ST. BRANDON S CHURCH BRANCEPETH

Transcription

1 ST. BRANDON S CHURCH BRANCEPETH NEWSLETTER: January 2017 Also online at:

2 Priest in Charge Rev d. Rick Simpson ( ) Curate Rev d. Alison Hobbs ( ) Lay Reader Geoff Moore co-opted member of P.C.C. ( ) Church Wardens: Steve Hodgson ( ) Hester Higton ( ) Secretary Mike Higton ( ) Treasurer Geoff Knott ( ) Deanery Synod Evelyn Aitken ( ) David Eltringham ( ) John Jackson ( ) Other members:- Rev d Fiona Eltringham- co-opted ( ) James Morgan ( ) Carolyn Knott ( Isabel Rae ( ) Jean Merrington ( ) John Roberts (( ) Jeanette Metcalfe ( ) Robert Scott-Biggs ( ) Pastoral Assistant Deborah Hodge ( ) Prayer Team Deborah Hodge , Alison Hobbs , Alison Moore , Myrleen Stewart Sunday School & Messy Church Gillian Smellie ( ) & Liz Thomas ( ) Organist Richard Hird Music Jean Merrington, Thornberry Garth ( ) Sacristans Carol Beeby ( ): Deborah Hodge ( ) Jean Hodgson ( ): Carolyn Knott ( ) Safeguarding Officer Ronnie Moles ( ) Flower Guild Lynne Hastie ( ) Churchyard Edward Staines ( ) New Churchyard Bill Currie, 12 Goodwell Lea ( ) Youth Club Geoff Moore ( ) Martin Peacock ( ) Worship Team Rev d Alison Hobbs, Fiona Eltringham, Deborah Hodge, Jean Hodgson, Jean Merrington, Geoff Moore, Sue Morgan, Rev d Rick Simpson SMD Team: Fabric: Parish Office Rick Simpson; Alison Hobbs; Alison Moore; Martin Peacock Jayne & Peter Cook; Stephen Hodgson; John Jackson; Jean Merrington; John Morgan; James Morgan; Edward Staines Tel: : Website February Newsletter entries - no later than 20 th January Please send to Sue Morgan - sueatpeppermires@gmail.com

3 Dear Friends, At the end of a tumultuous year, by any reckoning, and the start of a new one, I find myself seeking inspiration. I guess we all need to know where we turn for that something or someone to warm our hearts, or help them to sing; who can articulate the questions that trouble us, help us express the yearning we feel, or put a finger on the feeling we were experiencing, but hadn t yet been able to name? You ll probably be thinking, Here goes the Rector, building up to saying something about God again. And, yes, I do seek the kind of inspiration I just tried to describe in the Christian faith... but I wasn t actually thinking about Jesus when I wrote that paragraph; I was, of course, referring to Bob. I found many things in 2016 profoundly troubling, but at least the award of the Nobel Prize for Literature to Bob Dylan on the 10 th of December made me smile. For longer than I ve been alive, Bob Dylan has written songs that somehow get into people s hearts and minds. I am perfectly willing to admit that he does not have the finest voice ever engraved into the grooves of vinyl; I ll accept that his output has been uneven (some albums in the late 80s were truly terrible; please never, ever, buy Knocked Out Loaded.) However, in his more accomplished songs he has dealt powerfully with death and life, dignity and shame, good and evil, justice and its denial, love and disdain, and even God too. These works have ranged in style enormously: There has been the direct address of protest, often with scathing sarcasm. In The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll (1964) we hear the true story of tobacco farmer William Zanzinger, who killed his black employee, Hattie Carroll, by throwing his cane at her head. For verse after verse, as the shameful tale is related, we are told it is not the time for tears, until, finally: In the courtroom of honor, the judge pounded his gavel To show that all s equal and that the courts are on the level And that the strings in the books ain t pulled and persuaded And that even the nobles get properly handled And he spoke through his cloak, most deep and distinguished And handed out strongly, for penalty and repentance William Zanzinger with a six-month sentence... after which we are told to, Bury the rag deep in your face, for now is the time for your tears. It s the murder of justice even more than that of Carroll that Dylan wants us to mourn. In contrast, there have been simple, tender love songs. And then there have been surreal epics, where no one is really sure what it s about: You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns When they all come down and did tricks for you You never understood that it ain t no good You shouldn t let other people get your kicks for you. (Like A Rolling Stone, 1965)

4 But even when we can t say exactly what the songs are about, the emotion often remains fiercely tangible; it s as if something is happening here, but you don t know what it is, do you, Mr Jones? (Ballad of a Thin Man, 1965). But how much non-literal painting or sculpture do we fully understand? But something is often happening there too, whether we know what it is or not. A Dylan song can often feel like that kind of art. Of course, there has been controversy about whether Dylan, or anyone working in the genre of popular music, should receive a Noble Literature Prize. People have taken delight in quoting some of his most ridiculous lyrics as evidence for the prosecution here. But the fact that Dylan wrote, Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a gypsy queen / Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle all dressed in green (Wiggle Wiggle, 1990) proves not that Dylan lacks depth, but only that he is also a rock n roll singer, who at times just has fun. No one seeking to mock Dylan ever seems to quote a song like Every Grain of Sand (1981), where he wrestles with faith and doubt, wondering if the hairs of our head along with the sand on the seashore are numbered by a God who holds and loves all things, or not: I hear the ancient footsteps like the motion of the sea Sometimes I turn, there s someone there, other times it s only me I am hanging in the balance of the reality of man Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand. Now, of course, I don t want to claim too much for Dylan. For some, his voice will just never work: Oh, hear this Robert Zimmerman I wrote a song for you About a strange young man called Dylan With a voice like sand and glue. (David Bowie, Song for Bob Dylan, Bowie addresses Dylan in his original name of Zimmerman and parodies one of Dylan s earliest pieces, Song for Woody.) And he s not the Messiah; he s just a very prolific songwriter. Still, I couldn t pass up on the occasion of the Nobel Prize without writing about His Bobness. And, as 2017 arrives, it feels like The Times They Are a Changin (1963), though not necessarily for the better; I am scared by some of the people who say they are the ones With God On Our Side (1963); I do feel rather Tangled Up In Blue (1974), and I somewhat fear that A Hard Rain s A Gonna Fall (1963). But while It s Not Dark Yet (1997) we ll keep Pressing On (1980) and taking our inspiration where we can find it. It might come from Bob; it might even come from God. The former helps me access the latter, believe it or not. Anyway, keep singing, Bob, and a Happy New Year to all, Rick

5 Readings and Services in Jan st Jan., Naming of Jesus Parish Eucharist Readings: First: Geoff Knott Galatians Second: none Gospel: Luke Deborah Hodge Intercessions No Sunday School 8 th Jan., Epiphany Parish Eucharist Readings: First: Jayne Cook Isaiah Second: Robert Scott Biggs Ephesians Gospel: Matthew 2: 1-12 David Eltringham Intercessions Sunday School 15 th Jan., Epiphany 2 Parish Eucharist Readings: First: Peter Cook Isaiah 49: 1-7 Second: John Roberts 1 Corinthians 1: 1-9 Gospel: John 1: James Morgan Intercessions Sunday School 22 nd Jan., Epiphany 3 Parish Eucharist Readings: First: Vivien Davies Isaiah 9: 1-4 Second: Tom Hobbs 1 Corinthians 1: Gospel: Matthew 4: Philip Lockley Intercessions Sunday School 29 th Jan., Epiphany 4 Parish Eucharist Readings: First: Ulrike Friebel 1 Kings Second: James Morgan 1 Corinthians 1: 18-end Gospel: John Geoff Moore Intercessions Sunday School 5 th Feb., 4 th Sunday before Lent Parish Eucharist

6 Readings: First: Hester Higton Isaiah 58, 1-12 Second: Martin Peacock 1 Corinthians Gospel: Matthew tba Intercessions Sunday School Sidesmen Servers Jan 1 st Fiona & David Eltringham Martin Jan 8 th Joan Nesbitt & Pat Sharples Tom Jan 15 th Geoff Knott & Jean Merrington Jonathan Jan 22 nd Sally & Robert Scott Biggs Martin Jan 29 th Ann & John Roberts Tom Feb 5 th Myrleen Stewart & Bonny Bainbridge Jonathan Flowers Coffee Jan 1 st Guild Jeanette Metcalfe Jan 8 th Denise Jackson Alison Moore Jan 15 th Sarah Nicholson Evelyn Aitken Jan 22 nd Iris Waggott Norma Taylor Jan 29 th Christine Dodd Sue Morgan Feb 5 th Annette Johnson Iris Waggott Church Cleaning January: Evelyn Aitken, Carolyn Knott, Jean Merrington, Myrleen Stewart, Iris & Rob Waggott. February: Carol Beeby, Jenny Marr, Jean Robinson. Sarah Nicholson, Norma Taylor.

7 Guard of Honour following the marriage of Major Chris Armstrong RM & Miss Catherine Small VESTRY REPORT: funerals; baptisms and weddings The marriage of Christopher Thomas Armstrong and Catherine Elizabeth Small on 10 th December th December 2016, the funeral and burial of Roy Gazzard, RIP. Thank you On behalf of my family and myself I would like to thank everyone in Brancepeth for all the cards, flowers, support and kindness following the death of my father; this is very much appreciated. Very best wishes, Mark Gazzard

8 Advance Notice: Meditation Course During Lent we will be running a course on contemplative prayer that is, prayer using only a few words, and plenty of silence. We will be joined by the Vicar of Lanchester, Rev Rupert Kalus, who will lead a Meditation as Mission course, taking us through a range of approaches to contemplative prayer, with us trying a different style of prayer in each session. The course will take place at 2.00 pm on the Mondays during Lent, that is: March 6, 13, 29, 27 March and April 3 (and possibly April 10 also, if punters opt for a sixth session). If you are interested in attending whether you come to church regularly or not, pray regularly or not: all are welcome then do make a note of the dates. I expect this will take place in the Neville Chapel at church, but I ll confirm this and give further details in due course. Rick Simpson

9 Brancepeth Youth Club January April 2017 Sunday club nights are from pm. All young people in the Village (and beyond, and their friends) are warmly welcome. The age range is from 11 to 17 years inclusive. Sunday 15 January Sunday 29 January Sunday 12 February Sunday 26 February Sunday 12 March Sunday 26 March Sunday 9 April Party* Normal club night Normal club night Normal club night Normal club night Normal club night Normal club night * The party will take the theme of O. It s a requirement that you dress accordingly. Please also bring a plate of food (savoury or sweet) and games, ideally both also themed to the letter O. Leaders Geoff Moore Martin Peacock Rick Simpson, Rachel Lunney, Sam Wilkes, Jonny Dobson, Tom and Alison Hobbs will also be helping to lead.

10 Messy Church dates will be announced on the Messy Church website in the New Year. 3-5pm IN CHURCH. All ages welcome We love to see new faces & guarantee you a warm and friendly welcome. & tons of fun! Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult

11 Sunday mornings 10.15am St. Brandon's Church During Eucharist Service School Term time Suitable for school age children Bible stories, crafts, games Leaders fully DBS checked. Opportunity for children to worship informally with or without their grown ups, then re-join for the end of the Eucharist service. Wriggly church area in Neville Chapel available for pre-schoolers to enjoy with their grown-ups. Speaker relay to overhear Eucharist Service.

12 PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING DIARY January 2017 You are invited to use this diary to share in the prayers offered daily in church 1 CHRISTMAS 1 On the first day of the year let us trustingly put our hands into the hand of God 2 Whitworth Lane and Black House 3 Oakenshaw Road 4 Pray for all who feel depressed after Christmas 5 Springwell Farm, Woolley Grange, High Woolley, Weather Hill, South Brandon Farm and Brawns Den 6 EPIPHANY Pray for all who travel in hopeful expectation 7 Quarry Hill and cottages, Morley Farm, Littlewhites Farm and Goodwell Field 8 EPIPHANY 1 As we recall the baptism of Christ pray for all who will be baptised this year 9 Pray for people in poverty having to choose between food and heating 10 Station House and the Village North 11 Goodwell Lea North 12 Goodwell Lea South 13 Pray for those who feel isolated and alone 14 Russell Close and North Field View 15 EPIPHANY 2 pray that the church will stand up for justice and mercy wherever these are threatened 16 Foxes Row 17 Stockley Grove 18 Give thanks for families and friends who support and sustain us 19 Durham Road and the Forge 20 The Rectory, Rectory Cottages, Bridleway, Constable Meadows, Hoppy Acres and Thornberry Garth 21 Pray for the unemployed, especially young people 22 EPIPHANY 3 Pray for all leaders that they will be able to take the longer view for the good of their people 23 Bridge Road and Tanglewood 24 The Village South 25 The Castle and Lodge 26 For church members outside the parish

13 27 Park Lodge, Garden House, Nursery House, East Bothy, Scripton Lodge, Scripton Farm 28 Peppermires, Culmaran, Tudhoe Lodge, Nafferton Farm 29 EPIPHANY 4 Give thanks for clergy and church leaders and pray that they will be inspired and encouraged 30 Pray for Rick, Alison, Fiona & Geoff, leading worship in our own parish 31 Stockley Grove For February entries contact Myrleen Stewart Do you know anyone who, for any reason, would appreciate prayer, a visit, or perhaps to receive communion at home Please tell Deborah Hodge, Authorised Pastoral Assistant, and she will get in touch If you would welcome a short time of Christian worship with friends and neighbours, we would love to see you. You are invited to join us for a small and friendly home Eucharist service at 5 Russell Close Tuesday 17 th January 2017 at 11:00 Tuesday 14 th February 2017 at 11:00 Tuesday 14 th March 2017 at 11:00

14 Wednesday Coffee Morning Village Hall All are very welcome plus family & friends, any age! January 4 th Evelyn Aitken & Bill Curry January 11 th Janiece Spence & Joan Taylor January 18 th Deborah & Bob Chapman January 25 th Jean & Jim Merrington February 1 st Stuart Allen & Vivienne Lowe February 8 th Christine Jones & Joan Taylor February 15 th Linda Larnach & Sheena Murray February 22 nd Joan Taylor March 1 st Evelyn Aitken & Bill Curry If your turn is unsuitable please swap with someone else. Josie Armstrong, or Pat Allatt may be able to help. Please let your partner know: - Pat Allatt Linda Larnach Stewart Allen Rob Waggott Evelyn Aitken Vivienne Lowe Josie Armstrong Jean Merrington Deborah Chapman Sheena Murray Bill Currie Janiece Spence Christine Jones Joan Taylor Knit and natter. Since September the Knit and Natter Group have been making a variety of items for the Operation Christmas Child shoe box appeal. We have made hats, scarves, gloves, pencil cases, small bags and hand puppets etc. Consequently our wool stocks are very much depleted. If anyone has spare wool which they don't want, we would be very pleased to take it off their hands. The knit and natter sessions will resume on January 10th. We meet between 2 and 4pm in the village hall committee room. One of our next projects will be the making of a quilt, for the commemoration of St Brandon's voyage, in September Anyone who would like to knit, sew, crochet or just chat, is welcome to join the group. GARDEN CLUB Future events. No Annual Supper for February 2017 instead a return to the party night of several years ago. More details nearer the time. Spring Show Wed. 19 April - a new class for egg painting will be added. Also the AGM will be on Wed. 19 April - following the show and prize-giving. Walkabout Foxes Row 9 June Annual Show - Sat. 9 September.

15 Jazz Night Saturday 4 th March Fans of the Steve Taylor Band, please note that there will be a Jazz Night in St Brandon s Church on Saturday 4 th March at 7.00 pm This occasion will be similar to previous Steve Taylor Band nights, except that this is being planned in conjunction with the visit of a large number of Church of England Bishops (!) to the Diocese of Durham. We will be joined for the evening by the Rt Rev Chris Edmondson, who recently retired from being the Bishop of Bolton in Manchester Diocese. Chris is a jazz lover, who will speak briefly during the evening about music and faith. Further details soon. Save the date. Tickets go on sale in early January.

16 The Children s Choir Village Show Another vintage Christmas Show! I would like to thank everyone for helping make the Village Christmas Show such a resounding success. The performers did a splendid job, including Jason who held the whole show together. I loved seeing baby Hobbs on stage; 6 months old must be a record, and he seemed to enjoy it. Lovely too to see so many youngsters taking part. Thanks to Hester and Martin for getting them together. The people on the back table got us all fed and wined in record time and those who contributed food for it provided a sumptuous Brancepeth spread. The raffle was amazing, thanks to the generosity of Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda, Those who decorated the Hall, set it up and put things away did a sterling job. The box office management kept its cool and made sure we were in profit. The audience was truly wonderful; what a difference it makes to have a warm reception! Thanks to all who brought food and drink to the party, such a huge yummy meal, and thanks to those who cleared our dining room when I would just have gone to bed Dvds will be on sale soon, 5 for the 2. Peter Burdess will do them as soon as he can. If you didn't put your name down for one and would like one, please me [mwmonument@gmail.com] If you have ideas for next year, the list is open... Rosemary Monument.and of course, a huge thank you to Rosemary herself for masterminding the whole operation.

17 Jason Master of Ceremonies. The Hobbs family sketch

18 ??? 2017 Quiz Night??? Friday 20 th January, pm, Village Hall Top Prize! Come along and pit your wits?! Teams of 2-10 Pie & peas supper included in ticket price of 6 BCA members and 7 non-members proceeds to BCA Bring own drinks Raffle Tickets available from: Peter Aitken: /George Gibbons: /Jo Dalton: jdalton2103@gmail.com Curry Night - Chefs; Beena Timms & Peter Aitken Cinema Club Many thanks to everyone who attended the showing of "It's a Wonderful Life" and especially for those who completed the

19 questionnaire on their preferred choice of films and showing preferences. The evening was a great success and not a dry eye in the house. We will be using the information gleaned from the questionnaires to decide when and what to show. Next Film will be - Some Like It Hot Date in February to be advised in next newsletter Brancepeth Book Club The next book club meeting is scheduled for Friday 27 Jan, 7.30 pm at Evelyn Aitken's home, The Copse, Foxes Row. The chosen book is, Our Hidden Lives, by Simon Garfield, a fascinating account of life in Britain, post war until the introduction of the NHS. On Friday March 10 we will meet at Station House, Vivienne Davies's home to discuss, The man who forgot his wife, by John O'Farrell. Hope to see you there, Val Gibbons Burns Night at the Golf Club Burns Night. 28th January For more details and tickets please contact the Golf Club. Linda Larnach Speeding Information from the Parish Council This is a summary of the previous and most recent speed surveys at Brancepeth. As you will see the volume of traffic on the A690 is more or less the same as a year ago, but the number of those speeding have increased significantly. The

20 Parish Council have asked the Police to step up their enforcement activity with use of one of their camera vans being deployed from time to time. A690 Brancepeth Village A690 Brancepeth Village Date 10-17/11/15 Date 10-17/11/16 Annual Average Daily Traffic Flow 11,683 Annual Average Daily Traffic Flow 11,303 Mean Average Speed 30.1mph Mean Average Speed 30.7mph 85th %ile Speed 35mph 85th %ile Speed 35.8mph >36mph 1,821 (15.59%) >36mph 2,380 (21.06%) Wolsingham Road Wolsingham Road Date 15-23/12/08 Date 10-17/11/16 Annual Average Daily Traffic Flow 483 Annual Average Daily Traffic Flow 720 Mean Average Speed 29.1mph Mean Average Speed 28.2mph 85th %ile Speed 36.7mph 85th %ile Speed 36.9mph >36mph 104 (21.53%) >36mph 173 (24.03%) BRANCEPETH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME IS HERE AGAIN Subscriptions for the year 2017 will be due again from 1 st January. Peter Aitken THERE HAS BEEN NO INCREASE IN THE SUBSCRIPTION RATES SINCE 2009, AND THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THEY WILL BE THE SAME FOR Collectors will be going round the village but, if you think you have been missed, please contact Vivienne Lowe or Joan Taylor both of whom will happily take your money and give you a card! FAMILY MEMBERSHIP ADULTS per family 7.50 per person IF IN RECEIPT OF A STATE PENSION 5.00 per person Vivienne Lowe

21 BRANCEPETH ARCHIVES AND HISTORY GROUP NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY 3 rd FEBRUARY 2017 AT 2.00 p.m. IN THE VILLAGE HALL AT 2.40 p.m. THERE WILL BE A SHOWING OF THE FILM ALWAYS REMEMBERED ABOUT WAR MEMORIALS IN THE NORTH EAST AND INCLUDING BRANCEPETH. The film lasts approximately 1hr 20 minutes. Anyone interested is very welcome to come to view the film; you do not need to be a member of the Group. Admission free but a small contribution towards the cost of hiring the hall would be appreciated. ALWAYS REMEMBERED In 2016 The North East War Memorial Project received a Lottery Grant to commission a film about The North East Memorials of the Great War. This was produced by the Lonely Tower company based in Willington. Brancepeth Archives were invited to take part and aspects of the history of our war memorial are included in the film. The film compares different communities and their chosen memorials, both large and small, in north east England. It tells how their grief was expressed at the time and how these monuments, plaques and scrolls give us a glimpse into a different era. Always Remembered also talks to the current custodians, historians and to those striving to preserve this precious legacy, in every changing times. December Draw B.C.A. '100 Club' Christmas Bonus 30 - Alison Iley 1st No.18 - V. Lowe 2nd No R. Henderson 3rd No.9 - L. Seed

22 Dates for the Diary:- January 9 th 16 th 23 rd 30 th Monday Snooker Club January 9 th 16 th 23 rd 30 th Monday Yoga January 10 th Tuesday Knit & Natter January tba Check dates with Jean Tuesday Choir January 4 th 11 th 18 th 25 th Wed. Coffee Morning January 4 th 11 th 18 th 25 th Wed Art Class January 5 th 12 th 19 th 26 th Thursday Badminton January 11 th Sunday Youth Club Please confirm dates with leaders January 20 th Friday Quiz Night Village Hall January 27 th Friday Book Club The Copse March 4 th Saturday Jazz Night - St Brandon s Church March 10 th Friday Book Club - Station House April 19 th Wed Garden Club Spring Show & AGM Village Hall Village Hall: please contact Geraldine Jennings gerryjennings5@googl .com or tel Front cover Elizabeth Metcalfe- 3 Kings 2016 Back cover Douglas Waugh Village Street, 1986 February Newsletter entries no later than January 20 th Please send to Sue Morgan at sueatpeppermires@gmail.com Brancepeth Community Association - Management Committee George Gibbons Chairman Phil Davison Building coordinator John Morgan Vice chairman Alison Hobbs Church Peter Aitken Secretary Geraldine Jennings Bookings Margot Harrison Treasurer Vivienne Lowe Subscription Jo Dalton Social Events Rosemary Monument Choir James Dalton IT Joan Taylor Wednesday Coffee Parish Activities Chairman B.C.A. George Gibbons, 3 The Forge ( ) Secretary Peter Aitken, The Copse, Foxes Row ( )

23 Treasurer Margot Harrison, Downsgarth ( ) Membership Vivienne Lowe, 17 The Village ( ) Hall Bookings Geraldine Jennings, 5 Goodwell Lea ( ) Archives & History Vivienne Lowe, 17 The Village ( ) Badminton Bianca Allen, 6 Foxes Row, ( ) Brancepeth Allotment John Morgan, ( ) Association Book Club baacommittee3@gmail.com Rick Simpson, ricksimpson300@btinternet.com Val Gibbons ( ) Choir Jean Merrington ( ) Drama Martin Peacock ( ) Flower Club Jessie Brown ( ) Garden Club Barry Dickinson ( ) Snooker Bookings Geraldine Jennings ( ) Wednesday Coffee Joan Taylor ( ) Yoga Lynne Hastie ( ) Youth Club Geoff Moore ( ) Parish Council Chairman Michael Lowe ( Jessie Brown ( ) Peter Aitken ( ) Christine Jones ( ) Philip Pickles ( ) David Thomas ( ) Parish Clerk Geoff Smith Lynne Rowland County Councillors: olwyn.gunn@durham.gov.uk fraser.tinsley@durham.gov.uk

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