PARISH NEWS St Cuthberts, Wells and St Mary Magdalene, Wookey Hole January 2013

“In the bleak midwinter..”

Building on the Past

by Elizabeth Sidwell

Well, what a year we had – Jubilee and Olympics cleaned and smartened up by local residents of – rain and floods – celebrating 50 years as priest all ages, and has been well used since it – new children and grandchildren – expected opened. It’s encouraging that people with and unexpected deaths – Synod’s vote against diverse ideas and hopes and past experiences women . can work through any potential differences of outlook, and make something good happen. Jubilee and especially the Olympics gave a brief spurt to the idea that we are a single society, lots Although water flowing through and across the of volunteering and being nice to each other on streets of Wells and Wookey Hole is nothing the streets of , but I understand that has unusual, this year it seems to have got out of now stopped again! However, down here in hand. While floods round here are not anything Wells we see lots of communal effort producing new, there certainly have been more than usual good effects. Perhaps the Swans of Wells this year. At St Cuthbert’s we are well positioned should be noted here. That was really a to see the effect, with the outflow from the raised surprisingly (to me!) successful idea, and it is sluices of the ’s palace meeting the good to see that some of the swans can still be Chamberlain Street river just at the bottom of St. found round town. Cuthbert St. Will this get better or worse when there is more building in the city and its Wookey Hole’s common effort has seen the environs? I fear that Wells is going to need big opening of a new Community hall – which was new drains, and that will cost a lot of money. Of continued 1 course some places are just too near the water level for behind the scenes in one of our national treasures, seeing anything to prevent the ground getting sodden after a vast exhibition areas in the basement no longer open to the summer of rain such as we have had, while water in public for example. She loved it! But being a stranger to Wookey Hole is just a perennial fact of life. We are all going London, she asked if I’d like to accompany her for some of to have to remember how to live with water which is not in the time, which I took her up on. our control. After a false start because of the floods on the day the rain

January 2013 50 years as priest is something else to remember, and the service held at St Cuthbert’s for Peter Lloyd’s anniversary came down, I made it via a devious route (well done First was a super event. For women in the priesthood, of course, Great Western) and had the opportunity to spend my days memories of this year will be less uplifting. There are those “doing” London again before meeting Jen in the evenings. who are coming up to their 20 years as priest, no mean With bus-pass in hand facilitating free travel, one day I did effort, but following the vote in Synod in November there is Oxford Street and its shops. No longer the shops I was no chance that any of them, regardless of experience or familiar with from student days when I had spent many a ability, will become bishop in the for Saturday browsing their wares, and seemingly much busier years and years. Disturbing for many of us, and hardly PARISH NEWS and noisier because of the havoc wrought by building the reflecting the views of most people in this parish. However, new Crossrail system nearby, I started in Selfridges’ we continue our walk together, hoping that God’s call and Christmas department, and bought a new star for our tree. presence will guide and support us. Gradually making my way along to Oxford Circus, I looked Each of us will have had our own personal encounters with up Regent Street to the BBC building, so familiar of late life’s ups and downs during this year. In retrospect many from the numerous interviews carried on outside it in the seem less significant, but some will have had their impact wake of the Savile furore and Entwistle resignation. And on the way we live, the things we hope for. Looking back, right beside it, All Souls Church. can we see the things which were important, rather than those which were worrying or inconvenient – exciting or Now, All Souls had been my home church for several years, gratifying? Recognising the difference may help to make both in the latter days as a student, and when I worked at the ups and downs of 2013 easier to contend with. The the Countryside Commission in Regents Park until I married occasional panics about health or the fabric of buildings or Alastair and we moved away to theology college in the rising prices quite often pass as we learn what to do, Nottingham. It felt right to go back in there, to sit and take how to live with the changes. When they do not pass, what in the atmosphere, to remember events that had taken do we learn about ourselves and those around us? What do we learn about life? place, to recall the influence the church had on me and our life from then on. It was so peaceful, despite being in the The story of Christmas tells us that, whatever our feelings centre of London, thick glass eradicating the world rushing are, whatever is logical, God is with us, and in God’s love past outside. No-one came to disturb me or the peace; I we can trust. The triumphs and disasters of last year are was able to spend time with God. And think of the many part of life’s rich tapestry, and through them we can learn roads travelled as a result of its influence. more of ourselves and God, and make our lives anew in the light of the new reality. I leave you with words of St Paul to At the start of this New Year, I hope you can also revisit the Colossians “whatever you do, in word or deed, do places that have meant as much to you, to look back at everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to what influence they had, but also look forward to the next God the Father through him”. steps in life in 2013. Visitors often come into church here Elizabeth and say they used to live locally, they used to worship here, and it is obvious that those times have left a mark. It is not necessary to fill such a visit with chat; sometimes the visitor may just want to sit in quiet and live with memories of times Vicarage Viewpoint past. We need to be alert to such visitors and be welcoming if they do want to talk, but also be aware if they Happy New Year, everyone! need space and quiet.

As ever, the beginning of a new year is a time of looking Bid forwards to the year ahead, but also perhaps looking back at events of the year just gone, if not further back. Wild life questions Just think how much deeper the ocean would be if I have recently made a visit back to stomping grounds of my • sponges didn’t live there. student days and first job in my early twenties, and it has • Isn’t Disney World a people trap operated by a mouse? certainly been a time of remembering events that have not Do fish get stomach cramps after eating? popped up to the forefront of my mind for many years. Is • this a sign of getting older I wonder?! • Is boneless chicken considered to be an invertebrate? • Why don’t they just make mouse-flavoured cat food? Our daughter Jenny is a museum curator at Exeter • If olive oil comes from olives, where does baby oil come Museum, and she managed to gain a week-long placement from? at the British Museum, using their resources for research • Why doesn’t Tarzan have a beard? into Exeter’s collections; a fascinating opportunity to get • If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat? • War doesn’t determine who’s right, just who’s left

2 Surviving Winter Appeal Wookey Hole WI

It is estimated that 400 vulnerable people in Somerset died The December meeting was a social get-together, without in the past two winters from causes directly attributable to speaker or competitions. Calendars, diaries, Carol Service the cold and poor living conditions - over 90% were aged 65 programmes and Christmas quiz sheets were distributed. or over. It is estimated that more than 33,000 older people Jill was thanked for her work on the tree for the St in Somerset live in fuel poverty, many suffering in silence Cuthbert’s Church Christmas Tree festival; five giraffes January 2013 during the coldest months. appear to have wandered off, but hopefully they will return. The speaker at the January meeting will be Kay Wych, The Somerset Community Foundation is calling on all who speaking as Alyce Cleeve, a sixteenth century kitchen maid. can afford to forego their Winter Fuel Payment to donate the There will also be a discussion about the future of Denman money to help elderly people in Somerset who are most College. vulnerable during the coldest weather. The , Peter Price and his wife Dee, A suitably festive tea was provided by members of the have already pledged their support to the 2012 campaign, committee, and obviously much enjoyed. There were three

PARISH NEWS Bishop Peter says: main activities, all gentle. Holly leaves were cut out of brightly coloured paper and assembled for a holly wreath, “The cost of heating a home over the winter is something which was hung up to decorate the hall. Word search many simply can not afford to do. Pensioners are puzzles were tackled, and an idea of eastern warmth was particularly vulnerable and need the support of those more introduced with a mummy-wrapping competition, in which fortunate in their community. I fully support the Somerset the winners were probably the toilet roll manufacturers. Community Foundation Surviving Winter Campaign and There was a handbag scavenger hunt, the WI is up there Dee and I pledge to donate our winter fuel allowance to this with the best when it comes to well equipped handbags. good cause. I urge others who are able, to do the same. In Sue demonstrated a simple but very effective way of making doing so, we could help save the life of a Somerset Christmas tree angels. pensioner this winter.” As energy prices rise again, the Somerset Community The meeting ended with the presentation of competition Foundation is asking anyone who can afford to do so, to cups. The Skittles cup was won by Myrtle. The monthly support their 2012 appeal and transform the lives of competition cup went to Sue, with Jill second and Jan third. hundreds of older people in Somerset this winter. The flower cup was won by Jill, with Sue and Margaret joint second and Jan third. The Somerset Community Foundation will work with local charities and community groups to make sure financial and Elizabeth R. practical assistance is available when and where it is most needed. More information is available on the Somerset Community Foundation’s website: www.somersetcf.org.uk or you can call 01749 344949. Donations received from outside the SCF area will be sent to the appropriate Community Foundation according to postcode. To support the Surviving Winter Appeal please send a cheque made payable to the Surviving Winter Appeal, Justin Sargent, Somerset Community Foundation, Yeoman House, Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, BA4 Registered Charity No. 1139808 6QN or alternatively donate online via www.localgiving.com/ Providing Child & Adolescent Listening Support Services somersetcf Gift Aid certificate available - ask the Editor CHALISS are delighted to announce a special fund-raising evening with the Bishop of Bath & Wells, Rt. Rev Peter Price on Thursday 31 January 2013 at the Bishops Palace Undercroft, Wells. Doors open at 7.00pm and the talk will start at 7.30pm. Tickets are £8.00 per person. Bishop Peter’s talk will be on his work in the field of reconciliation which is a very topical subject. He is an inspiring, motivating and highly entertaining speaker. He is active in issues of reconciliation, and has made contributions to peacemaking in , Iraq, and in Zimbabwe, being awarded the Coventry Cross of Nails for this work in 1999. CHALISS provides much-needed counselling support to young people aged 11-19 years, living in the Glastonbury area. In the last year we supported 43 young people who were struggling with a wide range of issues including self- esteem and confidence, bullying, self-harm, bereavement, stress and anxiety, to name but a few. The outcomes have been extremely positive and encouraging and have improved the lives of these young people in so many ways – they have developed strategies continued 3 continuedto cope with their problems, are happy and From the Rt Revd Peter Price, The confident now and many barriers have been removed that were preventing them from moving on in their lives. Bishop of Bath & Wells There will be a fund-raising raffle during the evening and an New Year always provides an opportunity to ‘begin again.’ I opportunity to become a ‘Friend of CHALISS’ which enables think that is why new year resolutions have the appeal they you to become a member for £10 per annum. do. In Hebrew understanding the idea of ‘blessing’ carries

January 2013 Tickets for the evening can be obtained by emailing with it the concept of ‘beginning again.’ When we receive a [email protected] - or ringing 01749 346123 or 01458 blessing in church, it is not simply the last act of the service, 850081. (A stamped addressed envelope would be appreciated it is something God bestows on us so that we can ‘begin for the tickets). again.’

Beginning again can of course be very positive. We recognise there are things we have done that we regret, Groaners from the PCC supper on and we may have confessed those actions in our prayers in

PARISH NEWS 12th December church. This time I will do better, try harder, and be more kind, compassionate, caring. Sometimes beginning again is Q. How do you catch a squirrel? not so positive. We decide that regardless of the possibility A. You climb up a tree and act like a nut. of doing something differently, we are not ready, do not want Q. What has no beginning, end or middle? to, and so ‘beginning again’ means picking up the grudge, A. A doughnut. the argument or even the habit, that ought at some point to be laid down. Q. How do you get five donkeys in a fire engine? A. Two in the front, two in the back, and one on the roof Providing the political situation is sufficiently safe, I will be going EE-AW-EE-AW returning in January to Israel and the Palestinian Occupied Q. What is always coming but never Territories – otherwise known as ‘The Holy Land.’ I have lost truly arrives? count of the number of visits I have made here. It is always A. Tomorrow. a bitter sweet experience. More often than not when I am in Jerusalem I visit Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial, with Q. What do you get if you cross a fruit with a Welshman? A. A taffy apple. its grim record of the persecution of the Jews in Europe under the Nazis. I always leave moved, and with wider Q. What goes up and down without moving? understanding. A. Stairs Crossing into Gaza, or the West Bank is always difficult. Q. What is white and furry and smells of peppermint? Here one witnesses a people experiencing many privations A. A polo bear. and suffering hardships, as well as seeing the Q. Which word in the English language becomes shorter consequences of military action and the seven metre high when it is lengthened? barrier that surrounds Israel. I know too of the terror effect of A. Short. rockets fired from dissident groups into Israel.

Q. What do you get if you cross a palm tree with a frog? If ever there was a place that needed a blessing it is this area A. A croakanut. of the world. Taking sides doesn’t help. Facing each with the Q. What is the biggest pencil in the world? reality of the image of God in the other is a hard, but A. Pennsylvania. necessary truth. ‘Beginning again’ here does require the most positive of steps from politicians and international mediators. Q. How do you keep an idiot in suspense? A. I’ll tell you later. Not everyone, like me, can visit. But we can all pray to the God who loves Jew and Arab alike, that this year will see a Q. What is the biggest building in the world? blessing – a beginning again that will lead to lasting peace. A. A library, because it has the most stories. Happy New Year. Q. Did you hear about the man who fell into an upholstery +Peter machine? A. He’s fully recovered.

Q. What has no beginning, end or middle and touches every continent? A. The ocean.

Q. Who appears in cowboy films and is always broke? A. Skint Eastwood.

B. What word can be written forward, backward or upside down, and can still be read from left to right? A. NOON.

As you can imagine, there was not a lot of serious debate going on that evening! Ed.

4 UK Health & Safety extension of EU Wells Evening Society Directive 03759/4043Z/1211/JB/Dec.2011 New Season of Lectures Note: Predictably, this was not sent out until 26 December You are invited to join the Wells Evening Society to enjoy 2012, but breaches of its provisions will nevertheless be excellent audio-visual presentations in the elegant subject to retrospective enforcement - Ed. surroundings of Wells Town Hall. Lectures are on the first Thursday of each month starting at 7.30pm and we January 2013 Dear parishioner, socialise with wine and soft drinks from 6.45pm onwards. Please be advised that all church members planning to dash through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh, going Early 2013 Programme over the fields and laughing all the way are required to 3rd January Pirates of Barbary – Dr Adrian undergo a Risk Assessment addressing the safety of open Tinniswood sleighs. This assessment must also consider whether it is 7th February Henry Purcell: England’s Greatest appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, Composer – Colin Booth particularly where there are multiple passengers. Please PARISH NEWS note that permission must also be obtained in writing from 7th March Our Energy Future – David Edwards landowners before their fields may be entered. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we request 4th April The Drama Behind the Taj Mahal: that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be the life and times of the Indian Emperor considered a noise nuisance. Shah Jahan – Oliver Everett

Benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available Membership: £30 for full season but you are welcome for collection by any shepherds planning or required to to come to an individual lecture before watch their flocks at night. While provision has also been you join at a cost of £6 00. made for remote monitoring of flocks by CCTV cameras from a centrally heated shepherd observation hut, all facility www.wellseveningsociety.co.uk or 01761 232788 users are reminded that an emergency response plan must be submitted to account for known risks to the flocks. The angel of the Lord is additionally reminded that prior to Please come to the shining his/her glory all around s/he must confirm that all shepherds are wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment to account for the harmful effects of UVA, UVB Annual Buffet Lunch and the overwhelming effects of Glory. ...and do bring a friend Following last year’s well publicised case, everyone is on advised that EC legislation prohibits any comment with regard to the redness of any part of Mr. R. Reindeer. Further Thursday 21st February 2013 to this, exclusion of Mr. R Reindeer from reindeer games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will 12.00 noon-2.00 p.m. be taken against those found guilty of this offence. at While it is acknowledged that gift-bearing is commonly practised in various parts of the world, particularly the The Town Hall, Wells Orient, everyone is reminded that the bearing of gifts is subject to Hospitality Guidelines and all gifts must be registered. This applies regardless of the individual, even The proceeds will be donated to royal personages. It is particularly noted that direct gifts of currency or gold are specifically precluded under provisions The Children's Society of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Further, caution is every child deserves a good childhood advised regarding other common gifts, such as aromatic resins that may initiate allergic reactions. Pay at the door Still only £8 a head Finally, in the recent case of the infant found tucked up in a manger without any crib for a bed, Social Services have been advised and will be arriving shortly. Oddments Merry Christmas, After many years together… Risk Management Team ? Wife: “Well, you know the old saying…” Husband: “Yeah.” ______Man: “What’s he got that I haven’t got?” Woman: “Awareness.” Man: “What’s that?” ______Soon you begin to realise that “I don’t want to” is the world’s greatest reason

Mason Williams

5 South African Bobotie January 2013 PARISH NEWS

Serves 4

2 slices brown or wholemeal bread 300ml semi-skimmed milk A Bible quiz – of sorts! 1tbsp olive oil Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married? 2 onions, peeled & chopped A. Ruthless 454gms lean steak or lamb mince Q. What do they call pastors in Germany? 1-2 tbsp medium curry powder A. German Shepherds. (Try adding one or two chopped chilis - Ed.) Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible? 3 tbsp raisins or sultanas A. Noah. He was floating his stock while everyone 2 tbsp mango chutney else was in liquidation. 3 free range eggs Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible? serve with couscous, pitta bread & salad A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet. Prep time: about 20 minutes, cooking time 30-40 minutes Q What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden? A. Your mother ate us out of house and home. Preheat the oven to 180℃ / fan 160℃ / gas Mk4. Break the Q. What's the phone number of the Garden of Eden? bread into pieces and put into a bowl, spoon over 3 tbsp of A. ADAM-8-1-2 From the Registers 2012 the milk and leave to soak. Meanwhile, heat the oil and fry the onion for 5 minutes. Add the mince and curry powder and cook until the meat browns, Acrostic then add the bread, raisins or sultanas and chutney. If you Acrostic is a poem form have time, leave the mixture to chill before you spoon it into an ovenproof dish (20 x 20cms) - this will allow the sauce to Containing a device remain thick on top. Rhyming’s not essential, no it Only makes it nice Whisk the eggs and remaining milk well, and season. Pour over the meat mixture and bake for 35-40 minutes Sometimes it is difficult To write acrostic muse It took a lot of patience This is another of the main course dishes made by Elaine for Market Day lunches; I tried it and loved it! A little touch of Composing this for youse South sun in the soggy depths of our winter. Ed. Mason Williams Please send me your own favourite recipes - any type of dish welcome.

A mouse tail A mother mouse and a baby mouse were walking along, when all of a sudden, a cat attacked them. The mother mouse shouted: "BARK! BARK!" and the cat ran away.

"See?" said the mother mouse to her baby. "Now do you see why it's important to learn a foreign language?" 6 FROM LITTLE THINGS FROM THE REGISTERS 2012

CHRISTIAN BAPTISM Sometimes the smallest, most innocent looking things can cause 25th November Christopher Bryan Ellis great changes. The proverb says Megan Louise Christine Ellis that great oaks grow from little 9th December Ella Jennifer Suzette Ashman

January 2013 acorns and it seems a miracle that something as small as an acorn, so small that you can hold Daisy Kim Ashman a lot of them in your hand, can grow into something as huge and strong as an oak tree. Amelia Sophia Ashman

GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY BLESSING Brian John & Jane Elizabeth Philpin PARISH NEWS

FUNERALS AND MEMORIAL SERVICES 30th November William (Bill) Kent Jesus talked about this power in the parables, the stories that he told, when he said that the Kingdom of Heaven is 19th December Muriel Susan (Sue) Trenchard like yeast (Matthew, chapter 13, verse 33). Yeast is a small 28th Susan (Sue) Cokayne fungus but without it we wouldn’t have bread, wine or beer. Jesus reminded us that you don’t have to be big to make a 31st Reginald Withers difference. A very small amount of yeast turns a lot of flour Sheila Jenkins into bread. We may be only one, small person but we too can make a difference.

BABY NAMES When a cat has babies they are called kittens. What are the The New Year blessing babies of these other animals called. Answers at the bottom of the page. God bless to me the new year that is here. With all that is designed ahead for me; Above all, I bless thy countenance so dear And thank thee for this time, O God, thou givest me to see.

O God, give me a heart of cleanliness, Nor hide from me thy watching eye of care; And unto me my wife and children bless And unto us, we pray, your care upon our stock and livelihood. A baby DOG is a fluppy puppy huffy Adapted from an ancient Celtic prayer A baby GOAT is a kid cuddle groat A baby HARE is a harbour cub leveret A baby BEAR is a cub hug teddy A baby KANGAROO is a roo joey bluey A baby ELEPHANT is a dumbo tusker calf

How can you tell a baby snake? By its rattle. What’s a baby whale called? A little squirt. A HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR TO

ALL MY READERS 4.cub 5.joey 6.calf 5.joey 4.cub 1.puppy 2.kid 3.leveret 3.leveret 2.kid 1.puppy 7