The Good Shepherd I Suppose This Is Tony One of the Most Favourite Sub

Lord’s Weather

Not that you would know it by look- Recently however I was taken to task. “It was beautiful Paddy ing out of the window, but the cricket earlier, but now it‟s miserable,” I offered insightfully to a season is here. Wet, windy and cold, departing congregant. “It is the Lord‟s weather…” came King the weather has been more reminis- the happy retort, and they strolled off happily into clouds cent of early April, leading to images of swirling fog. of chilly West Indies players playing at Lords being beamed around the world. It‟s not a great The truth is, that like the weather, life is unpredictable. look for a summer in which we play host to a global audi- Time we spend anxiously peering out of the window wait- ence of sports fans. ing for the clouds to pass and the sun to come out is time we could be using more creatively. „Variable prospects‟ The general consensus around the world is that Brits talk sums up both weather and our lives. But, like „the Lord‟s an awful lot about the weather. Where my father lives, on weather‟, by offering up our lives and placing them in the Australia‟s Gold Coast, the weather is entirely predictable. hands of God we spend less time worrying, less time crip- In fact, there is no weather; rather there are seasons. No- pled by angst, and more time simply living. body talks about the weather; it is what it is. We live on an island where it‟s constantly changing, and the reality is In the Qu'ran, Muslims are told that they should never say that so much of what we do is affected by the weather. they will do a particular thing in the future without adding "in sha'Allah" (God willing) to the statement. This simple On Sunday mornings, as I stand at the door greeting folk shift of attitude removes our desire for control, for making on their way home from the morning services at St Peter‟s, plans and worrying about sticking to them, by placing I find it very hard not to pass comment on the state of the them into the hands of God. It is the equivalent of happily weather. I have shaken hands warmly with people and sent asserting “it is the Lord‟s weather” and then getting on them out into sub-zero Siberian conditions, torrential rain, with things. gusty squalls and even the odd warm sunny morning during my two years in Dorchester. Even the walk home can I‟m playing cricket tomorrow. God willing. It‟s Salisbury be affected by such conditions, let alone plans for a Sun- Diocese‟s first game of the season. And if it keeps raining day afternoon‟s gardening, picnicking or cricketing… during the cricket season… I‟m going to find a wet-weather hobby. Who can teach me about stamp collecting?

Editor Advertising Manager

Margaret Morrissey Liz Green 9 Hessary Street, Poundbury 7 Sydenham Way, Dorchester DT1 3SF Dorchester DT1 1DN 01305 250366 01305 269610 [email protected] [email protected] 1

Dorchester Noticeboard?

Benefice Mothers’ Union Christian Meditation Contemplative Reflection and Silence Programme An invitation to ‘come and be’ with others in the still-

ness silence and simplicity of contemplative prayer. Visitors and newcomers welcome at all of our meetings.

Our busy life with its constant activities and demands Tuesday 12 June St Peter’s MU meet at 2.15pm in the often leaves us longing for a breathing space. Come and hall. learn to Meditate with us. Meet at the Quiet Space

Poundbury on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month Wednesday 13 June Dorcas Bible Study group meet at at 7.30pm. All are welcome For details contact Rosemary 10am at 28 Victoria Road. Praying the Psalms – A Bassett 01305 262615 or Anita Finnigan 01305 259032 Prayer for Hope. Psalm 130. Details 260259.

Wednesday 20 June Dorcas MU meet at 7.30pm at the Quiet Space, Poundbury for a meditation led by Brenda Turnock. Details 260592. Dorchester Festival 1 - 5 June Five days of international music, street theatre, film, Tuesday 26 June St Mary’s MU meet at 2.30pm. Details comedy and outdoor performance. 263358. Highlights include comedy with Hardeep Singh Kohli, Wednesday 27 June Dorcas Bible Study group meet at world music from Transglobal Underground, pulsating 10am at 28 Maiden Castle Road. Praying the Psalms – African rhythms from the Mighty Zulu Nation, an audi- A Prayer of Joy. Psalm 66. Details 260259. ence with globe-trotting broadcaster Andy Kershaw and a unique film ‘Out in the Open’ that documents the Tuesday 3 July St Peter’s MU meet at 2.15pm in the stories of the homeless and vulnerably housed commu- hall. nity. www.dorchesterfestival.co.uk

Tickets from: Dorchester Tourist Information Centre 01305 267992

Casterbridge Male Voice Choir A series of study evenings about the Church of England Will host Côr Meibion De Cymru and the other major Christian denominations in Britain. at St Mary’s Church on Friday 8th June at 7.30 Tickets £10, ring Graham Barter 267374 June 11th – an overview of why the diversity of Churches in our town and our country. th June 18 – the Roman Catholic Church in the modern Dorset County Museum age. SpeakEasy Night with th June 25 – the Society of Friends (the Quakers) – how Mike Denham and Steve Graham to make sense of a Church with creed! Dorset County Museum Friday 8 June 2012 at 8pm Popular pianist Mike Denham will be at the grand piano All at 7.30 p.m. at the rectory, Edward Road in Dorset County Museum’s splendid Victorian Hall. Joining him will be Steve Graham, one of the UK’s top traditional jazz trumpeters and a fine ragtime mandolin Has anyone a dressmaker’s model that St Mary’s Church player. Together they will play great music from the Jazz can borrow for July 6/7/8 when we are holding a display Age. Tickets £12 from the Museum (01305 262 735). of Vestments? Please ring 262668 if one is available. Bar. A tasty pre-show supper may be booked. Further information on www.dorsetcountymuseum.org

Dorchester Noticeboard?

Saturday 16 June 7.30PM Bridport New Elizabethan Singers Dorchester Poverty Action Group (a Churches Together in A Jubilee Celebration Dorchester group) Handel – Coronation Anthems Coffee Morning Walton – Coronation Te Deum

Parry – I was Glad & Blest Pair of Sirens to be held on Also Bainton, SS Wesley & Stanford Saturday 7 July, 10am - 12 noon St Mary’s Church, Bridport at the United Church, South Street, Tickets £10 from Goadsbys (Bridport) and Bridport Music or from Judith where there will be stalls and refresh- Cowling, Nigel Culliford, Felicity Morgan. (St. Peter’s Choir) ments. The aim is to raise funds to be able to support those in need locally by St John Ambulance Dorset giving small grants. Items for stalls The Rude Mechanical Theatre Company present needed and please come along on the “Who Saw Marjory Daw?” day. Abbey House, Abbotsbury Friday 22 June Gates open at 6pm for picnics Performance begins at 7.30pm Tickets £15 (£10 for under 16s) Phone St John Ambulance for tickets: 01305 751167 All proceeds to St John Ambulance Dorset - teaching people first aid so that they can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.

The DGT 2012 GARDEN DAY will be at WATERSTON MANOR (DT2 7SP, near Puddletown) on Sunday 1st July More background about the Trust and its activities can be found on our website: www.dorsetgardenstrust.co.uk

St Simon & St Jude, Winterborne Monkton

DIAMOND JUBILEE CONCERT

DUNCAN HONEYBORNE (organ) and friends

ROYAL MUSIC to CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S JUBILEE

Church of St Simon & St Jude, Winterborne Monkton SATURDAY 21ST JULY — 7pm

Tickets (to include refreshments) £5.00 in advance from 30 Grosvenor Rd, Dorchester DT1 2BD or Southmead, Winterborne Monkton, DT2 9PR Or £6 at the door

ST GEORGE’S FORDINGTON

MESSENGER Church Correspondent: Margaret Morrissey 250366

St George’s Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations will include (or will have included by the time we read the maga- zine) a special morning service with a toast to the Queen church. Bernard is a much loved priest and with his wife in the hall and hopefully a Jubilee cake. The children are Jo play a huge part in and are much loved members of our all receiving a book to mark the great occasion. This takes congregation . me back to 1953, when as a small girl at primary school we Rev Canon Bernard Brown, MA (Oxon), graduate of Mer- were all given a copy of the New Testament, which I still ton College Oxford and trained for the ministry at Wes- have to this day. cott House, Cambridge. Made deacon in 1952 and priest in 1953. He was an honorary canon of Bristol Cathedral Part of the message from Nottinghamshire County Coun- until his retirement in 1992. cil to the children said:- “The Bible, and especially the message of the New Testa- Dorchester Community Choir ment, remains the most precious possession of the Brit- ish Nation, and indeed the whole World.” In May I was invited by the outgoing Mayor to her end of year thank you evening. We all gathered in the Corn Ex- It ends by saying: change and were welcomed by Mayor Tess. She then intro- “It is because you, the boys and girls of Nottingham- duced the Dorchester Community Choir, who I person- shire, are citizens of this great Commonwealth of Na- ally did not know existed. Even more to my surprise on tions, that the Council ask you to accept this gift and to the front row of the choir was my 8 year old granddaugh- look to it always as a symbol of the best things in our ter Vivien with three of her school friends. British way of life, as a token of the solemn vows our Queen will be taking on the day of her Coronation, and The choir sang two songs - the first a French tune and as an inspiration and guide to you throughout the whole then The Dorchester Song which was specially written for of your lives.” them. As they sang it just got better - all the town was included - but when it got to the chorus of the Bells of Ford- Makes you think when today councils are banning prayers ington I wanted to burst with pride. I hope we can per- before meetings (this includes Dorchester Town) - what suade them to come and sing either at our Barbeque or message are they sending to children 60 years on? Harvest Supper. I know you will really enjoy them.

Diamond Anniversary Altar Flowers in June

St George’s is proud to announce we have our own Dia- Sunday 3rd – Given by Eileen & Kenneth Drake to cele- mond Anniversary. Two very special members of our con- brate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. 2nd June 1952 gregation, Kenneth and Eileen Drake, were married by – 2nd June 2012 nd Cannon Jessop on the 2 June 1952. Many congratula- Sunday 17th for the wedding of Jenny Rowe & Paul New- tions to you both. bil on Saturday 16th June

Rev Canon Bernard Brown Christian Aid Market

rd Also, on the 3 of June Cannon Bernard Brown cele- Thank you to everyone who donated and supported the St brates 60 years of ministry. Bernard was ordained on Trin- George’s stall at the Christian Aid Market. We made £222 ity Sunday 60 years ago. Typical of Bernard he wants no for the cause. Special thank you to Dorothy Maggs, Tessa “fuss” but we cannot let this great occasion pass by with Bullick and Anne Jonathan for all their help. no mention and no thanks for his lifelong service to the Nancy Wilcox 5 A poem for Olympic Year Spoofy, by Anthony Holt

Be prepared when Vitai Lampada you start to read this ("They Pass On The Torch of Life") book not to want to put it down. Sud- There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night -- denly you become Ten to make and the match to win -- involved in the life A bumping pitch and a blinding light, of this family and An hour to play and the last man in. the amazing dog they And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat, came, for a while, to Or the selfish hope of a season's fame, call their own whilst But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote -- living in Australia. 'Play up! play up! and play the game!' "Spoofy" is a new The sand of the desert is sodden red, -- book, the story of a Red with the wreck of a square that broke; -- black Labrador who The Gatling's jammed and the Colonel dead, had been a streetwise And the regiment blind with dust and smoke. survivor since his The river of death has brimmed his banks, birth on a bush farm And England's far, and Honour a name, in rural New South But the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks: Wales, and who after more than one lucky rescue was to 'Play up! play up! and play the game!' become part of the Holt family.

This is the word that year by year, Australia, 1971. Spoofy's latest owners were leaving for While in her place the School is set, two years in England, and at a farewell party Spoofy’s fu- Every one of her sons must hear, ture was discussed. Soon it was agreed for him to move in And none that hears it dare forget. with the Holt family, newly arrived from Dorset, who had This they all with a joyful mind left behind their own Cornish-born Border Collie, follow- Bear through life like a torch in flame, ing Anthony’s appointment to a helicopter squadron in And falling fling to the host behind -- the Australian Fleet Air Arm. 'Play up! play up! and play the game!' Sir Henry Newbolt (1862-1938) The wonderful relationship that develops between the dog, the Holt’s small daughter and her parents helps the Musings family adjust in the new land, and takes away some of the pain in leaving their dog behind.

Noah said to the animals in the Ark, "Go forth and multi- Spoofy is always there, as companion, supporter of the ply." whole family and partner in crime to baby Rebecca. The Two snakes stayed behind. story is full of drama, snakes, spiders and other wildlife "Why are you still sitting there?" said Noah. one has difficulty imagining how hard it was to cope with The snakes said, “Because we are two adders." on a daily basis. Together they all survive and enjoy a won- The Kenwards derful time together , despite the trials and tribulations with the “landlady” who Spoofy keeps in order. Iranian Air Defence Site: 'Unknown aircraft you are in Iranian airspace. Identify yourself.' “Spoofy” is a book to make you smile, often a little sad, Aircraft: 'This is a British aircraft. I am in Iraqi airspace.' but one you wish would not end. A book you can hardly Air Defence Site: 'You are in Iranian airspace. If you do fail to enjoy and one to definitely remember. not depart our airspace we will launch interceptor aircraft!' Published by Pegasus - Vanguard in illustrated paperback Aircraft: 'This is a Royal Air Force GR4 Tornado fighter. and available from Amazon and Waterstones. Send 'em up, I'll wait!' Air Defence Site: ( ...total silence...) Last month’s poem— Spring by Elizabeth Blake Conversation overheard on the VHF Guard (emergency) fre- An over-zealous spellchecker changed the line “to separate quency 121.5 MHz while flying from Europe to Dubai. clod and sod, seed and weed”—apologies to Elizabeth Blake 6

St Mary the Virgin The Open Door

Being the Church in our community

Time and again we hear people say People Harold ―this is our church‖ or similar. Their parents were married there; they were We are sad to report of Mrs Jean Fagg of St. Mary's congre- Stephens Christened there; they see it as their gation. She died, aged 77, on Thursday 17th May. The place in the community. This is true funeral, at St. George's, took place on 28th May. of all of our churches. At St. Mary's we want to make sure our church and its buildings really are With great pleasure a special evening was held in St. for the whole community. This year there is an even Mary's on 20th May to pray with and for Dominic Thorn- greater number of public concerts in the church. There is ton who attended a Church of England national selection a school for those learning to play the organ – help weekly. conference in order to see if he will be accepted for full- We welcome a steady number of families for baptisms and time training for ordination. Our prayers continue for there have been several funerals held in St. Mary's since him. the New Year.

Some might want to call some of this ―folk religion‖. Works to the Church However, those privileged enough to work with families  The new Rostrum was dedicated on the 27th May – at coming to the church know otherwise – that spiritual the Main Mass for the Feast of Pentecost. things are taken seriously and the pastoral care of the  Repairs to the walls of the south transept and the church is really important to them. Blessed Sacrament Chapel are now being scheduled.  At the time of writing we are awaiting final consent As for concerts – they are not about how much money the from the Diocese of Salisbury to install our new sound church can make – far from it. However it is wonderful to system. see the building used in such positive, community ways –  We soon hope to remove much of the unsightly collec- part of what binds our whole community together tion of stage blocks from the south transept.

Happening at St. Mary's this month Celebrations and Jubilations – if you June see what I mean! 1st 6.30 p.m. Jubilee celebration event at St. Mary's. (see also full programme of events in and around the benefice) Even for the convinced republicans having an extra Bank 7th Feast of Corpus Christi – Sung Mass at 7.30 p.m. Holiday is good news, despite being to mark the Queen’s 11th Emmaus session 3 Diamond Jubilee. And the sense of excitement will be 18th 2.30 p.m. St. Mary's Senior Club. further sustained when on the 12th July the Olympic 18th Emmaus – session 4 Torch is carried through Dorchester. No doubt the High 19th 6.30 p.m. Diocesan Synod, St Paul’s Church, Streets will be lined with crowds – young and old. Salisbury. 21st 7 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. – PCC meeting at St. Peter's The sense of community and of celebration both these (Eucharist at 7 p.m., meeting at 7.30 p.m.) major, national events will engender is a positive one. 23rd 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. young people’s group to Abbotsbury And through both of these great events we are pointed to for activities and worship. (We will be welcoming leaders important, underlying messages which we should tale a from France – meeting today about a proposed parish link little time to reflect on. with Normandy)

Whatever your take on the concept of monarchy, we must A Time for Peace only admire the sense of duty and absolute commitment we see in the Queen now and as has been evident for the past 60 years. The Queen proclaims her sense of service to On Tuesday May the 8th in the Borough gardens a rather and on behalf of the nation and seeks to be a consistent special event took place – inspired by our (at that time) and positive presence in the life of the nation, even Mayor, Mrs Tess James. This was ―A Time for Peace‖. though so much has been a whirlwind of change through- Here we wished to pause for a few moments to reflect on out her reign. our thirst for peace at every level in society and across the world. When we consider the forthcoming Olympics, and cut through the hype and the (as I perceive it) obnoxious com- The meeting was attended by many from most of the mercialism surrounding the Games, we must admire the churches in town and also by members of the Royal Brit- athletes in all of the sports who have reached the peak of ish Legion and the Royal Navy Association. In contrast their careers in order to represent their nations in London with the large Remembrance Day service in November, and elsewhere. this was a quiet event – inspired by Quaker forms of worship. The years of training; the dedication and perseverance needed to improve and improve; the thirst for excellence; The Bishop of Salisbury attended (Rt Rev Nicholas the sacrifices made in order to reach this level of competi- Holtham) and was the first of three to read a short passage tion can only be admired. upon which we reflected in silence. He read from the Be- atitudes at the start of Matthew Chapter 5, including So let us reflect for ourselves – to what we are committed; ―Blessed are the peacemakers…‖ how we serve rather than seek to be served; how we seek only the best from ourselves as much as from others and Rev Brenda Stephenson read verses from a modern hymn how humility and self-sacrifice are at the heart of commu- expressing our thirst for peace. The final passage, chosen nity at every level. by the Rector, expressed in fable form the confidence that we can make a real difference. Prayer of St.Francis of Assisi We understand that it is hoped that this event be repeated Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: next year. Many thanks to Mrs James and to the Bishop Where there is hatred let me sow peace, for this. where there is injury let me sow pardon, where there is doubt let me sow faith, where there is despair let me give hope, where there is darkness let me give light, where there is sadness let me give joy. O Divine master, grant that I may not try to be comforted but to comfort, not try to be understood but to understand, not try to be loved but to love. Because it is in giving that we receive, it is in forgiving that we are forgiven, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. (Prayer after the teachings of St Francis of Assisi)

We celebrate the Jubilee in all our Church services on Trinity Sunday – June 3rd.

STOP PRESS

Cello & Piano Recital & St Nicholas Church, Chaldon Herring Saturday 23 June 2012 Doors open 6.30pm for a glass of wine & canapés St Mary’s Church, Edward Rd Recital Starts at 7.15pm Nick Gethin—Cello & Adrian Williams—Piano Tickets £10 (£6 for students U18) from Vivaldi, Schumann, Falla & Prokofiev [email protected] or 01305 852138 In aid of Dorset Historic Churches Trust Cheques payable to: PCC of Chaldon Herring

10 How to Get a Warm Glow

Last edition, you heard about the pre- member taking the loan not repay. (We have not yet had to Brian paid card. This time it’s all about the invoke the guarantee in a single case.) Parkhurst quality of loans and how FDCU can improve its income. Guaranteed loans seem to be a good way for parents and grandparents to help their family members, especially those Currently, nearly all income comes from the interest on in education. They can get a warm glow in two ways: loans, with a small amount of donations and funding. The helping their offspring and aiding FDCU to improve the latter has now dried up so we are looking for other ways of loan book. boosting our income. There are two possibilities: better quality loans or other income streams. We need more, and more dependable income, because a greater number of people are finding that Debt Relief It is very difficult to find other services which we can offer Orders - where debts can be removed at a stroke - are an to members on which we can make a small charge which easy way out of financial difficulty. Our problem is that we doesn’t require intensive labour by our office staff. They immediately lose the future interest income from that are already busy enough and we cannot recruit any more particular loan and have to write down the value of the without needing expenditure on office facilities. Some loan to boot. ideas would be helpful! I wonder how many readers of this article have offspring The other possibility is to find better loans. And here we who would benefit from an FDCU loan which they have some ideas. Loans can be offered where there is a guarantee? Such loans are offered at the lowest possible guarantor. The guarantor signs the loan agreement form interest rate. and assumes responsibility for repayment should the www.firstdorsetcreditunion.co.uk Email - a Few Tips

When I have finished writing this piece  Be concise. Busy people often receive dozens if not David I will send it as an attachment to an e- hundreds of e-mails a day and don’t want to wade Lang mail addressed to the editor. I have no through acres of superfluous prose. idea how this will happen: all I know is  If the e-mail has attachments deal with these before that provided I press the right keys on my computer inserting the address. keyboard and remember to attach the article it will arrive  Delete all previous messages. Long tails are a menace in a fraction of a second on the editor’s computer. E-mail often making it hard to trace the flow of previous and the internet have transformed the lives of many of us correspondence. in the space of less than a generation and very largely  If possible do not respond immediately to an e-mail replaced the letter as a form of communication. received. Not only does this interrupt your work

pattern it often results in a too hasty reaction. One of the consequences of this rapid change is that there  On the whole avoid humour. What you think funny seems no longer to be any protocol governing the use of e- can easily be misinterpreted by the recipient and cause mail. As far as I know no one these days is taught how to offence. use e-mail in the way that once we were taught how to  Only copy in those who really need to know. write a letter. Often this doesn’t much matter but occasionally it does. Get it wrong and the results can be at  Don’t mass copy so that every recipient has access to best embarrassing and at worst devastating. More than one your entire address book. This can be avoided by promising career has been broken by careless use of e-mail. simple use of the blind copy facility. Here are a few rules which I try to observe when sending a  Before pressing the send button, pause. Have you got business e-mail. the right address for the intended recipient? Is the (I hope I remember to attach this, but if not no one except message clear and what you really want to say? Have the editor will ever know!) you remembered the attachments?

The Magic of Babies

I spent a morning in the Diagnostic bedding in their curved carriers and gently removed like Minna Department of Dorset County Hospi- snails from their shells. St Aubyn tal, waiting with a friend who had an appointment that day. Whether it was these babies, or the crowd which was building up for their appointments in a cramped space, we Before the time came for my elderly and extremely unwell began talking: the mothers began comparing notes; and friend to be called in for her appointment, we were chat- when the two female hospital transport staff returned to ting sombrely (she is confused and unhappy) when a baby take my friend back to hospital, they joined in the conver- was carried in with a young and attentive mother. To lift sation of labour pains, baby weights, and the traumas of the mood, I asked if the mother would be kind enough to teenage brothers and sisters. turn round the baby so she faced my friend. Sweetly, she did and instantly my friend‟s face brightened as she By now, we were all chatting freely; the elderly widow with watched the contented little girl being snuggled closer into a chronically sore her bedding. ankle, the mothers, and even a nurse as While my friend was being treated, I waited outside. The she emerged to call little girl and her mother were called in to the treatment the next patient. room and were followed by another mother and baby. Thereafter it was a conveyor belt of mums and little ones. A few moments of All girls, all in various shades of pink. As I turned to watch natural connection one disappear behind the treatment door, the next ar- and genuine rived: an adorable line of tiny ones snuggled into their soft bonding. Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net Some Creatures Great And Small

When the Vet mentioned he would There are 6 species of caiman. Cuviers are the smallest Ruth like a pair of „Crocs‟, we thought he and weigh between 6 and 7 kgs. Males grow up to 5ft long was going to become a snappy and females up to 4ft. Their smaller size makes them the Chipp- dresser!! When they arrived however, most popular crocodile to be kept as a pet. Marshall they were not quite what he had bar- gained for. Juveniles are brown with black banding whilst adults are usually darker. Recent visitors to the surgery were in fact a pair of croco- diles brought to us by Weymouth Sealife Centre for a rou- They live in southern America, usually near fast stretches tine health check. They have recently taken charge of 5 of stream, but also in nutrient deficient waters. The esti- caimans who were captive bred in Jersey and are now on mated wild population is over 1,000,000, and they tend to loan to the Weymouth attraction. They currently measure live either quite a solitary existence or in pairs rather than about 18 inches long and are 2 years old. large groups.

The „Cuviers Dwarf Caiman‟ or „Musky Caiman‟ has the Natural predators of adults are boas and jaguars. Eggs and scientific name Paleosuchus Palpebrosus. Paleosuchus youngsters are preyed upon by large rats, racoons, birds, means “Ancient crocodile”. Palpebrosus means “bony eye- snakes and other caimans. lid”. Caimans lay 10-25 eggs at a time in mounds of soil and vegetation. The eggs take about 90 days to hatch and when the mother hears the youngsters she opens up the nest for them to emerge.

So, whilst these little crocs are far from scarce in the wild, they were a rare but interesting sight at the surgery.

Ruth Chipp-Marshall is the receptionist at Fielding Image: Wikimedia Foundation / Pearson Scott Foresman and Cumber Veterinary Surgeons 14 The Good Shepherd I suppose this is Tony one of the most favourite sub-

Wheeler jects for a Maga- zine Article. I am astonished to find that I do not appear to have written an article about it. How odd! So here it is at last.

Then said Jesus, “Truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, dering off, and kept wolves and rustlers out. Somewhat and that they might have it more abundantly.” heroic, in my opinion – not to mention more than a little John 10:7-10 draughty. I wouldn`t care for it myself. Their only weap- ons were a crook and a small knife. A crook for hoiking How is Jesus the door of the sheep? What on earth did he sheep back out of trouble, and a knife for eating. How- mean? In the Holy Land, then as now, there is a shortage ever, they managed. Shepherds were a tough lot, solitary of trees. There were plenty at one time, but you know how and self reliant. They led the sheep. The sheep followed it is. We humans love trees a lot - so we say - but we don`t them gladly because they were trusted. half chop them down. Israel had been populated for thou- sands of years, so trees were scarce. There was wood for Jesus obviously thought a lot of them, but nobody else did. building houses but not for doors to sheepfolds. That Shepherds were the lowest of the low. Nobody was a shep- would be too expensive. There were lots of stones for walls herd if he could help it. You can see why. But Christmas but the door was just a gap. angels and the Holy Family respected them and they had the place of honour at the Nativity. Shepherds saw him Not much use for security, especially at night. Sheep could first. wander off and certainly would (silly things), and wolves and rustlers could get in and steal and destroy – like Jesus Jesus is our shepherd. The best of all possible shepherds, said. and lovely with it. Don`t forget his warning about bad- dies. That crook is still for hoiking us out of trouble, and So shepherds used to sleep in the gap themselves. They we do need it. were the doors of the sheep. They stopped the sheep wan- A Story

There was this tourist to Israel who was horri- fied. He met a flock of sheep but the shepherd wasn‟t leading them like the Bible said, he was driving them up the road from behind.

“Hey,” he said to the guide. “Look at that! Our Vicar said that in the Holy Land shepherds lead the sheep, not drive them.”

“So they do. Always. Here, let‟s have a look”. The guide was greatly relieved. “Oh. That‟s how it is. That‟s not a shepherd, that‟s the butcher.” 15

ST PETER’S High West Street · Dorchester

Services at St Peter’s during June

Sunday 3rd June is Trinity Sunday Services this month follow the usual pattern: 9am BCP Communion 10.30am Sung Eucharist Vicky Thurtell also Sunday 17th June 6.30pm Choral Evensong Ven Paul Taylor, Alan Hallett organ th and Sunday 24 June an extra let in church listing them and giving details of venue, day, 6.30pm Choral Evensong – Chapel Choir, Peter Oakes and leader. Please make use of these opportunities if you are Nick Head organ – Howells in G; Stanford Beati Quorum Via. looking to further study, knowledge or discussion. and onThursdays: Theological Training – there are tutorials taking place 8.15am morning prayer regularly at St Peter‟s Vicarage – ordinand Sue Linford 10am Said Eucharist from the Bride Valley is now moving into her final year (as 12noon a prayer at midday Alison, with another tutor, moves into her second year) 5pm evening prayer but the Vicar would welcome anyone who would like to Tea/coffee served in the hall for the community 10.30am-1pm. „taste‟ the material or sample a tutorial session. Bible study, church history, doctrine but all with practical appli- Evensong cation and pastoral relevance go to make up the training all in the holistic context of our prayer life and spirituality. The Parish Evensong last month, when St Peter‟s Choir “Spirituality is theology walking” - Joan Chittester, The led the congregation in hymn singing and the evening of- Rule of Benedict fice, was well received and therefore the Church Council has agreed that this service should take place in future on For your prayers 5th Sundays of the month. The first one will be on 30th September at 6.30pm. Please keep in mind candidates and selectors for the post of Team Vicar St George‟s, Fordington. Interviews are th On Sunday 8 July members of the choir will help to lead scheduled for Friday 6th July. the singing at a Benefice Evensong at St Simon & St Jude Advance Notice: There will be a Benefice Eucharist at St Winterborne Monkton under the direction of Geoff Peter‟s 10am Sunday 15th July. Greenough. 5.30pm. All welcome. Team Curate, Paddy continues into his third year here Beyond Sundays... and will be looking possibilities for the future. In the Au- tumn and Spring he will take some chunks of time on On Tuesdays 12th, 19th, 26th June and 3rd, 10th and 17th placement in various contexts e.g. chaplaincy or other 1.30 – 3pm in the Church Hall, there will be a post-Lent types of parishes. It is good to know that he will be based course based on the film The King‟s Speech (thanks to back at St Peter‟s until then. Alison Whiting for finding the booklet for this). If you are interested in doing the course please contact Vicky Over the summer – welcome home to all who have been Thurtell (268767 or [email protected]) or look out away at university and best wishes to others currently tak- for sign up lists in church. ing GCSEs, A levels, finals and crucial exams.

Christian Education – there are study and prayer groups Singers (all parts) always welcome to the choir for the vaca- already existing across the Benefice and there is now a leaf- tion – please contact Alan Hallett 265315. 17

Recommissioning Day for LPAs at Salisbury Cathedral

The rain and wind swept across the After the service, we attended our chosen Workshops. Minna Close as five hundred Lay Pastoral As- Each session was numbered, each door labelled, each sistants from across the Salisbury Dio- room full, and each talker hand-picked and expert. We ate St Aubyn cese hurried in all directions on their our picnic lunches in the Cloisters, looking over the emer- way to Workshops at The Gate House, ald lawn and the rain dripping on carved stone. at Sarum College, in one of the Cathedral Chapels, or the Museum. We were there to be re-commissioned by Bishop Then one more Workshop and we all re-gathered in the Nicholas Holtam, fresh from St Martins-in-the-Fields. Cathedral to reaffirm our vows. Again, Bishop Nicholas officiated, with humour and encouragement. Those of us The first event was a service officiated by the Bishop, who from St Peter‟s: Vicky, Lauretta Kerridge, Sue Allen, Mau- welcomed us and preached a sermon so full of inspired reen Shaw, (her husband Gordon was our kind and expert ideas that I regret I cannot remember all of them. At one chauffeur), and myself, separated and met up and sepa- point he held up his Bishop‟s Crosier, explaining how rated again, joining other friends, attending different ses- sometimes we needed sions, coming to- to be led, sometimes gether for „fixes‟ of encouraged (at this coffee (see photo - point he prodded his Sue was probably Crosier towards the among the main congregation: (so not crowd at the cathe- just encouraged then, dral). but reprimanded as well!) The day was tightly structured and en- Bishop Nick made us grossing, and it was laugh, made us proud, a privilege to walk and made us reflect. He back and forth preached about the first through the Cathe- Lesson, when Jesus re- dral, through the appeared to His disci- queues and crowds, ples after His crucifix- as outreach mem- ion. They didn‟t recog- bers of the Ministry: nise Him until He semi officials. showed His wounded Lauretta, Vicky, Maureen and Minna, LPA Day Salisbury hands and feet, and Early in the day blessed the Bread and Wine. He reassured them, telling Lauretta and I were asked to be reserves as Servers at the them He was their friend and they were His friends; as He Rededication Service and, though nervous, we were in- is now our friend and we are His. credibly lucky to be taken into the Vestry for a preliminary briefing. Not much bigger than most Vestries, but, scat- Expanding this point, Bishop Nicholas encouraged us to tered around on walls and shelves, was an eclectic mix of talk to those we didn‟t know, and hadn‟t travelled with, to Cathedral treasures. A glorious, gorgeous, shiny silver be friendly to all. A timely piece of advice and for the rest cross, bigger than any I‟d seen, leant against a wall, and of the day we connected as a group rather than separate hanging above it, a raffia gift from Africa. The room was factions and the mood changed visibly. intimate and vaguely disordered and the clutter reminded me more of a domestic sitting room than a Diocesan Ves- try! Advance Notice — Quiet Retreat Day Unfazed by the appalling weather, we spent a day full of unity, advice, organisation, faith, friendship, humility and The Church Council met on 16th May for the first time surprise. I know I won‟t be the only one to have been in- since the AGM. One of the first things agreed was to have spired and strengthened and to return with new ideas for a Quiet Retreat Day at Hilfield Friary in September. There our role as LPA‟s. This is where children finish their essays will be 12-15 places available in addition to council mem- saying „And we all came home tired but happy!‟ Yes, we bers. If this interests you please ask the Churchwardens for did. further information. 18

St Andrew’s Church West Stafford

Dates Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

3rd June 10 am Parish Communion Across the nation communities large and small are hold- 3pm Songs of Praise for the ing events to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. In Queen’s Diamond Jubilee West Stafford there is a BBQ at the Wise Man and After- noon Tea at the Races in the Village Hall. 10th June 9 am Holy Communion 10 am Morning Prayer To complement these celebrations St Andrew’s Church is 16th June 10.30-12noon Coffee Morning holding a Diamond Jubilee Songs at The Old Rectory of Praise Service at 3pm on 3rd June. The hymns and readings 17th June 10 am Parish Communion chosen reflect the Queen’s faith- ful 60 years of service as our 24th June 9 am Holy Communion Monarch and also Defender of 10 am Come and Worship the faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England. 30th June 9.30am Working Party at the Church and in the Churchyard We shall sing with gusto the National Anthem and pray that she may continue ‘long to reign over us’. There will From the Registers be the opportunity to join in signing the Big Jubilee Thank You to the Queen after the service while enjoying tea and cakes. 6th May Marriage Giles Broadhead and Holly Mervik

EXERCISE FOR PEOPLE OVER 50 12th May Marriage Paul Cooke and

Hannah Hares Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you

have plenty of room at each side. Quinquennial Inspection With a 5-lb potato bag in each hand, extend your arms This five yearly report from the archi- straight out from your sides and hold them there as Jane tect reports what parts of the church long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then Culliford building need attention. While some relax. jobs need a professional to carry them out, there will be a working party on Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for th 30 June starting at 9.30am to clear weeds and debris just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to from around the drains and gullies outside the church. All 10-lb potato bags. welcome to put on old clothes and help. Refreshments provided. Then try 50-lb potato bags and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato bag in each Coffee Morning hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. (I'm at this level.) The Old Rectory, 16th June, 10.30-12noon by kind per- mission of Mrs Margaret Miller in aid of Church Funds. After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in Cake and Bring & Buy stalls. each bag.

CHURCHES TOGETHER Compiled by Val Potter 264416 DORCHESTER

The Diamond Jubilee Eco-Lunch

Prayer from Millie The churches’ eco-lunch will soon be here! Tickets are (from the prayer resources produced by Churches now available from church representatives for the meal in Together in Britain & Ireland) the United Church on 24th June. We have decided on a vegetarian meal as we are all urged to eat less meat so this Dear God, is an opportunity to see just how delicious non-meat Hmmm… dishes can be. Rabbi Neil Amswych, initiator of the Big as you know, the Queen, Elizabeth II has been on the Green Believers’ Agreement, will say why the environment throne for 60 years now. matters to people of all our major faiths and David Levi, We’re contacting you to tell you what we think when we recycling officer for West Dorset District Council, will give celebrate. practical advice. Last year’s event was full so make sure to We will be having a sort of a party- a festival to celebrate ask in your church for a ticket now. the on-the-throne anniversary. It’s a long time. Almost a record. And that will be cool. Out and About in June I wouldn’t fancy being Queen myself So I say thank-you for the job she does A Jubilee Celebration: The Bridport New Elizabethan And hope she finds rest at the end of the day when she Singers with a programme including Handel’s Coronation comes home. Anthems, Parry’s I was Glad, Walton’s Coronation Te My grandpa once tried on her crown when he was meant Deum St Mary’s Church, Bridport, 16 June, 7.30pm £10 to be guarding it. tel. 01305 264360 It was really heavy So I ask that you give her strength so she can carry what Music for a Summer Evening: Celebrating the joy of she needs to, thanks to you. singing: sacred, secular and Madrigals. Free concert by Amen. Dorchester Choral Society. Maiden Newton Village Hall 18 June, 8.00pm

Exhibition of Icons: Part of Purbeck Arts Week, Saturday 26 May-Sunday 10 June. St John the Baptist Church, Bere Regis: 11am-4pm daily (unless services are taking place). Exhibition includes icons by Jacky Botterill and the Olympicnic Archdeacon of Sarum, Alan Jeans. Contact Alan: 01722 336290, [email protected] Glorious sunshine, beautiful surroundings and a message of hope from Christian Aid: the Olympicnic in the Supporting Families affected by Borough Gardens made a great start to Christian Aid Week. Martin Nicholls sang some of his own songs, with Bereavement their unique blend of humour and impassioned plea for those in most need in our world. Visitor Jeanne Kamara What can we do or say to a child whose parent has died? A from Sierra Leone spoke movingly about how the country workshop from Weldmar Hospicecare Trust will include is striving to recover from the effects of the horrendous theory on child and adolescent response to death and civil war with the help of Christian Aid partners. Bishop practical ideas for supporting them. It is suitable for those Graham then led a short service and added stories of his working in schools, church pastoral teams, chaplains and own time in Kenya. With the town crier and the mayor health and social care staff. giving the readings and teams of volunteers helping with 20th June 9.15-16.00: Hammick House, Poundbury, children’s activities, it was an afternoon of life to be Dorchester. See www.weld-hospice.org.uk/education enjoyed, which is all that we want for our brothers and Cost: £90 including lunch and all course materials. sisters across the world. Contact 01305 269898

CHURCHES TOGETHER DORCHESTER

The Olympics and Homestay We still need a few more volunteer companions. If you are interested and are a good listener, please contact Alan There is still time to offer hospitality to families and Murray via the Baptist Church office at 01305 262045. coaches of Olympic athletes who want to stay in homes, You will need the endorsement of your minister, but even and perhaps can’t afford the inflated hotel prices. If you an hour or two a month would help with the rota. can offer a week of hospitality to 2 people in your home it would be a wonderful practical way to take part in the Retreat Day Games. Hosts living alone would be matched with appropriate visitors. Dorchester homes would be welcome The next retreat day is on Tuesday 19th June and is an as the Weymouth is being asked to take visitors Away day at Holme Priory at the invitation of Hilary participating in their own ‘Refresh’ Festival programme. Bond. For more details contact Roy Bennett on 01305 All that is expected is to collect guests from Weymouth on 849144 or [email protected] their arrival, to give bed and breakfast daily and signpost them to the nearest public transport to Weymouth. Money, the Economy and Faith Contact me on 01305 264416 for more details. Registering is via the More than Gold churches’ Olympic Fascinating one-day course exploring finance from two website http://staywimi.com/morethangold faith perspectives, Muslim and Christian. Tutors Tarek El Diwany and Peter Selby will show that the 2008 financial The Quiet Space crisis is rooted in a deep failure to understand the rightful creation and use of money in the economy. Open to all - Look out for the new publicity leaflet to give to summer no specialist financial or theological knowledge required. visitors and to anyone asking about the Quiet Space. The You are invited to share in a conversation that is at once Quilters are making good progress on the wall hanging personal, economic, practical and spiritual. and are taking photos for a fascinating illustrated diary. Sarum College, Salisbury, Thursday, 14 Jun 2012, We are all very grateful to Geoffrey Turnock for producing 10:00AM - 4:00PM. Price: £45 (including lunch and wonderful wood carvings which were sold to add to the refreshments). Contact Alison Ogden funds. [email protected] / 01722 424800

CHURCHES TOGETHER DORCHESTER

Dorchester Churches Together Ecology Group

‘Strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and renew Information on packaging can be informative but maybe and sustain the life of the earth’ misleading. The lids of 500g Co-op yoghurt state ‘please (from the Five Marks of Mission) recycle me’. They are made of PET which is like the material of the transparent bottles for water. Similarly the inner Applying the 3 R’s to the use of Plastic bag of Shreddies states it is made of HDPE which is the Reduce same as the material of plastic milk bottles. But please do Awareness about reducing the use of plastic is increasing. not put either of these in with the bottles. Many similar Cloth bags are evident around the town but it is still quite lids and bags are not made of recyclable plastic and in hard to go shopping and come back without even one Dorset the plastic bottles are visually checked. If there is plastic bag. Using the market stalls means less plastic more than 5% contamination with other things the whole packaging as they use paper bags as well. lot is sent to landfill. However on a plastic Co-op potato bag it says ‘recycle with Reuse carrier bags at larger stores, not at kerbside’. Tesco has a Another way to reduce the need for plastic manufacture is collection point for carrier bags. reusing containers by refilling them. In this area there are various places to go for Ecover products like washing liq- You can find out about the different types of plastic at uid and washing up liquid: Down to Earth, Princes Street; www.recycle-more.co.uk. However, the only plastic recy- Olives et al in the Potting Shed, Poundbury Garden Cen- cled in Dorset is plastic bottles. We can only continue to tre; Green Valley Farm Shop, Godmanstone. do what is possible in this area. Recycle West Dorset web site: www.dorsetforyou.com. For infor- Plastic bottles are collected at Household recycling centres mation about manufacturers reducing packaging: and Bring sites. Other plastic packaging, like yoghurt pots www.wrap.org.uk. or film, is not recycled in Dorset at present. Mary Foskett

WENDY SOUTHAM LWCMD, ALWCMD Singing, Flute, and Piano Teacher 20+ years experience Help with aural and theory also available

11 Cedar Road Charlton Down Dorchester

01305 266283 / 07811 417820 [email protected]

Bookworm

An observer of human nature

I was disappointed with this biography of lic in highly theatrical readings based on his novels. He Jean Dickens. But when I worked out why I died aged 58. found that it was not the biography that Lang was disappointing but Charles Dickens Dickens’ public life, once he was established, was enor- himself. mously successful. Wherever he went, towns and cities gave public dinners for him, and friends joined to cheer Dickens was born in 1812. His father John Dickens had a him on his way overseas and met to celebrate his return. steady job at the Naval Pay office in Portsmouth. How- He could be very generous, supporting good works with ever, he had a taste for living above his income, and the money and time, giving long term help to the widows and first years of Dickens’ life were ones of sudden moves to orphans of friends and pursuing social causes vigorously smaller and cheaper accommodation - first in Ports- in his newspaper articles. It is his private life which shows mouth, then in London and then Rochester. Although him as mean-spirited and at times cruel. Early on he de- John Dickens’ income rose past £350 (in those days a very cided that his marriage had been a mistake, and having substantial sum), he continued to accumulate debts, and made that decision he did nothing to try to work at the in 1824 was imprisoned in Marshalsea prison for debt. relationship beyond the procreation of 10 children over Charles was taken out of school and went to work in a 15 years. He steadily and deliberately marginalised Cath- blacking factory. The experience had a profound effect on erine. In October 1857 he instructed Catherine’s maid to him: it humiliated him, and gave him a determination to erect a partition in their bedroom separating it in two. He overcome any odds and an underlying ruthlessness, which humiliated her at every turn, insisting she called on the showed itself later in the treatment of his wife and sons. family of his mistress Nelly Ternan, telling friends that the children did not love their mother, and giving Catherine After a year, when he was 13, the family circumstances no option but to leave their home at Gads Hill and return improved and Charles went back to school. On leaving to live with her mother. She wrote: “One day, though not two years later he became first a clerk in a law firm in now, I may be able to tell you how hardly I have been Grays Inn and then a reporter in the Doctors Commons. used.” From there he moved to Parliamentary reporting and fi- nally entered an employed post at 5 guineas a week at the Claire Tomalin is a professional biographer, who has writ- Morning Chronicle. All the time he was observing people, ten acclaimed biographies of Pepys, of Jane Austin and of making notes and writing. In 1835 he met his wife-to-be, Thomas Hardy, and she handles the twists and turns of Catherine Hogarth, and married her the following year. Dickens’ life with assurance. However for me Dickens’ Pickwick Papers was written and published in serial form cruelty to his wife leaves such an unpleasant taste that it and Dickens’ successful writing career was assured. From lessened my overall enjoyment of the book. then to his death he published novels, short stories and journalistic articles; published and edited magazines; trav- Claire Tomalin elled extensively in the United States and France; and terrified, enchanted and tore the heart strings of his pub- Charles Dickens—A Life

Editor’s Comment

Rarely if ever do I think Queen Elizabeth II and I will be thinking the same, but on 2nd of June we just might. Where did the last 60 years disappear to so fast? Her years no doubt busier than mine but I hope they were as good. I think I was lucky to have been a child then. My father was strict - we always had to stand up when the National Anthem was played, we spoke when spoken to and of course were naughty but knew there would be trouble like a smack and bed. Our family was also full of love, and this taught us respect not just for each other and our parents but all adults . How one longs for those days. Now “parenting classes” are piloted, but nothing can match the strong ex- tended family structure of my childhood.