PURLEY PARISH NEWS - PURLEY ON THAMES For the Church & Community of - Project Purley
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PURLEY
PARISH NEWS
MAY 2004
35P
For the Church & Community of
PURLEY ON THAMESST. MARY THE VIRGIN
PURLEY ON THAMES
RECTOR
Rev. Roger B. Howell
The Rectory, 1 Westridge Avenue
Purley on Thames
Tel: 0118 941 7727
Email: rbh@bradean.fsnet.co.uk
CURATE
Rev. Jean Rothery
“Oaklea”, Tidmarsh Road
Tidmarsh
Tel: 0118 984 3625
ORDAINED LOCAL MINISTER
Rev. Andrew Mackie
12 Church Mews
Purley on Thames
Tel: 0118 941 7170
CHURCHWARDENS
Sally Robertson Lorna Herring
Tel: 0118 962 5978 Tel: 0118 942 1547
CHURCH HALL BOOKINGS
Lorna Herring
Tel: 0118 942 1547
BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS
All enquiries should be made to the Rector
www.stmarythevirgin.fsnet.co.uk
1FROM THE
LOCAL MINISTER
We all face change at various times
of our lives.
This has been a time of change for
David, my son. For years he has
been used to cramming into his days
yet another activity, relying on his
parents to act as a taxi service,
ferrying him just in time from one engagement to the next. The pages of
his diary have become ever darker as his commitments have jostled across
the paper for some white space. Our cries of “slow down” have fallen on
deaf ears. Recently, however, he was diagnosed as having glandular
fever. His life has changed. He has had to learn to say “No”, to listen to
his body and have a rest when he needs it.
This is a time of change for the Church. It is over a year now since Bishop
Dominic moved to Wales. We have had the appointment of a new bishop
and his well-publicised subsequent withdrawal. And in the last few months
we have learned that Canon Stephen will be the next Bishop of Reading.
He and his family have recently moved into the Bishop’s House, and by the
time you read this he may well have started his ministry among us
following a no doubt memorable service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 4th.
Change can be welcome or unwelcome. David has not welcomed his
enforced change of lifestyle. I am sure that we all welcome Bishop
Stephen and the changes he will bring. We wish him and his family
happiness in the years ahead in Berkshire.
At the beginning of April we celebrated Easter. That brought a welcome
change to many of us, including a change from the usual routine with a
couple of days holiday from work.
Easter celebrates change. It was a change which many initially found
painful. In Church on Good Friday we marked the pain of the death of
Jesus with a service marking his last hour of life. The building was devoid
of colour. Among other things, we recalled that Peter, one of his closest
companions over the preceding three years, said three times that he did
not know Jesus. We tried to imagine how he felt as he became aware of
the piercing gaze of Jesus.
It was a change which turned from pain to wonder on Easter Day. On the
Sunday we remembered Peter again. He ran to the tomb to confirm with
his own eyes what the women had told him, that the tomb was empty! I
wonder what mixed emotions Peter had over the next few days as he met
Jesus again.
2At the end of May, we will celebrate another welcome change – Pentecost.
We will celebrate the day when the Holy Spirit completed the
transformation of Peter – from the person who couldn’t bring himself to
truthfully answer a servant girl’s question about even knowing Jesus, to
the person who spoke out about Jesus to an incredulous crowd of
thousands.
Why not join us as we celebrate that day? Come along to St. Mary’s at
10:30 on Sunday, May 30th – if my calculations are right there’s another
holiday from work the following day. It could be a time of welcome change
for you too.
With best wishes,
Andrew
PARISH REGISTERS
CONFIRMATION
4 April (At Greyfriars, Reading)
Fiona Adnett
Ronald Benn
Fiona Sidorowicz
Natalie Spurling-Holt
FUNERAL
1 April Beryl Webb aged 80 years (cremation)
29 March Daphne House aged 74 years (cremation)
ADVANCE NOTICE
Following the roaring success of last year’s Community Harvest Supper at
The Barn, a similar event is being planned for Saturday 25 September.
Book the date in your diaries now and make sure you get your tickets
when they become available.
THE FUTURE OF ST. MARY’S CHURCH
On Sunday 16 May at all three services (9:30am; 11:15am and 6:00pm)
we shall be focussing our thoughts on what the future holds for St. Mary’s
Church. This, to a large extent, will depend on what finances are
available. St. Mary’s is the parish church for this community. As part of it,
if you care, come please!
3CHURCH SERVICES
2 May 9:30 a.m. Family Worship
11:15 a.m. Holy Communion
6:00 p.m. Holy Communion
9 May 9:30 a.m. Family Worship
11:15 a.m. Holy Communion
16 May 9:30 a.m. Family Communion
11:15 a.m. Morning Worship
6:00 p.m. Evening Worship
20 May 8:00 p.m. Holy Communion at St Andrew’s, Bradfield
Ascension Day Preacher: Keith Gruneberg
23 May 9:30 a.m. Family Worship
11:15 a.m. Holy Communion
30 May 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion
Pentecost
6 June 9:30 a.m. Family Worship
11:15 a.m. Holy Communion
6:00 p.m. Holy Communion
The next opportunity to pray for Purley
with Christians from several different
churches will be on Monday 7 June at
8 p.m. at St. Mary's church.
Further details available from Sally
Robertson (962 5978).
The South American Mission Society asks for
special prayer during the week 25-30 May. At St Mary’s our SAMS mission
partner is Pat Blanchard who is working in Lima, Peru. Pat works with
some of the poorest people in Lima’s shanty towns and has recently been
helping a lady called Vanessa get a vital operation for her daughter
Adriana which is being performed, free of charge, by a medical team from
the USA. Please pray for Pat’s work and also for a speedy recovery for
Adriana following her operation.
4PURLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
SPRING SHOW
We held a successful Show in April and considering the early
season for most daffodils, I was rather pleased to see such a
fine display of daffodils, etc. Despite a fine day, it was disappointing that
more people did not visit the Show, but perhaps the various sporting
events taking place that day were a contributory factor. Many thanks to all
the exhibitors and those who helped in the running of the Show.
Congratulations to Ray Stuart of Pangbourne who gained most points and
won the Springs Farm Cup, narrowly beating Sybil Pryor.
PLANT SALE
This will take place on Saturday 22 May in the Memorial Hall car park
starting at 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. (approx.) Bedding plants, etc. will
be available, so do please come along and support the Society.
GARDEN VISITS, ETC.
Tilehurst Horticultural Society will be organizing the following trips this
year:
Birdworld Park Gardens, Farnham, Surrey, Wednesday, 30 June,
leaves YMCA 1 p.m., cost £16, including entrance, coach and tip for driver.
Could pick up at Walnut Way, Tilehurst 12:50.
BBC Gardeners World, Birmingham, Saturday, 19 June leaves Reading
Station SA bus stop at 8.45 a.m. and Walnut Way 9 a.m. £23.60 inclusive.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses, Sunday, 18 July
(Sundays in the summer they have Bands playing), £15.50 inclusive.
Leaves Walnut Way 9 a.m.
Longleat House and Gardens also the Safari Park, Saturday,
14 August, £20.50 inclusive. Reading Station SA bus stop 9 a.m., Walnut
Way 9:15.
If you are interested in any of the above trips, please ring Edna, tel. No.
967 7025
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
As an affiliated Society we hold a card that provides reduced entrance
prices to the R.H.S. Gardens at Wisley, Rosemoor and Hyde Hall. The
reduced price is available for one member and one guest (member or
otherwise). If you require further information or would like to use the
card, please contact Pat Brightwell on 9412424.
5The Society is always in need of your support, so please renew your
subscription (only £1.50 per year) and buy your gardening requirements at
the Trading Shed whenever possible. The opening times are 10 a.m. until
11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays (Memorial Hall Car Park). If you need
items not stocked in the Trading Shed, there is a catalogue available and
Bob Hawkins is always willing to advise and help you make your choice.
New members are always welcome.
We hope your gardening will be enjoyable and successful this year. It is
time to plan what you can grow to exhibit at the Late Summer Show to be
held on Saturday, 11 September.
Marion Dabbs
942 2349
FAMILY TREASURE HUNT & TEA
On the afternoon of SUNDAY 13 JUNE
(staggered starting times from 1:45pm)
Spend a fun and interesting afternoon with the family, or group of friends,
(the more the merrier!), solving observational and cryptic clues on a set
route along attractive footpaths and sleepy backwaters of Whitchurch-on-
Thames. The route will be mostly level, and on good paths, so
Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Mums and Dads will all be able to join in
along with the children, who will have their own ‘treasures’ to find!
The full route will take 1½ - 2 hours to complete at a gentle pace, allowing
time to ‘look’, with an optional shortcut for anyone who wishes to get back
for tea more quickly!!
Refreshments will be for sale in the marquee, which will be erected in
idyllic surroundings on private water meadows abutting the River Thames.
Here there will be room for the children to play while the adults sit back
and soak up the atmosphere, or perhaps wander along paths cut through
the meadow to see a multitude of wild flowers, including orchids.
Prizes will be awarded to the team with the most points
and to all the children
Treasure Hunt Tickets- £3 per adult with children 12 and under, free
BOOK YOUR TEAM’S TIME SLOT IN ADVANCE!
(limited number of teams able to compete)
Contact Nicki Woodward ASAP on 9841919
(Proceeds to St Mary’s Church)
6PURLEY PATHFINDERS
Thank you to the many people who told me that they had missed reading
about our walks in the April mag. (Sorry, missed the deadline!) It is
rewarding to know that, apart from the 100 ladies of Purley Pathfinders
who enjoy our walks, there is a whole group of ‘armchair’ walkers amongst
the Parish Mag readers who say they ‘come on our walks with us’ as they
read the article each month. Well, here goes. I’ve some wonderful walks
to take you on.
It is said that ‘March comes in like a lion’, but for our first walk in March we
were lucky to find the day dawning dry and bright. Attractive woods took
us out of Hermitage to pass the home of the Cats Protection League and a
bungalow with a menagerie of ducks, chickens and guinea pigs rummaging
about the garden. We gained lovely views across the fields of West
Berkshire, lush and green on this spring day after rain. A fine house came
into view – the former home of H. M. Bateman, cartoonist for Punch in the
1930’s. We passed the pretty village school from where children tumbled
out to play. Soon we were climbing through woodland, throughout which
primroses were just coming into flower. D. H. Lawrence lived in Hermitage
and, whilst there, he wrote ‘there are primroses in the wood – and
avenues of yellow catkins, hanging like curtains.’ We were probably
looking at descendants of those 20th century posies! As we left the wood
we found ourselves skirting the edge of quarries. A pleasant tree-lined
footpath has been created, which distracted us from the closeness of the
M4. Eventually we were back in woodland, to emerge opposite Hilliers
Garden Centre where we enjoyed a browse and lunch.
Our theme for 2004 is ‘The River Thames’, and with this in mind, our
Springtime Special was a walk to find the Source of the Thames. Settling
back in our coach we skimmed along under a blue sky to ‘Cotswold
Country’. It was not long before the distinctive mellow dry stone walls
dotted the landscape. Then, near Kemble, we noticed the dry riverbed,
passing under low Cotswold stone bridges – the route of The River
Thames! After such a dry summer and winter we were not surprised to
find this early stretch of the Thames was dry. Undaunted, we left the
coach at The Tames Head Inn and set off across the fields in search of The
Source of the Thames. And, there in a Gloucestershire field known as
Trewsbury Mead, beside an ash tree, we found the humble beginnings of
the mighty Thames. An engraved stone announced this as the official
beginning of the Thames as it starts its 183 mile journey to The Thames
Barrier in London. (Destination of our Summertime Special in July – watch
this space!) Photos taken, we headed back to our coach and headed
further down river to Letchlade, by which time the Thames had surfaced to
become a reasonably wide river. We set out to explore its banks on foot.
Crossing the Ha’penny Bridge, the steeple of St Lawrence Church stood as
a dominant feature of the landscape.
7We followed the meandering
Thames, walking within
Wiltshire, with Gloucestershire
on the opposite bank. As we
approached St John’s Lock we
passed into Oxfordshire. At
the lock, the first on the
Thames, we found the
sculpture of Old Father
Thames which originally
resided at The Source.
Having been moved here in
1974 to protect him from
vandals, he no doubt
approved of his pleasant
surroundings, set amongst
the flower beds. Crossing the
bridge, we now walked in
Gloucestershire as we headed
back towards Letchlade. A
splendid willow and hawthorn
arbour led us to an ancient
walkway known as ‘Shelley’s
Walk’. This took us to St
Lawrence Church where a
plaque holds a line from
Shelley’s poem, ‘A Summer Evening Churchyard’, dedicated to the church’s
lofty spire. Our walk was to be a figure of eight, so we walked along the
old village street, window shopping in the interesting shops such as the
Antiques Arcade and the Christmas Shop. Soon civilisation was left behind
once more as we walked a path strewn with snowdrops and daffodils.
Eventually we crossed the river again, this time via a humped wooden
footbridge. We paused here to enjoy the breathtaking view downstream
towards Letchlade, where the church steeple stood, bathed in sunshine.
On our way back we passed boats moored at the first navigable point on
the Thames. The ‘Riverside’ café came into view, and soon we were
inside, tucking into Cream Teas – just the thing to end our most enjoyable
day out in The Cotswolds!
Daffodils, with their trumpets heralding the arrival of spring, were the
inspiration for our next walk. Leaving the village of Woodcote, we were
soon walking in fine open countryside. We dropped down through a field
in which lambs gambolled after their mothers. On the banks, primroses
and daffodils stood out amongst remaining snowdrops, and the first
celandines opened their polished faces of golden yellow. We crossed to a
track, running alongside Elvendon Priory. Elvendon means ‘fairy hill’, and
it was by means of a hill with which we left the priory in its tranquil valley
8setting. Perhaps fairies had been at work, for the hill swept up between
magical wide drifts of cheerful daffodils. Wonderful! We headed for The
Great Chalk Wood where we found the ground thick with the green shoots
of bluebells – a promise of delights to come. By Bottom Farm we paused
to take in the stunning view across wide fields, before returning to
Woodcote to reflect on our lovely, varied spring walk.
We were welcomed to Christmas Common by several of the resident Red
Kites. We looked forward to our walk in the breathtaking Chiltern scenery
as, effortlessly, we made our way down a lane with far-reaching views
across open countryside towards Turville. Bluebell shoots and varied wild
flowers added to the pleasure. We took our break in an open barn with
convenient hay bales to sit on. Our rural walk continued on a route almost
parallel to our outward leg, firstly in open countryside, and then in
woodland; a contrast which added to the interest of the walk. Back at
Christmas Common we enjoyed lunch in the Fox & Hounds.
March certainly ‘left like a lamb’ for it dawned a beautifully sunny day for
our walk by the Thames along a stretch known as ‘Cottage Reach’. On our
way to this picturesque part of the river, we enjoyed gazing into the spring
gardens en route, especially the 8-acre garden of Thames-Side Court with
its extensive narrow gauge railway, complete with impressive station
complex! We walked along the riverbank, watching a variety of waterfowl,
busy on the water. In ‘Three Men in a Boat’ Jerome K. Jerome wrote of
this stretch, ‘It is a part of the river in which to dream of bygone days.’
Certainly, on this warm, sunny day, it was possible to see how dreams
could be inspired! We paused at the lock to watch some boats manoeuvre
through, before crossing the wooden bridges which took us out into the
middle of the river above the roaring, foaming weir – a far cry from the
gentle Thames seen in Gloucestershire! Leaving the river behind we
headed for Harpsden where we found its 12th century church. We went
inside through the porch with its Roman floor tiles, then took our break in
the warm, sunny churchyard. Opposite, at Harpsden Court Farm, we
noticed the barn walls made up of old wallpaper blocks. A walk through
the peaceful Harpsden beech woods completed our walk, and we headed
for the garden centre for a browse and lunch.
Our April and May walks are planned to take full advantage of the beauty
to be seen in nearby bluebell woods at this time of year. Our fifth
birthday, on 11th May, will be celebrated at Cliveden where we will
continue our theme with a walk along the Thames, beneath the splendid
hanging woods.
Any ladies wishing to join us on our walks, please ring for a programme.
You will be made very welcome.
Nicki Woodward
9841919
9PURLEY CRICKET CLUB
PURLEY ON THAMES CRICKET CLUB
ACHIEVES MARK OF QUALITY
Purley on Thames cricket club has become only the
second cricket club in Berkshire to gain the valuable
‘Clubmark’ award from the ECB. Andy Hobbs (County Cricket
Development Officer) made the presentation to the club during the pre-
season club “open evening” recently at the club’s ground.
The Clubmark is a Sport England initiative which provides a ‘kitemark’ of
quality for sports clubs. It is open to any club which fulfils the necessary
criteria. The purpose is to identify those clubs which have shown that they
are properly and efficiently managed, which provide a safe environment for
young players to learn and enjoy their sport, and which have a high
standard of ethics towards all senior and junior members.
Purley on Thames currently runs junior age groups from 6 – 17
years and 2 Adult Teams on both Saturdays and Sundays, and
would welcome anyone interested in playing to contact us on the
number below.
Martin Bishop, Purley on Thames Club Chairman on 0118 945 3117.
http://purleyonthames.play-cricket.com
PUT THE DATE IN YOUR DIARY NOW!!
Party in the Park
Bucknell’s Meadow, Purley on Thames
18th July 2004, 3 – 6 p.m.
Displays Games Music
Bring your own picnic
10PURLEY ON THAMES PARISH COUNCIL
At a recent Parish Council meeting representatives of Sovereign Housing &
Thames Valley Police attended to discuss vandalism & anti-social
behaviour. Again a request was made that all incidents should be reported
on the Police non-emergency telephone number 08458 505 505. Following
an earlier arson incident, the dog litter bin at Pikeshaw Woodland has now
been replaced together with repairs to the gate & fencing. Additional bins
have also been sited at the other Pikeshaw entrance and at the Purley
Village end of Mapledurham Drive. Will all dog owners help to keep the
village clean by using one of the numerous bins located throughout the
parish.
At the April meeting the Council agreed to encourage local residents to
make full use of the Post Office on Purley Rise following closure of sub Post
Offices elsewhere. Following an approach for the use of an area of the
Goosecroft Recreation Ground for an Airwaves mast for the emergency
services the Council have agreed a policy which is available on request. In
the event that this proceeds the applicant will be required to submit a
planning application which will follow the usual procedures for public
consultation.
Local organisations who are seeking funding are reminded that applications
may be made to the Eastern Area Forum of West Berkshire Council for
financial support. We understand that at least one local group has been
rewarded this year so why not investigate the possibility for next year.
The Parish Council are being asked for their views on an increasing number
of individual planning applications as well as on larger sites at Long Lane &
Roebuck Rise. WBC will usually notify adjacent property owners by letter
and plans, when received, can be viewed at the office during our normal
opening hours or at Pangbourne Library throughout the week when open.
The Mobile Library has advised us of changes to their timings as shown
below:
Orchard Close 1.45 to 2.00 p.m.
Memorial Hall 2.05 to 2.20 p.m.
Hazel Road 2.40 to 3.05 p.m.
Farm Close 3.15 to 3.30 p.m.
Purley Church 3.35 to 4.20 p.m.
Visits will be made on the following Thursdays:
May 6th & 27th, June 17th, July 8th & 29th, August 19th, September 9th & 30th
11The public Annual Parish Meeting is scheduled to be held in the Barn on
Thursday 13th May at 7.30 p.m. and local residents are invited to attend.
Please watch the notice boards for confirmation and further information.
Brian J. Smith
Clerk to Purley on Thames Parish Council
The office is located near the tennis Purley on Thames Parish Council
courts and is open: Parish Office
Goosecroft Lane
Mondays: 5.45 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. off Beech Road
(except bank holidays) Purley on Thames
Reading
Thursdays: 9.00 a.m. to 3.15 p.m. RG8 8DR
Tel/fax: 0118 984 4507
Adult Education classes in Purley
for West Berkshire Education
Short courses starting soon
FREE
The Barn
Thursday 7.30 –9.30
Introduction to Archaeology 20th May for 3 weeks FREE
Life in a Berkshire Workhouse 24th June for 3 weeks FREE
With tutor local archaeologist Karen Elliott
Purley Memorial Hall
Saturday 10 – 1 p.m. one session taster - ALL FREE
Family French morn (for parent and child) (YR8217) 8th May for 1 morning
Intro to Indian Head Massage (YR8218) 22nd May "
Calligraphy (YR8224) 12th June "
(Coffee table) Psychology (YR8219) 19th June "
Mother and daughter dance morning (YR8220) 26th June "
Yoga taster (YR8221) 3rd July "
Tai Chi taster (YR8222) 10th July "
Family Spanish morn (for parent and child) (YR8223) 17th July "
To book your FREE place:
Please phone Customer Services on 0800 371 434 to book a place
Full programme for Purley planned to start in September, but if you have a
subject you would really like to see run locally please contact Diane
Sanderson who would be interested to hear about them. Please tel. 0118
967 5508 or email sandersond@reading-college.ac.uk
12MESSAGE FROM HOME FARM
The dairy herd was turned out to grass before Easter, albeit by day only
and we are restricting grass intake by strip grazing behind an electric
fence. Too much lush grass tends to pass through the cows rather too
quickly causing severe digestive problems which in turn results in a drop in
milk butterfat for which we are paid. Milk as I am sure you are all aware
has a very low fat level; not many products claim to be more than 96% fat
free!
Turning the cows out has the advantage of reducing the daily routine work
and with all the family home I had time to support Vicky and Ian (long
time employee) in their attempt on the Devizes to Westminster Canoe race
which is held every year at Easter. There were four teams representing
Pangbourne Canoe Club. Vicky and Ian crossed the finishing line at
10.40am on Easter Sunday morning having paddled 124 miles with 79
portages in 27hrs 21mins non-stop. The entire family and plenty of friends
cheered them on, and watched them cross the finish line just under
Westminster Bridge opposite The Houses of Parliament. This was a great
achievement, having had to retire last year but…. it seemed to be lost on
the Japanese tourists more intent on having their photos taken in front of
Big Ben!
Easter is also the traditional time for gardeners to emerge from hibernation
and attack their gardens with renewed vigour. Lawns are mowed, hedges
cut back, weeds are dug up etc. etc. Some gardeners would never put any
organic matter into a rubbish bin, as the compost heap at the bottom of
the garden was the source of nutrition for the vegetables. Yet today, many
folk with smaller gardens just see it as waste and use the easiest option of
getting rid. This is a problem that W. Berks is looking at. Although there
are special areas for “compostable” matured at most dumps
(sorry…collection sites!), there is no collection service. Maybe every
household will be issued with a green wheelie bin and have a separate
collection service. Watch this space!!
What another non-controversial article from Metcalfe, I hear you say.
Perhaps next month I will write about some planning issues; maybe the
flood lights on the all-weather pitch at Brookfield’s School or the new hall
for the Village School or the aerial mast on the Beach Road recreation
ground. Has anybody considered that if the proposed flood defence system
is built, Bucknells meadow would be no more? How would speed humps
through the village suit folk? Or..........
Tim Metcalfe
Parish and District Councillor
1330TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON
Following their very successful Birthday Concert in
February Pangbourne Choral Society will be concluding
their 30th Anniversary Season at 7:30 p.m. on
Saturday 22 May with their summer concert which will
include a performance of Rossini's Petite Messe
Solonnelle in the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne College.
One of Rossini's last works, the Petite Messe is neither very 'Petite' nor
particularly 'Solonnelle' bringing more than a hint of his vast opera
repertoire to the Mass. It will be performed in its original version for
chorus, soloists, harmonium and pianos.
The choir will be joined for the first time by Naomi Watson (soprano) as
well as return appearances by soloists Elinor Carter (Mezzo) and Julian
Hubbard (Baritone); and as usual all under the baton of their Director of
Music, Darren Everhart.
Tickets (£8 adults, £2 U-18s) are available from Premier Pet Store
Pangbourne, or (with cheque to 'PCS' and SAE) by post from PCS Tickets,
13 Shooters Hill, Pangbourne, RG8 7DZ. Their February concert sold out 2
weeks in advance so you have been warned - early booking is advised.
Further information from www.pangbournechoralsociety.fsnet.co.uk
or email: pcs@musician.org
VILLAGE PLAN QUESTIONNAIRE
LAST FEW DAYS TO RETURN YOURS!
The public response to the village plan questionnaire has been extremely
positive. But we still need all your completed questionnaires returned by
the 3rd May to ensure that all your views count. Your Village Plan
representative will be calling to collect the questionnaire or you can return
it in the freepost envelope provided to the Parish Office, Goosecroft Lane,
Beech Lane.
If you want to talk with someone about the plan then please phone Penny
Williams on 841 1310 or Richard McDonald on 942 6056 or Ben Viljoen on
984 3170.
The report on the Village Plan will be sent to all households in Purley on
Thames during the autumn. We will also provide an update on how the
consultation has gone in the next issue of Purley Parish News.
14COME ALONG
GET IN THE PICTURE!
ANNUAL PAINTINGS
EXHIBITION
5-6 June - Pangbourne Village Hall
It is expected some 400 paintings by about 100 local artists will be
exhibited at Pangbourne Village Hall, on Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and
June 6, 2004. This will be the seventh year the Rotary Club of Pangbourne
have organised this very successful Paintings Exhibition.
Last year over £2,600 was raised and distributed to mainly local charities.
This year the main charities to benefit will be The Living Paintings Trust,
the Society for Deaf Children plus various local good causes.
So please do come along and support local artists.
The exhibition will be open to the public on Saturday from 10 a.m. until
6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is only £1.
This is your opportunity to see probably the largest display of the work of
local artists and maybe to purchase a picture. Prices start from about £15.
Artists are mainly from within a radius of 15 miles of Pangbourne,
including Reading, Newbury, Mortimer, Henley, Pangbourne, Basildon,
Tilehurst, Whitchurch, Goring and other local areas.
Last year there was considerable interest in the exhibits, about 500 visitors
coming along to view the work of the artists. As a result over 80 paintings
were purchased.
For further information contact Cliff Meredith on 0118 984 3721
ROTARY CLUB OF PANGBOURNE
A brief summary of what do we do?
At the recent Senior Citizens’ annual party, organised by
the Rotary Club of Pangbourne, a guest commented that
she thought the purpose of Rotary was to ‘raise money’.
Well, yes we do. But we also get involved in many other
things, in particular in supporting the local community
around Pangbourne and district.
We support the community. These are some of the local community
events in which we have been involved: Senior Citizens’ Annual Party in
Pangbourne for nearly 100; Kids Out Day when handicapped children have
been taken to Thorpe Park or Legoland for a day; Rotarians assist with
15conducting Mock Interviews at local schools; Youth Speaks public speaking
contests held annually between local schools; Transport for the Annual
Christmas Carol Service at the Falklands Chapel; Vocational Training
Schools for able-bodied and handicapped local participants and last year
we sponsored a local handicapped youth for a week on a Jubilee Sailing
Club course to go around the Canaries on a sailing ship.
We do raise money. The money we raise is targeted towards supporting
many local worthy causes with funding. The Rotary Club of Pangbourne
has four main annual fundraising events—a Golf Day; a Dragonboat Racing
at the Fete; Bowlathon; and a Summer Paintings Exhibition in the village
hall. I have no doubt that there are those of you reading this who will have
attended some of the events and will have contributed to their success.
Funds raised are for mainly local charities. Some of the beneficiaries have
been Brookfield Special School, Tilehurst; Purley Park Trust for Adults with
Learning Disabilities; Breast Cancer Awareness; Berkshire Hospital Cardiac
Unit; Naomi House Children’s Hospice; Sue Ryder; John Simmonds Trust
summer camp for children; Berks Community Fund; the Dolphin Centre;
the recent Iran earthquake appeal, and many more.
Rotary is in an international service organisation with clubs all over the
world and in 163 countries, with hundreds of thousands of active members
Rotary has been the main supporter of the eradication of Polio worldwide,
having contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to this cause; setting up
eye camps for cataract removal, providing wells and other basic needs in
third world countries. The list of international aid is endless. The Rotary
Club of Pangbourne also contributes some funds annually to international
causes.
The Club meets weekly on a Monday at The George Hotel, The Square,
Pangbourne. If anyone would like to know about Rotary in general or your
local Club, please contact Cliff Meredith on 0118 9843721
THANK YOU!
Around 200 people visited Cherry Acre over the two days in April to enjoy
‘Springtime in the Garden’. The sun shone wonderfully on the Friday, and
the rain stayed away for the most part of the Sunday. Much tea and cake
was consumed, and many visitors went away with a bargain plant under
their arm!
Many thanks go to all who supported this event. £502.77 was raised for
St. Mary’s Church.
Nicki Woodward
P.S. Photos of this event will be on www.stmarythevirgin.fsnet.co.uk soon.
16Saturday 15 May at 7:30pm
St Mary’s Church
Tickets (£2.50) available from:
Roger Howell: 0118 941 7727
Lorna Herring: 0118 942 1547
17PURLEY TENNIS CLUB
New season begins
The new season at the Purley on Thames Club
begins this month and now is the time to dust
off the rackets and get in touch with one of
the committee to learn about the great new events.
The official start of the season is on Sunday 9 May with the LTA “don’t just
watch - play” event. This will be a fun packed day filled with amateur
coaching from club “experts”, the odd friendly game and a general chance
to meet the current members. Plenty of freebies and prizes are on offer.
Juniors should attend from 11 until 1pm and seniors (and more advanced
juniors) from 1pm until 4pm. For more information about the Play Tennis
event please contact Bev Mackenzie on 07967 709771
Junior coaching
Informal junior coaching begins weekly from Saturday 1 May from 9:30
until 10:30. Friendly coaches are on hand to offer advice. All ages and
standards are welcome.
Court availability – club sessions
• Wednesday afternoons Club session 1.30 pm (all through the year)
• Saturday mornings 10:30 a.m. - Club session adults and older juniors
• Monday evenings 6:30 p.m. onwards
• Thursday evenings
Summer league matches begin at the beginning of June - possible team
players are always welcome.
For membership enquiries please contact: Colin Moses (Chairman)
0118 984 5429; or Judy or Martin Dickins (Membership Secretaries)
0118 941 2399 - new members are very welcome.
TRENTHAM BOWLS CLUB
Bowling Green Lane, Purley on Thames
OPEN DAY
Come along and try your hand at Bowls
All ages welcome
All you require is a pair of flat soled shoes
Saturday 8 May, 10 a.m. onwards
18PURLEY W.I.
Those of us who visited the Spring Council Meeting at the Hexagon were
truly entertained by David Battie from the Antiques Road Show and
intrigued with his own personal pieces. A young man from the Woodland
Trust mentioned a new theory which is a study of the seasons and another
idea is to plant 12 million trees, via all the British school children, so if you
want a tree, SHOUT! Jean Shepherd, our area chairman, mentioned that
one of this year’s Resolutions comes from our own county – news of this
next month. A crime watch leaflet was circulated which warns us to be
cautious when opening our front doors!
What goes through your mind when the word “WORKHOUSE” is
mentioned? Tears, horror and the thought of a pauper’s grave produces
much grief. This was confirmed when Janet Southall gave a detailed
report on Battle Workhouse. Very strict rules were enforced where seven
foot high walls were built to separate husbands from wives. Most
unrewarding jobs were bailed out and the poor were treated like criminals.
John Kendrick at one time left £7000 to the Mayor towards attending the
needs of the poor but when the scheme faded, a strong house was built on
the grounds of the new oracle (that being the original Oracle). The potato
famine meant more people moved from Ireland which meant more mouths
to feed. Many changes were made and a more sympathetic attitude
towards the poor was adopted. Land from Hastings (Battle of Hastings,
this is where our history comes into its own) was provided, so we ended up
at the Battle Hospital. The up-to-date news is the only part of the Hospital
which will remain is the Committee Rooms – Sad.
Flower Competition 1st Muriel Haime (Trillium)
2nd Shirley Cooper
Competition Edna Bint – floral design
Decorated Egg Bernadini Perry – Humpty Dumpty
The subject for May’s meeting is this year’s Resolutions and the meeting
will be on Wednesday 12th May, 7:30 Purley Memorial Hall, Glebe Road
Competition: May Queen headdress
Stall: Nearly new clothes
Visitors Welcome.
LUMPS, BUMPS AND DOUGHNUTS
I love doughnuts, chip sarnies and garlic omelettes, so imagine how I felt
last year when I “went off food”. I couldn’t eat, wouldn’t eat and when I
did it was stressful. After a change in diet and much T.L.C. from Battle
19and Royal Berkshire Hospital, a blockage was discovered and in November
a lump was removed from the intestine. Unfortunately the problem moved
along and another operation was suggested at Basingstoke Hospital in
March of this year.
What’s this all about you ask! Well, it’s not about me, it’s about you. This
is my opportunity to thank you all for your kind thoughts, cards, prayers
and flowers during this time. Such concern does help.
As of yet I haven’t been given the magical words “all clear” but while
waiting, life is sweet and so are doughnuts! – Wonderful.
Sylvia Conquest
941 1936
The Thames Vale Singers
present
the Songs from
“Patience”
or
Bunthorne’s Bride
By W.S Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan
at the Purley Memorial Hall, Purley on Thames on:
Friday 21st May and Saturday 22nd May 2004.
Performances will commence at 8pm
Tickets will cost £5 for Adults and £4 for Senior Citizens and Children
To obtain your tickets or for more details please contact Peter Farrow,
TVS Chairman on (0118) 941 3887
PURLEY SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB
Congratulations to Mark Jeal, the winner of a two-week, all-inclusive
holiday for 2 to Montego Bay, Jamaica. The holiday was first prize in a
national draw won by the Club in a recent promotion by Coors
Brewers/Coca Cola and which was raffled to members. The raffle raised
almost £ 1,400 for the Club’s Charity Fund, which this year is for the
benefit of Purley Park Trust and DebRA.
20PROJECT PURLEY
The annual walkabout this year will take place on May 21st and will be a
tour of the historic High Street in Theale led by Roy Townsend. Members
should meet at 7 p.m. (please note time) at the west end of Church
Street. Park near the Volunteer public house, opposite Theale Green
Secondary School, the Police Station or the Library. Please share cars if
possible. The walk will take approximately 1 to 2 hours.
On March 19th Tony Corley talked to the Society about the Reading
Company Huntley and Palmer. Quakers refused to swear allegiance to the
crown, and so their business ventures were often to do with food. In 1824
Thomas Huntley a scholarly Quaker set up a business in hand made
biscuits. The ingredients were of the best and unadulterated and he was
honest in his dealings. His biscuit shop in Reading was opposite a post-
coaching inn. As food at the inn was poor the customers bought Huntley's
biscuits. By 1841, news of the quality of the biscuits had travelled all over
the south of England.
George Palmer had the idea of making a system of continuous biscuit
making and this technology was in the hands of William Exor. In time the
son and daughter of the Huntley and Palmer partnership were married. In
1846, an old silk mill was taken over and the business went from strength
to strength. Packing was done on site. The female and male workers were
segregated. Marketing was at first through agents and later through rep's.
Eventually George Palmer's son Samuel took over the London office and
export side of the business. By 1914 half the biscuits made were sent
overseas and no safari or exploration was considered complete without a
supply of Huntley and Palmer biscuits.
The attractive tins were produced in series. There were sporting
illustrations, scraps, exotic locations, British locations and moral stories to
name a few.
By the end of Victoria's reign, Huntley and Palmer were the largest biscuit
manufacturers in the world but sadly they lost their entrepreneurial skills
and were overtaken by other biscuit makers. After 1918 the overseas
market had largely disappeared and machinery which received the
ingredients at one end, and delivered the packed produce at the other end
saved on manpower. The Quaker paternalism died out with the early
generations and eventually Huntley and Palmers disappeared.
Tony Corley's talk was accompanied by a series of beautiful and nostalgic
slides showing many of the illustrated tins used throughout the hey day of
this world famous Reading Company.
Rita Denman
21PURLEY PARISH NEWS
EDITOR: Matthew Slingsby
24 Skerritt Way, Purley on Thames, RG8 8DD
Tel: 0118 961 5585 Fax: 0118 961 5125
Email: purley.parishnews@ntlworld.com
ADVERTISING: Liane Southam
27 Waterside Drive, Purley on Thames, RG8 8AQ
Tel: 0118 942 8243
Email: adverts@stmarythevirgin.fsnet.co.uk
CIRCULATION: Les Jamieson
58a Wintringham Way, Purley on Thames
Tel: 0118 941 2342
I welcome all contributions to this magazine, particularly on local issues
and events. Contributions can either be delivered in writing or by email.
Please note however, I reserve the right to edit contributions to suit space
availability and to maintain consistency of style (font etc). Local event
adverts can be accommodated but space is limited; landscape format copy
is preferred in this case as it allows a ½ page entry to be published.
Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily
reflect the views of the Editor or the P.C.C. of St. Mary’s Church, Purley on
Thames – publishers of Purley Parish News – nor is any endorsement of
the products and services of our advertisers implied by their inclusion.
This magazine is published on the first Saturday of each month
(except August). The price of each issue is 35p with a discounted
annual subscription price of £3.50 for eleven issues.
If you are new to the area and would like to subscribe to Purley Parish
News, please contact the Circulation Manager, Les Jamieson.
This edition published 1 May 2004
Next edition paper copy to be received by 15 May 2004
Next edition “electronic” copy to be received by 22 May 2004
Next edition published 5 June 2004
Leader image © Terri Morris-Nichols, CrossDaily.com (used under licence)
Cover image © Mary Bustraan, CrossDaily.com (used under licence)
Purley Parish News is printed by Richfield Graphics Limited
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