Life Alderton, Easton Grey, Foxley with - March 2021 - Stanton St Quintin
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Parish
the
life Alderton, Easton Grey, Foxley with
Bremilham, Hullavington, Luckington,
Norton, Sherston and Stanton St Quintin
March 2021
To subscribe please email theparishlifedistribution@hotmail.com
50p per copy or £5.00 per year (11 issues)
Letter from the Editor
Welcome to another virtual issue of the Parish Life! Although we were really
hoping that we would be able to deliver a physical copy of this issue to you, in
order to comply with government guidelines and stay at home restrictions, we
decided that this one had to be virtual.
It’s the final countdown here until the return to school next week. Despite my
best efforts, routine has been somewhat lacking over the last few weeks and
so we are all looking forward to having that back in our lives again!
Just as Nick Burridge’s lovely photo on the front of this month’s issue reminds
us, spring is definitely on its way! The crocuses and daffodils are out and we
even mowed the grass yesterday!
I know that I’ve said it before but, hopefully our next issue will arrive via your
letterbox rather than your inbox…!
In the meantime, stay safe,
Victoria
841178
theparishlife@hotmail.co.uk
The Team: Editor: Victoria Meheust, Editorial Team: Kirsty Strachan, Cathy Henderson, Treasurer: Victoria
Meheust, Distribution Manager: Hilary Geeen, Advertisements: (vacancy), News from your Parish/the
Register: Kate Armitage (Alderton incl. Register information), Sue Thompson (Easton Grey incl. Register information),
Jo Hibbard (Foxley incl. Register information), Henny Metters (Hullavington Register information), Marlene Mackay
(Luckington Register information), Roger Whitehouse (Sherston Register information), Angela Smith (Stanton St
Quintin Register information), Seasonal Recipes: Victoria Meheust, Sudoku: Neil Fozzard
2
Inside this Issue
1. Letter from the Editor ............................................................... 2
2. The Minister’s Letter ................................................................. 4
3. Congregational and Methodist .................................................... 6
4. Readings/Sunday Worship ...................................................... 8-9
5. Gauzebrook Group Ministry Contacts ..........................................10
6. Recipe of the Month ................................................................11
7. News from your Parish ........................................................ 12-18
8. Other News....................................................................... 19-25
9. In the Month of… ............................................................... 26-27
10. Wordsearch and Sudoku ..................................................... 28-29
11. Poem of the Month ..................................................................30
12. The Last Laugh .......................................................................31
13. Gauzebrook Listings ................................................................32
Contributions:
If possible, please send contributions by email as a word document to theparishlife@hotmail.co.uk
or otherwise send to Victoria Meheust, Marden House, Thompsons Hill, Sherston SN16 0PZ.
Contributions should be received by 5.00pm on the 10th of each month. This deadline will be strictly
adhered to and we regret that contributions received after this time/date will not be included.
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841178. Our rates are £55 per eighth of a page for a full year of advertising (11 issues) i.e. £110 for
¼ page and so on.
Subscriptions:
If you do not subscribe to The Parish Life, but would like to, please contact Hilary Green at
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The articles in this magazine reflect the personal opinions of the writers and not those of the
Editor or Editorial Team. Further the Editorial Team is not responsible for any errors of fact
printed in the magazine.
Advertising is accepted in good faith. The Parish Life cannot be held liable for loss, damage
or injury arising out of goods or services sold through any adverts in this magazine. The
appearance of an advert in the magazine does not imply the endorsement by the Editorial
Team of either the company or its services, nor does it constitute a recommendation.
No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior consent of the publisher.
Printed by Jamprint Tel:01249 823950 Email: Jason.miles@jamprint.co.uk
3
The Minister’s Letter
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
March is the month of Lent. Whilst Easter dances around, March, or at least
most of it, is always found in this season of penitent reflection. It feels like
we’ve been in a lenten sort of season for much longer than just a few weeks
this time around though doesn’t it? Last year, that which we wait for
throughout these 40 days, the Easter news of death having been defeated, well
it failed to materialise because we were plunged into Lockdown 1, and since
then it has felt like we are still waiting. Waiting for Easter. Waiting for the light
at the end of the tunnel. Waiting for our lives to be resurrected to some kind of
fullness of living. We have spent a year in enforced sabbatical, enforced
reflecting on what is important to us - education, the NHS, a hug, and more.
We have also been challenged in our thinking, our patience and our mental
health has been tested, and we have been trained to see other people as a
threat - something from which we must protect ourselves from by covering our
faces and keeping our distance. Visible smiles, friends, parties, pubs, family,
these are things that have been taken away from us. When Jesus said ‘I am
with you always’ he was speaking about days like these. It may be that worry
feels like our constant companion in unusual or frustrating times, but Jesus
promised us companionship. We are not alone. You are not alone. He is with us
always.
And as of the end of February we have a roadmap for the way out. The light is
beginning to glimmer at the distant end of the tunnel, and the hope that we
have always had, albeit dented along the way, is rekindled. The anticipation of
resurrection that has been our companion for so long appears to now be
coming true as the warmth of our Easter hope begins to flow over us. I can’t
promise how exactly we might be able to celebrate Easter this year, we might
not quite have the thunder of the organ, the harmonies of the choir, and the
beauty of the gathered community singing ‘Christ the Lord is risen today’, but
we can now look forward to a long Easter following our long lent. An Easter
that will soon be every day lived in fullness not fear, knowing that death is
defeated and we can truly celebrate
the fulfilment of God’s promise of a
new hope and a new life for the entire
world.
So wherever you are, in lent or
Easter, in lockdown or easing, in the
face of sorrow or the warmth of hope,
find sanctuary in the risen Lord who
never leaves us.
With love
Adam
4
5
SHERSTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Worship services continue to be hosted from the British Schoolrooms every
Sunday at 11.00 am via Zoom.
If you would like to join us, please contact Andrew Williams Tarling on 07921
390878 or awtchartfield@hotmail.co.uk
Brick Club and Cuppa, Cake and Chat remain suspended until further notice.
SHERSTON METHODIST CHURCH, GROVE ROAD
There will be no services at the Methodist Church while the present lockdown
continues. As soon as it is lifted and services are permitted again, a notice
will be placed on the church notice board in Grove Road, and will appear in
the next issue of The Parish Life.
6
7
8
Readings for March 2021
Sunday 7th Lent 3
March Principal Service Second Service
Exodus 20: 1-17 Psalms 11,12
Psalm 19 Exodus 5: 1- 6:1
1 Corinthians 1: 18-25 Philippians 3: 4b-14
John 2: 13-22 Matthew 10: 16-22
Sunday Lent 4 – Mothering Sunday
14th March Principal Service Second Service
Exodus 2: 1-10 Psalms 13, 14
Psalm 34: 11-20 Exodus 6: 2-13
2 Corinthians 1: 3-7 Romans 5: 1-11
Luke 2: 33-35 John 12: 1-8
Sunday Lent 5
21st March Principal Service Second Service
Jeremiah 31: 31-34 Psalm 34
Psalm 51: 1-13 Exodus 7: 8-24
Hebrews 5: 5-10 Romans 5: 12-end
John 12: 20-33 Luke 22: 1-13
Sunday Palm Sunday
28th March Principal Service Second Service
Mark 11: 1-11 Psalm 69: 1-120
John 12: 12-16 Isaiah 5: 1-7
Psalm 118: 1-2, 19-end Mark 12: 1-12
STOVE & CHIMNEY LINING SERVICES
QUALIFIED HETAS ENGINEERS
The Old Smithy, Luckington
Tel / Fax: 01666 840860
FREE QUOTATION
9The Gauzebrook Group
All phone numbers are dialling code (01666) unless otherwise stated.
Parish Administrator: – For all general enquiries, including weddings and baptisms,
please contact Alison Withers at The Deanery Office, The Old Squash Court, Holloway,
Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 9BA, on 825019 or admin@deanery.org.uk
Rector: Revd Adam Beaumont - 311177/07903 672067
gauzebrookrector@gmail.com
Associate Priest: Revd. Susan Harvey - 840696
susan.harvey055@gmail.com
Please don't hesitate to get in touch in the event of a pastoral emergency. However, we
should be grateful if you could avoid contacting us about other matters on our days off.
Retired Priest: Revd. John Morgan 837670
Rev'd Alastair Davies
Lay Ministers: Mrs. Henny Metters 837778
Mr. John Metters 837778
Mrs. Marjorie Morgan 837670
Mrs. Helen Davies
Rural Schools and Churches Worker: Becky Fisher 07974 030212;
Becky.fisher@deanery.org.uk
Church Churchwardens Treasurer Secretary
Alderton Jack Doyle Alan Potter Karen Jobbins
840420 840020 840231
Easton Grey Any queries to Susan Harvey
Festival Church
Foxley Mrs. P. Irvine Mrs. M. Calderbank Mr A Calderbank
822227 823848 823848
Hullavington Catherine Sanderson Mrs. H. Metters
838824 837778
Di Hamblin Caroline Bance
phillip.hamblin@btinternet.com bance.baylie96@btinternet.com
Luckington Christopher Eddison-Cogan Mrs. S. Hutchinson Mrs K. Bennett
840649 katherinesbennett8
@gmail.com
Norton Aura. Fuller Craig Fuller Dougie Fuller
837428 840329 837428
Sherston Mrs. S. Price - 840041 Mr. A. Price Mrs. H. Price
pricesuzanne@icloud.com
840041 503187
Dr. Pam Pickthall - 841072 acrprice@ retreatcottage17@
pampickthall@hotmail.co.uk cantab.net btinternet.com
Stanton Mr. N. & Mrs. H. Greene Mrs. C. Vines Mrs. H. Greene
St. Quintin 837850 837844 837850
10Recipe of the Month
Marmalade and Whisky Bread and Butter Pudding
Serves 6 -8
Ingredients
8 slices day-old crusty white bread , crusts removed
50g very soft butter
4 tbsp Seville orange marmalade, plus 4 tsp
300ml full-fat milk
248ml pot double cream
3 large eggs
seeds 1 vanilla pod
4 tbsp golden caster sugar
1 tbsp whisky
Icing sugar, for dusting
Method
1. Butter each piece of bread on both sides, then spread 4 with the 1 tbsp
marmalade each. Pop the remaining bread on top to make 4 marmalade
sandwiches. Cut into triangles and nestle in rows in a large baking dish.
Heat oven to 160°C/140°C fan/gas 3.
2. Beat the milk, cream, eggs, vanilla, sugar and whisky together, then
pour over the bread. Leave to soak for 30 mins.
3. Dot the remaining marmalade all over the top of the pud and dust with
the icing sugar. Bake for 45 mins-1 hr or until puffy and starting to
caramelise where the bread breaks out of the custard. Serve hot or
warm.
The following ingredients are a guideline to some of the foods in season for our
next issue: leeks, carrots, spinach, greens, cauliflower, purple sprouting
broccoli, clams, sardines, cod, crab, tuna, mackerel, salmon, kiwi, oranges,
lamb, pheasant.
If you have your own seasonal recipe that you would like to contribute, please
email us at: theparishlife@hotmail.co.uk
11News from your Parish
Luckington...
Retired in Luckington
Earth Angel
I was trying to remember the songs on the
first EP I ever bought. It was by The Platters
and included “The Great Pretender”, “Smoke
Gets in your eyes” and “Only You”. I could not
remember the fourth song, so onto Mr Google.
My memory was wrong; no “Smoke Gets in
Your Eyes” but “My Prayer” and “The Magic
Touch” were featured.
It reminded me of how music arrived in our
household. In 1954, my father, who was
something of an impulse buyer, especially if
there was a bargain to be had, arrived home
one lunch time with a state-of-the-art
gramophone. It was a smart Philips number
with a featherweight arm, diamond stylus and
a removable lid with a speaker which could be
positioned on the wall for better sound
distribution. We were amazed. The problem was we had no records and my
brother and I did not have the resources to start a collection.
The machine stood idle for some weeks until father arrived home proudly
carrying a large box of 78 rpm, 12 inch wax records. One of them was “We’ll
Gather Lilacs” by Ivor Novello, sung by Webster Booth and Anne Ziegler. It
became my mother’s number one favourite and I will always have fond
12memories of it. The rest of the
records featured more Webster
Booth and excerpts from Gilbert and
Sullivan operas.
I became word perfect in a number
of pieces especially –
I am the very model of a modern
Major-General,
I've information vegetable, animal,
and mineral,
I know the kings of England, and I
quote the fights historical
From Marathon to Waterloo, in order
categorical.
But this was not the kind of thing my
brother (aged 17) felt he should be
listening to, so he saved up to purchase his first record. It was “Earth Angel”
by The Penguins. This was played over and over again so much so, I can still
remember the words:-
13Sherston
Sherston Village Hall — 300+ Club - February Draw
Winners of £20.00 are:
John Burgess Margaret Smith
Carey Smith Janice Botterill
Thanks to all that have already joined but more support is need for the village
Hall to realise it plans when we are Post Covid. Collecting has been difficult
under the current restriction but the Collector are about.
They are:
Elaine Scott – Church Street, Easton Town, Green Lane, Sandpits Lane.
Woods Close, Holmfield
Jill Woodward – Alderton Road, Church Street, Court Street, Forlorn,
Thompsons Hill, Tanners Hill
Judith Woolliams – Easton Town, Gastons Lane, The Tartars
Goug Wilcox – Brook Hill, Cliff Road, Gastons Lane, Pinkney, Silver Street,
Tetbury Road, Westonbirt, Willesley
Mike Tarrant – Anthony Close, Carpenter Close, Easton Square, Gaston
Lane, Grove Road, Noble Street
Rachel Moody – Brook Hill, Silver Street, High Street, Swan Barton
Pat Moody - Court Street, Knockdown Road, Manor Close, Northend Gar-
dens, Saxon Close, Sopworth Road, Strongs Close
More collectors will be needed especially for Pinkney, Westonbirt and Willesley.
If you would like to help out contact Eric (0789 280058) or Goug (07788
558035).
If you want to support the Village Hall and what it is to our village life then sign
up now – there are still 9 draws to go in 2021.
Come and visit us for
Foxley Plumbing & Heating Shrubs, Herbaceous Perennials, Alpines
Oil Boiler Installation, Servicing And Repairs
Oil Tank Replacement
Heating Installation And Repairs
Bathroom Installations
Unvented Cylinder Systems Seed Potatoes, Onion Sets, Seeds
No Job Too Small
Vegetable and Herb Plants
Tim Hibbard
Malmesbury (01666) 822863 Foxley Road, Malmesbury
Mobile 07966 462202 Tel: 822171
Email foxleyph@btinternet.com www.foxleyroadnurseries.co.uk
15Sherston continued...
Fairtrade Fortnight
Fairtrade Fortnight 22 February - 7 March By the time you read
this Fairtrade Fortnight will be well underway. It highlights the
fact that people here can make simple shopping choices to buy
Fairtrade goods which will support the fair treatment of farmers
and workers in the developing world. You may already make
those choices, looking for products such as coffee, cocoa and sugar which carry
the blue and green Fairtrade logo. Did you know that you can also get lots of
other Fairtrade goods including flowers, clothes, toiletries and even gold?
If you can look at the internet, fairtrade.org.uk will give you a much longer list
of all the Fairtrade products that are available and the many suppliers from
whom you can buy them. You can also read the stories of some of the produc-
ers who are helped by the Fairtrade Foundation. The Co-operative Movement
supports Fairtrade, so in Sherston Fairtrade products are easily available in
your local shop. These are usually highlighted in the shop during Fairtrade Fort-
night so should be easy to find. If you are currently visiting main supermarkets
they also stock Fairtrade goods. Perhaps you could make a permanent change
in your buying choices after trying something new
Sherston Church is a registered Fairtrade church and our Coffee Shop has long
OPEN NOW
Insert
Pop into
your local
Co-op Food
Co-op
store today!
advert
here
Find us at:
Midcounties Co-operative Food,
The Old School,
Sherston SN16 0LH
We’re open:
Mon - Sun: 7am - 8pm
16
09365 Advert 9.5cm x 6 (09030) update v1 (ART).indd 1 12/02/2020 13:31used only Fairtrade products. When you can go out and about again look out
for shops, cafes and restaurants which support Fairtrade and see if you can use
them and help them to support the Fairtrade Foundation
Thank you for doing whatever you can to help support some of the poorest
people in the world. During this pandemic they are struggling, while people in
wealthy countries like ours have the comfort of knowing that we will get treat-
ment and vaccines. Through something as simple as your shopping you can
help them
Sue Robinson
Thank you
On behalf of the family, I would like to thank everyone for the many emails,
cards and letters following Ben's unexpected death at the end of November.
Thank you for the memories from those who knew Ben over the 43 years of his
life. They will be a source of amusement and comfort to Catherine, Joshua,
Ethan and Fleur in the years to come.
Thank you to those who did not know Ben for your condolences, kind words
and prayers. They have been much appreciated at this very sad and challeng-
ing time for us all.
Reverend Susan Harvey
17Stanton St Quintin
St Giles Living Churchyard Project
Writing this piece in February, ready for sending off for publication, there is a
trace of snow on the ground, we are due for freezing temperatures all week
and facing the possibility of more snow. As we are in the midst of Lockdown
still, it makes perfect sense to stay indoors in the warm and mull over the seed
catalogues (or binge watch Box sets!)
There is much to look out for by the time we hope to meet in March. Warmer
weather, certainly, and the first signs of Spring will be emerging. Buds will be
appearing on the deciduous trees. You might notice more birdsong, as the
breeding season kicks off. The early snowdrops, which put on such a good
show in the churchyard, will be going over and now will be the time to raise,
split and transplant them to new sites. As we haven’t managed to have an
AGM in February, some decisions may well have to be made as we go along,
but with a long history of working in the churchyard over more than 2 decades,
you can be sure that any decisions will be carefully made.
Our main concern is the raising of Lockdown restrictions. The last thing we
would want to do is go against continuing rules and also, the safety of volun-
teers is vitally important. We managed last year to carry out tasks in a Covid-
safe manner, with distancing, wearing of gloves and use of hand-sanitiser.
Sadly, we couldn’t have our shared refreshments but here’s hoping that things
will be eased by 20th March. Subject to Government guidance, that is when
our next working session will be. It will be a great way to use as exercise
time, in the fresh air, tidying up the churchyard and continuing the long tradi-
tion of making a haven for wildlife. So look out for the 20th March, 9.30 to 12
noon and hopefully we can start the Living Churchyard’s year with the promise
of better times to come.
For more details, contact Ivan 01666 873783 or Liz 01666 837921
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Or visit our yard between Grittleton & Hullavington to discuss your requirements.
18Other News
Message from Wiltshire’s Health and Wellbeing Champion
Coronavirus: a year on
Lockdown 3 has probably been the most difficult lockdown to cope with. The
weather creates its own difficulties at this time of year without the added
stress of enforced isolation whilst we wait for this crisis to pass or to be con-
trolled. I hope that by the time you are reading this, we shall be well on the
way to getting our more vulnerable friends and family vaccinated and we look
forward to getting back to some sort of normality with the brighter and warm-
er days.
Everyone accepts that this last year has had a massive effect on all of us;
whether or not we contracted the virus. With gyms closed, some are appreci-
ating the local walks and the landscape around us much more. On the other
hand, not everyone is able to get out and may have lost some mobility as a
result of this. Technology has been wonderful with so many more of us using
Zoom, Teams, Skype and a load of other methods of keeping in touch with
friends and family. Some phone companies capped call charges so that the
cost of keeping in touch by phone didn’t limit contact. But despite these posi-
tive things, I think we have all experienced anxiety for the future, loneliness
and sense of being isolated. I took the following from the NHS website. It
was written before these strange times and the advice needs to be used in line
with current restrictions, but it may offer some ideas and help, particularly as
we look forward to a reduction in the lockdown restrictions.
Things to try:
try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member, health profes-
sional or counsellor. You could also contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or
email: jo@samaritans.org if you need someone to talk to
consider joining a group or class that focuses on something you enjoy; you
could ask to go along and just watch first if you're feeling nervous
FLUS 4 U
“a clean chimney,
is a safe chimney”
Call HUGH 07885 464137
for your local chimney
sweep
ICS Registered
19 consider visiting places where you can just be around other people – for
example, a park, the cinema or a cafe
consider peer support, where people use their experiences to help each
other.
If you have access to the internet:
Find out more about peer support on the Mind website
try the 6 ways to feel happier, which are simple lifestyle changes to help
you feel more in control and able to cope
find out how to raise your self-esteem
listen to free mental wellbeing audio guides
search and download relaxation and mindfulness apps or online community
apps from the NHS apps library
But:
do not try to do everything at once; set small targets that you can easily
achieve
do not focus on the things you cannot change – focus your time and ener-
gy into helping yourself feel better
do not try not to compare yourself to others. On social media you usually
only see things people want to share
do not try not to tell yourself that you're alone – many people feel lonely
at some point in their life and support is available
do not try not to use alcohol, cigarettes, gambling or drugs to relieve
loneliness; these can all contribute to poor mental health
I hope this may offer some help and as ever, I am around for general help and
support on a wide variety of issues including transport, mobility and safety
around the home and reducing the feeling of loneliness. Give me a call and
leave a message. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Remember, you are not alone, help is around, simply ask!
Ellen Blacker: 07557 922020
Health and Wellbeing Champion, Malmesbury Community Area
20Wear your Daffodil and Unite in Memory
Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end-of-life care charity will this year celebrate
their 35th annual Great Daffodil Appeal, which is held every March. The money
raised from this appeal enables the charity to continue their vital work provid-
ing care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their families.
The coronavirus continues to have a devastating effect on Marie Curie’s fund-
raising. However, there’s still lots of ways people can get involved, with things
like the Step into Spring Challenge in March where people walk 10,000 steps a
day, they can host a virtual collection or buy and wear one of the charity’s
iconic daffodils in memory of a loved one.
This year will be even more special as the charity encourages the nation to
come together to reflect, grieve and remember for a National Day of Reflec-
tion. Tuesday 23rd March 2021 will mark one year since the UK first went into
a nationwide lockdown and Marie Curie is inviting the nation to unite and re-
member those who died and show support and solidarity for those who have
been bereaved. The charity knows how important it is for people to grieve and
the emotional and psychological impact of not being able to say goodbye
properly and grieving in isolation can have.
Due to the pandemic, Marie Curie won’t have their normal collections, so dona-
tions are more important than ever. To support the Great Daffodil Appeal, you
can donate at www.mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil
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21Sermon by MJ Cammish
John Ch.1. v.29. “We have found him.”
Two of Jesus parables deal with men who find very valuable things. There is
the story of the Pearl-merchant who eventually found his long dreamed of
‘pearl od great price’. The other one is about the farmworker who accidentally
dug up the treasure while working in a field. Now the real point in both stories
is that each man had to hand over everything he possessed in order to get his
treasure, but it is not that fact which captures our interest. The fact is that
these stories attract us because in them, people are finding things of immense
value, and a lot of us, however old we may be, never out grow our childhood
delight in the idea of finding treasure!
I believe this is why most people begin to come to church. If questioned, they
may say it’s because they enjoy the singing, or because their friends come or
(even on rare occasions) they hope to hear a good sermon! At bottom, howev-
er, most who come with serious intent come to try to find the Jesus which
Christians make so much fuss about.
We Christians do talk about things which people realise money cannot buy,
such as, contentment, joy, peace and so on. We proclaim loudly that only in
Jesus Christ can such treasures be found. They come to look for that.
Unfortunately, they are often disappointed. (Apart from the fact that we regular
worshippers don’t always radiate contentment, joy and peace). They don’t go
away ‘jumping for joy’ with fears doubts and depressions gone! They have,
perhaps, a picture of a Jesus who was always saying “Follow me” but they don’t
hear any voice save the preacher’s – and he’s usually rather dull. No blinding
light stops them in their tracks. Nothing extraordinary happens. They’ve seen
pictures of crowds ‘going out to the front’ at big religious campaign meetings:
they never feel the urge to do that – even if a preacher invites it.
As a result there is often a growing feeling that this finding Jesus business, if it
is real’ is just for a favoured few. There comes an increasing be life that only
the very religious can get into this Jesus thing. Sooner or later comes the inevi-
table question, “When is it going to happen to me?” and then the final one, “Is
it ever going to happen to me?”
It is mainly to anyone who is feeling like this that I am speaking now. The sud-
den, dramatic, ‘big bang’ conversion when people suddenly find Jesus is hap-
pening all the time. But listen to two other short parables which Jesus told.
“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven (yeast) which a woman put into three
measures of meal, ‘till all was leavened’. And, “The kingdom of heaven is like a
grain of mustard seed which is smaller than any other seed, but when it is
sown it becomes greater than all herbs, and puts out great branches.”
This is how it happens to many of Christ’s true followers – probably to most.
Quietly, often un-noticed something comes into a life and slowly but surely
changes take place. If you are seriously trying to find Him, that something
which comes in will be God’s love, and where His love comes in, changes inevi-
tably take place.
22SO: stop asking if or when it will happen. Look for the tell-tale changes which
show that it IS happening in your life. They may not indicate that you have
found him already. They will show that HE has found you.
If that is so, you will find a new sense of peace and security has entered your
life. Personal problems will not have disappeared, nor will you have become
deaf or blind to the daily news of violence, terrorism or threatened nuclear ca-
tastrophe. But these things will no longer be causing you the fear and distress
of former days. Neither is it because you have become used to living with
them. What has come is the kind of serenity which exists when he is near you.
It is the security of the Christ you have been seeking. When you didn’t realise
it, he has been saying “My peace I give to you.”
You may also find that you possess a new sense of joy. Previously your joy,
happiness or contentment (call it what you will) was probably tied up with suc-
cess at work, or being comfortably off, or having plenty of friends or being in
good health and not having the worry of family illness, or to use an old fash-
ioned term, ‘the blessings of this life’. No: this joy surprises you by being there
even when you have been passing through times of anxiety or even sorrow. It
will still be there in periods when once you would have been miserable. Per-
haps you don’t understand it. I can’t explain it, but a psalmist once wrote, “In
thy presence is fullness of joy” and experience says it is the joy which comes
when Jesus Christ is near.
A third sign may be that your daily life is becoming less boring: it has some
meaning and a sense of purpose it never had before, even though to others
nothing has changed. Your job may seem worthwhile now: the pay used to be
the only satisfaction, but now the job itself gives a feeling of reward.
Here’s an old story, worth repeating. Two men doing exactly the same work on
a building site were askes “What are you doing?” The first replied, “I’m wheel-
ing this barrow up and down all day. It’s worth thirty bob a week.” The other
said, I’m helping to build a cathedral.”
The change may be in that for no apparent reason, the folks you mix with have
become more human. Surprise! Surprise! They’ve suddenly changed for the
better.
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23Years ago a middle aged fisherman in my home town ‘Found him’ (was
‘converted’. If you wish to use that word). The day after this he went fishing as
usual. When he returned he said, “Today I’ve fished from a new boat and with
a new crew”.
When things and people outside and around us appear to be changing for the
better, the real change is always more likely to be in ourselves, for whenever
HE is with us a lot of our everyday life does seem ‘different’.
Yet probably the most important sign of all is that you will have a growing de-
sire to know this Jesus better. You will find yourself instinctively following his
example.
For example, worship and meeting with other followers of Jesus will become
something you feel the need of. It will cease to be a habit, or just ‘something
to do.’ You will look forward to worship. Exciting things may not happen there
but that won’t be worrying you anymore. You couldn’t explain what is different
now, but you feel a difference when something causes you to miss the services
on Sunday.
Prayer will have a new meaning. It used to be something which preachers
bored you with at great length! You tried praying occasionally because you felt
you ought to, but when you did really pray it was because there was some
trouble in your life. You wanted God to do something to help: and usually noth-
ing happened the way you wanted. So praying was no use.
If you find now that you are sometimes actually praying just to say “thank you
God” if increasingly you feel that life is good and happy: if you find you are be-
ginning to talk to him and not at him, then if you have found him, you are very
near to him. Instead when we pray to ‘God, our Father’ we are close to Jesus
for he too said, “Our Father which art in heaven.”
Yet even more, if you have found him, you will find also that the bible is be-
coming more relevant to you. At first there may be no more than a new desire
to read the stories of Jesus: then, perhaps, the Acts of the Apostles or one or
two of Paul’s letters. As you do begin to read this book more carefully you may
have found the stories in the Old Testament appealing more to you. I hope so,
for this is an excellent sign.
As a young man, I developed a love of this Old Testament. At first I believed it
was something I had picked up from my father, who delighted in it.
Then, one night, I was looking at Luke chapter four. I read, “The spirit of the
Lord is upon me because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor.”
Further on I came to “There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah”
and then “There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha and none of
them was healed, only Naaman the Syrian.”
Quickly I turned to Matthew’s book. Jesus said “Jonah was three days and
three nights in the great fish.”
…..To Mark… “The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the
corner.”
And to John…”As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son
24of Man be lifted up.”
…….in just four passages from the gospel writers, Jesus had quoted from six
different Old Testament books.
I had made a precious and vital discovery. When I was reading from Isaiah,
Dueteronomy, the Psalms and so on, I was reading the very books which Jesus
read in Nazareth. Oh, yes! The language and shape of his books were differ-
ent, yet they really were the same. When I read the word of God in the Old
Testament, I am very near to him – and so are you.
If you can honestly see some of these changes in your life, then you are into
‘this Jesus thing.’ You are on the right track. Read the bible, pray, worship and
talk openly with Christian friends and you will soon KNOW that you have found
him.
But: a final word to you all, preacher included who believe they have found
him.
An old local preacher of my youth often referred to the visit to Jerusalem of
the boy Jesus with Joseph and Mary. He would say, “Remember it took them
only one day to lose him but three days to find him again. It is easy to lose
him but mighty hard to find him again.”
If he were here today, he would say, “Brothers and sisters, you have found
life’s greatest treasure. Let nothing, NOTHING, ever cause you to lose your
prize.”
25In the month of March…
It was:
1700 years ago, on 7th March 321, that the Roman Emperor Constantine 1
(Constantine the Great) decreed that Sunday should be a day of rest through-
out the Empire.
1600 years ago, on 25th March 421, that the city of Venice was officially
founded when its first church was dedicated at noon.
300 years ago, on 24th March 1721, that Johann Sebastian Bach dedicated six
of his concertos to Christian Ludwig Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt. They
are now commonly known as the Brandenburg Concertos.
200 years ago, on 19th March 1821, that Sir Richard Burton, British explorer,
writer and translator, was born. He was noted for his translations of The Ara-
bian Nights and the Kama Sutra.
150 years ago, on 29th March 1871, that the Royal Albert Hall in London was
officially opened by Queen Victoria.
80 years ago, on 28th March 1941, that Virginia Woolf committed suicide, aged
59. Author of To The Lighthouse, Mrs Dalloway, Orlando, and A Room of One’s
Own, among others, she was one of the leading modernist writers of the 20th
century.
75 years ago, on 5th March 1946, that Winston Churchill gave his famous ‘Iron
Curtain’ speech in Fulton, Missouri. He used the term to describe the separa-
tion between Soviet and Western countries.
Also 75 years ago, on 25th March 1946, that London’s Heathrow Airport was
opened, as London Airport. It was renamed Heathrow in 1966.
65 years ago, on 23rd March 1956, that Pakistan became the world’s first Is-
lamic Republic.
60 years ago, on 6th March 1961, that George Formby, the ‘ukulele king’ died.
A British comedian, singer and actor, he was best known for his comic songs,
including ‘When I’m Cleaning Windows’.
50 years ago, on 8th March 1971, that the ‘Fight of the Century’ took place at
Madison Square Garden in New York City. Two undefeated heavyweight boxers
fought each other for the world title, with Joe Frazier defeating Muhammed Ali.
40 years ago, on 1st March 1981, that IRA member Bobby Sands began a hun-
ger strike at Maze Prison, Northern Ireland. He was elected as an MP to the
British parliament on 10th April, and died on 5th May.
Also 40 years ago, on 29th March 1981, that the first London Marathon was
held.
30 years ago, on 3rd March 1991, that American construction worker Rodney
King was beaten by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department following a
car chase. The beating was captured on amateur video. When the four offic-
ers were later acquitted in April 1992, it triggered the Los Angeles riots in
which 53 people died and around $1billion worth of damage was caused.
26Also 30 years ago, on 14th March 1991, that the convictions of the Birming-
ham Six were quashed by Britain’s Court of Appeal and they were released
from prison after 16 years. They had been convicted of carrying out pub
bombings in Birmingham in 1974.
Also 30 years ago, on 21st March 1991, that the British Government an-
nounced that the controversial poll tax (officially called the community charge),
which had sparked riots, was to be scrapped and replaced by a new property
tax (council tax) from April 1993.
25 years ago, on 13th March 1996, that the Dunblane Massacre took place in
Scotland. A gunman killed 16 children and a teacher at a primary school and
wounded several others before taking his own life.
Also 25 years ago, on 20th March 1996, that the British Government reported
that Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans was linked to BSE (mad cow
disease) and could be transmitted to humans who ate infected beef. On 25th
March the European Union banned the export of British beef (until 2006).
20 years ago, on 8th March 2001, that British racing driver Donald Campbell’s
speedboat Bluebird was recovered from the bottom of Coniston Water in Cum-
bria. (It had crashed and sank during a record attempt in January 1967 in
which he was killed.)
15 years ago, on 1st March 2006, that the Senedd, the National Assembly for
Wales’s debating chamber, was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in Car-
diff.
10 years ago, on 11th March 2011, that the great Tohoku earthquake and tsu-
nami of Japan took place. It shifted Japan’s main island, Honshu, 2.4 metres
to the east. 15,897 people were killed, 2,533 went missing, and nearly a quar-
ter of a million were made homeless. Three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi
Nuclear Power Plant went into meltdown, leading to the second-largest nuclear
accident in history.
Also 10 years ago, on 15th March 2011, the Syrian Civil War began. It still con-
tinues today.
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27Wordsearch
Can you find the following 28 words in the wordsearch below?
Holy Hungry Glory Stone
Spirit If Worship Foot
Jordan Bread Me Angels
Wilderness Alone Serve Bear
Tempted Kingdom Jerusalem Strike
Devil World Pinnacle Test
Fasted Authority Temple Temptation
28Sudoku
For the uninitiated - to solve the puzzle, each row, column and 3x3 box must
contain each of the numbers 1 to 9.
EASY !! NOT SO EASY !!
6 3 5 9
9 3 4 8 4 9 8
3 6 7 9 6 1 2 4 7
8 5 2 8 4
9 1 3 7
7 3 2 6 6 9 1 3
2 1 5 1 4 7 5 8 9
8 9 5 7 1 2 1 6
7 8 3 1
Answers to the February puzzles:-
‘Easy’ ‘Not so Easy
6 5 1 9 4 8 2 3 7 8 5 2 3 6 1 7 9 4
9 4 7 3 2 6 8 5 1 9 4 1 7 2 8 6 5 3
2 3 8 5 7 1 4 9 6 6 3 7 4 5 9 8 2 1
7 6 5 4 1 2 9 8 3 3 8 5 6 4 7 9 1 2
3 9 2 6 8 5 1 7 4 4 1 6 2 9 3 5 7 8
1 8 4 7 9 3 6 2 5 7 2 9 1 8 5 3 4 6
5 2 9 1 3 4 7 6 8 5 7 3 8 1 4 2 6 9
4 7 3 8 6 9 5 1 2 2 9 4 5 3 6 1 8 7
8 1 6 2 5 7 3 4 9 1 6 8 9 7 2 4 3 5
29Poem of the Month
Spring
By Christina Rossetti
Frost-locked all the winter,
Seeds, and roots, and stones of fruits,
What shall make their sap ascend
That they may put forth shoots?
Tips of tender green,
Leaf, or blade, or sheath;
Telling of the hidden life
That breaks forth underneath,
Life nursed in its grave by Death.
Blows the thaw-wind pleasantly,
Drips the soaking rain,
By fits looks down the waking sun:
Young grass springs on the plain;
Young leaves clothe early hedgerow trees;
Seeds, and roots, and stones of fruits,
Swollen with sap put forth their shoots;
Curled-headed ferns sprout in the lane;
Birds sing and pair again.
There is no time like Spring,
When life’s alive in everything,
Before new nestlings sing,
Before cleft swallows speed their journey back
Along the trackless track –
God guides their wing,
He spreads their table that they nothing lack, –
Before the daisy grows a common flower
Before the sun has power
To scorch the world up in his noontide hour.
There is no time like Spring,
Like Spring that passes by;
There is no life like Spring-life born to die,
Piercing the sod,
Clothing the uncouth clod,
Hatched in the nest,
Fledged on the windy bough,
Strong on the wing:
There is no time like Spring that passes by,
Now newly born, and now
Hastening to die.
30The Last Laugh
Bend
I got a package envelope in the mail the other day that had written on the
front, ‘Photographs: Do Not Bend.
Underneath the postman had written: "Oh yes they do.”
Cats & dogs
Behind every cat that crosses the street, there is a dog saying, "Go ahead, you
can make it."
Dogs believe they are human. Cats believe they are God
The only domestic animal not mentioned in the Bible is the cat.
Little old lady seeks handsome young man
An advert appeared in a student newspaper of a university: “Sweet little old
lady wishes to correspond with good-looking university student – especially a
six-footer with brown eyes, answering to initials J.A.D.” It was signed: “his
mother.”
Paradise lost?
A young mother stood in her kitchen and watched her baby screaming, her
sons fighting, her daughter crying, the washing machine leaking, and the dog
being sick. She sighed and said to her friend: “I sometimes wish I’d loved and
lost.”
Switched on
A housewife was helping her aged mother get up the stairs on their brand-new
stair lift when her uncle telephoned her. He was horrified to hear her say: “I’m
so sorry, but I’ll have to ring you back. I can’t talk right now because I’ve final-
ly got Mother in the electric chair and I’m eager to press the switch and see if
it works!
Observations on modern life
Common sense is not a gift. It's a punishment because you have to deal with
everyone who doesn't have it.
A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On
my desk I have a workstation.
Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't
be promoted.
When two egotists meet, it's an I for an I.
The most welcome guest is the one who knows when to go
home.
31Gauzebrook Listings Doctors, Hospitals & Health Toddler Groups Tolsey Surgery, Sherston 840270 Hullavington Jolly Tots 837310 Malmesbury PC Centre 825825 Luckington Little Monsters 840028 Cirencester Hospital 01285 655711 Sherston Toddler & Baby Group Tetbury Hospital 502336 07885 597429 Chippenham 01249 456403 The Camp, Easton Grey 825500 NHS (non-emergency) 111 Stanton Baby and Toddler Group 837602 Health Visitor (Thelma Burgess) 826186 Little Lights 837522 Pubs & Restaurants Nurseries and Pre-Schools The Old Royal Ship, Luckington 840222 Little Hoots, Hullavington 837604 The Bridge, Sherston 840665 Luckington Pre-School 840028 The Angel, Sherston 841627 Pumpkins Pre-School, Sherston 841190 Stanton Manor, 837552 Schools The Hullavington Arms 837770 Hullavington 837604 The Vine Tree, Norton 837654 Luckington 840297 Whatley Manor 822888 Sherston 840237 Shops/Post Offices Stanton St Quintin 837602 Hullavington 837384 Malmesbury 829700 Luckington 07500 661208. Westonbirt Prep 881400 Sherston 840190 Westonbirt Senior 880333 Bridgmans Farm Shop and Deli 841530 Parish and County Councils Village Halls Easton Grey 841137 Alderton 841212 Hullavington 01249 659842 Hullavington 837096 Luckington & Alderton 800850 Luckington 840818 Sherston 07790 883503 Sherston 841377 Stanton St Quintin 01225 810274 SSQ 837850 Wilts County Council 0300 456 0100 Libraries Vets Mobile 01249 650536 The George Group – 823165/503531 Malmesbury 823611 Other Tetbury 502258 Citizens’ Advice Bureau - 03444 111 444 Leisure Centres Activity Zone, Malmesbury 822533 Cotswolds Leisure, Tetbury 505805 Westonbirt Leisure Centre 881404 Wiltshire Police Emergency 999 Non-emergency 101 All codes 01666 unless stated To include other numbers, or provide updated information, contact theparishlife@hotmail.co.uk Information correct at time of going to print.
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