ASHBURY COMPTON LONGCOT FERNHAM NEWSLETTER JUNE 2016 Certainty.Uncertainty
Thought for the month-june The Final Examination. I expected my university finals to be the last exams I d ever sit, but now, over 30 years later, I m again in the middle of exams. As I write, I have taken one today and I have another one on Friday. At School and University exams seemed vitally important and they were all-consuming. My current exams are totally inconsequential in terms of shaping or determining my future, nevertheless I am still very nervous. For today s exam I needed identification..to prevent someone else sitting it instead of me! This set me thinking about the last exam we will ever sit the last Judgement. It says in the Bible, It is appointed unto all men to die and then the judgement. The problem is, I know that whatever I do, I will fail this final examination because it also says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Having said that I am not in the least bit nervous about this examination because we are allowed to have someone take the test instead of us and that someone is Jesus. In fact the only way we can possibly pass this test is to have Jesus stand in our place. He is willing to do this for as many as ask him..i have asked him, why don t you too? Andrew Bunce Shrivenham & Ashbury Benefice Services in June Sunday 5 th June 7.45am Holy Communion (BCP) Shrivenham 9.00am Matins Watchfield 9.00am Holy Communion (BCP) Compton 9.00am Holy Communion (BCP) Fernham 10.15am Family Service with Baptism Shrivenham 11.00am Morning Prayer Ashbury 3.00pm Joint Service Longcot Chapel 6.30pm Compline and Benediction Shrivenham 2
Sunday 12 th June 9.00am Thanksgiving Service H.R.H. 90 th Watchfield with Holy Communion (BCP) 9.00am Thanksgiving Service Fernham 9.30am Thanksgiving with Holy Communion Longcot 10.15am Thanksgiving with Holy Communion Shrivenham 11.00am Holy Communion Ashbury 4.00pm Songs of Praise Ashbury Sunday 19 th June 7.45am Holy Communion (BCP) Shrivenham 9.00am Matins Watchfield 9.00am Matins Compton 9.00am Holy Communion Fernham 10.15am Fathers Day Family service with Shrivenham Communion 11.00am Family Service Ashbury 6.00pm Evening Worship Longcot Sunday 26 th June 9.00am Holy Communion (BCP) Watchfield 9.30am Family Communion Longcot 10.15am Parish Communion Shrivenham 11.00am Holy Communion Ashbury 6.00pm Evening Worship Fernham The Ashbury prayer cycle for June will be: 5 th College Farm Lane, 12 th High Street, 19 th Idstone Road, 26 th Idstone. Ashbury Evangelical Free Church Wednesday 1 st 2.15pm Tea and chat Sunday 5 th 10.15am Communion Sunday 12 th 10.15am Communion Sunday 19 th 10.15am Communion and Family Service (at St Mary s) Sunday 26 th. 10.15am Communion 3
Tea and Chat, all welcome, free. Ashbury News Parish Council Public open space at Wixes Piece The parish council is in final discussions with the developer about the finished state of the large grass area. The perimeter still needs to be seeded and there are several areas which need reworking as the drainage is not sufficient. Nonetheless, it is expected the parish council will begin to manage the area at some stage during the summer. There are no firm plans in place for what further amenities will be provided (such as football goal posts or benches or even tennis courts) so please email jgreenham@btinternet.com with your ideas or suggestions. The Vale of the White Horse District Council: New contact number for both the South and Vale from this month will be 01235 422422. The emergency out of hours number for near immediate homelessness, noise nuisance, dangerous structure, flooding or dead animal on the highway is 01235 422410. All other contact details remain the same. (Source: Wantage and Grove review.) QUEEN S 90th STREET PARTY ASHBURY Sunday 12th June from 2pm to 4.30pm in Chapel Lane (outside Village Hall) Special celebratory Queen s birthday cake Free slice of cake and tea/coffee/soft drinks Tables and chairs will be set up down the centre of Chapel Lane Food and drink stalls including fresh lemonade, ice creams, bar and BBQ (provided by Butcher Dog Sausage Company) Stalls from various village organisations to include bric-a-brac (donated items to Margaret Smith-710800 or Revd Norma Fergusson- 710055), books (donated books 4
to Sue Reade-710208 or Gail Loose-710883), children s games, tombola (donated tombola items to Alison at 6 Wixes Piece), etc. Farmers market stalls inside the Village Hall and along Chapel Lane. Prince & Princess costumes welcomed. Songs of Praise at 4.30pm. Arrangements being made for those interested to go up the St. Mary s church tower. We have applied for a Vale of the White Horse grant and street closure from midday to 4.30pm. If wet, Mr & Mrs Prentice have kindly agreed we can use Ashbury Barn. All questions and offers of help to: Roger Simons 710801 or Steve Treadwell 710369 Next Meeting to finalise details: Wednesday 8th June at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. We hope you will have noticed the new display board outside the Village Hall funded by grants from the Vale of White Horse District Council, Ashbury Parish Council and the William Cash Fund. The left hand side is for the use of Ashbury Parish Council and the Village Hall and the right hand side has two turning knobs to open it and can be used for any notices of interest to the village. TALENTS FUNDRAISING People taking part in the St Mary's Talents Fundraising scheme have been given 10 and have been asked to make it grow using their 'talent'. Money raised will be brought to the Harvest Festival service on 25 September. We have many talented people in the parish and would welcome support from the wider community. If you would like to take part, or would like further information, please contact Norma Fergusson (710055) or Margaret Smith (710800). Here's a selection of how some people are using their 10. We encourage you to contact them to book their services! 5
Bread - Richard Fergusson Richard will be making delicious Country Oatmeal Rye Bread. A 12 oz loaf will cost 1 and a 24 oz loaf 2. Please telephone 710638 to place your order. Patchwork Cushion - Revd Norma Fergusson Norma is making a lovely patchwork cushion and this will be raffled later in the year. Computer and ipad Help - Amanda Saunders Do you have a computer that scares you? An ipad that bemuses you? Help is at hand! If you are just starting out and would like some advice and support, I can help by showing you the ropes and making sure you surf safely. I probably can t help you if you need to programme a database but even if I don t know the answer, I will know someone who does. The first hour will cost 10, and 5 for a follow up session. For more information contact: amandasaunders@mac.com 07887 732752 Small trees sawn down and logged, and hedge trimming - James Reade I am available to saw down small trees and log them up for fire wood with my chain saw. I can saw up any tree limbs or branches which have blown down during the winter. I also have a petrol hedge trimmer and am able to trim hedges. My contact numbers are:- 01793 710208 or 07880787462 Hand-painted greetings cards - Ilze Kadegis Ilze will be selling hand-painted water colour greetings cards featuring flowers. These will be available soon from Ilze (710867) or from the Village Shop. Ashbury Tea Towels - Maggie and Roger Simons We will be designing and having made tea towels featuring pictures of Ashbury in 2016. These will be ready for sale at the Queen s 90th birthday street party as well as in the shop and at other Ashbury events this summer. Cakes - Margaret Smith Home-made sponge cakes made to order - Chocolate, Coffee/Walnut, Coconut, Lemon or Victoria, 4. To place your order please telephone 710800 or email mbsmith5@hotmail.co.uk Logs - Dickie Green Mixed logs of thorn and old fence posts. Donations welcome. Orders rwgreen42@gmail.com 6
'Strictly Ashbury' - Judy Clarke Judy will be holding a Strictly Ashbury event on two consecutive Wednesday nights 24 and 31 August at 7.30 pm at the Village Hall. Everyone welcome, come along, have some fun and learn the Cha Cha Cha, Waltz and Jive - 15 total per couple for the two nights. Casual dress, but no rubber soled shoes please they stop your movement along the dance floor! To book please call 710305 or email judithannclarke@sky.com Home-made Meals - Nicola Foster Need a bit of help in the kitchen, or why not stock your freezer with some delicious home-made meals for those busier times? Delivered to your door, if local. Cottage Pie made with fresh beef, topped with mashed potato, Thai chicken curry, Chicken casserole, Macaroni Cheese. Served in foil trays. 3.75 for one person, 6 for two. Chocolate Brownies x 10-6.50. 10-12 mini meringues - 5. 10-12 mini chocolate meringues - 6.50 Please call Nicola Foster on 710838 or 07971 962693 Ashbury Treasure Trail - Guy Foster A fun afternoon solving rhyming riddles whilst enjoying a wonderful walk around a beautiful village. Can you solve the clues to find the treasure? Sunday 3 July 3 pm. 4 a family. Everyone welcome! For more information call Guy Foster on 07973 558657. Booklet featuring historical walks around Ashbury, Kingstone Winslow and Idstone Gail Loose Gail is using her talent as an author to produce a booklet which will be on sale later. Price and further details to follow. Herbs - Sue Ingram Sue will be growing herbs and selling these later. Car Boot Entry Fee - Stewart Smith Weather permitting, Stewart is hoping to hold a car boot sale at either Lechlade or 7
Shrivenham. If you have any saleable items you would like to donate please contact him on 710800. Teaching English to children in Luxembourg - Isobel Weller Soup Lunch - Sue Reade More details to follow. Coffee Morning - Clare McGlashan Date and further details to follow. Buying Chickens and Selling Eggs - Ali Barneby Ali has bought some chickens from the British Hen Welfare Trust (ex battery hens) and will be selling eggs from these chickens. The History of Woodturning - Charles Ash Charles will give a talk and demonstration: 'The History of Woodturning'. It will be on Sunday 14 August 3-4pm at his workshop, in the garden of Fox Cottage. The cost will be 5 per person and will include refreshments. To book a place please contact Charles by email charles@touchwoodcrafts.co.uk or ring him on 07871049306. Talk and demonstration about making Chainmail - George Spence Saturday 11 June - an evening with George Spence who will talk about making chainmail with a demonstration and how armour developed throughout our wartime history. 7pm at Berrycroft Farm. 5 to include a glass of wine. To book please telephone 710032 or email spence.sallyann@gmail.com We hope you will support these ideas over the coming months to raise much needed funds for St Mary's Church. Thank you. Greetings Cards with images from the Ashbury Area - Ruth Baker-Hayes Ruth will be using her artistic skills to produce cards, which she is aiming to sell in packs of 5. More details to follow. Ashbury Market - Sunday 12th June - 1pm to 4.30pm. Supporting the Ashbury Queen s Birthday Street Party! In aid of Ashbury Pre-School (registered charity 1156122) Come and support our local businesses! Stalls will be selling: Meat, Bread, Vegetables, Rapeseed Oil, Jam, Honey, Cakes, Goat s Cheese, Chutneys, Soaps, 8
Jewellery, Cards, Sand Art, Books, Gifts and more! For more information contact: Kate Watkins 01793 710440 (Kate_L_Watkins@hotmail.co.uk). Many thanks to everyone who attended the Ashbury Market on 10th April. 248.65 was raised for Ashbury Pre-School. Thank you for your continued support for our little market which raises vital funds for Ashbury Pre-School. Don t forget! The Queen s 90th Birthday Party Sunday 12th June 2016 2.00 4.30pm After the meeting in the Village Hall on 6th April it was agreed to arrange an afternoon Street Party in Chapel Lane - outside the village hall arranging for the road to be closed between 12.00 and 5.00 There will be stalls and games down the pavements and trestle tables and chairs for tea and cakes down the road. The plans include a Bar and Barbecue for the adults, Ice Creams, Stalls and Games. The afternoon will finish with a Songs of Praise at the bottom of Chapel Lane at 4.30. HINTON PARVA COUNTRY GARDEN FETE SATURDAY 25th JUNE from 12 pm to 4.00 pm This year s fete will be held in the gardens of the Manor in the heart of the picturesque village of Hinton Parva. It offers all the charm of a traditional garden fete but with so much more for all the family! Come and enjoy a wide range of attractions including: delicious cream teas, the Flying Pig organic BBQ, live music & a licensed bar lots of stalls including plants, homemade cakes & jams, white elephant, books, accessories, toys, crafts & much more Village stocks And especially for children - a bouncy castle, toy stall, games, sideshows & a children s Tug-of War. Free entrance for under 16s All money raised goes to the upkeep of our two churches. 9
Longcot and Fernham News We are about to commemorate an event that took place nearly 100 years ago, an event that was to shake communities in every village, town and city in our country and beyond. The 1 st July 1916 saw British, French and allied troops launch the biggest land battle in the history of our nation; the Battle of the Somme. Even today historians argue about the organisation, leadership and cost, both in materials and in the lives of men from all sides. But for the families of the men who fought there, the Somme is synonymous with death on an industrial scale, mass slaughter, horrendous suffering, and a legacy of private and public mourning that is very powerful even after 100 years. For one soldier, preparations for the battle ended prematurely when, five minutes before the order to go over the top was given at 07.30, a case of hand grenades fell into a front line trench packed with soldiers with bayonets already fixed for action. Two grenades lost their firing pins. A 20 year old soldier from the Royal Irish rifles, Billy McFadzean from Belfast, saw the danger and threw his body on top of the grenades. The explosion left nothing of Billy to be buried, but his valour saved the lives of his friends, and his was the first of many Victoria Crosses awarded that day. Sadly many of the lives he had saved in the trenches were soon to be lost as the Royal Irish suffered terrible casualties in the first hour of the battle. Just a few hundred yards away, soldiers of the Second Battalion Princess Charlotte of Wales Regiment (The Royal Berkshire Regiment) mounted their attack near the town of Albert. Among them was Harry Lovesey age 21 years from the village of Fernham who stood alongside many other young men from the villages of the Vale of the White Horse as they too joined in the assault on heavily defended enemy lines. Sadly, Harry became one of nearly 60,000 casualties on the first day of the battle of the Somme, and like Billy McFadzean and so many others, has no known grave; but they are remembered. Their names appear on the striking Thiepval Memorial constructed after the war on the line of the forward trenches, to honour the missing from that terrible battle. On July 1 st this year Fernham villager and local historian Tom Arnold will be a guest at the official Ceremony of Commemoration at Thiepval. He will lay a wreath in remembrance of the men of the village of Fernham who gave their lives in this and subsequent wars. 10
In the papers and on TV there is likely to be much written, great ceremonial, band playing and solemn words and images as we reflect on this terrible event in our history. But perhaps the final words should be left to one of our great war poets Siegfried Sassoon when he says: You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye Who cheer when soldier lads march by, Sneak home and pray you ll never know The hell where youth and laughter go. Longcot Churches working together-chapel News SUN. 5th Everyone is welcome to our monthly United Service which will be led by Mrs Ann Coventry. Tea and biscuits will be served afterwards. FRI 24th 12.3opm -Friday Fellowship meets for 'Lunch in the Garden' at Dormer Cottage, 29, High Street, Shrivenham. If you'd like to join us please contact Stella on 782584 or Barbara on 783445. SAT 30th 10.15am -Coffee Morning in the Chapel in aid of The Children's Country Holiday Fund. This is a charity which we have supported for many years and feel that it is a way of sharing our good fortune to live in such a lovely, rural area so please come and help us raise plenty of money for such a good cause. Fernham s Fabulous Fete Fernham News 25th June, 12-4pm, The Green, Fernham Join us for a great day of traditional village fete fun and family treats with delicious hot food and a cold barrel of ale, teas and cakes, books, plants, bric-a-brac stands, kiddies sports and lots of fun games as well as a shooting range, classic car show, and our famous wheelbarrow of booze raffle! Free entry! Hope to see you there! Fernham & Shellingford WI Our June meeting will be in Shellingford School Hall on Wednesday 15th at 7.30pm. Our speaker Dawn Taylor will talk about "Medical Detection Dogs", which 11
should be a very interesting subject. Wine, nibbles and light refreshments are available at each meeting. The meetings are always open to visitors for a small fee. Enquiries to Joan Turner - 01367 820607 Café Church, Ashbury Benefice News May s joint service was held in Ashbury s Village Shop thank you to everyone who came and supported this less formal, but no less reverent, type of worship. And a particular thank you to Lorna for making it possible and providing such great coffee! We will be doing this again, so look out for more details. Songs of Praise, Ashbury Please join us for an outdoor Songs of Praise to celebrate the Queen s 90th birthday in Ashbury on Sunday 12 June at 4.30pm, following the birthday tea. Breakfast Groups, open to all Men s breakfast: in the Ashbury Village Hall on Saturday 4 June. Everyone is welcome, the conversation is great and the English breakfast is free we just ask for a donation if you can. Please call Norma (710055) if you would like to come Breakfast Bible Study: this monthly discussion group will meet again at 8am on Saturday 25 June at St Mary s House. Again, all are welcome to chat about anything and everything over a cup of coffee and a simple breakfast. Again, please call Norma on 710055 to confirm St Mary s Longcot: 800 years in flowers A huge thank you to Shirley Dalton-Morris and everyone who made the church so beautiful for the Flower Festival. So much talent in one village! Faringdon Singers Concert A variety of music for a summer s evening in the village hall, Sunday 10 July. Includes Purcell s Come ye sons of art and a selection of part-songs from the 16th - 20th century, with a chance to join in so come prepared to sing. More details to follow. 12
Prayer for the month Her Majesty the Queen has approved the following prayer for use in services celebrating her ninetieth birthday this year, so it seemed the obvious choice for this month: Heavenly Father, as we celebrate the ninetieth birthday of Her Majesty the Queen, receive our heartfelt thanks for all that you have given her in these ninety years and for all that she has given to her people. Continue, we pray, your loving purposes in her, and as you gather us together in celebration, unite us also in love and service to one another; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Potholes Given all the bad weather recently, these have become (more of) a problem again. To report potholes on line, use the Oxfordshire County Council website street maintenance - www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/potholes Is going to church good for you? Did anyone else see the report from Harvard University researchers that frequent churchgoers lived on average five months longer than those who never attended a religious service? It may just be the exercise, or the social contact with other people, and it is unlikely that doctors will start to prescribe attendance to their patients but it is an interesting thought. Norma Country Matters I will exercise restraint and resist comment on the Referendum. May is a wonderful month with the freshness of emerging leaves and blossom, I turn to trees instead. They are some of oldest living things and the lungs of the countryside. A Yew at 13
Dartington S. Devon is said to be 1600 years old. The Kings Oak at Blenheim is nearly 1000 years and The Belly Oak beside the A 346 at Savernake is also ancient. In Ashbury there are fine examples of beech in the Old Rectory gardens, also there is a dominant beech tucked away in Idstone Cover sometimes used by buzzards as a nesting site. The roadside lines of beech at Compton Beauchamp planted during Mr Astor s tenure there are a strong feature and now accompanied by Mr Penser s planting of hornbeam hedging down the approach to Compton House. To commemorate the Queen s Silver Jubilee Henry Tilling and Richard Roper planted an Ash by the war memorial at Ashbury. Let us hope it will survive ash dieback. We are in for a soak this summer if you believe the rhyme about the oak being out before the ash. At Idstone we used to have a fine belt of elm behind Rectory Farm but they fell victim to Dutch Elm disease in the 70's. Richard Green Benefice Clergy Vicar NSM Rev Richard Hancock Revd Norma Fergusson (Except Monday and Friday) 01793 780183 01793 710055 Newsletter entries for July 2016 Submit your entries for July by 17 th June to: M. Turner, Claremont, Ashbury SN6 8LN. marionlturner@me.com 01793 710302 Website www.ashbury.org.uk 14