Parish News Benefice of Bradford on Avon Holy Trinity, Westwood and Wingfield In this issue... Lent - prayers & meetings Snowdrop walks Westwood Parish Room update And the latest news from all around the Benefice! February 2015 1 DIRECTORY FOR HOLY TRINITY CHURCH Rector The Revd Joanna Abecassis, 18A Woolley St, BoA BA15 1AF joanna.abecassis@cantab.net 864444 Associate Priest The Revd Dr Ali Green, 36 Budbury Close, BoA BA15 1QG alig9@btinternet.com 0785 547 0069 Churchwardens Trevor Ford 25 Downavon, BA15 1JH 862240 Judith Holland 23 Avonfield Avenue, BA15 1JD 866215 Benefice Administrator Sally Palmer-Walton bradavonba@gmail.com Admin Assistant Aylene Clack beneficeoffice@brad-avon-ht.org.uk Assistant Wardens David Emerson, David Milne, Brian Netley, Val Payne, John Woods Retired Clergy Canon Richard Askew, The Ven John Burgess, Canon David Driscoll, The Revd Alun Glyn-Jones, Canon Peter Hardman, The Revd Jim Hill, The Rt Revd Bill Ind, The Ven Ian Stanes, The Revd Karl Wiggins. Benefice Lay Ministers Graham Dove (licensed) 07989 930950 Dr Malcolm Walsh (Permission to Officiate) Director of Music Thomas Pelham 07922 849982 Times of Services Sundays (Check Bulletins and notices or Church web site) 8am Eucharist (Traditional language) 9.30am Sung Eucharist (coffee afterwards) 6pm Evensong, Compline, etc Weekday Eucharist 10am Wednesdays 12 noon Fridays (Traditional language) with lunch out afterwards Daily (not Sundays or Tuesdays) Morning and Evening Prayer at 8.30am and 5.30pm (please enter via the north door opposite the Saxon Church.) Church opening times April to September: the church is usually open to visitors on weekdays from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Times of Meetings mainly music Choir Practice Team Trinity Mothers’ Union Saxon Club Bell Practice Benefice web-site Weekly Bulletin 10.30am Church, Tuesdays 6.30pm Church, Tuesdays 9.30am Guide HQ (1st and 2nd Sundays in the month, September to July, except Easter) 7.30pm 3rd Thursday, Cedar Court, Berryfield Road, BoA. 2–4pm Every Tuesday except August, United Church Hall 7.30–9pm 2nd and 4th Mondays www.brad-avon-ht.org.uk Notices to Sally Palmer-Walton not later than Wednesday for the following Sunday. Please let the Rector, an LLM, or any other member of the Pastoral Care Team know if someone needs visiting at home or in hospital. 2 HOLY TRINITY DIARY FOR FEBRUARY 1 SUNDAY CANDLEMAS 5 Thursday 8 SUNDAY 9.30am Sung Eucharist 6pm Compline 8pm Contemplative Hour St Mary Tory THE SECOND BEFORE LENT 9.30am Sung Eucharist No Evensong 12 Thursday 7.30pm Garth Hewitt - Palestine BACT Concert 15 SUNDAY THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT 9.30am 6pm ‘Sing Hosanna’ Eucharist Evensong 18 ASH WEDNESDAY 7.30pm Sung Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes 19 Thursday 7.30pm Mothers’ Union Meeting with speaker from ‘Operation Mobilisation’ about life aboard their ship ‘Logos Hope’ 22 SUNDAY THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 9.30am Sung Eucharist 6pm Evensong 3.30pm BACT Lent Course WEEKLY GROUPS Monday 7.30pm (fortnightly) Tuesday 10.30am Thursday 11am Westwood Cedar Court The Friends’ Meeting House ‘Faith Explored’ (for venue ring 07989 930950) mainly music (a group for young children ─ school term only) ‘Faith Explored’ (but not 12th, 19th or 26th February) Vicarage, 18A, Woolley Street 3 ‘Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours‘ A s many of you will (I hope?!) be aware, having started my ministry first as the leader of a large church group of mums and their children, and then as a lay hospital chaplain, pastoral care in all its guises has always been my real passion. So it was a great joy when our Holy Trinity Pastoral Care Team was launched two years ago now, and I do hope that you have all noticed the great difference it has made? In the words of the 16th century mystic Teresa of Avila, ‘Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world, yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world’. These words are a great way for us all to embrace this new year, but they also illustrate beautifully the ethos of the Pastoral Care Team. It has to be very special for us all to know that there are these trained and supported ‘hands and feet’ ministering amongst our community. You will always find the names of members inside the back cover of Parish News. And it is really exciting to announce that Alison Cook, Elaine Crabbe and Geneviève Roberts are now joining us – together with their considerable pastoral gifts and experience – and also that Chris Hodge, and Marlene and Tony Haffenden are currently all training to be LPAs (Diocesan Lay Pastoral Assistants). So that will increase the support that we can offer considerably. And at the end of January, we shall all have been trained as ‘Dementia Friends’ – so please do continue to ‘watch this space’ as to our progress in becoming a ‘Dementia Friendly Church’. You will see on every weekly Bulletin the words, ‘Please always let Joanna, Graham or any other member of the Pastoral Care Team know of any pastoral need – any kind of pain or loss, illness, hospitalisation, loneliness – or simply cause for prayer’. But perhaps folk need to be reminded sometimes that we really do mean it and that thinking that we are ‘too busy’ is absolutely no excuse! The Re-ordering Project continues to gather pace, and thank you for your presence, your questions and your support at our meeting with the 4 architects and project manager in December. The PCC are concerned that there are still a lot of questions and anxieties out there, not least the odd ‘Chinese Whisper’, and so we are trying to harvest these in order to compile a ‘Questions and Answers’ sheet which should be helpful all round! So please do let us have your questions or place them in the ‘Suggestions Box’ at the back of church. Because this is YOUR project, and the ultimate outcome of our 2011-12 ‘Holy has a Vision’ consultative process. So here are a couple to kick off with: Q: Why do we have to do all this work and spend all this money? I like it as it is. A: Unfortunately, leaving it as it is simply isn’t an option. (1) The entire floor needs replacing as the joists are rotten and so we are in danger of sinking! (2) The heating system is very old, very ugly, very expensive and very noisy. (3) We are at serious flood risk. (4) We have no Church Hall, and only a tiny non-pewed space to use for activities. (5) We have a single toilet (accessed with great difficulty) and no kitchen (actually just a sink and cupboards). (6) We have very minimal flexibility in the building and so no opportunity for growth either in worship or as a community space. Q: When is the church going to close? A: We really have no idea as yet as we have still to acquire the necessary permissions – and all the funds! – and only then can we start to contact contractors. But Autumn 2015 at the earliest. With my love and prayers and every blessing You can contact the editorial team on: ht.parishnews@gmail.com Next issue copy deadline Thursday, 12 February 2015 5 T DRAMA FOR REFUGEE WOMEN he daughter of a Westwood parishioner has been providing a healing experience through drama for Syrian refugee women in Lebanon. Tabitha Ross, who spent Christmas with her mother in Westwood, produced a photo story about the theatre project which featured in the Guardian in December. The chosen play, staged in Beirut, was Antigone, the Greek tragedy featuring two brothers leading opposite sides in the Thebes' civil war, who died fighting each other for the throne. Antigone’s wish to bury her brother against the edict of the state leads to her own downfall. The Syrian women, Tabitha said, created “a new version of the play by intertwining their stories of revolution and suffering with those of the ancients”. One member of the project, Hiba Sahly, 23, lost two brothers, one of whom she was unable to bury due to the war in her country. Her testimony of loss became part of the play. She said: “I understand why Antigone does what she does. If I could go to Syria and bury my brother with my own hands, I would do it”. Sahly now lives in one of Beirut’s dirty and overcrowded Palestinian refugee camps. She said: “There’s no electricity, the water’s salty, you can’t even wash in it.” Rehearsals offered an opportunity to talk about the loss of her brothers and her former life, and be listened to – an experience she found cathartic. Tabitha commented: “Though everyone brought their own story of loss and displacement, it wasn’t all tragedy. For many women, the play showed what they are capable of, and challenged negative stereotypes of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.” Rehearsal: Sryrian Women rehearse their version of Antigone 6 H FIRST CofE FEMALE BISHOP istory was made on 26 January when the Revd Libby Lane, previously Vicar of St Peter's, Hale, and St Elizabeth's, Ashley in the Diocese of Chester, became the first woman to be consecrated as bishop in the Church of England. The new suffragan bishop of Stockport in the Diocese of Chester was ordained as a priest in 1994. Her new post was announced last December, just a month after an historic T change to the law to allow women in the episcopate. Libby’s husband, George, is also a priest; they were one of the first married couples in the Church of England to be ordained together. The first woman Anglican bishop in the UK and Ireland was the Revd Pat Storey, rector of St Augustine's in Derry, who was appointed Church of Ireland Bishop of Meath and Kildare in September 2013. NATIONAL HUNGER REPORT he Bishops of Salisbury and Sherborne have said a report by MPs and Peers on hunger in Britain asks ‘fundamental questions’ about the society we are choosing to be in today’s Britain. The Right Revd Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury, contributed evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Hunger in the United Kingdom, and was present at the report’s launch by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Inquiry involved politicians from both the Conservative and Labour Parties, as well as the Bishop of Truro. Bishop Nicholas said, “This is a serious report which is only partly about food poverty and food banks. It asks some very fundamental questions about society.”. The report makes 77 recommendations, including the creation of a national ‘Feeding Britain’ network of organisations providing emergency food assistance, steps to tackle food waste, steps to tackle the higher prices poorer people often pay for utilities like gas and water, and reforms to the benefits system to prevent people falling through its cracks. The report's recommendations will be debated in the run-up to the General Election. 7 T CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL his year was our fourth birthday. Whilst the Church looked splendid last year, it was spectacular this time. My thanks are due to all those who took part by staging such innovative and beautiful trees and my especial thanks go to all those who helped with refreshments or stewarding, without which the festival could not have been staged. This year we had a variety of musical entertainment, for which we coined a new phrase of “walk around concert”. This meant that visitors could sit and enjoy a glass of mulled wine whilst listening to the music or walk around looking at the 58 trees whilst enjoying some fine performances. This year we welcomed nearly 1800 visitors, compared with 1400 the year before and collected over £2600, which will go towards improvements to the Church, once we have made a contribution to the cost of heating the building over the six days of the festival. Of course, it was not the money but the pleasure of playing host to so many local businesses, community organisations and visitors which was the object of the festival. The “wishing tree” seemed to be very popular this year. Contributions included wishes that everyone in the world will be happy; to be an engineer for Range Rover; Nanny’s back gets better; To be a princess; to fly really far; to remain dedicated and get a PhD; and for peace and hope all around the world. Thank you again to all those that helped! John Cox Finishing Touches: Watched over by organiser John Cox, Jill Wright adds the last decorations to the Parish News Team’s tree 8 C BIG BATH SLEEP-OUT ould you ‘Sleep-Out’ for just one night if it meant you could help others who would be forced to sleep out every night? Bath based homeless charity Julian House is inviting members of the public to ditch the comfort of their warm beds and spend just one night under the stars in Alice Park on Friday 6th March. The 7th Big Bath Sleep-Out is open to individuals, members of the public, organisations, families, work teams etc. (under 16’s would need to be accompanied by an adult and those between 16 and 18 need signed consent from a parent or carer). Alice Park Cafe will be open for paid snacks until 11.00pm and in the morning a hot drink and a complimentary bacon roll will be available. Pre-registration is essential. Details and a registration form can be found at www.bigbathsleepout.co.uk or contact Cathy Adcock on 01225 354656 or email: cathya@julian house.org.uk. T he Nativity performance in Church seems a long time ago, but a big thank you to all the children and parents who took part. Thanks to Taylor for helping with the narrating. The Christingle service was, as usual, a great success. Thank you to Rebecca and Chloe for helping to distribute the oranges and sweets. It is always lovely to see so many parents and grandparents accompanying the children to the service. We are now back in the guide HQ for our new term. The first week we talked about the Kings, who visited the baby Jesus. The second Sunday was the 'Baptism of Christ' and we coloured in a picture for our notice board in Church. We will be meeting again on the 1st and 8th February and would love to see more children join us at 9.30 a.m. in the Guide HQ. June and Sue 9 C CHRISTMAS: CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT hurchwardens from across our benefice report on the Christmas period. WESTWOOD The church was nearly full for the Carol Service on 21st December with more than 80 there including children. The 11 children of the Sing-Along Sunday club had fun presenting a tableau of the nativity and we all sang along with them. The service was followed by a most enjoyable gathering in Westwood Manor by kind invitation of Jonathan and Emily for mulled cider and mince pies in front of a roaring log fire. A new feature at Midnight Mass was, after the Notices, to turn off the electric lights apart from the light on the altar and spend five minutes in silent focus before commencing the service with the blessing of the crib. Silence proved to be a good way to lead us into prayer. This was followed on a clear, sunny morning by a joyous Family Service. It was even better attended than the Carol Service, the singing was enthusiastic and the responses firm. David Chalmers & Jonathan Azis WINGFIELD At our Carols by Candlelight concert St Mary’s was filled to the brim with everyone enjoying carols, festive poems and singing by the delightful Mead at Wingfield School Choir. At the interval we enjoyed mulled wine, Mrs Robinson's mince pies and festive cakes. At the Family Carol Service children dressed as nativity characters created a tableau at the chancel steps. We enjoyed drinks, mince pies and stollen after the service. The Christmas Day service was attended by lots of families, including two new babies, Maxim and Willow. The Clarke family took the prayers, with Sasha lighting the Christmas candle on the advent stand. The beautiful, sunny, winter's morning enhanced the lighting and warmth in the church. Sue Phillips 10 HOLY TRINITY Last year’s Christmas report included floods, the empty church and small simple services. In 2014 we could revert to the traditional Christmas welcome to one and all. There was hardly a seat in the place for Christingle. 370 service sheets were taken and there were many families with children. At the call for nativity characters we were overwhelmed with angels - a picture of haloes, white frocks and tinsel on the stage. As for other characters, we found a mouse, a soft toy donkey, the odd sheep/shepherd and one small bold king. A newborn strapped to his dad’s chest appeared to play JC. Carol Collins’ grandson can dine out on that tale when he’s older! A ‘Mary’ was found with another baby and Evie joined the crowded stage. Carols were sung, candles lit and sweets eaten. At midnight a congregation of 145 with a goodly choir celebrated the first Mass of Christmas lovely to see old friends who make an annual pilgrimage to HT. Trevor, Mary and I decided to try out our beautiful old silver chalices from a bequest from John Ferret. I admire the chalice administrants because they’re not easy to handle. Back for 8am we welcomed Bishop Bill. He read us some beautiful poems, two of them from U.A Fanthorpe. At the 10am Family Eucharist there were enough little be-frocked angels (as well as more somberlydressed boys and adults) to show off some Christmas presents and to remind each other of why we give gifts in celebrating the greatest gift of all. Finding myself in Clapham on the Sunday after Christmas I attended the local Church of the Holy Spirit. It has no stained glass so a gloriously light church. The newsletter reminded us that it was the Festival of the Holy Innocents:.. the Slaughter of the Innocents reminds us that our faith is not something pretty and tinsel that we only get out or polish up when there is mulled wine and good cheer. It is strong and true and equips us to deal with the reality of life which sadly sometimes involves innocents who are slaughtered. I hope you will draw strength from this festival to face whatever it is in your life that is not wrapped in fairy lights knowing that the God who watched his own innocent be slaughtered and then raised him to new life is with us. Judith Holland 11 T BACT UPDATE hese are some of the items discussed by Bradford on Avon Churches Together at their THE HUB@BA15 The appointed Trustees are Jim Clarke and Sue Glanville from BACT; John Potter and Laurie Brown from the Town Council; Sue Lowther and John Hutchinson from the BoACAN. The Food Bank will continue to operate in the same way as it is now for the time being, and it is hoped that Bearfield will still be an outlet for food. Sainsburys in BoA supports the Food Bank in Bath at the moment, but once the Hub is up and running they will transfer their support here. It is hoped that Budgens will also support the Food Bank and that the Co-Op will continue to do so. Tesco in Trowbridge also supports food banks. We need volunteers to help with the Food Bank and the Hub. Inside the bank building, counters have been removed and furniture items have already been received last meeting: SOUP RUN IN TROWBRIDGE At the moment six nights are covered. We wonder whether the Churches in Bradford on Avon could cover it on one Saturday a month? CHAIRMAN David Driscoll will stand down at the next AGM as he has chaired for two years. GARTH HEWITT CONCERT BACT, together with Bradford-on -Avon Friends of Palestine (BOAFOP) will present a concert “Something for the Soul” featuring Garth Hewitt on Thurs, 12th February 2015, 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church. Garth has a special commitment to the Middle East. Singing songs and telling stories from around the world, he presents a moving and challenging spirituality that is both warm and inspiring. Tickets are on sale at the Ex Libris bookshop in Bradford on Avon. BRADFORD ON AVON TOWN COUNCIL EMERGENCY VOLUNTEERS Paul Robertson of Bearfield Church, together with the Town Council, is setting up an Emergency Group of volunteers to help people in practical ways in the 12 event of emergencies such as floods and snow. They plan to be on hand when an emergency arises. He also would like people to help with the pastoral need, to be on hand when such difficulties arise. There may be church halls that could be put on a register of ‘Rest Areas’ when people have to be evacuated. The Town Council would organise the staffing of such events. T SUMMER & HARVEST EVENTS BACT are planning a Harvest Lunch at St Margaret's Hall on Saturday 3 October, and possibly a ‘bring-and-share’ picnic in Barton Farm during the summer as a way of including families. If anyone would like to attend these interesting BACT meetings and would like a lift, please let me know. David Rawstron JOURNEYING THROUGH HOLY WEEK his year’s Lent course will be a series of five weekly reflections on events through Holy Week, beginning with the anointing of Jesus at Bethany and ending beside the empty tomb on Easter Day. At each meeting there will be an opportunity to enter imaginatively into the unfolding events, and to have space and time to experience and reflect on the story and its meaning for each of us personally. We will use music, art and other resources to explore our own responses to the stories we engage with. The meetings will start at 3pm on the First Sunday of Lent, February nd 22 at the Friends’ Meeting House, and end on March 22nd. They will take place at various venues, and will be followed by tea and a short act of worship. These meetings will be led by Rev Dr Ali Green, an experienced spiritual director and retreat giver. There will also be mid -week groups for those unable to attend on a Sunday. Look out for more details about venues on the weekly service sheets. 13 Reordering Project: Holy Trinity Church, Bradford on Avon Progress Report for February I t seems to have been some time since we last prepared an update, so I’ll start by saying thank you to everyone who came along to the presentation in church at the beginning of December. You will have seen some additional imagery on panels at the back of the church so hopefully you now have a really clear vision of where we are looking to end up. Chedburn Dudley, Buro Happold and members of the Reordering Steering Group have just given a very similar presentation to the DAC and various conservation and interested bodies, some of which were new to the project. We have yet to receive the written feedback at the time of writing, however the verbal comments on the day were impressed with the detailed investigations and generally supportive of the scheme. As is frequently the case with a diverse gathering of individuals there were some challenges to the proposals, however we are confident of our ability to put forward a compelling case when we apply for faculty to carry out the work. We also await the written response to the Planning Pre-Application Submission, due as I write! As soon as we have both sets of comments we will progress documentation for Planning and Faculty submissions. Finally, John Cox is starting to prepare applications for grants and specialist funding. If anybody is aware of any awarding bodies with cash to spare, please let John or ourselves know! 14 D WESTWOOD PARISH ROOM PLANS aisy Wollen laid the foundation stone of the parish room and for almost 125 years the building has been a meeting place on countless occasions. Now, it needs to be enlarged and brought up-to-date so that it can continue to be a great asset for the village. So the community is raising £150,000 for a major programme of improvements to the building. The renovated room will be opened at both ends and it will have improved lighting, heating and insulation. A new space will be built, in-filling the current side lean-to for a new kitchen and lavatories. Glass doors will open on- to a quiet garden on its north side and on the south there will be a terrace with seating and tables with a scenic view across to the White Horse. The scheme will be completed by a new circular meeting point outside the West door of the church and disabled access at the entrance to the churchyard. Richard Askew, who chairs the fund-raising committee, reports that £40,000 has been already been promised. He said, “An attractive brochure was delivered to Westwood's 520 letterboxes. Then our Visitors did a follow-up visit to every home. By early December this had yielded £25,000 including gift aid. The final phase of fund-raising has now begun, in order to close whatever gap remains. A party is planned round next Easter to thank all involved.” This year promises to be an exciting one for the Parish of Westwood, which will provide our benefice with its only freestanding village hall. Above: An impression of the planned terrace Right: The proposed circular meeting point 15 O ur Christmas Cracker was well and truly pulled with Christmas music, sacred and secular sung by a quartet, and readings which described Christmases of times past by well known authors including Dickens, Dylan Thomas, AA Milne and Laurie Lee plus the well known story of the Christmas Day football match from 1914.Trevor, Mary and Janet served mulled wine and mince pies all of which made for a very enjoyable evening to round off the year. Our first meeting of the New Year at Cedar Court began with a Communion Service in the round celebrated by Joanna with about 15 members present, many being absent due to illness. After refreshments were served we had our AGM. After welcome, prayer and “many” apologies the notices reminded members of the Dinner on the 22nd at the Poplars, the Wave of Prayer service at Pewsey at 2.30pm on 6th February. The meeting then proceeded with minutes and reports from the Treasurer and Secretary and the Enrolling Members. The Branch has had a full year with several major events in the Diocese including the Presidents “Walk a week” and the visit of the World Wide President to Wilton in July. Looking to the future, Ian emphasised the importance of teamwork and thanked the committee and many other members for all their work during the year with over £1300 being sent to various MU charities. For the coming year Sylvia and Ian remain as Enrolling Members and Janet as Secretary. Beryl was thanked for all her work as Treasurer and Chris Hodge volunteered to take on the role. Other committee members remain the same – Mary D, Dawn, Angela, Janet and Marlene leaving one space to be filled if needed. Refreshments were served by Joy, Dawn and Chris. Our next meeting is on the 19th February at Cedar Court and is entitled ‘Operation Mobilisation’, being about the ship the ‘Logos Hope’. It should be very interesting and anyone is welcome to join us. Sylvia and Ian Crossword solutions ACROSS: 8, Cross-examined. 9, Ash. 10, Apocrypha. 11, Sci-fi. 13, Typical. 16, Visited. 19, Offer. 22, No account. 24, RAC. 25, Sovereign Lord. DOWN: 1, Oceans. 2, Hophni. 3, Islamist. 4, Exhort. 5, Omar. 6, On spec. 7, Add all. 12, CBI. 14, Plotting. 15, Awe. 16, Vanish. 17, Starve. 18, Daub it. 20, Furrow. 21, Recede. 23, Cure. 16 T his is a photo of most of our mm group at our last session before Christmas. They did enjoy listening to the Donkey's Christmas Story as told by Revd Dr Ali Green. It was great fun having our little knitted donkey clipclopping on the carpet and whenever the donkey was mentioned, we sang 'Little Donkey, carry Mary safely on her way'. It was very enjoyable. We ended our session singing 'Away in the Manger'. I am sure the families went home happy with some chocolate coins and a wrapped present to hang on their Christmas trees. When we resumed again in January, we heard all about their friends & family they had met over the holiday period and of course, the presents delivered by Father Christmas. Among the most popular were dolls, Spider-Man and the DVD, 'Frozen'. I think I must watch 'Frozen' as it is highly recommended by our families and I need to keep up to date! Marlene Haffenden FROM THE REGISTERS Baptisms Joseph John Anderson Jessica Ivy Grace Eldred 30 November 2014 7 December 2014 Funerals Josephine Mary Lees Susanna Frances Hardman Marie Erdal-Smith Emily Rose (“Bunty”) Johns Sheila Dunfield John Stuart Benjamin 4 December 2014 2 January 2015 5 January 2015 6 January 2015 8 January 2015 15 January 2015 17 H Prayer Paths—into Lent ere are three ancient prayers of penitence, all written in the fourth century. They all help to capture the essence of the spiritual journey we enter into during the season of Lent. The words and sentiments expressed in these prayers seem to be as relevant to our postmodern western culture as they were to early Christians 1700 years ago. The first is by St Ambrose, who was made Bishop of Milan in AD 374. He was an influential preacher and wrote many hymns, commentaries and other works on faith. great philosopher, theologian and writer. He wrote: O Lord, the house of my soul is narrow; Enlarge it that you may enter in. It is ruinous, O repair it! It displeases Your sight. I confess it, I know. But who shall cleanse it, to whom shall I cry but to you? Cleanse me from my secret faults, O Lord, and spare Your servant from strange sins. The Prayer of Saint Ephrem, who died in AD 373, is one of the best-loved prayers of Orthodox Christians, recited at services during Lent and other fasting periods. O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore Thee, a heart to delight in Thee, to follow and enjoy Thee, for Christ's sake, Amen O Lord and Master of my life, Give me not the spirit of sloth, Despair, lust for power and idle talk. But grant unto me, Thy servant A spirit of integrity, humility, Patience and love. Yea, O Lord and King, Grant me to see mine own faults And not to judge my brother. For blessed art Thou Unto the ages of ages. Amen. One of the people most influenced by Ambrose was Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-430), whom Ambrose baptized, and who himself became a bishop as well as a 18 hinder our corporate and personal relationship with Jesus Christ and our service to him. We are invited to see our lives through Christ's eyes and enter ever more fully into the truth and reality of God’s love for us. It is a season to resist all the noise and trivialities that vie for attention, and enter the inner room of the heart, the house of the soul. Here we can listen to God, knowing that our gracious Creator already knows our needs, and respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Ali Green Lent, which begins on February 18th this year, is a time for taking a spiritual inventory and then cleaning out those things that A Prayer for February Dear Lord, February can seem such a bleak, mid-winter month, often flavoured with ‘flu and bad weather. But actually, the days are lengthening. There are snowdrops and other signs of new life, if we look expectantly. Spring is beckoning. Open our eyes, Lord, to see the wonders of your creation, even in February. May we appreciate the rhythms of the seasons you designed for us, and rejoice in the hope you have given us in Jesus, who came to wonderfully re-create, to make all things new, by his death and resurrection. Thank you Father for life-signs in February - and thank you especially for the new life-sign of Jesus. Amen. By Daphne Kitching 19 T Support for Specialist Refuges to utilise the government funding now available. He confirmed that there are five refuges across Wiltshire, offering in all 83 spaces for women and children. He added that most people fleeing from domestic abuse are placed in refuges outside the county. Of those who applied to remain in the county, Wiltshire Council accepted 25 females and six males last year. Mr Hames, in his reply to PN, also commented, “the Government has published strengthened statutory homelessness guidance, which will clearly set out the standard of support that victims of domestic abuse can expect.” Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has reminded England’s 326 councils of their legal duty to house women and children who have been forced to flee their homes for fear of violence and abuse. Mr Pickles said, “With victims of domestic violence making an average 32 attempts to leave before they make their final escape, councils must do everything in their power to ensure there is nothing to prevent a woman from taking the vital steps to safety”. he government is lending its support to women’s refuges across England with a £10 million fund, available throughout the year. The initiative was announced shortly after the charity Women’s Aid launched a campaign to save refuges - as reported in the last edition of Parish News. The move has been welcomed by charities working with domestic abuse victims. Local MP Duncan Hames, in response to Parish News’ queries, contacted James Cawley, Associate Director of Adult Care and Housing at Wiltshire Council, regarding local refuge accommodation. Mr Cawley reported that the Council is consulting with partners to discuss how best Above: James Cawley, Right: Local MP Duncan Hames 20 Churches Stand Against Domestic Abuse Various denominations across England have produced a Domestic Abuse Charter which parishes can adopt to raise awareness of violence in the home and actions that can help its victims. Domestic Abuse Charter This Church ... 1.Understands domestic abuse to be the abuse of a person physically, sexually, psychologically, spiritually, emotionally, socially or financially within an intimate or family-type relationship and that forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. This can include forced marriage and so-called ‘honour crimes’. 2. Holds that domestic abuse in all its forms is unacceptable and irreconcilable with the Christian faith and a Christian way of living. 3. Accepts that domestic abuse is a serious problem which occurs in church families as well as in wider society. 4. Undertakes to listen, support and care for those affected by domestic abuse. 5. Will always place the safety of women and children as the highest priority. 6. Will work with domestic abuse support agencies, will learn from them and support them in appropriate ways, and will publicise their work. 7. Will play its part in teaching that domestic abuse is a sin. 8. Believes in a God of love, justice, mercy, and forgiveness. 9. Will teach what it means to be male and female, equally made in God’s image. 10. Will seek to appoint advisors to encourage the use of good practice guidelines and keep the church informed about the implementation and development of these guidelines 21 T Costing the Earth - The Curse of Pollution he Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, has become the Church of England’s lead bishop for Environmental Affairs, chairing a new Working Group on the Environment established by General Synod last February. Bishop Nicholas said, “My hope as I take on this new role, is that this work will energise the Church of England and everyone who cares for creation.” In this issue we launch a series of articles on environmental issues, beginning with an overview of air and water pollution in Britain. Historically, the environment has been seen as a “free resource” to be abused at will. Indeed, the word itself was not recognised in the context of the “natural environment” until well into the 20th century. We have moved a long way from the time when garbage and sewage were disposed of in our streets and rivers, causing intolerable pollution. Even a hundred years ago city streets were clogged with horse manure. Now our streets are mostly clean (apart from litter discarded thoughtlessly) and the quality of river water has improved to the point that wildlife such as otter and salmon are reappearing in many of them. Progress has also been made with clean-up of the atmosphere. The UK Clean Air Act of 1956 made it illegal to burn bituminous coal in open grates and led to the introduction of ‘smokeless fuels’ and closed stoves. There was a dramatic decline in sulphurous fumes, especially in cities, and thousands of lives were prolonged. Dense ‘smogs’ (smoke -laden fogs) are now a thing of the past. Factories were required to clean up their acts and gone are the 19th century “smokestack industries” belching forth pollutants, as depicted so vividly by the artist LS Lowry. These are not the only environmental success stories. Toxic heavy metals, mercury and cadmium, have been removed from consumer products and replaced by more benign constituents. Lead has been eliminated from petrol, while the lead used in roofing and in batteries is now 22 ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES almost entirely recycled. Chlorofluoro carbons that created the hole in the ozone layer have been eliminated from aerosol cans and replaced by more benign propellants. In cities the ‘smogs’ caused by open fires were, sadly, replaced by a different form of pollution from road vehicles. This problem also has been addressed by scientists and the quality of urban air has now been much improved by the advent of catalytic converters fitted to cars with petrol engines and particulate filters to diesel engines. However, recent studies suggest that in Britain traffic pollution, mostly from diesel cars, is still to blame for tens of thousands of premature deaths each year. Scientists working in this field are to present their report to the government this year. Our coastal waters, home to over 8,000 species of animals and plants, are increasingly vulnerable to pollution from sewage, litter (especially plastics that are not bio-degradable) and chemicals such as crude oil. Much still remains to be done to ensure clean air and water and an environment that is sustainable in the long term. Ron Dell Rise in global population Waste - landfills, recycling, incineration, marine debris, soil contamination Pollution of air, land and water, including ocean acidification, acid rain, acidification of the oceans Climate change and issues related to global warming, including melting of the Antarctic ice sheet, rises in sea level Ecosystem destruction – including loss of tropical forests, wetlands, meadows, marine habitats such as coral reefs; over-fishing; intensive farming; desertification Depletion of the world’s resources especially key metals & petroleum. Soil erosion and soil contamination by waste, pesticides and other toxins Wildlife conservation: issues include species, extinction, coral bleaching, invasive species, loss of biodiversity Carbon footprint and the need for energy conservation and renewable energy sources (solar power, geothermal heat pumps), recycling, sustainable living. 23 Candlemas Snowdrops C andlemas this year falls on the first day of February, a Sunday. Harbinger of spring and witness to lengthening days, the snowdrop is also known as the “Candlemas Bell”. It has traditionally been associated with the commemoration of the presentation of the infant Jesus at the Temple and the Virgin Mary’s purification. This day also marks the half-way point between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox, so the fresh, white snowdrop poking up and bringing its early flowers after a long winter, is an apt reminder of the Candlemas celebration of Christ the Light of the world. It is often brought into church for the Candlemas service. You can see a wonderful display of snowdrops – and enjoy magnificent views - at the Rococo Gardens, Painswick House, Gloucestershire. This garden, originally set out in the 18th century, has one of the most comprehensive collections of wild and cultivated species and varieties in the British Isles, and the flowers are at their best right now. There is an admission charge. Closer to home, you can enjoy a swathe of flowering snowdrops for free at Erlestoke, on the edge of the Salisbury Plain. Here you will find a long-derelict garden, cultivated in the 19th century. There is a lovely woodland walk through trees and around some Painswick House: The Rococo Garden has a fantastic display of snowdrops 24 small lakes, accessed from the B3098 through a gate opposite the church. At this time of year parts of the woodland floor are carpeted in snowdrops, as well as wild garlic, wood anemones, violets and primroses. More locally, you can spot snowdrops along the verges of older roads and lanes. The presence of snowdrops in such locations often coincides with some old stonework and walls, indicating that at one time a cottage stood, and the resident planted snowdrops in their garden. Snowdrops go on reproducing for many years, producing bulbils that form into a clump that survives for generations. There are nineteen species of wild snowdrop worldwide. They grow naturally everywhere from Poland to Turkey. At some time – no-one is sure exactly when – they were brought to the British Isles, and have since been bred into hundreds of different varieties. Some of these are very collectible and bulbs of especially desirable varieties fetch a high price. In the Garden Readers share some seasonal tips S nowdrops (Galanthus) grow well in grass and moss under trees. They also thrive under deciduous shrubs, or along the front of borders where herbaceous plants can provide ground cover when the snowdrops are dormant. They are best planted in spring after they have finished flowering, but before the leaves have died down. This is also the best time to divide and transplant them. Break a clump into small clusters and plant these about a foot apart, and at the same depth as they were growing before, in any half-decent soil in dappled shade or between shrubs. Snowdrops like a well-drained spot in light shade, similar to their natural woodland habitat. On heavy soil, add a little sharp sand or grit when planting to improve drainage. Where snowdrops and other spring bulbs are coming through, weed the area and apply a thin layer of mulch. Organic waste from the beds is best put on the compost heap rather than burned, as dead plant material supports a variety of insects and other wildlife. 25 Wiltshire Butterflies, November/December 2014 B oth months were warmer than normal and without the devastating rainfall of 2013. In fact 2014 had the warmest autumn since 1910 and has been the hottest year since records began in 1659. Eight butterflies continued flying into November – some aroused from hibernation during warm weather such as a Brimstone on 14th and Peacocks on 1st and six on 29th. Ten Clouded Yellows were reported, the last one in a Trowbridge garden on 9th, one Small Copper and one Comma, both on 1st, and at least 50 Red Admirals – the last at Corsham on 30th. Two Painted Ladies, one on 5th at Tisbury and one on 14th in a Trowbridge garden and at least 21 Small Tortoiseshells, the last on 29th. In December a single Small Tortoiseshell at Tisbury on 6th was the final butterfly sighting of the year. A very elusive and rare butterfly, the Brown Hairstreak, flies later in the year during August and September. The eggs are usually laid singly (although more rarely in groups of up to six) on the shoots of blackthorn. Many are destroyed when hedges are flailed in the winter. They are pinhead size, white and fairly easily detected on dark, leafless blackthorn stems. Searching for these is the best method of detecting the butterfly’s presence. We know of two very restricted colonies in Wiltshire. During the last two winters, after intensive egg searches, we found the colony extent is about three times as large as was previously known. Continuing searches this winter may prove it to be even more widespread. So, a good news story when so much of our wildlife is rapidly declining and under threat from human activities. It has been a relatively good year for several butterfly species but not on a par with 2013, one of the best in living memory. Mike Fuller A good news story: Brown Hairstreak eggs and imago 26 We start 2015 with the collective worship theme of Resilience and, for Y7 , Inspiration. These themes help the school to reflect on issues that are bigger than learning facts and are more about ethos and character. AWARDS AND PRIZES Yr 9 students Sophia Maropoulos and Tristyn Lee have got to the final 15 in the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory School Science Prize.Design team Izzy Hart, Max Ralph, Charlie Binney and Jonathan Parrish (all Y10) are shortlisted in a national design and technology award for their Sock Pocket. Congratulations to them all! SPORT In another successful rugby season there were some outstanding performances ,with two teams reaching the County Finals. The Y11 team are now U16 champions. The successful players are: Jamie Howell, Jack Hughes-Jones, George Gerrish, Austin Le Seuer, Tobias Adlam, Archie Sidwell, James Williams, David Phillips, George Franklin, Ben Brendish, Jac Stone, Harvey Amey, Drew Retford, Alex Holmes, Alex Halls, Matt Rodger, Angus Watts, Tyler Gane, James Bailey, Joe Crowe. HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUEST We must report the danger posed by driving to and from school. Please be patient when travelling along the roads near the school at busy times and help ensure pedestrian safety. FUNDING GRANTS Wiltshire Community Foundation can help with a range of Scholarship, Vocational and Personal Support Grants for students aged 16 to 25 contact www.wiltshirecf.org.uk or call 01380 729284. THE SOUND OF MUSIC February sees our production of The Sound of Music in Trinity Hall. Previous productions have been sell-outs so get your tickets early ! Lorraine Marlow Be Spirited Co-Ordinator 27 Top Ten Christian Books Countdown: 9&10 T he Church Times recently printed a three-part series on the top 100 Christian books, excluding the Bible. The authors of the ten highest-rated books cover a great range of Christian history, but curiously no authors of the last century are included. We’ve taken the top ten and asked local people to write something about what these books have meant for them. Here are the first two books – tenth and ninth in the Church Times’ running order. We’ll publish more over the coming months! my ministry – perhaps especially that very special poem ‘Love bade me welcome’ and the glorious phrase ‘heaven in ordinary’ from the poem ‘Prayer’. Joanna Abecassis 10 The Complete English Poems of George Herbert – (who ended his life as a Wiltshire Village Vicar and who is remembered in the Anglican Calendar this month, Feb 27th.) George Herbert has always really spoken to me as a poet and as a priest. His poems are short and succinct but somehow capture in a timeless way not only his experience of a transcendent and loving God, but also his deep empathy for the lives of his parishioners. The phrases he uses are often memorable They etch themselves on one’s soul, and I find myself constantly coming back to them and using them in 9 The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis . I read this book in my early thirties and found my first seriously interesting and engaging manual for Christian discipleship. The simple wisdom of this fourteenth century monk is as relevant today as it ever was. Admired by Sir Thomas More, St Ignatius and John Wesley, his writings have inspired millions since they appeared in 1441. The book has been translated into more languages than any other book apart from the Bible. Ali Green 28 29 Have Your Say! M LIVING WITH ALZHEIMERS y late wife Frances, was diagnosed with Alzheimers early in 2011, and so began four years of coming to terms with her ever-decreasing ability to cope with the basics of everyday life, and the need for me to take on the increasing demands of full-time care. It soon became clear that I could only do this with support and practical help, both from professional carers, and from friends and neighbours. The former was mostly supplied by Alzheimers Support, Wiltshire, the wonderful Charitable body, based in Trowbridge, which provides Day Centres, home care visitors, and regular opportunities to meet with others in the same situation; the latter more informal support came very largely from members of Holy Trinity, not least the Mothers Union, who arranged a weekly rota of sitters, so that I could continue to attend the Bradford Choral Society rehearsals. I am deeply grateful for all the love, care and prayers which have helped to sustain us, and to Joanna, the Choir, all who attended her Funeral and helped to make it an uplifting celebration of her life and faith.' Peter Hardman A PARISH CHRISTMAS CARD 2014 special thank you to the 50 or so people who kindly helped with the distribution of the 3200 parish Christmas cards. We are grateful to the regulars who have been delivering for many years and it was most helpful to have some new people volunteering. A card was delivered to every home in the parish plus packs to local hotels and guesthouses, the library and the tourist information office. We hope you agree that it is a very worthwhile form of communication and outreach and responsible for many of the ‘new faces’ apparent at our Christmas Tree Festival and the services over the Christmas period. Thank you to Joanna for her Christmas message and help with the design and to Trevor for arranging the printing, and thanks to those of you who took on a ‘little extra’ this time. Your assistance and continued support is warmly appreciated. Marlene and Tony Haffenden 30 IT WAS ALRIGHT ON THE NIGHT! B ack in September 2014, on the first day of rehearsals for the Bradford on Avon Choral Society (BOACS), our December concert seemed a long way off. At our final rehearsals in Holy Trinity, we had the joy of seeing our choir Christmas tree all lit up in front of the pulpit, as well as the other lovely trees around the church. Finally the day of the concert had arrived! It was clear that we were going to have a bumper audience. All the Christmas trees sparkled away, the audience settled down and we were off! After the interval with wine and mince pies, an unexpected complication arrived as the organ decided to continue to play a note despite all our accompanist did to silence it. Just before the final piece thanks were given and a warm welcome to the founder of the choir, Gaynor Biscoe. Then it was a rousing finale with the Hallelujah chorus from Messiah. As everyone streamed out there was a collection for the Ebola crisis which raised £308, a fitting end to a special evening. Sarah Davies I CHRISTMAS BOX THANKS would like to thank everyone who prepared the Christmas boxes and the folk who gave generously in money and the lovely people who beavered away with the beautiful knitting and crochet to fill them. Westbury warehouse were very grateful indeed, and I am sure the boxes were received by the many children who have little, and treasure every gift inside for a long time. Many many thanks indeed. Evelyn Humphrey Thanks to everyone who wrote into us this month! If you have something you’d like to say, please contact the Parish News team on ht.parishnews@gmail.com March issue copy deadline Thursday, 12 February 2015 31 A Saint for the Season: Janani Luwum A bove the west door of Westminster Abbey there is a row of ten statues of modern martyrs. When they were unveiled in 1998 Canon Harvey said, “The 20th century, which has been the most violent in recorded history, has created a roll of Christian martyrs far exceeding that of any previous period.” Martyrs from all the continents were chosen, among them Janani Luwum. Janani was the second African Primate of the Anglican Church in Uganda and one of the most influential leaders of the modern Church in Africa. Born to humble parents in 1922 in a small village in the Kitgum district, he was educated at the local high school and trained as a teacher. Converting to Christianity at the age of 26, he went the year after to Buwulasi Theological College. He became a Bishop of the Northern Province in 1969 and Primate in 1974. He was a leading voice in criticising the excesses of the Idi Amin regime that assumed power in Uganda in 1971. In 1977, the year of his death, Archbishop Luwum delivered a note of protest to President Idi Amin against the dictator’s policies of arbitrary killings and unexplained disappearances. Shortly afterwards he was accused of treason and arrested along with two cabinet ministers. They were paraded at a state rally in Kampala and charged with crimes against the state. The next day it was announced on Radio Uganda that Janani had died in a car crash. In fact he had been beaten and shot, as villagers discovered when his body was returned for burial. Some said Idi Amin himself pulled the trigger but there were no first hand witnesses. Janani is recognised as a martyr by the Anglican Communion and his death is commemorated annually on 17th February, the day he died. Amin was deposed in 1979, two years after Janani’s murder and he died in exile in 2003. Archbishop Janani will be remembered long after Idi Amin is forgotten. “For all the saints who from their labours rest…” 32 For Prayer in February We pray for: Our role in world peace Ali Green and the BACT Lent Course The Health Centre The Hub @ BA15 The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Westwood Churchwardens: Jonathan Azis jonathan@azis.co.uk David Chalmers chalmers.david8@gmail.com PCC Secretary Julie Adcock jea14@btinternet.com The Parish Church of St Mary, Wingfield Churchwardens: David Robinson david.robinson@paultons street.com Sue Phillips jandsphillips@hotmail.com PCC Secretary Sue Phillips jandsphillips@hotmail.com 33 Quick Crossword The Bible version is the NIV Clues across 3 Specialist in the study of the Muslim religion (8) 4 ‘Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but — him as if he were your father’ (1 Timothy 5:1) (6) 5 One of Esau’s grandsons (Genesis 36:11) (4) 6 Taking a chance (colloq.) (2,4) 7 God’s instructions to the Israelites concerning grain offerings: ‘ — salt to — your offerings’ (Leviticus 2:13) (3,3) 12 Confederation of British Industry (1,1,1) 14 ‘All day long they twist my words; they are always — to harm me’ (Psalm 56:5) (8) 15 The crowd’s reaction to Jesus bringing back to life a widow’s son in Nain (Luke 7:16) (3) 16 Disappear (Psalm 104:35) (6) 17 How Jeremiah was likely to die if he wasn’t rescued from the cistern where he was imprisoned (Jeremiah 38:9) (6) 18 What the prophets do to a wall, with whitewash (Ezekiel 13:10, RSV) (4,2) 20 Made by a plough (Job 39:10) (6) 21 Noah was relieved when the flood waters continued to — (Genesis 8:5) (6) 23 Jesus gave the Twelve the power and authority to do this to diseases (Luke 9:1) (4) 8 Interrogated (Acts 12:19) (5-8) 9 ‘Burn it in a wood fire on the — heap’ (Leviticus 4:12) (3) 10 Tobit, Judith, Baruch and the books of Esdras and the Maccabees are part of it (9) 11 Science fiction (abbrev.) (3-2) 13 Clay pit (anag.) (7) 16 Went to (John 4:46) (7) 19 ‘Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to — your bodies as living sacrifices’ (Romans 12:1) (5) 22 David’s plea to God concerning those referred to in 14 Down: ‘On — — let them escape’ (Psalm 56:7) (2,7) 24 Royal Automobile Club (1,1,1) 25 How the book of Ezekiel refers to God more than 200 times (Ezekiel 2:4) (9,4) Clues down 1 Seas (Proverbs 8:24) (6) 2 One of the sons of Eli the priest, killed in battle by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:11) (6) Solutions on page 16. 34 Source: Parish Pump PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Officers The Revd Joanna Abecassis, Chair Judith Holland (Churchwarden), Vice Chair Trevor Ford (Churchwarden) Members Alison Cook Elaine Crabbe Ron Dell Graham Dove Joan Finch Ali Green Marlene Haffenden Jeremy Lavis* (Treasurer†) Thomas Pelham Bette Riddle Erin Shields-Pett Malcolm Walsh Anne Willis* Hugh Wright Chris Hodge (co-opted) PCC Secretary * Deanery Synod representatives THE STANDING COMMITTEE Chair, Churchwardens, Associate Priest, LLM and Treasurer CHURCHWARDENS EMERITI Jeremy Lavis, Mike Fuller, Anne Carter, Tony Haffenden, Joan Finch. THE PASTORAL CARE TEAM Joanna, Graham, Anne Carter, Alison Cook, Elaine Crabbe, Joan Finch, Marlene Haffenden, Tony Haffenden, Chris Hodge, Evelyn Humphrey, Heather Knight, Sue Lavis, Val Payne, David Rawstron, Hazel Rawstron, Geneviève Roberts and Sylvia Stanes. THE FRIENDS OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH Chairman: John Cox Secretaries: Mike and Jenny Fuller Treasurer: John Woods Committee: Anne Carter, Tony Haffenden, Chris Hodge, Jeremy Lavis, Revd Angela Onions, Raymond Winrow Ex officio: Judith Holland, Trevor Ford BRADFORD GROUP MINISTRY This is a longstanding body which now comprises the two benefices of North Bradford on Avon and Villages and our own. We look forward to establishing a much closer bond and to this end joint meetings and services have recently been held, and the Group clergy meet regularly. PARISH NEWS Email copy to: HT.ParishNews@gmail.com 35 OTHER OFFICERS AND ORGANIZERS PCC Secretary Chris Hodge 869357 email: hodge_c1@sky.com PCC Treasurer Jeremy Lavis 863600 Benefice Administrator Sally Palmer-Walton bradavonba@gmail.com Benefice Admin Assistant Aylene Clack beneficeoffice@brad-avon-ht.org.uk Bellringers Sarah Quintin 869469 Bookstall Brass Cleaning Chris Hodge 869357 Coffee on Sunday Janet Brown and 862188 Malcolm Walsh 862702 Church Stewards David Milne 864341 Director of Music Thomas Pelham 07922 849982 Electoral Roll Officer Alan Knight 860991 Flowers Jonquil Burgess 868905 Food Bank Heather and Alan Knight 860991 BACT Foodbank contact Frank Turner 309102 Guides & Brownies Sarah Bennett sarahsootyowl@gmail.com Mothers’ Union Ian & Sylvia Stanes 309036 MU Prayer Circle Chris Hodge 869357 Servers Mary Ford 862240 Saxon Club David Driscoll 865314 Saxon Church and St Mary Tory Trustees: Chairman Anna Tanfield (all bookings) 863819 Secretary Diana Shaw Stewart 863253 Treasurer Jeremy Lavis 863600 Sidespersons Rota Judith Holland 866215 Stewardship Secretary Pam Harman 635193 Street Market: Community Stalls John Cox 864270 Church Stalls Communications Deborah Robinson 866552 Team Trinity June Harrison 863745 Parish Representatives on other organisations: Bradford Group Council: The Churchwardens Children’s Society: Anne Carter Christian Aid: Jonquil Burgess Deanery Synod: Jeremy Lavis and Anne Willis BoA Churches Together: David Rawstron St Laurence School: The Revd Joanna Abecassis and Lindsay Driscoll (Foundation Governors) Printed at the Parish Office, 18A Woolley Street, Bradford on Avon. Parish News also appears (in colour) on the Holy Trinity web site: www.brad-avon-ht.org.uk. Previous issues of the magazine can also be found in the magazine archive on the church web site. 36
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