April 2021
The Cam Vale Ministry Team
Priest in Charge: The Revd, Katharine Hawksley (01935 851465) Readers: Mrs Yolanda White (01963 440835) Mrs Rosemary Rymer (01963 351057) Mrs Julie Ebsworth (01963 440842) Email: [email protected] Benefice Administrator: Mrs Rosemary Rymer (01963 441595) Email: [email protected]
Churchwardens
Queen Camel: Mr Paul Davis (01935 850139) Mrs Morwenna Ford (01935 850300)
West Camel: Mrs Jenny Clothier (01935 850281)
Queen Camel website: www.queen-camel.co.uk Queen Camel Email: [email protected] West Camel website: www.westcamel.org.uk West Camel Email: [email protected]
St Barnabas Church Website: www.stbarnabasqueencamel.org.uk
Cam Vale Benefice Website: www.camvalebenefice.org.uk For the latest information on services and events at all our local churches, details of how to book weddings and baptisms, and advice on funerals.
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EDITORIAL
Happy Easter to you all.
As I write this we are still in lockdown – but the youngsters are back at school – and other restrictions are about to be lifted in stages. Happily though the winter seems to be drawing to a close, the days are lengthening, and the air is getting warmer, and the daffodils and other spring flowers are bursting out all around our garden. The final sign for me is that the clocks are altered in a few days, and the evenings become longer.
I wonder what the season of Easter traditionally means to each of you – chocolate Easter eggs and rabbits perhaps, even an Easter egg hunt? Big family gatherings over a long holiday weekend? Or maybe the culmination of the six weeks of Lent and Holy Week, finishing on Good Friday, with the crucifixion of Jesus on a cross, then his resurrection on Easter morning to the delight and amazement of his disciples.
At least that is the traditional view from 2,000 years after the event – we know the end of the story – because it’s a familiar one, that we hear and remember every year – but for the disciples back then, they couldn’t know or understand from the hints that Jesus had made about rising from the dead, that he really would – people don’t do that! Not normal people – and for the disciples, Jesus was their friend, their leader, and they sort of understood that he was the Son of God, the Messiah, that he had performed some miracles as they had toured the countryside, but to rise from the dead! Surely not! Also the authorities were looking for Jesus’ followers, so the disciples were living in fear of their lives, they were living behind locked doors, hidden away. With Jesus’ body having disappeared from his temporary tomb, the disciples would have been in even greater fear, fear of being accused of the theft, they didn’t know where Jesus’ body, alive or dead, had gone. So they would have been fearful, scared even, certainly confused, and I doubt they were celebrating.
Over the next few weeks, Jesus puts in a few appearances – he joins walkers on the road to Emmaus, and breaks bread with them and then disappears again. He appears in a locked room to the disciples, and tells Thomas to touch his side so that he can believe that it is really him! But he doesn’t stay around. He materializes at various times and in various places. No-one knew when he was next going to appear and where that would be. Very confusing and unsettling! The disciples were left leaderless and without a clear future – but eventually after Pentecost and the arrival of Holy Spirit, they were able to pick up their ministry of spreading the Good News around the world, and that message is still being spread around the world today.
This last year has been a difficult time for all of us too, with the pandemic, but we hopefully are coming out of that in the weeks to come, and we can meet up in person again around the village and also in church, where we can learn more of the stories of Jesus and his life, and share the Good News that his story brings for us all, whatever age we are. Rosemary Rymer
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ST BARNABAS CHURCH NEWS
With the lockdown continuing, weekly church services have been conducted via Zoom on Sunday mornings at 10.00 am. If you would like to join a service and do not already receive the link, please visit the St Barnabas Church website where you will find the links for the next Sunday: www.stbarnabasqueencamel.org.uk
Easter Services – arrangements for services throughout the Benefice for Easter Week are detailed elsewhere in the magazine. At the time of going to press, we are uncertain exactly what arrangements will be in place at St Barnabas but they will be posted on our website and information sent out by email or hand delivered.
The Lord’s Larder: This is a food bank run by local churches and based in Yeovil. In the current lockdown and with more and more people doing their shopping online, the Lord’s Larder is really struggling to provide enough food and supplies to those who are in desperate need. And, inevitably, a year on from the start of the pandemic, the numbers of those relying on this service has escalated enormously. Donations of non- perishable items of food or toiletries are always needed and as we cannot use the collection box inside the church at the present time, please contact Paul Davis (830 139) who will be happy to collect your donation and deliver it to the centre in Yeovil. Equally, any donations of money are also welcomed as they enable the volunteers to purchase items that are urgently required. Again, please contact Paul Davis who will arrange to collect any cheques and deliver them. These should be made out to YCST (Yeovil Community Support Trust). Should you wish to pay via BACs or make a standing order, please visit the YCST website at https://www.ycstyeovil.org.uk/help-us/
Activity on the allotments has started as gardeners begin preparing the ground for sowing in the weeks ahead. Spring is clearly on the way!
Katharine and everyone at St Barnabas wishes you a very Happy Easter.
QUEEN CAMEL CARES
Queen Camel Cares is here to support people at those times when life can appear difficult and overwhelming. Perhaps some extra help when returning from hospital or following the loss of a loved one, etc. Maybe just someone to talk to. During the pandemic we have helped a variety of people who are self-isolating as well as keeping in touch with those who are lonely. If you or someone you know requires any assistance or reassurance, please give Paul Davis (01935 850 139) or Morwenna Ford (01935 850 300) a call. 3
The club will celebrate its 150th Anniversary in 2021.
A cricket festival week is being planned from Sunday May 30th to Sunday June 6th. We have confirmed fixtures versus Marylebone Cricket Club XI (The MCC) on Sunday 6th June and versus the Somerset CC over 50’s on Sunday 30th May.
We have now over 40 senior and 18 junior fixtures for the coming season, see our website for more details. We are now looking for new players to join. Please contact us via our email below or if you know some of our local team members please let them know you are interested.
Youth Cricket
U8's, U10s & U12s - Starting 23rd April 2021 Coaching Sessions for U8s & U10s - 1700 to 1800 Coaching Sessions for U12s - 1815 to 1915 League games are scheduled for: Mid Wessex League – U10s Sunday Mornings, Mid Wessex League – U12s Monday Evenings We are now looking to recruit a total of 36 children (12 in each team group) from academic years 1,2 & 3 for the U8s, 4 & 5 for our U10s (Now Full), years 6 & 7 for the U12s. Both boys and girls are welcome to join. A waiting list will be operated if oversubscribed. The sessions will be led by an ECB Level 2 coach and will be assisted by ECB Level 1 coaches. Please contact any of us, also see our website. Youth membership joining fee for the entire season is just: £20
Want to be involved? Ways support your Cricket team
QCCC are always looking for new members of the community to join the club, see below for details on how you can be part of a fantastic village cricket team.
Do you shop online? Do it through easyfundraising.org.uk and raise a free donation for Queen Camel Cricket Club every time you shop! https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/queencamelcc/
Visit our website for Club Contact Details http://queencamel.play-cricket.com/
Club Email: [email protected]
Vice-Presidents
The continuation and future success of the Queen Camel Cricket Club depends upon the contributions of many individuals and also the goodwill and active support of both the local community and others who love cricket and village cricket in particular. Individuals can support the Club by becoming Vice Presidents. Maintaining, and hopefully increasing, the number of the Club’s Vice Presidents year on year is an important indicator of the continuing goodwill and support of the local and cricketing communities. Becoming a Vice President in itself makes a valuable contribution to the Club. Although a modest annual financial contribution is important, other forms of contribution such as attending and supporting the Club during matches, providing professional and other advice, undertaking particular tasks necessary to the running of the Club and simply supporting the Club within the local and cricketing communities are equally important. The obligations placed upon Vice Presidents are minimal but the opportunities for some Vice Presidents to become more involved are unlimited. If you would like to make a donation and become a Vice President, please contact via our email below.
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WEST CAMEL INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH Affiliated to the Independent Methodist Churches
Meeting at All Saints Church Minister: Ray Ursell (07770 238588) Local contacts: Geoff and Elizabeth Chapman (01935 850838) Email: [email protected]
SERVICES IN APRIL . April 4th 6pm Mr Ray Ursell EASTER SUNDAY “ 11th. 6pm Mr Geoff Chapman “ 18th. 4pm Mr Ray Ursell (H.C.) “ 25th. 6pm Mr Brian Parker of Somerton
(H.C.= Holy Communion)
The usual covid-19 rules will be observed, including wearing face coverings and social distancing
GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 2nd 7pm “Zoom” service. All are welcome to join us. The link details will be posted on the West Camel email system and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/westcamelchurches
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“What Easter is all about?” A message from Ray Ursell
It is about the beginning of Spring, Easter eggs, holiday and family gatherings – a nice time to look forward to! God always had a plan to deal with the question of sin. In the beginning in the Garden of Eden, sin did not exist, although Adam and Eve had the ability to sin. They had been created with free will and had been told not to eat the fruit of a tree, but they did, and in doing so they disobeyed God. The first symptoms of sin were that they knew they had done wrong and tried to hide from God, who provided animal skins for them to cover themselves (animals were sacrificed). There is always a penalty for sin, and the couple were expelled from the perfect Garden of Eden.
The sacrifice of perfect animals was a pattern for the next period, but a significant change happened in Egypt during the plagues, the last of which was the death of the firstborn children. The Children of Israel were told to sacrifice a lamb and paint the blood on the doorframes. The angel of death would then pass over the house, and the occupants would be unharmed. That was the first Passover.
Prophecies in the Old Testament spoke of the coming of Jesus, who would deal with 5
the question of sin once and for all. John the Baptist described Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1: 29).
At the last supper, the Passover meal, Jesus took the bread, gave it to the disciples and declared: “This is my body which is broken for you”. He then took the wine with the statement, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 22: 19-20).
He went out, and was betrayed and arrested. He was tried, tortured, found to be innocent, but still condemned to be crucified. Many of these things happened on the day we now call Good Friday. Over the weekend there was fear and mourning, but on the Sunday God raised Jesus from the dead. Our sins had been dealt with, and all we individually have to do is accept that Jesus is our Saviour, and ask for forgiveness for our sins. This then becomes a personal relationship with God, with Jesus acting as the Lamb and taking our sins.
Was that first Easter a fun time? - I think not! We need to add to the list, which now becomes: It is about the beginning of spring, Easter eggs, holidays and family gatherings, but most of all about remembering what Jesus went through on our behalf so that we can have our sins dealt with and then serve as His disciples.
I trust you all have a happy Easter, in the knowledge that you have the freedom to connect with God and serve Him through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
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WEATHER RECORDS FROM MEAD FARM, DOWNHEAD FEBRUARY 2021
Maximum temperature: 14.3 C (57 F) on the 24th Minimum temperature: –6.3 C (20 F) on the 11th Grass level minimum: –9.7 C (15 F) on the 11th Total rainfall: 62.5 mm (2.46 ins.) No. of air frosts: 10 No. of ground frosts: 14
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FUNERALS
8.12.220 Topsy Edwards at Yeovil Crematorium 15.1.2021 Peter Scarlett at Sutton Montis 12.2.2021 Keith Moore at West Camel 16.2.2021 Margery Davall at Sutton Montis 18.2 2021 Creighton Rosewall at Yeovil Crematorium
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200
QUEEN CAMEL MEMORIAL HALL 200 Club
March 2021 Prizes (drawn by a Yeovil friend!)
First Prize:- £30 Brian Hardy – No 5 Second Prize:- £25 Angus Davidson – No. 68 Third Prize:- £20 A & S Swetenham– No. 130 Fourth Prize:- £15 Vivian Enver No. 20 Fifth Prize:- £10 Jean Templeman– No. 108
If you would like to join in the fun for the rest or the club year until October then the cost is just £10. Contact Liz jardine 019350850074 for a form.
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QUEEN CAMEL COMMUNITY LAND TRUST AT THE OLD SCHOOL
The year is flying by and this week (21st March as I write) we commemorate a year since our first lockdown. Little did any of us know what lay ahead. It has affected everyone in some way, some with deep pain and sadness, others with great financial loss, many experiencing very real loneliness and most with a greater realisation of how we previously took so much for granted. At the Old School we have not been able to do all we had planned and this includes starting a café from January but we have pressed on where we could and are delighted to tell our readers that after Easter our café tenants, Ian & Christine Richardson, hope to start a take-away service pending being able to open the café. We are all looking forward to freshly ground coffee and homemade cakes as well as other goodies that Christine is planning – do visit her website at www.camskitchen.co.uk . Next month we hope to be able to give an update on HomeFirst Plus’s Pod initiative that is awaiting release from lockdown. Any enquiries in respect of HFP or the Pods to [email protected], please. We are still welcoming plants – shrubs, herbs, perennials, and all hardy, and also gardening tools, watering cans, etc. 7
BENEFICE SERVICES IN APRIL 2021
March 28th Palm Sunday - 10.00am Zoom Communion Service – e-mail: [email protected] for the link.
April 1st - Maundy Thursday – 7.30pm - A special service of words and actions with which to reflect on the events of that night at 7.30pm – e-mail: [email protected] for the link.
April 2nd - Good Friday - A Youtube presentation to watch and reflect on – e-mail: [email protected] for the link. April 4th - Easter Day 9.00am Short Open-air Communion Service in Sutton Montis Churchyard - Please contact Jennie Nott-Bower on 01963 220272 or [email protected] to book a place.
9.30am Holy Communion service in Sparkford Church – Please contact Ted Marsh on 01963 440634 or [email protected] to book a place.
10.00am - Zoom Communion Service – e-mail: [email protected] for the link.
6.00pm Methodist Service in West Camel Church – Please contact Geoff Chapman on 01935 850838 or [email protected] to book a place.
There will also be a Youtube communion service available – e-mail [email protected] for the link.
April 11th - 10.00am Zoom Service of Morning Prayer – e-mail: [email protected] for the link.
April 18th - 10.00am Zoom Service of Morning Prayer – e-mail: [email protected] for the link.
April 25th - 10.00am Zoom Communion Service – e-mail: [email protected] for the link.
Hopefully in May we can revert to all services being in our churches.
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QUOTE: I don’t know too much about Love, but I know a man who does, up there on a cross, loving us to death. Godfrey Rust
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QUEEN CAMEL PARISH COUNCIL
COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND
PANEL MEMBERS WANTED; PLEASE NOMINATE YOURSELF
A Community Benefit Fund has been established to receive the royalties the developers of the solar farms on the Sutton Montis Road are and will be paying to the Parish Council. The Parish Council has formed a working group to be called the Community Benefit Fund Panel to make recommendations to it on how the money should be allocated to projects. The Panel will comprise both councillors and other residents.
The Parish Council is asking parishioners who would like to be considered for the Panel to put their names forward by 6 April 2021. The Parish Council will then decide on the five parishioners who should be on the Panel to join councillors Sue Gettings and Dan Hewlett, who have been nominated to fill the two council member positions.
All parishioners who would like to be considered should write to [email protected] with a short description of what they believe they would bring to the Panel, accompanied by a brief CV.
More background on the Panel, its terms of reference, how often it is likely to meet and the guidance to organisation who are making applications for grants, can be found on the Parish Council website. If you need further information please contact a councillor or the clerk and they will help you.
Joining this Panel will be an excellent opportunity to get direct involvement in village affairs and in helping decide on which projects should be promoted in the parish. Parish Clerk [email protected]
Chimney sweep and vacuum clean and friendly service covering all local and surrounding areas For more details please call Daren on 01935 850913
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CAMELS’ EYE The English are a disorderly lot. The Caesars brought Britain the benefits of Roman civilisation and left behind a legacy of fine, rectilinear villas and long, straight roads but when the Anglo-Saxons turned up they were not impressed and let them fall to pieces, preferring a more homely style of architecture and the rolling English road.
Watch your tongue A few centuries on William the Conqueror tried to sort out the English but while the Normans won the battles they lost the culture war and ended up adopting the funny ways and speech of the natives. The English language is a jumble, with an eclectic vocabulary, absurd spelling, eccentric pronunciation and incongruous grammar, but the peculiar mix of elements has made it as fertile as a rich compost, producing a world language with an extraordinary literature. Mess is good.
The continental system The next European to try his luck was Napoleon, and had Trafalgar gone his way we might have ended up in a very different place. He was a very organised and organising fellow, and after conquering the greater part of Europe he spent much of his time and energy modernising its laws, justice system, administration and everything else he could get his hands on. And but for Nelson and the grace of God we too might have gone totally metric and ended up with the Code Napoleon and an elected president instead of the current jumble of unwritten constitution, Common Law, anomalous monarchy, anachronistic House of Lords and imperial heritage, for good or ill. One and one But there are tidy-minded organisers closer to home who find the muddle of our local government an embarrassment and a reproach. Almost fifty years have passed since it was last reorganised so it must be time to do it again. The words Local Government Reform Consultation may not quicken every pulse but the people we’ve elected to look after our affairs are pretty excited about it so it would be rude not to take an interest. The general idea is to replace the current two-tier system (where the District and County Councils provide different services) with a unitary system in which a single Council does everything. There are two rival proposals in the mix: One Somerset wants a single Council for (virtually) the whole of Somerset while Stronger Somerset wants one Council for our part of the county (Mendip and South Somerset) and another for the far west, with some functions farmed out to separate bodies. It seems that maintaining the status quo is not an option.
We are of course being consulted about all this and you can find out more and express your own views via this government website: https://consult.communities.gov.uk/governance-reform-and-democracy/somerset/. The consultation closes on 19th April.
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COUNTESS GYTHA PRIMARY SCHOOL
Dear Neighbours.
I am thrilled to inform you that the local governing body (including staff and parent representatives) and school council have appointed the new substantive Head Teacher of our school. Mr Dave Gordon, currently Deputy Head Teacher of Preston Primary School in Yeovil, will start his position in September.
The start of the academic term was certainly an interesting one for the staff, parents and children of Countess Gytha when the Prime Minister announced that schools would close again to all children apart from those whose parents were keyworkers or were classed as vulnerable. The staff had anticipated this announcement which was made on Tuesday 5th January and had been planning for the eventuality throughout the Autumn Term. Our enhanced plan for remote learning came to fruition with a mixture of live learning, Zoom Assembly’s for the children at home and fun challenges for the children and parents to complete.
We are delighted that all children have now returned to school and that the classrooms are full of children enjoying their learning. The children celebrated the love of books as they participated in World Book Day Activities on Thursday 4th March. The children’s costumes as always had taken a lot of effort from the parents to make and they all looked superb! We look forward to the rest of this half term when we have a visit from the science dome planned and further enriched activities.
We are currently looking for a lunchtime supervisor to work every lunchtime. If this is a position that interests you please contact the school office and we will happily provide you with an application form.
Please do remember that we are live on Twitter and do follow us for more up to date and regular information about our school. We can be found on Twitter @GythaPrimary
With all best wishes. Luke Talmage (Head Teacher), staff and children of Countess Gytha
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QUEEN CAMEL NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME
Neighbourhood Watch was formed here in Queen Camel in 2005 and is an on-going scheme which not only looks after the security of our residents but also their welfare, in a neighbourly fashion.
Each street, road and area of the parish is monitored by a group of volunteers who encourage a friendly, neighbourly community that cares for each other, in particular the elderly and other vulnerable people by:
• Getting to know the persons living on their patch; trying to speak to one or two every week; spotting any change in normal routine and where there is change, sharing with an appropriate person e.g., the Co-ordinator, the PCSO or the police. • Getting to know who the elderly or vulnerable people are and trying to make sure someone looks in on them on a regular basis. • To welcome newcomers to their nominated area and ensuring that a Welcome Pack is organised to be delivered. • To receive and forward information, particularly police alerts, to your neighbours, without causing stress and anxiety. • To report any problems with anti-social behaviour, actual, or suspected crime to either your PCSO (Tim Russell on 07889659275) or the Police (on 999)
At a recent Parish Council meeting it was decided that the Council should play a more prominent role in the co-ordination of the Scheme and elect a Councillor who should take responsibility for overseeing the management and up-keep of volunteer contacts. Security alerts and information could also be posted onto the Parish Council Website for all who can access.
With the help of Paul Johnson, Neighbourhood Watch Administrator, and Tim Russell PCSO for this area, a current data base of thirty-eight community volunteers has been established. Each should be contacting you shortly to identify themselves, if they haven’t already done so . We are indebted to these volunteers, who with their help, we can hope that Queen Camel remains a safe, secure and caring village to live in.
Sue Gettings – Parish Council NW Co-ordinator. If I can be of any help, at any time, then please contact me on 01935 850008 or by email: [email protected]
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LAWNS TO MEADOWS
Its that time of year again for me to repeat my plea for those of you with open grassy spaces, lawns, verges, paddocks, orchards, grassy strips etc to consider just letting them ‘go’ this spring/summer and start their journey back to wildflower meadows. Letting the grasses grow, and the wildflowers – even humble ones like dandelions, daisies, ragged robin, buttercups, self-heal etc provides a huge amount of food and habitat for bees, butterflies and bugs, and knock-on beneficial effects for birds, amphibians and small mammals. Regular cutting of a strip along the edge of flower-beds or of paths will stop encroachment and keep these areas accessible. The grass seed-heads look beautiful and seeing a charm of goldfinches descend to feed on them, or a huge bumble bee working its way from flower to flower is huge reward for doing nothing!
The most common reason I have heard to date for not leaving lawns to do their own thing is ‘that they look messy’, but all that is needed is a change of mind-set that doesn’t require everything to look regimented and controlled, neat and tidy, but instead revels in exuberance, variety, a softer touch and the knowledge that we are helping the natural world and wildlife enormously by doing such a simple thing. I can only say that if you can alter your mind-set, then the rewards massively outnumber any negative aspects.
Even if you are unable to commit fully straightaway, then please consider taking part in ‘No-Mow-May’ which is an initiative being promoted by Plantlife – an excellent charity. ‘No -Mow-May’ is exactly what it says.………it encourages people desist from mowing at all for the month of May and see what happens! Here’s to a summer full of grasses, flowers, butterflies and bees! Fiona Perkins, Old Wales Farmhouse.
* * * * * * * * * Carey B Antiques & Restoration 4a, Church Street, Ilchester BA22 8LW
Tel: 01935 841071 Mob: 07791 894937
e-mail: [email protected]
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A MESSAGE FROM MRS. A MAW LORD-LIEUTENANT OF SOMERSET
Fly the Flag for Somerset on Somerset Day 2021.
On May 11th Spring will have begun. The fields and hedges will be green, blossom will be in abundance, birds will be nesting and gardens up and down the county will be bursting into life. Spring is a time of optimism and new beginnings and, fortunately for us, it is also time for us to mark our annual celebration of Somerset Day.
Life has been difficult, for many months but especially during the darkness of winter. However, we are very lucky to live in Somerset and this is a great time for us to remember that and to show the world how proud we are of our county. We hope that by May we may be living in better times and we hope that it will be safe and sensible for us to venture outside to contact our neighbours and our friends again.
Even though we must be careful and compliant with guidelines as we make our plans, this year, this is the most perfect time to look forwards to another year, when life is going to be different but good, nevertheless. Let's put the winter behind us and let's celebrate our county and the coming year by flying flags and hanging bunting everywhere so that we can share together all that is good and worth looking forward to in Somerset for the year to come. Join us all in the Somerset Lieutenancy by Flying the Flag for Somerset 2021.
B P Plumbing
Tel: 07811 441 073 Ben Perkins Queen Camel Complete bathroom and shower installations Central heating repairs No job too small
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Cam Vale Benefice Prayer Chain
Would you like us to pray for you? In total confidence, a group of Christians will pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, for you, or someone you know, if you are ill, troubled or worried
Phone at any time either of these numbers. Marion 01963 220741 Betty 01963 441037
As part of our prayer ministry in Cam Vale there are prayer request boxes in each of our churches together with cards. All prayers placed in the boxes are offered up in our worship each week. The prayers are offered silently and not read aloud because of confidentiality
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Magazine Editor: Mrs Vanla Oxley, Queen Camel House, High St., Queen Camel, BA22 7NF Tel: 01935 850269; Email: [email protected]
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