Amberley Parish Magazine

May 2015 60p 1

Sarah Goodwin Chartered Accountant

Do you need help completing your Windmill Print & Graphics a trading division of MDL Kelex Ltd tax return? Or with preparing your accounts?

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AMBERLEY POST OFFICE AND STORES Tel: 872505 Opening Times for the shop and Post Office

Monday - Friday 7.30 am to 1.30 pm Saturday 8.00 am to 1.00 pm Sunday 8.30 am to noon Support your village shop

STEVE BIRD

PAINTER & DECORATOR Orchard View Middle Street Eastington GL10 3AZ

Tel: 01453 823949 Mobile: 07973 445019 Email: [email protected]

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Services for May Sunday 3rd May 8 am Holy Communion 10 am Parish Eucharist Wednesday 6th May 8 am Holy Communion Sunday 10th May 8 am Holy Communion 10 am 2nd Sunday Service Wednesday 13th May 8 am Holy Communion Thursday 14th May 8 am Holy Communion (Ascension Day) Friday 15th May 8 am Holy Communion (Matthias the Apostle) Sunday 17th May 8 am Holy Communion (1662) 10 am Parish Eucharist Wednesday 20th May 8 am Holy Communion (Alcuin, deacon, abbot) Sunday 24th Mar 8 am Holy Communion Pentecost 10 am Parish Eucharist (Methodist) Wednesday 27th May 8 am Holy Communion Sunday 31st May 8 am Holy Communion 10 am 5th Sunday Service

Julian Group (Silent Prayer) every Friday, 9.00 am - 9.30 am in the Littleworth New Room – Everyone welcome Morning Prayer from ‘celebrating Common Prayer’ every weekday at 8 am. Everyone welcome www.amberleychurch.org.uk

Foodbank & Fairtade Once the new Warehouse is established Open Days will be arranged. The Food- The Foodbank Warehouse in Bath Road bank is, as always, immensely grateful for is moving to Brimscombe Industrial Es- your continued support. tate on Saturday, April 25th as we are in need of a larger storage facility. This is We are grateful for the ever rising number due to the much needed increasing dona- of purchases of food and crafts at the tions of food, and an expansion of the Fairtrade Stall, which is so important to Kids Stuff Project which provides much the people involved in the movement. We needed clothing, cots, buggies, beds and are also grateful for the lovely helpers on other child-related requirements. Refer- the day of the stall from the Fairtrade rals to Kids Stuff is rising in line with an monthly rota. ever increasing demand. John and Wendy Fontaine

Rector’s Letter Dear friends churches, Claire Wilkins and Alison Wood, recently shared ideas for a Messy It was said at Church Christingle in both parishes. That both Amberley introduces another richness - the amazing A G M a n d lay teams and volunteers, who work tire- Minchinhampton lessly. Sharing ideas and support can only and Box APCM, be good thing! Our Safeguarding and but worth saying Health and Safety policies have been again: there is drawn up across the benefice, saving do- great richness in ing the work twice. And we have men- the partnership of tioned and celebrated our shared socials parishes within and services. All this is very good news. our benefice. Our three churches all make their own unique contribution to We are also stronger as a benefice be- benefice life, and we would be the poorer cause we have a clergy and lay reader without one another. I truly believe that. team who meet regularly, and can plan ideas across the benefice. Our recent wed- It has been very good to see 'real relation- ding preparation course was held for cou- ship' taking place between churches, and ples in both parishes, for instance. This here are just a few examples. Minchin- year we are holding a joint evening Har- hampton and Box PCC voted to accept vest event at Box Village Hall, for a good the Parish Giving Scheme run by the Dio- old-fashioned celebration with hymns, a cese. This, in no small way, was helped by barrel of beer and a Ploughman's! And we Amberley Gift Aid Officer Sarah Good- are about to start a course - Faith Matters: win giving a presentation about how the Foundations of Christianity, for anyone scheme has been introduced and received across our benefice interested in knowing at Amberley. Minchinhampton and Box more about faith, exploring it for the first found themselves able to give a bit of fi- time, or thinking of baptism or confirma- nancial support to Amberley to repair and tion. Details can be found in this maga- make ready the verger's cottage to wel- zine. The Revd Ann Morris is hoping to come Clare Weaver as the new Amberley soon start running a benefice Lectio verger. The treasurers of both parishes Divina Group. recently met together for the first time to discuss as a benefice our giving, and get a It is important we recognise the strength better sense of how together we meet par- of teamwork. The Revd Brian Atkinson ish share in a demanding economic clime. as Associate Priest has a special responsi- bility for Amberley but nevertheless is a In addition, we share resources. The new priest for the whole benefice, and it's al- photocopier at Minchinhampton is availa- ways good to welcome both him and ble to Amberley on an at-cost basis, mak- Revd Sandy Emery, also Associate Priest ing bulk printing easier and cheaper. Am- for the Benefice, at all three churches. Of berley is able to use office and photocopi- course, as Rector and incumbent of the er whenever needed. three churches, it's important I divide my We are also able to share ideas: youth time between them, as I lead the benefice and children's work leaders across our (Continued on page 7)

6 forward. We are blessed with the ministry preaching styles and voices, as we recog- of the Revd Simon Topping (Amberley); nise we do not have one vicar stashed in currently two lay readers - Deborah Cur- one place, and another one in another, ram and Linda Jarvis; four retired priests - but our clergy, lay readers and talented lay Mike Tucker, Brian Andrews, Alison Guy teams work together to bring energy, vi- and John Hunnisett. I have not added up sion and new possibilities through shared the years of experience between us! Revd collegiality and ministry. As we learn to do Brian Andrews has 50 of his own - on that this, we hope our congregations will also note, put Saturday 26 September in your find their own lay ministries encouraged diary, when we will celebrate Brian's 50 and mutually supported through friend- years of ordained ministry, with a special ships across the benefice. That is the vi- service at Amberley Church. sion. We have much work to do, but that is where we need to go. We are still a relatively new benefice, and it's easy to hold onto old habits of thinking May our relationships across our churches Amberley has its own vicar, or Minchin- and our communities only continue to hampton has first claim on the Rector. I grow and deepen. sometimes hear comments which suggest With my very best wishes that thinking, but neither is true any longer. It is important to recognise the direc- tion we are travelling in - greater fluidity of ministry across the benefice. As we begin to work more closely as a team, congregations will find they benefit with variety of

Some dates regarding future benefice events to put in your diary...

 Trinity Evening Praise & BBQ, Holy Trinity, Minchinhampton, 31 May, 5.30pm.

 Harvest at Box Village Hall, Sunday 20 September, time tbc - probably 4.30pm.

 Faith Matters: Foundations of Christianity Course - 7pm, last Thursday of the month, beginning 25th June. See the advert in this magazine for details.

 Amberley Art Trail event Sat 19 - Sunday 20 September - details forthcoming.

 Revd Brian Andrews - celebration service for 50 years of ordained ministry, 12 noon Sat 26th September, Amberley Church.

 Benefice Retreat at Nympsfield Marist Convent, Friday 23rd-Saturday 24th Octo- ber.

Sunday Club May 3rd, 17th, 24th, 31st Bible Story time - Monday May 11th, 9.30 to 10.00 in church

Editorial job for the enthusiastic amateur with dust- er and a bottle of window cleaning liquid. On the 20th of this month it will be a The Fabric Committee are looking into whole year since the Revd Brian Atkinson the matter but do you have any sugges- was commissioned to the Benefice in Am- tions? berley Church. The year has passed so quickly that the commissioning service If you missed the Good Friday evening seems to have taken place only yesterday Tenebrae Service then you missed a most (perhaps not to Brian). Happily Brian and emotional and atmospheric event. The Kathy have slipped almost seamlessly into singing of the choir was, somehow, more Holy Trinity Church, the Benefice and poignant. The anthems ‘Agnus Dei’ and Amberley Village life. I think that they ‘Pie Jesu’ were ethereal. As the candles quite like it here! were gradually extinguished the gathering gloom became all the more sombre. At Although Easter is not a fixed date in the the end, in almost complete darkness, the calendar it always heralds the spring, the choir could be heard to leave the church flowers, the blossoms, the sun on your and then the congregation quietly with- back and fields filling up with lambs. This drew. This was quite an extraordinary, year the weekend was superb with wall to contemplative experience. Make a note in wall blue skies, day long sunshine and the your diary for 2016 so as not to miss it most abundant displays of primroses that next time. Easter is earlier still next year I have ever seen. It seems that I must with Good Friday on 27th March. thank the birds for ‘dropping’ the prim- rose seeds into my garden, my only com- You will know from the pew-sheets that plaint being that they are not where I the Amberley School fund-raising ‘Cow would best like them. I only really com- Hunt’ is taking place on 2nd/3rd May. plain when I have to avoid them in the This event is always a source of fun with lawn with my mower the cows being given the most beautiful ‘silly’ names ever invented. Then 10 days As I walked into church on Good Friday later the real cows come out to ‘play’ to evening for the Tenebrae Service so a lady start another of the annual cycles. (I hope in front of me said, “Oh isn’t that lovely - the last sentence doesn’t prompt an image the smell of polish”. Thank you ma’am of cows on bikes! That would be an im- you made me feel good for the volunteer probably real ‘Tour de Cotswolds’!). cleaners and the job that they had done. The Church looked superb. Equally the As I noted in the last issue of the maga- church flowers were again magnificent for zine – the parish outing 2015 is to Kelm- the whole of the Easter Celebrations and scott Manor, near Lechlade on 24th June beyond. Having said that - the church win- and promises to be another wonderful day dows are absolutely filthy on the inside as out so put the date in your diary now. well as outside, however they are in such a Fred Ashworth. delicate state that it is not just a cleaning

Parish Outing to Kelmscott Manor Wednesday 24th June For our outing this year we are planning to visit Kelmscott Manor, near Lechlade on 24th June. Furnished in Arts and Crafts style, this 17th-century manor was the summer home of William Morris. We plan to travel there by car, leaving Amberley War Memorial at 10am. As we are not having a guided tour of the man- or, the cost will be just the entry charge of £9. We suggest either bringing a picnic, or buying lunch at either the licensed tea room at the Manor or at the Plough Inn in Kelmscott village. If you wish to join us please add your name to the list at the back of the church by 17th June so that we can organise car sharing.

Midsummer Ramble – Friday 19th June This year we are holding a Midsummer Ramble on Friday 19th June, replacing our usual afternoon Parish Walk. The ramble will start at a gentle pace from Amberley War Memorial at 5.30pm. We shall be following a fairly flat course around three and a half miles in length, and will finish at the Black Horse for supper. Could those wishing to join us, either for the walk and supper or just for the supper, please add their name to the list at the back of the church (or let Sandra or Mike Tucker know on 873352) by 12th June. Whether walking or not, we would love you to join us.

OPEN GARDEN AT FRAMPTON MANOR GL2 7EP Sunday 31st May 2pm – 5.30pm Frampton Silver Band, ‘Copious Notes’ (Close Harmony Group) Delicious Teas, Plant Stall, Raffle, Tombola, Children's Treasure Hunt Admission £5.00 Children under 16 Free Ample free parking 9

Christian Aid Week 2015 Christian Aid envelope and we would be very grateful if you could make a donation Christian Aid Week is a National Week to the charity. If you are able to complete that we have supported for many years the Gift Aid Declaration on the envelope here in Amberley this makes a very worthwhile extra contri- The money collected by Christian Aid is bution to the funds. used in many different ways. The Charity There are three ways for you to return the is one of several that are a part of the Dis- completed envelopes: asters Emergency Committee and in this way can respond very quickly in time of 1. Return them to your Magazine dis- great need. tributor. 2. Take them to the Post Office Christian Aid also supports many longer 3. Put them in the Collection Plate dur- term projects and this year one project will ing a Church service. be working towards making the lives of It would be very helpful if you could re- women in Ethopia more tolerable. turn the envelopes during Christian Aid Christian Aid Week this year runs from Week itself ie by Saturday, 16th May (or Sunday, 10h May until Saturday, 16th Sunday, 17th May if putting it in the May. Church Collection). This will make a big difference to the speed with which we can This is a reminder of the ways that we send our contribution. have been collecting recently and are again continuing this year. Thank you very much for your support. With this May Magazine you will find a Peace and Justice Group

Second Sunday Service Helen, Claire Wilkins and I have been discussing the nature of the Second Sunday Service, which has been sometimes based around Communion and sometimes not. It has been decided that from Sun- day 10th May we will trial having it as non-Eucharistic and, therefore, a Service of The Word. This will rationalise the situation and enable a varied approach to be used, still with the full involvement of our children and young people. Communion will, of course, be available at the 8am service as usual. Brian

The Cotswold Playhouse Tickets are available at www.cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk/tickets or from 0333 666 3366 Muscovado - Presented by BurntOut Theatre on 1st May at 7.30 pm ‘How come the cane taste so sweet, yet feasts on my blood?’ Muscovado is the scorching new play by Matilda Ibini about slavery in Nineteenth Century Barbados. A heady mix of sexual intrigue, piercing choral music and extreme racial tension, Muscovado provides an unflinching portrayal of life on a sugar planta- tion in 1808, accompanied by an original musical score and atmospheric soundscape. Trailer: http://youtu.be/HnRXUKyuRqA “Really powerful” – BBC Radio 1 “A truly visceral experience. The sweat dripping from the bodies of the actors, confes- sions in candlelight and sacred song combine with some great writing from a promising future playwright.” The Education of a Lapdancer - Presented by Traffic of the Stage on 9th May at 7.30 (Suitable for 15+ years) Immigrant workers in the sex industry... Stressed out teachers in the public sector.... Violence and racial tension in the inner city. East Europeans trying to make a fast euro... This is the London at the sharp end, at the cutting edge. Fast-moving, raw, and humorous, John Cooper's latest play examines the growing eth- nic diversity of contemporary London and looks at values and morals in a rapidly changing post-colonial culture. Under the spotlight is the pressure on those at the frontline of public sector education with its controversial policies of political correct- ness and positive discrimination. But the play also deals with the erotic and sensual undertow in multi-cultural London where sex , as ever, is a powerful and irresistible driving force. If you're a personable young girl from Romania, what will get you further... a GCSE or a G-String! The Beaux Stratagem - Presented by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School on 15th May. Rakes, Lovers, Desperate Housewives, Herbal Healers and Horse Thieves... The Lichfield stagecoach is a’comin’ on over the hill, laden with gallants and garters intent on fine females and their even finer fortunes. But are they prepared for cross dressing Irish priests, a band of honourable highwaymen, lardy landlords, scheming servants and aimless alliteration? The stage is set for one of the finest Restoration Comedies of the age. Farquar knits together a panoply of stock and ‘not so stock’ characters, weaving plots and sub plots in an 18th Century ‘One Man Two Governors’, where not all is as it seems and the country folk of Lichfield are not quite as dumb as we think. Well not quite...

Horsfall House Sponsored Walk The walk - on Sunday 17th May 2015 - starts at Minchinhampton Library and registration is from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The walk takes you through Gatcombe Park and on to Avening where you will walk through the stunning water gardens of Avening Court. If you only want to walk a short distance you will find a Horsfall House mini bus at Avening Village Hall to bring you back to Minchinhampton. You can collect a registration pack from Horsfall House or you can download this from www.horsfallhouse.co.uk/fundraising. If you decide you are unable to do the walk, but would still like to make a donation, you can do so by sponsoring one of our local community walkers: Revd Helen Bailey (Minchinhampton Church) Emma Brookes (Brookes Hair & Beauty) Mark Robinson (Taylors, Butchers)

The Ascension Window three lights with nothing in it now but some opaque glass, and some coloured When an anonymous donor approached strips at the edge. I do not know if you Canon Bush, Rector of Holy Trinity know Amberley Church, but I should Church, Amberley, offering to install a think it is one of the ugliest in Gloucester- new stained glass window in the Sanctuary, shire, built by David Ricardo, the political the long process of obtaining a faculty was economist and philanthropist, just a hun- put into motion. dred years ago. There is no stained glass A faculty is the Church of England’s sys- in the building, and I think this may add a tem of planning control and it is the duty little embellishment. of the minister or church wardens to ob- If you approve, will you bring it before tain one before any alterations can take your Advisory Committee at their next place. meeting so that we may take the necessary 25th October 1945 - Canon Bush report- steps to get a Faculty. If your Committee ed the news to the PCC that the design approve, we will bring it before the Paro- was being proposed by G Maile & Son chial Church Council, which I believe is Ltd of Euston Rd, Regent’s Park, London one of the necessary steps, and I have no but was not ready to submit it to the doubt that they will approve…” Council. Mr Sharpeley, one of the church January 12th 1946 - letter from WI wardens, expressed gratitude for such a Croome, Bagendon House, Cirencester, gift. to Mr Lloyd, Registrar of the Consistorial WW2 had just ended. Was this gift in Court of Gloucester, informing him that memory of someone killed or in gratitude the Chancellor is to be advised that the that peace had returned and a loved one design be approved. was spared? 29th January 1946 - Canon Bush reported 27th December 1945 - a letter from Sir that the design had been approved and Stanley Marling, Churchwarden to WI the resolution carried that “...the pro- Croome, Hon. Sec. of the Diocese of posed window is approved and accepted Gloucester‘s Advisory Committee on Fac- with gratitude.” ulties & the Protection of Churches. 6th February 1946 - letter from Mr Lloyd “Dear Croome, to the Worshipful W Cleveland Stevens Esq, KC, enclosing "...a Petition together Somebody (and I don’t know who it is) with the design re the application for the wishes to put a stained glass window in stained glass window in this Benefice.” what we call the East End of Amberley Church. As a matter of fact, the Church 9th February 1946 - letter headed 15, Old faces North and South, not East and Sq. Lincoln’s Inn, WC2 from W Cleve- West. I enclose you the proposed design, land Stevens to Mr Lloyd asking him to which the Rector and my co- congratulate Mr Croome over their suc- Churchwarden and I all think will be satis- cess with G Maile & Son and enclosing factory. the necessary forms. It is a poor little east window, consisting of 11th February 1946 - document from Mr

Lloyd extending greetings and advising ing further than that the firm had the mat- “ALL CLERKS and literate persons in ter in hand.” and throughout the whole Diocese of 29th October 1947 - “The east window Gloucester" that a petition had been filed had been placed in position on the 17th by the Rector of the Parish of Amberley July and the Rector announced that it and his church wardens to erect a stained would be dedicated by the Bishop of glass window in the Church and informing Tewkesbury on 2nd November.” them that the citation was to be pinned to the door of Amberley Church and that Roger Tanner remembers attending the objections were to be filed within 15 days. service as a small child. Were you there? 15th March 1946 - The PCC was in- If you have any further photographs or in- formed that “...the faculty had been re- formation, please contact Maureen Ander- ceived and that the Rector had written to son on 873326. the firm that they could commence work . Sources: The firm had acknowledged the letter but PCC minute book, Diocesan archives – had given no indication as to how long the both housed in Gloucestershire Archives work would take." Howard Beard 15th May 1947 - The Chairman of the

PCC reported that he had “...heard noth- Amberley Archives

Keeping the Faith ours, and there is no choir. They have a mixture of (padded) chairs and benches, I imagine that many of us, when on holi- which works well. The liturgy is similar, day, visit churches, cathedrals and other and the age profile more heavily weighted places of worship, Christian or otherwise. towards the elderly than at Amberley. In Having just been away for six weeks, part- fact the main thrust of the sermon I heard ly visiting family in Australia, and partly was how the minister felt that as a church, cruising from Sydney to Hong Kong I they were failing the 'youngsters' in the thought it would be interesting to docu- community - those recently retired in the ment my various ecclesiastical experienc- 60-65 age group! And talking of sermons, es, widely divergent as they were. the average length there seems to be about St David's Anglican Church, Avoca 35 minutes... Beach, NSW. Oh, and they hand you a rattan fan w i t h y o u r hymnbook - much appreciated.

MV Arcadia. Charlie, aged 8: " Nana, why are you going On board our cruise to church? You won't know anyone ship, Sunday worship there!" took place in the theatre, and was, of neces- Me: "Ah, but that doesn't matter - I bet sity I guess, a rather they will all welcome me just the same!" anodyne affair. Led by the Captain or his deputy, we said a few prayers, listened to a couple of readings, and were accompanied on the piano by the gentleman who, the previous evening in the very same venue, had regaled us with hits from the West End. The hymns at first seemed quaintly appro- priate: we sang of spicy breezes blowing As it happens, I had met one of the con- soft o'er Java's isle as we steamed towards gregation, the wife of a retired clergyman, Indonesia, then we asked our Heavenly while trying to source floristry supplies for Father to lead us o'er the world's tempes- our son David's wedding in Avoca in tuous sea. More than one eyebrow was 2009, and I try to attend a couple of ser- raised, however, as we turned to our final vices each time we visit. I am always re- hymn, Eternal Father, strong to save - did membered and greeted like an old friend. they know something that we did not? It is a much smaller congregation than

I was quite surprised to count a couple of Inside, it could not have been more differ- hundred attendees - some 10% of those ent from the sombreness of our churches on board. during Lent. Bitung, Sulawesi, Indonesia.

There was a profusion of wonderful tropi- cal flower arrangements and more banners and balloons, strangely not at odds with As we approached the port of Bitung, I the purple-draped cross. On our way out, was intrigued to see what looked like a we met a man whom I supposed to be the church right behind the dome of a minister. We greeted one another - he mosque, with a minaret to the side. It took spoke no English and I spoke no Bahasa, us a while to find, because the church, alt- but he understood my 'Pastor?' and we hough visible from afar, was tucked be- needed nothing else except a handshake hind a school. From outside, we might and a smile. (Charlie, take note!) have been going into a party - an arch of balloons stretched over the door, topped All different, all interesting in their own by a colourful banner, which stated, as I way, but I am glad to be 'home'. subsequently discovered (thanks to Jane Foreman Google Translate)'Welcome to the House of Prayer.'

Hidden Gardens of Watledge Sunday 7th June 2015 from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm Seven enchanting gardens to explore Teas Plants for Sale Tickets & Map from Yatesfield, Watledge, GL6 0AU Adults £5 children free in aid of Cotswold Care and the Cobalt Appeal Fund

Gardens in Watledge are steeply sloped. We regret that they are unsuitable for wheelchairs and those with difficulty climbing steps.

FAITH MATTERS Foundations in Christianity Course

 Are you interested in finding out more about the Christian faith?

 Do you feel it would be good to revisit what the Christian faith is about?

 Would you like to know more about getting baptized or confirmed?

Whether you are someone who goes to church or someone who doesn't, but is simply interested in learning more about the Christian faith, you are invited to a monthly dis- cussion group. This is a gentle introduction to Christian faith. It will explore some key beliefs and themes within Christianity, with opportunity both to reflect on ideas presented and discuss these as a group. Materials are provided. There is no additional time commitment outside of the course. HELD THE LAST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH, BEGINNING 25 JUNE at 7pm. Feel able to come along for a 'taster' and see if this may be for you. Venue in Minchinhampton to be confirmed. Refreshments provided. FAITH MATTERS: Foundations in Christianity is being run by Holy Trinity Church, Amberley and Holy Trinity Church Minchinhampton with St Barnabas, Box. Revd Canon Mike Tucker and Revd Helen Bailey, Rector of the Benefice, will be leading this course. Please do contact Helen on 01453 882289 hel- [email protected] or Mike on 01453 873352 [email protected] if you would like to know more about it. If the day and time do not work for you, please let us know in case we can provide something alternative.

Nailsworth Festival singer-songwriter, Hattie Briggs; classical music from the award-winning Sacconi The 2015 Festival starts with the family Quartet and three of the best musicians fun of Festival Saturday on May 16th in on the folk scene, performing as Leverett. Mortimer Gardens, Nailsworth. Once Bestselling Gloucestershire author Dinah again there will be a wide variety of market Jefferies will give a talk about her work. stalls below Mortimer Gardens selling Bristol Old Vic Theatre School will be many kinds of foods, gifts, snacks and presenting a classic restoration comedy crafts. And around the corner in Market and, finally, improvisational comedy will Street the traders will be spilling out onto be provided by Instant Wit. the street with café tables and stalls accompanied by a programme of entertainment There is a very full programme of exhibi- provided by local street performers. tions, walks, workshops, drama and other activities planned for the week.Go to The legendary poet Roger McGough has www.nailsworthfestival.org.uk for full de- been booked to headline the Festival on tails or get hold of a festival brochure from Saturday 23rd May. During the Festival the Town Information Centre (where you there will be a range of musical perfor- can also buy tickets), mances to suit most tastes: jazz with the Huw Warren/Iain Ballamy Quartet; local

Life Recycled. in a serious fight with another stallion at the last breeding season and had badly The mare walked quietly into the forest. wounded it; he himself had received bites She was heavily pregnant and wanted and gashes which would take time to heal, somewhere to have her foal in peace, and and had no knowledge as yet of the new not feel threatened. The trees and under- life he had created. He would have to find growth hid her very effectively. the herbs and leaves that he instinctively After a short while her son slipped from knew would help his injuries and rest up her, down onto the leafy ground and lay until he had recovered. still, tired after the trauma of birth. She The mare was part of his group and turned and began to lick and nuzzle him would soon have to join the herd again, to encourage him to stand, and after a few and she knew that at some time in the fu- moments he stood on uncertain legs and ture her son would have to fight all- found his first life-giving drink. comers to find his way to the top, to take He was a beautiful sorrel colour, with a the place his father had now. She would white flash on his tiny face, well propor- defend him from all danger until his time tioned and strong; he was destined to be a came to prove himself. He would have leader but that was in the future. For now time to grow within the group into which he was content with the protection his he had been born, time to grow into as fi- mother gave him, and had no thought as ne a stallion as his father, time to make his to what destiny had in store. mark on the herd. He didn't know his father, who had been Rosemary Lea 19

The Invisible Reader month until the Summer holidays. While me and my blue scarf may not have been Where is she? Where seen 'up-front' lately, I am still a part of the has she gone? Is she Benefice ministerial team and continue to coming back? pastorally support this community and to These are some of the work as part of the Young People's Minis- questions that have try group and with the school. been asked of family What does the future hold? Well for now by friends. As many I remain in the community and, with will know, I began God's blessing, hope to be ordained in training and study for ordination in Sep- Gloucester Cathedral in June 2016. Up tember 2014. Because I have been until that time I shall continue to work be- blessed with the support of the ministerial hind the scenes as your Reader and after team and this community, my training will that, well once I know, you will be the first be shorter than most. to hear! This does mean, however, that I am With love and thanks for all your support. spending regular weekends away, and will begin a placement in Nailsworth next Deborah

Twelvetree Voices Poems by Robert Bridges. In addition there will be a selection of choral settings Young Choir to Sing for St Barnabas, Box of traditional songs from around the Brit- Elizabeth Rogers was brought up in Box. ish Isles. The focal point of the beautiful view from The second concert, Tea for Two, will be her bedroom window was the golden spire at 3.30pm on Sunday 10th May in Box of the church of St Barnabas Village Hall, with tickets at £10 which will Elizabeth now lives in London and in her include tea with scones and cake. The spare time sings with the BBC Symphony repertoire for this concert will be close Chorus, a leading voluntary choir in the harmony arrangements of popular songs country. Elizabeth has put together a small from across the decades of the twentieth choir - the Twelvetree Voices - comprising century, plus a few extra surprises! a group of her friends, many of whom are Proceeds from this second concert will leading young members of the Chorus. help raise funds for Stroud Choral Socie- This May she will bring the Twelvetree ty’s project to set up “the Minpins” chil- Voices to Box for a weekend of concerts dren’s choir. in the village in aid of local charities. Tickets for both concerts are available The first of these concerts will be on Sat- from Mark or Anne Rogers and can be urday 9th May at 7.30pm in St Barnabas reserved by email via Church. - Darling Buds of May. Tickets [email protected] or by telephone are £7 and proceeds will go to The 01453 833588. Friends of St Barnabas. The programme features Gerald Finzi’s setting of Seven 21

Recipe of the Month  Ras al Hanout* (or garam masala)  ground coriander  curry powder (any strength to suit your taste) - optional  tsp ground turmeric You also need:

 ½ tsp salt (scant)  1 pinch ground pepper  Heaped tablespoon each of finely The lovely lamb available at this time of chopped parsley and coriander year inspired me to reproduce these  Heaped tablespoon of diced onion tagine recipes.  1 clove of garlic, finely chopped A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough  Selection of vegetables e.g. shallots, car- to go on a tagine cookery course in Mo- rot batons, sliced new potatoes, cour- rocco, held in the courtyard home of a la- gettes, broccoli, French beans, celery dy called Lalla Fatima. It was a revelation, etc. an education and an inspiration. After an  Half tin chopped tomatoes hour at the market learning about the spic-  Tablespoon olive oil es and buying our ingredients, we went  2 tablespoons water (you will probably back to Lalla's house and prepared our need to add more during cooking) various dishes, which we then proceeded to cook over braziers in her garden, and Method : eat on her veranda. Oil the bottom of the tagine (or lidded fry- Once you have mastered the basic spic- ing pan) with the olive oil. Arrange your ing, the recipe variations are endless. You meat in the tagine and sprinkle over the do not need an authentic pot as long as chopped onion, garlic, parsley and corian- you have a wide-based casserole that can der. Add the dry spices, then the water go directly over a flame, or a fairly deep and olive oil and mix together so it is well lidded frying pan. amalgamated. Put on a low heat and bring to simmering point. For chicken tagines, For meat, you can use either diced lamb add vegetables at the beginning, cover and shoulder, or boned and skinned chicken cook for about an hour. For lamb tagine, thighs, whole or cut up. add veg after about half an hour, and con- Interestingly, in Morocco, this is not tinue to cook for a further hour. Check served with couscous, but as a one-pot liquid at intervals, adding more water as dish in its own right, accompanied by vari- necessary. ous salads. Variations Basic spices per 8oz/250g meat (serves 2) Tagine Berbère (lamb or chicken): add to A generous half-teaspoon of each of the spices above ½ tsp sweet paprika; half a following spices: preserved lemon, cut into thin strips (or a quarter of a fresh lemon, cut into thin  ground ginger strips)

(Continued from page 22) Lemon chicken tagine: add half a preserved lemon finely sliced and a handful Sweet lamb tagine: add to spices above ½ of black, pitted olives (green may be sub- tsp cinnamon and one small quince, stituted) peeled and diced into 1cm chunks, at the * Ras al Hanout, a N. African spice blend, beginning of cooking. You can substitute is widely available in supermarkets, but be- prunes or apricots for quince, but add for ware - some brands are spicier than oth- last few mins of cooking only. ers! Sweet chicken tagine: add peeled almonds Jane and prunes for last few minutes.

Jazz Evening A grand total of £3000 was raised on 27 March to support the three hilltop community schools in remotest Nepal where John Gilbert volunteered last year. Very many thanks to everyone in Amberley who kindly supported this event so generously, enabling us to raise so much money for this cause. This means that the solar panels will now be or- dered and installed by this summer and the remainder of the funds raised will be used towards the rebuild and re-siting of new classrooms that are slipping down the mountain due to erosion, using a design which will also make them more earthquake proof and give better protection against the elements – the current rooms have no glass in the windows and the mountain scree is piling in to the classrooms! Further long-term projects within these three schools include providing a science teaching classroom, pur- chasing desks and blackboards, and a supported teacher training programme. The event was supported by many local companies and the organisers would like to thank in particular Murrays Estate Agents, Country Quality Meats, C2, the Salon, Clob- ber and Daisy Jane in Nailsworth, the Amberley Inn, Ecotricity, Dinner at Six, and Ma- jestic Wine.

A Tapestry of English Choral Music Gloucester Choral Society Adrian Partington conductor Saturday 23 May | 7pm | Gloucester Cathedral A glorious weave of music from some of our greatest 20th century composers Tickets: £27.50, £22.50, £15, £10 (discounts for under 16s & groups) Book online : gloucesterchoral.com | Box office: 01242 691190

Welcome to our new Bishop! held since 2011. Her Majesty the Queen has appointed the Following the announcement, Rachel said: Venerable Rachel Treweek, Archdeacon “It is an immense joy and privilege to be of Hackney in the Diocese of London, as appointed as the Bishop of Gloucester. I the next Bishop of Gloucester. am surprised and, I have to admit, even a little daunted by the prospect, but my overwhelming feeling is one of excitement to be coming to join with others in sharing the love of Jesus Christ with the people of this diocese. “I am looking forward to encouraging Christians to speak out with confidence about their faith and the good news that the Gospel brings. It will be my privilege to work with churches as we connect with people, wherever they are and whatever their concerns. "My calling to the role of bishop has been shaped by human encounter. I believe profoundly that relationship is at the heart of who God is. I have been with people through the joys and pains of their lives and it is these experiences that I will reflect upon as I take up this new role.” Rachel Treweek will be the first female The Most Revd Desmond Tutu, emeritus Diocesan Bishop in the Church of Eng- Archbishop of Cape Town commented: land following legislation passed last year “What fantastic news. Wow, how wonder- enabling women as Bishops. ful so soon after Bishop Libby. I'm The bishop designate comes to the dio- thrilled for you dear Rachel and I'm cese having served previously in a number thrilled for the Diocese of Gloucester, for of other ministries. She is the current the Church of England, for the Church of Archdeacon of Hackney, a role she has God and for all of us. Yippee!”

From the registers … Wedding 11 April - Thomas Coombs and Amy Pettit Funeral 30 March - Roy Stewart

Gardening Notes Last month brought us glorious sunshine Weeding is almost a daily affair. Depend- and so everything in the garden grew well ing on how tolerant you are perhaps celan- although many leaves and petals were dines and violets are scattered across your chewed by the numerous slugs and snails flower beds but hoary bittercress, dandeli- that also thrived. ons, speedwells and goosegrass will soon take over from your precious seedlings The wonderful dances of butterflies and the thistles are already starting to ap- brighten many a day with small tortoise- pear! shell, peacock, brimstone and many more seeking the sweet nectar from the spring The commons are shining with the nod- flowers. ding heads of cowslips and soon the early purple orchids will be appearing. We are so lucky to have such a profusion of flora and fauna to enjoy. Jobs for the month:  Look out for blackspot on roses and treat promptly with a systemic fungi- cide.

In Victorian times, butterfly collecting was  Tie in your sweet peas to encourage a mainstream pursuit. Local people would them to climb. rent their homes to enthusiastic collectors who would descend on butterfly hotspots  Do not trim foliage on daffodils for during the flight season. Small boys would some weeks as they need to replenish catch rarities and sell them to gentleman their bulbs to provide flowers for next collectors for princely sums. year. Collecting was regarded as the perfect  Harden off dahlias and other tender hobby for clergy - not as brutal as fox- plants ready to plant outside. hunting but still allowing for plentiful fresh air - and Victorian drawing rooms were  Be vigilant for the first signs of vibur- brightened with mahogany drawers stuffed num and lily beetles and destroy. with rows of pinned, dead butterflies. To-  Harvest rhubarb but only pick about a day when butterfly collecting is discour- third of the stems. aged and may even be illegal it seems a strange occupation. However the collec- The Ambling Gardener tors discovered much about ecology and their hoards are still scientifically useful.

Gardening Club mums are grown to flower in the autumn. Many others are grown but there are too At our April meeting we welcomed some many to list here. new members, some visitors and current members. Our speaker was Bill Howe Bill told us of problems they encounter from Howe’s Horticulture. Bill and his with slugs, mice and pigeons, so it’s much wife, Pauline, run a small Horticultural the same as here. He didn’t mention the business growing seasonal cut flowers and ever-hungry deer! Bill urged us to be care- flowering plants on a small market garden ful of the sap from Campanula as it can in Tutshill near Chepstow, close to the cause a long-lasting nasty rash. Members River Wye. bought some of their very healthy-looking plants at the end of the meeting. Bill explained how there has been a resur- gence of flower-growing during the last At our next meeting on Thursday 14th few years. Some people who traditionally May, the speaker is Davina Wynne-Jones grew vegetables have decided to grow from Barnsley Herb Garden with Herbs flowers for cutting. In 1995 Bill and Paul- for Healing. Please see www.amberley.org ine bought a field which they fenced, di- > local groups > Gardening Club, for de- viding it into two plots: 1 acre and half an tails of our organised trips and events for acre. They grow flowers in polytunnels this year. There are some spaces available and outside. on 2nd June to the Walled Gardens of Cannington in Bridgewater and Hester- We were shown many colourful slides combe in Taunton and the trip on 7th Ju- with rows of flowers growing on their land ly to Jekka’s Herbetum in Alveston. and in the tunnels. These included Daffo- dils and Anemones in early spring, with Many thanks to all who supported us at Tulips and Irises to follow. Summer flow- our Plant Sale at the Book Sale in Amber- ers include Alstroemeria, Asters, Pinks ley Parish Rooms on 18th April. and Sunflowers. Dahlias and Chrysanthe-

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Call Michele for an appointment Minchinhampton Foot Clinic Tel 01453 887001 or 07715 627611

For personal, complete 24 hour service Philip Ford & Son Funeral Directors Dirleton House, Cainscross Road 01453 763592 Part of Dignity plc. A British Company

Rotas for May Week- ending Sunday Flowers Coffee Cleaning 3 May Di Rowe Alice Adams and Betty Lane Irene Andrews 10 May Alice Adams Maureen Anderson Anne Seymour and Jane Foreman 17 May Janet Saunders Rosemary Lea and Anne Seymour Betty Lane 24 May Sheila Rowley Elizabeth Haughton Sue Pugh and Pat Woods 31 May Sue Page John and Cathy Sue Pugh McIlroy

If you would like to help with any duties, please contact Heather Pearson for church services (885477) , Rosemary Lea for flowers (872901), Fred Ashworth for church cleaning (873436), and Heather Pearson (885477) for after-service coffee.

Magazine typeset by Steve Goodwin All copy and articles for the magazine should be emailed to him at [email protected] by the 16th of the month.

The Parish Church of the Holy Trinity, Amberley

Rector Rev Helen Bailey [email protected] 01453 882289 Associate Priest Rev Brian Atkinson [email protected] 01453 299793 Methodist Minister Rev Simon Topping [email protected] 01453 764818 Associate Priest Rev Sandy Emery [email protected] 01452 814148 Retired Priest Rev Canon Brian Andrews [email protected] 01453 873068 Retired Priest Rev Canon Mike Tucker [email protected] 01453 873352 Churchwardens Mrs Sue Piechowiak [email protected] 01453 872540 Dr Simon Barker [email protected] 01453 882504 Reader Mrs Deborah Curram [email protected] 01453 872546 Reader Emeritus Mrs Anne Seymour [email protected] 01453 873272 Verger Mrs Clare Weaver [email protected] 01453 872602 Director of Music Dr Steve Goodwin [email protected] 01453 873381 Head Server Mrs Jan Howard [email protected] 01453 872689 Stewards Mrs Margaret Keck [email protected] 01453 872300 Mr Chris Pearson [email protected] 01453 885477 ACC: Secretary Mrs Pat Woods [email protected] 01453 872652 Treasurer Book-keeper Rev Ann Morris [email protected] 01453 872371 Vice Chmn Mr Chris Pearson [email protected] 01453 885477 Planned Giving Sec Mrs Sarah Goodwin [email protected] 01453 873381 Social Committee Sec Mrs Sandra Tucker [email protected] 01453 873352 Sunday Club Mrs Claire Wilkins [email protected] 01453 835864 Youth Group Mrs Claire Wilkins [email protected] 01453 835864 Advert Secretary Dr Steve Goodwin [email protected] 01453 873381 Church Flower Rota Mrs Rosemary Lea [email protected] 01453 872901 Friday Cuppa Mrs Jan Howard [email protected] 01453 872689 MU Secretary Mrs Pat Woods [email protected] 01453 872652 Pastoral Care Co-ord Mrs Di Rowe [email protected] 01453 873458 Peace & Justice Group Mrs Sue Pugh [email protected] 01453 872551 Worship Group Mr John Gilbert [email protected] 01453 836275 Communications Grp Mrs Jane Foreman [email protected] 01453 833028 Mr Fred Ashworth [email protected] 01453 873436 Archives Group Mrs Anne Seymour [email protected] 01453 873272 Fairtrade/Food Bank Mr John Fontaine [email protected] 01453 751113

If you have an item for the Pew Sheet, please email it to [email protected]

Village Organisations Amberley Parochial School [email protected] 01453 873349 Head Teacher – Sharon Cale [email protected] Amberley Playgroup Mondays, Fridays, 9.15-12.15 Wednesday, 9.15-3.00 Thursday, 12.30-3.00 Cathy Brown 01453 872571 Toddlers Group – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.45-11.45 am Leader - Andrea Glover 01453 872571 Royal British Legion – Joint Men and Women’s Branch Second Tuesday of even months at 7.30 pm in the Parish Room Chairman – Roger Rowe [email protected] 01453 873458 Littleworth Hall Booking Secretary – Mrs Di Rowe [email protected] 01453 873458 Parish Room Management Committee Letting Secretary– Mrs Clare Weaver [email protected] 01453 872602 Highlands Cottage Charity Mrs Viv Leivers [email protected] 01453 873665 Scouts - Fridays 7-9 pm Enquiries - Please use contact form at www.amberleyscouts.org.uk Cub Scouts – Thursdays 6.45-8.15 pm Mark Wingfield [email protected] Beaver Scouts – Thursdays 5.30-6.30 pm Sue Jenkins [email protected] 01453 873542 Guides – Wednesdays 7.30-9 pm Mrs Nicky Young [email protected] 01453 886750 Brownies – Wednesdays 6.00-7.30 pm in the Parish Rooms Miss Joy Hopkins [email protected] 01453 834767 Amberley Gardening Club – 2nd Thur of each month – Parish Room Mrs Jacky Staff [email protected] 07809 565724

Other Churches Roman Catholic – The PrioryWebsite Church of- thewww.amberley.org.uk Annunciation – Woodchester. Baptist Church – Minchinhampton. URC – Tabernacle – Rodborough. Methodist/Baptist/URC – Christchurch – Nailsworth. Society of Friends – Meeting House – Nailsworth. Useful Telephone Numbers Doctors: The Surgery, Minchinhampton. 883793 or The Surgery, Nailsworth. 832424 Stroud Hospital: 0300 4218080 Veterinary Surgeons: Clockhouse, Stroud. 752555 or Bowbridge, Stroud. 762350 Milk Deliveries: T. Clarke (Dairy) Ltd., Amberley 872368

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