T H E W I N D R U S H B E N E F I C E EMBRACING THE PARISHES OF ALDSWORTH * GREAT BARRINGTON * LITTLE BARRINGTON * SHERBORNE * WINDRUSH website: windrushbenefice.weebly.com Rector: Nick Fisher Providence House, High Street, Northleach, Gloucestershire GL54 3EU telephone: 01451 861195 e-mail: nick@5fishers.co.uk Administrator: Margaret Shaw, 39 Sherborne, Cheltenham GL54 3DH telephone: 01451 844218 e-mail: w.benefice@gmail.com (the Rector is always pleased to learn of anyone who might be helped by a visit at home or in hospital, or who would like to receive holy communion at home) NEWSLETTER for FEBRUARY 2018 This year February is being ushered in by a blue moon, which is the name given to a second full moon in a calendar month; January had full moons on the 1 st and 31 st (I hadn t realised that blue in this context is derived from belewe, which means betrayer, on the basis that it results in thirteen full moons during the year). This month also marks the fifth anniversary of my installation as your vicar (where has the time gone?), and it ushers in, too, lighter mornings and the promise of Spring and Easter. The Church s formal forty-day preparation for Easter commences on Ash Wednesday (14 February), which we will mark by a service of Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes at Aldsworth Church. Last year, a small group of parishioners met for an hour at Margaret Shaw s house on five Wednesday mornings in Lent to discuss a book designed to help us in our preparations. Margaret has kindly
offered to host the meetings again this year, and the format will be (from Wednesday 21 February to Wednesday 21 March) coffee and biscuits at 11am, followed by a short act of worship and then discussion of a chapter from Paula Gooder s Let Me Go There: The Spirit of Lent Paula Gooder is one of the country s leading biblical scholars, and writes in an engaging, easy to understand style; in this book, she invites us to experience Lent not as a season of restriction but one of opportunity. It s a very good read! I have obtained a number of copies, which will be available from me at 5 each (normal cost is 8.99) to anyone who wants one. For many, Lent is traditionally a time for giving up something. This is intended to remind ourselves of the privations Jesus experienced during the forty days he spent in the desert immediately after being baptised by John in the River Jordan. This is no bad thing to do, but the Church suggests that equally good would be taking on something extra (this is where the Lent discussion group fits in, but it could equally apply to, say, taking Holy Communion each Sunday in Lent). And of course, it is perfectly acceptable to both give up and take on something this Lent! What is important, above all, is that, recognising our all-toohuman weaknesses, we should use the coming forty days to take a check on our spiritual health. And if we do, the result will be a greater understanding on Easter Day of all God s goodness to us. With every blessing, Nick. Rated good by Ofsted Small classes, exceptional staff, a unique rural environment the perfect start for any child Headteacher, John Moore For details, please contact him on 01451 844277
BENEFICE JOTTINGS PARISH RECORDS Funeral & Burial 22 January Cynthia Meriel Wingfield Great Barrington Cynthia Meriel Wingfield (1929-2018), R.I.P. Much loved by her family and the Great Barrington community, Meriel Wingfield died last month and was buried close to her husband in the cemetery. She will be much missed, and a fuller notice will appear in the March Newsletter. Penelope Sarah Morris (16-02-1937 15-01-2018), R.I.P. Many of you in our community will have heard that Penny Morris had died. Alan and the family would welcome you to join them at a Service of Thanksgiving for her life in Sherborne Church at noon on Friday 16 th February. Cotswold Montessori School, Great Barrington Many congratulations to Ailsa Monk and her enthusiastic staff on being rated Outstanding in their recent Ofsted Inspection. The inspector particularly praised the high standard of teaching and the very effective support given to developing the pupils independence and self-esteem. It can be argued that with Sherborne C of E Primary School recently having headed the progress scores in reading, writing and maths from last year among all the schools locally and achieving fifteenth place out of the 243 schools in Gloucestershire, and the Cotswold School on the doorstep our part of the Cotswolds provides an education among the best available anywhere in England and Wales.
To Sing or not to Sing..THAT is the question. Many years ago there was a poster drawn up and the message was Your Country Needs You! It is true to say that, not only does your Church need you, also Windrush Benefice Choir needs YOU. Benefice effectively means to benefit from. As singers from five churches we benefit from making music together. The Choir meets regularly for rehearsals which begin again on Sunday 4 th February. We sing occasionally at one of the five churches in the Windrush group. It would be great to have more singers to join the 15 or so current members. Come and enjoy singing a variety of music. Details from Michael Wicker, Director of Music email: white15872@sky.com or tel. 01451 844214 Gardening tips for February by Alan Abraham Don t forget the Windrush Valley Flower Show and Fête on Saturday, 21 July in Great Barrington! Onions and leeks for exhibiting can be sown in a seed tray. Seed potatoes can be stood in seed trays or egg boxes to sprout. Sow a few tomato seeds for an early crop, and sow cabbage and cauliflower seed. Plant shallots. Sow parsnips, ground and weather permitting. Parsnips left from last year should be lifted and stored in leaf mould or sand before they get woody. Take chrysanthemum and carnation cuttings, and prune autumn fruiting raspberries. Sow sweet peas in pots. But above all, enjoy yourself!
Sherborne Church of England Primary School Christmas play Although Christmas now seems a long time in the past, the play was only performed in January (but within the Twelve Days of Christmas!). It was well worth the wait, after the postponement in December owing to a heavy snowfall, and formed a new departure from the traditional nativity play. Mrs. Ellis revealed unexpected talents in adapting Beatrix Potter s The Tailor of Gloucester for the stage, and as you can see below, it included a role for angels, shepherds and animals as well as for the older children. Well done, one and all!
St. Peter s Church, Windrush Evidence that the end is in sight for the works inside the church. Although the time it is taking for paint and grouting to dry still has the potential to further delay completion, the two or three coats of limewash have been applied to a height of 15 feet, and the rest is now being tackled. The plaster in only two areas (one near the north door, as shown above) has needed to be replaced, and is drying out. In order to finish the work as soon as possible, the contractor has increased the staff working on the church it is going to be an exciting moment when we return to business as usual at St. Peter s. Big Breakfast Windrush Village Hall, Saturday, 17 th February 10.30am 1pm In aid of MIND at Moreton in March
CHURCH SERVICES Sunday 4 February (2 before Lent) 493 (odd. vv), 211 (om.3,4), 311 (om.3), 9.45am Matins Sherborne 11.15am Eucharist Aldsworth Sunday 11 February (Sunday before Lent) 396,427,457,(1,2,4,6),516 9.30am Eucharist Windrush 10.45am Matins (1662) Little Barrington Ash Wednesday 14 February 7 pm Eucharist & Imposition of Ashes Aldsworth Sunday 18 February (Lent 1) 96, 99,. 411 (om. 3), 418 9.45am Holy Communion Sherborne 11.15am Morning Praise Aldsworth Sunday 25 February (Lent 2) 589, 615 (om. 3 & 4), 391, 429 (om. 3) 9.30am Morning Praise Windrush 10.45am Holy Communion (1662) Little Barrington Sunday 4 March (Lent 3) 125 (om. 4), 532, 539 (odd vv), 508 9.45am Matins Sherborne 11.15am Eucharist Aldsworth Sunday 11 March (Mothering Sunday) 96 (om. 3), 458, 406, 589 9.30am Family Service Windrush 10.45am Holy Communion (1662) Little Barrington Sunday 18 March (Lent 5) 421, 112 (om. 4,5,6), 109 (om. 2,4,6), 493 (om.2,6,7) 9.45am Holy Communion Sherborne 11.15am Morning worship Aldsworth Sunday, 25 March (Palm Sunday) 128 (om.3,5,7,8, 494, 591,129 9.30am Morning Praise Windrush 10.45am Holy Communion (1662) Little Barrington Maundy Thursday, 29 March 111 (om.4), 411 (om.3), 133 (om.2), 581 (om.4,5) 6pm Benefice Eucharist Windrush Good Friday, 30 March 123,118 (om.2,3), 127 (om.4),105 10am Devotional Service Little Barrington Easter Eve, 31 March, 6pm 469, 396, 2, 267 Service of Light Windrush Sunday 1 April (Easter Sunday) 147, 150, 152, 158 9.45am Holy Communion Sherborne 11.15am Eucharist Aldsworth 191
EVENTS IN FEBRUARY The Benefice s website is windrushbenefice.weebly.com and is now being maintained by Steven White. We are most grateful to him for taking on this responsibility. His email contact is: drsteven.white@gmail.com. Wednesday, 7 February, 7.30pm Lost Villages of the Cotswolds talk by David Aldred about deserted medieval settlements of the North Cotswolds, with special reference to the Winchcombe area. Northleach Historical Society, Westwoods Centre, Northleach. Members free, visitors 3. Friday, 16 February, 2.30pm Turnpikes and Transport in Georgian Gloucestershire. Nicholas Herbert talks about the turnpikes and improvements made to our roads in the 18 th and 19 th centuries. Rissington Local History Society at Great Rissington Club. Saturday, 17 February, 7.30pm-ish St. Valentine Quiz, Sherborne Social Club Saturday, 24 February, 7.30pm Windrush Film Night Victoria and Abdul (2017), starring Judi Dench, Ali Fazal and Michael Gambon. The story of an unlikely friendship Queen Victoria enjoyed in her later years. Film starts 7.30pm. tickets 3.50 on door. Sunday, 25 February, 9am 12.30pm Farmers Market, Countrywide Stores, Bourton-on-the-Water. Fresh, high quality food direct from local farmers and small producers. Expect to find seasonal fruit and vegetables, meat, free-range eggs, preserves, cakes, cheeses, fruit juice and more... Wednesday, 28 February, 6.30pm for 7pm Windrush Camp before and after 1945 Roy Limbrick, assisted by Mary Lester and Will Tremaine, explores the story of the village that grew up at the Camp during World War 2. Admission on door 4 ( 2 for members of Sherborne Historical Society or Sherborne Social Club). Proceeds in aid of Sherborne Church.