september 2014 grapevine the magazine of st mary s church, rushden & st peter s, newton bromswold

Transcription

1 september 2014 grapevine 1 50p the magazine of st mary s church, rushden & st peter s, newton bromswold

2 Rector: Rev Stephen Prior The Rectory, Rectory Road, Rushden, NN10 0HA Curate: Rev Matthew Taylor 36 Meadow Sweet Drive, Rushden NN10 0GA Readers: Mick Bantin, David Brandford, Ruth Compton, John Dixon, Tony Smith Who s Who Hall Bookings: Pam & Paul Bailey 7 Kenilworth Close, Rushden, NN10 0QH St Mary s Churchwardens: Lynne Prior, 330 Newton Rd, Rushden, NN10 0SY Martin Cromwell, Pyghtles Cottage, 9 Pightles Terrace, Rushden NN10 0LN St Mary s Church Office Tues-Thurs: noon: Pam Bailey, Marion Bates, Sue Prior Webmasters: Anthony Sutton and Matthew Taylor stmaryschurchoffice@btinternet.com St Mary s Website: Newton Bromswold Churchwardens Bob Lines, 25 Church Lane, Newton Bromswold, NN10 0SR: Rosemary Gepp, 166 Avenue Rd, Rushden, NN10 0SW Newton Bromswold Website: grapevine subscriptions One year s subscription (10 issues) 5 Postal subscription: 10 Large Print Editions are available in church or may be pre-ordered. Any changes to order or details of delivery to: The Church Office stmaryschurchoffice@btinternet.com Phone: All monies to Peter & Barbara Coxon 11 Oakpits Way Rushden NN10 0PP petercoxon11@aol.com Phone:

3 contents Who s Who 2 Here comes the bride! 4 Margaret s Editorial 6 St Mary s News 8 News from Newton 9 From the Registers 10 Our Page 11 Meet the Congregation - Mick Bantin 12 Diary for September and beyond 14 From The Bishop of Brixworth 15 Around the Diocese 16 You might like to know 19/21 Snowdon Trip 20 Crossword Mission Matters 25 Belfry Gossip 28 Gardeners Report 29 Looking Back to Old Grapevines 30 Church Services for September 31 NEW The Back Page 32 Monthly event for dads, stepdads, granddads or male carers and their younger children [0-6 yrs] with the added bonus of good coffee and a breakfast bap! Saturday September noon St Mary s Church Hall Adults 3: children free Just turn up! grapevine september 2014 grapevine welcomes all contributions. Items for the October Magazine should be sent by Sunday September 14 to Margaret Akroyd, 132 Wymington Rd or left at the back of church clearly marked Grapevine or sent by to stmaryschurchoffice@btinternet.com with Grapevine in the Subject line. Please include your name and a phone number with any submission in case we need to contact you. 3

4 Here comes the bride! In the middle of a sun-filled summer, 1.45pm on Saturday August 2, it was, of course, raining. The bridal car had drawn up outside, a lovingly restored, white VW camper van, ready for its passengers. My daughter and I waited for a break in the weather and ran to the opening in the side of the van, (my job was to hold the train so it didn't get splattered: the chauffeur had the umbrella to keep her hair dry). As we sat safe and dry in the car, I took in the moment. These were my final private few minutes with my daughter before she became a married woman. She was so excited and happy it was infectious. So I decided to get out my phone and capture that moment. It s a photo I will always treasure. As we were just about to take our first step down the aisle, I took another photograph of us, it is 4 blurred, but you can see the shock of one of the bridesmaids and my other daughter (the chief bridesmaid) laughing with delight. However the real picture that wasn't taken, was the groom at the other end of the aisle. As we walked towards him, I saw his eyes transfixed on his bride. That is how God feels about the church. But even more so. He loves her with a passion that is eternal, both in its depth and length. Here s another image, but this one is captured in words and is from the book of Revelation. It s at the end when it speaks of the future moment of new creation, when God will come and finally dwell with his people, for ever, never to be apart again. What image does the author, John, use? A bride and a bridegroom. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and

5 the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Rev The greatest moment, when history finally comes to its climax, is described in this passage as like a bride and groom on their wedding day. The groom is Jesus and his bride, the Church. We hear this idea also from Paul, in Ephesians 5. We can get so caught up in the controversy about wives submitting to their husbands in the verses before, that we miss the real beauty of this next verse. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Ephesians 5:25 27 My wife Sandra has always said that in Christian marriage, the 5 husband has the hardest job, the highest calling. How can a husband love his wife like Christ loves the church? It s a tough job, but he gave himself up for her, to make her holy. That brings us right back to our image in Revelation. We, who believe and follow Christ, are his Church. He has laid his life down for us so that we will be made perfect through him. We see our mistakes and imperfections as a church: our hypocrisy and our lack of love, both over the centuries and today. How can we - how can I? - be worthy of such depth of love? But God doesn't see that: that has all been dealt with, through Christ. He sees only a beautiful bride. Holy and blameless. Full of joy and excitement. Ready finally to be made one with her Saviour and Lord, like a wedding, at the end of all things past and the beginning of the new. He is looking down the aisle and his eyes are transfixed on his bride to be. Hallelujah. Matt Taylor

6 Foot in the Grave, Richard Wilson. I do hope that the past two months have held memorable moments for you as they have for me. I have been on a long journey, some hundreds of miles of breath-taking views, to places I ve never been nor will ever go, and as I have no passport it is even more astonishing. It is thanks to TV coverage of the Tour de France, the three week long cycle ride which this year began in the Yorkshire Dales and ended in Paris via London. The Vosges Mountains, and the Pyrenees, to cover just four areas of beautiful scenery. Again, thanks to TV, I reclined at home to watch tennis at Wimbledon, Test Match cricket, and the Commonwealth Games and all courtesy of a free TV licence for those of advanced age! How lucky is that? A group of OAPs hitting the headlines are the Monty Python team who were persuaded to get together for a concert and have been sold out because their brand of humour is what we all need in troubled times. Their well known song is Always look on the bright side of life, de dum, de dum... and the concert goes down very well, showing that becoming a pensioner does not automatically propel you to an empty retirement, unlike that doyen of decrepitude from One A recent survey asked people, What makes for a heavenly retirement, and lots of answers were listed - owning your own home, having a spouse or partner, having a pet dog, living near (but not nearer than 10 miles) to relatives, being able to follow a hobby or do voluntary work. Maybe you could add to those. The findings also said that marriages were up 5.2% in 2012 to 262,000: a higher increase than in the previous decade, and the figures did not count marriages abroad. Talking of hobbies, one need only look at TV listings to see that cooking is high on the list: the current Bake Off programme with Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood having prime time. It also encourages people to buy gadgets like slow cookers, food mixers and juicers, and get top of the range new ovens. Our own church has keen cooks who take nights off to support the Pudding club, but the congregation also cares about the community and donates food to the local food bank which is needed and appreciated. Nationwide British Food Fortnight runs from September 20 October 5 when it is suggested churches have a Harvest Supper or an Alpha meal. Looking on the bright side may be 6

7 difficult when news in papers or on TV is gloomy, but if we cannot alter the horrors in far-flung places we can take heart when news nearer to home is cheery. Since July the General Synod has agreed to women becoming bishops and it will need legislation to be passed before it becomes a reality, but the decision cannot be reversed. The Chief Commissioner for the Scouts says more youngsters are wanting to join to enjoy adventure and camp life. Numbers over the past 10 years have rocketed from 450,000 to 550,000, and the Scout promise has kept the phrase to serve God, despite fears that it may discourage some from joining. The perennial problem for any youth group is finding leaders and helpers, partly because of the stringent tests to ensure they are suitable role models. Youth for Christ and Youthscape but the battle will be won or lost at local level. In our benefice, work with young people is expanding and thriving at all age groups. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in particular recognises the need and is committing resources to it, for he says, the future health of the church must not neglect youth ministry.. Margaret Akroyd According to another recent news item only 50% of parishes actively provide youth groups, thus depriving a church of replacement worshippers! It made the comparison with coal miners who used to rely on taking a canary into the pit as a test of good quality air. If the canary collapsed it was a sign of lack of oxygen which is essential for life, and the article claimed that our young people are the measure of health of the congregation we neglect them at our peril! Nationally strong signs of life are visible with initiatives like 7

8 Flower Rota September Behind the Communion Table 7 Mrs Jean Tombling 14 Mrs J Walker in memory of Rod, arranged by Mrs A Whitworth 21 Mrs Ellen Inwood 28 Harvest Festival:Mrs C Brown in memory of Mr & Mrs Watts Contact: Jean Tombling Memorial Chapel Flowers 28 Julie West If anyone wishes to give flowers in memory of loved ones please contact me. Mrs Brenda Dixon St Mary s News Samaritan s Purse Shoe Boxes We have started! Ladies are covering the boxes and we are collecting the goodies. Items have to fit into a shoe box. Good items are: toiletries, pens, pencils, hats, games in fact any small games and toys. Thank you! Linda Inwood Rogers The Ladies Group looks forward with anticipation to their Autumn programme of meetings. To start us off we gather in the church on September 10 at 2.15 pm for a service led by the Rev Christine Ostler. Afterwards we move across to the hall for a cream tea. This 8 gathering is usually a special time of praise and worship followed by Carol Allen s famous scones. Any ladies of the congregation are very welcome, and if you would like a programme please contact Mrs Ann Beal St Mary s Harvest Gifts If you know of someone who you think would appreciate a Harvest Gift from St Mary s please let David Clarke know. They might be housebound, disabled or just having a lot to cope with at the moment. Help is always welcome with making up the baskets and flower arrangements and their distribution on the Monday following Harvest Sunday, September 28. Again please talk to David on Children s Society The Children's Society Spring Quiz raised entries were returned, None were all-correct and just 3 scored 99 points. The winners were Mrs J Joyce of Wellingborough, Mrs J Wilson of Kettering and Mrs A Titmuss of Eaton Socon, near St Neots, who each receive 10. The new Autumn Quiz ''Hold It'' is now available. Entry forms, which cost 1, are on sale from committee members, Pam Bailey, or from John at The committee would like to thank all those involved with the Garage Trail on Saturday August garages and forecourts were open to sell and

9 75 trail maps were sold. The weather was perfect for people to browse. Participants were able to keep the money they raised or give to their chosen charity. 367 has been forwarded to The Children's Society for their continuing work helping disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people. The next event is The Box Opening and Coffee Morning on Saturday 4 October in the Church Hall noon. Various Stalls, everyone Welcome. For your Diary The Annual Christingle Service is on Saturday December 6 when the speaker will be The Rev Linnet Smith. Northamptonshire Historic Churches Trust Sponsored Ride & Stride 2014 This takes place on Saturday 13 September: over 350 churches in the county will be open to visit, including St Mary s and Newton. Mick Wadsworth has sponsorship forms for St Mary s and a list of churches on : Helen Lines the same for Newton. Newton Church will be open to visitors from pm so if you would like to act as a recorder, please put your name on the list at the back of church. All the money donated is divided between NHCT and the church of the participant s choice. At Newton Rosemary Gepp has kindly agreed to participate in the Bike Ride if you would like to sponsor her. Thank + You These are two small, under-valued words but to William and I they mean so much! We want to say thank you to all our church family, for the love, prayers and support given to us in the last year. Starting with our wedding in October, followed shortly afterwards by my hip and knee operations, it has not been the year we had planned! (God had other ideas!) I am pleased to say I have recovered from both operations and have gained a good degree of mobility. September should see me back again active in church. I do wish I d known one thing though that the Sunday morning sermons are available on St Mary s website. This is such a valuable way of keeping in touch with the church family when not able to attend services and deserves to be better known. Thank you once again. Love and Blessings William and Jacquie White Newton Flower Rota September 7 Mrs Sharman 14 Nichola Clarke 21 Mrs Taylor 28 Mrs Allen Churchyard Conservation Awards St. Peter s Churchyard, Newton Bromswold has been awarded overall joint winner with Bozeat in the Northamptonshire Churchyard Conservation Award Scheme run by (Continued on page 10) 9

10 Newton cont... (Continued from page 9) The Northants Wildlife Trust. Bob Lines was presented with the hedgehog award at The Best Northamptonshire Village of the Year 2014 ceremony held on July 15 at Hunsbury Hill Centre in Northampton. Go to The Back Page for a photo of Bob at the presentation. Village Fete On July 5 we were very lucky as it remained dry during the Fete. The Mission Band played music on the lawn and Simon, our organist, played music in Church. The Children's Fancy Dress was judged by the Mayor of Higham Ferrers, Cllr George Whiting, with James Clarke dressed as a Scarecrow being given first prize. Many thanks go to Jenny Burt for organising this year s Fete and to everyone who helped in making it such a great success, raising nearly 1,800 for Church Funds, for which we are very grateful. Harvest Festival... will be held on Sunday 5 October at 10am at St. Peter s Church, Newton Bromswold. The Church will be open on Saturday 4 October from 9.00am for decorating. Harvest Sale... will follow on Tuesday 7 October at 7.30pm at The Swan, Newton Bromswold and a Harvest Supper and Beetle Drive will be held on Saturday 11 October in the Village Hall starting at 6.00pm. Tickets 5 for Adults and 2.50 for Children. Proceeds to Friends of Newton Church. 10 From the Registers Baptism Sunday July 13 Matthew Phillip John Sacre Weddings Saturday July 5 Suzanne Swingler & Daniel Matthew Bird Victoria Elizabeth Eady & Thomas Peter Firm Saturday July 12 Laura Childs & Jamie Lee Edwards Hayley Maxine Lewis & Robbie York Saturday July 26 Joanne Loveridge & Robert Paul Woods Saturday August 2 Jasmine Rebecca Taylor & Simon Shaw Funerals Thursday July 3 Patricia W Haggan [80] Friday July 18 Donald [Don] Richard Planner [80] Tuesday July 22 Peter Donald Cooper [84] Tuesday July 29 Latimer Laurence Tuke [86] Wednesday August 6 Christopher James Elliot [40]

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12 Meet the Congregation: Mick Bantin Living in Paddington on the Queen s Park estate were Cyril Bantin and his wife Doris, who gave birth to daughter Jean (who now lives in Norfolk) and, in August 1950, Michael: better known to us as Mick. His earliest memories are of playing on the bomb site, unsupervised, and letting himself into his home with the key which he pulled through the letterbox on a string. He wasn t always well-behaved and remembers collecting dustbin lids and putting them on the railway line! Among his favourite subjects at school were woodwork, metalwork, and sports - alas he failed his 11+ exam, possible due to slight dyslexia. Moving to Rushden in 1960 [where Mum and his Step-Dad had the sub post office on Higham Rd] Mick attended Rushden Secondary Boys School (he was one of Bert Catlin s boys). He excelled at and became swimming captain and won first prize for metal work - during these years Mick did not attend church but was part of the Boys Brigade. In senior school he was grass monitor and used to mess the spark plugs about, so that when the teacher attempted to mow the wicket the mower failed and he had to fetch Mick out of class to repair it. Mick loved this as he escaped lessons! Just before his fifteenth 12 birthday Mick left school and went to Wellingborough Technical College, wanting to become a draughtsman, but was bitterly disappointed when they insisted he must do an engineering course and soon left and became an apprentice tailor at Aquascutum. He was there for five years and then moved on to the Ideal Clothiers, Wellingborough for about 8 years. Following that Mick moved to Daventry, travelling daily to work at the Jeans Company. Next he became production manager for a clothing factory for Marks & Spencer and later Garment Technologist. Eventually he started his own business, Bantin Tailors Ltd, in Mick began attending St Mary s in 1964 and joined the YPF [Young People s Fellowship] along with Chris Beckhurst, Bob and Marion Bates, Sue Cumberpatch, Clive and Janice Dobbs and Gerald Rootham and his sister. It was led by Donald and Wendy Ely. Derek Elliot was the Rector, followed by Michael Wilson. At the YPF Christmas Party in 1967 Elaine Mullis connived in getting Mick there, to meet someone else

13 he was keen on, but Elaine couldn t get rid [her words] of him and they ended the evening under the mistletoe! They went out together for 3 years before they were married at St Mary s by Michael Wilson in Following the wedding they moved into a flat over the General Stores at the corner of Kings Rd and Portland Rd. About a year later they bought a bungalow in Irthlingborough, and mainly attended St Peter s there. Julian was born in 1971 followed by Jeremy in 1972 and in 1973 they returned to Rushden, living in Martin Close where Hannah was born in 1977, and from then onwards they attended St Mary s. In 1986, the whole family moved to Blinco Rd, where Mick and Elaine still live. They have seven grandchildren, all being brought up by Christian parents. Their ages range from 10 to 6 weeks. Mick has been at St Mary s for 50 years and during that time been the leader of various children s groups, holiday clubs and a Home Group leader and then did his Reader training (having been encouraged and mentored by Barry Morrison). He helped with the Men s & Ladies Dinners and other evangelical events including Open Door and Fun, Faith n Food. He now helps with services in St Mary s, Newton Bromswold and elsewhere as needed. THOSE QUESTIONS! What s been the biggest influence on your life? Michael Wilson & Barry Morrison What are your hobbies? DIY & Gardening Who would you like to invite to dinner? Michael Wilson What would you serve? The Best of British Fayre Special Treat Cruising Your favourite place? home Proudest Moment Receiving the Bishop s Licence as Reader Bible Verses Jesus, the same today and for ever and at the start of Reader Training, You didn t choose me, I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruits, and that your fruit should abide. Roving Reporter 13

14 Diary September 1 Monday: Holiday Club in the church halls. 3 Wednesday: pm Fun, Faith n Food in the church halls 6 Saturday: noon: Mammoth Jumble Sale in the church halls [please drop off your jumble during Friday] 10 Wednesday: 2.15pm, Ladies Group, Service in Church followed by cream tea. Speaker: Christine Ostler 13 Saturday: NHCT Sponsored Stride & Ride includes Newton & St Mary s, see p8. 19 Friday: 7.00pm, Friends of St Mary s Curry Night in the church hall. Tickets now available from David, Bob & Peter or Saturday: noon Who Let the Dads Out? Church Hall 27 Saturday: pm Discipleship in Action Day at Corby Business Academy, Gretton Rd [NN17 5EB]. Keynote talk by Bishop John. Workshops and stalls. Free of charge. 29 Monday: from 10.30am DEF Autumn Meeting: Caring for the Bereaved, St Nicholas, Overstone. More details from Andrew Presland October 4 Saturday: noon Children s Society Box Opening in the church hall. Various stalls. All welcome. 5 Sunday: 10.00am Harvest Festival at Newton Bromswold 8 Wednesday: 2.15pm, Ladies Group in the Church Hall, Friends, John and Carol Allen 11 Saturday: Friends Pudding Club 11 Saturday: 6.00pm Beetle Drive and Harvest Supper at Newton 16 Thursday: Children s Society Flower Arranging Demonstration 18 Saturday: noon Who Let the Dads Out? November 1 Saturday: 10.00, Mission Coffee Morning in the church hall 1 Saturday: 7.30, Mission Quiz Evening in the Church Hall 12 Wednesday: 2.15pm, Ladies Group in the Church Hall, Spires, Saints and Martyrs, Susan Copperwheat. 15 Saturday: noon Who Let the Dads Out? 14

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19 You might like to know... St Mary s, Rushden Kneelers Your may remember NADFAS Church Recorders made a request in the summer Grapevine for information on our kneelers. Jennifer writes that she has now confirmed that the material and the making up were by Jackson s of Hebden Bridge, so she can go ahead and confidently add this to the record. Yasidis in Iraq If the Yasidis of northern Iraq currently in the news are new to you Barbara Nadel provides valuable insight in a novel of 2001 called Arabesk. Many of her books are superficially police procedurals based on Istanbul but full of wellresearched background detail and RUSHDEN & NEWTON BROMSWOLD WI Visitors Welcome : 3.50 Thursday September 11 Denise Taylor Medical Detection Dogs Competition something medical Thursday October 9 AGM & Harvest Supper Competition a Halloween item Rushden Town Bowling Club, Northampton Rd, Rushden NN10 6AN Meetings at 7.30pm this one examines both the joys and the problems of a multi-faith society operating under a secular constitution. It delicately places the Yasidi population of eastern Turkey one part of the Kurdish nation which straddles Iran, Iraq and Turkey into a world of fearful National Service fighting the PPK and the fragile identity of Yasidis living in Istanbul. Her River of the Dead, some 8 years later looks at the Cobweb World of Ottoman, traditional Armenian, Suriani Christian and integrated Jewish society in Istanbul and is also a very good read. Barbara Nadel, Arabesk (London: Headline, 2001) River of the Dead (London: Headline, 2009) Bishop s Summer School of Prayer This is due to take place from August 3-7 next year, at Launde Abbey. Participation is either through being a resident for the week or participating in individual workshops. An application form may be downloaded from the diocesan website: We are featuring this now as we understand places are going very quickly. 19

20 A Friends view of Snowdon Climb 2014 Let me start by attributing blame where it is due! Martin Compton. There, I feel better now, and can write this account of THE SNOWDON CHURCH CLIMB. Carol Allen was due to drive the minibus to Wales, but, due to a recent change of driving licence, the darling DVLA had left the magic D1 from her licence. Slight pandemonium as we found three drivers within the hour on the Friday to plug the gap. Saturday morning, 28 June, saw 11 intrepid church members (six of whom are also Friends ) gather at 6.00am in the church car park, including our very intrepid Rector am we arrived at Pen y Pass car park to start the climb. Unfortunately several hundred people had beaten us to it, which resulted in Carol and Gerald Bass having to drive down to Llanberis and park there, having disgorged 9 of us to climb the Miner's Track. They planned to climb the Llanberis Path and meet us at the summit. As the climb leader I strode out of the car park to start the epic journey. I now believe that this was the only time that I was actually at the front! OK, they were all younger. Without much of a problem we trudged the first 2 20 miles or so to Glaslyn, the Blue Lake. Where now? they asked. Up there, I said. At this point you look upwards towards the clouds and realise that this route is indeed steep (see pic). Just a little, steepish, climb of around 2,000 feet to the summit. Off we all went, occasionally gripping the odd rock for support, to join the several hundred who had left the car park earlier. Piccadilly Circus has never been that busy. That younger element I spoke of had gone, but they did have the goodness to stop at the standing stone 250 feet from the summit. At the top there were so many people it was impossible to get a photo of our bunch together, so pics were taken in twos and threes instead. It also looked like a Sikh convention had taken over the mountain, but Carol (she and Gerald had now joined us) pointed out that they were collecting for a charity. The new café at the summit was absolutely jammed as well, but we had a packed lunch and could eat outside in the mist. Super views, provided your subject was no more than 5 yards away. Oh, the joy of mountain climbs!

21 Going down on the planned Llanberis Path it just got very cold very suddenly, until after 500 feet or so the mist cleared and it got much warmer. We all met in the Llanberis car park and proceeded to Pete's Eats for a lovely calorie-rich meal. We arrived back at the church car park at 11.00pm, full of vim and ready to embark on next year s trip to Kilimanjaro. We will be looking for a leader for that!! John Allen You might like to know... Recent posts on to the site include ones about: Living Life to the full promoting self-help in Christian communities across Northamptonshire Youth volunteering up 8% in a year (from the Community Life Survey) Local statistics on children hit by family debt crisis STOP PRESS The sponsorship total has just passed 1,000 mark. Well done, indeed. Ed. A special thank you to J B Noble, Opticians in Church St who came to the rescue like the US Cavalry when I recently broke my glasses on holiday. With barely a ripple, a modest charge and absolutely no fuss they were repaired and returned in a matter of days. Impressive eh? Thank you! JC Both images thanks to Colin Rowland 21

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23 Hadley Woodland Management hedge trimming pruning - tree removal seasoned woodland logs hedge & tree planting small woodland management & conservation 5 million public liability insurance Rushden based John Hadley tel: To advertise in Grapevine contact St Mary s Church Office on or stmaryschurchoffice@btinternet.com Prices start at only 25 per year RUSHDEN SCHOOL OF MOTORING Tel: Hall Avenue, Rushden, NN10 9ET Practical and theory tuition in manual and automatic cars Probably Rushden s oldest established driving school: Barnes Tree Services All types of tree work undertaken A & R Kelland Painting & Decorating Services Free estimates and advice - Established 1982 Tel: Mob: or

24 A. ABBOTT & SONS PERSONAL FUNERAL DIRECTORS BEDFORD ROAD, RUSHDEN Owned and operated by the Abbott family for four generations Tel: Rushden HOUR SERVICE TO ALL AREAS Private Chapel of rest, Service Chapel, Catering suite, Memorial display, Floral tributes Pre-paid plans available Est CELEBRATION OF LIFE CAKES FROM THE HEART Making Memories Special Celebrate the life of your loved one, rather than mourning their passing For all your internal property maintenance requirements New Bathrooms/Kitchens Plumbing/Blocked drains Tiling, Decking Carpentry & Joinery Small plastering jobs and more! Call James on or Quality & value guaranteed Customer testimonials available Brian Howard Mobile: Phone: Carpet Cleaning Window Cleaning Gutter Cleaning Conservatory Cleaning Solar Panel Cleaning Fascia Cleaning 64 Roman Way Higham Ferrers NN10 8NS Please support our advertisers 24

25 Our Advertisers Complete 3 sessions and get 4th free when you mention Grapevine Electrolysis Permanent hair removal using a sterile probe Advanced Electrolysis Effective treatment for Thread Veins, Skin Tags and other skin blemishes For more details contact Lois: / Rush Tan: 104, Wellingboro Rd, Rushden KHM Electricals Domestic & Commercial Electrician Inspection & Testing. PAT testing. Rewiring. Landlord Certificates. Free Quotes, 24hr call out. No job too small. Keith Morgan 21 Chapel Close, Rushden. tel: info@khmelectricals.co.uk Cheryl Stainer Diploma in Person-Centred Therapy Counselling services in the comfort of your own home or private rooms available if preferred 25 Mission Matters By the time you read this you will be aware that Derek and Jane Waller are speaking at both the morning services on September 7 about their calling to go to South Sudan. Such a big step for them, but they go with prayerful and practical support from us and most of all with God s blessing. We shall meet them informally after the 11.15am service that day, sharing lunch together in the church hall. We will also be giving financial support through retiring collections in church for the 3 weeks leading up to that visit. Linnet Smith who quite a number of us will remember from her late husband s ministry at St Mary s is currently in Tanzania, where she is on secondment with Rooted in Jesus: a practical discipleship programme for Africa. She would very much appreciate our prayers as she travels, assists, advises and speaks in that area. As a committee we do try to keep up to date with correspondence from our link mission partners. Please do check out our table by the North Door for information, but, above all, please continue to uphold Abelino and Paty, Brian & Val, The Church Army, CPAS and Langham Partnership in your prayers. They all very much need us to, Thank you on their behalf. Jose Smith St Mary s Mission Committee

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28 Belfry Gossip During the last two months we have been kept busy by ringing six newly married couples out of church as well as our normal Sunday ringing. We have also rung six quarter peals for evening services during that time and it was a pleasure to help celebrate Cathy's birthday, Pam & Paul's 35 th wedding anniversary and of course Jasmine and Simon's wedding. Congratulations to them all. There was also a special one for us when Charlotte rang her first quarter peal at her first attempt, which was arranged to coincide with her 14 th birthday. She rang exceptionally well throughout. Congratulations Charlotte, may this be the first of many. As mentioned last time we entered a team in the Branch Striking Competition, which was held at Mears Ashby. Six teams from the local area each competed for the Shield and we were judged to be the winning team. So again we have the Shield hanging on the wall in the Ringing Chamber until it is competed for again next year. We again had good weather for our annual BBQ, although we did take precautions by having the gazebo erected just in case of any showers; it actually provided some welcome shade. With salads and sweets etc. having been brought to share and Alan looking after the fire it was a very nice lunchtime with lots of eating and chatting: a very enjoyable time. Many thanks to Brenda & John for letting us use their garden. Good News: at last. 11 years since the new upstairs Ringing Chamber was erected when this should have been done we now have two opening windows to help with ventilation. During the summers it has been getting very hot and airless when during ringing but now at least we can get air passing through to help us. We also have the advantage of being able to see when newly married couples are about to leave the church. Thank you Martin for ensuring the work was completed. We have also spring cleaned under the bells so they are shown off to their best advantage when we have visitors coming to see them. We had a successful half day outing to Cambridgeshire when, with the help of some ringing friends, we rang at Great Gransden (6 bells), Gamlingay (8), Potton (6) and Guilden Mauden (8). A variety of different methods were rung during the afternoon so that everyone had a good ring to try out the different bells. Potton also had a very nice church field where we had our picnic in the sunshine. Thank you Pam for organising the churches. 28

29 Several of us also joined with our fellow ringers for the Wellingborough Branch Outing, which was also held in Cambridgeshire. Ramsey (6 bells), Warboys (6), Somersham (6) and Chatteris (6), were the visited churches, again organised by Pam. The afternoon was very enjoyable with ringing to suit everyone there. Different venues were found for picnics and local Strawberries and Raspberries were enjoyed. For the thirsty among us a very nice location was found to end the day, where the younger people could watch the passing trains on the east coast main line while we others sat in the evening sun chatting. It is nice to have the opportunity to ring on bells in other churches and look around them, but as someone said the next day 'it is nice to get back to ring on your own bells'. By the time you are reading this some of us will have been away for a week of ringing in Wiltshire. Just shows how wonderful ringing church bells is, when you get to go to different parts of the country to see other churches and ring their bells. Tintinnabulum This is only a short report as due to illness and holidays I haven t got much to say. It would appear that me being poorly has a very good effect on the churchyard borders as they are looking better than ever. The team has worked very hard while I was ill, and I much appreciated this as when I returned. I didn t have anything to do: mind you, according to Mick. that is no different from normal. Michelle has joined us and worked hard to clear the weeds in the car park. Most of the rose trees which we set in the autumn are growing well, but one or two didn t survive despite the magic powder. Alan has sprayed the rose trees this year so the black spot is much improved. Six of the Queen Elizabeth roses have died and these are being replaced, provided the new ones survive Jose s tender care until it is time to plant them. The members of the team are just not expert gardeners but they can put their hands to painting the metal railings which are also looking very smart. The alliums which we set last year did very well and the tobacco plants are magnificent again: they must really appreciate the very good compost we liberally put on when Mick is away. Despite the near disaster of the last bonfire we had a very successful one again to get rid of the noncompostable rubbish. Bob Bates 29

30 Looking back at St Mary s Magazines 110 Years Ago Thursday September 8 is the Dedication Festival of our Parish church, the Nativity of St Mary the Virgin. The Harvest Festival will be held on Thursday September 22. Holy Communion will be celebrated at 8am. Evensong and Sermons at 8pm. The sermon will be preached by Rev Canon Hamilton, Vicar of St John s, Derby: Canon Hamilton will be remembered by older inhabitants of Rushden as the brother in-law of Canon Barker. In years gone by he was a frequent preacher here and we are glad that he has been able to accept our invitation to come amongst us once more. On the following Sunday Thanksgiving Services continue and the preacher at morning and evening services will be Rev C J Gordon, Vicar of Crosby Ravensworth, Westmorland. It is nine years since Mr Gordon was our rector and this is the first time he could return to preach having been prevented on several previous occasions by ill health. He has been offered the Rectory of Great Salkeld, Penrith by the bishop of Carlisle. It is with much regret we record the death of two clergymen who have preached at the Parish church in recent years. Rev Marshall Tweddle, Rector of Barnack and Rev R A Parsons, vicar of Long Buckby. Rev Tweddle died on Sunday August 14 suddenly at his rectory while Rev Parsons died suddenly at Harrogate. 50 Years Ago Sunday School Scholars are reminded that Going Up Sunday is September 6 and they will be told full details by their superintendents. There will be a Sunday School staff meeting for all teachers and leaders of Bible Classes on September 7 at 7.45 pm in the Vestry Hall. All are asked to attend as there are important matters to discuss. Saturday September 12 is the date of our Garden Fete to be opened by Mrs Hensman at 2.45 pm. All the usual attractions will be there and include a fancy dress competition for children in two groups aged 1-5 or 6-10 years, and an Art & Craft Exhibition, Horticultural Competition and Cake Competition. Could anyone lend us equipment suitable for children to play on: swings, see-saws etc? Please contact the secretary immediately so collection can be arranged represents Golden Jubilee Year in the world of Brownies. When Brownies were formed 50 years ago they were called Rosebuds so the theme for the activities in this celebration has been floral. Each pack in the district joined Brownie Revels, held in June at Irthlingborough Secondary School and our pack formed a very real-looking sunflower. Our good deed for the month was to take bunches of flowers to the infirm of the parish. Three members of our pack will be flying up to Guides in September. 30

31 9.30am 11.15am 6.00pm 9.30am 11.15am Sunday September 7 Twelfth after Trinity All Age Holy Communion [CW] Morning Prayer Evening Worship 10.00am Family Service Sunday September 14 Thirteenth after Trinity All Age Service Holy Communion [CW] 6.00pm Evening Prayer 10.00am 3.00pm Pete s Pack Evening Prayer Sunday September 21 Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity 9.30am 11.15am 6.00pm Services for September 2014 All Age Parade Service Morning Prayer Holy Communion [CW] St Peter s Newton Bromswold 10.00am Family Communion Sunday September 28 Harvest/Back to Church 9.30am 11.15am 6.00pm All Age Harvest Service Harvest Morning Prayer Evening Prayer 10.00am 3.00pm Pete s Pack Holy Communion St Mary s Mondays 10.00am Bumps & Church - every week in term time Wednesday pm Fun, Faith n Food first Wednesday of the month Thursdays 10.30am Holy Communion [BCP] - every week 31

32 The Back Page August 2 Here comes the bride! Full story Page 4 July 15 Bob Lines accepts the Hedgehog Award for Newton as overall joint winner of the Northamptonshire Churchyard Conservation Award Scheme alongside Christine from Bozeat. Also pictured is Matt from the Wildlife Trust and two of the judges. More on Page 8 June 28 Intrepid climbers assemble before attempting the Miners Track up Snowdon. More on Page 20 32