SIX PARISHES NEWSLETTER

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1 SIX PARISHES NEWSLETTER for St Giles Church. Badger St Milburga s Church. Beckbury St Andrew s Church. Ryton Rector: Rev d Keith Hodson tel keithhodson@talk21.com Web Site: Rota of Services in the 6 Parishes February 2014 Sunday Badger am Feb 2nd Matins Feb 9th Feb 16th Feb 23rd Beckbury Ryton Kemberton Stockton 9.30 am 11 am 11 am Communion KH (trad) Morning Communion Worship KH (new) 9.30 am 9.30 am Communion KH (trad) Morning Sutton Maddock 11 am Communion Worship 9.30 am 11 am 11 am Communion Communion Morning KH (new) KH (new) Worship KH (new)

2 March 2nd 9.30 am 11 am Matins Communion KH KH (trad) Abbreviation: KH = Revd Keith Hodson; TD = Tina Dalton; LT= = Local Team PRAYER OF THE MONTH (a prayer for Candlemas) May the light of Christ shine in our hearts, that we may live by the light of faith and come to the light of your glory in Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN Next Newsletter Contributions for next month s newsletter to either David Tooth at Havenside, Beckbury david.tooth2@btinternet.com Or Ruth Ferguson at Tarltons, Beckbury not later than 14th of this month, please. FROM THE RECTORY

3 Dear friends, One or two people have asked me about Candlemas which the Church celebrates on 2 nd February. It comes 40 days after Christmas, when, according to Luke s Gospel, Jesus parents took him to Jerusalem for the ceremony required in Jewish religious law for new born babies (formerly titled in the Church as the Dedication of Christ in the Temple or the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary ). In the Jerusalem temple an old man Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and declared him to be a light to lighten the Gentiles (in what we now say or sing in church evening services as the Nunc Dimittis). From that came the tradition of filling churches with candles to symbolise that gospel description. As is often the case with church traditions though, it was probably a church take-over of the pre Christian festival of lights, as 2nd February is midway between the shortest day (21st December) and the spring equinox (21st March). So on 2nd February Celts celebrated Imbolc with bonfires and lights to celebrate the sun s getting warmer and stronger and shining for longer. The Church used this old tradition also to bless candles at church for use in peoples homes. The most popular celebration of 2nd February is Groundhog Day which was taken to Pennsylvania USA from Germany. If the groundhog peeps out of its burrow and sees its shadow, then it goes back knowing there is more winter to come; if it does not see its shadow, the cloudy weather hints at the end of winter so it stays out. There are several English country rhymes on similar lines. If Candlemas be fair and bright, Winter will have another fight If Candlemas brings cloud and rain, Winter will not come again. The Celts saw Candlemas as the start of spring, whatever the weather, because the days are lengthening. And for us we sometimes see snowdrops out as the first signs of spring. So with all this background it was an easy step for the Church to take the symbols and celebrations and use them to talk about Jesus the light of the world, and a light to lighten the Gentiles. In his hymn Robert Willis uses all this imagery: In a world where people walk in darkness, let us turn our faces to the light To the light of God revealed in Jesus, to the day-star scattering our night In a world where suffering of the helpless casts a shadow all along the way Let us bear the cross of Christ with gladness, and proclaim the dawning of the day Let us light a candle in the darkness, in the face of death a sign of life

4 As a sign of hope where all seemed hopeless, as a sign of peace in place of strife For the light is stronger than the darkness and the day will overcome the night Though the shadows linger all around us, let us turn our faces to the Light. With best wishes for your Candlemas. Hodson Keith -2-

5 DIARY DATES FOR February Every Monday to Friday Every Saturday Oasis Christian Shop in Shifnal open 11am - 3pm Oasis Christian Shop in Shifnal open 11am - 1pm Sunday 2nd am Candlemas at Badger Church Wednesday 5th 7.30 pm Beckbury Parish Council meet in Village Hall Tuesday 11th Sunday 16th 2 pm am Friendship Club meet in Beckbury Village Hall Apley Multi Terrain Run in Apley Park CHURCH NEWS Thanks to those who have taken away Christmas wreathes from family graves. We can take any remaining wreathes for those who have been unable to do so. The Church s Epiphany season ends on 2 nd February with Candlemas. There is a united service at Badger Church beginning at am with the Six Parishes Choir. CONDOLENCES We extend our sympathies to the family of the late Liz Pope (nee Chantrey), aged 38, of Claverley whose service was held at Claverley Church on 11th December We extend our sympathies also to the family of the late Glynn Ridge, aged 82, of Shifnal whose service was held at Badger Church on 27th January 2014.

6 THE LATE JOHN W. G. UNITT Thank you to everyone for their words of comfort, sympathy cards and the donations for Albrighton Medical Practice. It helped immensely to see so many people at church to say goodbye to John. We have passed on 420 to Albrighton Medical Practice. Finally thank you to Lingen Davies Centre at Shrewsbury Hospital, McMillan, and a huge thank you to Dr. Bradley for all his care and attention over the last 15 months. From wife Jean and family. -3- SIX PARISHES FRIENDSHIP CLUB For our January meeting 26 members went to the Seven Stars, Beckbury for lunch, we thoroughly enjoyed roast pork with all the trimmings, followed by lemon roulade and cream, a meal fit for a Queen or 26 hungry senior citizens. Following the meal Margaret Downward passed round a 4 bronze commemorative disc which was given to bereaved families following the war and awarded to the family of Sgt Alfred Macham who was killed at Gallipoli in August It was very moving to see such a memorial and so rare that whilst it had been heard of, no-one in the room had seen one thank you Margaret and sister Eileen. Our next meeting is on 11th February when we meet in Beckbury Village Hall for a game of Quingo, the quiz with a difference. Your question master will be John Whitham and as usual we start at 2pm. If you are over 50 and would like to exercise the grey cells and also make new friends, why not come along and join us.

7 APLEY ESTATE MULTI-TERRAIN RUN Sunday 16th February 2014, am In aid of St Milburga s Church Beckbury and St Chad s Church Stockton Black Country Triathletes are for the third time organizing the Apley Estate Run through the magnificent scenery of Apley Park. There will be three races, 2lk, 10k and 5k. For further information and to book your place go to Spectators welcome, home-made cakes, tea, coffee and soup will be available. SIX PARISHES NEWSLETTER AND THE PARISH PLAN Following the acceptance of the Parish Plan by Beckbury Parish Council, analysis of the questionnaire relating to the newsletter has been passed to us for comment. We would like to thank you all for your kind comments and suggestions for improvements and where possible we will endeavor to implement these suggestions. However some comments can be answered now: Could be on line:- the newsletter is already on line with the Website address on the first page, if requested we can it directly to you. Is it a Church or Community newsletter:- initially the newsletter was church orientated but latterly it has evolved into a parish newsletter with Church news first, followed by news and views from our three parishes. Disappointed that organisations do not use the newsletter as a voice:- we can only print what we are given and, yes, we too are also disappointed. Repetitive and does not contain information for all ages:- same answer as above, we would love some contributions from our younger readers. Make the newsletter commercially viable with advertising:- there are two problems with this question. The first is who is going to sell the advertising? The second is that as editors we would like more views and news from you the reader and we do not want to fill the pages with paid adverts. Church and charity events are already published at no cost, with commercial adverts being charged for. The main cost of the newsletter is borne by our monthly sponsors who pay per issue which is acknowledged towards the end of the newsletter. If you would like to help in this way please contact the editor, it does make our job easier. Finally it has recently been suggested that we include a crossword occasionally. This is also a lovely way to get involved, so all you crossword addicts why not submit one for publication.

8 Thank you for your feedback and your continued support. Tooth David -4 RYTON AND GRINDLE PARISH COUNCIL In January the Council once again met at the Scout Hut. Nine members of the public attended, primarily to ask questions about the proposed carport/office development at Ryton Grove. There were many objections from both parishioners and councillors, and following a wide ranging discussion the Council voted unanimously to object to the application on 2 grounds; that the application had not been processed by Shropshire Council correctly, and that the proposed building was unsuitable for a conservation area. Later, the Council also agreed to increase the precept by 250 for the forthcoming year, join a broadband campaign to improve the service across the parish, and to conduct a full review of the Parish Plan within one month. A full copy of the draft minutes is available on our blog at or come along to the next meeting in March, hopefully back in St. Andrew s Church. Fly Tipping The Police no longer accept reports of fly tipping; instead the Anti-Social Behaviour Number should be used, Scrap merchants are now unable to accept fridges/freezers owing to the strict conditions now in place for the removal of the harmful gases. Please remember that if you allow a scrap man to remove rubbish or scrap metal from your property, you must ask to see sight of their Waste Carriers Licence failure to do so could render YOU liable to a fine. Please do not just leave scrap metal items at the gate hoping that someone will collect. This is unsightly and inviting trouble. Shropshire Council charge 27 to collect a fridge. The number to ring is Albrighton Scout Group Albrighton Scout Group (Beavers aged 6-8, Cubs 8-10 ½ and Scouts 10 ½-16) meet on Monday and Thursday evenings during term time at The Den, next door to the GP Surgery in Shaw Lane. Beavers and Cubs currently meet on Mondays from to 1900, and Scouts on Thursdays from to All 3 sections are growing in size and we are now looking for adult support to help grow the Group. You do not have to commit to every week and full training is provided. If you think you might be able to help in any small way, please contact 1stalbenquires@gmail.com. Or speak to Richard Holt on Property Flood Protection Assessments Shropshire Council is working hard to manage flood risk across the county. As part of its approach, the Council is offering free residential property flood protection assessments, where internal flooding has been experienced. Assessments will be carried out by an approved surveyor who is independent of manufacturers of flooding related products. An assessment will be made of the likely routes of ingress for flood water entering your property, and measures that could be used to prevent or mitigate flood damage to your home will be suggested. After visiting, the surveyor will issue a brief report outlining their findings. You can then use the report to help plan protective measures for your property. Shropshire Council can provide further guidance on the types of products that are available. Please contact: Flood and Water Management Team, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND or flood@shropshire.gov.uk. Spinal Injuries Association Every year in the UK over 1,000 people experience a spinal cord injury and there are an estimated 40,000 spinal cord injured people in the UK.

9 Hold a Fish and Chip Supper to help spinal cord injured people rebuild lives after injury Great British Fish and Chip Supper Friday 16th May You can hold a fish and chip supper in your own home, at work or hold a larger supper at your local community centre. SIA will provide a fundraising pack containing hints and tips, recipes, invitations and donation envelopes. For more information or request a fundraising pack call Elizabeth Wright on or fundraising@siafishandchips.co.uk. Or visit -5-

10 ALBRIGHTON PATIENTS GROUP In December the Patients Group was given a talk by Alan Roberts, Community Engagement Officer, Healthwatch Shropshire, which explained how the organization carried out its duties of providing information to help people make choices between the health and social care services which are available to them. Healthwatch Shropshire (HWS) can give children, young people and adults a powerful voice locally and nationally. HWS is empowered to visit care homes, hospitals and GP surgeries and report on the quality of care, facilities and service that is being provided. They welcome stories of individual experience which can reinforce their own volunteers findings. HWS is not an enforcement agency but all visits are reported to Healthwatch England and the Care Quality Commission (CQC), in this way local findings and knowledge can have a positive and far reaching effect. HWS can be contacted by on or by at enquiries@healthwatchshropshire.co.uk. Anyone who requires further information or who feels they may want to undergo training as a volunteer visitor are welcome to contact the office at 4 The Creative Quarter, Shrewsbury SY2 6LG. The Medical Practice website has had a make-over and now presents much more information of practical use and interest than previously. All aspects of the Practice are covered in format which is easy to follow. Please visit the site at You will not be disappointed. The Patients Group is always looking for new members. If you think you would like to take an active part in helping to shape the health services available locally and also on a county basis, you can get more information from either Sylvia Pledger, our Chairman, at or Richard Shaw at Copies of past meeting minutes are available in the Library, Station Road or in the green folder on the waiting room table at the surgery. Richard Shaw T WALKER ROOFING Tel Any aspect of Roofing Over 20 years experience free quotations SERVICES AND PRODUCTS Fascias and soffits * flat roof repairs * gutter repairs * gutter cleaning * leadwork

11 Roof repairs * roof tiling * roof conversions * slate roofing * storm damage repairs Roof windows * chimneys * pointing * GRP fiberglass roofing * plastic dry verge Moss cleaning done by hand -6-

12 OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOX APPEAL 2013 In the first week of December, Georgi, a lovely young man from Macedonia arrived with his huge lorry at the Telford Warehouse. He had learned his English not at school but from watching movies so the company he worked for chose him to do all the driving to England jobs! He had brought over a load of pillows to Tesco in Manchester and was then to take our shoebox gifts to Kosovo. Georgi was very aware of how precious his cargo was 9,686 boxes of gifts to be delivered to the children of Kosovo. Toys, sweets, pencils and pens, cuddly toys, hats, mittens, scarves etc, all carefully loaded up, along with tons of love. We wished Georgi well and waved him off on his long journey. This was quite an emotional moment, knowing that soon, 9,686 children would be very happy! Thank you to everyone in the Six Parishes who donated gifts, money, time and effort for the benefit of the world s needy children; an amazing response to the Shoebox appeal. Shiona Ferriday COMPUTER TRAINING WITH ALBRIGHTON BROADPLACE THE RED HOUSE, ALBRIGHTON We are a friendly group of local volunteers who offer you the chance of learning or improving your computer skills. Many of our learners are absolute beginners. We run from 2 to 4 pm each Thursday afternoon (2 1 hour sessions). Training is given on a one to one basis so you learn at your speed not that of a class, we work with you on whatever you want to learn, it may be learning how to send s or accessing the internet to open up a whole new world out there. You may wish to look at holiday destinations or visitor attractions, do online shopping or just look at what a shop may have to offer before you visit. There is so much one can do on the internet, even just going on to the BBC website is a whole new experience. You decide what you want to do and we will help you achieve it. Age is no barrier; our current oldest learner is 84 years young! You may have some experience but just require more help, possibly with photographs or attachments. Quite often we can help with little tips on using your computer. You can either bring your own laptop or use ours. Why not come along and see if we can help, the first session (1 hour) is free and if you wish to continue it will only cost you 2.00 per session, this charge is simply to cover the hire of the room. If you are undecided about a computer and whether it is worth buying one, why not come and try out ours and see if you enjoy it before buying. Be warned, it can be addictive. Maybe you would like to talk to someone first, if so, contact either Geoff Page on or Mike Pitchford on when we will be happy to discuss it further with you.

13 ************************ This month s newsletter is kindly sponsored by RICHARD SOLARI FARMS

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