THE PENKRIDGE TEAM MINISTRY

TEAM RECTOR: TEAM VICAR: Rev. Greg Yerbury Rev. Susan Mayo The Rectory, The Vicarage, New Road, 3 Bitham Close Penkridge, ST19 5DN Penkridge, ST19 5HT 01785 714344 01785 715605 [email protected] [email protected]

CHURCHWARDENS Dunston Coppenhall Gary Pliva Robert Lawrence 01785 715833 01785 251293 [email protected] [email protected]

Linda Pliva Amanda Horne 01785 715833 01785 246960 [email protected] [email protected]

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Small Steps The last few months have been awful for so many people and now a new lockdown is adding to the gloom of winter. The battle is on for our mental as well as our physical well-being. The country's leading mental health experts say there are things that many of us can do to give ourselves a lift. Here are some of their tips: get moving, don’t over-think, set a new target, talk it over and (the one I love) do it badly! Apparently, optimists live longer, have better relationships and better immune systems, says Dr. Olivia Remes of Cambridge University. And the good news is you can cultivate optimism. How? Her number one tip is the principle of “do it badly”. In other words don't wait to do things perfectly at the right time on the 1 right day. “Our inner voice of criticism continually stops us from doing worthwhile things,” she says. “Jump straight into action. Do things and accept that they might initially be done badly. When you do that, most of the time the results are actually not that bad – and they're almost always better than doing nothing.” I was very struck at the recent inauguration of President Biden by the poem from US Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman. In her poem The Hill we Climb, Gorman described herself as “a skinny black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother [who] can dream of becoming president, only to find her self reciting for one”. Gorman had a speech impediment as a child – an affliction she shares with America's new president. Imagine if they’d waited until they could do things perfectly before they started! I think the best way we can look after our well-being is to spend time in prayer. Why not use lockdown to start to get right with God? No matter how small a step you take, it will be a step in the right direction. I was taught the Teaspoon Prayer – TSP. When you want to pray follow this simple pattern: • start with ‘T’ for thanks. Saying thank you for the good things in our lives is a great way of feeling better. • ‘S’ is for saying sorry – just tell God the things you’re sorry for and ask him to forgive you • then ‘P’ for please – talk to God about the things and people on your mind and ask for his help. Even if you haven’t prayed for years, no matter how small a step you take, it’s a step in the right direction. Don’t wait to be perfect, ‘do it badly’ today! May God bless and keep you and your loved ones,

2 “God does not give up on anyone, for God loved us from all eternity, God loves us now and God will always love us, all of us good and bad, forever and ever. [God’s] love will not let us go, for God’s love for us, all of us, good and bad, is unchanging, is unchangeable. Someone has said there is nothing I can do to make God love me more, for God loves me perfectly already. And wonderfully, there is nothing I can do to make God love me less.” Desmond Tutu, No Future Without Forgiveness

Lent Course Our Lent Course this year starts on Wednesday 24th February weekly for six weeks by Zoom. We’re going to make a virtual pilgrimage to the Holy Land to make up for not being able to go in person! The course is called ‘A River Through the Desert’. Everybody is welcome – especially if you’ve never tried anything like this before. Contact Rev Sue for more details 01785 715605 or at [email protected] or watch out for an email.

Churches Together Service on Zoom Wednesday 3rd Feb at 7:30pm

Rev. Amanda and Esther Burd from Penkridge Parish Church are planning a Zoom Churches Together service on Wednesday 3rd Feb at 7:30pm. The service will be reflective in nature and will be followed by a ‘breakout room’ social for anyone who wants to hang around to chat and get to know people. If you would like to join in, please contact Esther at [email protected] for the Zoom link.

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ANNIVERSARY

This word can evoke an extreme range of emotions from those who show our delight at the event in question to those of despair depending what it is that is being remembered.

Emotions are far too important to keep to oneself and generally those at the happy end of the spectrum can be shared easily and often with a grin on our face.

Those emotions evoked when the occasion in question is not a happy one can be very hard to face, let alone share.

Being by yourself, or feeling as though you are, need not be a hurdle to stop you sharing the emotion that you are feeling.

Samaritans offer you the space in a very safe, confidential environment for you to share whatever feelings you are experiencing and at a time that suits you to talk.

Samaritans free phone 116 123 is open all hours and the peer support will be there for you without judgement.

Alan Alecock Outreach Coordinator, Stafford Samaritans www.samaritans.org [email protected]

4 Notices Dr. William (Bill) Turner M.B., B.Ch. Many of you from Coppenhall Church will remember “Dr Bill” who visited us twice in the last few years. We are sad to pass on the news of his death after a short stay in hospital on the 8th of December. On his visits he talked about his work in recent years at the Shekinah Clinic for the destitute in his native Ghana. The clinic is in Tamale north of Accra. Bill was a GP in Newcastle-under-Lyme in the 1960s when we first met him and his wife Patricia. Later he established a surgery in Dresden, Staffordshire. When obliged to retire from the NHS having reached the age limit, they both worked as honorary professors at a hospital in Tamale but visited friends and family in the UK frequently. After Patricia's death he worked at the Shekinah Clinic for a few months each year and was even planning a return once the Covid threat receded. He remarried during last summer and his last months were very happy. These are just a few comments from his sons Paul and James about their father: “He was concerned more with everyone's health rather than his personal wealth. “He was slow to chide but swift to bless. “He had a prodigious memory. “He was very influenced from his youth by the life and writings of Albert Schweitzer.” Jackie and I feel very privileged to have known him as a friend, a man of deep Christian faith. As it reads on the first page of his funeral service: “Gone to Glory aged 87” Joan, his widow, has helped set up the Dr William Turner Foundation which will support preventative health care and education plus insurance and educational grants for the most disenfranchised sections of Ghanaian society. If you would like to support this foundation please get in touch with us. Frank and Jackie Farnworth 01785 253230 5 Notices PASTORAL CARE TEAM If you would welcome some help from or can give help to others during the pandemic please telephone Judith Lawrence on 01785 251293 or email at [email protected] or text or WhatsApp Rev. Sue on 07716 024911

Christmas Cake Raffle Thank you everyone who supported the raffle. We received £80 from ticket sales. The winner was Mr Roger Flatters from Coppenhall, a worthy winner considering all the hard work he put in keeping our churchyard so tidy last year. We are splitting the proceeds between Coppenhall Church and Katharine House Hospice. A big thank you. Jackie Farnworth

A Note from Mary Appleyard Having sent a note in the the last issue of Contact explaining why I was not able to send Christmas cards, I received 48 so thank you very much. I have now had my second COVID injection so I am very lucky, as I know older people who have not even had their first injection. Oh? Will we soon be free? The snowdrops are here...’hope the other Mary is feeling better. Love to all, Mary A

Neither Contact Magazine nor the Parochial Church Council of Dunston with Coppenhall has any connection with any of the advertisers in this magazine and so cannot vouch for or provide a recommendation. 6 Notices HYDE LEA PARISH COUNCIL Despite the current crisis, the parish council is still operating. If any resident has a particular issue please get in touch with one of the councillors or the clerk, contact details are on the website. We also wish to express our thanks at this time to the small band of litter pickers who struggle to keep the area clean. Despite the lockdown, it appears that discarding rubbish is a growth industry. Please note that there is a National Census in the Spring, all households will be contacted about the procedures in due course. Please look after yourselves and keep safe. Useful Telephone Numbers: • Police non-emergency 101 (e.g. for contact regarding anti-social behaviour, etc.) • Streetscene 619401 (contact for fly tipping, etc.) • Highways Hotline 0300 111 8000 (this is the Staffordshire County Council number for reporting Highways problems such as potholes, road subsidence, etc). • Stafford Borough Council 01785 619000. Derek Jones (Clerk)  01785 604405 or [email protected]

COLLECTIONS FOR THE FOOD BANK AND STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID The next collection is Wednesday 3rd February from 10-11am. Hyde Lea and Coppenhall Village Hall Thank you to the village hall committee for allowing us to use the car park. In December, the car was groaning with Christmas treats for the Foodbank and we sent £320 to SWA. Last month we took another boot-full of food to the foodbank and £100 and a big bag of toiletries to SWA. In addition, our January Appeal raised £1605 for Katherine House Hospice - £1105.00 from the community and £500 from Dunston and Coppenhall PCC. Thank you all for your amazing generosity! Donations for SWA can be in the form of supermarket gift vouchers/cards or cash whichever is easier. 7 Notices

Despite the current crisis, the parish council is still operating. If any resident has a particular issue please get in touch with one of the councillors or the clerk, contact details are on the website. Residents living in Coppenhall, have formed a group, Coppenhall Community Project, to liaise with BT and to try to get faster broadband speeds in the community. Please note that there is a National Census in the Spring, all households will be contacted about the procedures in due course. Look after yourselves and keep safe. Will readers please note that the council has a new web site; www.dunstonwithcoppenhallpc.org.uk [email protected] Derek Jones (Clerk)  01785 604405

SAVE YOUR HOSPICE Katharine House Hospice is facing an uncertain future due to the financial impact of Covid-19. The pandemic has had a major effect upon its ability to generate funds, as all fundraising events have been cancelled and all the shops were closed for a long period. The hospice wants to be there when you need it – to provide vital care to people living with a terminal illness and supporting their families. Please see below a link to the fundraising page for the emergency campaign. justgiving.com/campaign/savekhhospice or go to khhospice.org.uk to make a donation or see other ways to support Katharine House

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31st January & 7th February ...... Jackie Farnworth/Susan Stead 14th & 21st February ...... Brenda Handley & Terry Mingay 28th February & 7th March ...... Sue Sproston & Pam Davidson 14th & 21st March ...... Gwyneth & Brian Hodges 28th March & 4th April ...... Amanda Horne & Sara Flatters 11th & 18th April ...... Sandra White & Linda Jones 25th April & 2nd May ...... Jan Thompson & Denise Richardson 9th & 16th May ...... Christine Astle & Gill Baker 23rd & 30th May ...... Ruth Quarmby & Jane Jarvis 6th & 13th June ...... Jackie Farnworth & Pam Burrows 20th & 27th June ...... Beth & Gabi Madders 4th & 11th July ...... Karen Pepper & Sue Millett 18th & 25th July ...... Rachel Power & Judith Lawrence 1st & 8th August ...... Jackie Farnworth & Susan Stead 15th & 22nd August ...... Brenda Handley & Terry Mingay 29th August & 5th September ...... Sue Sproston & Pam Davidson 12th & 19th September ...... Gwyneth & Brian Hodges 26th September & 3rd October ...... Amanda Horne & Sara Flatters 10th & 17th October ...... Sandra White & Linda Jones 24th & 31st October ...... Jan Thompson & Denise Richardson 7th & 14th November ...... Christine Astle & Gill Baker 21st & 28th November ...... Ruth Quarmby & Jane Jarvis 5th & 12th December ...... Jackie Farnworth & Pam Burrows 19th & 26th December ...... Beth & Gabi Madders 2nd & 9th January 2022 ...... Karen Pepper & Sue Millett

9 Your Holiday Booking by Claire Davies Many of you might have had your travel plans affected by months of travel restrictions. Having taught travel & tourism for the past 23 years, I have seen and experienced many different events that have impacted on the sector, but nothing more devastating than the worldwide Covid pandemic. What does the future hold for the travel and tourism sector, and in particular how does this affect you? The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) publishes information relating to countries that have been assessed as no longer presenting an unacceptably high risk to British people travelling overseas; however ,with local restrictions being put in place in areas of the UK, the issues are not just affecting overseas travel. Below are some key points you may wish to consider when travelling: • Book with an ABTA bonded and ATOL protected agent/company. • Review Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for destinations you are considering visiting • Never travel without adequate travel insurance, ensure it covers you for medical expenses, travel disruption, cancellation, curtailment, pre-existing illnesses and now COVID. • Passport and entry requirements: due to leaving the EU check your passport is still valid for travel due to new rules by clicking here: passport.service • Health advice and vaccinations: check requirements with your travel provider or FCDO. EHIC cards are no longer valid in most European countries, therefore you will not receive free reciprocal medical treatment. • Check destination entry requirements: mandatory forms such as Greek PLF must be completed at least 24 hours before your arrival in Greece. Other countries require private pre-flight Covid testing or are likely to require proof of having had the Covid vaccine, with valid certificates to be shown at check in. • Be prepared for rules to change with possible quarantine on arrival or return. • Keep a copy of passport details separately to your passport, if it gets lost or stolen knowing the details will help make getting a replacement easier. • If travelling with a partner, always consider splitting clothes between two cases, if one case goes missing you will at least have something to wear. Now is the time to start planning after a difficult year it’s good to have something to look forward to. 01785 719523 [email protected] Claire Davies @YourHolidayBooking

10 Puzzle Pages WORD SEARCH ON THE THEME OF ST. VALENTINE’S DAY

Find the following words in the puzzle. Words are hidden   →   and  Where there are 2 words there is no gap between them on the answer grid.

11 Answers on Page 32 Puzzle Pages ALL ABOUT LENT - COMPLETE THE WORD FIT PUZZLE

The words listed according to length need to be fitted into their proper places in the framework. Note - there are no spaces between paired words.

12 Answers on Page 32 Puzzle Pages

13 Answers on Page 31 Farming Update by Mike Madders

Welcome to this month’s column. I find myself writing this on what is apparently the most depressing day of the year (Monday the 18th of January) so the only way is up which is at least one reason to be cheerful. As for the farm, whilst everywhere is far too wet to contemplate any field work, the winter-sown crops all appear to be wintering well. The weed control we applied last autumn is working, and the slugs and pigeons seem to be leaving the crops alone for the time being. All of which means the crops have plenty of potential to flourish when the weather does pick up. We are all being kept busy looking after the stock which are all now housed and therefore need plenty of attention, cleaning out and feeding. We also take the opportunity this time of year to catch up with the vaccinations and other routine stock tasks and so we will be starting on those jobs soon. In addition we are extremely busy calving at the moment. We calve our cows all year round but even so, some months end up being busier than others and in December we calved 36 cows and January will see at least the same again. So lots of calves about. All these calves also mean plenty of milk, and so production is now rising rapidly: yet more reason to be cheerful. This time of year is also an opportunity to take stock and look to the future and fortunately we continue to trade successfully, so we are able to plan our next infrastructure investments. This year it looks like a new calf-shed and some additional storage capacity for our slurry.

Mike Madders Feedback please to: [email protected]

14 St. Leonard’s C of E First School, Dunston Greetings from St. Leonard's! Our value this term is courage; a value to be embraced during these challenging times which continue during Lockdown 3.0! We need to “...be of good courage.” (Psalm 31:24). But it is hard. We are all trying to be brave in our lives; staying at home, going to work or coming to school during these Covid times. Here at St. Leonard's we are determined to help and support our families; be it with on line learning or any other issues that arise. The staff and pupils are engaging with screen time and outdoor time! We particularly enjoyed the recent snow fall; building many snow people in school and at home. The children are thinking about our feathered friends and have made tasty bird feeders to make sure no visiting bird goes hungry. The pupils have been learning about the work of the Russian artist, Kandinsky. They were inspired by his abstract art. So colourful! Kandinsky claimed that the circle is the most peaceful shape and represents the human soul. Very interesting! Tina, our 'fabulous foodie' cook continues to feed our children (and staff!) tasty hot meals; most welcome during the cold weather and being in the well-ventilated classrooms! We have our Friday Chats too. I have weekly special guests who are very happy to answer the pupils' questions which enables all of us to stay in touch while the Lockdown is going on. Please visit our FaceBook page to watch our short videos and find out more about our staff and other guests. Please continue to stay safe and take care. As the saying goes, “Never give up and never give in.” We can see some light. Tracey Parton Mrs T A Parton B.Ed. (Hons), NPQH, Headteacher [email protected] /01785 712488 www.st-leonards-dunston.staffs.sch.uk @StLeonardsDunst DunstonStLeonards

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Food There is an old proverb which first appeared in French literature about 200 years ago which reads, “You are what you eat,” which linked good health with a good diet. In present times we have become more aware and concerned about nutrition, food miles, additives, animal welfare, sustainability, single use plastic, vegan, vegetarian diets and processed food – being a few!

We can all choose what we think are healthy, ethical options, but we may not know what we are eating with regards to the country of origin and the ingredients used to produce it and who was involved in the production of the food.

There is nothing new about food additives. As long ago as the 13th Century a law called The Assize of Bread and Ale of 1266 was passed in an attempt to regulate the purity, weight and quality of bread and beer. In the Victorian era, Disraeli introduced legislation aimed at protecting the nation from adulterated products. “The Sale of Food and Drugs Act of 1875” was passed at a time when it was common for milk to be adulterated with water and chalk, and lead was routinely added to wine.

Following the Second World War, mass produced convenience meals appeared: supermarket curries and instant mashed potato became available turn out to be an instant hit with many consumers. In 1975 the BBC investigated modern food stuffs in a documentary which raised several questions about what exactly was in tins of food that we were buying. Were the producers being totally honest about the stated ingredients?

Because of all the attention regarding food provenance, we are starting to question more what we are eating and from where it comes. Is the food we are eating produced ethically, are farmers paid a fair price, were forests being cut down in some distant part of the world to produce it? The food we eat and its origin is a hot topic now as the UK starts a new relationship with the EU. 17

News 3

The past six months have been a challenging time for meat processors. The forced closure of hotels, restaurants, the mothballing of large parts of the catering industry and the reduction in exports have added more pressure on an industry that had already seen hundreds of abattoirs close. Since 1971 the numbers have dropped from 1900 to 165.

There is a growing trend, fuelled by the media to try to encourage us all to eat less meat for health and environmental reasons, but since the first lockdown the demand from shoppers for locally sourced meat has increased and many of our local butchers are seeing an increase in customers.

During the lockdowns, our small local food outlets have seen an increase in business, as many customers are wary of large supermarkets, where so many people don’t seem to understand the need to socially distance. The smaller local shops restrict the number of customers to two or three at a time. No doubt we could all be back in the large stores at some time in the future…or will we?

Feedback please to: [email protected]

Many thanks Bob. Yet more words of great wisdom to make us think. Ed.

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28 Poetry Pages Tier 4 (Now Lockdown Number 3) by Karen Pepper

It definitely feels like Lockdown as we cannot easily get about The snow is falling and we want to go out The flakes drift downwards silently as we trudge up Hyde Lea hill The trees bow their heads and for a moment everything is still.

A few hardy folk are out on a walk So we stop for a chat as we all long to talk The topic, being British, is mainly on the weather But now Covid creeps in about how we’re not allowed to meet together.

It’s getting dark and we need to go home Close the curtains and catch up with the family on the phone We say our goodbyes and wish them well on their way Take care, keep safe is now what we all say.

We cover the last few yards with the pub closed on our right Home to warmth and security shutting out the night. We’re hedging our bets that the vaccine will protect us Let’s hope this is the cavalry against Coronavirus.

Well, would you believe, the situation changed overnight We are now in Lockdown 3 and the schools have closed to help with this fight Exams are cancelled, you must work from home and only go out when absolutely necessary We need to take these rules seriously against this cunning adversary.

The hospital beds are full and the ambulances are waiting in a queue The NHS staff are weary as we all are, me and you. Just hang on in there, we can see the end in sight This is where we dig down deep and do the things that are right.

Try and not mix with others – it will help prevent transmission Wear a face mask when you can even though they may affect your vision Wash your hands frequently and sing that Happy Birthday tune And then hopefully we shall all be able to see each other soon.

29 Poetry Pages When You Are Only Four

They’ve told me about this virus, Miss Hovland is the only thing A nasty germ that’s going round That hasn’t really changed. Making people poorly and She’s still there on the lower school It spreads without making a sound. Desk checking the clock They shut the schools for most kids, While I sign my name. But that doesn’t include me. Today I asked my mummy, I still have to go because When all the others would be back? My mummy says she’s key? She said she could tell me many things But she couldn’t tell me that. It’s very quiet at school now With only a few of us there What will happen when it’s all over? And we have to keep our distance, When real school starts again? Which doesn’t seem very fair! Will Imogen still hold my hand How are we meant to play tag? And jump puddles in the rain? Or figures or building blocks? I do hope there’s still science When we must stay six foot apart On Wednesdays with Mr McNabb To make the virus stop. Blowing up balloons with germs Really was quite fab! I love hanging out with the older kids (As now I am in year five). There’s a lot you don’t really There’s no way I’m going back understand When you are only Four to Reception Once this But I am going to be Five next week, Coronavirus dies! So maybe then I will know more? I have a new best friend now. Remember when you’re feeling sad Caitlyn is in year three. The one thing that lifts my mood She’s teaching me to play piano Is that they’re all ready and waiting And she’s super cool, like me! for us, at St Dominic’s Grammar School, Brewood. I love playing football with Mr Reynolds, Who I never normally See Miss Richie is my teacher now, And plays lovely games with me. But I do miss my little friends From my normal Reception class And the lovely Mrs Beardsmore Who can always make us laugh.

Written by Harriet Mellor, Age 4, on 27th March 2020 30 Poetry Pages And so the Snow Began to Fall

And so the snow Ephemeral longing Began to fall For what's gone Trapped in a Before Winter paradise Knowing it'll Strains of a Always be there Victorian Christmas After my days Through their When God's Very own walls Knowing eyes With silver frost Lay upon me To cover trees With His loving And cobwebs Gaze Galore Dee Richardson January 2021 Puzzle Solutions

31 Puzzle Solutions ST. VALENTINE’S DAY WORD SEARCH

ALL ABOUT LENT WORD FIT

32 Yucca Mucky Find! I have a yucca plant that was hidden inside a metal tub in a hedge and noticed that it was flowering for the first time in 10 years. So I decided to get it out of the hedge and move it; not an easy job with a root ball two feet in diameter. When I moved it, the metal tub disintegrated! I persevered and started digging a big hole. Got down two feet and saw a silver coin about the size of a fifty-pence piece and through the dirt what appeared to be an emperor’s face. I have a copy of a map dated Hyde Lea 1833 which shows a Roman settlement area in Hyde Lea which makes sense when you think of the commanding views from the elevated height. Anyway, I continued digging and apart from some pottery and bricks found no proverbial bags of gold... After I had re-planted the yucca, I washed the coin to discover that it is an Italian 100 lira coin dated 1966 – so much for my treasure! How it got there I do not know. My house was built in 1955 – a mystery!! Jeremy Lloyd Davies

Wake-up Call! “Arthur, Arthur, the alarm has gone off.” “I know, I have plenty of time and I have to clear my throat." “Come on Arthur, you are going to be late.” “Oh, okay.” Arthur stretched his legs, stood up, moved towards the sunrise, and opening his beak, produced the most beautiful liquid notes to start the dawn. Mary A

Whilst we are unable to deliver paper copies, if you know of any people who would like to receive CONTACT magazines by email, please forward it on and let me know their email addresses. Thank you, [email protected]

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A belated Happy New Year everyone! I hope you're keeping well and safe during this new lockdown. Please do reach out if there's anything you need, if you fancy a chat or if there's someone you're concerned about. These are difficult and challenging times and we need to look after ourselves and each other. Whatever you’re going through, there’s always someone to face it with you. You’re not weak if you speak! To keep everybody safe, the PCC has wisely decided that our church services should remain online during lockdown. I know this is disappointing to many people but it’s the right thing to do at the moment and your church is still here! We’ll be open again as soon as we possibly can. Please get in touch if you need support. Join us on YouTube every Sunday at 10am for a short act of worship. You can find the order of service you need at www.dunstonwithcoppenhall.org or ask me to be included in our weekly email. Dunston with Coppenhall YouTube Channel Find us on Facebook @dunstonwithcoppenhall There are also services being held at St Michael’s Church in Penkridge if you would like to know more go to http://www.stmichaelspenkridge.co.uk/. Don’t be alone. Get in touch. We’d love to hear from you. Look out for one another and stay safe. For more information or just for a chat, please contact me on 01785 715605 or at [email protected]

Deadline for items for the March issue of CONTACT please by Friday 19th February to Paul Russell by email to: [email protected] preferably as a Word document, or else included as text in an email. Larkhill, Chase View Lane, Coppenhall ST18 9BL 01785 255267/07774 956705