The Parish Magazine of & White Colne

july 2021

Dear Readers, One of my greatest joys is people, and particularly helping people see just how magnificent they are. We are all God’s children and as such beings, made in the image of God, we have that divine spark which burns within us. Sometimes life and all that it can throw at us and can mislead us into thinking that the spark has gone out, and then our dreams and aspirations, our motivation and desire, our self-belief and worth can drain away. Remember: You are incredible. You are worthy. You are beautiful. You are full of potential. You are loved by God. Let me share a story with you from Anthony de Mello: “A man found an eagle’s egg and put it in the nest of a backyard hen. The eaglet hatched with the brood of chicks and grew up with them. All his life the eagle did what the backyard chickens did, thinking he was a backyard chicken. He scratched the earth for worms and insects. He clucked and cackled. And he would thrash his wings and fly a few feet into the air. Years passed and the eagle grew very old. One day he saw a magnificent bird far above him in the cloudless sky. It glided in graceful majesty among the powerful wind currents, with scarcely a beat of its strong golden wings. The old eagle looked up in awe. “Who’s that?” he asked. “That’s the eagle, the king of the birds,” said his neighbour. “He belongs to the sky. We belong to the earth – we’re chickens.” www.colnechurches.com 3 So the eagle lived and died a chicken, for that’s what he thought he was.” Now there’s nothing wrong with chickens and some of us may see ourselves metaphorically as such, because chickens can be amazing too. But don’t allow your life to pass by unfulfilled. However you see yourself, know that you are magnificent, that you are called to become all that you were created to be. Whichever path of life you take, fan the divine spark within you by being a friend to yourself, by loving yourself, so that you can, in turn, share that love with others and help their flame to burn more brightly too.

● Many people can describe transcendent moments in nature where they feel deeply connected to something bigger than themselves and Forest Church is a way to explore that connection within our community. Forest Church is a fresh expression of church drawing on much older traditions when sacred places and practices were outside – but it is also drawing on contemporary research that highlights the benefits of spending time with nature in wild places. Forest Church isn’t just normal church happening outside, instead it attempts to participate with creation. And it isn’t just a fellowship group doing an outside activity, we aim to learn, worship, meditate, pray and practice with the trees, and with all creation. Join us on Sunday 1st August, 3pm at Earls Colne Millennium Green. You might want to bring a camping chair or picnic blanket and be prepared for the whatever the weather might be. So we can manage the event within any Covid regulations that may be in place please let us know if you intend to come by emailing Helen Sherfield – [email protected]

4 www.colnechurches.com Sun 4th 10.00 am Earls Colne # 10.00 am Colne Engaine 10.30 am White Colne Wed 7th 9.30 am Colne Engaine Sun 11th 10.00 am Earls Colne #

10.00 am Colne Engaine Wed 14h 9.30 am Colne Engaine Sun 18th 10.00 am Earls Colne # 10.00 am Colne Engaine 10.30 am White Colne 6.30 pm tbc Wed 21st 9.30 am Earls Colne Sun 25th 10.00 am Earls Colne # 10.00 am Colne Engaine

Wed 28th 9.30 am Earls Colne

# - streamed on Zoom and The Three Colnes Facebook Page

Morning Prayer - Mondays and Saturdays at 9.00 am on The Three Colnes Facebook Page.

Earls Colne Church could benefit from your online shopping! www.easyfundraising.org.uk See the Editorial page for further details.

Would you, or would someone you know, like a visit from a member of our pastoral care team? The team members are: Mrs. Beryl Amy 01787 223486 Mr. Terry Hawthorn 01787 223140

www.colnechurches.com 5 From the Church Cat . . . Meow, Hello, Magnifi-cat here. It has been a while since I last wrote to you and since then there is a little more activity in the church building for services and I can’t wait for us to be able to sing again as a congregation. I overheard the curate and the vicar saying that when we can sing we will have a service where we sing all our favourite hymns and even carols– how amazing will that be! This has been such a tough 17 months since that first lockdown and the impact has been wide and varied, and it has hurt many in lots of different ways. My prayer is that out of this calamity we can as a society, as a country, as a world, as a church even, grow together and become stronger for it. It reminded me of a little story I heard when on my overseas travels from my mystic cousin in Nepal. She said, “Each day a bird would shelter in the withered branches of a tree that stood in the middle of a vast deserted plain. One day a whirlwind uprooted the tree, forcing the poor bird to fly a hundred miles in search of shelter – till it finally came to a forest of fruit- laden trees.” (‘One Minute Wisdom’, Anthony de Mello) We (cats, humans and all creatures) are incredibly resourceful and adaptable and often crisis brings out the best in us. If the withered tree had survived, nothing would have induced the bird to give up its security and fly. What fear or insecurity holds you back from leaving the shelter of the familiar? What might we achieve as an individual, a church, a community if we’re brave enough to step out into the unknown? The pandemic has forced us to do that to some degree, but even that can become a new and safe routine. Bye for now, Magnifi-cat

Most mobile phones and other devices will connect automatically to the free Wi-Fi, but if not then look up settings and Wi-Fi and County Broadband should be displayed. Click on and you should connect. 6 www.colnechurches.com Can you sing or play an instrument (even a shaker or tambourine)? Now that we returning to our church buildings for many of our services, we are looking to put together a worship band which will help lead the music once a month in one of our three churches across The Three Colnes. If this interests you and you want to find out more please contact Revd Mark – [email protected] / 01787 220347

a. a spot on the skin b. a piece of rubbish c. to creep about in a sly way a. a gleam of light b. a blow or hard thump c. to loaf about idly a. to be irritable or cross b. old-fashioned and precise c. utterly destroyed beyond repair *******************

c. to be half-drunk a. changeable or uncertain c. venturesome and in high spirits

www.colnechurches.com 7 Earls Colne Heritage Museum

Anne Burton - a Quaker midwife In 2013 a mature student from Shalford contacted the Museum for help with research in connection with a history dissertation. She had come across a reference to a woman called Anne Burton who acted as a midwife for members of the Quaker community in Earls Colne during the middle years of The Burrows Road Meeting House in 1984 before the removal of its Victorian porch. the 17th century. She explained that, although there was no professional training or accreditation for midwives at that time, certain women who were known to have the necessary skills and experience were “recognised” by the Church of as suitable to assist with births. If, after the delivery, there were doubts about the baby’s chances of survival, such women were allowed to carry out a simple baptism without reference to the parish priest. As infant baptism was not a practice favoured by Quakers, that community appointed its own midwives to assist members of the local Meeting during a confinement. We were able to provide the following information: Anne Burton (1616 – 1681) married Samuel Burton circa 1633 and they lived in the house called “Waites” on the north side of the High Street, of which Samuel became the tenant, having previously been the landlord of The Bell Inn on the site of the present Draper’s House Hotel. The couple had 14 children, the last being born in 1658 when Anne was 42 years old. The names of the first 9 children appear in the Baptismal Register of the parish church but it seems that both Samuel and Anne had joined the Quakers by the time that their 10th child, William, was born in 1650. Samuel died in 1661 and Anne lived on as a widow for another 20 years. She appears as a witness to several marriages held at the Meeting House in Burrows Road, including that of Joseph Bott of Colchester to Joanna Hutly of Earls Colne in 1675, a year after the Meeting House was founded.

8 www.colnechurches.com It was a Quaker custom that everyone present at the ceremony was recorded as a witness to the marriage. Among the other witnesses on that occasion was John Garrard, the farmer who had donated the land on which the Meeting House was built. It was in November 1663 that the churchwardens of the parish church reported Anne to the Archdeacon’s Court in Colchester for “exercising the office of midwife without licence”

Left: The Burton family’s home, known as “Waites”, photographed in 1983. In later years she was reported for refusing to pay her tithes (the annual church ‘tax’ levied on all parishioners). Although she was not a member of his congregation, Anne seems to have been on good terms with the Vicar, the Revd Ralph Josselin. In his diary he often mentions “my neighbour Goodwife Burton” whose house was next door to the Vicarage. In June 1649 he prayed for her recovery from a serious illness and in December 1651 she gave him a present of a dozen “pound candles”. When Anne died in 1681 she left a will in which her estate was valued at £79-12s-2d. At a heritage Open Day in September 2017 we were able to share and exchange information about the early years of Quakerism with the members of the Society of Friends who still regularly attend the Earls Colne Meeting House.

Right: The Meeting House in 2004

David Brown

Please support our advertisers ...... and don’t forget to mention the Parish Magazine when replying to adverts! www.colnechurches.com 9 The Wave of Prayer from June 18-21 each year links our Chelmsford Diocese with five other dioceses. The Military Wives' Diocese in Kenya covers the whole country as members live away from their families. They ask for prayers for the Covid 19 vaccination programme. We also pray and think of our sister members in Rejaf, S. Sudan, Doko and Owo in Nigeria and over 4000 members in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands where they are regularly affected by severe hurricanes. Chelmsford Diocese for many years had a special link with two dioceses in Myanmar and we continue to pray for their peace and security. Every day the Wave of Prayer goes out from the chapel in Mary Sumner House in London to all members throughout the world, available on Facebook and on the Daily Hope phone. Neville Bird

St. Andrew’s Book Club Book Club is back! Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 13th July at 2.00 pm at Mervyn’s house (8 Coggeshall Road, Earls Colne). We will be discussing The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. For further information, please have a word with Ann or Margaret. Margaret Hill

Marmalade and Chutney Available! Contact Beryl on 01787 223486, or have a word with Helen Sherfield or Margaret Hill at Church. BERYL’S MARMALADE Proceeds to Earls Colne Church Funds.

10 www.colnechurches.com St Andrew's Church Centre, Parsonage Street, . CO9 2LD Mondays 10 to 2 (except Bank Holidays) General Enquiries 01376 330694 E-mail [email protected] https://braintreearea.foodbank.org.uk/

www.colnechurches.com 11 July 1921 EARLS COLNE War Memorial Unveiled at Earls Colne (a local newspaper report) “Our Glorious Dead” are the words used by the parishioners of Earls Colne to perpetuate the memory of the 38 men of the village, who were called upon to pay the supreme price whilst fighting for liberty, freedom and justice for their fellowmen. These three words stand out promin-ently on the memorial erected to their memory which was unveiled and dedicated on Sunday afternoon. (Sunday, June 26th 1921). The memorial is of rough Portland granite the shaft surmounted by a cross being 20 ft. High. The cross was designed by Mr. Percy Haydon Bacon, (of London, a friend of Mrs. Heyworth) after one erected by the Earls of Oxford – the renowned family of De Veres – lords of the manor for 500 years. It occupies the best position possible in the village, a small portion of the Churchyard at the lower end of High Street being handed over to the Parish Council for the purpose. This piece of ground was cleared and the memorial erected and fenced in and the enclosure will be turfed. On the panels at the base of the shaft in addition to the words quoted above are the names of the 38 men, viz., H. J. Andrews, W. Andrews, C. F. Arthy, F. E. Bell, G. Brooks, W. F. Brunning, G. H.Brunnen, A. E. Burst, S. Carter, E. Claydon, E. W. Claydon, P. E. Coppin, B. Culf, E. J. Dines, G. P. Ellis, E. Frost, A. Harvey, C. Heard, H. L. P. Heyworth, W. Kentfield, A. Laver, J. Marchant, C. W. Marshall, J. E. Marshall, W. Moss, R. W. New, H. Nokes, E. R. Pallett, G. Raven, G. Rolfe, J. Saunders, A. H. Scillitoe, B. Snell, A. W. Snowdon. F. H. Steward, J. W. Steward, J. Tracey, B. Upchurch. On the steps of the memorial are the words “Their name liveth for evermore.” The above names include three pairs of brothers and it is worthy to note that practically half of the men who made the supreme sacrifice resided in a radius of a hundred yards from the centre of the High Street. The cost of the memorial is over £500 which has been raised by subscriptions. The Committee responsible for carrying out the work included representatives of the soldiers and sailors, and relatives of the deceased, with Mr. B. Hunt as chairman and Mr. R. Stedman, secretary. On Sunday afternoon in the presence of a large concourse of people the memorial cross was unveiled and dedicated. Prior to the service the bellringers, under Mr. James Fleuty, rang half muffled peals on the bells, and the flag was at half-mast on the parish church. For the united service 12 www.colnechurches.com the church was crowded, the seating arrangements being carried out by Messrs. H. Massingham, F. Bonner, W. Cuthbert, O. Cuthbert, F. Murrells and W. Slaughter. A portion of the church was reserved for ex-soldiers. Whilst the congregation was assembling the organist (Mr. P. Jago) played “O Rest in the Lord”, as a voluntary. The service was conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. A. Hammond; the lesson being read by the Rev. C. P. Sawday (pastor of the Baptist Church). The singing was led by the united choirs of the Parish Church and the Baptist Church, the hymns sang being “The Son of God goes forth to war” and “For all the Saints who from their labours rest”. The collection, which amounted to £9, will be divided between Lord Haig's Fund and King George's Sailors' Fund. Whilst the strains of Chopin's Funeral March were sounding, the united choirs, with Mr. J. Rogers (cross- bearer) preceded the congregation to the memorial. The clergy, choir, ex-servicemen (under Sergt. A Ellis, of the Regiment), and relatives of the fallen bearing floral tributes assembled inside the enclosure. The local troop of Boy Scouts was also in evidence.

Dedication of the Earls Colne War Memorial - 26th June 1921

Mr. H. Massingham, chairman of the Parish Council, said the memorial had been erected by the parishioners in memory of those who gave their lives in the war, and he asked Lieut-Col. H. Tailyour to unveil it as a lasting memorial to those men. www.colnechurches.com 13 Lieut-Col. Tailyour, of the 14th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery stationed at Colchester, then removed the Union Jack which draped the memorial, after which he said he looked upon it as a great honour to be asked to unveil the memorial erected to those 38 brave sons of Earls Colne who paid the supreme sacrifice in the great war. It would stand as a lasting memorial to those men who carried out their duty to their Country and King in a good cause, and would also serve to remind the future generations, if it was necessary, of the devotion of these sons of Colne in their day, and he felt sure that future generations would be animated by the same feelings of duty. Field Marshall Sir Wm. Robertson recently said “it was sometimes stated that the war had been won by some particular commander, a general, or political leader. That was not the truth. The war was won by the strong public opinion of all classes of the nation fighting as of old.” It was, said Lt. Col. Tailyour, that spirit of playing the game and pulling together that had won the war. With that spirit kept in their minds he felt sure the country would pull through any difficulties that might come. Mr. W. E. Grimston, J.P., thanked Lieut. Col. Tailyour for unveiling the memorial to those men whom they all knew and all of whom had died serving their Country. It would be a lasting reminder to future gener-ations of the devotion of those men from that parish who suffered. The Vicar solemnly dedicated the memorial to the Glory of God and the memory of the fallen. The “Last Post” was then sounded by two buglers from the 14th Brigade of the R.F.A. The hymn “O God our help in ages past” was sung, the singing being led by a small orchestra of members of the Halstead and Colne Bands under Mr. A. Francis. The Rev. C. P. Sawday offered a prayer, after which the “Reveille” was sounded and the flag of St. Andrew raised to the masthead and the National Anthem sung. The bellringers then rang the “whole pull and stand” one toll being sounded for each of the 38 men who had been called to higher service. Able-Seamen Long and Ardley, on behalf of the Royal Navy, and Ptes. John Ardley and F. Green , for the Army, then laid at the foot of the cross two handsome laurel wreaths adorned with red, white and blue ribbon, and relatives of the departed soldiers came forward with floral offerings. These were arranged at the base of the cross. ******************* Note: In 2018 , to celebrate the end of WWI, more names were added to the War Memorial. The Earls Colne Women's Institute maintain the upkeep of the War Memorial Garden. 14 www.colnechurches.com COLNE ENGAINE The following sums have been promised to carry out the alterations required at the school. The Diocesan Association £ 50 The National Society £ 35 J. J. D. Botterell, Esq. £ 50 The Rector £ 10 Mrs. Veasey £ 5 Messrs. Pudney & Son £ 5 Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Smith £ 2 Total £ 157

In addition we have £90 in hand at the bank, and we are hoping to receive a Grant not exceeding £20 from another fund, known as the Betton's Charity. As the lowest tender for carrying out the work is £314, it seems that it is not beyond the power of the Church-people to save the school. Grants and gifts have been received in the past on the understanding that the school should be maintained as a Church School, and it seems to me that if it is in our power to maintain the school, we are in honour bound to do so. The school has answered its purpose well for many years, and there is not reason why it should not continue to do so. An appeal is therefore now made to all who are willing to help, to send subscriptions to the Rector and Churchwardens addressed to The Rectory, Colne Engaine, Essex. It is hoped to hold a Sale of Work at the Rectory during the summer in aid of the school, and we shall be glad to receive any help in making the occasion a great success. The Collection made last month for the Halstead Cottage Hospital on “Pound Day” amounted to £7 in money, and about 30/- worth of goods. The money included subscriptions of £2 from Miss Courtauld and £1 from Miss Gladstone. The Collectors were, Miss Hilda Rippingale, £4. 6s. 9.1/2d., Miss Kingsley Johnson £1 7s., Miss Ethel Moss £1 0s. 2.1/2d., Box at Miss Jackson's shop, 5s.10d. www.colnechurches.com 15 THE ESSEX CHURCH NEWS A Unique Experiment The complaint is frequently heard, remarks a contributor to the Guardian, that when children grow up and leave the Sunday Schools they take little or no interest in their parish church, even those who attend its services. Perhaps, he suggests, the reason lies in the fact that to practically every child the working of the Church is a mystery. A plan is being tried in a little village in Kent which at once dispels the mystery and gives the children a sense of their responsibility to the Church. A sort of parochial council of children has been formed. This council has entire charge of the children's service held every Sunday afternoon in church. It elects “churchwardens” and “sidesmen” - who serve for three months – chooses the hymns, and in short carries out all arrangements for the service which are outside the incumbent's province. The children's council has worked most successfully, and it has now undertaken the charge of keeping the graveyard trim and tidy. Scouts' Good Turns Very few examples of “good turns” done by Scouts for their Church, were sent in during April The best were contributed by V. R. Burr, N. Howard and A. S. M. Brown, in the order named. Though the last did not win one of our prizes, we give an extract from his letter about the 4th Longton Troop: “One Easter they undertook to scrub all the chairs and forms in church. Last year they shook all the coconut matting etc., and one scout did some bricklaying, mending and plastering the copper, now often used for teas. We find the scouts invaluable in the parish, always ready to head the Sunday School Treat, to help at the Sale of Work, contributing many home-made articles, and serving as gate-keepers, collectors and stall decorators, and to do good turns at ever opportunity.” The Troop lost their Scoutmaster in the War; his successor, E. Colclough, holds the Military Medal, while five other Scout Officers wear the “ribbons” for active service. We congratulate this Troop on its excellent record. Liz Pottinger

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16 www.colnechurches.com Your Heritage and Culture Needs You We have spoken of metal theft before, seeing it in many forms i.e. the theft of catalytic convertors from the exhaust system on cars and vans; lead from roofs - old and modern, rural and urban; cabling for utilities such as telecommunications and many other examples from around us where there are valuable metals. This time we are focusing on our heritage and culture under threat, and again seeking those extra pairs of eyes to report anything that you believe is suspicious. The country and our county are full of a wealth of heritage and culture each telling a story of our past: some listed others not, some attractive and others perhaps not so attractive - but each with a story. Our heritage and culture have been there for past and present generations to discover, enquire, learn from and enjoy and we need to protect it for future generations. It’s like a piece of a jigsaw - if a piece is missing the picture is not complete. A heritage asset cannot be replaced: when it’s gone it’s gone; when it’s damaged it may not able be possible to repair that damage satisfactorily and future generations are deprived of it. Heritage crime comes in many forms, these are but a few: ● The theft of lead from a roof and its resultant water damage causing catastrophic damage to a church of other heritage building potentially also causing the cancellation of a wedding or other function. ● Our heritage buildings, grounds and structures also suffer from the theft of paving stones, bricks, and other architectural masonry. ● Monuments and memorials suffer from damage, and theft, often of metal plaques bearing the names of events of those recognised. ● Royal Mail post boxes - many unique and recognised from a specific period in time - are stolen. ● Burglaries from historic venues and museums like that recently from Arundel Castle. Items stolen included the Gold Rosary Beads carried by Mary Queen of Scots at her execution in 1587. Many visitors would have looked in awe of it and its history within its showcase. ● ‘Nighthawking’ - the theft of archaeological material by unlawful metal detecting on scheduled monuments. ● Graffiti to heritage structures. www.colnechurches.com 17 All these crimes will not only have a detrimental impact on their custodians but also on the local community, families, and those from further afield. Some locations will be isolated and others may not; some may have neighbours, visitors, passers-by, dog walkers, horse riders, hikers and more. See something suspicious - report it to staff where appropriate, or the police using 999 if you believe a crime is in progress or 101, online or chat if not an emergency. Don’t know where you are? Use the “What Three Words” App - police and other emergency services use it: https://what3words.com/products/what3words-app/ So, what can be done? We can make it more difficult to steal and we can make it more difficult to dispose of. Making it more difficult to steal or dispose of: ● Report any suspicious activity: e.g. the car or other vehicle parked up in a suspicious manner or seemingly out of place going down that lonely lane to an isolated church; unusual activity around a church, heritage or other building when it’s not normal especially on a roof; unmarked vehicle with people removing a mailbox; unusual activity on a known scheduled monument or late evening/night metal detecting. N.B. – If you have planned building work let your neighbours, parishioners, employees know - including who they are, what hours they will be there and provide an emergency contact number. ● Make it harder to steal: e.g. reduce access - make them walk further and into public view. Especially when protecting buildings and their roofs, remove aids to the thief e.g. tools to do the job and climbing aids or something to carry their ill-gotten gains away. Consider an alarm. With lead from roofs, especially, try and make access difficult. Subject to certain conditions, you could use a spiky topping around downpipes fencing and roofs. Consider electronic security and CCTV. ● Making it harder to dispose of: to start off with, if it’s less attractive it’s less likely to be stolen - so appropriate property marking and signage may deter. Property marking makes it harder to dispose of, and there is something for almost everything from historic artefacts on the seabed to catalytic convertors, to roofing material, to your day to day property. N.B. - seek advice from the relevant authorities before marking heritage items. An unmarked piece of property can be anonymous when stolen. In most cases we don’t know where it came from and therefore any prosecution is that much more difficult. A thief will know this and therefore anything that ties it back to the owner presents a risk not only to the thief but also to the handler, if the handler 18 www.colnechurches.com will not take it or it causes difficult questions at a boot fair or other then it’s not worth stealing it in the first place. ● If you are buying a piece of history, heritage stone, architectural masonry etc. question its provenance, where it came from, legitimacy of the seller. If in doubt, report it to Trading Standards or the Police. Essex is one of a growing number of counties in the network of Heritage Watches talking to each other, with members helping to protect our heritage for this and future generations. Protect your neighbourhood by setting up a Neighbourhood Watch, Heritage Watch or Business Watch. If you have not got one, the signage deters, and many pairs of eyes are better than one pair. For further advice on heritage crime and crime prevention see: www.essex.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/ or https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/caring-for-heritage/heritage-crime/ For further information on Heritage Watch email: [email protected] Stephen Armson-Smith Essex Police Heritage Crime Prevention Lead

St. Andrew’s Church, Earls Colne Lunchtime Recital We are pleased to announce the return of our popular Lunchtime Recitals ( ) on Thursday 2nd September 2021 1.00 - 1.30 pm The recital will feature Janet Banks ( ) and the Sokolowski Trio who will play

Entry is free and refreshments will be served from 12.30 pm (Covid restrictions permitting). There is a retiring collection. All are welcome. For further details contact Liz Pottinger on 01376 561307. www.colnechurches.com 19 Our first group walk took place on June 12th, and thanks to the Editor for allowing late copy submission, I just have time to report that it was a great morning, thoroughly enjoyed by all; in-fact there was so much chatting, observing and discussion about flora and fauna that it took much longer than expected! Walking through Aldercar wood and other sheltered paths kept us out of the sun, but a couple of last-minute changes to the route were needed as two paths were almost impassable through the rapid growth of nettles, brambles, and other invasive species. It’s sad that so many of our lesser- used paths get overgrown at this time every year. There was a footpath behind my childhood home, and every year an old gentleman would come and cut it all back, just using hand-tools, and taking long breaks to smoke his pipe. I spent many hours talking to him about the plants and creatures that lived in the grass and hedgerows, and that is where I first learned what a hodmedod was! During the walk it was suggested that it might be nice to add an evening walk during the summer months, so we will be looking at the possibilities of a short evening walk during June, July and August for those that want more walking, as well as those whose weekends are too busy with other commitments. Check the church website, churchyard noticeboard and our soon to be launched WhatsApp page for more information or leave your contact details on [email protected] and we will get back to you with details of the latest scheduled walks. This month’s walk will be on Saturday 10th July, leaving from St Andrew’s Earls Colne at 09:30. It is a five mile ‘squashed figure of eight’ shaped walk to Greenstead Green and back; with the possibility to have a break at the Barn Café, or to cut the walk in-half by being picked-up from there by a friend or partner! The route follows the course of Bourne Brook for much of the way and in places there are lovely views of Greenstead Green church spire rising above the trees. We leave the church to take the Brick Meadows path beside the Primary School, there are a number of alternative paths that can be chosen from there, but this time we will take the first right to cross the long meadows that run parallel to Park Lane at the bottom of the gardens. After passing 20 www.colnechurches.com the carved seat we will turn right to re-join Park Lane for a short distance and then take the next footpath on the left just after the last house on that side. After climbing to the junction of two footpaths, just off the bend of Curds Road, we will follow the road to the next footpath on the right and take this across the field to join Newhouse Road. We will follow the road up to the allotments and past the entrance to the airfield into Nightingale Hall Road. Just after the entrance to Lodge Farm we will take the next footpath on the left, and in a short distance turn left again to pass behind the farm buildings. Just behind the barns is a footpath to the right that crosses the centre of one field and then follows the left-hand edge of another to eventually emerge onto Nunty’s Lane. We turn left on to the lane and shortly right on to another footpath that follows the field edge, to eventually enter a small-wooded area and then pass some paddocks. At the farm entrance we turn right along the lane, to pass Perces; with the picturesque lake in the valley to our right. At the end of the lane, we turn right to cross the road bridge over Bourne Brook and follow the road up to the village centre. Taking care on the road at this point because of the sharp bends. After a break in Greenstead Green at the Barn Café, or with a picnic in the playing field, we re-trace our steps for a short distance and take the footpath opposite the green, that is between the first two houses after the playing field. After passing their gardens we follow the left-hand field edge to the bottom corner of the field and then go through the hedge to turn right on to another field edge path. Then turning left to follow the field edge path, round the bottom of the same field, we eventually arrive at Burtons Green Road. We turn right to cross the brook again and then immediately take the footpath on the left to follow it on the opposite bank. We will take the next footpath on the right that climbs the hill through two fields and then joins the path just to the west of Lodge Farm, bringing us out again on to Nightingale Hall Road. To complete the figure of eight we will follow Newhouse and Hayhouse roads back to the village. Walking in the height of summer can take as much preparation and consideration as in the winter. Obviously, sunblock, hats and drinking water are essential, but there is always that perennial question of shorts or light-weight trousers? My answer would always be trousers unless you www.colnechurches.com 21 are walking entirely on lanes or paths you know are well maintained and kept clear. I do have two pairs of walking trousers where you can unzip the lower part of the legs, to turn them into long-shorts, but if my memory serves me correctly, I have only ever done that once. Although if you are doing whole days of long-distance walking, I can see that it may be a benefit for breaks or the longer clear stretches you may encounter. Try to avoid walking in the middle of the day and always take breaks and rest in the deepest shade you can find. If you are continuing to walk into the evening (or even later) always have some warmer clothing to put on, the temperature may still tell you it is warm, but if you have been in the sun for a while, it will soon start to FEEL chilly! We look forward to seeing you on one of our walks soon. Stay safe and enjoy your Walk-Abouts. Christopher Walker Halstead Choral Conductor - James Davey & Bocking Brass Band Conductor - Ian Coote present A Musical Medley with internationally renowned guest singer Sara Brimer Davey

Sunday 4th July 2021 ● 3.00 pm The Coach House, Markshall Esate, Coggeshall CO6 1TG Entry by pre-paid ticket only - £10.00 Obtainable through Eventbrite or from [email protected] tel. 01787 478759

Registered Charity No. 1072277 ● Patron: the Mayor of Halstead Proudly sponsored by: Daniel Robinson & Sons Independent Family Funeral Directors and Monumental Masons

22 www.colnechurches.com � �

You know what it’s like, you got it all sorted: spotting a red-hot poker or a dahlia, no problem - but what about that tall plant with the yellow flowers? It looks nice, but you don’t remember planting it - surely it must be a weed, it’s growing too well to be anything else, right? Not nessecelery�. There are differing opinions on what is classed as a weed - you may have your own idea, this is what I think. If it is growing in your garden and you like it, if it doesn’t interfere with other plants that you want to keep and if it’s not in the way or invasive, then you do what you like. There are no rules. After all, a lot of what we call weeds are native plants to this country, and all they are doing is trying to reclaim the land back from non-native introductions.

Do you like it? No

Yes

Is it invasive? Yes

No

Is it in the way? Yes

No

Does it encroach on cultivated plants? Yes

No

Who doesn’t recognise the Dandelion, with its flat rosette of serrated leaves and the yellow flower on a long stalk, which becomes the fluffy seed head of the Dandelion clock.? If you can resist weeding these out until they form the seed head you will be providing an early source of www.colnechurches.com 23 valuable nectar for the bees. When you remove dandelions, it is best if you can take up the long tap root as well, whether by hand or with a systemic weed killer like ‘Round Up’. White Dead Nettle, the non- stinging variety of nettle, they spread underground by way of suckers but pulling and digging will remove them if the ground is not packed too tight, so loosen with a fork Taraxacum to make life easier. The White flowers officinale form a ring around the square stem, like mini chandeliers. With alternate pairs of leaves that are light green, spear shaped and sharply toothed. A true native of the UK, so, if possible, leave a clump growing in a corner or under a Lamium album hedge. This one is Ground Ivy, but to be honest the only resemblance to ivy is the way it creeps across the ground, mainly in grass alongside hedgerows and woodland edges. The leaves are light green, heart shaped with soft lechoma hederacea rounded teeth changing to purple as they age. The bright blue trumpet flowers resemble orchids, if controlled it makes a lovely carpet of colour from May to August. Summer lawn care is on the agenda now: keep cutting at a height between ¾” and 1” (20-25 mm) regularly. In very dry spells a good soaking with the hose or a sprinkler would be welcome, but in drought conditions it is probably best to leave it unless you are prepared to do it daily - most lawns do recover well after a drought. A general purpose feed and weed fortnightly through to the end of August will keep the grasses growing strong . If you are away for a long period it may be worth arranging to have the grass cut while you are away. If not, on your return raise the height of the blades and bring the lawn back to summer height after a few cuts, rather than in one hit - this would put it under stress and take longer for it to recover.

24 www.colnechurches.com Pruning can continue with several trees and shrubs (first rules of pruning? Dead diseased and dying, after that, crossing or congested shoots/branches); some to keep them in shape and size, others, to produce better fruit/flowers, and some to encourage growth for next season’s fruit/flowers. Ornamental trees like Flowering Cherry (Prunus) and Holly (Ilex ) can be pruned to shape; removing new growth will restrict the size and with Holly, and shrubs like Firethorn (Pyracanthus) this will expose the decorative berries. Wall trained types can be tied in and shoots that are growing outside of the framework desired should be removed. Hedges need to be kept in check so regular trimming works better than an annual mullering, especially on ornamental and decorative types. Trained apples (Malus domestica) and Pears (Pyrus communis) can be pruned to shape and tied into a supporting framework; on freestanding specimens shorten new growth to two to three buds. Plums (Prunus domestica) cherries (Prunus avium) and Peaches (Prunus persica) can all be pruned now - basically anything with a stone inside the fruit can be pruned from June to August. Healthy, new growth can be left to provide fruit next season, although trimming any extra-long shoots will keep it in shape. Older, less productive branches should be removed; and shorten side shoots after harvesting. Summer fruiting Raspberries need to be pruned immediately after harvest to enable new growth to form for the next season. Cut the fruited canes down to ground level. This is a good time to do some thorough weeding too with nothing in the way and full access to the ground. After pruning and weeding, cover the ground with a 4” (100 mm) layer of fine chopped bark or leaf mould, to keep the weeds down and the moisture in. Spud - He Knows His Onions (But Mr Bean is fairly clued up too) Spud made a beeline for me this week up the plot - he wanted to give me plenty of advice and wanted to be sure he got a mention in the newsletter. Rose, his wife, said he has been getting ideas above his station, after being stopped in the supermarket by someone who had read about him and asked for some tips. He reckons he is gonna become the Gordon Oliver of veg growing �. Remember I mentioned a new fella up the plot last year? We call him Mr Bean (he is six foot tall). He has been trying new methods of growing compared to how Spud does it. To be honest, I don’t think there is much in it: the crops appear to grow equally well, but I do think Spud has to work a little harder for similar results. Might be good if they shared info and mixed old and new to make life better all www.colnechurches.com 25 round - watch this space. Spud is harvesting French and Runner Beans, second early Taters, Courgettes, Spinach, Lettuces, Turnips and Beetroot - oh and Garlic and Onions. Mr Bean on the other hand has most of the above (not Turnips) but also he has Tomatoes against the south facing side of his shed, and they are cropping well. He said that he pinched out the growing tip when the plants reached 3’(90 cm) and continually pinches out the side shoots that grow from the ‘V’ between the leaf stalk and the main stem. He also gives them the same amount of water every day to stop the fruit splitting. In the same bed he has Aubergines, Chillies and Peppers; they seem to have good growth but only the Peppers and Chillies are bearing fruit now. All the ground that has no crops is covered with a black weed suppressant membrane and pinned down. It looks very tidy, and I think the weeding chores are greatly reduced. Spud’s bare ground is not bare at all. To be fair it is only annual weeds that are growing, so when it comes to digging time, they will be dug in and broken down in the process. Both are continuing to sow salad crops in succession, but Spud is preparing to sow Spring Cabbage and Spinach in the ground in August whilst Mr Bean is sowing in pots to transplant later, it will be interesting to see the results. I wonder if you are a Spud or a Bean, or maybe a bit of both? Just saying. � Keep calm and carry on weeding - ‘Laters taters’ Gary Hoskin [email protected]@btinternet.com Film Club Thank you to everyone who attended our inaugural Film Club last month. It was a great evening and we hope you are up for more! If you missed out, why not join us this month for our second discussion - details below. We'd love to see you! ● The Film - Hidden Figures ● The Discussion - Wednesday 14th July 2021 gather at 6.30 pm for a 7.00 pm start ● The Where - The Five Bells Colne Engaine For more information or to book your place, contact Sharon Quilter at [email protected] 26 www.colnechurches.com EDITORIAL NOTE Articles for the Parish Magazine from individuals or village organisations are always welcome! ● Copy may be emailed to: [email protected] or delivered to: 11 Morleys Road, Earls Colne ● Copy deadline: 4th of each month ● To subscribe to the Magazine, please contact: Sue de Berry (tel: 01787 222804) ● To advertise in the Magazine, please contact: Mervyn Rudkins (tel: 01787 222882 or email [email protected]) Advertisements in the Parish Magazine • Our Magazine goes out to over 300 homes in the area • The fees for 2021 (for 12 copies) are: Earls Colne/White Colne: From Outside Area: £ £ ½ Page 120.00 130.00 ¼ Page 60.00 65.00 ⅛ Page 30.00 32.50 ● Please send your new copy to: Mervyn Rudkins, 8 Coggeshall Road, Earls Colne, Colchester. CO6 2JP or email to [email protected] ● Please make cheques payable to: Earls Colne PCC. Just imagine . . . Earls Colne Church benefiting from your online shopping! Huge numbers of online shops such as Amazon, Viking and insurance companies will donate a percentage of your total shopping bill to your chosen charity. All you need to do is access your online shops through a designated website who will donate the percentage to St Andrew’s Church, Earls Colne. What next? 1. Go to www.easyfundraising.org.uk 2. Register as a user selecting Church of St Andrew, Earls Colne as your chosen charity 3. Find your chosen retailer in the listings 4. Start shopping, knowing you are benefiting the Church. Remember to add the site to your favourites and don’t forget to use it! 5. Please tell others . . . www.colnechurches.com 27 The Halstead Area Team Ministry (The Parishes of Halstead, Greenstead Green, Gosfield, Earls Colne, White Colne, Colne Engaine, Pebmarsh, Gestingthorpe. Great Maplestead and Little Maplestead) Team Rector: The Revd Katie de Bourcier [email protected] 01787 478471 Team Vicars: The Revd Mark Payne [email protected] 01787 220347 The Revd Beverley Vincent [email protected] 07944 200132 Associate Priest: The Revd Rose Braisby 01245 361927 Priest: The Revd Hugh Mothersole 01787 222211 Team Curates: The Revd Sharon Quilter [email protected] The Revd Joanne Parrott [email protected] To find out more about the Halstead Area Team Ministry, visit the Team website: www.halsteadchurches.co.uk

Worship Through Your Phone Available 24 hours a day BCP Holy Communion with Revd Rose: 01376 317669 (less than 1p per minute).

28 www.colnechurches.com Churches of St. Andrew, Earls Colne & White Colne Who’s Who 2021 Team Vicar: The Revd Mark Payne [email protected] 01787 220347 Team Curate: The Revd Sharon Quilter [email protected] Priest: The Revd Hugh Mothersole 01787 222211 Churchwardens:

Mr. Ray Wood [email protected] 01787 224140 Ms. Helen Sherfield [email protected] 01787 222526

Mr. Christopher Chamberlain 01787 222200 PCC Secretaries:

Ms. Caroline Smith [email protected]

Mrs. Jacquie Church PCC Treasurers:

Mrs. Helen Brooks [email protected]

Mrs. Sally Scobie 01787 227915 Parish Magazine:

Mrs. Sue de Berry 01787 222804

Mrs. Juanita White-Thomson 01787 222403 Mrs. Margaret Hill 01787 223843 Mr. Mervyn Rudkins 01787 222882 Church Choir (Earls Colne): Mr. Bret Johnson 01787 227988 Bell Ringers (Earls Colne): Mr. Trevor Beadle [email protected] 01787 223611 Sunday School (Earls Colne): Ms. Helen Sherfield 01787 222526 Church Cleaning (Earls Colne): Mr. Brian Hayward 01787 222706 Seekers and Bible Study Notes: Mrs. Ann Norris 01787 222015 www.colnechurches.com 29 ANGLICAN SOCIETY FOR THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS Membership £20 per annum /3 magazines per. annum ��Made to order for any occasion. Web-site sermons, book reviews, prayers, services etc A Christian organisation born of the Anglican church in 1970 ��I have 30 years’ experience of we believe animals are sentient beings, created and valued by cooking for people. God. Many are exploited for human use and often subject to appalling cruelty. Three quarters of viruses emanate from ��I have a Health and Hygiene factory farming/exploitation of animals. Certificate. Following the Anglican Churches’ stated mission, we ‘Strive ��Will deliver locally. to safeguard the integrity of creation and to sustain the life of the earth’. Please call me for a quote on www.aswa.org.uk . Tel: 01252 843093 or E-mail: [email protected]

Gardening & General Would you like to place Maintenance Services an advert in this space? Phone Mervyn Rudkins on 01787 222882 or email 8 High Street, Earls Colne [email protected] Mobile: 07464 315278 Email: [email protected] See the Editorial page Follow us on Facebook and instagram for details of our prices. 30 www.colnechurches.com EDWARD PRESTON GRSM, ARCM, Dip Ed. PIANIST & TEACHER All age groups taught – currently from 4 to 84 years old. Piano as well as Music Theory Grades 1-8, GCSE, 'AS' & 'A' Music and Diploma Level (01787) 829843 or 07805310486 [email protected] Call or email to make an initial enquiry/ preliminary meeting.

��All Interior and Exterior Work Undertaken ��Specialist in Period & Listed Properties ��Wallpaper Hanging to the Highest Standards ��Restoration of Ornate Cornices & Ceiling Roses ��References Available ��Fully Insured Contact: Jeff Macdonald Tel: 07778 031505 - 01787 224674 Email: [email protected] www.jmac-interiors.co.uk

THE KEVIN JOLLEY QUAKER MEETING HOUSE HOUSE, LOFT, SHED & GARAGE EARLS COLNE CLEARANCE is available for hire. Fully licensed waste carrier A warm and friendly venue for leisure PROPERTY MAINTENANCE and educational groups, tea parties, Painting, Decorating, Repairs etc. children's parties and alcohol free events. Tel: 01787 469355 £10.00 per hour Mobile: 07798 785559 Please call 01787 222993 for details.