THE NEWSLETTER AT THE ROOTS OF THE UNITED BENEFICE

THE NEWSLETTER AT THE ROOTS OF THE UNITED BENEFICE OF BLISWORTH AND STOKE BRUERNE/ SHUTLANGER, WITH GRAFTON REGIS AND ALDERTON New Year, New Life The last few months of 2006 were significant for our Benefice in a very special way. Our Alpha group saw God touching our hearts and lives with His new life. Beyond all shadow of doubt it was the most important and significant time since I came here nearly three and a half years ago. To begin life as a Christian and to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit are major events for anyone and so we are all excited when that happens. So thank You Lord for all You have done. Already in one of our services we have shared a little and there will be other opportunities. The Bible says “If anyone is in Christ they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Cor 5.17). 2007 will present us with a number of opportunities to share fellowship, to praise, pray and study God’s word together. There will be a Cell Church meeting on Thursday Evenings, probably at Shutlanger. This will comprise the Alpha group but is wide open for anyone to join with us and we hope you will. Nothing is more important than our growing together in Christ and the Cell will provide a wonderful opportunity to do so. Also at Blisworth Church, Geoff Moore, with our Benefice for a final stint before ordination, will be leading a study group in the Church on the following Wednesday evenings in January: 17th and 31st. They will continue through to Easter and more dates will be notified as we begin. Geoff has prepared a short course based on the Apostle’s Creed. Booklets, splendidly produced by Geoff, are available. This is open to all and most importantly, will be shared with the Baptist Church. This is a rare opportunity and I encourage you all to be with us. All meetings will be held in the Parish Church. It is really great to have Geoff back with us after his time in Buckingham and we wish him well as he prepares for ordination in June. May I wish you all a very happy and Christ centred 2007. Service Schedule – January 2007 Sunday 7th Blisworth - 8.00 a m: Holy Communion, 10.00 a m: Sunday Club, 11.00 a m: Morning Worship, 6.00 p m: Informal Evening Worship Shutlanger - 9.30 a m: Holy Communion Sunday 14th Blisworth – 11.00 a m: Morning Worship, 6.00 pm: Holy Communion with Prayer for Healing Stoke Bruerne - 9.30 a m: Holy Communion Sunday 21st Blisworth - 8.00 a m: Holy Communion, 11.00 a m: Morning worship Stoke Bruerne – 10.00 a m: Sunday Club Grafton Regis - 9.30 a m: Holy Communion Sunday 28th Blisworth – 11.00 a m: All Age Communion, 6.00 p m: Informal Evening Worship Alderton - 9.30 a m: Holy Communion Useful Telephone Numbers for the United Benefice of Blisworth and Stoke Bruerne with Grafton Regis and Alderton Rector: The Revd Roy Mellor, tel 01604 879112 Churchwardens of Blisworth: Mrs Angela Cheesbrough, tel 01604 859839 and Mrs Fiona McKenzie, tel 01604 859541 Churchwardens of Stoke Bruerne: Mrs Jackie Evans, tel 01604 862473 and Mr Brian Lewthwaite, tel 01604 863500 Churchwardens of Grafton Regis: Lord Charles Fitzroy, tel 01908 542908 and Mr John Gallimore, tel 01908 542898 Churchwardens of Alderton: Mrs Amanda Selvey, tel 01327 811380 and Mrs Daryl Halsey, tel 01327 811040 Roy Mellor January 2007 -1- Volume 29, Issue 1 VILLAGE NEWS STOKE BRUERNE Northampton Greyhound Rescue I am doing a sponsored swim (20 lengths) for the Greyhound Rescue. If you can, please sponsor me. Also, have you any unwanted bric a brac, books etc for a monthly car boot sale at Milton Keynes to raise funds for these lovely dogs. Please call Hazel on 01604 864930. Thank you Stoke Bruerne and Shutlanger Women’s Institute The next meeting of the Stoke Bruerne and Shutlanger Women's Institute will be held on Tuesday 9 January at 2.00 p m in Stoke Bruerne Village Hall. The speaker will be Mr. Creasy and his subject is ‘Emmaus Village’. For the competition, members are asked to bring along ‘an old mug’. We would like to wish everyone a happy and successful year for 2007. We are always happy to welcome new members along to our meetings Baptism at St Mary's Stoke Bruerne On Sunday 10 December, we were delighted to welcome into the Church, Harry and Lily Taylor, son and daughter of Roy and Vicki, as they celebrated their joint Baptism. Jackie Evans SHUTLANGER Shutlanger Parish Council: Although the turnout to the Open Evening on 5 December was a little disappointing, it was nonetheless a very worthwhile event. The Council will be looking into planters or shrubs for the entrances to the village - where the signs are situated, trying to get the self operated speed guns through the Police to monitor speed on the road through to Stoke Bruerne as a stepping stone to proving a need for some form of traffic calming and trying once again to get some action to clear the overgrown footpath to Stoke Bruerne. They are also looking into the feasibility of playground improvements and repairs to the bus shelter. From January 2007, the Council will meet on the third Monday of each month at 8.00 p m at the Reading Room and members of the public are always welcome to attend. Linda Paice BLISWORTH Perhaps we should begin by expressing the hope that our readers have a peaceful, a happy, and a rewarding Christmas. Baptisms Sunday 10 December was a busy day for our Rector as it was the occasion for what must have been, I feel sure, a very unusual occurrence for our Benefice. The morning service at the Church of St Mary the Virgin began at 9.30 a m, and it included a baptism – well, more correctly, a double baptism. The little ones who were baptised were Harry, who is nearly 2 years old, and Lily, who is 5 months old. They live with their parents, Victoria and Roy Taylor, between the villages of Paulerspury and Potterspury. Victoria grew up in Stoke Bruerne, and she and Roy were married at St Mary’s Church, so this is why they wanted to have the baptism service there. Roy is one of Diana and Don Taylor’s sons, so Diana and Don were, of course, proud grandparents. Refreshments were served afterwards. Then the Rector had to make a quick return to Blisworth, where the 11.00 a m service at St John’s Church included another double baptism. The children this time were a little older – Rhiannon Eve was born on 28 December 1999 and her brother, Dylan, was born on 14 February 2003. They live with their parents, Janet and Simon Pallister, in Buttmead. The godparents for both of the children are Helen and Ed Mander. Both mother, Janet, and godmother, Helen, are two of the mainstays of the Sunday Club for children. Afterwards, the congregation was invited to share in a buffet lunch in the Church; a good number did so and had a really enjoyable time. The first half of the month of December is a time when we anticipate some special pre-Christmas services, and we have not been disappointed this year. January 2007 -2- Volume 29, Issue 1 Salvation Army Concert The first took place on Friday evening, 1 December, when it was St John’s turn to host a concert by the Salvation Army and to invite the congregation of the Chapel to join us. After a welcome and an introduction by the Rector, the band struck up and soon the venerable walls resonated to trumpet, trombone and so on. We all sang a few carols together and the Salvation Army songsters sang several carols, some of which were new to us, and between the carols, the band entertained us. There were a few solos – both from amongst the songsters and from amongst the members of the band. The highlight (for me) was a wonderfully melodious trombone solo by Alan. The piece which he played was his own arrangement of some popular carols and this was, in fact, the world premiere of this composition. Two or three of our guests came forward to give us their thoughts on Christmas and Christmas presents and how these could influence our day to day lives. It was a delightful evening and the Rector spoke for everyone present, I feel sure, when he described it as heart-warming. I have to admit that just one thing did mar the happiness of the evening for me. The lady who was the conductor for the songsters would persist in climbing up onto a big box to do her conducting. She had difficulty in both climbing up and getting down and a fall seemed more than likely – while she looked most precarious when she was perched on the box. All was well, however. Afterwards, we were offered drinks and mince pies and everyone seemed to enjoy this conclusion to the evening. The plate by the Church door was well laden with donations and these were given to the Salvation Army to help with their wonderful work. Carol Services Our own carol service was held on the evening of Thursday 14 December, beginning at 6.30 p m. A large congregation enjoyed the pattern of traditional lessons, interspersed with carols. Our own musicians gave their own Christmas rendition, which they clearly enjoyed playing. As soon as the service ended, six or seven ladies had to rush away to the village hall, where the Women’s Institute were holding their Christmas party – the party did begin half an hour later than the usual time so that these ladies could manage to attend both celebrations. The rest of us remained to enjoy mince pies and drinks. Then it was the turn of the Chapel to hold their carol service on Sunday evening, 17 December. Our own congregation had been invited to join them and many did so. The Chapel was full and the lighting was by candles. Traditional carols were interspersed with readings – some of the readings were well known ones and some we were hearing for the first time. Alice Murray sang three songs beautifully, while accompanying herself on the keyboard. After the service, mince pies, mulled wine and other beverages were provided in the newly refurbished coffee room. Cake Sale The sale of cakes and produce, held on the last Friday of each month in the old surgery in Little Lane will soon be embarking on its tenth year. How very quickly time passes. It seems such a short time since it all began - it was during our first Interregnum, after Mr Bunker had retired and as it was winter, George Freeston had invited the PCC to meet in the warmth and comfort of his lovely olde worlde cottage in Stoke Road. Towards the end of the meeting, we were sitting in a sort of circle when Edith Green suggested the holding of a sale of cakes, pies, jam, vegetables and suchlike, the sale to be held regularly each month, with the income going towards Church expenses. The idea was taken up enthusiastically by Peter Bull, but where to hold it? The first thought was to use the village hall, but then Shirley Bull suggested using the old surgery in Little Lane, as this would save rent, and, being smaller, might be more friendly and intimate. So it began. The first occasion was on the last Friday morning in March 1998, and it has been held on the last Friday in each month, except in December, ever since. There has been a loyal band of cooks producing a variety of wonderful cakes and pies, then there are marmalade and jam makers and there are growers of flowers, fruit and vegetables in their seasons. From time to time, other bits and pieces are on offer. It all makes for a happy couple of hours, buying, selling, chattering and drinking tea and coffee. All the proceeds go into Church funds and it is a great pleasure to report that, during 2006, the total raised to date passed the £10,000 mark. What a marvellous effort. So, again, a very big thank you to everyone who contributes – to the cooks, the sellers and all those who support by turning up and purchasing, and to those who just come for a coffee. So, if you haven’t been yet, why not try it yourself? January 2007 -3- Volume 29, Issue 1 Blisworth Short Mat Bowling Club The Blisworth Short Mat Bowling Club held their annual prize giving dinner in the village hall on Saturday evening, 11 December. The cups are truly magnificent and they were presented to their winners by Jane Percival – a task which she did with charm, vivacity and humour. Giant Sale Now, please make a note of the date. It is Saturday 10 February. This is when we will have a giant sale in the village hall, starting at 2.00 p m. What will be on sale? Everything! – Well, nearly everything: bric a brac, white elephant, unwanted gifts, books and superior jumble. The proceeds will, of course, go into Church funds. So please start looking out anything you can that can go for sale. Give it to any member of the PCC or bring it along to the village hall on the morning of the sale. Items, especially large items, can be collected – please telephone Angela Cheesbrough on 01604 859839. Favourite Text This month’s favourite text is contributed by Diana Taylor. It is the first verse of the eleventh chapter of St Paul’s letter to the Hebrews: ‘Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.’ Diana says that this verse is a challenge to her. It tells us that we do not need to know the reasons for or the answers to the world’s and our own problems. We have to trust and accept God’s promises revealed through Jesus Christ. All good wishes to our readers for their happiness in the coming year. Derek Bull GRAFTON REGIS Christmas Lunch Christmas lunch on 11 December in Grafton was a real success – a traditional Christmas lunch had been prepared by Jean, Father Christmas was there handing out crackers and presents (all were instructed to wear their silly hats, although some had to be persuaded to do so), and there was a slide show of the outing during the summer, followed by a topical quiz. Many thanks go to all who helped make the afternoon so enjoyable, but particularly to Jean, Paul and Father Christmas himself. ALDERTON Sacristan Rota Church Cleaning Rota Chris Ambidge & Diana Redman Diana Redman and Amanda Selvey Carol Singing Carol singing took place this year on 15 December. A goodly crowd gathered at The Old Barn and partook of mulled wine and nibbles before proceeding around the village, serenading those people who had asked for a visit. The proceeds will go to village funds – we do not have a final figure at the time of going to press. After the singing, everyone retired to The Haven, where we enjoyed a delicious lasagne and other goodies, courtesy of Sara and James Rudd – many thanks for that. This event started off the Christmas celebrations in Alderton. Church Lighting The Church has looked absolutely delightful over the Christmas period, thanks to Roger Gavan, who provided and set up the lighting – it really makes the building stand out as you enter the village. Many thanks, Roger Alderton PCC Children’s Presentation The children’s presentation took place on Sunday 15 December and it was simply lovely to see the Church so full; there were over 30 children and their accompanying adults. The narrators – Alexandra Odell, Merryn Odell and Matthew Selvey did a great job, telling the Christmas story and there were lots of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ as those children who had dressed up strutted their stuff in the traditional manner. The hymns were traditional and lovely, ones that we all know, and which were helped along by Edna’s playing. The service ended with the children singing Jingle Bells, with their own musical accompaniment and this song heralded the arrival of Father Christmas. The children’s faces were a picture as they each received a present from him, and refreshments of mulled wine and cakes were served, the delicious cakes courtesy of Marie Gilbert. It was a really lovely event and congratulations to Amanda for all her hard work and for organising this event so well. January 2007 -4- Volume 29, Issue 1 New Year’s Day Walk If you feel like spending a most enjoyable day in the company of people wanting to blow away the cobwebs of the festive season, then join us for our traditional New Year’s Day walk. We will meet in Spring Lane at 10.30 a m and then our trusty leader, Don Allen, will make the decision regarding the route. The pace will be gentle but you are advised to wear sturdy footwear and wrap up warm; we generally stop along the way for light refreshments, so bring along some leftovers of some kind for lunch, and no doubt Don will have his magic rucksack with him! If the route permits, we sometimes stop off at a local hostelry for some liquid refreshments, so bring along a pound or two. The walk will finish in Alderton where you are cordially invited to partake in some warming food and drink at the home of Paul and Linda Dards. If you are coming it would be helpful if you could let me know so I can cater for appropriate numbers – tel 01327 811265. It’s usually a great event and enjoyed by all – there are generally strategically placed vehicles along the route if you don’t want to walk the whole way so don’t worry about committing yourself to any distance. Linda Dards GENERAL NEWS Horse Manure for Sale Horse manure, off the pasture, 50p per bag. (PYO. free!) Proceeds to Brooke Horse Charity. Phone Mercia Cooper on 01604 863397, 8 Rookery Lane, Stoke Bruerne Almanac of events and thoughts for January 2007 May I start this month’s contribution by all of us here wishing you all a happy, healthy and blessed New Year. Sunrise/sunset: Beginning of month, 8.10 a m, 4.00 p m. End of month, 7.45 a m. -– 4.45 p m. Full Moon: 3 January, new moon: 19 January November’s new moon, when we were able to view it, was almost vertical hence the very wet and windy weather we have been experiencing. It was the warmest recorded autumn since 1731, with 93 hours of sunshine and temperatures 2° above average. The 23rd, St Clement’s day and our day of prediction, was warm and bright and ought to set the general pattern for the next 3 months (December-February). We hope 25 January, St Paul’s day, is fine and clear to ‘beckon a happy year’ but remember if we benefit from warm sunny spells in January we usually pay for it with bad weather in March and April. A New Year’s Eve jingle I haven’t quoted before runs: If on New Year’s Eve the wind blows south It beckoneth warmth and growth If west, much milk and plenteous fish in the sea If north, cold and storms there will be If east the trees will bear much fruit (borne out by this year’s harvest) If north-east then flee it man and beast! I endorse that! Several of you have spoken of your joy at hearing the robin’s singing, mentioned in my last thoughts; these are, of course, often cock and hen. To add some more detail on our wonderful wild bird life, robins have large, very efficient eyes and that is why they are often first and last to be hunting in our gardens for insects. I am sure a lot of you have bird tables/feeders and support our feathered friends through the coldest days of the winter. Remember the smaller the bird, the more it needs to eat to sustain it through the hours of darkness. Wrens and some of the tits spend an enforced three-quarters of their daylight hours seeking food and eating. We gain particular pleasure up here from a pair, or several pairs (who knows?) of pied wagtails who are at our grazing stock’s feet in the finer months of the year, picking up disturbed insects, and in the winter, warming their feet in the manure heap and harvesting the flies still in abundance until the hardest frosts. Please take time to stand and stare, beauty surrounds us. A thought for the New Year: ‘I’d rather be a failure in something that I love, than a success in something that I don’t’. The lighter days are on their way! Bless you all. January 2007 -5- Volume 29, Issue 1 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ No 73 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. What does a ‘fluffer’ do on London Underground? John Palmer was the real name of whom? Canterbury is the oldest cathedral in England - which is the second oldest? How many breeds of butterfly does Britain have? What do all the numbers on a roulette wheel add up to? What are the three cores of the earth? What was the previous name of Taiwan? Animals that can live either on land or in water are called what? In which decade were tea bags first launched? In the rhyme ‘Hickory Dickory Dock’, what time did the clock strike? GATT is an abbreviation for which agreement? Which boat is made from a wickerwork frame covered with a leather skin? A ‘sackbut’ is an earlier version of which instrument? What is the world’s largest residential palace? What is the Latin term for ‘in the year of our Lord’? Which game starts with a bully? Which state of Australia has the largest population? What is agronomy? What name is given to a group of elk? Which cathedral has the longest name in Europe? SNIPPETS: You know you’re getting old when the gleam in your eyes is from the sun hitting your bifocals. It’s a wise man who has his afterthoughts first. We all know what we’re doing, but not always why we’re doing it. Inanimate objects have a habit of attacking clumsy people. The best way to cut down crime is to stop putting up with it. I’m pleased to see you haven’t all been Christmas shopping and have had time to enter last month’s quiz. The winner was Lesley Woodward with a score of 16 and she receives the prize of a deluxe Christmas pudding. Second was last months winner, Henny Cameron, with 14 and joint third, as last month, were James Rudd and the dynamic duo of Derek and Neil Cornwell . I hope you all enjoy my’ Christmas puddings and mince pies as Quizzy’s thanks to you for entering. This month I hope you find a mixture of easy and hard questions to test your skill. Instead of sitting watching TV on New Year’s Eve, get out GRASS and have a good quiz contest with a prize of a pot plant to brighten up the New Year. So happy quizzing and a very happy New Year to you all. Quizzy Answers to last month’s Quiz Fern 1. What is the oldest plant on the planet? 1955 due to a rail strike 2. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth ll in what year was the Trooping of the Colour not held and why? 38 3. What is the world record for the number of bounces of a skimming stone over water? 586 4. How many people did Roger Moore kill as James Bond? ‘It wasn’t me….I’m fine …I never said that ‘ 5. What are the three most used lies in the world? Lawrence of Arabia 6. What is the only Oscar-winning film with no women speaking in it? Sleep with your eyes open 7. If you suffer with lagophthalmos what do you do? Mince pies {and its still law} 8. What did Oliver Cromwell ban you from eating on Christmas day? Neither the shoulder blade nor the hyoid bone {throat} 9. What bones in your body are not connected to any other bone? On your eyelashes 10. Where do ‘follicle’ mites live on your body? Burnley 11. Which town in England drinks one third of all the Benedictine produced? Melos 12. On what island was the Venus de Milo found? Buzzard 13. What is the most common bird is of prey now found in Britain? Staten Island {rubbish tip} 14. What is the largest man-made structure? Graphite 15. Plumbago is another name for which mineral? Underhill 16. Where do Barnet FC play their home games? Psycho 17. What 1960 film was the first to show a flushing toilet? 63 18. How many different combinations of dots are used in Braille? Sundial 19. On what would you see a ‘gnomon’? Goliath 20. What is the world’s largest species of frog? January 2007 -6- Volume 29, Issue 1 January 2007 -7- Volume 29, Issue 1 United Benefice Calendar for 2007 All groups and organisations within the community are warmly invited to include events here. January 1 New Year’s Day walk, Alderton, 10.30 a m 3 Health walk, Stoke Bruerne, 10.00 a m, Navigation car park 4 Mobile library to Stoke Bruerne, Navigation car park, 3.10 p m to 3.30 p m 9 Stoke Bruerne & Shutlanger Women’s Institute 2.00 p m, SB Village Hall 10 Milton Malsor Art Group term starts – Milton Malsor Village Hall, 1.30 p m 17 Health walk, Stoke Bruerne, 10.00 a m, Navigation car park 25 Mobile library to Stoke Bruerne, Navigation car park, 3.10 p m to 3.30 p m 31 Health walk, Stoke Bruerne, 10.00 a m, Navigation car park February 10 Giant sale, Blisworth 14 Health walk, Stoke Bruerne, 10.00 a m, Navigation car park 15 Mobile library to Stoke Bruerne, Navigation car park, 3.10 p m to 3.30 p m 14-17 Dracula pantomime, Paulerspury Village Hall 28 Health walk, Stoke Bruerne, 10.00 a m, Navigation car park March 8 Mobile library to Stoke Bruerne, Navigation car park, 3.10 p m to 3.30 p m 15 Stoke Bruerne & Shutlanger Horticultural Club AGM, 8.00 p m, Stoke Bruerne Village Hall 29 Mobile library to Stoke Bruerne, Navigation car park, 3.10 p m to 3.30 p m August 11 Shakespeare on The Mount, Alderton – Twelfth Night 12 Shakespeare on The Mount, Alderton – Twelfth Night Thanks to Jackie Grundon for proof reading GRASS on the Internet GRASS is produced in colour but printed in black and white, however it is available on the Internet at www.grassnews.co.uk in full colour. THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE NEXT EDITION OF GRASS is 17 January 2007 If you can get any copy to us earlier than that it would be very much appreciated. Please send any copy to: Linda Dards, Moorend, Spring Lane, Alderton NN12 7LW tel 01327 811265, fax 811874, e-mail: linda@dards.net Could you please include your name & phone number with entries in case we have any problems If you would like to add photographs or drawings to your text these are welcome and can be supplied via email or as photos, and returned after scanning. Contributions by email are most welcome, we can accept most formats; please request a response from us on receipt – so you are sure that we have your submission. Word (any version) is preferred. January 2007 -8- Volume 29, Issue 1