FROM READER TONY BANBURY

Dear Friends,

As we begin another calendar year let’s make time to take stock of where we are and where we should be directing our hopes, aspirations and efforts.

A new year is greeted in different ways - some with great parties and festivities with friends and families, some in quiet reflection and hope, some in loneliness, despair or poverty.

Our world is still ravaged by conflict, natural and human-made disasters, selfishness, greed, short-sightedness. Many still do not have access to the necessities of life; shelter, enough food, clean water, education or health care. Those made homeless and in fear of their lives by conflict and disaster are moving in great numbers, desperately seeking refuge and peace.

Children are growing up never having known peace or any kind of what we call ‘normality’.

The above is what makes the headlines! What does not make the headlines so often is the progress that is being made to alleviate the plight of so many. All over Europe and in any other places refugees are being offered a fresh start. Earlier in 2015 it was reported that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa had been eradicated largely due to the efforts of local and overseas, often volunteer, medical staff and others risking their own health to bring aid and relief to that area. Charities and other non-governmental organisations, many of them Christian, continue to bring water, food, education, healthcare and the means of self-help to those who need it in many parts of the world. The response by the general public to natural disasters around the world in terms of donations of money and time is still huge. People are being helped; communities are becoming self-sufficient thanks to organisations such as Traidcraft, etc.

As I write this there is news of a possible agreement amongst world leaders meeting in Paris to limit emissions and so, at least, slow down global warming that is believed to be the predominant cause of so many recent natural disasters in this country and around the world. Let’s hope and pray that the accord is adopted and acted upon for the benefit of all of the whole global community.

In St Marks account of the Good News (chap 12, vs 30-31) Jesus says, “You shall love the Lord

your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.”

In St John’s account of the Good News (chap 13, v 34) he says, “I give you a new

commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another”.

What does all this mean for us as we move forward into 2016? I believe that it means that we must keep on with all our efforts to bring peace and understanding between people on all levels; within our families, with our immediate neighbours, nationally and internationally. We must reach out as much as we can to all people in the name of hope, love and common humanity. We must keep the pressure on governments and large corporations to do everything possible to aid all of humanity – putting aside the dominance of profit seeking and narrow national self-interest.

We are often told that we are now a global community. Let’s start acting like one then for all our sakes!!!!

Happy New Year.

God bless.

Yours in Christ

Tony Banbury Reader (Lay Minister)

PARISH OF PLYMSTOCK AND HOOE

8am Parish Service of Holy Communion

Communion 1st

& 3rd

Sundays St John’s - 8am

Communion 2

nd & 4

th Sundays St Mary’s – 8am

THE PARISH NEWS FOR 2016

With the support of our local businesses we are able to publish our Parish Magazine each month

and we are able to keep the price of the 2016 Magazine at 50p per copy. Please support the

Advertisers who support our publication.

For readers at St John’s, Hooe, who have their Magazine delivered each month the distributors

will collect money for the year with the February issue. Our thanks to the distributors who

undertake this task each month.

Thanks also to the Magazine co-ordinators from our Team churches who collect together copy by

the deadline date.

We welcome photos which could be suitable for our covers as well as any articles. They may not

be used immediately but will be kept on file.

Any contributions can be sent to the Editor: email: mpskilton@sky.com or to Graham Bulley,

email: grahambulley@aol.com

Thank you for all your support in the past year and we wish all our readers

A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2016.

-Mary Skilton, Editor (Tel: 407447)

A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR

Lord,

Make me an instrument of Your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

St Francis of Assissi

ST MARY & ALL SAINTS, PLYMSTOCK FROM THE PARISH REGISTER

We welcomed into God’s family through Baptism in November:

St Mary & All Saints ~ 22nd

November

ALEC JOHN HANCOCK (our first adult baptism for a long while)

SETH RYAN DOLBEAR, the son of Ryan and Kayleigh Dolbear.

LEONIDAS WILLIAM EVANS and HEKTOR JAMES EVANS, the sons of Matthew and Samantha Evans. Church of the Good Shepherd ~ 22

nd November

ELLA MAE DAVEY, the daughter of Jonathan and Gemma Davey. FUNERALS:-

5th November LORNA BETTISON

6th November SHIRLEY SALT

_____________________________________

THANK YOU

THE NOVEMBER MARKET on Saturday, 28th November raised £741 for Church funds. There were

lots of stalls with all kinds of goods; hot and cold meals; bulbs and plants. Thank you to all the helpers and for all the Raffle prizes.

All these events help keep the church going, so do come along and help if you can, or just come along for tea or coffee, we will be glad to see you.

THE COACH TRIP TO EXETER on Wednesday, 2nd

December for Christmas shopping, the sun tried to come out from the clouds. We all had a good day at the shops. On the way back we stopped at Endsleigh Garden Centre.

THANK YOU to Margaret Ayres for all the hard work.

THANK YOU to Tony and Carol Maggs for cleaning all the leaves around the church.

THANK YOU to Howard Hockedy for all his hard work making the new crib which is now a more convenient size.

THANK YOU to Maureen Anning for keeping the church clean and all the team on the cleaning and the brass work.

And to David for being at the top of the ladder. -David Roberts FILM AFTERNOONS

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Film Afternoons again this year. I am happy to say that we have made £385 from November 2014 to November 2015, all for the Roof fund.

We have seen a variety of films from True Life, Romance and animals, to name but a few, and enjoyed the variety. Why don’t you give us a try … ?

It all takes place at 79 Stanborough Road at 2.00pm. A donation of £5 includes a film, tea/coffee, cakes and a Raffle ticket and a social afternoon. I look forward to seeing you all.

It only remains for me to say ‘Thank you’ and to wish everyone a Peaceful New Year. -Sylvia Tall

THE EXTRA-PAROCHIALS OF PLYMSTOCK CHURCH

The Area System of Plymstock Church was designed to ensure that every area of the Parish was covered, each with an Area Contact who would be aware of the well-being or otherwise of its members.

The ‘Extra Parochials’ are members of Plymstock Church who regularly attend there, but who reside outside the Plymstock Parish Boundary. It covers a wider than usual area, starting at Heybrook Bay and Down Thomas, circulating around the eastern borders of Plymstock, taking in parts of northern Elburton to the boundary of Brixton Parish to the east. So we are a scattered group of twenty members to date. We are prayed for by the Church twice a year but are rarely seen together as a group. So when our turn comes for communal prayer, do please hold us in mind. -Shula Molyneux (Area Contact)

FROM ST JOHN’S PARISH REGISTERS

BAPTISM: We welcomed into God’s family by Baptism:

15th November ROBERT RONALD DENIS LUCK, son of Sarah Louise Luck

29th November TOBY JOSHUA WARNE, son of Nick and Janine Warne

13th December RENEE MARIE THOMPSON, daughter of Matthew and Kelly Thompson HOLY MATRIMONY: We offer our congratulations and pray for God’s blessing upon:-

28th November NATHAN AKERS and KAREN LAWRENCE

_________________________

THE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY BOXES 2015

The Children’s Society was delighted to confirm receipt of the Box Holders’ donation from St John the Evangelist Church, Hooe – a total of £600. Thank you to all those who contributed.

For more information about the scheme, please contact Angela Woodward (Tel: 01752 402949).

Thank you. -Angela Woodward ST JOHN’S BOXES

Thank you to all who collect their small change in the St John's boxes. This year the sum of £227.33 was raised for Church funds.

If you are interested in having a box for small change please ring Mary Skilton on Tel: 407447. ST JOHN’S next COFFEE MORNING will be in February when we will have a Bric-a-brac stall together with the usual raffle and food. Look forward to seeing you. CAROLS AT ‘THE BORI’ The Boringdon Arms at Turnchapel was packed to capacity on Sunday, 20th December, when a Carol Service was held by St John’s Church. The Revd Steve Payne officiated, the singing was led by Sid Rees and the music by Graham Bulley. It was an enjoyable evening followed by mince pies and mulled wine.

THE PILGRIMAIRES CHRISTMAS CONCERT

St Johns Church was well filled on Saturday, 12

th December, when the 'Pilgrimaires' Barbershop

Singers held their Christmas Show. The supporting company included the ever popular Ladies choir 'Brunel Harmony', and the 'Good Fortune' quartet, also soloist Siân Hoskin. The evening ended with the groups and the audience singing Christmas Carols accompanied by St John’s organist, David Stevens. (Photo’s: Graham Bulley)

‘YOUNG @ HEART’

At our December meeting members enjoyed an hour of entertainment by a trio of Handbell ringers from Modbury. They were very good and played a wonderful selection of Christmas music for us to sing along to ranging from ‘Have yourself a merry little Christmas’ to the carol ‘The First Noel’.

The history and method of Handbell ringing was explained to us, also the natural progression from Tower-bell ringing to Hand-bells. The various sizes, the weight of the bells and the prices which range from £250 for the smallest up to £750 for the largest. A large bucket-sized bell, only used for special ringing would cost £2000.

The players, consisting of two ladies and one gentleman, were very smartly and uniformly dressed in black slacks, red shirts and white waistcoats printed with black musical motifs.

We showed our appreciation in the usual way and then the tables were turned and it was our turn to socialise with them in sharing our lovely Christmas tea. We concluded that we had all enjoyed our December meeting.

We meet again next year on Tuesday, 5th January 2016 when we will make our own entertainment with a members’ afternoon of quizzes, puzzles, etc. and discuss next year’s plans.

Hope to see you there, St John’s Hall at 2.00pm. Make a New Year’s resolution to attend. HAPPY NEW YEAR

(Photo: David Demellweek)

-Ruth Earl

CHILDREN’S PAGE

Happy New Year!

This month we celebrate another season in the church’s calendar. After Advent last year came

Christmas. Now we will celebrate Epiphany. This is the time when we think of three wise men

following a bright new star to find Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus.

These men were very clever and had been watching the stars in the sky carefully. We call people who

do this today, astronomers.

The wise men believed that the appearance of this new star meant that a new king had been born

who was really special. They rode on camels to follow where the star led them.

When the wise men followed the star to Jerusalem and visited the palace there, they expected to find

the baby king. If you look in St. Matthew’s gospel at Chapter 2, you can read that the king who lived

there called Herod was upset when he heard their news. He was afraid that the new king would take

his place.

So the wise men continued to follow the star to Bethlehem and there in a house they found Mary,

Joseph and Jesus. They brought special gifts.

Can you unscramble these letters to spell the words for their gifts correctly? g l o d f i n k r a n c e e n s m h r r y ----------------- ------------------------------------------------ --------------------

Check with the spellings below!

MEMORIES

Following our picture of the 1st Plymstock Church Cadet Corps in the September issue of Parish

News, we received the following correspondence:-

“I was in the CCC from the age of 11 years (1961-1967) and was a drummer. Skipper Lamb or Major Alfred John Bruce Lamb was also a Server at St Mary's where I was a Chorister and cajoled me into joining. I remained a Chorister and later a Server until I was 17 when I left home in Plymstock to follow a career with Devon and Cornwall Police.

The chap that succeeded Major Lamb was a Captain Edward John Thomas Bone who was the Corps Quartermaster. He did his best to keep it going but it finally folded.

I found your Church Magazine on the Internet. I was sitting at home a few evenings ago and was thinking of those days and thought there must be some information on the Internet about the Church Cadet Corps. I searched through a lot of sites but could not find anything. That's when I stumbled across the church magazine photo.

I now live in Ottery St Mary and one day I would like to have a look inside St Mary's again - it would revive some lovely memories.

Regards,

Bob Skelly”

POOR BUT BLESSED

We met and married a long time ago,

We worked for long hours when wages were low,

No TV, no wireless, no bath: times were hard,

Just a cold water tap and a walk in the yard.

No holidays abroad, no carpets on floors;

We had coal on the fires and we didn’t lock doors.

Our children arrived, no Pill in those days;

And we brought them all up without any state aid.

They were safe going out, they played in the park;

And old folk could go for a walk in the dark.

No Valium, no drugs and no LSD,

We cured most of our ills with a good cup of tea.

No vandals, no mugging, there was nothing to rob;

We felt we were rich with a couple of bob.

People were happier in those far off days,

Kinder and caring in so many ways,

Milkman and Paper Boy would whistle and sing;

A night at the pictures was our one mad fling.

We all get our share of trouble and strife:

We just have to face it . . . . that’s the pattern of life.

Now I’m alone, I look back through the years,

I don’t think of the bad times, the troubles, the tears.

I remember the blessings: our home and our love;

That we shared them together and I thank God above.

(Submitted by Doreen Pennyfather)

(from Modbury & Aveton Gifford December 2015 Parish Magazine)

CHRISTMAS CRACKERS

The ‘Christmas Crackers’ event at the church hall of The Church of the Good Shepherd took place on Sunday afternoon 13

th December.

The event was attended by almost forty people whose ages ranged from the very young to the somewhat elderly! A great time was enjoyed by all. The various activities included craft – making miniature Christmas trees and model penguins – Christmas word searches and puzzles. Steve entertained us with a short ‘Christmas quiz’ based on questions obtained from Christmas crackers. He also led some of the young and not so young in a session of hand bell ringing. There was also a competition to make a Christmas shape out of Lego pieces. Games of darts and a football board game were also enjoyed. Steve showed some Christmas adverts and led us in singing some popular Christmas songs.

The afternoon concluded with a very nice tea which consisted of savouries and various cakes and chocolate rolls.

Thanks to Reverend Steve and everyone who helped to make the event such a brilliant success in a

wonderful Christmas atmosphere. -Allan & Sue

MESSY CHURCH

In the middle of the rush and bustle of Christmas, it’s always good to stop and think about the ‘reason for the season’. So Messy Church, two weeks before Christmas, was a relaxed, stress-free time to make stars from loom bands, Christmas biscuits, and calendars as presents to give, ready for the New Year. And over our meal of home-made cottage pie, mince pies and ice cream followed by real (Fairtrade) coffee, friendships were deepened. ‘That’s the main reason I come’, said one grandma: ‘Friendship’. Her granddaughter said Messy Church is ‘fun and enjoyable’, while another child said ‘I like playing and working with the ladies!’ And one of those ladies – a valuable volunteer who wouldn’t miss Messy Church – said … "It's always a happy occasion for children and adults. The children are able to join in the activities, as do the adults, and the children are learning about Jesus. We are all able to sit and enjoy a meal and fellowship together".

We next meet at ‘The Staddy’

on Sunday 31st

January, 2016, from 4.00 – 6.00pm,

when we’ll learn about Joseph and his amazing coloured coat!

Why don’t you come and see for yourselves –

you don’t know what you’re missing!

(Pictured are Isaac & Betty making Christmas biscuits, and Lexie & Anne.)

-Dave Appleby

Local News

New Refuse Vehicles New refuse trucks are now out and about in Plymouth as part of a five year programme to replace ageing vehicles and keep maintenance costs down. A total of 14 vehicles will be on the streets from this month with a further 12 to be delivered next April. The 26 tonne Dennis bin lorries will be used to pick up the rubbish from 119,000 properties across the city. The trucks cover around 10,000 miles a year and can take over 10 tonnes of household rubbish at a time. The new vehicles will have a rear steer capability and narrow chassis which allows for easier access to some areas of Plymouth where we had difficulties in some of the older fleet. The replacement programme – which will cost £4.2 million over two years – will achieve a saving of around £1 million over five years.

Christmas Trees Plymouth City Council will be running special real Christmas tree collections in the weeks beginning Monday 11 January and 18 January finishing on Thursday 21 January. All people have to do is to put the trees out next to their bins or bags and a crew will pick it up on the day their rubbish and recycling is collected. The tree rounds will operate separately but will be timed to make sure it is on the same day as people’s bins are out. In total, three crews will be out and about in trucks picking up the trees and a further two with a shredder.

Restaurant Plans Planning application (15/02221/FUL) to upgrade McDonald’s Restaurant in Pomphlett Road, Plymstock, proposes the reconfiguration of the car park and drive- through lane and to make alterations to the building and customer order display areas.

Bus Fares Increased Plymouth City Bus increased the price of most adult tickets on the 29 November. Adult singles tickets were increased by 10p or 15p, with adult return tickets increasing by 20p or 30p. The adult Zone 1 & 2 Dayrider will see an increase of 20p, whilst adult weekly tickets will be increased by £1. Child bus fares are not increased.

Plymouth Plan 2011-2031 The Plymouth Plan brings together over 100 plans and strategies into a single strategic plan setting out in an integrated way what the city is to be like in 2031. Part 2 of the Plan seeks a response to the big questions Plymouth is facing in tackling health inequalities, the rising cost of care, the lack of enough affordable housing, the need to provide good quality jobs, climate change, pressure on our cherished historic and green spaces, increased demand on services and reduced public sector resources. In the next part of the Plan residents views are sought on:

which land is developed

which land to protect

where to direct resources The Plymouth Plan is available on the Council website, in Libraries and at First Stop in the City centre. Comments on the Plan must be made by the 8 January 2016.

Stay Well This Winter Every winter across the UK, one older person dies every seven minutes from the cold weather and in many cases this is avoidable. Plymouth City Council is offering assistance to home owners aged 60 and above to ensure their boilers are working efficiently, as part of the Warm at Home Programme. Age UK Plymouth is launching their ‘Winter Wrapped Up’ guide for older people which contains a thermometer and provides tips on staying warm in winter.

64°F (18°C) is the ideal temperature for your bedroom and 70°F (21°C) is the ideal temperature for your living room. Check your thermostat or use a room thermometer to monitor temperature.

Keep your bedroom window shut at night. Breathing in cold air can increase the risk of chest infections.

Stay active and when you are indoors try not to sit still for more than an hour. If you can get up, walk around or make a hot drink.

Eat well. It’s important to eat well, especially in the winter. Have at least one hot meal a day and have regular hot drinks, as they help to keep you warm. Also stock up on basic food items in case of a cold snap.

For help or advice this winter call 256020 or email:enquiries@ageukplymouth.org.uk Download Age UK’s ‘Winter Wrapped Up’ guide at spreadthewarmth.org.uk

Winter Roads Amey, the City Council’s Highway contractor, is on standby 24 hours a day from the beginning of October to the

end of March each year. During this period the weather is monitored closely via a dedicated forecast station and two sensor stations, to ensure roads are pre-treated with salt before temperatures drop and help prevent icy patches from forming. The city’s salt barn at Prince Rock Depot is stocked up with 1,250 tonnes of salt and the 400 community salt bins around the city have also been topped up for people to use locally on public roads and footways. Teams from Amey and the Council are ready to respond to common weather-related issues such as fallen trees, blocked gullies and localised flooding – as well as managing traffic flow and helping to keep road users safe in dark, wet and cold conditions. The city has a fleet of seven gritting vehicles. A full gritting run covers 42 per cent of the city’s road network (380 km) and takes about four hours. Footpaths are not routinely gritted but there are 400 grit bins around the city that can be used by members of the public to treat public roads or footpaths. Salt from these bins should not be stockpiled for use on private property.

Residents who want to treat pavements and driveways in front of their properties should only need a tablespoon of salt for each square metre. Ordinary table salt and dishwasher salt can also be used. Avoid using hot water to clear snow or ice as this freezes and causes even more hazardous conditions.