Octavo April 2021 Vol 19 Issu

Home , Buckhorn Weston, Fifehead Magdalen, Kington Magna, Silton, Stalbridge, Stour Row

The Benefice of Stour Vale Vicar The Rev’d Richard Priest The Vicarage, Kington Magna, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5EW Email: [email protected] 01747 838494 Day off—Monday

Licensed Lay Minister Anthony Thomas Cobb Cottage, Church St, West Stour, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5RN Email: [email protected] 01747 838698

Licensed Lay Minister Carol Hibbert Parsons Glebe, Church Street, West Stour, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5RL Email: [email protected] 01747 838272

Group Treasurer Sue Jones 01747 838784 Email: [email protected]

Safeguarding Officer Maria Windross 01747 838324

For Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals please contact the Vicar at the above address.

Website www.stourvalechurches.org.uk The Magazine

Editor Jill Perry, 3 Church Close, Stour Row, Shaftesbury, SP7 0QE. Tel: 01747 838911 [email protected] Treasurer Sue Jones East Stour 01747 838784 Advertising Jill Perry [email protected]

COPY DATES for the May 2021 issue Advertising to Jill Perry 10am Tuesday 20th April Articles to Jill Perry 1pm Wednesday 21st April

PUBLICATION Thursday 29th April

Distribution Online via email from Richard or the Website: https://www.stourvalechurches.org.uk/

Published by The Stour Vale Benefice – Printed at Kington Magna Copyright reserved on all material

Cover photo—Spring at Fifehead Magdalen—Rosemary Redwood

Serving the Blackmore Vale for over 30 years

Stour Vale Benefice Easter Services

Holy Week Monday—Wednesday 7:00pm - Evening Prayer : on Facebook Maundy Thursday 7:00pm - Evening Prayer : on Facebook Good Friday 2:00pm - Meditation at the Cross at West Stour Holy Saturday 7:00pm – Meditations for Holy Saturday: on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/Stour-Vale-CofE-107130680934164/?ref=settings

Easter Sunday Due to Covid-19 social distancing requirements we ask that you would reserve your seat for the Easter Communion services – thank you.

9:15am Parish Communion Buckhorn Weston Reserve seats with Jenny Sledge – 01963 370709

11am Parish Communion East Stour Reserve seats with Sue Jones – 01747 838784

Stour Vale Benefice When attending services please remember to following current Covid-19 guidance and legal requirements, thank you.

Please remember we may still have to ask you to:  Use sanitizing gel on entry and exit,  give your contact details as strongly recommended for NHS ‘Test & Trace’,  wear a face covering.  Observe social distancing at all times.

Please also remember we are not allowed to sing at the moment, and receiving communion will be carried out in a different way to keep everyone as safe as possible.

But, most importantly, if you do feel ill or have symptoms of any kind, please do not come to church.

We have Exmoor Horn Sheep, Large Black Pigs, Dexter Cattle and Dawns’ Happy Hens.

Meat available at the moment is Grass fed Dexter Beef (hung for minimum 3wks) and Large Black Pork, butchered to suit your needs. Pork Sausages,Back,Streaky & Cottage Bacon (green & smoked) Eggs are sold from the ‘Egg Box’ at the top of the drive or from the farm. For more information or to place an order please call Tim Wilton Tel: 01963 371232 Mobile: 07720 345950

E-Mail: [email protected]

Thought for April

I love the appearance stories of Jesus which follow Easter: to the two travellers on the road for Emmaus, to Thomas, and to the disciples as they return to their boats. Each one has something special to share with us in everyday ways.

The travellers are despairing at recent events but walk in companionship back to Emmaus, trying to make sense of their thoughts. A stranger joins them and takes over the conversation, explaining everything to them. They enjoy his company and, on reaching town, invite him in for supper. In his breaking of bread they believe.

When the other disciples say they have seen the risen Jesus, Thomas doesn’t know what to think. Any of us who have been the butt of someone else’s joke, aware of an undercurrent in the room but unsure what it is, can sympathise with Thomas….and so does Jesus who, for Thomas’ benefit alone, visits again and Thomas is quick to believe.

The disciples don’t know what to do with themselves. Peter decides to go back to what he knows – fishing - and the others tag along. Someone appears on the beach and offers a little friendly advice on net positioning. The empty boat now cannot hold the deluge of fish that come over the side. Jesus is recognised and they all believe.

In all three cases it takes quite a lot of effort on Jesus’ part to be recognised. But with Mary Magdalene? All it takes is her name. What will it take for you?

Barbara Priest

Mary Magdalene by Daphne Kitching

In the opening of scripture and the breaking of bread, In the nail marks and the wound in his side, In the miraculous catch and fish breakfast on the beach, They recognised him.

But for me? My Lord said “Mary”.

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Remembering David Duvall

Indoors Or outdoors

Leading,

accompanying

or encouraging

Thank You David

FOOT CARE CLINIC at EDWARDS FARM, FOYLE HILL

Every Tuesday in the month Jenny Franks SRN 20 years experience CRB checked

Tel: 01747 853162 For appointments

Offering a professional service, producing Planning and Building Regulation Drawings from initial ideas to approval for:  New Builds.  Extensions.  Conversions.  Sap Energy Rating on New Builds and Highly Glazed Extensions  Water Efficiency Calculations Contact: 07968 739 168 [email protected]

Friendly lady Gardener, all small gardening jobs undertaken in the local area including:

Grass Cutting Weeding Planting— Hanging Baskets and Pots Pruning Reasonable rates Please call Lorraine on 01747 838120 Phone: 01747 838120 E-mail: [email protected]

Remembering David Duvall David John Stewart Duvall was born on the 16th August 1948, in Farnham. He was a talented child, although he didn't speak until he was nearly 3, when he started to speak in full sentences. After primary education, David went to Cumnor House Prep School before becoming a Queen's Scholar at Westminster School in 1961. As a Queen's Scholar, he was required to act as an usher at royal events at Westminster Abbey, which meant that he was present at the service of Thanksgiving for the Abbey's 900th anniversary in January 1966 when he was 17 years old. David was also allowed to sit in the gallery in the House of Commons, and remembered seeing Winston Churchill sitting in his seat. By this time, David had already been awarded a classical scholarship at Peterhouse, Cambridge. He ultimately spent 4 years there, gaining a 2:1 in Classics and a Masters degree. He began training as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, working for a London company and living in a flat in Brook Street, a couple of doors down from Jimi Hendrix. David worked as an accountant for his whole working life, ultimately settling at a company in Reading and teaching other accountants how to spot fraud. This was how David earned money; but it is not how David lived his life. David was an incredibly kind and generous man, giving up a huge amount of his time to a variety of good causes. This involved anything from doing the accounts for a whole number of different organisations, to actually holding a collection bucket outside a supermarket to raise money. David learned to play the piano and organ when he was at school, and he was involved with any number of choirs - I'm not sure there will ever be a definitive answer as to how many - as either chorister or as choir master and/or organist. It was through one such choir, The Bach Choir, that he met Ann Scrivenor in 1973. They became engaged and then married on 1st June 1974. They went on to be married for nearly 47 years, having four children: Christopher, Olivia, Richard and Camilla. David and Ann settled in Woodley, Berkshire, and joined the choir at St. Andrews, Sonning, with David taking over as choir master more or less immediately. It was a role David would take for the next 37 years, entirely voluntarily. Continued page 13

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KEITH HOLLAND Painter and Decorator Tel No. : 01747 838959 (West Stour) Mobile : 07939 407756

Painting and Decorating Tiling Free estimates General Building No job too small

Remembering David Duvall Any attendee at any of the thousands of weddings he played for over the years, will have borne witness to what happened when the bride was late... The background music he would play on the organ would start to be interspersed by a few bars of certain tunes. If you weren't expecting it, it could pass you by with a possible passing thought of "Did I just hear that?" For those who heard it many times, it was possible to hear portions of "Why Are We Waiting", "Get Me To The Church On Time" and "Abide With Me". You knew the bride was really pushing her luck when you heard "The Day Thou Gavest, Lord Has Ended" played unashamedly in full. David had an incredible musical talent. He had perfect pitch, and could play more or less any tune by ear. It was an utter pleasure to hear him play, either set pieces or his unique form of improvisation. He performed in many different settings, for thousands of people, and had nothing but encouragement for those trying to get somewhere with music, in whatever form. For those of us in his family, however, David, my Dad, was more than that. He was kind and loving and supportive. He didn't always understand and he didn't always approve. He did, however, always allow us to choose our own course, and when we fell down, he would always be there to chat and have a pint with. He was rarely a man to drink to excess; in fact the only time I can remember him being three or four sheets to the wind, was when he was celebrating after he'd proudly given his youngest daughter away at her wedding. There was one other side to my Dad: he was an extremely loving and proud grandfather of Daisy, Eddie, Ben, Max, Toby and Bella. He would play with them, and read to them; he would show them the basics of playing the piano, and amazed them with his own ability. They will undoubtedly remember, with most fondness, the rides around the garden on his sit-on lawnmower. He was their 'Papa' and he was utterly devoted to them. Their devastation at his passing is a testament to their feelings for him. Dad died peacefully, in his sleep, in the early hours of Wednesday 10th March 2021, aged 72. He would have hated to have been very old and infirm, and he would have hated to have been a resident of an old people's home. He never had to give up his independence: he could still drive long distances, he could still play the organ better than many people, he could still pick up his grandchildren. It is in this spirit that I am grateful he died suddenly, and without pain. He will be remembered and missed by many. Richard Duvall

MASSAGE & REFLEXOLOGY At Natural Healing Energy, The Old Schoolhouse SHAFTESBURY SP7 8BP H.M.GEE With Rebecca Bruce-Ahrens MAR, MCThA Garden and House

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Remembering David Duvall

Music was a major part of David’s life and his contribution to the Stour Vale Benefice and beyond has been immeasurable. As an organist, David had, at some point, played at all the churches in the Benefice and regularly played at Buckhorn Weston, Kington Magna, and West Stour. Beyond the Benefice, David also regularly played in the Benefice of Charlton Musgrave, Cucklington and Stoke Trister with Bayford, and also at Silton within the Gillingham Benefice. As a choirmaster, he formed the Weston Warblers, assumed responsibility for the Kington Singers after the departure of Anthony Jenner, and more recently, assumed joint leadership of the Benefice Choir. As an organiser, David has managed the organist rotas for the Benefice assuring cover for the vast majority of services. Outside the Benefice, David was the Chairman of the RSCM Wessex Area. He always undertook everything with energy and enthusiasm, and he will be solely missed. Thank you, David, and rest in peace. Ralph Bowden David was a musical inspiration to all whom he met. His bubbly and cheerful character was a welcome tonic to all, and he was an enormous encourager to all who enjoyed singing.

In recent years he spear-headed The Kington Singers, a group of adults - some with no knowledge of music - inspiring us to sing to the best of our ability (or inability), and particularly to enjoy our fortnightly sessions in Kington Magna Village Hall. He encouraged us all to give it a go, and he knew how to lead us, very gently, into what to some may have been foreign waters, as we tackled songs from the shows, traditional folk songs, and African/American Spirituals, etc., both in harmony or unison. Continued page 17

Sturminster Newton

Heritage Trust North Dorset Disability Information Service Unfortunately due to the  New & used equipment current health crisis our  Hire equipment monthly meetings have been  Disposable items suspended.

 NHS hearing aid batteries Normal service will be  Information & Advice resumed when it is safe to do  Volunteer opportunities so.

Open 10am to 1pm Tue, Thurs, Sat Please note that the museum is also closed at this time. 3 Newbury, Gillingham SP8 4QX (Opposite Lidl) Tel. 01747 821010 www.norddisdorset.org.uk

Reg. Charity No. 1110328

Remembering David Duvall

Continued from page 15 He never expected us to sing out of our comfort zone, but would always help us if that was what we wanted. Once or twice a year we would have a concert for the villages to raise some money for a charity, or just to bring a little sunshine into the lives of people who could not get out much. He was a brilliant teacher and encourager whose enthusiasm knew no bounds.

In Church he showed us his other great talent. When seated at the organ he was totally relaxed, allowing his expertise to show how the organ could enhance our worship. With, or without music he brought the organ to life, and, I believe, our worship ascended to a new level.

His love of all things musical is something the Benefice will remember for a very long time. He was equally at home at the piano, the organ, and his portable keyboard. He wanted the best out of us, and we, in turn, wanted to give him (and in Church, God) our best. Anthony Thomas

It was a great shock to all of us when David died so suddenly and unexpectedly.

He and Ann moved to Buckhorn Weston in 2014 and, once they had settled into their new house, started to take an active role in church and village life. He joined the PCC in 2015 and became a churchwarden in 2016 as well as joining the Church Appeal Committee.

No churchyard tidy was complete without David coming down the hill with his strimmer in hand and he and Ann ran extremely successful tombola stalls.

He was a superb organist and for the last few years played for us once a month. He formed a small choir he called the ‘Weston Warblers’, who met in his house and sang at our parish communion services. He also played music for the village carol singers and performances by the Buckhorn Amateur Dramatic Society.

One of his last public performances was at our safely distanced carol singing in the churchyard when he played his keyboard in the church porch.

His contagious energy, enthusiasm and humour will be missed by all.

Jenny Sledge

East Stour Hairport Ltd Stylist for Men and Women Debbie Hatcher 01747 838060 BackStreet, East Stour Gillingham, Dorset. SP8 5JX

Remembering David Duvall

David Duvall’s sudden death was a shock to us all at Kington Magna. We will miss his wonderful playing at our church services, especially at the end of the service when he finished with a special piece of music, and also the support David gave the village singers.

Our thoughts are with his wife Ann and the family at this sad time.

Kington Magna

In keeping with everybody else across the Benefice, we were deeply saddened to learn of David Duvall's death. Not only was he a superbly inventive and talented musician, but was always ready with a pithy comment, accompanied by a broad smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ann and other family members at this very sad time.

Tony Smith

Music came from David's soul.

We loved watching the expression on his face when he was improvising.

His ability to change keys was useful for struggling soloists attempting songs with wide ranges where either top or bottom notes needed adjustment to suit the voice.

David named Stephanie and me 'The Todber Terrors' and, with others, we would follow him around the Benefice and beyond to lend vocals to whatever he was playing. The group was known as his Pop-Up Choir.

Thank you for the experience of singing with you, David. We will miss you.

Richard King and Stephanie Webb

PLUMBWOOD for all domestic plumbing repairs, Taps, Toilets, Showers, etc—no job too small

Woodwork projects also undertaken

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Pooch Perfect? No thanks!

Hello everyone Now I don’t want to upset all you lovely ladies but I’ve had my hair cut! I’m sorry because I know you are all having problems at the moment, although my Mum tells me that things should be improving in April. But one of the advantages of being a dog is you can slip under the Covid radar! Mum took me for what she calls my “spa treatment” (I think she’s trying to be funny!) a couple of weeks ago and after handing me over with the dosh in a plain envelope (honestly – I thought we were at border control and I was a hostage) Verity gave me the full shampoo, style and set, did my nails and sprayed perfume all over. When we got home, Dad said I smelt like a tart’s boudoir – I don’t know how he’d know that but I was quite put out. It was quality ‘product’ don’t ya know! I have to admit I’m not actually sure what all this girly fuss is about. I don’t like water and so a bath and shampoo would not be high on my pamper list. On the thankfully rare occasions Mum gives me a bath it is a Very Unpleasant Experience. Why do we need baths? I believe Queen Elizabeth I never had one. Mum uses a special shampoo for white coats but quite honestly I’m perfectly happy with “antique cream” or even “biscuit beige”! I haven’t been watching the TV programme Pooch Perfect because I was afraid it would give Mum ideas. (Although I hear a local girl won it – well done!) I don’t think she would go that far but better to be safe than sorry, I say. Anyway, I won’t rub it in any more, and I’m sure you ladies will get your pampering sessions booked really soon. Then you’ll look as cute as me! Be careful out there, Sweep

Services for the Stour Vale Benefice April 2021

11th April 18th April 25th April 4th April Sunday 2nd Sunday of 3rd Sunday of 4th Sunday of Easter Sunday Easter Easter Easter

Buckhorn 9:15am 10:30am Parish Morning Worship Weston Communion CW

East 11:00am 6:00pm Parish Evening Prayer Stour Communion BCP 11:00am 6:30pm Fifehead Morning Prayer Evening Prayer Magdalen BCP BCP Kington 11:00am 11:00am Morning Worship Parish Magna CW Communion Stour 10:30am 9:15am Morning Prayer Parish Provost BCP Communion 9:15am 9:30am Todber Parish Morning Prayer Communion BCP West 9:15am Parish Stour Communion

Please remember we will be asking you to:  Use sanitizing gel on entry and exit,  give your contact details as strongly recommended for NHS ‘Test & Trace’  wear a face covering,  Observe social distancing at all times.

Please also remember we are not allowed to sing at the moment, and receiving communion will be carried out in a different way to keep everyone as safe as possible.

But, most importantly, if you do feel ill or have symptoms of any kind, please do not come to church. 22

Readings for April 2021

28th March Palm Sunday (R) Liturgy of the Palms Mark 11:1-11 Liturgy of the Passion Isaiah 50: 4-9a Philippians 2: 5-11 Mark 15: 1-39

4th April Easter Day (Gold or W) Acts 10:34-43* 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Mark 16:1-8

11th April 2nd Sunday of Easter (W) Acts 4:33-35* Psalm 133 1 John 1:1-22 John 20:19-end

18th April 3rd Sunday of Easter (W) Acts 3:12-19* Psalm 4 1 John 3:1-7 Luke 24:36b-48

25th April 4th Sunday of Easter IW) Acts 4:5-12* Psalm 23 1 John 3:16-end John 10:11-18

2nd May 5th Sunday of Easter (W) Acts 8:26-end Psalm 22:25-end 1 John 4: 7-end John 15:1-8

*The reading Acts must be used as either the first or second reading.

Holy Week Services

Monday, Tuesday 7:00pm - Evening Prayer : Broadcast on Facebook & Wednesday

Maundy Thursday 7:00pm - Evening Prayer : Broadcast on Facebook

Good Friday 2:00pm - Meditation at the Cross at St Mary the Virgin, West Stour

Holy Saturday 7:00pm – Meditations for Holy Saturday : Broadcast on Facebook

John’s Caravans

Mobile Caravan Servicing & Repairs 01747 853114 07546 548017

Lodden Garden & Property Care

Husband and wife team offering garden and home improvements including grass and hedge care, kitchens and bathrooms, tiling and decorating.

Call Katharine and Simon 07570 774400 to discuss your needs

News from Stower Provost Primary School April 2021

After bidding all the children a Merry Christmas on 17th December, we have at last been able to open the school again to all children. Monday, 8th March was a real Red Letter Day for everyone as those children who had been working from home for almost three months re-joined the children of key workers back in their old classrooms. It is lovely to have everyone back and have the school as a more normal part of the children's lives again.

They had only been back a week when we had another remote inspection by Ofsted. In November's virtual visit they were keen to know how we were working quickly to catch the children up with their learning. This time, it was much more about what we were doing to adapt our work to help the children's well-being and re-build their skills for learning in the classroom. The inspector was very interested in our focus on a 'recovery curriculum' adapted to give the children more time to talk and play with friends they hadn't seen all year while teaching them, and re- teaching them, the fundamental skills in each subject. It was a very supportive inspection and gave us some good pointers for our next steps.

I am delighted to let readers know that, thanks to the generosity of parents and the local community and the hard work of the children, the defibrillator has now been installed at the school. While we hope it will never need to be used, it is wonderful to know it is there. In a secure, heated cabinet (phoning 999 will give you the code for opening the door) next to the school’s main entrance, this enables access to the device 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The machine is simple to operate, has all the instructions both printed and aurally through the speaker to tell you what to do at each stage and can easily be transported to where it is needed. When restrictions on mixing are lifted I plan to arrange some training events for the school and local community so anyone who is keen to learn how the defibrillator works can gain that understanding. My thanks go to everyone who sponsored the children so generously.

If the restrictions are lifted at the end of June, we are hoping we will then be able to get everything back to normal. This will include being able to invite the wider community, including parents, back into school to see what the children have been doing, join in with our end of school-year celebrations and even hear the children read again. We can’t wait!

James Stanford

Headteacher—Stower Provost Primary School—01747 838370, [email protected]

Our aim is to support those living with memory loss or dementia, in and around the North Dorset area. We're here to offer support, advice, and friendship in what can be a difficult time for both the service user and their families. Our website is https://www.mindfulmemorycafes.com/

Obviously due to the lockdown restrictions, our usual regular activities are on hold, but we hope it won’t be too long before we are up and running again. Nevertheless we are not being idle! We are still carrying out a variety of activities:

We are running our weekly virtual Cafe via Zoom where we chat and see what everyone has been up to. We then have some fun with online mental activities such as spot-the-difference, the concentration game and a variety of quiz activities.

Our Mens Marching On Group is also meeting weekly online. Again they start with some banter, covering a range of topics such as cars, holidays, travel and move onto similar quizzes as the cafes

Our volunteers regularly telephone our Members – particularly those who do not or cannot attend the online meetings – to chat with them and generally check their wellbeing

Music is generally very popular with people who are living with dementia, particularly in the early stages, when it can be very therapeutic. Prior to lockdown we held a number of singsongs at Gillingham and Stalbridge Cafes. Unfortunately this is not possible at our Zoom meetings, but we are still able to have music quizzes online at our cafes.

Regular activities in more “normal” times: Mindful has three main groups; our Stalbridge Café, our Gillingham Café, and our Men Marching On group. Prior to (and hopefully after!) lockdown, Gillingham Café and Mens Group meet fortnightly (on different days) and Stalbridge meets monthly

Gillingham and Stalbridge Cafes offer the chance for people to meet and enjoy a range of activities, such as music, and games - sometimes even meeting animals - with refreshment provided

The Mens Marching On Group is specifically for gentlemen experiencing some memory loss or dementia and offers a range of pursuits from skittles, to bowling, darts, boules, and the occasional day trip.

Also, each year, the three groups merge to attend a day trip in the summer and a Christmas lunch in the winter.

Cafés and the men's group are free to attend, with carers welcome to join. 27

ROB’S CLEARANCE

Full and partial house, garden, shed, garage undertaken.

All rubbish removed. Recycling carried out. Registered waste carrier. Recommended by solicitors and estate agents. Good interesting items purchased. Friendly and reliable.

TEL: 01747 839751 / 07956414896

TAI CHI - QIGONG

A gentle, meditative exercise suitable for ALL THE abilities (can be seated) HANDYMAN Improves balance, strength, flexibility, Breathing & relieves stress Helps with many chronic conditions MAINTENANCE * REPAIRS *

BUCKHORN WESTON VILLAGE HALL IMPROVEMENTS

ON TUESDAYS AT 10:45am AND CARPENTRY * PAINTING & DECORATING EAST STOUR VILLAGE HALL PATIOS * DECKING ON THURSDAYS AT 11am

BOOKING ESSENTIAL AND MUCH, MUCH MORE, For more information and/or to BUT, I DON’T DO CHANDELIERS book your place CONTACT: JULIE MCDOUGAL Contact Paul on: 01747 821651 OR 07973 758106 Tel: 01747 858552 Email: Mob: 07926 081758 [email protected] Email: [email protected] 28

Donations for The Pantry helping struggling families in North Dorset

yourlocalpantry.co.uk/thevale or see Blackmore Vale Magazine 8th January 2021

Helping over 550 people last week, The Vale Pantry in Sturminster Newton reduces food poverty by helping struggling families to access fresh and preserved food/ household goods etc. on a weekly basis. Those in need apply through the website for membership and pay £4.50 a week which helps towards the running costs. As membership grows, need for food grows too and donations of food or household goods are most welcome. If you would like to donate items to this charity, West Stour are organising to collect donations and deliver them to The Pantry on a weekly basis.

Please drop any donations (no fresh produce please) off in the porch of West Stour Church on a Wednesday morning between 10:00am and 12:00 noon. If this is inconvenient, email: [email protected] and we will arrange an alternative time/ day/venue to suit you.

Goods currently wanted include: cereals, tinned soups, beans and spaghetti hoops plus household goods, washing powder, cleaning products, & toilet paper but any and all donations would be most gratefully received.

Jane

PS The team were really appreciative of the very generous donations of goods and money that we raised during February.

Weekly Newsletters Richard is sending out a weekly newsletter via e-mail which will give details of the readings used on a Sunday along with some prayers and a few inspirational words on which to ponder. If you would like to receive this, then e-mail him at [email protected] using the word ‘subscribe’ in the subject line.

Octavo If you know of anyone who would appreciate a printed copy of Octavo, please contact Richard and he will organise copies as needed.

Richard may not be seeing you out and about, but he is on the end of the phone if you need to talk! 01747 838494 [email protected]

Friendly lady Gardener, all small gardening jobs undertaken in the local area including:

Grass Cutting Weeding Planting— Hanging Baskets and Pots Pruning Reasonable rates Please call Lorraine on 01747 838120

Phone: 01747 838120 E-mail: [email protected]

News from the Benefice Villages Buckhorn Weston CHURCH NEWS Just a reminder that I am still collecting used ink cartridges for recycling to raise funds for the church. Only small HP or Canon ones please and I am happy to collect them if you can’t get them to me.

Our lovely cake making ladies Jenny and Audrey have been busy and have raised £206.50 this time around so a huge thank you to them both.

The Lent Jars For Change for Water Aid has gone well and by the time you read this Easter will be upon us so please can I have back your jars and money? I am happy to collect from you if you can’t get to me.

My plant stall is up and running again at 2 Rookside. If you have any unwanted plants I will be happy to have them especially perennials which seem to go well.

Last but not least we are still registered with The Giving Machine – when you do your online shopping if you do it via their website to access your usual sellers they will donate a percentage of what you spend to us and at no cost to you.

The next event we have planned (provisionally of course!) is the fete on Saturday 10th July. The village hall is booked and we hope by then we will be able to mix again and enjoy each other’s company.

Pat Read, Church Treasurer, 01963 548017 Easter Sunday I am pleased that we will be having a 9:15am communion service and look forward to welcoming everyone to church. Sadly, due to Covid restrictions, we are having to ask people to ring Jenny Sledge (01963 370709) to reserve seats so we can safely distance and it won’t be possible to have the usual Easter Egg hunt and coffee after the service. We all hope things will be more normal within a few months.

Jenny Sledge East Stour Back to Church! The great event last month was when we were told we could worship in church again. We had a communion service with the Vicar on the 7th March. It felt so right to be worshipping normally again, although there were no hymns and no singing yet. Perhaps before long that will also come back. There were a goodly number of people at that, our first service in Christchurch this year. Continued page 33 31

East Stour Back to Church! We are fortunate too that we shall have a service on Easter Sunday, 4th April, at 11 o’clock. Please note because of Covid-19 restrictions we would ask that you reserve seats with Sue Jones (01747 838784) so we can ensure we can follow social distancing guidelines.

Remember that now the clocks have changed our 3rd Sunday services will be evening prayer at 6pm.

Apart from these services there is little planned as yet for the coming months and no particular news of any of our congregation or people in the village. I think many of us were shocked by the sudden death of David Duvall. He will be greatly missed, especially by me as the church organist in East Stour. Otherwise, we just go on, hoping that restrictions will ease a bit soon.

Frances Austin-Jones Flower and Cleaning Rotas We have all had a long rest from these duties! However, thankfully services in church are now back on the Agenda and 'somebody' has to 'step up to the plate' and get these things done. I have contacted the wonderful people who have helped in the past, but would not wish to deny anyone else the opportunity to get involved! Each person is usually asked to 'take a turn' two or three times a year. Please contact me for details if you are interested and able to help, male or female!

Thanks to Sue and Jean who have dealt with the 'housekeeping duties' over the lockdown.

Mary Dowding Fifehead Magdalen APCM On Tuesday 13th April at 6:00pm we will be holding our Annual Parochial Church Meeting in the Church. For track and trace purposes please let me know if you are going to be attending. We are always on the look out for new members to join the PCC so do let us know if you are interested or if you simply want to be added to the Electoral Roll.

Churchyard work party On Saturday 10th April at 10:00am we will be holding a working party in the Churchyard (and Cemetery if we have enough people). There is plenty of work that needs doing and a few of us will peel off to do some “socially distanced” cleaning in the church itself. If you are able to help it would be useful if you could bring some tools along with you. Continued page 35 33

Fifehead Magdalen—continued

Future event With all the current restrictions it is pointless trying to make any firm dates for future fund raising. We still intend to hold the Garden Day in some form or another, even if it is again a Plant Sale on our drive, so if you are able to grow a few extra plants for us to sell it would be much appreciated.

Rosemary

Kington Magna

The good news is that we now feel able to start making plans to return to some sense of normality by planning the start of a number of events to support All Saints, some of which are listed below with more to follow later in the year.

All Saints Church re-opening Return to normal, daily pre-Covid times 9:00am-6:00pm, will take effect on Sunday 4th April (Easter Sunday).

Sunday 27th June 3:00pm Thanksgiving Service in the Church followed with tea and cake.

Sunday 4th July Open Gardens day Kington and Nyland Some gardens will have stalls with bric-a-brac etc on offer.

Saturday 14th August – Artisan Crafts Fair To be held in the Church with stalls available.

All are most welcome to come to any of our services/events. Please do spread the word, we would love to see you.

All the above are subject to Covid-19 permissions.

Church Tidy-up and spring clean Finally just a reminder that we need volunteers, as mentioned in the last edition of Octavo, to assist in getting the Church ready following the closure by giving the Church and grounds a Spring clean. Many thanks for all those who have offered so far but many hands do make light work so if you can help please come along on Saturday 10th April between 10:00am and 2:00pm it would be a great help. Thank You.

Alma Floyd

All Saints 100 Club 1st Prize Bob Gordon 2nd Prize Jonathan Howard 3rd Prize Steve Buckle.

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Stour Provost & Stour Row

Services in April It is very good news that services have recommenced in the church. We have our usual service of Morning Prayer at 10:30am on 11th April and the Parish Eucharist service will take place at 9:15am on Sunday 25th April. We look forward to welcoming you to these services and please remember to wear a face covering in church.

Gardens’ open As noted last month, this year’s major fund raising event shall be the gardens’ open as it was cancelled last year. We have now fixed the date for the event to be from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday 5th and 6th June (regulations allowing) and hope that the situation at the time won’t require us to have to move the event from this date.

We have had a good response from villagers indicating that they are prepared to open their gardens over this weekend but it would be wonderful to have some more. If you haven’t yet responded and are prepared to open your garden over this weekend please contact Jane Stanley or me.

Roger Robotham

Stour Provost Village Village Help Due to the current lockdown, it still remains a challenging time for everyone, I would like to thank all those who have supported others in the village through these difficult times. At least the days are getting longer, it is getting warmer and there would appear to be light at the end of the tunnel re Covid. Let’s hope so!

Roger Robotham

Stour Row—Village News

Church Services As you will know church services began again last month, so a reminder that this month our services are a Morning Prayer at 10:30am on 11th April and a 9:15am Communion service on 25th April. We don’t have an Easter Day service this year, but there is a 9:15am Communion service at Buckhorn Weston and one at 11:00am at East Stour.

Liz Newton

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Todber-continued

Cleaning and Flower Rotas After Easter we hope to resume the cleaning and flower rotas.

If anyone would like to help with either, please phone Stephanie on 01258 820547.

AUDREY RALPH Audrey attended St Andrew's for more than 19 years, having moved to Stour Row from Shaftesbury.

She joined the PCC and later took over as Churchwarden, a position she carried out with a quiet dedication for several years.

After stepping down, she continued to be an active member of the PCC and Altar Guild.

As an LWL she took services at St Andrew's with serenity and sincerity. Her talks were often both humorous and thought provoking.

Audrey was always a willing participant in church life. She grew flower and vegetable plants for the annual sale, potted up hyacinths for the Christmas sale and always helped with fundraising events.

Despite enduring much illness and pain during her life, she cared for two husbands when they became ill and was never heard to complain. She showed great strength and courage during the dark times and her faith remained strong throughout.

Audrey was the most warm-hearted person you could ever meet, gentle and full of love. We will miss her terribly.

St Andrew's PCC

West Stour

We were, of course, delighted to be able to resume services in early March, and also very pleased to welcome parishioners from several other villages among a congregation of 25.

At the same time as Tessa's funeral was taking place in Salisbury, Anthony led a short but moving service in our church. It was attended by mostly residents of our village and comprised, in addition to Anthony's prayers, a reading by Carol of the article which appeared in last month's Octavo.

Tony Smith

St James the Least of All

The Rev Dr Gary Bowness continues his letters from ‘Uncle Eustace’… On the best way to run a church council meeting

The Rectory St. James the Least of All

My dear Nephew Darren

Thank you for inviting me to speak at your church council yesterday. I began to suspect that my theme of why Eusebius’s dislike of Sabellianism led to his condemnation at the Council of Antioch in 324 was a little misjudged, when the only question I was asked after my lecture was if Eusebius was on Facebook.

I never realised how much technology is needed these days just to discuss church matters. It seemed that everyone had brought their laptop, so they could refer to all the diocesan briefing documents and reports that you mentioned. I’ve been in the diocese 40 years and have never heard of most of those papers. But then I find it too easy to delete the diocesan mailings, unread, with a click of my mouse.

Our church meetings are far more traditional. Since the church floor seems to have been carved out of permafrost, our meetings circulate round members’ houses. This introduces a nice element of competition, as each host tries to outdo the previous one in the baking of cakes. Meetings at Colonel Drinkwater’s – a more inappropriate name one cannot imagine – are the shortest, since we are always promised wine once the meeting is over. It is remarkable how unanimity is achieved on every subject within minutes, and nothing appears under “any other business”.

Mrs Eddington never troubles us with minutes, largely because she can rarely read the notes she takes. She just shares with us whatever she can decipher at our next meeting. Last month, she accidentally brought her shopping list instead, and so read that out. There followed a lively discussion on whether carrots from our local shop were better than those at the supermarket. When it was found out she intended to use them in a venison casserole, endless recipes were keenly debated.

We always leave our church meetings well fed, up to date with village gossip, and totally untroubled by any church council business. And the lack of any minutes ensures that I can then make all the decisions myself, between meetings. I think you will find our system has much to be commended.

Your loving uncle, Eustace 40

View from the Vicarage

Spring is here, praise the Lord! I know I always go on about how every season has its own beauty to behold and it’s true – honestly. But I have to admit I struggle to find much joy in the winter months and, during this third lockdown, it has been more of a challenge than usual. But Spring is here! The snowdrops, hellebores, daffodils and camelias have all made an appearance. My pots of tulips are poking their heads above the parapet, my roses are producing shoots all over the place, green foliage is pushing up everywhere and, of course, the vegetable raised beds I built last year are primed and ready for action. In fact, the garlic, potatoes and onion sets are already in there!

I am trying something new this year – lunar planting. No, I haven’t gone all hippy. It is a well-documented way of planting vegetables and when I began my veg last year, a friend asked me if I’d planted by the moon. I gave her a blank look and said no, but I have since been doing some research, ultimately deciding to give it a go. Basically (and this is a very simplistic explanation of lunar planting) you plant leafy vegetables that grow above the ground after a new moon, root veg that grow below the ground after a full moon and you don’t plant anything when the moon is at its darkest. It’s all to do with the magnetic pull on the moisture in the ground or something of that nature. (I bet you any money Richard King knows all about it!) So watch this space….

Continued page 42

View from the Vicarage—continued

I’ve been reading a book (in between great tomes on Christian Ethics - my current LLM module) by Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiederkehr called The Seasons of Life. It explores the seasons of the year and how they connect to our inner seasons. I’ve found it really helpful and it has made a lot of sense. Joyce and Macrina describe “those happy spring-like stirrings when we are full of hope” that move to a more “mature and fruitful summer”. But they also acknowledge “autumn’s relinquishment and winter’s solitude”, and assure us that “this time of confusion, sadness and discontent will also pass away. Something bright and hopeful will raise its head over the horizon. There will be another sunrise in our circle of life.”

It reminds me of a lovely poem by Ilan Shamir called Advice from a Tree, which describes the seasons as “the energy and birth of Spring, the growth and contentment of Summer, the wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall, the rest and quiet renewal of Winter”. Maybe we have to learn to accept that these are the seasons of our lives too and to let each one come gently, knowing that the cycle is constantly revolving and yes, each season really does have its own beauty to behold.

Love Barbara