Rivenhall & Silver End Parish Magazine

May 2013 40p Our Services this Month

5th May 2013 6thSunday of Easter Rogation Sunday 9.30 am St. Francis HC Rev. Paul Watkin 11 am Joint Service with Tiptree and Gt Braxted at Rivenhall Hall Farm (Lilian Pearce’s Farm) Rev. Paul Watkin

9th May 2013 Thursday Ascension Day 7.30 pm Holy Communion St Mary’s Outside weather permitting

12th May 2013 7th Sunday of Easter 9.30 am St. Francis Sung Morning Prayer Rev. Paul Watkin 11.00 am St. Marys HC with Sunday School Rev. Paul Watkin

18th May 2013 Pentecost Evening Bonfire Service 8.00 p.m St Mary’s the service will be followed by a Sausages and baked potatoes supper. 19th May 2013 Pentecost 9.30 am St. Francis Sung Holy Communion Rev. Paul Watkin 11 am St. Mary’s All Age Eucharist Rev. Paul Watkin

26th May 2013 Trinity Sunday 9.30 am St. Francis Sung Morning Prayer Rev. Paul Watkin 11.00 am St. Marys Holy Communion Rev. Paul Watkin

Church Contacts Priest-in-Charge Rev. Paul Watkin 01376 583930 [email protected] Churchwarden Oliver Clarke 01376 514825 Churchwarden Peter Hope 01376 502605 Rivenhall Contact Carole McCarthy 01376 512781 Silver End Contact Ruth Aitken 01376 583846 Please hand articles for the magazine to Peter Hope or email to team.riv- [email protected] by 18th of the month. Rivenhall Website www,stmarysrivenhall.co.uk St Francis Silver End Website www.st-francis.org.uk/ Rivenhall School www.rivenhallprimary.co.uk/ We (The editorial team) reserve the right to edit (i.e. cut, précis, alter, correct grammar or spelling) any item published and our decision is final Monthly musings from your parish priest. I wonder what the things are which you aspire to in life? Differ- ent people will have different aims and objectives which they hope to achieve, but commonly these may well include: a good job, a nice place to live, financial security, spending your life with the 'right' person. All these things are likely to come quite a way up many people's list, and being realistic this is only to be expected as all the above can help in one way or another to provide a sense of wellbeing, and reduce the stresses and strain sometimes felt in life. But what are the aspirations we have thinking about our spiritu- al lives? It's easy for any of us to take our relationship with God for granted. That's not to say that we don't appreciate it or that we forget about it, but perhaps too easily take it as a 'given' part of our lives. Of course looking at this from the other direc- tion, it's in some ways only right to take our relationship with God as being 'given'. After all, in Matthew 28:20 (in fact the very last verse of Matthew's gospel) Jesus promises to be with us "until the end of the age" and the assurance of the relationship with God which we're all invited to have. However, thinking about all this is a good thing to do from time to time. It can help us to think about things afresh and reaffirm our commitment to God once more. But you may wonder why I'm writing about this now? Well, this month we celebrate what is sometimes regarded to be the universal birthday of Christ's church - and I'll consider this in just a moment. But before we get there, on Thursday the 9th of this month we remember an often understated date in the church year. (Incidentally, the day in question always falls on a Thursday, which is perhaps why it's sometimes overlooked). We rightly celebrate the way in which Jesus entered the world every year on the 25th December, and do so not only explicitly within the arena of church life itself, but also share the festivities with the wider world in a way like no other Christian festival; with a myriad of traditions, of both spir- itual and secular origin in the UK alone. Yet it can seem that relatively little emphasis is placed upon how Jesus left this world following his resurrection;

1 and in the secular world I suspect few people realise that the date to mark this event exists. But it's only fitting that as Christians we mark the occasion, and so celebrate the event with a service on the evening of the 9th providing us the opportunity to think about what Ascension Day means for us today. But hang on you may say – as noted a moment ago, Je- sus promised to be with us "until the end of the age". Of course you are right, but that leads us to think once more about what's often thought to be the worldwide church's birthday once more too... Though Jesus promised to be with each of us, it was not for all-time to be in the same way as during his ministry – or even as he appeared to his disciples post-resurrection. Indeed Jesus explicitly told his disciples that it were to their “advantage” that he leave them (John 16:7). So what are we to do with this apparent contradiction with Matthew 28:20? Well, as you may have guessed by now, the birthday of which I've been speaking is the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost – fifty days after Easter, and which this year is celebrated on the 19th of this month. On that first day of Pen- tecost, Jesus' disciples underwent a dramatic transformation, and changed from being a small group of people on the fring- es of society, whose leader had departed from them, and who were waiting and wondering what to do next; to becoming the eloquent evangelists and the first bishops of the church. Ac- cording to the narrative in Acts 2 they were literally set aflame with God's presence within their lives, and their relationship with Jesus began a new chapter. A chapter which continues today, and which we are all invited to be a part of too. So what more appropriate occasion is there to think about the aspirations which we have within our relationship with God? This Pentecost, let's all pray for the presence of the Holy Spirit to come upon and into our lives again, both within our rela- tionships with one another, as well as with God himself. And that we all know Jesus' love with us, all though our lives, until the end of the age. Rev. Paul Watkin

2 From the Registers Funerals: Non Baptisms: Non Weddings: 13th April 2013 Simon David Maughan and Claire Taylor Readings & Collects for May 5th May 2013 6th Sunday of Easter Acts 16:9-15 Revelations 21:10-23 John 5:1-9 Collect Risen Christ, by the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples: help your Church to obey your command and draw the nations to the fire of your love, to the glory of God the Father.

9th May 2013 (Thursday) Ascension of our Lord Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:15-end Luke 24:44-end Collect Risen Christ, you have raised our human nature to the throne of heaven: help usmay join you at the Father's side, where you reign with the Spirit in glory, now and for ever. to seek and serve you, that we

12th May 2013 7th Sunday of Easter Acts 16:16-34 Revelations22:12-14, 16-17, 20-end John 17:20-end Collect Risen, ascended Lord, as we rejoice at your triumph, fill your Church on earth with power and compassion, that all who are estranged by sin may find forgiveness and know your peace, to the glory of God the Father

3 19th May 2013 Pentecost Acts 2:1-21 Romans 8:14-17 John 14 :8-17 Collect Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, ignite in us your holy fire; strengthen your children with the gift of faith, revive your Church with the breath of love, and renew the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 26th May 2013 Trinity Sunday Proverbs 8:1-4,22-31 Romans 5:1-5 John 16:12-15 Collect Holy God, faithful and unchanging: enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth, and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love, that we may truly worship you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Charity Golf Day With the kind permission of Simon Brice, we are hoping to run another Charity Golf Day at the Rivenhall Oaks Golf Centre later in the summer. Before we can put this in to fruition though, we need to know that there are enough people interested in playing, particularly those who are not members of the Golf Club. Please would you be so kind as to let me know either by phone (515437) or email [email protected] if you would like to field a team, or just come along as a single player – we can arrange teams. With many thanks, Ann

A Night at the Races—Event Report The grandstand was packed on the evening of 13th April when the Riv- enhall Millennium Committee laid on a special race night and supper in the village hall. Bob Turner was our host and commentator for this most entertaining and amusing night. Eight races were on the card;

4 some were over jumps, some on the flat, one trotting event and a hi- larious pig race: everyone present is probably still smiling at the image of those individual knitted woollen jockeys bobbing about on the pigs backs! John Macrae’s comical race-card with its hint of seaside postcard hu- mour was also the cause of much mirth. Joan Cain and Jack Prime op- erated the tote with great efficiency whilst Carole McCarthy managed the splendid raffle. All profits go to our Rivenhall community, notably the senior citizens presents, the Christmas tree and the free Christmas social. Over the years we have held local exhibitions, arranged May-pole dancing, held several village fêtes, distributed free Rivenhall Jubilee mugs to all children at our village school, and much more. The next Millennium Committee event will be the Famous Rivenhall Races: this annual event will take place in Rivenhall Village Hall on Sat- urday 26th October. The 50/50 Club The Churches in Rivenhall and Silver End are suffering financial diffi- culties and one way people could help is by recruiting new 50/50 club members or even taking out a second membership for a family member as a Christmas or Birthday gift. The prizes are £30 for first, £20 for 2nd, and £10 for third prize and the draw is monthly. Annual membership is £12. If you would like to sign up or want further information please let me Peter Hope 01376 502605 or Oliver Clarke 01376 514825 know. Many Thanks Peter The 50-50 winners for March were:

1st Kath Lewis, 2nd Mike Hope, 3rd Angie Millman

St MARY’S CHURCH RIVENHALL SUMMER OPENING

The Church will be open every Sunday between 5 May and 6th October for visitors.

If you want to visit the church during the week the Church yard gang are there between 9 am and 12 noon on Wednesdays.

Note if you would like to help in the Church Yard on Wenesdays go along and I am sure they can find you a job.

5 RIVENHALL PARISH COUNCIL NOTES OF MEETING HELD 2ND APRIL 2013. Present: Cllrs. Abbott (Chair), Bills, Wright, Prime, Brailey, Turner and Clark. Also present: Parish Clerk and 3 members of the public. Public Forum The following matters were brought to the attention of Members: Polish Camp, Allshots Farm – planning application. A12 Bridge in Henry Dixon Road – new heavy duty trip switch installed at the pump. Matters for Discussion Annual Parish Assembly proposed agenda and Annual Report The Clerk presented a draft Annual Report, which Members approved for printing, subject to a typo check. Delivery prior to the APA. The draft Agenda was also agreed. The Clerk reported that it had been difficult to obtain items for inclusion in the Community Information Leaflet this year; Members approved production as it stands and for copies to be available at the APA.

Failures of the Bus Service 132: Witham/Braintree Following receipt of complaints regarding this inadequate Bus Ser- vice, the Clerk had previously written a letter of complaint to First Bus (letter dated 29th January 2013). It was agreed that the Clerk should write again to both ECC and First Bus identifying yet again the on-going failures of cancellations, lateness and missed stops on this route. Solar Farm application Little Braxted Hall The Chairman, as Braintree District Councillor had written to Lightsource Renewable Energy requesting their withdrawal of this application due to its very large size and resubmission at a more appropriate scale. The Clerk will endeavour to obtain further information from Maldon District Council and report back to the May meeting. Fast Broadband/Internet access in Rivenhall It was reported that this faster Broadband access had reached the edge of the parish at Rickstones Road but no further. Cllr. Bills will investigate if any grants are available to PCs to assist with this connection in rural areas and for the item in the Annual Report be included on the PC website and on local notice boards. 6 Increase in dog fouling on local footways Complaints had been received from a number of residents. Cllr. Prime to write an item for inclusion in the Parish Magazine and a poster was agreed for display on local notice boards. The Clerk will request that the BDC Dog Warden empty the dog bins regularly. Highway Maintenance Further serious incidences of flooding under the A12 Bridge in Henry Dixon Road had been reported to HA and ECC. HA contacted ECC requesting clearance of silt and investigating longer term solutions. Atkins sub-contractors attended site on 20th March to reset the pumps and ECC Highways Engineers also cleared the drainage system and the silt left on the road; the damaged footway was being repaired on 21st March. The road was subsequently flooded yet again with vehicles mounting the newly repaired footway to pass under the bridge. This was again reported to both the HA and ECC. ECC Highways have been working to repair the footway under the Railway Bridge in Oak Road. Various outstanding repairs to pot holes are to be undertaken during April 2013. Maintenance The Contractor indicated that grasscutting will recommence during April 2013. Grass seeding is required along the verge in Rickstones Road, below Stoverns Hall Farm. The Clerk will report the broken water main outside 471 Rickstones Road. Footpath 59 is now overgrown and had deep ruts. Planning applications 13/00255/FUL: Proposed internal & external alterations and part conversion of existing stabling into office use – Hoo Hall, Oak Road. Members raised no objections. 13/00256/FUL: Change of use of agricultural barn/granary to be used in connection with vetinary surgery and retrospective planning permission for existing examination room to be used in connection with the vetinary surgery – Hoo Hall, Oak Road. Members raised no objections. 12/01658/FUL: New building – Allshots Farm (Polish Camp), Woodhouse Lane, Kelvedon. Members raised no objection.

7 Planning Results CC/BTE/02/13: Extensions to Elm Hall Primary School – Permission granted by ECC. ESS/32/12/BTE: Bradwell Quarry - Amended operational hours approved by ECC. Ongoing Planning Issues Local Development Framework Details relating to the proposed development of the Forest Road site have been received from BDC which states: “Developers will work on drawing up a draft masterplan, including infrastructure requirements; public consultation on the draft masterplan, including consultation with BDC, statutory bodies RPC and WTC; preparation of masterplan; approval of masterplan by BDC; application for planning permission and S106 agreement; planning approval; site construction. The masterplan is likely to be fairly straightforward for a site of 300 but it could take several months for the developers to prepare initial draft plans, they are likely to hold discussions with planning officers on these draft proposals. BDC have not been approached with any draft proposals yet and may not be approached for several years.” Braintree District Local Highways Panel Decisions Rickstones Road - Investigation into flooding, drains and verge approved and funded and timetabled for June 2013. No date for actual work, which also remains unfunded. Oak Road Railway Bridge - Scheme fully approved and funded. Plans drawn up but inaccurate. Discussions with local farmers about need to get large machinery through - which can be achieved. New plan to be drawn up with correct dimensions. Traffic lights proposal dropped, priority system instead with priority from A12. Oak Road Weight restriction - With Cabinet Member for decision as still listed as Red (against policy). Listed as supported by £5k from RPC. ECC investigation into traffic diversion implications to be carried out and this is funded - will include liaison with HA. Tarecroft Wood: Freehold Transfer Freehold transfer costs to the PC are estimated to be in the region of £4 to £5K for legal fees and fencing reinstatement as follows: £1930.00 (supply only); £14,000K (supply and erect), both approxi- mate figures subject to final measurement. These details to be included in the Annual Report and for open discussion at the APA.

8 Correspondence Details received from the Local Government Boundary Commission regarding the electoral review of Braintree. Details are included in the circulation box so that Members may respond individually. Letter from Henry Dixon Hall Charity requesting confirmation of Trus- tees – Dennis Clark and Elizabeth Acharyya. Members agreed that both be confirmed as Trustees. Information exchange and items for the next agenda  Road sweeping along Rickstones Road undertaken on 2nd April.  Diversion of HGVs from Oak Road during local flooding proved a great benefit.  Possible trespassers to the rear of St. Mary’s Road proper- ties.  New doors are being fitted to the garages off Beech Road Dates of future meetings Tuesdays 7th May in Rivenhall Village Hall and 4th June in The Henry Dixon Hall, both commencing at 8pm. The APA will precede the May meeting in the Village Hall at 7pm. May opens with Saturn near Opposition, the point in its orbit where the Earth lies between the gas giant planet and the Sun.

Sky Notes May 2013

This means it is also as its closest to us and is at its brightest. Even at this closest point for the year, Saturn is still over 800 million miles from Earth. Seen with the unaided eye it appears as a yellowish bright star some 13 degrees to the left of Spica, the brightest star in the constellation of Virgo. By mid-month Saturn is due South at 11.30pm BST and about 30 degrees in altitude. The famous rings of Saturn are now well presented to us and can be seen even with a good pair of binoculars. When the rings are "open" as they currently are, the planet's brightness increases as the rings act like a mirror reflecting more of the Sun's light back towards Earth. Unlike a real mirror though, the rings are actually made up of icy particles and rock and ice boulders, all orbiting the planet in a thin plane. Full Moon is in the early hours of the 25th when the Moon will slink just 18 degrees above the Southern horizon after midnight.

9 On May 12th there is one last chance this year to see a close pass of Jupiter by the Moon. At around 9.30pm BST the thin new crescent Moon will be just 4 degrees from Jupiter low down in the Western twilight. The waxing Moon from mid-month coincides with the onset of summer twilight and so the best opportunity to see the stars in a dark sky will be the first half of the month, after which it will not be fully dark again until the last week of July. On 10th May it is just about dark by 11pm and the last of the winter constellations are bowing out in the North West. Last to slip towards the horizon is Gemini, the 2 bright twin stars almost parallel to the horizon. Gemini is one of the few constellations that has a shape in the sky that resembles its name and when in the West, with a bit of imagi- nation you can see two figures side by side. Turning around and looking to the North East the summer constellations are rising with Cygnus, The Swan, becoming prominent. Cygnus really does look like a swan in flight with its wings outstretched. Sky Watcher New Term Report from RIVENHALL SCHOOL After an optimistic start to the new term with the sun starting to shine and the daffodils blooming, at long last, in the Church yard, I was dev- astated to discover evidence of a break-in on Tuesday morning. For the second time in less than eighteen months, our bank of laptops has been stolen. Children and staff felt the loss acutely: as one year six child said to me, “They have stolen our learning!” On the positive side, no-one was injured and ‘things’ can be replaced so we are not going to be defeated by this incident. In my assembly on Tuesday morning we learnt a modern version of ‘Count Your Blessings’ and said a prayer for the culprits. However, a great deal of damage was done to windows and doors leading to an additional work load for us all– not to mention the inconvenience. The children can probably sum up the incident better than I: ‘It felt like my good mood had sunk into a pit of despair.’ ‘Why have they interrupted our learning?’ ‘the kids are counting on the police because it’s a tragic situation for all.’ ‘They should be ashamed of themselves.’ My tummy crumpled and I felt sick. Would you do this to children?’

10 ‘Was Mrs. Mann a happy lady? No way!’ ‘Why us? We don’t deserve to be robbed.’ ‘Why would people do such a thing to a little school?’ This term we welcome Mrs. Emma Lester to our staff. She is the Spe- cial Needs coordinator at Dr. Walkers in Fyfield and is sharing her ex- pertise in this field with us for a day a week. Rev. Paul helped us to conclude the Spring Term by leading us through our Easter Service on March 28th. The staff and children appreciated the thoughtful card sent to us by Claire Hope recognising the children’s art work. He also got our Summer Term assemblies off to a good start on Monday, April 15th by talking about saints. If you spot lots of Eng- land football strips on April 23rd it will be down to him! We look forward to working together for the remainder of the school year. Cathy Mann

RIVENHALL PARISH COUNCIL. WARNING – INCREASE IN DOG’S FAECES In the last few months there has been a large increase in the number of dog faeces left on paths and public green areas in the parish, rather than being cleared by the dog owners. These faeces are a health haz- ard, as well as the danger of people slipping on them, especially at night, they carry the risk of toxocariasis. This is an infection of the eyes caused by anyone, such as a child, touching any of these faeces and then rubbing their eyes before their hands are washed and can cause blindness. The faeces are also unsightly, messy to clean off footwear or pushchair wheels, and completely unwanted. Dog owners have a responsibility to clear their dog’s faeces from any public footway or green areas. If you see any area which is heavily soiled please contact the dog warden and he will contact Braintree District Council's Customer services and they will clean the area as soon as possible. If you see anybody regularly failing to clear up after their dog let the dog warden know providing as much detail as possible and they will deal with the issue. It is an offence to allow your dog, or any dog you are in charge of, to foul in any public place and to not clear it up immediately. The offender risks a conviction along with a fine of up to £25 per offence. Please report any dog fouling incidents that you witness to the Dog Warden, Andrew Potter on 01376 552525 ext 2217 ( Environmental Health - Braintree District Council )

Bag them and Bin them !!! 11 Riventots "Play & Stay" Parent and Toddler Group Rivenhall Village Hall Every Wednesday 9.45am - 11.30am £2 for ﬁrst child £1 for extra tots

The Ark It's Open House at Rivenhall Village Hall Saturdays 2pm - 4pm Come along with friends for Tea, Coﬀee & Cake

Tel: 07538 599584 or email [email protected] Bingo! Saturdays 7.30pm - 9.30pm Rivenhall Village Hall, Entry 50p Bring a friend for an evening of fun! Everyone Welcome Call Jack on 01376 514255

Rivenhall Village Hall 2nd & 4th Monday of the month 7.30 -10pm Great for fitness and a good laugh too! Call Sue on 01206 303338 Rivenhall Carpet Bowls Rivenhall Village Hall Every Thursday - 7.30pm – 10pm Come along for an evening of fun with this friendly club. Coffee Morning Rivenhall Village Hall Every Friday 9am – 12 noon Tea, Coffee, Cake and a chat with friends Table Tennis Rivenhall Village Hall 2nd & 4th Monday of the Month 2pm – 4.30pm, Entry £3 Membership of Witham and Braintree U3A required £15 pa visit the Witham and Braintree Gerry Gunton 01621 819682 or email [email protected] or visit the table tennis page on the village hall website www.rivenhallvillagehall.co.uk 12 GLEN’S

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16 Backpacking - May 1987—John Macrae Having successfully walked the Offa’s Dyke trail the previous year I was keen to continue my walking activities. The next opportunity came in May after a few beers and boasts in my cricket club - “How about the Lyke Wake Walk then?” (This is a challenge walk of 43 miles in 24 hours across the North Yorkshire Moors: it was the brainchild of Yorkshireman Bill Cowley). With three of my friends I decided we should start at midday. Having arrived early at Osmotherly we had a beer or two, only to discover that we were now late for our start. In warm, sunny weather we scampered (only one of us with a map) and we left the official start obelisk about ten minutes late. After about 1½ hours we stopped for a short break on the beautiful rolling moor. After admiring the scenery and taking a photograph of our smug selves congratulating each other on our progress we discovered we were off route! Now we really were racing the clock. About 7:00 pm we arrived at The Lion Inn at Blakey. Our plan had been to eat there before moving on and camping deep in the moor on a known good, grassy plot, but to our dismay the pub was packed and by the time we finally ate our meals and left it was already dark. With dimming torches and our eyes expanded to the size of saucers we painstakingly tried to follow the route but in the black peat moor we finally decided to cut our losses and sadly camp in the mire, about one mile short of our target point. It was up at first light and there was no time for us to cook breakfast as we were behind our schedule: the bacon, eggs, bread and sausages plus the gas stove and gas bottle remained untouched in rucksacks. With tents and sleeping bags hurriedly stuffed away it was straight into a forced march. About 9am - oh joy! - the rain started to fall. In my borrowed (and rapidly very sweaty) pack-a-mac it was “head east, straight for the coast at Ravenscarr, and don’t spare the horses”. We needed to make the end point by midday to meet our objective. This was the only time I can recall “doing” a walk rather than enjoying the walk. Heads down, left-right-left-right … squelch, squelch; sod the rain, sod the scenery, must make it! About 11am I looked at our leader’s map and distraught I remember saying “We’re never going to make the coast by midday”. But our canny leader knew better and said “we’ll finish in time”. He was right: whilst the Lyke Wake Walk does end at Ravenscarr, it ends at an obelisk about one mile inland and we made it with 25 minutes to spare! By this time it was bucketing down but none of us cared. With our backs to the obelisk, sitting on the grassy moor beside a minor road we ate an elephant-size pack of mixed sandwiches which our leader miraculously produced from his rucksack. Cont. Page 20

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19 We were laughing our heads off, beaming at one another, enjoying our surprise picnic, with not a care in the world. A few people drove by in their cars - they must have thought we were a coven of village idiots. I finally stood up to start my hobble to the Ravenscarr Hotel for lunch. The four of us could hardly move as our muscles had seized and the adrenalin that had driven us all morning had well and truly abandoned us. But we finally had a good celebratory lunch cum six-hour-late breakfast! A taxi took us back to our car then it was back to our homes. I slept solidly all the way home and again very solidly in my bed that night. I was very pleased to have achieved this challenge walk and it gave me great confidence in my stamina and drive. We achieved our objective inside 24 hours including our camp time. Most people start the walk at first light and complete it late the same evening, but I have never been “most people” and I like to challenge myself and to do things differently. In September that year I walked the beautiful Coast to Coast Walk. I try to avoid repeating walks as there is so much I want to do and see, but some 17 years later my son asked me if I would go on a long distance trail with him. So together we trod Wainwright’s famous creation, myself for the second time - but those are stories for another day. RIVENHALL GARDENING CLUB The Club's monthly meeting was held in Rivenhall village hall on Tuesday 9th April 2013. Chairman, Mrs Pat Clark, welcomed members and after the notices had been given out she introduced our speaker for the evening who was going to talk about `Nature Through the Seasons'. Roger Hance is not only a keen photographer but has garnered several prestigious awards including a Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society. He covered the natural year showing some lovely photographs of birds, insects, flowers, reptiles, badgers and various types of colourful fungi. Each shot was accompanied by interesting facts and afterwards he answered members' questions. COMPETITION RESULTS Horticultural 1st Lyn Harris 2nd Tracy Taylor 3rd Don Scott Flower of the Month 1St Shirley Bacon 2nd Cyril Philpott 3rd Don Scott

20 Domestic 1" Pat Clark 2nd Maudie Egmere 3rd Karen Hopegood The next Club meeting will be on Tuesday 14th May, 7.30pm in Rivenhall village hall. The speaker will be Dudley Chignell talking about his `Journey to Paradise'. The competitions will be Horticultural - a succulent pot plant. Domestic - an apple pie. Flower of the Month. Entrance is £1. All visitors are welcome and if you would like to become a member the annual subscription is £5. We are a friendly and informal club and at each meeting we have a raffle and refreshments and we enjoy a number of interesting speakers. For further details contact 01376 512781.

END TO END NATURE CARE MAY PROGRAMME

01 May 2013 19:00 for Birdwatching at Abberton Reservoir with John Tho- 19:30 rogood. Meet at Stovern's Hall Farm to car share from where we will travel to the southern end of the Layer Breton causeway (TL951165).

08 May 2013 19:30 Woodland spring plants in Rivenhall Thicks - meet at the sugarbeet stand by the sharp bend in the Riv- enhall/Silver End road (TL822187).

15 May 2013 19:10 for Spring flowers at Oxley Meadow, Tolleshunt Knights. 19:30 Meet at Stovern's Hall Farm (TL825172) at 19:10 prompt to car share or at the reserve (TL918149 - parking limited) at 19:30. All are invited back to Si- mon's afterwards.

22 May 2013 19:30 Rivenhall Churchyard to work on the reptiles and am- phibians survey.

29 May 2013 19:15 for Tiptree Heath: plants, birds & newts. Meet at 19:15 at 19:30 Stovern's Hall Farm (TL825172) to car share or at the heath car park (TL879146) at 19:30. Bring binoculars and torches.

5 May 2013 19.30 Silver End Wildflower Count (formerly the Common Plant Survey). Meet in the Western Arms car park. Bring plant ID guides

21 Rabbits Love them or Hate them they ain’t going away!! I've got rabbits in my garden! They have been nibbling my tulip leaves. These pesky creatures are the scourge of gardeners, allotment holders and farmers. They may look sweet and cuddly in picture books, but not in my garden. Did you know the rabbit's natural habitat is S W Europe and N W Afri- ca. They were introduced to Britain by the Normans who kept them in " warrens " . Rabbits were prized for their meat and fur. Of course they escaped! In the second world war they were a very useful supplement to the meagre meat ration .At harvest time as the farmers cut the corn the rabbits would run into the centre of the corn. As the cut area got smaller the rabbits would make a dash for the hedges. All the guns would be ready, BANG! Everyone in the village would have rabbit stew and dumplings or rabbit pie the next day. Rabbit meat is low in cho- lesterol and full of protein. The trouble with rabbits is that they " breed like rabbits " They can live in most places. One doe can have a litter of about 8 or 10 kittens. They are weaned in about 8 weeks and at 3-4 months they are ready to start breeding. Who introduced rabbits to Australia? Not a good idea. What a mistake that was. Many years ago, the poaching of rabbits was a criminal offence. The punishment was prison or even transportation. Some people go to a great deal of trouble to protect their gardens and allotments by erecting wire fences, but unless the wire is buried two feet deep , they are wasting their time. Rabbits are born to burrow. Myxomatosis was a nasty disease which was introduced to reduce the rabbit population. However they seem to have made a come back, so we have to live with them. If the price of meat continues to increase we may be glad of rabbit stew again. If you need any help I can skin a rabbit, and make a rabbit stew. Tree Hugger

Braintree foodbank – one year on Some 1,500 people facing a crisis in their lives have been fed by the Braintree foodbank in the year since it opened in April last year, a perhaps startling statistic which reflects the amount of hidden need

22 there is in the Braintree district, as in other towns and cities in the UK. In all, some 17 tonnes of food have been col- lected, and about 12 tonnes have been given away to local people in need. Calls on the foodbank have increased considerably in recent months, a trend which seems set to continue as eco- nomic recovery remains uncertain and changes in the benefits system start to bite. To help meet this need, the Braintree foodbank opened its fourth distribution centre, in Witham, on 19 April. The new centre is open on Fridays at the Witham Methodist Church in Guithavon Street, and joins the three existing distribution centres at St Andrew’s Church, Halstead, Braintree Baptist Church, and Christ Church, Braintree. The foodbank is dependent on donations, and its continuing ability to respond to growing demand is a tribute to the generous re- sponse by the local community in donating food through supermar- ket collections – which account for about a quarter of total donations – and by local churches, schools, businesses and other organisations and individuals. The foodbank provides a three-day supply of food to those facing a short-term crisis in their lives, in exchange for vouchers issued by partner agencies such as the CAB and Village Agents. When collect- ing their food, they are also given advice on resolving any underly- ing long-term problems, like employment, housing or debt. Donations of food are always welcome, but must be non-perishable, freshly-bought and in date. A ‘Shopping List’, updated monthly, is available on the foodbank website at www.braintreearea.foodbank.org.uk. Donations can be delivered to any of the distribution centres when they are open (times are shown on the website). The Braintree foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust’s national network of 325 foodbanks. If you can help, or for more information about the Braintree Area Foodbank, call 01376 330694 or e-mail in- [email protected].

23 Comedy Corner **A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!" His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means? The son replied, "I do know!" "Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?" "That's easy, Daddy..." the young boy replied excitedly," It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth..' ======There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. "Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk. "Only the Ten Commandments." answered the lady. ======At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice. ======There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and an- nounced to his congregation: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets." ======While driving in Pennsylvania , a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign... "Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust." ======People want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the center of attention. ======The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. ======The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water. ‘The sermon tonight: ‘Searching for Jesus.' ======Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your hus- bands.

24 Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recy- cled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children. ======Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days. ======

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS OF ST MARY AND ALL SAINTS’CHURCH AND CHURCHYARD - RIVENHALL by Kath Lewis Part 1

We are blessed in this Community and privileged to be able to worship in such a beautiful Grade 1 Listed Building - our Parish Church. This building is very well cared for, kept clean and in repair by many volunteers, and to them we are grateful. Flowers in the Sanctuary near the Altar are provided each week in memory of loved ones. Normally the arranger chooses their own coloured flowers, but if there is a wedding the bride usually requests them to be the same colour as she chooses to decorate the Church, these are always beautifully arranged, as they are each week, by a talented church member. Special flowers for funerals are sometimes requested. At other Festivals, ladies from the congregation and friends, help to decorate and make the Church look beautiful. At Christmas it looks magical when the children assist in decorating the Christmas Tree. At certain Religious Festivals during the year, Lent for example, no flowers are allowed in the Church. Internally, St Mary’s Church is light and airy and reasonably warm in the winter as the heat is supplied by under pew heating and can be controlled by individuals as necessary. The beautiful ancient East window is one of the most famous in the Country and contains some stained glass which came from Chenu in France. The colours in this window are amazing especially on a sunny morning and sometimes in the evening when the sun sends shafts of light through the glass. When the Choir turn to the East during Matins to say the Apostles Creed, it gives one another opportunity to reflect on the beauty of this window. I have sat alone many times in the peace and quiet of this lovely building and have thought of all those souls who have gone before us and have worshipped there. I expect their mode of dress was really sober but today ‘anything goes’ but does it really matter? When I was a child on Sundays we always had to wear our ‘Best’ Clothes.

25 During the last War the glass in the East window was removed for safe- ty and buried for the duration in a Vault in the Churchyard and when dug up at the cessation of hostilities it was all intact and reinstated. Some of the other windows which contribute to the ambience of the Church also contain some coloured glass. During 1993 the East window was again removed for various repairs and was returned in October of that year. Following this a special Service of Thanksgiving and Dedica- tion was held. There was also a Celebration when the roof had been repaired and many people contributed £1.00 and signed a tile before they were replaced. A few years ago we had a visit from the Revd Roger Royal, who for some time presented a Half Hour of Hymns and Requests on Sunday evenings at 8.30pm on BBC Radio 2. He kindly came to Rivenhall to support our Fund raising. (This excellent programme is still being broadcast by Diane Louis Jordan) I have lived in the Village since my marriage in 1951 but family and personal circumstances prevented me from attending St Mary’s Church. In April 1986 I was able to attend the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Rev Frank Millar was then Rector and as the Secretary was resigning the PCC was looking to appoint someone to replace her. A member said that I had been a Secretary until retirement so I was asked if I would be interested, being new to the Church I said I would rather wait for a Year and then consider it if I was still needed - but as no one else came forward at this Meeting I was elected. I really enjoyed the position for about 25 years until, for health reasons, I was unable to attend the Meetings, and regrettably, had to resign but I still assist with some clerical work. When Nigel Cooper came to Rivenhall as our Rector, he visited all the PCC Members and asked me during our conversation if I was a local person and I told him ‘No, I came from Kelvedon‘ which is only just across the fields, to his credit he didn’t show amusement until we knew each other well and I could see the funny side of the reply! Over the years vital repair work has been done on St Mary’s. At one time it was threatened with closure as parts of it were in a dangerous condition. At a Holy Communion service, celebrating a Festival of St Mary, there were just three of us including the Rector, and at the conclusion we all knew that the Church would be saved from closure! Amazing!!? The Rev’d Nigel Cooper had accepted the living as Rector, knowing all the tasks that were ahead and under his leadership with much fund raising and hard work by members it was saved. Part 2 Next Month

26 End to End Nature Care. Following the long, hard winter it is good to be writing about outdoor activities again, although the recent weather has already had an ongoing impact. For a few years the botanical conservation charity Plant- life used to coordinate a focussed survey of particular species of interest and in 2000 that species was the cowslip. Nature Care took part in the survey and decided to repeat it the following year, and the year after that, leading to an annual count of cowslips at a specific site in Rivenhall parish, for which 13 years of data are now held. The survey was usually conducted on the last Wednesday in April, but a few years ago it was felt necessary to bring this forward a week as many of the plants were already ‘over’, prompting much speculation about climate change and phenology, the study of the timing of natural events. This schedule was followed this year but on arriving at the site it was clear that the cowslips were not yet ready to be counted and were at least a week, if not more, behind their usual flowering period. This was com- pensated to some degree though by the walk back through Tarecroft Wood where there was a fantastic show of primroses and wood ane- nomes. The gardeners amongst you will be very well aware how the season is running late and many of the tasks usually conducted in March and early April had to be delayed until conditions were suitable. The experience with the cowslips suggests that similar effects will be felt in nature and it will be fascinating to see just how things concertina together during the course of the year. The progress of the seasons, as at- tested by the events studied by phenologists, is marked by a series of interlinked phenomena which have evolved to sit in an equilibrium that potentially can be easily upset but which can also demonstrate considerable rigour and even self-regulation. 2013 promises to be quite a living phenological laboratory. Forthcoming activities are listed below. The Wildflower Count (5th June) is another Plantlife survey in which the group participate. This, plus the visits to Oxley Meadow and Tiptree Heath, will provide further insight into how the late spring has affected botanical events this year. Full details of these and all the group’s activities are available on our website at www.e2e.silverend.org or by contacting Simon on 01621 810141 or 07947 388180.

27 Silver End Heritage Society

SEHS will be visiting Frinton for an Architectural Walk and a guided tour of Frinton Park Estate, led by Rachel Baldwin Chairman of Frinton & Walton Heritage Trust. The estate is an exciting collection of modern movement houses and we will be able to see some interiors. After the tour we can have refreshments and visit two small museums. We meet at the Broadway Silver End at 10.30 to arrange car share, with an anticipated arrival time at Frinton of 11.30. We will start with a visit to the famous Arts & Crafts house, Voysey’s the Homestead and 2nd Avenue, free time from 12.00 and reconvene at 2.00 at Cliff Way Frinton Part Estate. The cost for members is £9.00 and for non members £12.00 + petrol contribution for those sharing. To book or for further information about this event or details of joining the Society please call Brian Gillion on 01376 583706 *************************** Would you like to learn

If there's enough interest we'll be holding the classes on a Wednesday evening in Please call Laurie & Iris on 07711 324 789 **************************** ?? Crazy Quiz ?? Rivenhall Village Hall Friday 17th May Fun, Prizes, Raﬄe See posters for further details or email [email protected]

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RIVENHALL GARDENING CLUBPLANT SALE SATURDAY 18TH MAY 2013 10 am

RIVENHALL VILLAGE HALL FREE ADMISSION PLANTS, CAKES, RAFFLE

28 Organisations in Rivenhall Clerk to Parish Council Keith Taylor 516975 Email [email protected] meets every first Tuesday Age Concern (Witham area) Margaret Prime 514255 End to End Nature Care Simon Taylor 01621 810141 Gardening Club Carole McCarthy 512781 Meets on 2nd Tuesday at 7.30pm in Village Hall Carpet Bowls Mick Marshall 512836 Meets every Thursday at 7.30pm in Village Hall Playing Fields Association Stephanie Bills 07594 648117 Facilities Hire of Village Hall Stephanie Bills 07594 648117 Hire of Henry Dixon Hall Dot Taylor 571551 Mobile Library 1st , 15th 29th May Beech Road 4.10 to 4.30. p.m. Oak Stores is open Mon to Fri 6.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat & 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. Sun The proprietors are Sam and Kirsty Norman 618659 It is planned to have the Post Office re-opened as soon as possible

Organisations in Silver End Clerk to Parish Council Mrs B. M. Temple 618464 Email [email protected] Bowls Club Roy Howard 583222 Children’s Centre Jane Carey 587960 Neighbourhood Police PC Simon Hull 07974 457258 Congregational Church Sharon Gray 583913 First Responders Mel Gymer 585535 Friendship Club Ruth Aitkin 583846 Silver End Gad Abouts Denise Sullens Smith 583055 Gardening Club Cynthia Wright 583485 Guiding Group Sam Hutchings 07977 418192 Neighbourhood Watch Judy Hill 07896 975839 Scouting Group Denise Sullens Smith 583055 St Mary’s Church (R.C.) Vivian Phillips 583598 Tennis Club Jason Cairns 584581 Workers Educational Assoc. Brian Gillion 583706 Luncheon Club Helen Thomson 583255 Doctors Surgery 583387 Silver End Heritage Society Jackier Nesbitt 585702 Post Office in Co-op - please note that it closes at Lunchtime Library: Tues & Thurs - 2pm to 6pm Saturday 9am to 1pm Norwegian Evening Friday May 3rd Henry Dixon Hall 7.30 p.m. Talk and Social on a Cruise to Norway Tickets £5 inc Norwegian Snacks ****************************** Sunday 5th May Rogation Day Service 11 a.m. Rivenhall Hall Farm CM83PH ****************************** Thursday 9th May Ascension Day Service St Mary’s Rivenhall 7.30 p.m. Outside Weather Permitting ***************************** Saturday 18th May Bonfire Service and Social A Pentecost evening Bonfire service followed by a social with baked potatoes, sausages, coffee, Tea etc or bring what you like to drink The Service will commence at 7.30 p.m. At the bottom of the Churchyard

ALL ARE WELCOME ****************************** Sunday 19th May Pentecost All age Eucharist Service St Mary’s Rivenhall 11 a.m.