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Alphington Life
Alphington Life
Your Local Parish Magazine
February 2021 Price : 80p
Inside this issue:
Updates from Rev. Mike on
services and events coming
up, including Lent courses
News and photos of the new
floor in the theatre
CREE Christmas Shoebox
deliveries
Help with getting online &
using digital media
All our regular contributors
‘Singing Robin’ Photo by Philip Thorne
St Michael & All Angels Church, Alphington
Rectory Drive, Alphington, Exeter EX2 8XJ
www.alphingtonstmichaels.org
Parish Directory
Church Office for general enquiries 01392 662280
[ Please leave a message and we will reply as soon as possible ]
Rector Rev Mike Partridge (Day off: Thursday) 491476
Reader Lesley Phillips-Cannon (Day off: Friday) 823890
Children & Families Lead Worker
Youth Leader Hannah Harris 07546 897371
Pastoral Care Leader Eira Rowe 256660
Churchwardens Andi Linford & Roger Noden Andi: 833658 Roger 274368
Head Sidesman Marion Andrews 251925
Organist Sue Hutchings 07946 791277
PCC Secretary Marjorie Douglas 434176
PCC Offering Secretary Brian Willcocks 257839
Assistant PCC Treasurer Sue Western 275314
Electoral Roll Officer Alan Douglas 434176
Bell Tower Captain John Staddon 203772
Church Flowers Organiser Anne Bromwell & Mel Liversage Anne: 423780 Mel: 259024
Magazine Team Contact Church Admin 662280
Collection of subscriptions for 2021 will be delayed until we’re back in print.
To take out a new subscription, please contact Marjorie Douglas: 434176
How to contact us @ Alphington Life
We welcome readers’ contributions so please send any articles, photos and diary dates of local interest for possi-
ble inclusion, as well as responses, comments or suggestions regarding previous magazine issues to the editorial
team at alphingtonlife@gmail.com
To advertise in Alphington Life contact Juliet Meadowcroft at advertsalph@gmail.com
Reach a local audience at very reasonable rates for 12 months.
We take adverts of various sizes and in either colour or black & white. Juliet will be able to give you an indication of
the cost depending upon your specific requirements.
We are grateful to all our advertisers for their support. If you buy goods from them or use their services please
say that you saw their advert in Alphington Life. Thank you.
Enquiries for Baptisms (Christenings), Marriages & Banns of Marriage
admin@alphingtonstmichaels.org rector@alphingtonstmichaels.org
or phone 01392 662280 or 01392 491476
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Alphington Life From The Rector
Lockdown
We’re back in lockdown. Nights are slowly getting shorter and we pray that the
end of this pandemic will come soon. As a result, we’ve stopped holding services
in Church once again. Alphington Life won’t be printed or distributed to homes.
And we have to continue without all the activities which stopped last March. I for
one believe it’s imperative we do these things. There’s no space for giving special
exceptions to Church activities. We have to share in the pain of social distancing in
lockdown as we wait for the gain when all this is a thing of the past.
Church is much more than what happens on Sunday
It was a joy to do our outdoor events in December. We were able to seize a small window in which to get out
and celebrate Christmas together with many people from our community. It’s easy, in these strange times, to
concentrate all our effort on “on-line church” and to think we’ve done our job. I pray for the spirit filled imagina-
tion so that we can continue to be a blessing to our neighbours; to bring joy to everyone with simple acts of
kindness. What are you doing? How could we, St Michael’s Church, create a lasting legacy of good out of this
viral pandemic?
Lent
We have two Lent Courses this year! I’d really encourage you to give it a go. They’re not aimed at churchgoers
who know their Bibles inside out, or who are regular Home Group members. They’re aimed at anyone who has
questions to ask, or who wants to find out how others have journeyed in faith through a pandemic Year. Each
one will have videos to watch, and questions for discussion. You can join using the usual Church Zoom link.
Email Rev Mike or the Church Admin if you need the link.
These are our stories. Lent in a pandemic year.
This is a Lent course from Exeter Diocese. Tuesdays at 2pm on Zoom, Starting 23rd Feb.
Check the Diocese website: https://exeter.anglican.org/ministry/lent-course-2021/
The Jesus I never knew (see more details on page 9)
This is the title of a compelling book written by Philip Yancey in 1998. The 6 week Lent
course explores all the assumptions and images we carry in our minds as we approach Jesus. Church-goers are
as guilty as everyone of thinking that “their Jesus” is the right Jesus! Philip
Yancey is disarmingly simple in the way he introduces us to a surprising, challenging, attractive and different
Jesus from the one we thought we knew. Ideally, you’ll need a course book. We can supply these, and invite a
voluntary contribution of £8. If you’d like to read the book, we can also get that at £8. Email Rev Mike or the
Church Admin if you’d like to order either of these.
Easter
It’s impossible to plan with confidence, but here’s what we’re looking at doing:
An Easter Celebration on-line.
This will be a little like the Christmas carol Service which was such a From the Registers:
success. What could be your contribution? A reading? A song? Maria Authers
A poem? Send your ideas in to me, and we’ll start preparing another Funeral held in
fantastic celebration. church
13th January
Easter Outdoors
Another socially distanced outdoor celebration, with drama, music,
refreshments, and activities for all the family. All subject to a little
relaxation of Lockdown, of course.
Continued on page 13
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Alphington Life
Services and worship times whilst church building opening is limited
Day Event How to participate
Our Mission Community churches are open for private prayer on the following days :
Alphington: Tuesdays 12noon to 1pm, and Thursdays 2 to 3pm.
Ide: Thursdays all day. Sundays all day.
Shillingford: Sundays 9:30-11am
Please remember to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing.
8:55 –9:15am
Weekdays
Morning Prayer via Face- Streamed live via Facebook on the St Michaels’ Alphington page. Or
book, led by Mike. A short viewed afterwards on the same page.
time of music and prayer,
with a Bible Reading
Wed.
1st Wed. of each month: By Zoom. If you are not receiving the invitation for this and would like
prayer meeting via Zoom. to participate, please contact
rector@alphingtonstmichaels.org or 01392 491476
11am
Sundays
Morning service 11.00am By Zoom. Please contact Mike for the invitation details:
via Zoom rector@alphingtonstmichaels.org or 01392 491476 . It is possible to
join our Zoom church services by phone and get the audio. You’ll need
to contact Admin for the pass codes.
Here are the phone number options:
0800 031 5717 0330 088 5830 0131 460 1196
0203 481 5237 0203 481 5240 0208 080 6591 0208 080 6592
We are sorry that we cannot hold services on a Sunday morning. The size of our congregation com-
pared to the size of the building make it difficult to reopen as before, bearing in mind the recom-
mended social distance we need to keep. We all want to be back in church to worship on a Sunday
morning and we are working on ways in which we can safely do this.
ReFresh Youth Alpha 4:30pm online (Zoom) with Hannah.
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Alphington Life
In the theatre, during
the first week of
January, DB Flooring
laid the new floor from
Queenstreet Carpets .
The flooring is a hard
wearing simulated
wood laminate. The
underfloor heating had
to be switched off during the process to allow the adhesive to cure naturally.
This coincided with the coldest days, so a space heater was needed to provide a
warm atmosphere. The floor looks amazing.
We would like to thank the many Alphington residents who contributed towards
this and for the DCC grant from Cllr. Yvonne Atkinson to complete the theatre.
Carpet tiles have been fitted on the mezzanine level - the lighting control area
with store space on either side - courtesy of Edinburgh Charity supplies.
We hope to have an official opening in the future….for drama & music
performances.
Following government guidelines, the Village Hall and Community Centre are closed, but we intend to make this
community space available as soon as the COVID rules allow.
We are here for community use and ACA continue to work hard to maintain and keep this space safe during
lock-down, so that it is available for the future use, as soon as it is needed.
FRIENDS OF Hello everyone, this is an We turned on the illuminated cross at the start of
IDE LANE SURGERY update of what we are lockdown back in March 2020. A symbol of light in
currently able to offer the darkness, hope in the face of adversity; a
whilst we are unable to reminder of God's presence even when he seems not
operate our transport to be near.
service. We intend to Earlier in January
resume transport as soon as it is safe to do so. we put the light
on a timer,
If you are feeling lonely and would like a regular chat,
turning it off
we are offering telephone befriending at the moment so during the small
please get in touch and we will pair you with one of our hours. How
lovely volunteers. We also run a book and puzzle surprised we
delivery service to your doorstep, the books you are were to receive
messages asking
welcome to keep and pass on however we would like to
us to keep it lit
collect the puzzles to redistribute. all through the
To get in touch please call Exeter 428902 to leave a night. So we've
message and we will contact you. responded. The
Take care and stay safe, light is back on
Sara (Chair of FILS ) 24/7.
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Alphington Life
Contact Hannah Harris (Youth Worker) for more info. about each of these events: 07546 897371
St Michael’s Lent Course:
‘The Jesus I Never Knew’
Wednesday evenings 7.30pm 6 weeks 24th Feb, 3rd , 10th , 17th ,
24th , 31st March
Contact Mike Partridge for details and the Zoom joining instruc-
tions.
Sessions will comprise of a video plus small discussion groups.
However, there’s no pressure to participate in discussions if you’d
rather just listen.
All welcome!
Here’s the blurb from the course booklet:
Andrew Lloyd Webber cast him as a rock-n-roll rebel in the musi-
cal "Jesus Christ Superstar, " many Christians see him as a
handsome European-looking man, and social justice groups place
him next to Ghandi in his defence of the downtrodden. But, says
Philip Yancey, the real Jesus would have left most people
scratching their heads along with the disciples and asking, " Who is
this guy?"
This is exactly the question Yancey asks in his new book "The Jesus I Never Knew." Yancey's search for the real
Jesus collides with the calm, cool, collected, and " loving hippie" notions of Jesus he saw in modern American
culture. Instead, he finds a Galilean Jew born into apparent scandal making the most daring of claims: that he is
"the Way, the Truth, " and "the Light."
"The Jesus I Never Knew" developed out of a class Yancey led at LaSalle Street Church in Chicago, but finding the
real Jesus has been Yancey's passion since childhood.
Yancey saw Him as a cardboard cut-out in Sunday School and a " cosmic Christ" in Bible college. Today he sees a
world that marks its calendar around Jesus' birth and uses His name to intensify a curse. (Wouldn't it be odd to
centre a calendar around Napoleon's birth or to scream " Thomas Jefferson" in a shocking situation?).
" And yet, " says Yancey, " I am not writing a book about Jesus because he is a great man who changed history. I
am not tempted to write about Julius Caesar or the Chinese emperor who built the great wall. I am drawn to
Jesus, irresistibly, because he has positioned himself at the dividing point of life-my life."
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Alphington Life
Update from CREE (Christian Response to Eastern Europe)
Moldova truck arrival - from Hugh Scudder
‘We are delighted to confirm that having sent our Christmas
truck laden with over 11 tonnes of lovely Christmas Shoeboxes,
we were able to dispatch a further truck and managed to get it
out of the UK before the Brexit deadline. In these very uncertain
Covid 19 times we felt it wise to try to get all the humanitarian
aid from our store in Exmouth to where it is really needed, with
the poor in Moldova. This truck contained over twelve and a half
tonnes of very good quality used and new clothing and other
Humanitarian Aid. Twelve and a half tonnes of aid is a huge
amount and a credit to all our supporters who donated every-
thing and to our lovely team of helpers who sort and pack .
At a local level - Thank you to Bernard and Sylvia who keep us
updated and motivated to give towards this very worthy cause.
Christian Aid - update
Great news, with contactless giving over the Christmas period the
total amount raised for Christian Aid was over £370 - thank you.
Foodbank Toys - message from Brian
The response to Rev. Mike’s request for donations to the Foodbank
Toys appeal was a great success. The St Michael’s congregation was
very generous and we sent a total of £555 before Christmas. No
doubt some very happy children as a result.
Other charities supported by St Michael’s Church this year: Barnabas Fund &
The Children’s Society
Chi
Bar
Chr
1112
Alphington Life This month’s recipes from Nila
Hello All! Given that home learning is back on the table I thought I would provide further recipes to
make with the children. However, children not obligatory! Not much text this month as I wanted as
much space as possible for the recipe details.
Cheesy Muffins (Makes 10 and freeze well)
These are substantial hearty muffins and make a great lunch served warm with salad and chutney!
1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees C/ 180 degrees C fan/ gas 6
1 egg - beaten 2. Mix the beaten egg with the milk.
100ml milk 3. In a bowl put in the flour, cheese, herbs, salt and paprika to-
125 gm self raising flour - sieved gether.
200 gm mature cheddar cheese - grated 4. Add the milk and egg mixture - stir gently. Don’t worry, the
half teaspoon paprika mixture will be lumpy!
half level teaspoon salt 5. Spoon mixture into muffin cases - bake for 12 -15 minutes
1 teaspoon mixed dried herbs and until firm and golden brown.
Gluten Free Chocolate Torte (also freezes)
Unashamedly decadent but worth the effort! Serve hot or cold. Great with vanilla ice cream!
Ingredients Preheat oven 180 degrees C/ 160 degrees C fan/ gas 4
200 gm unsalted butter - cut into cubes
200 gm 70% dark chocolate - broken into 1. Line a 23 cms tin - the baking parchment cake liners are
pieces (check packet ingredients to check for great!
no gluten) 2. In a bowl put in the chocolate and butter and melt over
200 gm golden caster sugar a pan of hot water - DO NOT let the bowl come into con-
100 gm ground almonds tact with the water! When melted put to one side
pinch of salt 3. Put the eggs and sugar in a bowl and whisk for 5
4 large eggs minutes until it looks a bit like custard.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4. Pour the chocolate and butter mix into the egg and sug-
ar mixture.
You will need an electric whisk for this recipe. 5. Fold in the almonds, salt and vanilla extract
A bowl large enough to hold all the 6. Spoon into the tin and spread out evenly.
ingredients will be needed. 7. Bake for 35 - 40 minutes but check just after 30 minutes.
Did you know? Peeled bananas are great for freezing! Just place on a tray, freeze and then bag. You can leave
them for 5 minutes, slice whilst still frozen then add to a smoothie. Or, use in baking.
Finally, have a look at nilarossfood on Instagram for BBQ inspiration once the weather gets warmer - it’s a
project I’m currently working on!
Zoom Church 1 Corinthians 14:26 Continued from page 3 (From the Rector)
“What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of
instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built
up.”
Our vibrant worship continues every Sunday, and it’s been a pleasure to make it available by DVD to those who
can’t get it on line. I quoted these words from Corinthians on Sunday, and I’d love to see more people sending in
ideas. There’s a great sense of community. Someone called it “The realness of belonging". How amazing that,
with 21st century technology, we are beginning to do something which feels just a little like what the New
Testament Church was like.
On Sunday 14th Feb, our Zoom Church will be the Diocese of Exeter’s “featured service”. They’ll be putting out
our YouTube link, and inviting people from all over Devon to join us.
13News from Alphington Community Builder, Claire Porter
New Year is considered a time of reflection and new beginnings. When looking back over 2020, it is easy to see
how our daily lives have become more challenging as the world has battled against COVID. There are many things
that I look back at with sadness, the people who have become seriously ill during the pandemic, people who have
lost their jobs and financial security and the simple loss of human touch, of being able to embrace friends and
comfort loved ones. 2021 offers us hope in the form of the vaccine and that once again we may be able to connect
with our friends, families and communities. In respect of community building, it has been an unusual year. The
normal opportunities to connect through community groups, events and in our shared spaces have had to change
with social distancing and during Lockdown. However, despite being encouraged to physically distance, I have
noticed people reaching out to their neighbours and an increasing community spirit.
During the first Lockdown we connected with our neighbours, forming WhatsApp groups and supporting one
another with shopping and medication. We have supported the most vulnerable members in our community
through donating to food banks, reaching out to connect with those in our care homes and those who are feeling
isolated at home. The Alphington community groups came together to plan a local support service, with local
people volunteering to support their neighbours. Our local GP surgery, Pharmacy, Post Office, Shops and Public
Houses remained open providing us with the services and goods we needed. When the community spaces were
able to open, the Village Hall, Community Centre, British Legion and Sports Club worked hard to provide COVID
secure safe spaces for us to reconnect.
We have now entered our third period of Lockdown and it feels harder in the cold and dark winter. We are being
encouraged to remain at home and to reduce our physical face to face contacts, so we need to look for other ways
to come together. Being online has provided us with an opportunity to connect virtually and safely. St. Michaels
Church have been running their services online through Zoom, Facebook and You Tube. Some local groups have
gone online enabling people to connect around their interests. However, this relies on people feeling able to
engage online and having the necessary skills and technology to do this. The Alphington Digital Inclusion Group has
been set up to support people in developing these skills. Although Lockdown has
stopped them from being able to offer a face to face service, they have put
together a flyer with tutorials and guidance to support you in taking those first
steps. A copy of this is on the next page or you can email me for a separate
copy. If you feel anxious about zoom, the West Exe community builders are
offering a “Zoom Room” where you can come and explore Zoom in a safe
space. We are running our first one on the 1st of February but will be offering
others, so contact me for further details.
If you are looking to connect online, the West Exe community builders are
offering a couple of online coffee mornings every week. On Wednesdays, we
have “Coffee and Chat” at 11am for residents to connect with one another and
meet their community builder. On
Fridays, we have our “Curiosity Café” at
11am where we explore a different theme
each week and local residents are sharing
their interests (eg. Photography, Street
Art, Music, Cooking). If you would like to
connect with what is going on in the
community, then get in touch.
Claire Porter
Alphington Community Builder
alphingtoncb@gmail.com
Facebook : “Claire Porter Alphington CB”.
14There Alphington
is a new group
Life set up in Alphington to help people develop their confidence using technology e.g
Smart phones, tablets and laptops/computers. At the moment we can't set up any local sessions at the
village hall, so we have produced a flyer with useful information and links for you. Steve Ash from Ide
Lane Surgery Patient Participation Group, Kath and Shelley from Alphington Community Association,
Claire Porter Alphington Community Builder and myself are happy to hear from anyone who is interested
in helping or would like help and support with technology. Mandy Hendley'
Would you like help with using your laptop, tablet or smart phone?
Formed in September 2020, we aim to support and enable people in the community to become more confident with
using their laptop/tablet/smart phone. Once the COVID situation has improved, we intended to provide one-to-one
digital buddies to guide people through their online experience or problems. In the meantime, we have gathered the
following useful sites together for you to refer to.
FREE Home IT Support service - https://abilitynet.org.uk/at-home/request-free-it-support-home
AbilityNet's volunteers provide free IT support to older people and people of any age with
disabilities. AbilityNet will be one of our Partner Organisations once COVID restrictions ease.
https://mcmw.abilitynet.org.uk/ Your step-by-step guide to adjustments you can make to your
computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone, making them easier to use.
Gov.UK – Staying safe online https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/top-tips-for-staying-
secure-online
Top tips to ensure you are doing all you can to secure you and your family online.
Help with SMART phones – covers Android, iPhone and Windows: https://
www.thejournal.ie/beginner-smartphone-tablet-guide-1234643-Dec2013/
Beginners guide to online banking https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/
beginners-guide-to-online-banking
Shopping and paying safely online: Shopping and paying safely online - Money Advice
Service
Alphington Pharmacy https://www.nhs.uk/Services/pharmacies/Overview/
DefaultView.aspx?id=4815
Speak to your Pharmacist first – they can often resolve minor medical issues without consulting
your GP!
Ide Lane Surgery (eConsult) https://www.idelanesurgery.nhs.uk/ With current
restrictions, online consultations are the best way to contact your GP for help.
eConsult user guide video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fGEpzrgAJc
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Alphington Life
Vitamin F.
Why do I have a variety of friends who are all so different in character?
How is it possible that I can get along with them all?
I think that each one helps to bring out a "different" part of me.
With one of them I am polite. With another I joke.
I can sit down and talk about serious matters with one.
With another I laugh a lot.
I listen to one friend's problems. Then I listen to another one's advice for
me.
My friends are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
When completed, they form a treasure box. A treasure of friends! Fiona Swan
They are my friends who understand me better than I understand myself.
They're friends who support me through good days and bad.
Real Age doctors tell us that friends are good for our health.
Dr Oz calls them Vitamin F (for Friends) and counts the benefits of friends as essential to our wellbeing.
Research shows that people in strong social circles have less risk of depression and terminal strokes.
If you enjoy Vitamin F constantly you can be up to 30 years’ younger than your real age.
The warmth of friendship stops stress and even in your most intense
moments, it decreases the chance of a cardiac arrest or stroke by 50%.
I'm so happy that I have a stock of Vitamin F.
In summary, we should value our friends and keep in touch with them.
We should try to see the funny side of things and laugh together and pray for each other in the tough moments.
Some of my friends are friends on line.
I know I am part of theirs because their names appear on my computer screen every day and I feel blessed that
they care as much for me as I care for them.
Thank you for being one of my Vitamin F “pills”
Valentine’s Day The first Valentine Card
There are two confusing things about this day of
romance and anonymous love-cards strewn – a legend
with lace, cupids and ribbon: firstly, there seems The Roman Emperor Claudius II needed soldiers.
to have been two different Valentines in the He suspected that marriage made men want to
4th century – one a priest martyred on the stay at home with their wives, instead of fighting
Flaminian Way, under the Emperor Claudius, wars, so he outlawed marriage.
the other a bishop of Terni martyred at Rome. And neither A kind-hearted young priest named Valentine
seems to have had any clear connection with lovers or courting felt sorry for all the couples who wanted to
couples. marry, but who couldn’t. So secretly he married
So why has Valentine become the patron saint of romantic love? as many couples as he could – until the Emperor
By Chaucer’s time the link was assumed to be because on these found out and condemned him to death. While
saints’ day -14th February – the birds are supposed to pair. Or he was in prison awaiting execution, Valentine
perhaps the custom of seeking a partner on St showed love and compassion to everyone
Valentine’s Day is a surviving scrap of the old Roman around him, including his jailer. The jailer had a
Lupercalia festival, which took place in the middle of February. young daughter who was blind, but through
One of the Roman gods honoured during this Festival was Pan, Valentine’s prayers, she was healed. Just before
the god of nature. Another was Juno, the goddess of women and his death in Rome on 14th February, he wrote
marriage. During the Lupercalia it was a popular custom for her a farewell message signed ‘From your
young men to draw the name of a young unmarried woman from Valentine.’
a name-box. The two would then be partners or ‘sweethearts’ So, the very first Valentine card was not
during the time of the celebrations. Even modern Valentine between lovers, but between a priest about to
decorations bear an ancient symbol of love – Roman cupids with die, and a little girl, healed through his prayers.
their bows and love-arrows.
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Alphington Life
Local hospice’s “Men’s Walk”
needs walkers for tenth
anniversary event with a
difference
Hospiscare’s flagship Men’s Walk event is back – with a
twist – this March, to celebrate its tenth anniversary –
and this year the charity needs the support of the
community more than ever.
The popular event, which normally sees over a thousand men walking eight miles through Exeter in support of
the local hospice charity, has revamped its format this year to adapt to the times.
From the outset of the pandemic, Hospiscare adapted its fundraising efforts to ensure that its vital care for
people living with life-limiting illnesses can continue at no cost to its patients. To ensure that Men’s Walk can
take place this year safely and in-line with government guidance, Hospiscare has introduced Men’s Walk–Your
Way.
Taking place on Saturday 20 March, participants will walk a route of their choice in their local area, which
means that everyone can take part safely from any corner of Devon – or the world!
All of the iconic elements of Men’s Walk will remain the same. Every walker will receive a Men’s Walk t-shirt, a
special 10th-year anniversary beer courtesy of Exeter Brewery and a pasty from Chunk of Devon – not to
mention Ireland vs England in the Six Nations rugby tournament to enjoy on the box afterwards!
Wherever the route and location, participants will be walking together in spirit to support people and families
living with a terminal illness across Exeter, Mid and East Devon.
Hospiscare CEO, Andrew Randall, says: “The coronavirus pandemic has had a drastic impact on our income in
the last year. As a small local charity, 82% of our funding comes from local people who are determined to help
others when they need it most. We simply couldn’t provide our specialist end-of-life care without the support of
people who take part in events such as Men’s Walk – and we’ve never needed the support more than now.
”We’re so grateful to all of our walkers, as well as our generous event sponsor, Wilkinson Grant.”
One group of loyal participants are especially determined to take part. Friends John Selley, Graham Lofts and
Philip Jacobs have taken part in the sponsored walk together every year since it began.
John explains how their Men’s Walk tradition started: “The three of us worked together on Barrack Road near
the Exeter hospice so it was a very local charity for us. We knew it was a worthy cause that we could get
behind.”
He adds, “I lost my mum to cancer in 2013 and it became a close personal cause.”
Phillip explains, “Men’s Walk just ticks all of the boxes: we get to support a local charity, it gets us out walking
and there’s a pint, a pasty and rugby to watch at the end!”
Graham adds, “It’s a good opportunity to enjoy a spring walk and enjoy the rugby and refreshments. It seemed
like such a good thing when it was first set up so we all continued to take part.
“I’m retired now so taking part in Men’s Walk is a good way to get together, support a good cause, and get
some exercise!”
For John, having the option to take part from any location is a huge perk: John recently moved to France
but – thanks to the new format – he will still be able to take part in the
10th anniversary event from home.
John concludes, “Even though I am now living in France, I will get my
brother involved so Hospiscare will have at least two international par-
ticipants for Men’s Walk – Your Way!”
To sign up to Men’s Walk–Your Way and raise sponsorship to sup-
port your local hospice charity, visit https://www.hospiscare.co.uk/
menswalk
1920
From the Alphington Archives
Alphington Life The Alphington Archives website at: www.alphington.org.uk
Here we are in lock down again
and everyone seems to be fed up
with it. Normally, I dislike graffiti
but the other week I did see a
very good, and somehow spirit-
lifting, message sprayed on a wall
in the Riverside Valley Park. It said
‘don’t give up’!
I am starting to sort out all my old
village pictures and put them into
more organised folders on my
computer. As I rediscover some
pictures they are going into the
History/Memory Groups news-
letters. This brings forth some
new memories. The most recent
thing I learnt was that the Home
Guard used the skittle alley at The
New Inn for meetings etc. This
memory came to light from
viewing the old picture of the
Alphington Bell Ringers, which I
think was taken outside The New
Inn.
Keeping up with the Church theme
one member sent me a picture of
the Alphington Church Choir taken in 1950. I was delighted with this as while I have many pictures of the Village
Church Bell Ringers ones of the Church Choir seem to be in very short supply.
See if you can recognise anyone in the choir picture!!
Rowena Web site: www.alphington.org.uk Tel: 216251 E-mail: rowena57jay@yahoo.co.uk
SHINING LIGHTS IN LOCKDOWN
With the Christmas season ending, and 2021 bringing with it a new national lockdown, many are in need of
some light in their lives. Rev’d Preb. James Grier, our Diocesan Mission Enabler, has shared a simple way we can
bring light to those in our communities: place a light in your window to share some light this lockdown.
The idea is to simply put a light in your window for others to see as a reminder of Christmas and of Christ’s love.
James says he was inspired by Swedish homes which often display light in their windows as a way of connecting
with other homes that were physically distant, just as we are during
the lockdown.
“A light to offer hope, to say we’re still here.”
James hopes the light will “brighten someone’s day as they walk
down the street, and remind people of the light of the world, God
himself who is with us, however alone we may feel.”
We would encourage you to help share some light during this
lockdown by joining us in displaying a light in your window, to bring
some hope to our communities.
21St Thomas
Library
35 Church Road, Exeter EX2 9AZ
Tel. no. 01392 252783
Lee Rawlings – Supervisor.
Opening Times
Monday 9—5
Tuesday 9—5
Wednesday—closed
Thursday 9—6
Friday 9—6
Blacksmithing & Welding
Repairs and alterations
to gates, furniture and fittings,
railings and any other exterior
or interior metal work.
Quotes and enquiries welcomed.
Telephone: 01392 860241
Mobile: 07892700558
22Some resources for families during lock- Bible Chat mat:
down. These,
Alphington Life plus more, can be accessed Bible Chat Mat allows
via the links and the Diocese of Exeter people of all ages to
website: https://exeter.anglican.org/ read the Bible and have
ministry/children-young-people/resources-for- conversation together,
children-families-and-young-people/ whether around a meal
table, sitting on the sofa
or wherever works best.
Another resource for your family during The sheets can be
lockdown: Virtual Sunday School on coloured and doodled
YouTube. on, allowing you to
Each episode has a Bible story, craft & respond to the Bible
prayer, all presented in a fun & lively way! story in your own Alphington Cross
unique way
For the whole family together: https://www.tath.co.uk/
For toddlers+
https://www.facebook.com/Littleworshipcompany
https://playvan.wordpress.com/Alphington School
Exeter and District Osteoporosis Support Group
This group is part of the Royal Osteoporosis Society. The president of the society is HRH The Duchess of Cornwall
who is incredibly supportive. The support group was formed in September 2017. We used to hold 5 meetings a
year at St Leonards Church Hall in Exeter. We had a speaker at each meeting, usually on a subject relating to
osteoporosis followed by tea/ biscuits and time to chat with others with the same condition. Our average
attendance was about 50 people.
As a committee we have kept in touch during the pandemic and have decided to put together a programme of
events for 2021. Our first 2 meetings will be held virtually via ‘Team’ and by June we are hoping that we may be
able to return to St Leonards.
We are a very friendly group and anyone with osteoporosis or supports anyone with osteoporosis is very
welcome to join us.
Thursday 11th February at 2pm. Speaker, Suzanne Hewitt talking about fashion tips for those with osteoporosis
and fractures.
Thursday 22nd April at 2pm Speaker Craig Jones CEO of Royal Osteoporosis Society. Alphington Post Office
Thursday June 17th at 2pm Dr Karen Knapp, Associate Professor in Musculoskeletal imaging at Exeter University.
Thursday September 16th at 2pm Sanna Hunt speaking on dentistry and osteoporosis.
Thursday 18th November at 2pm Dr Mary Brown, Rheumatology Consultant.
If you would like to join us at any of our meetings, please email our local address
exetervolunteers@theros.org.uk or telephone head office 01761473112 If you require medical help about your
condition the ROS nurses are available on free helpline 0808 800 0035 between 9am/1pm and 2pm/5pm
Monday to Friday or email nurses@theros.org.uk or web site wwwtheros.org.uk
Ann Bowden (Committee Member)
2324
Alphington Life
The Garden in February
I’ve been talking to Alf who was in an optimistic mood despite the ever - present danger of the spread of the new
more active variants of Covid 19. He is encouraged by the prospect of receiving the vaccine, by the agreement on
trade deal with the EU which is better than no deal and by promising signs of life in the garden and in the country-
side despite some very cold weather in early January. Despite the prospect of things getting worse before they get
better with Covid, teething troubles with the trade deal and the weather (as always) he is sure that things will
eventually get better and we will soon be looking down from the “sunlit uplands”.
I had to begin my conversation with Alf by admitting to a relative failure with my Paperwhite narcissi at Christmas
time last year because they came into flower six weeks and one day after planting which was one day after
Christmas day. It does show that everything does not work out exactly as planned in gardening as with almost
everything in life. I’m not sure if it was a consolation or not that bulbs given to our daughter, Hannah, who grew
them for the first time with precise written instructions on what to do, flowered exactly like they should on “the
day” which she delighted in proving when she arrived as our only guest for Christmas lunch by showing us a photo-
graph taken earlier that morning. Several other plants have done well in the conservatory including a Christmas
cactus and a lovely Clivia which did flower in time. It is important with flowering plants indoors as with plants in the
garden in summer and autumn to have a succession of plants coming into flower so we are currently looking
forward to the annual flowering of Strelitzia, orchid and Amaryllis plants. At this time of the year flowering plants
make the house seem less bare especially after the Christmas tree and other decorations are cleared away for
another year. Alf recently read that the clearing away of Christmas decorations on Twelfth Night only became the
norm in the 20th Century and before that they were left up until Candlemas. With our present need to be cheered
up perhaps we should have followed that tradition; too late now that everything has either been thrown away or is
back in boxes and stored away; maybe next year!
Despite the cold weather in early January there are signs that nature is stirring outdoors as the amount of daylight
slowly increases each day. Although Alf is certain that there will be colder weather to come, he has been cheered up
by the increasing number of birds singing to attract mates and establish territorial rights in his garden and by the
appearance of flowers on the first brave snowdrops, Hellebores and some Camelias. The fragrant shrubs such as
Viburnum bodnantense Dawn, Sarcococca (Christmas box) and Hamamelis (Witch hazel) which form an important
part of the garden at this time of the year are coming into flower and will continue to do so well into February.
Providing colour too as they have done for a couple of months already are the stems of Cornus shrubs both Cornus
alba Sibirica and Midwinter Fire. There are also some not so welcome plants making an appearance including annual
Stephen Cottrell
weeds like hairy bittercress (which should be removed as soon as it is spotted otherwise it produces white flowers
which quickly become seed heads which fire a myriad of tiny seeds all through your borders), Shepherds purse
(which is very similar) and groundsel (which is almost as much of a nuisance with its yellow flowers and white seed
heads). Clearly both Alf and I have been out in our gardens mostly just to look and keeping very carefully to the
paths and not walking on the lawns especially when there is frost on the ground; he will be keen to do some
gardening soon but like most people I might just wait until there are more definite signs of drier and warmer
weather before attempting to do much outdoor work.
We must not delay for too long because there are things to be done now and very soon the gardening year will be
under way and we will regret not getting some jobs done earlier. Alf suggests weeding as a priority, also the
clearance of foliage left over winter for birds and other creatures which soon become a sanctuary for slugs if left for
too long and either some digging or failing that some turning of the soil with a fork will be good as it will allow air
and February frost into the soil so that it will be ready for “proper” tilling next
month; it will also be an opportunity to remove perennial weeds which are even
more of a problem than the annual varieties.
If this all sounds to be more than you can cope with for long then retreat indoors,
look at the seed catalogues and dream about the beautiful garden you will enjoy
next summer. R. Williams
25Well, here we are in Lockdown 3 and the light at the end of the tunnel is
getting brighter – hurrah!! As I write this, those of us who are Ide Lane
Surgery patients over 70 and those people who are most vulnerable are
being offered their first vaccination locally. The rest of us will, in time, be
offered similarly. We are hopeful that these will enable us, in time, to
have relaxed the tight rules and mix a little more.
Jill, Ali and I are not meeting in January as hoped BUT we know when the
time is right, and it is safe so to do, Lunchbox will reopen.
The recipe this month comes from Ali and is a real winter warmer. We
would love to know, in time, if any of you have tried the recipes that both
Nila and we offer and any comments.
Ali writes:
“A little while ago I bought some Oxo stockpots, garden vegetables with parsley and bay and I think one of these in
the Chicken Casserole helps to give it such a nice flavour.”
Chicken Casserole serves two Fry Onion in a little oil until some are brown at the edges. Put in large
1 Onion casserole dish. In same oil fry Chicken thighs until brown on all sides and
3 Chicken Thighs put in dish. Then add all rest of the roughly chopped ingredients and
1 Leek stock and seasoning and cook in oven 190 degrees C for 2 hours. Put in
2 Carrots a tablespoon of cornflour mixed in a little water 10 minutes before the
2 Celery sticks end and return to oven.
1 Yellow pepper (or any colour pepper ) Serve with separately cooked boiled potatoes. This will give two gener-
5 Large chestnut mushrooms ous platesful with a little veg and gravy left over for a little lunch snack .
3/4 pint stock made with 1 chicken stock Enjoy and best wishes Alison
cube and 1 Oxo veg stockpot We all send our very best wishes and think of you all often. Keep well,
10 turns of black pepper safe and bright.
1/2 teaspoon salt Gail, Ali and Jill x
26Alphington Life
Heavens Above February 2021
The Moon: Perigee (nearest to the Earth) on 3 February (229,926 miles); Last Quarter is on 4 February @ 17:36; New
Moon is on 11 February @ 19:06; Apogee (furthest from the Earth) is on 18 February (251,324 miles); First Quarter is on
19 February @ 18:47; Full Moon is on 27 February @ 08:17.
The Planets: Mercury passes through inferior conjunction (between us and the Sun) on 8 February. Venus is invisible in
the morning twilight. Mars moves eastwards from Aries into Taurus and fades from mag.0.4 to 0.9. Jupiter is too close to
the Sun to be seen, as is Saturn. Uranus at mag. 5.8 is in Aries. Neptune is in Aquarius, where it remains all year but at
mag. 7.8 and cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Meteor showers. There are no notable meteor showers in February.
What’s happening in February?
2020 may have been a strange and, for some, a tragic year because of the unprecedented effects of the Covid19 pandem-
ic. However, for astronomy it was quite eventful with a naked eye comet and a rare conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, to
say nothing of Mars having its closest opposition for many years. Now there seems to be nothing to look at. All the naked
eye planets have vanished into the Sun’s glare except for Mars and that is getting much fainter. So what are we
astronomers to look at? A daft question really. Last month we looked at some of the winter constellations – these are
glorious, especially if you get hold of some optical aid such as 10x50 binoculars or a telescope. Both will reveal things like
the nebulosity in Orion’s sword and the Pleiades and the variations in colour of different stars, from white to blue to yel-
low to orange to red. The other thing to look at is the Moon, of course.
A Bit More About the Moon
Relative to the size of its host planet, the Moon is the largest satellite in the Solar System – it is 2,159 miles in diameter
compared to the Earth that has a diameter of roughly 7,926 miles; the diameter of Earth is less than 4 times the diameter
of the Moon. Some other moons are much bigger than ours, for example, Ganymede, a moon of Jupiter, is about 3724
miles in diameter and is the largest moon in the Solar System, being larger than the planet Mercury. However, when
compared to the size of Jupiter, Ganymede is tiny; the diameter of Jupiter is over 23 times the diameter of Ganymede.
Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, is 3200 miles in diameter but again is tiny when compared to the size of Saturn, which
is over 22 times the diameter of Titan.
The Moon orbits the Earth following an elliptical path. This means that the distance from Earth to Moon varies constantly
and the maximum and minimum distances, known as Apogee and Perigee, are given at the top of this article. These
distances vary from month to month and result in the size of the Moon appearing to vary. When perigee coincides with a
full Moon we call this a Super Moon. Eclipses occur when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun and all three
line up perfectly. An eclipse always happens at new Moon. If the eclipse happens at perigee it will be a total eclipse; if it
happens at apogee it will be an annular eclipse – this is when the Moon doesn’t quite cover the Sun. Most of the time,
the new Moon passes either below or above the Sun; eclipses occur when the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun.
When we look at the Moon, say, when it’s full, we see dark patches and lighter areas. The dark patches were thought to
be seas and were named Mare (plural Maria), meaning sea. These are not seas at all but flat, relatively smooth basalt
plains.
The lighter areas that we see on a full Moon tend to be more uneven areas, e.g. mountain ranges. When viewed through
binoculars or a telescope the surface of the full Moon is fairly featureless because there are no shadows. To see the
features on the Moon at their best, we need to look when the Moon is not full and we can then see much more detail
along the terminator – the line that separates lunar day from lunar night –
when the features cast shadows. Thus to see the detail of the whole Moon we
need to observe each night and see how the terminator moves across the
Moon’s disc. Over the course of a month, the Moon rises later each day which
means that you have to stay up very late or get up very early to see the best of
the left half of the Moon. The diagram on the left shows the Moon orbiting the
Earth with the outer ring of Moons showing how it appears to us. The Sun is
shining from the right. The Moon passes through the complete cycle shown in
the diagram once every 29.5 days, approximately.
Enjoy God’s wonderful creation in February! RN
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