The Sue Ryder Hospice Winter 2016 The Peppard News team were invited to First we is the monthly sales of visit the Nettlebed Hospice by Fundraiser, were second hand goods run Margaret Thomas. shown into by a small army of the day volunteers. Throughout Whilst we all knew of the local Sue Ryder hospice, the year there is a variety Hospice none of us had much, if any, real through of events to raise money. knowledge of what goes on there. My which they There are plenty of own view was of a place where people are able to opportunities to support with cancer went to be cared for in their support the work of the hospice last months or days but I came away with patients by before Christmas - see a much wider knowledge. offering Peppard Diary on Page 16 or the Local Events page on practical care as www.peppardnews.co.uk or the charity's well as preventing own website www.sueryder.org. isolation. Patients My visit made me realise just how much with life limiting good work is done there and therefore illnesses are referred how much it costs to keep it all going. by their GP. The This year £800,000 is expected in aim is to help statutory funding which means that a people live their further £2.3 million is needed to continue lives as fully as providing incredible care. possible. The We are just so fortunate to have this patients can take hospice so near us. The atmosphere is one part in numerous of care and calm, not of death or sadness crafts and it is clear as might be expected. If you are thinking from the artwork on of fundraising for a local cause, our The building is hugely impressive: the display, many are very talented people. One Jacobean style mansion, Joyce Grove, gentleman was nearby Sue Ryder Hospice is very certainly well worth considering. completed in 1908 for Robert Fleming, delighted to find that, by making some large founder of Robert Fleming and Co., mer- pompoms, the strength and movement in his Sue Nickson chant bank, was designed by the famous hands greatly improved. As well as landscape architect Charles Edward occupational therapy, the hospice offers Junior Peppard News Mallows and is a Grade 2 listed building. complementary and psychological It was where Ian Fleming, author and therapies, blood transfusions, and respite for Christmas Special grandson of Robert, spent much of his carers and patients alike. childhood. The house and extensive gar- Upstairs, we looked out over the extensive dens have been in the ownership of Sue grounds down to the lake. The first floor Ryder since 1979. The hospice costs £3.1 in-patient unit has 12 beds located either in million a year to run so fundraising is a single rooms or single-sex rooms of two or massive task! three beds. There is a television available The hospice is for people aged 18+ who for each bed, and access to Wi-Fi through- are living with conditions like cancer, out the hospice. They also have a family heart failure and lung disease. Entering suite offering overnight accommodation. through the front door one is immediately There is support for the family before and in a beautiful and very extensive hall area. after the death of a loved one, but I was We were greeted by the volunteer recep- surprised to hear that 62% of patients who tionist. Volunteers are a very important visit the hospice come for symptom part of the work of the hospice. As well as management return home. To view the children’s pictures see reception they are vital in fundraising, on Foremost amongst the fundraising activities www.peppardnews.co.uk the wards and providing event support. Peppard News is a quarterly community newspaper published by Peppard News Publications with financial support from Rotherfield Peppard Parish Council, and is distributed free within the parish of Peppard. Views expressed are not necessarily those of Peppard News Publications or of the RPPC unless stated as such. e-mail: [email protected] www.PeppardNews.co.uk Contributions accepted via e-mail or post to Jennifer Smith, Molehouse, Church Lane, RG9 5JN Advertising: Ian Fraser - phone: 01491 629631 Printed by Herald Graphics Page 2 www.PeppardNews.co.uk Our Schools Peppard School Peppard C of E Primary School Kidmore End Pre-School Peppard Common RG9 5JU It’s been a busy start to our new school What a busy term already! We kicked off Phone: 01491 628354 with Years 5 and 6 setting off on their year, and the children have been enjoying Headteacher residential trips to Somerset and finding out about autumn. We’ve seen Pembrokeshire. A fantastic time was had Nick Steele several low-flying hot air balloons over by all. Chairman of the Governors Kidmore End in the past couple of weeks: I wonder if the view of the leaves Meanwhile in school, our 14 new To be announced changing colour is as beautiful from on Foundation children have been getting high as it is from ground level. used to school life and have settled in well. Department of Health National Flu We are expecting one other who is moving Immunisation programme and so we Our topic for this term is Baby Animals to Peppard over the Christmas holidays. welcomed three nurses from the local and the children have been taking part in Our Open Morning was exceptionally School Nurse team to administer the lots of fun activities planned around this busy and we fully expect to keep our nasal spray. theme. We’ve welcomed mice and numbers up next year – numbers are We are now preparing for Christmas puppies just this last week to the Parish currently 99. activities, our youngest children will be Room: the children loved being able to th stroke the animals. We visited Swimming lessons at Queen Anne’s and performing in Straw and Order on 13 Chalkhouse Green Farm at the end of last gym sessions at Kennylands Gym are December and the whole school in the month and pass our grateful thanks to all continuing as usual, ably assisted by Mr Christingle Service on the last day of th concerned. The topic continues into Term Bill Tanner driving the children back and term, Friday 16 December. 2 and we have a visit planned from a forth in our minibus. We are very grateful Fiona Hilton Veterinary Assistant later in the term. to Bill who is helping with our transporta- tion and also cleaning the bus at In the run up to Christmas, and as the weekends! With the cessation of the Baby Animals take on a more wintery feel Mobile Library van, this term we have (think penguins and reindeer!), we shall been mini-bussing the children in year be covered in glitter, performing our groups to the library in Sonning Common. annual Nativity play and going on a trip to the pantomime. Other school trips have included Harcourt Arboretum, Pizza Express to make our We were delighted to welcome the Rev’d James Stickings to our annual Macmillan own pizzas and Henley Town Hall to visit th the Mayor. We have taken part in various Coffee Morning on Friday 30 Septem- football tournaments and a netball ber. It was a lovely morning and we tournament at Gillotts. raised a record amount of £176.06. All Hallows E'en Thanks to all who attended. Once again we took part in the annual st Eurovision Contest at Chiltern Edge and, On 31 October we ventured out for our Finally, excitingly, the pre-school has on 16th November, three pupils took part annual ghostly, chilly stroll around the now got a Facebook page. Do look us up in the Spelling Bee at Queen Anne’s village - we would just like to thank all and like and share what you see. We’re School. our lovely neighbours who made us feel hoping to reach lots of you with our news most welcome and indulged the Red on a regular basis. We were very pleased to have our SIAMS Devil, Maleficent, the Wicked Witch For more information; you can contact me (Schools Inspection of Anglican and and her Cat on their quest for treats: it Methodist Schools) inspection in October on 0118 948 4985 or e-mail was lovely to see you all and your [email protected]. See our website at which resulted in ‘Good with some Out- decorations. standing comments’. www.kidmoreendpreschool.co.uk or find Thank you from Elodie, Jessamy, us on Facebook. This year our Year 1-3 children were Nancy, Charlotte and Lilybeth. given the opportunity to take part in the We send you our best wishes Melanie Hobbs Emma Hawker SPRUCE MAINTENANCE SERVICE

For all your property maintenance requirements: Decorating inside and out; Paper hanging; Carpentry - including door easing and hanging; Wall & Floor Tiling & Silicone Renewal; Plumbing - leaking taps, etc; Hedge Cutting & Planting, Patios, Landscaping & Garden Design. ROB SMITH TEL: 0118 972 4560 WEE-COT SEATING Upholstery, Loose Covers, Replacement Cushions, Day Boat Hire – Passenger Boat and Party Hire Chair Caning, French Polishing and Furniture Repairs Luxury Boating Holidays – River Trips - Moorings and Storage Established over 146 years. LIZANNE SMITH Tel/fax 0118 972 4560 01491 572035 www.hobbsofhenley.com www.PeppardNews.co.uk Page 3 Our Young Achievers Snippets England National Schools’ Squad for Success in Triplicate the trip to Norway earlier this year. Photograph of the Month I have met many talented young Peppard All three girls have cemented their Are you a keen photographer or just love people in the lifetime of this column but it national places as, at the time of writing, to take snaps of our lovely village? was a first for me to be talking to triplets they have been selected for the 2017 Any subject - but it must have been taken about their achievements! Lily, Danielle squad. in Rotherfield Peppard. Each month our and Zara Hawkins are 15 years old, have Editorial team will select their favourite to lived in Peppard since 2004 and feature on our website. Send your best are pupils at Gillotts School, photograph to Henley. [email protected] Born in Dubai, they have also lived in Jersey and Canada and Health Walks began skiing at the age of three. The walks will continue till Saturday 17th Skiing has been a passion of December, break over Christmas, and start their father's for many years again with new routes and meeting places and something that has really from Tuesday 3rd January. Timetables are taken off for the girls. While available from the library, Health Centre the family lived in Canada and Herb Farm. during 2008/09 they had greater Rosemary Dunstan access to the sport as members of Mount Washington Ski Christmas Concerts Resort which, along with ice skating, really confirmed the South Chiltern Choral Society will be girls' talent for winter sports. joined by Hawkedon Primary School Choir to sing Mass of the Children by Upon returning to Peppard, the John Rutter: Saturday 10th December girls continued ice skating at th From left: Danielle, Zara and Lily 19:30 and Sunday 11 December 14:00 at Bracknell before being Chiltern Edge School. Tickets £12 (under approached by Bracknell Ski Race Club Since it receives no national funding, 21s £6) - tel 07500 032840 or from to trial for the local ski team. Success ski racing is both time consuming and www.southchilternchoralsociety.org.uk soon followed and the girls progressed to expensive. The girls train most weeks Hemel Ski Race Club, based at the indoor all through the year and race on dry Henley and Goring snow centre in Hemel Hempstead, where slopes and indoor snow venues in places they trained and raced alongside many of such as Landgraaf, Holland, which Ramblers the best junior ski racers in the UK. boasts one of the world’s longest indoor These are several walks in our area All the girls have achieved numerous ski runs. organised throughout December. individual and team successes for both They have been very fortunate in skiing For more details see www.ramblers- club and school across Regional and and racing all over the world and are oxon.org.uk/HG.htm National events. They are currently the especially looking forward to heading to London and South East Schools’ Killington, Vermont, to start the coming Young Local Author’s champions and have achieved silver winter season. First Book medals for two years running in the Having fun, developing friendships and National Schools’ Championships. Zara is 24 year old William Potter's book building a lifetime interest is at the heart Crownless Kings has just been published. also the current U16 Hemel Club of the triplets' passion for skiing and the Available on Amazon it is about a young champion. The girls' achievements were mountains and ski racing are simply a man's upside-down world. William, also recognised at an even higher level when, part of that journey. known as Josh, lives in Blounts Court in 2015, they were all selected to join the Sue Nickson Road, Peppard. Page 4 www.PeppardNews.co.uk The Councils Peppard Council News village safer and discourage speeding Parish Council motorists from abusing our quiet village Since the Autumn issue of Peppard News, roads please contact our Parish Clerk. two projects have moved forward. Chairman: Simon Crouch e-mail: [email protected] Details of the programme can be found at: Firstly, the Community Speedwatch Parish Clerk: Joanne Askin www.thamesvalleypolice / programme is gathering momentum - see Orchard Gate, Plough Lane communityspeedwatch the following article. Shiplake Cross, Oxon. RG9 4DE Rotherfield Peppard Parish Council Secondly, the Peppard War Memorial Hall Tel: To be announced charity is keen to move forward with a e-mail: [email protected] Junior Playground plan. They are, very Website: www.rppc.org.uk If Julie Calls sensibly, adopting a modular approach to SODC Councillors: Charles Bailey [email protected] I answered the phone to a bright and start with – they will start with one or two breezy voice: ‘Hi, I'm Julie. I understand pieces of apparatus and expand the facility & David Nimmo-Smith [email protected] you've been involved in a traffic accident as funds and users grow. This project is that wasn't your fault. Is that correct?’ led and managed by the charity and the OCC Councillor: David Bartholomew 07769 808773 ‘What accident was that?’ I replied. After Council’s objective is to support them david.bartholomew@oxfordshire.gov.uk the second repetition of this conversation, wherever possible. Rotherfield Peppard Parish Council usually I realised I was listening to an automated To summarise other news: Peppard Stoke meets on 2nd Monday of the month at 19.30 recording that wanted a simple Yes or No Row Cricket Club has enjoyed another in the Pavilion. Parishioners may attend and answer. very successful season based at the observe, and may briefly raise issues of After a few seconds there was a new Peppard Sports Pavilion. However, whilst concern to them. All may attend voice and it was clear this was a real recently upgrading the Pavilion security intermediate planning meetings as well - see Diary for dates and times. person, not a recording. ‘Hi, this is Craig, system, electrical contractors pointed out I understand you've been involved in a there may be asbestos within the roof and Joanne is currently taking over from traffic accident that was not your fault.’ roof soffits. Our Sports Pavilion and Field Karl Musson who is leaving at the end ‘How do you know that?’ I asked. ‘The committee organised a professional survey of November. We thank him greatly for information has come from our Road to measure the extent of the problem. I am his on-going contribution throughout Traffic Accident department,’ said Craig. pleased to report that the amount of 2016. Joanne has three children, has ‘When was the accident’ I replied. ‘That's asbestos found is very minimal. None was worked in the buying section of what I'm trying to find out,’ said Craig. found in the roof void and the soffit Waitrose, and was a co-chair of Shiplake ‘Where was the accident?’ I enquired. content has been defined as ‘low-level’. Primary School PTFA. Craig was now showing some signs of The report recommends either removing Simon Crouch irritation. ‘You need to give me the or painting-over some of the soffits as a details,’ he said. ‘Craig, who are you talk- precaution. This was defined as non- Speeding ing to?’ ‘You need to tell me,’ replied urgent and the Council hope to action Craig. remedial work in early in 2017. Over the last few months the Parish Council has supported the development ‘OK Craig, let me get this straight: your The Parish Council is currently awaiting of a Community Speedwatch Road Traffic Accident department has the South Oxfordshire District Council’s programme. The group now has a small informed you that an unknown person had response to several planning applications but growing team of volunteers to move an accident that was not their fault at an and Parish Council objections. The Parish this programme forward. Following unknown place, on an unknown date?’ At Council has objected to various develop- discussion and co-ordination with this point, Craig realised he had been ments (both large and small) and I would Thames Valley Police, the first group rumbled and hung up. like to thank our Planning Committee for will undergo training in December. co-ordinating very full Council responses. All the above is true. That it was a scam As reported in our local newspaper, one Community SpeedWatch is a traffic was clear; the motive was less certain. It such application resulted in a Parish monitoring scheme coordinated by could have been to encourage me to make Council objection amounting to over Thames Valley Police in partnership a dubious 'whiplash' insurance claim or an 7,000 words of analysis and sound reason- with local councils, but managed and attempt to get my bank details. ing as to why the application should be run by neighbourhood policing teams We all need to be alert when we receive refused. This requires a great deal of time and community volunteers. unsolicited phone calls or emails. in terms of research, analysis and presen- Offenders are entered into a database Please take a look at Oxfordshire County tation of facts. This team works quietly shared by other TVP divisions. Repeat Council’s ‘Take a Stand Against Scams’ but very effectively ‘behind the scenes’. offenders will be contacted appropri- campaign on: ately. Finally, we welcome our new Parish Clerk www.365alive.co.uk/cms/content/scams- into the fold: Mrs Joanne Askin, who More volunteers are needed – so if you come-all-shapes-and-sizes st started with us on the 1 November. feel this activity will help to make the Cllr David Bartholomew www.PeppardNews.co.uk Page 5 Our Village

KPCV Pedal Power from cream on the beach tasted so good. The Kingwood and Peppard Commons the Peppard Pair They raised nearly £3000 for the Brit- Volunteers (KPCV) is a friendly group of Regular Peppard mountain bikers, ish Heart Foundation between them, conservation volunteers who meet twice a Matthew Davis and Nigel Hawkins, are (Matthew raised slightly more than month to work on Kingwood and Peppard always looking for challenges. So when Nigel but he’s cool about that!). They Commons. We own and work with a they saw that the British Heart Founda- are eyeing up the next challenge, per- range of tools and equipment, including tion organises a sponsored London to haps in the Peak District. Meanwhile brush-cutters, scythes, saws, rakes, pitch- Brighton ‘off road’ cycle ride they they set off from the Red Lion most forks and Azadas, there are also courses signed up. Preparation involved both Sundays at 07:30 and would welcome available on how to use and maintain fitness and fundraising; the bridleways anyone who wants to join them explor- some of the larger tools. of the Chiltern Hills received a good ing our fantastic countryside. Contact This summer we have continued clearing bashing; setting up Just Giving websites [email protected] paths and glades on Kingwood Common; and e-mailing friends and family was If you wish to contribute then please go with two cuts of the bracken and brambles just as strenuous. It was an eye opener to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ each year, we hope to reduce its vigour how many people have been touched by and encourage heather and other species. heart disease and how generous they are. We have been rewarded with a Library News beautiful show of Foxgloves, There will be special Christmas Story- heather, Slender St John’s Wort times with crafts and home-made cakes th th and Broad Leaved Helleborines. for sale on 10 and 17 December. The We have work parties planned in library will close for Christmas/New Year th December, January and February on Saturday 24 at 12:30 and open again th (see. Page 16, Diary page or the on Wednesday 4 January. There will be Local Events page on a Saturday Storytime on www.PeppardNews.co.uk ). Christmas Eve! Look out for more Volunteers are welcome for all or special Storytimes in the New Year. The any part of the time, and we usu- Gadget Drop-in sessions (run by volun- ally break for coffee and cake. For teers) which take place in the library every Thursday morning from more details, or to join our mailing 10:00–12:00 are proving to be very popu- list, please contact ShKing- Matthew Davis (left) and Nigel Hawkins lar – booking is advisable. We have an [email protected]. On the day in late September they set off audio CD of The Village That Never Was across a misty Richmond Park at 07:00, by Fred Richens, read by members of the Advanced Care Planning onto the Thames towpath, past Hampton Chiltern Players, which is available to There will be a workshop onWednesday Court Palace, houseboat city, then borrow from the library (£1.00 for 3 7th December 14:30-16:00, bereavement, climbed the North Downs. Nigel weeks) grief, family support and befriending ser- managed a ‘dishonourable dismount’ on Rosemary Dunstan vices with Ken Blanton, Sue Ryder a tricky bit near Shere, and Matthew, Chaplain, Alison Clements, Sue Ryder who swears by tubeless tyres, swore by a Christmas at Greys Court Befriending Co-ordinator and Sue puncture! The Downs Link gave a false Come and create a stunning Christmas Nickson, FISH Home Visiting sense of progress, as the South Downs Wreath; all materials included; Saturday, Co-ordinator. A further workshop will and the dreaded Ditchling Beacon 3rd, Tuesday 6th and Saturday, 10th take place on Wednesday 18th January loomed in the distance. A steep rutted December, 12:00-15:00; £45 pp. 2017 10:30 – 12:00. Both are free. track was the final hurdle, but with the From Thursday, 1st December to Friday, th Tel Sonning Common Health Centre 0118 sight and smell of the sea, at 15:00 it had 6 January Greys Court will be decorated 972 2188 or e-mail [email protected] all been worth it. The run in down open for Christmas. Tel 01491 628529 for to book your place. grassland into Hove was fantastic !! Ice more information. Page 6 www.PeppardNews.co.uk Our Village cont’d Headteacher Turns Museum. As in previous years, they are holding a Festive Fundraising event in The Green Gym to Crime their glasshouse at Greenshoots, where Some people forget that we are in fact a Vera Morris, a former headteacher of there will be handmade items, home- gym. But in many ways we are actually Chiltern Edge School in Sonning made jams & preserves, jewellery, better than a conventional gym. Common, has turned her hand to murder! Christmas gifts & decorations, bric-a- William Bird, formerly a doctor in brac, second-hand DVDs, CDs and Sonning Common and the founder of the books for sale, plus there will be hand- Green Gym movement, has been writing made Christmas wreaths to buy or to recently about this in Natural World. He order, from £10. points out that we are not designed to sit This festive event is open 09:00-16:00 on our own looking at computer screens on Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd and from or television for long periods. And that 10:00-14:00 on Saturday 3rd December. simply doing repetitive exercises by our- On Sunday 4th December they’ll be at selves does not raise and maintain our the Caversham Arts Trail Christmas heart rate levels compared to doing event in St Andrew’s Church Hall, manual work with others on a specific Caversham Heights, selling homemade job. And being out in the countryside has jams & preserves, refreshments and extra benefits. yummy cakes. So for real fitness, come and join us. The charity also want to thank Nick We’ll be working at all of our regular Allport and Tom Binnie who completed sites in the next few months in South ten marathons in ten days for The Ways Oxfordshire every Thursday and Saturday & Means Trust and the Jacaranda Trust. mornings. If you haven’t looked at our Frances Hill website, do click on it. www.sonningcommon.tcv.org.uk. Or Peppard War phone 0118 972 3528. Memorial Hall. Dr John Hasler, Chairman A big thank you for your patience whilst FISH Minibus the recent refurbishment project was We now make three visits each month to completed. We have successfully Henley town centre as well as the usual Vera Morris completed the re-roofing of the hall monthly Reading shopping trips and together with installing a new ceiling weekly to Henley Tesco. There are also a Her chosen weapon is a computer and the incorporating state of the art LED light- range of leisure trips planned each month. result is her first crime novel, Some ing. Insulation has also been installed The complete programme of trips can now Particular Evil, which was published on above the ceiling which we trust will be received by e-mail each month. If you st 21 October 2016 by Accent Press. Vera help reduce our energy bills. would like to receive a personal copy then says although her novel is set in a school, We are organising an Open Morning on please e-mail, with the message ‘Bus Pro- former pupils, teachers, governors and Saturday 3rd December 10:00-12:00: all gramme please’ and your name to: parents of Chiltern Edge needn’t be afraid are welcome. If you have not used the [email protected] . as all the characters are fictitious! hall before, this is an opportunity to see If you do not use a computer or e-mail but Vera was appointed to Chiltern Edge as the wonderful asset that we have in our know someone who does - then they may Senior Mistress in September 1970 and community. There is safe parking and be willing to receive the programme by e- later became the headteacher. Her crime refreshments will be served. mail and print a copy for you. novel is set in a remote school on the Suf- The Trustees would also value your The programme for every month will be th folk coast and Laurel Bowman, newly ideas for the development of the bowls e-mailed on the 20 of the previous appointed Senior Mistress, is trying to get green area, which at present the Trustees month: this is the date from which you can over the murder of her sister but is have earmarked for a play area. We look book trips by telephoning the FISH Office shocked to find that the headmaster’s wife forward to welcoming you and please on 0118 972 3986 - from 09:30 to 11:30 has been killed and all the school staff are book early for any parties, etc., to avoid Monday to Friday. suspects. disappointment. For more information Details of all minibus trips can also be After retiring, Vera joined a creative please visit our website : found on the FISH website writing class, not only learning the skills www.peppardwarmemorialhall.btik.com www.fishvolunteercentre.co.uk needed to write fiction, but making many Clive Mills John Pearman, Bus Manager new friends. She says writing a novel is a long, difficult but enjoyable process, so different to her former career; she loved TANDOORIConnoisseur The Ways & Means Trust The dedicated team are working hard An Emporium of Indian Cuisine again; in November they were selling Fully Air-conditioned their wares at the Sonning Common WI Open 7 days a week, including bank holidays Coffee morning and also went on a day Take-away menu - prompt service trip to the Oxford Natural History 21 Wood Lane, Sonning Common - Phone: 0118 972 3104/1054 www.PeppardNews.co.uk Page 7 Junior Peppard News

Introduction It’s Winter and we’ve seen new faces come and old faces go. In this issue, you will be reading about trips, team captains and topics. What with Halloween come and gone, we have celebrated with a fun-filled Lantern Evening. We hope you enjoy this edition! By Lois Powell, Junior Peppard News Editor

Captains and Counsellors It’s the start of the year and that means new roles to cover. We have the new team captains: Joe Biggin, James Edgell, Oliver Renwick and Francesca New Buddies! Whittle. We would like to thank everyone that participated in the vote. We When every new academic year comes, so do new also have the new school counsellors and worship counsellors. Foundation children! For the next following year, they will all have to take lead and be responsible As they have recently arrived, they’re most likely clueless in their jobs. Congratulations to everyone who got the job they wanted. on where to go. Also, the new-comers are definitely The Junior Peppard News Editors nervous. Consequently, each Foundation child has been given a buddy to show them the ropes. I have interviewed some of the buddies to see how they feel about it. Ciara, Year 6, said, ‘It is a good idea because you can kind of keep them safe.’ Evie, who is in Reception, said, ‘I like playing with my buddy .’ Sophie, also in Reception, said, ‘She looks after me.’ Joe, Year 6, said, ‘ You have a little person to know about.’ By Lois Powell

Years 1 and 2 Trip to Harcourt Arboretum Our topic this term is plants, trees, garden flowers and awesome Autumn. We have found this topic really fun. As part of this topic we visited Harcourt Arboretum. We had so much fun learning about wild birds and evergreen trees. My best bit was collecting moss, leaves, flowers and other bits to make our own Autumn crowns. By Astrid Waite, Greys Class

Madame Hall Interview There have been new changes for staff as well as children. Madame Hall is the new French teacher for Highmoor class and Springwood class. Lois Powell and Charlie Upsher, the senior Peppard News Junior Editors, interviewed Madame Hall. The questions concerned: Why did you decide to be a language teacher? ‘Because when I was at school there were machines tape recorders. I really wanted to use one of them.’ Where did you grow up? ‘I grew up in Ilkley, Yorkshire. Then I got a job in Windsor about 20 years ago and never went up north because it’s warmer here.’ What’s your favourite animal? ‘A cat, I have two kittens, they turned two last week, Hazel and Chestnut.’ What’s your favourite sandwich filling? ‘Probably something like goats cheese and avocado’ What university did you go to? ‘Manchester for my languages degree, then Leeds for my PGC, which is a teacher’s qualification.’ What books did you read? ‘I like something called Historical Fiction, such as My Life.’ We welcome Madame Hall to Peppard School. By Lois Powell and Charlie Upsher

Junior Peppard News is published by Peppard News Publications with financial support from Friends of Peppard School and Rotherfield Peppard Parish Council, and is distributed free to almost all households in the ecclesiastical and civil parishes of Peppard. It is also available by e-mail. Editors: Archie Croft, Lily Jelowitz, Lois Powell and Charlie Upsher, c/o Peppard C of E School, Church Lane, Rotherfield Peppard, RG9 5JU e-mail: [email protected] website:www.PeppardNews.co.uk Advertising: Ian Fraser - phone: 01491 629631 Printed by Herald Graphics Page 8 www.PeppardNews.co.uk Junior Peppard News cont’d Year 5’s Trip to Kilve Court On the 12th September 2016 Year 5 went to Kilve Court. We met at Reading station with bags full of things. The train left at 11:30 and the trip took about one hour. When we got to Kilve Court the instructors told us where our rooms were. We were put in the newer cabins. Then we got on with some of the activities such as The Quantock walk, night walk, archery, stream walk, grass sledging, beach walk, orienteer- ing and den building. The beach walk was not the most pleasant walk in the world, in fact was tipping it down with rain! What made it worse is we had no waterproofs! We went fossil hunting and found lots of Ammonites and Devil’s toe nails. One of our favourite activities was the stream walk. We had a competition of who got the muddiest. We had 11 obstacles to complete. We had so much fun! Kilve Court was a big bonding opportunity for everyone. Nina Kai and William By Archie Croft

Year 6’s Trip to St Davids On the 12th September to the 16th September Year 6 went on a daring residential trip to St Davids, Wales. The teachers were: Mr Steele, Miss Tillotson and Mr Upsher. Mr Steele went to get a trailer over the previ- ous weekend and attached it to the mini bus. When everyone got to school, they put their cases in the trailer and put any hand-luggage in the bus. They took off at 9:00, but 1 minute in the mini bus had a melt down and the Year 6’s had to run around for 5 minutes, before they got going again. It was a 5 hour journey with 2 toilet and food breaks. When they FINALLY got there, they got our bags out of the trailer and put them outside the building that they were going to stay in. Then they were told which dorm they were going to be in. Following the room sorting, they went down to White sands Bay and played on the beach! After they got back, they had a lovely dinner cooked by: Mr Upsher! Then they went to bed. On Tuesday they went absailing on actual cliffs they couldn’t climb back up as they were running out of time. In the afternoon, they went surfing! They seemed to love it. A few tumbles and some amazing tricks, but one thing they did was: stand up! The next day, was dry activities day that started off with a coastal walk they went on a long walk on the coast line and saw Seal pups and Seals. Next they went to Pembrokeshire Castle. There they had an amazing tour guide called Howard! They went into a cavern. Howard said that the Year 6s had walked in the same footsteps as King John! Howard said that a dragon lived that cavern! Then they went up to a bit where King Henry VII born in! Howard was a great help for learning about the castle! Then the children went to the gift shop and brought a lot of stuff. Then they had a sing-a-long to Shut up and Dance and Hold my hand. Next they went down to White Sands and played in the sea and they made a MASSIVE SANDCASTLE, which started off as one person (Olivia Shepard) to most of the Year 6s! The last full day came very quickly for them. It started with a 30 minute drive down to Portheselau beach! There they went Kayaking! Most of them were beginners, but they mastered the technique of the Kayak and surfed on a Kayak. Later they went Coasteering. Preventive Dentistry program for children and adults General Dentistry www.woodlanedentistry.co.uk  Implants  Tooth Whitening Sonning Common  Invisible braces Tel 0118 972 2626  Treatment of nervous patients ‘Your smile in safe hands’

www.PeppardNews.co.uk Page 9 Harvest Festival On Wednesday 5th October, we went to the Peppard Church for our school Harvest Festival. We brought food and vegetables to give to the people who don’t have enough to eat. When we went to the church, Reverend James welcomed us at the entrance. When the service began, we sang the congregational hymn We plough the fields. Springwood class wrote a poem called Harvest Time and then Peppard Class sand a delightful song called My Little Seed. After that, Mr Steele read a reading and then Greys Class sang a song called Thank Your Lucky Stars. Next, the whole school sang a song called Harvest Times. After Greys Class, it was time for Highmoor Class to sing Everywhere Around Me. Their performance included lots of actions which the congregation enjoyed. The Worship Council followed the song with a bidding prayer. Then everyone said The Lord’s Prayer. To finish the service, Reverend James said a blessing and we sang Harvest Samba. It was a great service and a really great opportunity to welcome the new foundation children’s parents. By Eden Kent and Freya Wall, Year 4

Christmas Special Peppard School held a Christmas Art Competition: the Junior Peppard News Editors selected one picture from each class to be published here. All the pictured submitted can be seen, in colour, on our website - www.peppardnews.co.uk

Best Picture - Greys Class by Heather Toward Aged 6 Best Picture - Highmore Class by Charlie, Aged 8

Best Picture, Peppard Class by Ailsa, Aged 4

Best Picture, Springwood Class by Bethany, Aged 9 Highmoor Nursery School Babes in the Wood Toddler Sessions Our private nursery is located in the rural village of Highmoor and  Stay and play group at Stoke Row Pavilion, RG9 5PS offers exceptionally high standards of childcare and education.  Three mornings sessions per week  Open Monday to Friday during term-time  Soft play, baby area, toys, books, music and outdoor activities  Full and part-time places  Fully government funded sessions available  Run by Highmoor Nursery School staff, paediatric first-aid  Children taken from age 2 trained and DBS checked Please send e-mail to [email protected] Please contact Gwen Pragnell for more information on or telephone 01491 642162 to arrange a show round. [email protected] or 01491 681837 Page 10 www.PeppardNews.co.uk Our Village cont’d Peppard Common A China Experience up a 100-person cinema in a shopping centre to stream English Premier League What are they playing at this year, you We have had the pleasure of featuring Football, emulating the real experience of may have wondered? The Top Common Sam Kirschstein Smith in Peppard News English fans sitting in a stadium in this wasn’t cut at all and then a patchwork of several times before. Now at country. Although sporty, football is not uncut grass appeared. This reflects the university, Sam was not content with one of Sam's interests but he seems to constraints faced by the Conservators in simply spending his long summer have done a good job. managing the Commons. Some Commons vacation back home in Peppard so he Sam found himself to be an object of verges along Stoke Row Road suffered a applied to a Sports TV consultancy curiosity to the local Chinese who rarely similar fate. The constraints are – surprise, company offering an internship for eight see westerners. He is tall, blue-eyed and surprise – money and manpower. weeks in Beijing. looked very different, while he sometimes Formerly, two cuts on the Top Common He was one of a very large number of had a problem recognising different were achieved annually – in spring and applicants and was the youngest of the individuals! autumn. In addition, to improve grassland group of 15 who were given the He experienced two monsoons when it quality, and encourage wild flowers, it is opportunity to go to China. He applied rained all day but it did not deter him from essential to pick up the grass. We are to the Rotherfield Peppard Educational going out for a run which onlookers found advised that if you can’t pick it up, it is Trust which helped to finance the trip. fascinating. In the big city he missed the actually better not to cut it at all. Cutting, For the first three weeks he received green landscape of Britain and found and particularly collecting, is expensive. four lessons a day in Mandarin before crossing the eight-lane highways a real To save costs this year, we cut only what taking up the placement. Sam's modest hazard as drivers were no respecters of red we (and our volunteers) could reasonably boast at the end of the three weeks was lights. manage to hand-collect. that he could point to an item on a menu Sam is very grateful to the Peppard The council used to cut verges several and say 'I would like this one', 'One beer Educational Trust for their financial times a year. The council, too, faces budg- please’ and 'Thank you’ although he support which helped him experience such etary constraints, and this year cut only discovered that at first he was saying a great time in Beijing so here is Sam once and it seems that, except where road 'car' for 'Thank you' as the two words saying his own ‘Thank you’ in flawless visibility is poor, this is likely to be the sound very similar. Prior to that he Mandarin, of course: norm. would simply pick anything on the menu without understanding it at all and hope Other work has continued. Through the 谢谢 summer our efforts seem to go into for the best. He was faced with a plateful reverse with areas already cleared of bones on one occasion and duck Sue Nickson becoming overgrown with bracken and heads another time when each time he bramble. Frequent cutting, together with hoped he had ordered duck! The best FISH Volunteer Centre tree clearance at the margins, will thing, he told me, about eating out was The Trustees of FISH would like to thank eventually pay dividends and grassland that a meal normally cost the equivalent all those who supported our recent Charity will re-establish. A fine looking oak tree of £2. Once in his placement Sam was Sale. The £2,250 that was raised will go (actually a non-native American Red Oak) relieved to find that his fellow workers towards financing the minibus and other had to be felled on Top Common recently preferred to practice their English on expenses in running the office. because the trunk had split and was in him rather than expect him to speak danger of falling across a footpath. Mandarin but by the time he left Beijing FISH is being evermore used by the Sam had acquired quite a grasp of the community at large and its success very If you would like to become a Friend, or spoken and written word. much depends on the support given to it prefer to help out as a volunteer, please by the community and the great volunteers e-mail Liz Longley at clerk@nettlebed- He had a few adventures on public that we are lucky to have working for us. commons.org. For more information see transport; on one occasion getting on the If you would like to find out more about www.nettlebed-commons.org/friends. wrong bus and adding 1½ hours to his volunteering please contact the FISH Tony Rancombe, 45 minute journey, all in 36° of heat and city smog. His task in Beijing was to set office on 0118 972 3986. Clive Mills www.PeppardNews.co.uk Page 11 Peppard People Clubs and Societies Vik Chugani His team at Wood Lane Dentistry also provide training for carers (free of Circle Dancing It is dentists like Vik Chugani who have charge) in local nursing homes, showing We are few in number but would be glad changed the face of dentistry in this them how to help maintain the oral to welcome you to our gatherings, usually country. Many of us will remember the health of their vulnerable patients, on the first Sunday of the month (except horrors of visiting a dentist as a child and especially those with dementia. for Sunday 8th January). No experience are happy that for today’s children it is a The business model that Vik has needed, just an interest in music from completely different experience. adopted is that of a not-for-profit around the world and many genres. There organisation whereby he is salaried are no mistakes, just what we regard as thus enabling continued investment variations. Age is no bar, we can just into the practice. They carry out a modify the movements. Do give us a small amount of NHS work but rely try. First time free. For more details ring mainly upon most of his patients me on 01491 874220. being Denplan insurance clients. Ros Jennings Vik was born and bred in West Sonning Common & London: his family settled there after the partition of India in the late Peppard Table Tennis Club 1940s. When Vik joined the prac- We play at Peppard War Memorial Hall tice as Richard McQuillan’s with eight teams in the Senior Reading Associate in 2002, he commuted and District League as well as Junior from London but in 2013 he moved Coaching sessions on Monday evenings. with his wife, Claudia, and two There are currently 36 players registered young children to Caversham. for league play while a number of our He didn’t follow a family path into junior players also play in the Reading dentistry: his grandfather, who died Youth League. Our A team in Division 1 before Vik was born, travelled the is mid-table with Jason Roberts and Gary world for an international trading Morgan teaming up with up and coming company based in Lagos, Nigeria. junior players Joe Barraclough and Tho- His extrovert father, an accountant, mas Perkins. The B team was promoted confounded all his family and from Division 2 and has predictably friends by giving up his job for a struggled at the higher level. The club had Vik Chugani large company and starting his own three teams in Division 2 this year. Matt business selling a variety of things Stone, Tim Raby, Danny Dockree and In our area it is because we have a dental ranging from picture frames to Jon Abbott have the C team in mid-table, practice owned by Vik (an honorary electronics. He was fondly known to all new recruit Andrew Robertson joined the Peppard Person) whose forward-looking as a sort of South Asian Del Boy! D team which is safely in mid-table, while philosophy is to be fully involved in what a newly formed E team has some He and Claudia met at university in he calls minimal intervention dentistry: experienced players in its ranks and is Cardiff where they both qualified. this means early detection of dental close to the promotion chasers. In Having completed postgraduate training diseases using the latest diagnostic Division 4, Derek Wavell has helped the and achieving several advanced instruments and then treating patients F team move up the table after a difficult qualifications, Vik considered pursuing preventatively with things such as high start with team mates Angus Jones, Eric a career as a hospital consultant how- fluoride/mineral pastes, diet diaries, Walker and Simon Blake all starting to ever by the time he came to that major hygienist treatments - all with the aim of find their best form. Mikey Legg has career decision he was well and truly reducing the amount of fillings, etc. In re-joined the club in the G team which is settled in Sonning Common. Claudia this he has largely succeeded – in the last doing well in Division 5 while the H team followed her career in dentistry too and 15 years they have reduced by around of Derek Maltby, Mike Casserely, Steve holds a consultantship at the London 65%. He visits schools to give talks and Knott and Julian James is also mid-table Hospital Dental School in Whitechapel. invites school parties into the surgery for in Division 5. One thing is for sure – their two young things like playing informative games and Anyone interested in joining the club can sons will grow up with the best oral practising brushing. His own professional contact Nigel Maltby at health in the entire region. specialisation is in restorative work such [email protected] or for junior as root canal treatment and implants. He Rita Hadgkiss coaching please contact Derek Wavell at also takes referrals from, and participates [email protected] in education of, other local dentists. Nigel Maltby Page 12 www.PeppardNews.co.uk Clubs and Societies cont’d with a host of stars based on the 1924 Georgie Bird has recently taken over as Sonning Common & Olympics. Youth leader and is keen to inject some of District Tennis Club If you want to come, do book early. We her youthful energy and enthusiasm into Even with the short days of Winter upon don’t like turning people away! Details the club! Having been at a similar age and us, there is plenty of time during daylight are on the enclosed flyer. stage in life as the older members just a hours to keep fit and have fun over winter John Hasler few years ago, she feels she can be in by playing tennis touch with their feelings and the activities We have two excellent quality hard courts ClubSC News which might interest them and feel relevant. that can be played on all year round. And The Sonning Common Youth Club has The Club is always looking for enthusias- we are on your doorstep, located at the been running for some years, providing tic volunteers so please consider getting in entrance of the Bishopswood Sports somewhere for local teenagers to relax touch with Georgie for more information: Ground between Gallowstree Common together, try new sports and activities [email protected]. It has recently village and Peppard crossroads or across and enjoy each other’s company, within been decided to move the club night for the fields from Sonning Common. a safe and encouraging environment. Ideal for all beginners and young families, the older members from Thursday to tennis is a great game in which children Tuesdays while younger members will can learn lifetime skills. continue to meet on a Wednesday. Come along and see what you think! Or you can just rock up and play with Georgie Bird your friends in a casual and informal environment. And for only £30 each year for a whole family! Peppard Lunch Club The Christmas lunch will be on Thursday Interested? Then please contact me for 15th December followed by lunches on more information – Tel 01491 680324 or 18th January and 15th February 2017. e-mail [email protected] Christmas wishes to all our members and Dave Pinder everyone in Peppard from the Lunch Club Peppard Revels Film Club volunteers . If you are interested in joining phone me on 01491 681780. The first film of the winter season got off Betty Butler to a cracking start with a sell out for A Man for All Seasons and a wonderful per- Year Round Coaching formance by Paul Schofield. Tennis coaching for children and adults Following the voting that night, it’s clear continues all year round at Peppard that Maggie Smith is one of the filmgoers’ Tennis Club with the use of floodlit and favourites as The Lady in the Van came th all-weather surface courts. For children top and will be screened on 20 January. from the age of three, there are weekly Written by Alan Bennett it tells the true Chloe Frankum with friend! coaching sessions during the school term story of an eccentric cantankerous old lady Outside activities and trips, such as ice- time, and for adults there are some group who lived in the road outside his house in skating, are organised as part of the coaching sessions during the day time or a dilapidated van. Following that, it’s activities programme and sport is club sessions three times a week. another historical drama – Suffragette on th encouraged. Recently an ‘animal’ If you would like to enquire about these 17 February with Carey Mulligan and evening was enjoyed, where members sessions please call 0118 947 4051 Helena Bonham Carter. rd could interact with, and learn more For coaching enquires please call 01491 And finally on 23 March we have a third about, several spectacular creatures; 728080 or visit www.teachmetennis.co.uk historical drama with Chariots of Fire these included a tarantula, a giant rabbit, Louise Fry snakes and a chameleon.

Peppard Relief in Need A local safety net for helping those who have fallen on hard times If you know someone who could do with a little financial help to get them through a crisis, (or you need help yourself) please let us know. Your call will be dealt with in total confidence - just telephone Sue Nickson (0118 972 4520) or Pat Fraser (01491 629631) www.PeppardNews.co.uk Page 13

Father Christmas is Coming the foyer all day and would love to see Peppard WI all our supporters and have a chat. Father Christmas will be making his Women’s Institutes in the county are Gill Rushworth email annual visit to Wyfold RDA on Saturday organised into small groups. These [email protected] 01491 628260 10th December 12:00-15:00. Come and see groups meet twice yearly to get to know Gill Rushworth him arrive at the stables at 12:30 and tell other members in their area. We all him what’s on your Christmas list this contribute money towards a more year! There will be seasonal entertainment Cricket Club expensive speaker than we can afford at with carol singers and hand bells and a Peppard Stoke Row Cricket Club is our monthly meeting, who, we then hope, chance to ride one of our very looking for new members in a bid to will be worth the money! Of course a special ponies. To keep everyone warm progress from a highly successful 2016 delicious tea or supper is also a vital part we are serving hot dogs and soup for campaign. those meetings. lunch and we shall have all our usual The 1st XI finished as runners up in the Peppard hosted the last meeting of the traditional Christmas stalls and games for South Chiltern Group in October. We are all the family, including our great big Berkshire League Premier Division, while the 2nd XI and 3rd XI finished now forming a new Beechwood Group raffle. Don’t forget that this is an outdoor alongside Greys, Harpsden, Shiplake, event which can be muddy in wet weather second in Division Two and Four respectively. The club was also runners- Sonning Common and Stoke Row and so winter woollies are recommended and look forward to forming new friendships festive hats are a must! up in the Harpsden 6-a-side, won the inaugural Oratory T10, and had its among their members. Besides helping to pitches at Peppard Common and the Les establish this new group, our small but Clark Oval, Stoke Row, voted the best energetic committee are planning events in the league. for our own WI. The junior set-up – which encompasses Under 6 to U19 – won almost 80% of their fixtures with the U15s finishing runners-up in the Berkshire Youth League Western Division and the U13s and U11s going unbeaten in winning their competitions. Sadly all three lost in their semi-final play-offs against sides from east Berkshire. Lucky is amused PSR runs three Saturday sides – and is Winter can be a hard time for our ponies hoping to add a fourth in 2018 – two The photograph shows members enjoying so this annual fundraising event makes Sunday sides, and the hugely successful a full afternoon tea served on fine china sure that they have plenty of hay and junior set-up, which includes girls. warm rugs to get them through the cold. and in fine weather in the garden of Se- Nets are being held at The Oratory renity, Emmer Green, in August. Profits Dates for your Christmas diary: Saturday School between 14:00-15:00 every will help to boost our own funds. 3rd December: Henley Living Advent th Sunday until 9 December, and will Christmas lunch will be held at Calendar 18:15 at The Leander Club, continue post-Christmas (possibly in a Badgemore Golf Club and the dark days Henley. The Aliquando Choir sing to raise different time slot). of January will be brightened by a visit to money for Wyfold RDA. Free food, Free If anyone if interested in joining the Sonning Mill to see High Society. We are admission. Don’t miss it. club as a senior player, please contact always delighted to welcome th Tuesday 6 December: Wyfold RDA chairman Gerry Bacon (07785 771847) visitors. Ring Ruth Whitaker on Charity Day at Tesco, Henley. Please or as a junior, Andy Watts (07884 0118 972 2704 for more information. come along and support us. We shall be in 931906). Irene Lindsay Richard Ashton

MR FIX-IT—Handyman Services Call Tony on 0800 025 70 80 (evenings on 0118 972 3004), or text 07794 464273 or e-mail [email protected] for a free quote and call out www.mrf1xit.co.uk Everything you need for your pets and wild birds Food & Accessories Friendly personal service with lots of parking Southlea House, Blounts Court Road Sonning Common Tel: 0118 924 2747 (Just at the top of Gravel Hill) Page 14 www.PeppardNews.co.uk Our Churches Our services follow the normal pattern for Rector: Rev’d James Stickings 0118 972 1459 Christmas. On Christmas Eve there is our All Saints’ Church of England Churchwardens: Adrienne Heriot 01491 629254 very popular Nativity Tableau presented Kathie Anderson 0118 972 2694 by the junior members of our Church. www.allsaintspeppard.co.uk Holy Communion with carols follows later at 21:00. Please take time out of your busy schedule to join us in our beautiful Dear Friends, and instant messaging. Even in the midst of frenetic preparations for the Church for this very special service. As I write this, I’ve been Rector for six holiday period, perhaps we can practise A traditional service of Lessons and weeks, and it’s been a wonderfully in- slowing down as well, and waiting for Carols will take place at 11:00 on tense period of getting to know people the great celebration of Christmas – Christmas morning. We would love to fill and settling into this beautiful part of the when it comes! our Church for all these services – please country. God bless, come and be part of our ‘Church Family’ Can I say on behalf of Gillian, Judith and James you would be made very welcome. myself that we are so grateful for the In the New Year – there will be Festal warm welcome we have received. We Evensong for Epiphany at 18:30 on very much feel that we have landed on Sunday 8th January. our feet after the inevitable stresses of moving and transition! A number of our choir members will join other RSCM choristers at Christ Church One of the most evocative times of the Cathedral in Oxford for their Epiphany year is coming up: Christmas (with its Festival on Saturday 14th January. build-up), followed by the New Year (and, after that, for many of us, the period Finally, the Henley Choir Festival will of New Year’s resolutions!). take place at St. Mary’s Parish Church on Saturday 28th January when the main You may have noticed that Christmas work will be Fauré’s Requiem. The celebrations tend to become earlier Evening of Music will start at 19:00. virtually every year. Even in October we Those participating would appreciate your begin to see Christmas decorations and support. There will be a retiring collection foods in our shops. But I do wonder for charity. whether some of the glory of the celebration of Christ’s birth is lost when With Blessings and Seasonal Greetings. it’s extended over such a long period. Rev’d James Stickings Jenny Wingrove So let’s do remember Advent. Advent is From All Saints’ not just about calendars – in fact, it’s a Harvest Lunch ‘season’ in its own right, lasting four As the evenings draw in and we turn our Over 40 people attended, including weeks, with special hymns and prayers. heating up – we begin to think of several members of the Junior Choir who Advent is above all about waiting. Just as Christmas festivities, the gathering of thoroughly enjoyed the occasion. Once we long for God’s kingdom to be fully family and friends and all the hustle and again, the format was ‘Bring and Share’ present in our lives, so we long to hear bustle of the season. which resulted in an excellent array of anew the news of the Saviour’s birth. In We are also busy here at All Saints’ delicious food that disappeared very the meantime, we learn the discipline of making preparations. Firstly, an Advent quickly! Isobel Brooker’s quiz was won patience by being truly in the present Sequence of Music and Readings will by a team led by Robin and Judith Howles moment. take place at 18:30 on Sunday 27th No- who will compile next year’s quiz! Whether we go to church or not, I do vember. This would be a wonderful oc- Generous donations amounted to £255; think that the spirit of Advent has much casion for you to meet James, our new after deduction of hiring the hall and to teach us in a world of next day delivery Rector. Do please join us. expenses, the balance will be donated to an appropriate charity. www.PeppardNews.co.uk Page 15

Francis had been a parishioner of St to all. Over the last year our main charita- St Michael’s Catholic Church Michael’s for many years and a deacon ble activities have been to support Mary’s for just over 20. He served the parish Meals and the Readifood food bank. We Father Michael Starkey faithfully during this time and is very also participated in the ‘Spend a Penny’ Deacon Brian Theobald 0118 972 2796 much missed. The other local churches initiative to provide toilets for African e-mail: [email protected] knew him well since he was very active villages and schools. in maintaining links between us all. His Our thoughts are now turned to Advent 2016 has been a challenging year for St funeral Mass was celebrated by the area and Christmas. If you are new to the area Michael’s. Last Christmas we said good- bishop in the presence of his family, please come along and introduce yourself bye to Fr Paul Rowan who had been with friends, priests and brother deacons. He to us. You will receive a warm welcome. was laid to rest in Kidmore End us for three years with the expectation that Some of our future events include: a three cemetery with his wife Mary. a new parish priest would be with us part DVD series asking: Why God? Why around February time. However this was Despite the difficulties, the parish has Jesus? Why the Church?, 30th November not to be and a new appointment could continued to thrive and many people and 7th December. A regular mid-week only be announced towards the end of have given generously of their time to time for quiet prayer and reflection (see October. maintain the buildings and grounds, deal website for day and time) and an Advent At the time of writing the parishioners of with the administration and finances, Penitential Service. organise social events and contribute to St Michael’s are looking forward to The Pangbourne Silver Band will lead us our weekly services. welcoming their new priest, Fr Michael in a Christmas concert at 17:00, Sunday Sharkey, on the first Sunday of Advent. In As mentioned in a previous issue, the 18th December. Tickets (adults £5, the meantime the parish was served at the Catholic Church worldwide has been children free) can be ordered in advance weekends by a number of visiting priests. celebrating a Jubilee of Mercy. As part from the parish office by email or phone. Most recently we have enjoyed the of the jubilee parishioners made a Contact details: phone 0118 972 3418, e- ministry of Fr Alejandro Olayo-Mendez a second pilgrimage to St Anne’s, mail [email protected], Mexican Jesuit priest researching for his Caversham, an ancient pilgrimage website doctorate in Oxford. centre, in October, using footpaths and www.saintmichaelsonningcommon.org.uk The parish community was deeply country lanes. They were joined by Brian Theobald saddened when in September Deacon those unable to walk for a service Francis Andrews died unexpectedly. reflecting on the mercy offered by God

discuss a topical book. Wednesday welcome and prayer is available for any- Kevin and Linsey Potter morning at 10:00; The Ark provides a one who would like us to pray for them. 0118 972 4519 safe, warm, friendly and welcoming Springwater also periodically undertakes www.springwater.org.uk environment for parents with babies and various workshops such as raising aware- toddlers aged up to three (specifically up ness on Human Trafficking, Prophetic Art. to the term after the child's 3rd birth- See Peppard Diary on Page 16 for our day). At Springwater church Kevin & Linsey services over the Christmas period. Various prayer and bible studies are Potter are coming up to the completion of You can be kept informed on any ongoing; contact Springwater for more their first year as ministers at the church. additional workshops and get the details of details. There is also early morning Over the last ten months the Church has all the gatherings at Springwater by prayer available on Friday mornings journeyed through a transition phase and checking out the new website between 06:30-07:30 for all who would currently there are several activities on- www.springwaterchurch.org.uk, by wish to come and pray. going during the week. emailing [email protected] The church community regularly meets Tuesday morning at 09:45; Aspire, a or by phoning 0118 972 4519. on Sunday mornings from 10:30-12:00 women's group, meet to share life and Kevin Potter and services vary in style. All are PEMBROKE GLASS

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CHILTERN ANTIQUES Kathryn Fell Photography Your Local Antique Dealer Weddings, Family portraits, Pets, An eclectic mix of small Victorian and Georgian furniture, treen, Events, Product Pack shots, Food. walking canes, scientific & medical, silver, watches, jewellery, post boxes & lots more. Mobile studio can come to you See us at local and national Antique Fairs www.kathrynfellphotography.co.uk Always Keen to Buy, House Calls by Appointment [email protected] 07958 371770 Contact Fred Nickson 0118 924 2582 07768 918501 Page 16 www.PeppardNews.co.uk Peppard Diary DECEMBER Thu 1 Greenshoots Festive Fundraising/Manor Farm/09:00-16:00 Sat 17 SC Library/Storytime/10:00 Fri 2 Greenshoots Festive Fundraising/Manor Farm/09:00-16:00 Kgwd Pepp Com Vols/09:30-12:30/[email protected] Sat 3 Greenshoots Festive Fundraising/Manor Farm/10:00-14:00 Sun 18 St Michael's Christmas Concert/17:00/0118 972 3418 Peppard Unplugged/PWMH/19:30/0118 972 3609 Sat 24 SC Library/Storytime/10:00/SC Library Closes 12:30 Sue Ryder Christmas Fair/10:30-15:30/www.suerydercare.org JANUARY PWMH/Open Mtg/10:00-12:00 Sun 1 Springwater/New Year's Day Brunch/11:00 Greys Ct/Wreath Making/12:00-15:00/01491 268209 Wed 4 Peppard School/Term starts Sun 4 Circle Dancing/Christ the King/15:00-17:00/01491 874220 SC Library Opens Mon 5 SC Business Collab/Butcher's Arms/10:30-12:00 Sat 7 Peppard Unplugged/PWMH/19:30/0118 972 3609 Kgwd Pepp Com Vols/09:30-12:30/[email protected] Sun 8 Circle Dancing/Christ the King/15:00-17:00/01491 874220 Tue 6 Wyfold RDA/Charity Day/Tesco Mon 9 Kgwd Pepp Com Vols/09:30-12:30/[email protected] Greys Ct/Wreath Making/12:00-15:00/01491 268209 Wed 11 WI/Matters of Life & Death/PWMH/14:00 Carol Service for Sue Ryder/St Mary's Henley/18:30 Sat 14 Sue Ryder Sale/10:30-12:30 Wed 7 Adv Care Planning/SC Surgery/14:30-16:00/0118 972 2188 Mon 16 SC Business Collab/Butcher's Arms/10:30-12:00 Henley & Goring Ramblers/6m Rising Sun/10:00/07748662184 Wed 18 Peppard Lunch Club/PWMH/12:00/01491 681780 Thu 8 Sue Ryder Hospice/Lights of Love/18:30/www.suerydercare.org Adv Care Planning/SC Vill Hall/10:30-12:00/0118 972 2188 Sat 10 Greys Ct/Wreath Making/12:00-15:00/01491 268209 Fri 20 Revels Film Club/The Lady in the Van/PWMH/19:00 Sue Ryder Sale/10:30-12:30 Sat 21 Kgwd Pepp Com Vols/09:30-12:30/[email protected] SCCS Christmas Concert/19:30/CE Sch/07500032840 FEBRUARY Wyfold RDA/Christmas Fair/12:00-15:00 Sat 4 Peppard Unplugged/PWMH/19:30/0118 972 3609 Nottakwire Christmas Carols/SC Vill Hall/16:30/0118 9721248 Sue Ryder Sale/10:30-12:30 H&G Ramblers/Henley-Greys/14:00/07894580413 Sun 5 Circle Dancing/Christ the King/15:00-17:00/01491 874220 Henley CS Carol Concert/Sue Ryder/St Mary's Henley/19:30 Mon 6 Kgwd Pepp Com Vols/09:30-12:30/[email protected] SC Library/Christmas Storytime/10:00 Wed 8 WI/Donkey Sanctuary/PWMH/14:00 Sun 11 SCCS Christmas Concert/14:00/CE Sch/07500032840 Fri 10 Peppard School/Half term starts Mon 12 RPPC Meeting/19:30/Planning/21:30/Pavilion Mon 13 RPPC Meeting/19:30/Planning/21:30/Pavilion Tue 13 Hort Soc/AGM/PWMH/19:15 Wed 15 Peppard Lunch Club/PWMH/12:00/01491 681780 Peppard School KS1 Pupils/Straw and Order/12:30 and 18:00 Fri 17 Revels Film Club/Suffragette/PWMH/19:00 Wed 14 WI/Christmas Musical Entertainment/PWMH/14:00 Sat 18 Kgwd Pepp Com Vols/09:30-12:30/[email protected] Thu 15 Peppard Lunch Club/PWMH/12:00/01491 681780 Mon 20 Peppard School/Half term ends Fri 16 Peppard Sch/Christingle/All Saints’/18:00 Sat 25 Sue Ryder Sale/10:30-12:30 Peppard School/Term ends Mon 27 SC Business Collab/Butcher's Arms/10:30-12:00 Sat 17 RPPC/Planning/Pavilion/10:00 FISH Office: 0118 972 3986 (Mon-Fri, 09.30-11.30) [email protected] Sunday Services DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY NOTES Church Services at All Saints’ 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 * See separate table below 09.00 Communion   *    X     A Choral Evensong B Christian Unity service at St 10.30 Communion (sung)    *     C     Michael’s RC Church 10.30 Matins    *         C Benefice Eucharist at Christ the 10.30 Family Service    *          King 10.30 Sunday School    *          X No service 18.30 Evensong   * A  B      Christmas Services All Saints’ St Michael’s Springwater Saturday 24th 17:30 Nativity Tableau 17:00 Mass for families 16:30 Carols by Candlelight 21:00 Holy Communion 20:30 Carols 21:00 Midnight Mass Sunday 25th 09:00 Holy Communion 10:30 Mass 11:00 Seven lessons & carols Sunday 1st 11:00 New Year’s Day Brunch

Sunday Services at Springwater Mass at St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church (Peppard Congregational Church) Monday-Friday 09.00 Family Service: 10.30 - 11.45  Sunday School 10.30 - 11.30 Saturday 17.30  Sunday 09.00 & 10.30

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