Church & Parish News and Events in with No.223 July 2019

Church Diary Sunday 7th July 3rd Sunday of Trinity Usual Services Weekly Services & Activities Monday 8th July 7.30pm Prayer and Praise at 32 Hood Lane Sunday : 8.00am: Communion Sunday 14th July 4th Sunday of Trinity 10.30am Family Communion Usual Services Monday : 7.30pm Bell Ringing Practice Sunday 21st July 5th Sunday of Trinity Usual Services Tuesday : 9.00am Morning Prayer 4pm Celtic Communion Wednesday : 9.30am Church Mice Sunday 28th July 6th Sunday of Trinity Usual Services Thursday : 10.00am Communion Our Vicar writes All my hope on God is founded I suspect that I am just the same as most people when it to us in Jesus and continues to come close today: the God comes to national and international news: most of it is bad who is involved in our world and wants to give direction or sad and, if we’re not careful, can lead us to feel helpless and purpose to our lives. This is not just religious jargon. and despair. What on earth can we do? If we want to discover hope then who or what we believe in Of course, in response to those crises on other continents, is of fundamental importance. we can give financial aid and offer our prayers for those There is a hymn that we sing in the church that speaks, in who work hard to bring relief and hope to people its first verse, of the hope that is to be found in God: devastated by war, famine or natural disaster. Though in All my hope on God is founded; response to some of the crises that we see and hear about he doth still my trust renew. much nearer to home, we can perhaps offer our time and Me through change and chance he guideth, skills and be more hands on as we attempt to bring relief only good and only true. and hope to those around us. God unknown, he alone As I write I’m reminded of a book written by Tom Wright, calls my heart to be his own. the former Bishop of Durham, entitled “Surprised by Hope.” However, the final verse points more specifically to the Of course Tom Wright writes about the Christian hope of life person of Jesus Christ as the focus of our faith: beyond death. But he also says a great deal more about the Still from earth to God eternal hope that we can have in Jesus Christ as we live our lives in sacrifice of praise be done, the present. high above all praises praising The death and resurrection of Jesus is the heart of the for the gift of Christ His Son. Christian faith and the reason that we can be people of Christ doth call one and all: hope. Not least because in the death and resurrection ye who follow shall not fall. of Jesus God is seen to be at work in the depths of our The church is not taken out of the world but when it is predicament: we have not been abandoned to struggle on open to God it is encouraged and equipped to work with alone. This world is not as God intended it to be but his other people of good will to change the world for the better. involvement, in the darkest of places, means that we can not only be people of hope but also people strengthened Why not join us as we worship week by week? Because to live and work to make things better and restore hope remember, we do not worship any god. We worship the for others. God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… in whom we find our hope! I’m sure that the old statistic that around 70% of people in Britain believe in God is still true. But I wonder how many Every Blessing people who claim to believe in God believe in the God and Peter Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? The God who came close

Team Vicar - Rev. Peter Hart telephone: 01543 579660 Churchwarden - Peter Conway telephone: 01543 490588 Editor & Churchwarden - Danny Briggs telephone: 01543 490114 email: [email protected] Parish Church website: www.achurchnearyou.com/armitage-st-john-the-baptist Village website: www.armitagewithhandsacre.co.uk Rotas for July 2019 Old NEW DATE Testament Testament SIDESMAN CLEANING FLOWERS

7th Mr. D. Lee Mrs. H. Bartnicki Volunteers Mrs. J. Smith Mrs. D. Bradbury

Mrs. T. Riley and 14th Mr. P. Upton Dr. B. Lucas Volunteers Mrs. C. Parsons

21st Mrs. M. Adams Mrs. C. Parsons Volunteers Volunteers Mrs. H. Bartnicki

28th Mr. P. Conway Mrs. E. Mills Volunteers Mrs. E. Harvey

4th Mr. D. Lee Mrs. H. Bartnicki Volunteers Mrs. C. Berry Mr. D. Lee

Please ring 01543 490588 if you would like to have your name on the rota. Also if you wish to put flowers on the altar for any special occasion please let me know. Thank you. Di Conway.

Armitage with Handsacre W.I. Inspiring women in the community Our June Meeting was well attended, unfortunately The members would then vote on the one that the speaker we had booked could not come as she would be taken to the Autumn Group meeting when had an important event to attend. She was to receive Charles Hanson is the speaker and will judge the an award for her contribution as a volunteer worker. competition. We were very lucky that Pete and Chris Hillman As previously mentioned our meeting is to be on came to the rescue. They had been to Chelsea Flower July 2nd in the afternoon from 2.30pm until 5pm. Show the previous week and agreed to give a talk and Afternoon tea will be served and we shall have a presentation of the lovely photographs of this event. raffle. The proceeds for the event in memory of Pete is an excellent photographer and speaker so Cynthia Conway will be sent to Katharine House we were able to journey with them both through the Hospice. wonderful gardens and displays. Thank you Chris Everyone is invited to join us at this event, it would and Pete for stepping in and giving us all such a be lovely to see many of Cynthia’s friends. Venue: super account of your visit. Doreen’s Garden 6 Chapel Road. Refreshments were then served we all enjoyed a The meeting adjourned at 9.30pm and it was still special coffee and walnut cake to celebrate Pauline’s light so that was nice. birthday and also barabrith It was then on to the business of the evening. The usual items were If you would like any information on our W.I. contact discussed. Members were asked to bring an antique Lesley 01543 491621, Doreen 01543 490240, or just item to our August meeting not particularly for the pop along to one of our meetings and you will be value but an interesting story. made most welcome. Our Village: What’s in a Name? The villages of Armitage and Handsacre Nothing then until the famous (or infamous) have been around for a very long time. feud between the Handesacre and Mavesyn Handsacre is mentioned in the Domesday families over boundary disputes and the Book of 1086. It’s entry says ‘Hadesacre’ (also rights to a local mill. Apparently, in 1382 a variously Hadsacre, Hondesacre, Houndsacre, bitter argument between Robert Mavesyn Hounzacre and Hansacre) meaning an and the Handesacre family resulted in one extent of land of no exact measurement, of the Handesacre’s men being killed, which held by Robert of Stafford, from the Bishop did nothing to improve relations with the of Chester. Neighbouring Armitage was Mavesyns. Incidentally, their original family originally called Hermitage. name when they arrived with William the Conqueror was Malvoisin, meaning ‘bad Going back to the Roman occupation, neighbour’. the future site of A&H was on the fringe of territory occupied by a tribe known as Things simmered on until 1403 when they the Cangi (which may be the derivation came to a head in a battle or skirmish in a of Cannock). The Cangi were defeated by meadow in nearby , in Ostorius Scapula (Tacitus), when it became a which Sir William Handesacre was killed by part of Britannia Superior until the fall of the Sir Robert Mavesyn who was himself killed Roman Empire circa 476. shortly after in the Battle of Shrewsbury, fought by Henry IV and the Percies. The Jumping forward to 899, apparently surprising, ironic turnaround to this affair was Hermitage de Hodesacre was granted land the subsequent marriage of the Handesacre which eventually became Armitage with heir, Sir William, to Margaret, Sir Robert’s Handsacre by King Alfred the Great. Later, daughter, ending the feud and uniting the two there is a deed from early in the reign of families. Edward I, circa 1280 which mentions Hermitag de Hondeshakere. Cliff Harris

Summer issue of ’Church & Parish’ We plan to produce, at the end of July, a two-month His contact details are to be found at the bottom of issue to cover August/September 2019. Please the front inside page of the magazine. ensure that information about events planned More generally, the PCC hope that you are pleased for September is submitted at the end of July, with the new-style magazine, and should anyone together with details for the August events. For our who is willing to pay the annual subscription of contributors - to meet the printer’s deadline to £5.00 to have it delivered to their door, then please have the magazine available for the start of the next contact Trevor Harvey on 01543 491154. month, articles for publication should be forwarded by the 17th of the month, by email, to Danny Briggs. Trevor Harvey, for the PCC. Handsacre Methodist Church JULY 2019

SUNDAY 7th July 11am MAKING CONNECTIONS Peter Dunn Thursday 11th July 7pm - 8:15 pm. SUNDAY 14th July 11am The book of Hebrews part one Worship leaders Refreshments, informal time of singing, Family-friendly worship for all ages craft, Bible wall and poems. SUNDAY 21st July 11am Rev. Jacob Donkoh - Holy Communion and CAFÉ TIME baptism Saturday 20th July from 9.30am to 11.30pm. Bacon/sausage baps, Cakes, Coffee/Tea. Soft SUNDAY 28th July 11am Drinks. Circuit service at St. Paul’s , led by District Chair Rachel Parkinson COMMUNITY VOICES Wednesday 10th & 24th July 7.30pm - 9 pm. Everyone is welcome to join us for worship A relaxed and fun time of singing together, every Sunday morning at 11, for about an plus drama, poetry, dance, music etc. The hour, followed by refreshments. choice is yours. All are very welcome.

A PLACE OF WELCOME SUMMER HOLIDAY DROP-INS All are welcome to drop in for a cup of Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays tea/coffee and chat every Friday 1pm - 4pm. Refreshments, conversation, 1pm - 4.30pm. craft, singing, fun! Starts 22nd July.

MEETING POINT HANDSACRE METHODIST ROOM Tuesdays 10am - 12noon More information 01543 491704 ALL WELCOME TO DROP IN

Tuesday 2nd July: The Friday art group show and talk about some of their work Tuesday 19th July: All invited to the lawn of 46, Uttoxeter Road for light refreshments. If it is wet, meet in the Methodist room as usual. Tuesday 16th July: Chat with friends. Tuesday 23rd July: MINI-FAYRE in aid of Air Ambulance & MASE for Alzheimer’s support. Please bring the children and come for a fun time Tuesday 30th July: Daphne Sharp will tell us more about MASE the Alzheimer’s local support project. TUESDAY 13th AUGUST: SEASIDE COACH TRIP - all invited for a trip to SOUTHPORT £15 for adults; £7.50 for children. Book with Celia 01543 491704 Antoine Albena Mountsoy An Armitage Celebrity - Part Two Researched and compiled by Roy Fallows

On 27th August 1816 the Royal Navy bombarded that time Suzanah would have been left with the the port city of Algiers until they surrendered. Many Mountsoys for a number of possible reasons; maybe slaves and other hostages were freed. she was illegitimate or lost one or both parents. Perhaps her parents were struggling to look after her During this operation Antoine was seriously injured due to poverty. Either way, she may very well have while manning his quarter deck gun aboard HMS ended up in the Workhouse so to live with Queen Charlotte. The action must have been the Mountsoy’s was a lucky break for her (and them, terrifying and brutal. The calf of one of his legs was as they would have been paid.). Although Maria is torn away by a shell splinter but he recovered and described as Anthony’s (Antoine’s) wife I can find no eventually discharged from the Royal Navy after record of any marriage. His occupation was given as serving for some five years. ‘Smallware dealer (sailor)’. After discharge from the Royal Navy he continued By 1871, the Mountsoy family have moved to an his life at sea and served on board civilian vessels area in the Ridwares called Hickbury (about halfway including a whaler on which he went on expeditions between and Blithbury). Antoine around the Greenland coast, and merchant ships and Maria are together although their ages are now travelling between and the Far East, and as 30 years apart. Antoine is called Anthony (simpler far as Canada. for the enumerator) and, at the age of 82 years He eventually settled in South Shields before moving is described as a Coal Higgler. A coal higgler was to – about as far away from the sea as a person carrying on a trade as an itinerant coal is possible. seller, usually by cart. Not bad for an octogenarian In the 1851 census he is found living at Hadleyend in with a gammy leg! Suzanah is now to be found Yoxall, with his Yorkshire born wife Maria, 20 years at Etchinghill, near Rugeley, employed as a cook his junior and a 3 years old child named Suzanah domestic servant in a boarding school. She is using Simpson, described as a nurse child. A nurse the surname Mountsoy. child, in modern terms, would be a foster child. At To be continued.... Parish Council Notice The Armitage with Handsacre Parish Council will be holding their next meeting on Thursday 25th July 2019 at 7.00pm at the Pavilion, Millmoor Avenue, Armitage. COFFEE morning PUBLIC WELCOME & ART exhibition Thank you by Village Artists The Darnford Moors Golf Club, Lichfield, held an Allen Kimber Memorial Golf Day on 1st June 2019. £110.00 has been kindly donated to St. John the Baptist Church for Handsacre which we are very grateful. Methodist Church Saturday 6th July Dates for your Diary 10.00am - 11.30am Here are the dates of the Celtic Communion Services and Harvest Songs of Praise at In aid of Circuit Charity St John the Baptist Church which all take SWIM Cambodia place at 4:00pm: (Safety When It Matters) 21st July Celtic Communion Ridware History Society 25th August Saturday 20 July Etruria Industrial Celtic Communion Museum, Stoke on Trent, ST1 4RB 29th September The Etruria Industrial Museum is the home of Celtic Communion Jesse Shirley’s Bone and Flint Mill (Etruscan Mills) which was an important supplier to the pottery and 6th October agricultural industries from the early 1800s to 2011. Harvest Songs of Praise (Final Booking Date 6 July) 27th October It is important that we have a firm indication Celtic Communion of numbers who wish to come on visits. Please 17th November contact Helen Sharp for a booking form or more Celtic Communion information on 01453 490873 or [email protected] Advent and Christmas Services will be Non-members are welcome if numbers allow. advertised nearer the time. The next in our series highlighting people and groups that serve our village comes from Gifford Foote talking about Meeting Point. Meeting Point Celebrates ‘Congratulations 20 years-not out!’ said ‘Computers for Beginners’, Food & Hygiene, our card from Barbara to Meeting Point. Jewellery Making and Keep Fit’ About 40 folk from our village gathered at When Lucy was appointed as a LDC Handsacre Methodist room last month to community worker for our village, she asked celebrate the friendship, support and good Meeting Point if a Knit and Natter group times we have enjoyed over the years. could be formed. Anne Ratcliffe took the It was in 1998 that Celia, then working for lead. The response was great and this group Age Concern (now Age UK) had the idea of has produced phenomenal amounts of knit having a community venture to appeal to a ware for sale, for charities and for overseas. In widening group of retired people and people this year alone they have raised £1500 for the on their own. Research confirmed the need. Donna Louise Hospice for children and their With the approval of the Methodist church families. we set up our own constitution becoming an The key to Meeting Point over the years autonomous organisation. Thus Meeting Point has been the liveliness of its members. A was started in 1999 with Councillor Graham generous spirit of giving was adopted from the Metcalfe as our first chairperson and myself as beginning. Each year a vote is taken on which secretary and co-ordinator. two charities we should support. This year’s Our first committee included the minister of choice is Air Ambulance and MASE, the local our Methodist Section - the Rev’d Julia Pellet, organisation for giving support to Alzheimer’s a Health Visitor, representatives from Home patients and their carers. Annually we have Zone, and Age Concern, Lilian Thacker and raised over £1200 at Bring and Buys, Coffee retired post office counter assistant -Jean Mornings and other events. Rowley. Over the years we have enjoyed a huge variety Our aim was to create a meeting point drop- of activities. e.g. demonstrations, quizzes, in for all ages and to be a centre where people readings, speakers from public services, local could have a cuppa and chat, but also find speakers, meals, and coach outings, advice, widen interests and find friends. Over 20 years Meeting Point has been a place Within a year the idea blossomed. A few for friendship and support. New people drop mums and toddlers came along, people with in and find friendship. The people of Meeting disabilities found friendship, but in the main Point have truly made the whole thing work. it was the older people and folk who lived Meeting Point looks to the future, planning by themselves who found acceptance and a programme to suit the folk who come. We liveliness and came in good number. are grateful to our committee, Celia, Pauline, As well as the Tuesday drop-in, Lew Kershaw Colin, Jasmyn, Susan, Anthony and our instigated an art group under the umbrella of newest volunteer, Diane, for all their hard Meeting Point. This group continues today work. under the leadership of Mick Plum and Come to give us a try Tuesday mornings Celia Foote. There were courses including 10am - 12pm at Handsacre Methodist room.