tuesday 22nd June 2004

 

Marriage: A joyous occasion and a full church for the marriage of Sarah Richards and Stephen Jones. We wish them every happiness in their life together. Their son Zak (Izaak Treweek) was then baptised and everyone welcomed him into the church.

Baptism: On 2nd May parents and godparents, family and friends brought Casey Luke Barrett to be baptised in St Nicholas.

 

Ken Danby: We are sad to report the death of Ken in April. He had lived in the village for very many years and we send our condolences to his wife and family.

 

Alan Stock: The sudden collapse and death of Alan was a great shock to everyone. Over the years he had a wide range of interests and was well known and respected not only in the local villages, who knew him in the Police, but in the county and further a field. “He was a larger than life character who threw himself wholeheartedly into everything he did”. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife and all the family.

Letter from Sylvia Stock

Dear Friends, Please can I say a big thank you for all the support, flowers, cards and cake that I received after Alan’s sudden death. It was such a shock to us, but we are all thankful for his life. We knew we loved him but did not know how many other people Alan will be missed by.   Thank you once again.             Sylvia Stock

 

Village Hall Committee Many thanks to all who made the Spring Sale such a success. £275.55 was raised which will help to improve further the facilities in the hall.

 

Neighbourhood Watch: Help keep your Community crime free. New Committee members urgently needed. So Join Today.

Contact   Angus  872 107  or  Susan 873 296

New window stickers available

 

YOU ARE INVITED TO

GARDEN PARTY and FETE

at ARDUN on SATURDAY 19 JUNE 2.00pm to 5.00pm

(indoors if wet)

Stalls    Teas    Raffle    Tombola

Special Games & Competitions for children & grown ups! Prizes

Buy a Lucky Programme     Try the Quiz

Come for a relaxed afternoon

All takings to St. Nicholas Church Project Fund

 

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

 

St. Barnabas Church: By the time you read this, the PCC will have met to follow up the special meeting and discussion which was held in the church on Sunday 28th March. We expect to provide feedback as soon as possible. At present our regular pattern of worship is Family Communion on the first Sunday (a shorter service aimed at being family friendly), Parish Communion on the second & fourth Sundays, and, on the third Sunday, a Family Service (which is not communion and includes both a talk for the children and reflections on the scripture readings for the adults). Sunday School usually meets on the 2nd and 4th Sundays, ring Colin Jenkins (351 543) for further information.

Youth will meet from 7.30 to 9.00pm at Kirsty and Warwick Teague’s (351 702) on 4th June for “The Game”, and on 18th June for “Mission Impossible”. Anyone 10 to 15 is welcome.

 

Otmoor Challenge:

We celebrate the silver jubilee of the Otmoor Challenge on 5th June this year.

Walkers may start between 9.00am and 12 noon for either the 13 or 5 mile routes;

Runners will leave at 2.00pm in a massed start. Entry forms for both the run and the walk may be obtained from Julie Ogden (351 421).

The fete will start at noon. Stalls will include: Books (Pat Sharpe 351 373), Bottles (Pauline Cox 351 367), Cakes (Marilyn Newbury 351 633), 50/50 (Lisa Mynheer 351 340) Plants (Alex Wood 351 577), Raffle (Bill Bailey 351 525), Top Gear (Ann Stearns 351 334), Traidcraft (Rita Turner 351 460), White Elephant (Anneke Lyster 351 373).

There will be refreshments in the hall, ice creams on the field and a bar in the marquee. There will be rides, a bouncy castle, gladiators, face painting and lucky dip, as well as games like egg throwing and marbles. The pig roast will be from 6.00pm and you can listen to a live band. For further details of the fete or pig roast ring Sarah Mander (07850 231 293). For any other details ring Basil Lyster (351 373). The support and patronage that we receive from you all is much appreciated - long may it continue. This is your Challenge - your event - your opportunity to participate. DON’T MISS IT!

 

Garden Club: We are again organising the Plant Stall for the Otmoor Challenge. We will be grateful for any plants you can give us to sell. Contact Alex Wood (351 577) with offers of help or for answers to any queries concerning it.

Unfortunately you are now too late to book a place on the June coach trip to the spectacular Abbey House Gardens at Malmesbury. It is, however, not yet too late to arrange to join us for an evening visit to a garden in Ford in July. Details can be obtained from Rita Turner (351 460) or Annabel Hitchens (351 434).

 

Women’s Institute: We are again organising the refreshments for the Otmoor Challenge. We need help from many of our friends in the village and are asking for the usual cakes etc. If you can give some time on the day please contact Judy Wright (351 526). On June 8th we hope to visit Harcourt Arboretum. Please arrive at 6.50 pm for a 7.00 start. New members are always welcome and anyone wishing to come to a meeting as a guest in the first instance might like to contact Annie Anderson on 351 551 or Julie Ogden on 351 421.

 

Waste & Recycling: Friday is now bin day. Brown and blue bins will be emptied on 4th & 18th June. Green bins will be emptied on 11th & 25th June.

 

Beckley Church: On May 9th, four trees and two honeysuckles which have been planted in the Churchyard in memory of Jessie Ponting, were dedicated. There is a Judas tree, a Mulberry, a Winter-flowering cherry and a Cotoneaster tree, and already the Judas tree is flowering. They will be a source of great pleasure, and remind us of Jessie, who did so much for the Church and the Village, and loved flowers and trees.

The funeral of Evelyn Hall was held in Beckley Church on 26th May, and was attended by her family and friends. Evelyn, who worked for some years as a dinner lady and playground supervisor at Beckley School, will be very much missed by all who knew her. We send our deepest sympathy to her family at this sad time.

On Sunday 16th of May Joshua Lea, and on Sunday 23rd May Max Sargent, were welcomed into the family of the Church when they were baptised at Beckley Church. We send our prayers and best wishes for the future to Joshua’s parents Kate & Nick  and Max’s parents Mark & Deborah, and to all their families and friends.

 

Beckley WI: At our meeting on May 4th, we discussed the resolutions to be voted on at the National AGM this year on: Trafficking of Women and Children, the Growing of GM Crops in the UK, and Air Ambulance Service Funding. We followed this serious debate with a light-hearted quiz on recent events and current personalities – testing our memories! Planned future meetings include talks on Natural Healing, The Scent of Humans – Pheromones, Excursions in the Western Himalayas and an Antiques Roadshow. We have outings planned to the Herb Farm at Fringford and a visit to see archive material at the OUP museum. Other social events are our Summer Garden Party and Christmas Dinner when we invite our friends and partners to join in. We currently have a small group who are interested in catering for village events and others who are working on a memorial patchwork quilt for a past member, Jessie Ponting. When completed this will be given to Sobell House. However, cooking and sewing are not requisite qualities for membership! Besides supporting all village events we hope in the future to fundraise for the new Children’s Hospital. We extend a warm welcome to all visitors and potential new members. For details of the forthcoming programme see village notice-board, or visit the Beckley web-site: beckley-oxon.co.uk. For other details phone Liz Bixby on 351 282.

 

 

PINCHIN and SON

VENT FARMHOUSE, FOREST HILL

Sunday Roasts     BBQ     Day to Day

Pork    Beef    Bacon    Sausages

All from our own stock  Traceability guaranteed

FREE  RANGE  EGGS

Open most Fridays & Saturdays or pop in when passing

Reasonable Prices    Special Offers    Orders taken    [  872 231

 

 

BECKLEY OPEN AFTERNOON

SUNDAY JUNE 27th

Plans are well under way, and we do hope it will be as successful as it has been in previous years. In the Church there will be music, and exhibitions by local artists, and 16 gardens will be open. There will be various stalls in the village, including books, bric-a-brac, plants and produce; cakes, biscuits, scones and jams; bottles and ice creams. There will be teas in the School and at Blossoms in the High Street.

We should be most grateful for any contributions to the stalls, and for the teas in the School, and for offers of help on the day itself. Please contact Maggie Dawber (351 498), Gina Robson (351 637), Marilyn Knatchbull-Hugessen (351 734), or Pam Edmonds-Seal (351 582) for details.

NB: The CARPARK will be in the field opposite Grove House, on the corner of Common Road, and we should be very grateful if cars coming from other villages would approach along New Inn Road, rather than driving through Beckley itself, as this will help to reduce traffic congestion in the Village.

 

Beckley Village Hall: On Tuesday 18th May, 31 of us spent an enjoyable day out at Exbury Gardens near Southampton. We will be holding a spoof “Wine Bluff” evening in mid-September. Watch out for more information. Our kitchen equipment has been renewed and the hall is an excellent venue for children’s and adults’ parties. Contact 358 911.

 

G GOMERSALL & SONS

Established 1978

 

Antique/Modern Re-Upholstery of all Types of Furniture

 

Furniture Restoration : Polishing : All Types of Repair

Wide Range of Fabrics : Free Estimate

 

[  01865 767 522

 

 

Jan Weller Pre-school

Holford Centre   School Lane   Stanton St John

Care & Education for children 2½ to 4

Opportunities to learn in a safe & stimulating environment

Registered with Charity Commission & Ofsted

Some government funded places  3 – 4

Monday to Friday    9.15am – 12.00noon

Lunch Clubs Monday, Wednesday, Friday, in term time, 12.00 to 1.15pm

Ring Hazel Christian, Supervisor, [ 01865 358 076