The Parish LANTERN

The magazine for with St Allen, Zelah, Allet and Shortlanesend

June - July 2020

Church Directory

Vicar: Rev Chris Parsons 01872 263015 (day off Friday) email: [email protected] Ordained Local Minister (retired): Rev Bob Humphries 01872 862827 email: [email protected] Reader: Tess Dean: 01872 279794 email: [email protected] Worship Leader: John Dean: 01872 279794

Churchwardens: Kenwyn: Sally Searle: 01872 859170 Martin Wright: 01872 222264 email: [email protected] St Allen: Adrian Hare: 01872 540307 David Burgess: 01872 263935

Parish administrator and PCC Secretary: Helen Perry: 01872 277117 email: [email protected]

Bell ringing: Norman: 01872 242569 Choir and organist: Angela Gilbert: 01872 277725 email: [email protected] Mothers’ Union: Tess Dean: 01872 279794 email: [email protected] Wednesday Fellowship: Jean: 01872 271658 Flower arrangers: Val: 01872 222037 To hire the Lychgate room please contact Helen Perry: 01872 277117 email: [email protected] Parish Magazine editor: Jenny King: 01872 225661 email: [email protected]

Please submit items for the August/September 2020 magazine by July 15th thank you

From the Vicarage

There has been much activity in our garden of late, with several different kinds of birds on our feeders, not to mention the squirrels! Sometimes we have had as many as five at a time chasing round the garden. I have failed completely to stop them from getting at the bird food, especially peanuts and fat balls. Grease on the pole from which the feeders hang didn’t stop them for long, nor did all other kinds of deterrents tied to the pole – in fact it helped them! However, I think I may have cracked it at last by hanging the fat balls on a very thin branch of a tree which will not take their weight, but even then I wouldn’t be surprised if they find their way around this in the end! I can see their brains ticking over as they eye it up from the ground. Having become so fearless, they come right up to the French doors and don’t attempt to move when I approach the bird feeders. Shouting or clapping has little effect.

The activity in our garden has been a welcome distraction from the 24 hour news coverage of the Coronavirus pandemic and I’m sure there will be many who welcome some lifting of the restrictions on our daily lives, even though of course, great care still has to be taken. Our prayers go out to those frontline staff and key workers who have continued to work and to those now returning to work and to their families and friends. Also, to those who have lost a loved one in recent weeks especially, in such difficult times. We think as well of those who have been unable to see members of their families.

We can’t know with any certainty how long it will be before our lives can return to some greater degree of normality, but if we believe, we know we have Jesus walking alongside us, no matter how difficult life might be. He is the one constant in our lives, despite how uncertain life around us may seem.

Our churches may be closed at the moment, but it has been encouraging to see how nationally, large numbers of people are following services on-line, many of whom don’t normally attend church services. People connecting with God and the Christian faith. Although we look forward to when the church buildings open again, let’s remember that the church is actually the people, the body of believers. And we can join one another in prayer from our homes or even use platforms such as Zoom to have bible study and prayer together. If nothing else, I am learning fast how to make greater use of technology!

By the time I write again, the church buildings may be open, even if we have to practice social distancing. Until then my prayers and blessings go out to you all.

Chris Parsons

A poem - The NHS army

I’ll tell you a tale, that’s been recently written, Of a powerful army, so Great it saved Britain, They didn’t have bombs and they didn’t have planes, They fought with their hearts and they fought with their brains, They didn’t have bullets, armed just with a mask, We sent them to war, with one simple task, To show us the way, to lead and inspire us, To protect us from harm and fight off the virus, It couldn’t be stopped by our bulletproof vests, An invisible enemy, invaded our chests, So we called on our weapon, our soldiers in Blue, “All Doctors, All Nurses, Your Country needs you” We clapped on our streets, hearts bursting with pride, As they went off to war, while we stayed inside, They struggled at first, as they searched for supplies, But they stared down the virus, in the whites of its eyes, They leaped from the trenches and didn’t think twice, Some never came back, the ultimate price, So tired, so weary, yet still they fought on, As the virus was beaten and the battle was won, The many of us, owe so much, to so few, The brave and the bold, our heroes in Blue, So let’s line the streets and remember our debt , We love you, our heroes, Lest we forget.

By Matthew Kelly

Coronavirus...... What is currently available? There are a range of Christian resources already available:

• The BBC's Daily Service and Sunday Worship - radio and television stations are broadcasting programmes regularly

• Prayer for the day- each day the Church of publishes audio and text of the Prayer for the Day.

• Live streaming services - users can watch live streams of services from a range of churches see AchurchNearYou.com

Quiet afternoons with cream tea

A series on mysticism

Enjoy a series of quiet afternoons exploring the lives and example of three mystics. Each afternoon will include a short talk, quiet space for personal reflection and a cream tea.

Friday 12th June: St Teresa

Led by Revd Tess Lowe

Friday 17th July: St John of the Cross

Led by Daphne Atkinson

Arrive at 1.45 for 2pm start. Finish around 4.30pm. Cost: £7 per afternoon. To book, email [email protected] or tel. 01872 272249.

Please phone ahead to make sure that all these events are still being held. Thank you

Dates for your diary

Please phone ahead to check that these events are going to be held

Gardening Now is the time to start enjoying the results of all your earlier work. Bedding, hanging baskets and tubs can all be safely put out now as chances of frost are slim. The largest concern for these plants is the watering. Keep the moisture level up in the pots and make sure you avoid getting water on the leaves, it can reflect the suns rays and cause scorching on the leaves, even the stem in some cases. I’m a big believer in collecting and using rainwater as it is better for the plants, there is no chlorine in and of course it’s free. I always have a water butt somewhere in my garden and with a cheap connection kit, fitting them to a down pipe is easy. Some of your delicate house plants will do a lot better with rain water, especially the carnivorous type, natural rain water is really the only way.

The rainfall over the winter making areas boggy and after the dry April the newly seeded lawn areas are struggling. Through April I really struggled to get some of my large seeded areas to germinate, there was just not enough rain and when we did have the odd shower the drying wind would soon dry the surface up. May has also been particularly difficult, with more weeks of dry weather. what germinates now will just have to be irrigated until established.

Unfortunately, with the current situation the bedding in has taken a knock. We will still have displays in Truro but somewhat reduced. However, this does give us a chance to do things we haven’t tried before. Tregolls road has all been sown with wildflower seed mixes and should they germinate will provide a stunning display as you drive into the city. Wildflower mixes are of course stunning and easy to do, but as with the grass seed, need a careful eye casting on them when it comes to moisture. The wildflower was sown in early May ( I would have preferred to have done this earlier in April but time did not allow) just before a few days of rain. However, after this the weather changed and the top level of the ground started to dry down to about an inch. The new seedlings have small roots of only a few millimetres, so irrigation has had to be put into place. We’re trying our best and all being well our work on this will pay off.

Truro will also have basket displays this year. Again, things are on a smaller scale but will look just as colourful as usual, I’m sure.

A home a project for me is standard Fuchsias. I have taken cuttings that have now rooted and the plant has started to grow up. The secret for quick upright growth is to take out the side shoots and leave the leaves on the stem, under no circumstances pinch out the top bud, this will stop the upright growth and make your Fuchsia bush out. You only take the top shoot out when your Fuchsia has reached the height you want it to be.

Also remove flower buds, to give the plant more energy for growth.

The cuttings have now been staked and gently tied (not too tight) If you pinch the stem you will ruin the standard. I will also be keeping an eye on the roots as I don’t want my standard to get root bound. When there is good root establishment I will be potting them on.

I am looking to grow mine about three to four feet, I have seen them around six foot before but four will be quite enough for me. If anyone out there manages to get a ten footer let me know…

Summer is also a good time to get on with those landscaping jobs you might have wanted to do. I know I will be re-doing a few things in the garden at my house. Any block work or concreting can be done in the drier weather, but cover it over on really hot days, cement drying out too quickly can crack. I will be re-pointing my patio as some over keen jet washing in spring removed the last lot. If you do decide to plant any shrubs you might have bought, make sure that you don’t let them dry out over the summer. Keep an eye on them and in the late autumn mulch around them. Next year they will be a lot more established. Most of all this month enjoy using the garden, have a barbeque or maybe a hog roast. If it’s the latter give me a call, I’ll be around at a social distance of course! I love to sit and read when I have time and there is nothing better than doing this in the fresh air, with perhaps a small Merlot. Enjoy your gardening. Liam Shoesmith

Out of the mouths of.....

A mischievous boy was asked by his mother. “How do you expect to get into heaven?”. He thought for a moment and said. “Well, I shall run in and out and keep slamming the door until they say 'for goodness sake come in or stay out', and then I'll go in”.

Being a parent

Being a parent during Lockdown is not easy, but having time to be with our children every day and all day has obvious advantages. Even being Prime Minister pales to insignificance beside the job of being a parent. My husband used to say that getting married is easy but having children is ….. “Wow! mind-blowing!” It changes your house, how much energy you have, your bank balance, how you spend your time. It even takes away a lot of your personal privacy.

We don’t get any training for being a parent so we often have to fall back on what our parents did and we treat our children in the way our parents treated us. We may want to do things differently and not always be able to carry that out. Feeling guilty about what we see as our failure is not really very helpful at all. Being kind to ourselves and accepting that we are ‘Good Enough Parents’ is a positive way forward.

All too often we are expected to be ‘perfect parents’ by our friends, family and even by some teachers and doctors and we are pressured into believing that we have to make our baby’s life wholly perfect. We can’t do everything for our children all the time as they need to gradually grow into making their own decisions. Even something simple like letting them choose what to wear gives them some control over their lives.

As children get older, if we do everything, (eg always picking up their clothes and toys)… it stops them learning to do things for themselves…..and leaves us exhausted! Children need to

express their feelings so if a child cries when they get a little bump, rather than saying “You’re okay it’s not that bad” it’s probably best to say “Ouch that must have hurt you”. If you do this they will learn that you respect their feelings.

It is hard ….. but we need to find time for ourselves and care about ourselves as much as we do for our children. So think about taking time to do something you enjoy whether it is exercise, listening to music, reading or just enjoying a quiet cup of tea! Remember being a parent is a very difficult job so you deserve a few minutes ‘out’. After all Jesus said, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. Yes, God wants us to love ourselves as it helps us to love others.

Granny Kenwyn

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FOR SALE

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Cost new is £1,237. Offers invited please. Proceeds to Kenwyn Church and Parkinson's.

Contact 01872 241513 or 07443945643

Bible Quiz

1. What is the last word in the Old Testament? 2. By which previous name was Paul of Tarsus known? 3. Whose wife was turned into a pillar of salt when she looked back? 4. In the bible, who is said to have lived on a diet of locusts and wild honey? 5. How many years did Noah live for after the flood? 6. There are only three angels named in the bible, Michael and Lucifer are two, name the other? 7. The book of Esther is unique because it does not mention which word? 8. The Bible was written in three languages - Hebrew, Koine Greek and which other language? 9. Who made the first translation of the Bible into English in 1382? 10. Name the longest book of the Bible with 150 chapters? 11. In what city was Jesus born? 12. Who took the place of Judas in the twelve disciples? 13. Who was the older brother of Moses? 14. What kind of wood was Noah's ark built from? 15. Who, following Moses' death, became the leader of the children of Israel?

Answers on later page

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Click on chatterpack.net https://chatterpack.net/ St. John the Baptist is important in Christian tradition as the forerunner of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. (Remembered 24th June)

The two ancient sources that speak of John are the Gospels and the Antiquities of the Jewish historian Josephus Flavius. John was the son of the priest Zachariah and of Elizabeth, and the cousin of Mary, the mother of Jesus. He was born in Palestinian hill country about 4 B.C. Little is known of his early years. The Gospels state that his birth and name were foretold by God to his father and that his conception was miraculous because his mother, Elizabeth, was beyond childbearing age. He spent his early years "in the desert," according to the Gospel; this phrase is almost a technical term in Qumran literature for the place where the Jewish sectaries lived together near the Dead Sea. As an adult, John appeared on the banks of the river Jordan sometime during the reign of Herod Antipas (ca. 21 B.C.-A.D. 39). Since Jesus was put to death sometime between A.D. 29 and 31, and since he and John met at the beginning of Jesus' public life, it can be assumed that John started his own public ministry sometime in the mid-20s of the 1st century A.D. According to the sources, John was a reforming zealot. He preached an imminent catastrophe of divine punishment; he castigated hypocrisy, demanded repentance, and announced the imminent coming of the Messiah. Many of the elements of John's doctrine resemble some teachings of the Qumran sectaries as noted in the Dead Sea Scrolls, particularly his anti- establishment attitude, his insistence on imminent divine punishment for sinners, and his preaching of a kingdom of God that would soon be established. John furthermore insisted that all who repented of their sins should come to him and go through a rite of washing or baptizing; hence he was called the Baptist. Two major events marked John's career. First was the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34). Jesus came and, being baptized by John, was recognized by him as the son of God. The second event concerned king Herod, who had dismissed his first wife, the daughter of King Aretas, and had married Herodias, the wife of his brother. John denounced this act. Herod, fearing that John's preaching might provoke retributive action by Aretas, imprisoned John in the fortress of Machaerus. The Gospels relate that Herodias, wounded in her pride, prevailed on Herod through the charms of her daughter, Salome, to have John beheaded. He died sometime between A.D. 26 and 31.

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It's All in the Name (with apologies to Richard Osman's House of Games'!)

All the answers are to be found within the name SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

1. drainage 2. smear with oil 3. an unreasonable fear of something 4. truthful and moral 5. strong emotion 6. loudest 7. written work written for degree 8. building with special equipment; television channel 9. refusal 10. a believer in God 11. showing favouritism 12. horizontal beam 13. hurry; rush 14. obvious 15. people of one race 16. formal request 17. cylindrical part of an engine 18. musical instrument 19. and another musical instrument 20. something used to control those who play the above!

Answers in the next magazine! Truro Diocesan Mothers’ Union

“Together in Prayer”

A Thanksgiving prayer God of all blessings, source of all life, giver of all grace:

We thank you for the gift of life: for the breath that sustains life, for the food of this earth that nurtures life, for the love of family and friends without which there would be no life.

We thank you for the mystery of creation: for the beauty that the eye can see, for the joy that the ear may hear, for the unknown that we cannot behold filling the universe with wonder, for the expanse of space that draws us beyond the definitions of ourselves.

We thank you for setting us in communities: for families who nurture our becoming, for friends who love us by choice, for companions at work, who share our burdens and daily tasks, for strangers who welcome us into their midst, for people from other lands who call us to grow in understanding, for children who lighten our moments with delight, for the unborn, who offer us hope for the future.

We thank you for this day: for life and one more day to love, for opportunity and one more day to work for justice and peace, for neighbours and one more person to love and by whom be loved, for your grace and one more experience of your presence, for your promise to be with us, to be our God, and to give salvation.

For these, and all blessings, we give you thanks, eternal, loving God, through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

A prayer for the Mothers’ Union Lord, we give thanks for all that the Mothers’ Union has done in your name. At this challenging time, we pray for its future worldwide that it may be enabled to continue, with hope and confidence, to serve you Lord and show your love now and into the future. We pray for all members that you will be with them in every part of their lives, encouraging and leading them, sheltering and strengthening them, bringing healing to the sick, peace to the anxious and comfort to the bereaved.

In our Wave of Prayer today, we pray for the people and work of:……... (please refer to Families Worldwide each week.)

Loving Lord, we thank you for your love so freely given to us all. We pray for families around the world. Bless the work of the Mothers' Union as we seek to share your love through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life. Empowered by your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship, and in love and service reach out as your hands across the world. In Jesus' name, Amen

A prayer for these times

Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. A prayer for ourselves Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples, I am with you always, even to the end of time. Be with me today Lord, as I offer myself to you. Hear my prayers for others and for myself, and keep me in your tender loving care always, Amen.

Reflection - May 2020

Greetings my dear friends, I hope you are keeping safe and well as we continue to live our lives in a different way. Like you I am confined to my home, but I am taking comfort from what nature has to offer as I look out at what is blossoming in my garden. Hopefully by the time you receive this you too will be able to enjoy the diversity of God’s creation. I am always amazed to see new buds and flowers spring from such dead looking branches. Speaking of branches reminds me of the live branch the dove brought back to the ark after Noah sent it out to search for dry land. The story of Noah (Genesis 6 and following) was brought to my attention by one of the members of our Central Trustee Board, who reminded us that Noah was on board the ark without windows, for 40 days. I would therefore like us to give thanks to our heavenly Father for the fact that we can at least see out into his world. As well as through prayer, the way I like to give thanks is using hymns or worship songs. Perhaps you might feel like joining me, in which ever way you find best. Many are suffering in these dark days whether through illness or not being able to work. This includes members in the branches as well as those at Mary Sumner House, now closed, as those who normally work there carry on with their work from home. I know our Worldwide President is very concerned about the affect this pandemic is having on the work of MU. Please can I ask you to join me in prayer for the furtherance of our work, for all our members who are affected because they are sick, unable to work or worried about a loved one or family member. We all now have the time to rest in God’s love to ‘Be still and know that I am God’ to: - Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 Love Jenny Zone K (Wales) Trustee May God who clothes the lilies and feeds the birds of the sky, who leads the lamb to pasture and the deer to water, who multiplied loaves and fishes and changed water into wine, lead us and feed us, and change us to reflect the glory of our creator now and through all eternity; May He bless us and keep us in his care. Amen ______

Bible Quiz Answers: 1. Curse 2. Saul 3. Lot's 4. John the Baptist 5. 350 years 6. Gabriel 7. The word 'God' 8. Aramaic 9. John Wycliffe 10. Psalms 11. Bethlehem 12. Matthias 13. Aaron 14. Gopher wood 15. Joshua

The Night Truro was attacked....

It was a warm, sunny evening on Thursday, August 6, 1942, when the unspeakable happened.

Three Nazi air raids took place in Truro city centre, dropping two 500kg bombs, indiscriminately killing children, their parents and the elderly. As well as the dead, more than 65 were injured and more than 100 houses were damaged.

German planes shot at Truro railway station with machine guns and bombs were dropped on the old Royal Infirmary Hospital, destroying the south wing, and on Agar Road.

The first hint of trouble from the air was a vague report at around 7.31pm that two German planes had been spotted near St Issey, coming in low and very fast down the Camel Estuary.

There was no radar plot, no warning or any assessment of where the enemy planes had come from or were heading. Then at 7.33pm there was a firm report that two German intruders had been seen flying fast and low near Grampound Road and at 7.34pm a woman spotted them at Shortlanesend, three miles north of Truro.

While the aircraft had been spotted, there was no warning given when the train station was attacked.

Flying over the Highertown area, the FW190 aircraft came in from the west with the sun behind them and attacked Truro railway station, strafing the area with machine gun and cannon fire. One man recalled that he saw the enemy plane swoop down, shooting at the waiting room, where a postman was killed and a number of women injured.

Speaking to the BBC in 2005, Connie Beer remembered: "I was coming home from night school in Lemon Street and as I got opposite the railway station a German plane came over the roof of the station machine gunning. A man pushed me and some young boys up against the wall to protect us.”

(Taken from Cornwall Live)

Read more by clicking on the link below: https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/history/night-truro-attacked-nazis-many- 1852985?fbclid=IwAR0l_6Sd5PZeRfXiYL0sY8IYMR5qdDWSOOnh6qDL9 4iFtBobER4rTJJ18ZE

Here are the hands.....a poem about the NHS

These are the hands That touch us first Feel your head Find the pulse And make your bed.

These are the hands That tap your back Test the skin Hold your arm Wheel the bin Change the bulb Fix the drip Pour the jug Replace your hip.

These are the hands That fill the bath Mop the floor Flick the switch Soothe the sore Burn the swabs Give us a jab Throw out sharps Design the lab.

And these are the hands That stop the leaks Empty the pan Wipe the pipes Carry the can Clamp the veins Make the cast Log the dose And touch us last.

By Michael Rozen

Following discussion and decisions made by the House of Bishops ,a phased approach was agreed to the lifting of restrictions as infection levels improve, in parallel with the Government’s approach.

The bishops agreed to a phased approach: o Phase one: an initial, immediate, phase allowing very limited access to church buildings for activities such as streaming of services or private prayer by clergy in their own parishes, so long as the necessary hygiene and social distancing precautions are taken o Phase two: access for some rites and ceremonies when allowed by law, observing appropriate physical distancing and hygiene precautions o Phase three: Worship services with limited congregations meeting, when Government restrictions are eased to allow this

In coming to their decision, the bishops recognised that there have been some welcome signs of improvement in the current situation, including a reduction in new cases and hospital admissions - giving evidence for hope.

The C of E have issued guidance etc. regarding funerals: https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/funerals/funeral-and- bereavement-resources-ministers

SHORTLANESEND METHODIST CHURCH

The SLE Methodist Facebook page is still operating and has all sorts of interesting information on it, including a daily Bible reading and prayer provided by the Revd.Steve Wild, Chairman of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Methodist District. Services are also being streamed from Truro Methodist Church (to an empty Church). There are two Services. One at 9:22 and the other at 11:00. The former is a more modern style and the latter a traditional style. Details can be found at www.truromethodist.org.uk

May we also commend the BBC Cornwall Sunday Service at 8.00 and the BBC1 Sunday Worship at 10.45am.

If anyone has a prayer request then please put it on our facebook page or slip it on a piece of paper under the Chapel door. The Chapel is regularly checked.

For anyone who is unable to physically attend a funeral at the present time, the Methodist Church has produced a 'Home' Funeral Service.

FIND US AT www.facebook.com/shortlanesendmethodist

Jennie Thomas - Church Steward 01872 240774

I have a copy of the short service which I can email to anyone Editor

WEATHER NOTES

Below is my weather data summary for March and April.

2020 March April Minimum temperature* 4.63°C 40.3°F 6.2°C 43.2°F Maximum temperature* 11.65°C 53°F 16.3°C 61.3°F Monthly temperature* 8.14°C 46.7°F 11.25°C 52.3°F Minimum humidity* 67.06% 59.9% Maximum humidity* 92.65% 94.03% Monthly humidity* 79.85% 76.97% Minimum pressure* 1012.9 millibars 1012.7 millibars Maximum pressure* 1020 millibars 1018.5 millibars Monthly pressure* 1016.4 millibars 1015.6 millibars Rainfall 71.4 mm 2 4/5” 27.4 mm 1” Monthly wind gust* 18.61 mph 14.33 mph

* Average for month.

Many people have remarked on the irony that the introduction of the lockdown due the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with the end of a long wet spell and just when many people were having to isolate at home we had the finest weather. Certainly nationally, figures from the Met Office show that April was the sunniest since records began in 1929 and this was reflected by the two relatively dry months.

Locally, it was the driest March and April since 2015 and 2017 respectively. April was the warmest since 2011. Treknow, near , had a minimum of 13.6°C (56.5°F) and a maximum of 26.0°C (78.8°F) on the 10th April, both the highest temperatures of the month for the whole of the UK.

My (Hendra, Truro) and other observers’ records can be viewed at https://wow.metoffice.gov.uk/ Chris Wells

DINGBATS

Each picture indicates a well known phrase

....answers on later page

St Alban (remembered on 22nd June)

Alban lived in Roman Britain, but little is known about his religious affiliations, status, or citizenship. According to the most elaborate version of the tale found in Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People, in the 3rd or 4th century (although this is controversial), Christians began to suffer "cruel persecution", and Alban was living in Verulamium (later to be renamed St Albans). However, Gildas says he crossed the Thames before his martyrdom, so some authors place his residence and martyrdom in or near London. Both agree that Alban met a Christian priest fleeing from persecutors and sheltered him in his house for a number of days. The priest, who later came to be called Amphibalus, meaning "cloak" in Latin, prayed and "kept watch" day and night, and Alban was so impressed with the priest's faith and piety that he found himself emulating him and soon converted to Christianity. Eventually, it came to the ears of an unnamed "impious prince" that Alban was sheltering the priest. The prince gave orders for Roman soldiers to make a strict search of Alban's house. As they came to seize the priest, Alban put on the priest's cloak and clothing and presented himself to the soldiers in place of his guest.

Alban was brought before a judge, who just then happened to be standing at the altar, offering sacrifices to "devils" (Bede's reference to pagan gods). When the judge heard that Alban had offered himself up in place of the priest, he became enraged that Alban would shelter a person who "despised and blasphemed the gods," and, as Alban had given himself up in the Christian's place, Alban was sentenced to endure all the punishments that were to be inflicted upon the priest, unless he would comply with the pagan rites of their religion. Alban refused, and declared, "I worship and adore the true and living God who created all things." (The words are still used in prayer at St Alban's Abbey). The enraged judge ordered Alban to be scourged, thinking that a whipping would shake the constancy of his heart, but Alban bore these torments patiently and joyfully. When the judge realized that the tortures would not shake his faith, he gave orders for Alban to be beheaded.

Alban was led to execution, where he came to a fast-flowing river that could not be crossed (believed to be the River Ver). There was a bridge, but a mob of curious townspeople who wished to watch the execution had so clogged the bridge that the execution party could not cross. Filled with an ardent desire to arrive quickly at martyrdom, Alban raised his eyes to heaven, and the river dried up, allowing Alban and his captors to cross over on dry land. The astonished executioner cast down his sword and fell at Alban's feet, and prayed that he might either suffer with Alban or be executed for him.

The other executioners hesitated to pick up his sword, and meanwhile, they all moved on to a gently sloping hill, completely covered with all kinds of wild flowers, and overlooking a beautiful plain (Bede observes that it was a fittingly beautiful place to be enriched and sanctified by a martyr's blood). When Alban reached the summit of the hill, he began to thirst and prayed God would give him water. A spring immediately sprang up at his feet. It was there that his head was struck off, as well as the head of the first Roman soldier who was miraculously converted and refused to execute him.

Face Mask pattern

7-8 inches depth 6-7 inches cut in for ties; cut across width of snip across end seam as in T shirt diagram

My New Doll’s House

I’m sure you remember that I was given a generous leaving gift, for my years as Kenwyn Parish Children and Families Worker, and I mentioned when I received it that I would use it to buy another doll’s house. Well readers, that is what I did – fortunately there was a sale on my usual dolls house online shop so I bought a rather superior and solidly made flat pack Tudor style house at a very good price. This doll’s house “obsession” started when I renovated a kind gift, from one of our families, which is still in the children’s area. After my mum died I remembered that as children we had played with a lovely house that had been my mum’s and aunties, and had passed down through the cousins and then their children, so I asked around and found one of my cousins had it stored away so I collected it from her cupboard. It was a labour of love to restore it - going right back to the first wallpapers. I kept scraps of all the different papers I found and used them to decorate a wooden screen that lives in the house’s Master bedroom. I re-papered and carpeted rooms, washed and mended the blankets my mum had knitted and repaired anything that had seen better days. It was lovely to remember playing with all the bits and bobs in the house during my and my brother’s childhood. It was also good to restore something that my mum had decorated all those years ago and it was a part of my healing, and that of the rest of my family, after my mum died so suddenly. After that project was completed I decided it would be good to decorate a house from scratch – so I bought Rose Cottage which became my “posh” house with lovely period details and fittings – including miniature William Morris wallpaper! Since then I have renovated two pre-loved houses but fancied having another new house to decorate from scratch and that opportunity came when I was given my leaving gift. This purchase has been a Godsend as it has provided me with a project to complete over these difficult weeks keeping me occupied and happy. Fortunately I could still get furniture and accessories from my online shop and I have used wallpaper and fabric I had already sourced in the hope of a new house to decorate in the future!

Decorating doll’s houses is a lovely hobby as it combines interior design and craft projects. You can’t change your home décor that often but you have a free hand in your miniature world! Personally I like to make most of the soft furnishings and I also weave the rugs on a small cardboard loom. I have just learnt how to needle felt so am going to make the children’s blankets from felt. I have also tried paint effects on the master bedroom furniture that I hadn’t done before. This house is nearly finished although as we know from our own homes there is always something to add or change, and of course when this house is “complete” Rose Cottage will need some tender loving care so the fun continues!

Tess Dean

Local Government News

With all the services still in “lockdown” situation but now trying to partially come out following the recent Prime Ministers statement, the Council work is still trying to carry on. Life is really business by telephone, email, or online meetings through Skype or Team Talk. As an elected member we are all being offered training and encouraged to extend our knowledge of technology in various forms to take part in what will ultimately lead to Council Committees being conducted remotely. What makes this difficult is when Council Planning Officers need to visit a site to study how the proposed application plans fit on a suggested site. This, without a detailed site visit, can make planning difficult for both the professional Officer, the local Parish Council and the local elected member. With many of our social opportunities closed e.g. our churches; it is difficult to obtain the concerns and opinions of locals. However, the work must go on, and although he has since resigned his Cabinet Post holding, the Planning Portal for the Council, Cllr Bob Eggerton purchased on behalf of the Council a site of approx. 100 acres of Langarth Farm with planning permission to build houses on it at a cost of £36 million which we as taxpayers will be paying for. However, this omitted all the other landowners in the whole scheme. If I had had an opportunity to vote, which I did not, I would not have supported this proposal because there is not, as this article is being written, any fixed plans for drainage whether foul or surface water for the whole area or the so called Northern Relief road (N.A.R.). The Planners would like to end this road at the Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske )close to the current Helicopter landing pad but the C.A A (Civil Aviation Authority) are not happy with that proposal and are requesting a change of site but the Health Authority are demanding that any helicopter landing a patient, must be within 5 minutes road travel from Helicopter to RCH Emergency Dept.

With all the extra expenditure the Council is facing through the Coronavirus pandemic my concerns are also financial in that £36 million is an awful lot of money to spend wherever it may come from in these challenging economic times. For instance the Tamar Crossing where the fees have been abandoned means that the Bridge will run out of money by the end of June 2020! Sorry this article is not positive as one would like, but may I say that the most important thing is to Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save lives. May you all be able to do just that and stay healthy. Till we meet again Yours with kind regards.

P.S If you think that I can be of any help. Please do not hesitate to get in touch: Home 01872 273329, Mobile 07962 217 665 or by email [email protected]

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Answers to Dingbats 1. All roads lead to Rome 2. The green mile 3. A big fish in a small pond 4. The magic circle 5. Half mast 6. Gross incompetence 7. Forgive and forget 8. Add insult to injury 9. Short back and sides 10. Good looking 11. A light at the end of the tunnel 12. A blessing in disguise

ITEM PUBLISHED IN DAILY PAPER

STAY ALERT; CONTROL THE VIRUS; SAVE LIVES

HOSPITAL HYMN BOOK: First published in 1952 (found amongst my late parents collection of hymnal and Bibles)

It was specially designed for use in hospitals and the hymns were, with few exceptions, common to the hymn books of the principal denominations. The Bible passages and prayers were chosen for general and personal use.

Church Matters…….

What seems a long time ago now Covid 19 hit the UK and on 24th March the Church of England, following government advice, issued a directive that all churches were to close with immediate effect. Mothering Sunday “never happened”, although a small group did deliver cards to houses close to Kenwyn Church. The Vicar and Churchwardens met at Kenwyn to “mothball” the building, with the church at St Allen undergoing similar treatment. Heating, water and electricity were turned off, and the church clock at Kenwyn is now “stuck” on GMT although the strike has been silenced. For the first time in living memory the large old key was used to lock the main door at St Allen, and is now safely in the hands of the churchwarden. Weddings have been suspended and funerals can only take place at the graveside or crematorium with a minimal attendance.

Rev Chris has embraced technology, uploading to You Tube a weekly Sunday Service from the vicarage, and shown his versatility by playing hymns on his small keyboard and recorder. There has also been a “Thought for the week”. The Church website (www.achurchnearyou.) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/KenwynandStAllennchurches ) have also been expanded. There was an initiative to post cards to members of the congregation and the PCC have tried meeting virtually using “Zoom”.

Many on-line resources have been made available, including the Bishop live streaming an interactive service from Lis Escop each Sunday morning. The “Daily Hope” phone line has been established (0800 804 8044) offering music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services twenty four hours a day.

Easter has come, and gone, and the thought of returning to anything like normality still seems a distant prospect. The Government is constantly issuing guidance as well as the House of Bishops, who too meet regularly by Zoom. At the time of writing, (early May), the Bishops had agreed in principle to a phased approach to lifting restrictions, in time and in parallel with the Government’s approach, with three broad stages as infection levels improve:

1. An initial immediate phase allowing very limited access to church buildings for activities such as streaming of services or private prayer by clergy in their own parishes, so long as the necessary hygiene and social distancing precautions are taken

2. Subsequently access for some rites and ceremonies when allowed by law, observing appropriate physical distancing and hygiene precautions

3. Worship services with limited congregations meeting, when Government restrictions are eased to allow this

Before churches can be re-opened they will need to be thoroughly cleaned and inspected. In the words of the well known song, we WILL meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when…… In the meantime Keep Safe and Keep Praying.

PS I have been keeping busy repainting my garden gnomes. – Hope you like them! They are called Hyfrydol and Franconia, after two well known hymn tunes!

Helen Perry

Even though both our church buildings are currently closed, our bank account isn’t!!

If you normally make regular donations by placing cash on the collection plate you might like to consider giving by way of a BACS transfer:

Kenwyn with St Allen PCC Sort code 20-87-94 Account number 50546844.

There is an option to indicate who the money is from if you wish to.

The PCC still has to meet the costs of ministry, and maintain and insure its buildings, so any financial help you can give will be very gratefully received.

Thank you for giving this appeal your consideration at this difficult time.