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Wickham Bishops Parish Magazine January 2018
Produced by St Bartholomew’s Church
www.churchinwickhambishops.org.uk
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Church Services for January
At St Bartholomew’s and St Nicholas
WEDNESDAY 3 10.00 am Holy Communion
SUNDAY 7 Epiphany 1 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Parish Communion MONDAY 8 8.30 am Monthly Morning Prayer WEDNESDAY 10 10.00 am Holy Communion SUNDAY 14 Epiphany 2 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am Parish Communion WEDNESDAY 17 10.00 am Holy Communion SUNDAY 21 Epiphany 3 - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.30 am United Service at St Peter’s in Great Totham WEDNESDAY 24 10.00 am Holy Communion at St Bartholomew’s SUNDAY 28 Epiphany 4 8.00 am Holy Communion (1662) 10.30 am Parish Communion WEDNESDAY 31 10.00 am Holy Communion
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Parish Register
Baptisms None Marriages None Funerals Ian Fraser December 11th Myra Simpson December 18th
Revd Hilary Le Sève Priest in Charge
The Rectory, 1 Church Road, Wickham Bishops CM8 3LA [email protected]
01621 892867 Hilary’s day off is Friday.
Revd Derek Clark Priest / Curate
The Leas Farm Wickham Bishops Road Hatfield Peverel CM3 2JL
01245 380619 01245 380627 (with answer phone)
Barry Cousins Churchwarden
3 Harvey Road Great Totham CM9 8QA [email protected]
01621 891355
Graham Wingrove Churchwarden
8 Arbour Lane Wickham Bishops CM8 3NS
07398 025442
Peter Bates
10 Church Green Wickham Bishops
01621-893173
Magazine Editor [email protected]
Kath Adkins Church Hall Bookings
01621-891143
Parish Contacts
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Letter from Reverend Hilary
The old hymn ‘Give me oil in my lamp’ reminds
me of snowy days in the 70’s. When strikes led to
black outs it was an antique oil lamp that lit up the
dining table for us. The ready availability of
camping gas burners and candles was not
questioned; they just appeared, and routines of
cooking and homework continued ‘as normal’.
Behind the scenes of course, was thoughtful
preparation in readiness by my parents ensuring, for example, that the
gas canisters were full.
Recently in church we heard the story told by Jesus of ten bridesmaids.
Five were ‘wise’ because their lamps were ready filled to light the way of
the coming bridegroom. Five were ‘foolish’ because they planned to lean
on others for oil. In the event they had to go off to purchase some.
Missing the main event, they found themselves locked out of the wedding
feast whilst their sisters feasted.
Last month I had good reason to reflect on being prepared. My father’s
illness and subsequent death following a heart attack meant an
impromptu series of trips to the Midlands. Thankfully fuel was in the car
and SATNAV saw to unfamiliar routes to the hospital. What had not been
foreseen was the file on my father’s shelf called ‘DEATH’. Delightfully,
alongside details of undertakers and wills were top tips for my mother on
how life in the short term might be; ‘Have another person with you when
sorting out the clothes’ or ‘store portions of meat for one in the freezer’!
Bright yellow in colour (like a flame) this file, for me, represents a love
letter from a man, whose love took an immensely practical form.
Alongside were numerous well-thumbed prayer books and scripture
resources.
The hope he had in the promises of eternal life are not there for all of us;
nevertheless there are rich resources in the Christian faith to draw on as
we prepare ourselves for the months and years ahead. As we continue
to find our way through these dark winter days, may our lamps be richly
filled, and our hearts beat with love for those we live and care for.
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Women’s Christian Fellowship ... It seems a long way away now, but at our meeting in November it was a welcome return to Mrs Ann Hardy whose talk this time was entitled "For Richer or Poorer, love and marriage through the ages".
This was a fascinating subject as Ann took us from medieval times when marriage was used to forge trade or land between families and not usually for love and the girls were usually very young. In the 17th and 18th centuries the legal age rose to 12 but they could be betrothed at only 7 years of age.
Ann then brought us to the Victorian era where poorer people worked long hours in domestic service with not a lot of chance to socialize except perhaps at Church. Marriage for love not land was more common and honeymoons were introduced in the 1930s. During the war of course weddings were very popular, with 80,000 ladies becoming G I Brides, many using parachute silk for their dresses. We were told the origin of various love tokens from Anglo Saxon gifts of plaited hair to engagement rings and Welsh love spoons. It was a very interesting afternoon with Ann then describing in detail, Royal Wedding dresses from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana to Kate Middleton.
Our first meeting of 2018 will be on Wednesday 24th January at the usual time of 2.30pm when Marion Pettett will be speaking to us about the Chelmsford Ballet Company.
Do come and give us a try, you will be made very welcome. Our subscription for the year is only £15 to include refreshments, a bargain I think, hope to see you at one of our meetings soon,
Denise Yelland
Churchyard Maintenance ...
A group of volunteers, affectionately known as ’The Mowers and Strimmers’, give their time to keep the grass and hedges in and around the Church and burial ground trimmed and looking at their best.
Our numbers are dwindling as one member has moved away and another is unable to help for health reasons, so, if you would be able to spare a few hours once a month, Dick Yelland would be pleased to hear from you via [email protected]
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Quiz Night
St. Bartholomew’s Church Hall
Friday 9th February at 7.30pm
Cost: £7 per person
Bring your own food and drink
Teams of 6 with a maximum of 12 tables so book early to avoid disappointment!
Please contact: Dorothy Kerr on 01621 892102
In aid of Church Funds
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Wickham Bishops Women’s Institute ...
On the last Thursday in November, we had our last W.I. meeting of 2017. Weather conditions were not the best, so thank you for the support of those who attended. We were entertained this afternoon by Steve Galler who gave us an enchanting tour through the years of his days both as a solo artist and of a band member. He told us how he first became interested in the five-string banjo as a boy of around 9 years of age in the east end of London.
Steve talked of when he played in The Sidney Gibson Orchestra at tea dances, and of how during the 1960’s when The Beatles, and Gerry & The Pacemakers were popular, he picked up on the “bubble gum” music when all of the rhythms were the same. During the 1970’s Steve worked at the Café Du Barry where quartets would play rather than entertain the guests but Steve is truly an entertainer at heart.
During his career he has played with the famous Kenny Ball Jazz Band. He played among other songs “Avalon” which was sung by Al Jolson, back in the day. Apparently Puccini got all of the royalties on that one, as he sued Al Jolson for the copyright. The 1980’s saw a change in the music business and he was sold into the corporate market and was advertising such things as Budweiser.
Steve eventually returned to solo entertainment on the Cruise Maritime and at ‘sing-alongs’ in Brick Lane. We were very lucky to have experienced his charm and music ability.
On behalf of Wickham Bishops W.I. we wish you a Peaceful Christmas and a Healthy New Year. Next meeting at Wickham Bishops Hall 25th January 2018 2pm - 4pm
For any other information, please contact our secretary Sharon O’Connell 01621 891631
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Bishop Stephen's New Year Message 2018
We used to measure time by the rising and setting of the sun and by the cycle of the moon. All this was apparent to the naked eye and needed little additional calculation. We called these days and months.
Then we observed the movement of the sun, and added years: and then, at some point, hours and minutes; and then named the days and months and numbered the years; and then clocks and calendars and, eventually, the pulsating throb of the mobile phone in your pocket telling you your next appointment is due and mapping all that you will do today, tomorrow and until you are no more. No wonder a wise African bishop asked why it is that we in the west have all the clocks, but they in Africa have all the time. We have become imprisoned by precision. Every moment is accounted for.
So Happy New Year! Happy new turning of the chapter from last year to this year. In one sense it is just another rising of the sun; but it is also an invitation to reflect.
How will I measure this New Year?
How will I measure my life?
Will it be by days and months? Or will it be by what I do in them and what I achieve? Or will it be by the love and generosity with which I do these things and inhabit these days?
So this is my prayer for the New Year: O Lord, teach me to measure my life in something other than years. Amen.
Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell Bishop of Chelmsford
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Wickham Bishops “Over 60’s” Club ...
Unfortunately our last meeting of the year didn't go as planned as our
entertainer, Martyn Harrison is in hospital after suffering a heart attack,
and is now waiting for a by-pass operation.
We had an improvised Christmas quiz. This was followed by the
presentation of trophies to the winners of our monthly competitions, 1st
place went to Janet Bentley, 2nd place to Win Lawrence and 3rd place
to Josie Cass; well done to you all!
The main event of the afternoon was the Christmas raffle where all
members received a gift,---- thanks must go to Jo Sizer for purchasing
all the items!!
Needless to say, the afternoon would not be complete without a cup of
tea, and, as it's Christmas, a mince pie (sausage rolls for those who
cannot eat mince pies) we do try to cater for all!!
As this won't be seen until after Christmas I will wish every one a
Happy, Healthy 2018 and on behalf of the "Over 60's" and other clubs
who know Martyn we wish him a speedy recovery !
Thank you for your support during the year, Kaye
Horatio’s Garden ...
Thank you so much to everyone who came to the Horatio’s Garden
Coffee Morning at Kay Johnson’s house, in support of the new Horatio’s
Garden under construction at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. A wonderful
£905 was raised in donations and £1500 in sales of the charity’s
beautiful bespoke merchandise (as featured recently in the Telegraph).
If you missed the event you can still support the charity by shopping
online at shop.horatiosgarden.org.uk where you will find a range of
unusual, high quality, bespoke goods designed by UK designers.
Every gift helps the charity to bring more beautiful gardens to NHS
spinal injury centres. Find out more at www.horatiosgarden.org.uk
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BEACON HILL SPORTS ASSOCIATION
presents
JAZZ
at Wickham Bishops Village Hall
13th January 2018
Graham Hughes and the “Sunshine Kings”
Bring your own refreshments. Seating is at tables and reserved.
Start time 7.30pm.
Contact Gordon 01621 891717
to book your seat
The Arts Society Blackwater
Thursday 4th January 2018
Opera and Design
Simon Rees traces the arts associated with opera through surviving drawings, paintings, early theatres and their scenery, up to the
present day.
Simon Rees BA, MA
Visitors welcome - all enquiries to Jennifer Allen 01621 891589
Meetings are normally held at the Wickham Bishops Village Hall at 11 am
Visit our website www.blackwaterdfas.org.uk
WICKHAM BISHOPS ART GROUP
We are looking for new members to
join us.
We meet on Wednesdays from 2 pm - 4 pm at
St. Bartholomew’s Church Hall and are a friendly,
informal group with varying abilities.
Please contact
Jenny on 01621 891246 or Rita on 01621 891130.
We look forward to meeting you.
Wickham Bishops Men's
Badminton Club
We are a social badminton club and play at Wickham Bishops
Village Hall on Tuesday evenings at 8pm and welcome new players
of all standards.
First few weeks are free and
yearly subs are £60.
Just turn up on the night or email Bill on [email protected]
for more information.
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News from Great Totham Primary School
www.greattotham.essex.sch.uk
Happy New Year to Everyone! School News As 2018 begins, here is the last of the school’s news from 2017. Dodgeball Tournament In November, our Dodgeball team competed against Wentworth and St Francis Primary Schools organised by the Plume School. We were the winners for the first time in history! Our team have nicknamed themselves the ‘Jammy Dodgers’!
Girls’ Football Tournament In November, our newly formed girls’ team competed against 11 other teams in a tournament at Thurstable School. After winning four games and drawing one, we got to the semi-final which we also won. Unfortunately we lost the final 1-0, but over the whole tournament we scored 25 goals and came home with silver medals!
Boys’ Football Finals - Colchester and Blackwater Schools Sports Partnership Our Year 5/6 Football Team took part in the football finals at Shrub End Sports Ground in Colchester. They played tirelessly game after game giving everything they had. They ended the tournament in 7th place. Well done to all involved.
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Mix Up Dodgeball On 9th November we joined 4 other local schools for a ‘Mix Up Dodgeball’ tournament. The children were placed in separate teams and were soon cheering each other on, chatting about their hobbies and celebrating together. It was lovely to see how sport can be used to develop friendships across the local community. Cross Country The Cross Country Championships were held on Thursday 16th November at the Plume School. Our children ran fantastically, with Year 6 coming 1st and Years 3, 4 and 5 coming 2nd.
Year 1 Toy Museum Last term, Year 1 enjoyed a wonderful day with a visit from the Toy Museum. The children got the chance to learn about toys from the past and play with them. In the afternoon they had the opportunity to make some of the toys they had explored in the morning. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves - so did the teachers and adult helpers!
Tag Rugby Success At the end of November, our Great Totham teams 1 & 2 played in two different knockout groups. Both teams won every game which resulted in a play-off against each other for 1st and 2nd place. Super teamwork, well done!
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JANUARY 2018 SHOPPING LIST
Thank you for your support of the foodbank. This month we need the following items:
Tinned Meat Pies
Sponge Puddings
Tinned Rice Pudding
Small Jars of Coffee
Snacks and nibbles e.g. twiglets, mini-cheddars etc
Chocolate Biscuits e.g. Kit Kats, Penguins, etc.
Bottles of Squash
We also need toiletries such as toilet rolls, shampoo, shower gel, wet-wipes, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
We have very good stocks of all other items and would ask you to
please donate items from the list.
Great Totham Women’s Institute ...
At the beginning of December Great Totham WI hosted the well-attended Viking Group Carol Service at St Peter's Church. We were delighted to have the bell ringers out in force, ringing several peals before the service. Revd Sue Godsmark kindly led the service for us and the readings and poetry were read by members of each WI in the group. Colin Heaviside accompanied the carols on the organ. Mince pies and hot drinks rounded off the afternoon. The WI Christmas Party with 'Bring and Share' buffet takes place on the usual Thursday in December, with Bryan Thurlow talking to us about Music Hall Memories.
January's meeting is a 'social' event and also is our WI's birthday: traditionally we serve cake and mulled wine, which can be cheering in the depths of winter. The competition subject is 'Winter Wonderland'.
We meet on the second Thursday of the month at Great Totham Village Hall.
Visitors are welcome to join us. For more information go to the website
www.greattothamwi.weebly.com or email [email protected]
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If you love to walk our footpaths...
We are extremely fortunate to have several kilometres of very attractive and well-used public footpaths in Wickham Bishops.
Sometimes these footpaths need a little TLC between the annual maintenance visits by Essex County Council, and we now have the opportunity to set up a volunteer group to help from time to time with cutting vegetation and other general maintenance in our Parish. Nothing too strenuous!
ECC will provide advice and guidance, as well as the tools and training.
We are looking for six people to join our friendly little group. If you love walking the footpaths in Wickham Bishops, and would like to help, please contact the Parish Clerk by phone 07542 190176 or email [email protected]
From The Parish Council ...
A General Meeting of the Council was held on the 5th December and an Extraordinary Meeting was held on the 15th. The minutes of these meetings can be read on the Parish Council website.
The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group would continue to urge residents to complete a short survey which can be found at https://tinyurl.com/nhp-residents Please note that as your answers are anonymous, it is not possible to complete part of the survey and then return to it later—it must be completed in one session. However, it is not compulsory to answer all questions.
The next General Meeting of the Council will be held in the Boardroom of the Village Hall at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 2nd January and a Planning Committee Meeting will be held, if required, on Friday 19th January at 11.30 am. Residents are invited to attend and may speak during the ‘Public Forum’ section of the meetings. Councillors may be contacted individually, or via the Parish Clerk on 07542 190176, or by email [email protected]
The Chairman, Councillors and Parish Clerk would like to extend their wishes to all residents for a
Happy and Healthy 2018
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Speedwatch and Traffic Calming ...
Maldon District Council Community Protection Officers have been trained in the use of the Essex Police TruCam and are the first non-police officers in the UK to be authorised to carry out this enforcement. The TruCam is a video camera which captures not only the speed of a vehicle but its make, model and registration number. That information is then downloaded by Police and used as evidence in speed prosecutions. The high definition of the video camera is such that it can record clearly whether a driver is using a mobile phone whilst driving and prosecutions for this offence can be brought based on this evidence. We can expect there to be increased speed enforcement in the Maldon District and, specifically, in Wickham Bishops. Details of problem sites in the village have been passed to the MDC officers and Essex Police. In the meantime, the community speedwatch team has continued to carry out checks at the various sites in the village. At the time of preparing this update, a total of 95 checks had been undertaken in 2017, with 1065 vehicles reported to police for excess speed. In some cases, the speed was so excessive that police officers visited the registered keepers of the vehicles to give them verbal warnings. One vehicle was reported by the speedwatch teams 5 times during the year and 8 times in the preceding 15 months. As a consequence, police targeted the vehicle and duly recorded the vehicle speeding. The driver is now subject to prosecution and points on licence. With more speedwatch sessions this year than last but fewer vehicles reported, the average number recorded per session has dropped slightly, from just over 12 per session in 2016 to just over 11 in 2017. Regrettably, some of the vehicles recorded are known to be owned by residents of the village. Whilst there remains a speeding problem in the village the speedwatch teams will continue to undertake sessions at various times of the day. A summary of the teams’ activity is placed on the Parish Council Noticeboard beside One Stop each month. As noted in last month’s report of the Parish Council’s November meeting, the extension of the 30 mph limit in Church Road to Mope Lane has at long last been actioned by Essex Highways and the requisite legal notices have been issued. The extended zone should be in place shortly. Despite frequent contact direct and through the Local Highways Panel, Essex Highways have still not arranged for rotation of the Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs). The two SIDs have not been moved from the sites in The Street and Kelvedon Road since they were installed in January 2017, despite poles and panels being in place at the other sites in Maypole Road, Beacon Hill and Witham Road. The feasibility study into road narrowing in The Street remains under consideration but probably will not happen before 2018/19. The Parish Council will continue to press the Local Highways Panel and Essex Highways for action on these two issues. If you have any queries about traffic calming or speedwatch, please contact [email protected]
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News from Neighbourhood Watch ... Keeping your house safe from burglars:
Whilst house burglary is, fortunately, not a common occurrence in Wickham Bishops, I thought you might be interested to read the following. The Co-op carried out a survey recently in which they interviewed 25 former burglars, and asked them what they thought of common home security measures.
In order, the following were rated most effective in keeping burglars away: Movement activated security lights, CCTV, The sound of a barking dog, Burglar alarm
Least effective deterrents were: Noisy gravel drives, ‘Beware of the dog’ signs, Keeping the lights on
The burglars also identified the most common householder mistakes. These were: Leaving the windows unlocked, Leaving garage doors open, Lights going on and off at exactly the same time each day, Shutting all the curtains before going away
Village News:
There have been some outhouse / shed break-ins recently, with garden equipment being taken. This seems to have happened most frequently in more open outlying properties eg Wickham Hall Lane, Mope Lane. Please report any damage or suspicious behaviour to the police immediately.
Please make sure that you always ask for, and check, ID if someone comes to your door selling items, asking to read the meter, collecting for charity etc. If you are not happy do not engage with these people and phone 101.
What you yourself should do if you see a crime being committed or are concerned about suspicious behaviour:
If something needs immediate attention from the Police eg someone trying to break into a house or a car dial 999
If you are concerned about suspicious activity or other non-emergency crime eg a car slowing patrolling around with the occupants staring into gardens dial 101 or 01245 491491.
Anyone deaf or with hearing or speech problems should phone 01245 452828
To report non- emergency crime online search for www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online/report-non-emergency-crime
Let’s all help keep Wickham Bishops a safe place to live, and look out for eachother.
Sian (Village Coordinator 01621 891510 [email protected])
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Back Words
Hello
As we move forward into the New Year, I wish to thank everyone
whose work and contribution makes the publication of this magazine
possible. To the secretaries of various organisations who send a
report each month, occasional contributors who send articles about
and photographs of life in Wickham Bishops, the advertisers whose
financial support make the whole thing possible and, of course, you
the readers for all your support and encouragement - I thank you all.
A special mention must go to Ruth and George for proof-reading my
work, to Jayne and her team of distributors who make sure that over
900 copies are delivered to homes every month, but most of all, thanks
go to Janet Gilbert for her work in attracting, co-ordinating and
organising all of the advertisements. Janet is relinquishing this task
from the end of December and is handing over to John Baker - I hope
that he realises what a hard act Janet will be to follow!
I send you my very best wishes for a
peaceful and prosperous New Year
© Wickham Bishops & Little Braxted Parochial Church Council (PCC)
Published by the PCC of St Bartholomew Wickham Bishops and St Nicholas Little Braxted. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the PCC nor can the Church guarantee the credentials or performance of any of the advertisers within this publication.
If you would like to place an advert in this magazine please contact John Baker on [email protected] or Tel. 01621 892928
Items for the February 2018 magazine should be submitted to the editor by
Thursday 11th January Please send items by email if possible to:
[email protected] or placed in an envelope marked ‘Parish Magazine’
and delivered to 10 Church Green, Wickham Bishops Priority goes to church events and information connected with Wickham Bishops.
For enquiries regarding distribution of the magazine, please phone
Jayne Jennings on 01621 891396
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Preparing for
Christmas
Christmas Market
24th November
Beer and
Carols 10th
December
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