Priory Church Rev’d Becky Gibbs, Priest in Charge (01946 822279) Retired Clergy with the Bishop’s Permission to Officiate: The Rev’d Jim Marshall (01946 64259) Rev’d Canon Jim Baker MBE and Rev’d Anne Baker (01946 822498) The Rev’d David Cox The Rev’d Canon Dr Trevor Park MBE Lay Readers Chris & Charm Robson (01946) 822468 Sunday Services 9.00 a.m. Holy Communion (1st, 3rd & 5th - 1662) 10.30 a.m. Family Service 6.00 p.m. Evening Prayer (1st - Evensong; 4th Holy Communion) See Calendar for details of Family Services and Evening Prayer The sacrament of baptism is administered at the main service and must be arranged well in advance with the Vicar. For weddings, baptisms, funerals and other religious occasions, please contact 01946 822279 or email [email protected] Priory Web Site - http://www.stbeespriory.org.uk Hire of Priory & Halls The church, Old College and New College halls are all available for hire for meetings, functions, lectures, concerts and recitals, etc. Contact booking officers for details. Booking Officers Ian & Rosalie McAndrew - 01946 822326 or [email protected] Priory Secretary - [email protected] Magazine production & distribution This magazine is free but production costs are about 50p per copy. Contributions from the Parish Council and our advertisers, to whom we are most grateful, pay much of the costs. However this leaves the balance to be paid by the PCC. Donations to the Treasurer* or your Magazine Distributor are most welcome. Circulation - 900 households in St Bees, Sandwith, Rottington, Linethwaite, Coulderton, Middletown, Nethertown. * - Treasurer - Andrew Oldham, 2 Fairladies, St Bees, CA27 0AR. DTP & Final Editing - Ian & Rosalie McAndrew Printed by Printpoint (01946) 64305

22 i St Bees Parish A B C History Group works towards improving knowledge of local history. Lectures Area Visitor / The parish is divided into 30 small areas each with an offi cial arranged periodically. Details from Chris Robson 822468. Good Neighbour Church Visitor whose task is to welcome and help people in the Methodist Sunday Service & Sunday School is at 11.00 a.m. Family Service on Scheme name of the Priory. Co-ordinator - M Westhead (822674). Church the second Sunday. Over 60’s Club meets in Hodgett’s Club on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month: Arts Society meets every two months on the last Wednesday of the month at 2.00 - 4.00 p.m. Details - Gill Richardson Tel. 822394. 8.00 p.m. Venue to be arranged. Details from Dilys Brownrigg Parish Council The Clerk to the Council is Mrs Jane Donaldson, East House, (822584) or Charm Robson 822468. Coulderton. Tel. (01946) 822560, e.mail [email protected], who Bellringing The Priory has a ring of 8 bells. Those interested in ringing or will answer queries on civil parish matters. learning to ring, contact D Sim, 31 Main Street. Practice Parochial meets 10 times a year. Elections for 20 members are held in March at Wednesdays, 8.00 pm. Sundays, ring at 10.00 a.m. Church Council the A.P.C.M. Its task is to spearhead the mission and ministry of the Brownies Brownies meet on Tuesdays. Further details can be obtained church in the Parish. PCC Secretary - from Amanda Smith or email [email protected] Jon Mellor, E-mail - [email protected] Cubs, Scouts, Cubs for children aged 8 - 10, meet on Thursdays, 6.30 - 8pm. Playgroup meets every Wednesday in term time only, from 9.30 - 11.30 a.m. in Beavers Beavers meet on Thursdays (term time) from 5.00 - 6.00 pm. Details (Toddler Group) New College Hall, St Bees Priory. Details from Sarah Parr & Kelly Morrow . Email - [email protected] from Graham Young & Andy James. They meet in CCF Hut, St Bees School. Scouts meet at Egremont. Pop-in Cafe Every Thursday from 10.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon - Pop-in Cafe in New College Hall. Everyone welcome - Coff ee and homemade cakes. Choir rehearses on Sundays at 9.30 a.m. Details from Frank Bowler, the Pre-School meets in the new building next to the Village School, All day, 5 days a Organist (Tel. 825307). week. For children 2 years 9 months +. Contact Pre-School on 823880. Churchwardens are leading lay Church members who will be pleased to help and Prayer Group meets on Thursdays from 1.45 - 3.15 p.m. in New College Hall . All advise on church matters. John Kennedy (822297), Rosalie denominations welcome. McAndrew (822326), Malcolm Lightfoot, & Wendy Mellor. Priory Singers rehearse in Old College Hall, Mondays at 8.00 p.m. Details from Frank Councillors Copeland - Dr Ian Hill - 01946 823305, 7.00 to 9.00 p.m Monday Bowler. (Temp). (01946) 825307 to Friday. - Cllr Chris Whiteside, 01946 67575 or Priory Web Site The Priory web site has up to date information on the ministry team, 07798667678. E-mail [email protected] church services and activities. See http://www.stbeespriory.org.uk Electoral Roll is the list of all church members qualifi ed to vote at the Annual Seagalls meets fi rst Tuesday of month at 7.30pm in the Seacote Hotel. Contact Lynne Smith - Tel. 822285 - or Judith 07772523742 Parochial Church Meeting. E.R. forms are available in church Finance The Church Treasurer is Andrew Oldham, 2 Fairladies, St Bees, St Bees Triers Friendly running club for all abilities. Every Thursday 6pm & 7pm. Email [email protected] Tel. 823497 Web www.triers.co.uk Tel. 820409, who will explain our Christian Giving system. St Bees Youth meets 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month at 7.00 p.m. in New College Hall. First Responders provide Basic Life Support in association with the Ambulance Group All youngsters of secondary school age are welcome. Contact organisers Service. Contact Andy Brock 823497 on 07518 394297. Football Contacts - Seniors Tony Barnett 590640. Sunday Club for ages 3 - 11 meets during Morning Service at 10.30 a.m. Association Juniors (U-12) - Alec Morton 823992 & Alastair Billson. Contact – R McAndrew (822326), Freemasons St Bega Lodge meet 7:00 p.m. On 2nd Wed of each month, Village Village School exists to raise funds for the school and to foster links between school Hall. Details: 01946 64275 or www.cumbwestmasons.co.uk. Association and community. Secretary - via School - Tel. 822392. Friends of the assists in the conservation of the Priory and encourages interest in Village Hall Management Committee administers Hodgett’s Club. For details and Priory its historical and architectural heritage. Contact Philip Barratt or booking contact Phil or Valerie Turpin (Tel 823772). Tom Rice, Treasurer, Green Ghyll, Greendykes, Egremont. Village in Bloom Details from Eileen B Todd, 14 Main Street. St.Bees. (Tel 822522). Village Web Site Information for inclusion should be sent to Ian McAndrew (822326) or Garden Society Details from Mark Hewertson, (Tel. 01946 825468). Flower Show is [email protected] Address is http://www.stbees.org.uk held on the 3rd Saturday in August. Women’s meets 2nd Monday of month at 7.30 p.m. usually in New College Hall Guides meet on Tuesdays from 7.00 – 8.30 p.m. Further details can be Institute (see program). Contact Roxanne Benson Tel 823137. obtained from Amanda Smith or email [email protected] . ii 21 Calendar for May 2 Thursday 7.00 a.m. - 10.00 p.m. Council Elections, NCH Polling Station St Bees News May 2019 10.30 a.m. Pop-in at Priory As I sit writing this letter “Extinction rebellion” protestors are being physically removed by police offi cers from sites in central London. I have sympathy for both sides. I agree with 3 Friday 7.00 p.m. Youth Club, NCH Sir David Attenborourgh that “climate change is humanity’s greatest threat in thousands of 7.30 p.m. Priory Singers Summer Concert, Priory Church years”. I also feel for the families of offi cers called into work 12 hour shifts whose leave has 5 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion been cancelled this weekend. Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, 7 Tuesday 10.30 a.m. Over 60s coff ee morning, Oddfellows Arms acknowledged that this is a tough call for the police “They are dealing with probably quite nice Seagalls, Lakes College Restaurant people, who don’t want confrontation with the police but are breaking the law.” 10 Friday 7.30 p.m. FoP Talk by John Knewstubb, My attempts to counteract “humanity’s greatest threat” seem rather paltry in comparison. Fair- “The Road to Damascus,” NCH trade bananas - plastic bag or regular bananas sold loose? Two plastic trays of organic chicken 11 Saturday 8.00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast, NCH or one large tray of the economy version? I spend so long deliberating at the supermarket that I 10.00 a.m. Amnesty Sponsored Walk - - St Bees might as well have gone to the grocer, the butcher and the baker and supported the high street. It’s going to take a lot more than diligent recycling and fair-trade fruit to save our environment 12 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Morning Worship though. My eff orts aren’t even a drop in our (warming) oceans. 2.00 – 4.00 p.m. NSPCC Strawberry Tea, Hodgett’s When taking my GCSEs in 1991, I remember every Science question seemed to be about 13 Monday 7.30 p.m. PCC Communion & Meeting, Priory climate change. Acid rain and CFCs were hot topics at the time. Politicians were galvanised to 7.30 p.m. WI, “Blood Bikes Cumbria”, NCH take decisive action in 1985 after the discovery by scientists of an “ozone hole” over the South 14 Tuesday 2.00 – 3.30 p.m. Bring and take event, NCH Pole. By 1991 questions on the “ozone layer” had made their way onto school Science syllabi 17 Friday 9.00 a.m.-12.30 p.m. Egremont Farmers Market, Christian Aid Week across the country. 10a.m. – 3.30 p.m. Wildlife Trust Conservation Day, Clints Quarry Almost 28 years later, a ban on aerosols and fridges containing CFCs have thankfully slowed 7.00 p.m. Youth Club, NCH the destruction of the ozone layer. But the global use of disposable plastics and fossil fuels are 18 Saturday 2.00 – 4.00p.m. Open Day, St Bees School dangerously out of control. “Extinction rebellion” campaign for zero carbon emissions by 2025, 19 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Holy Communion some scientists believe 2050 is a more realistic goal, either way we need to get on with it. 20 Monday 6.30 p.m. Annual Parish Meeting, Village Hall Our planet may face diff erent threats today than it did in centuries passed but the responsibility 21 Tuesday 9.30 a.m. Over 60s, Rheged and Ullswater trip of caring for it has existed since humans fi rst walked the earth. Since the 5th century, during the month of May, Christian prayers have focused particularly on creation and farming. These 22 Wednesday 7.00 p.m. Friends of St Bees Priory AGM, OCH “Rogation days” traditionally happen in the week preceding the Feast of the Ascension, the day 25 Saturday 6.00a.m.-6.00p.m. St Bees Triers Miles for Myeloma event we remember Jesus’ ascending to heaven, 40 days after Easter. 26 Sunday 10.30 a.m. Morning Worship In a single year in 5th century France, fi re destroyed the king’s palace, pestilence killed the 31 Friday 7.00 p.m. Youth Club, NCH cattle, the populace was terrorized by hungry wolves, and there were earthquakes. To cut a long story short, Bishop Mamertus led his fl ock in three days of prayer and procession leading up to the feast of the Ascension. The disasters ended but the annual act of devotion continued, known as “Rogation” (from the Latin, “to ask”) and was eventually taken up by the entire church. A few rural parishes still continue this practice but I’m not sure we ever have done in St Bees? Either way the prayer for Rogationtide seems particularly apt as we face the threat of climate change: Remember, Lord, your mercy and loving-kindness towards us. Editor - June Magazine Bless this good earth, and make it fruitful. Bless our labour, and give us all things needed for our daily lives. The May 2019 issue of St Bees News will be edited by Anthony Payne, Croeso, Bless the homes of our parish and all who live within them. 83A Main Street, St Bees who would appreciate all contributions not later than Bless our common life and our care for our neighbour. Wednesday, 8 May please. Hear us, good Lord. Amen. Email: [email protected] Tel: 01946 822637 With love from Becky, Reverend Becky Gibbs, St Bees Priory and the Mission Community

20 1 Priory News Parish Council Lent Lunches in March/April raised a fantastic total of £896 from four lunches this year, Parish Council Elections – There were 12 nominations received for the 13 seats not the usual fi ve - to be shared between NSPCC (St Bees branch) and the Great North available for the St Bees Ward of the Parish Council. As a result, all those nominated are Children’s Hospital charity fund at the RVI Newcastle. Grateful thanks to all involved in automatically elected without the need for a poll. Two of our existing Parish Councillors, the success of the lunches – our hosts, their teams and our generous guests. Thank you all John Haile and Tom Kelly, did not stand for re-election. Both have made a significant for your support. The tasty food and friendship was much enjoyed and two great causes contribution to the Council and councillors passed on their thanks to them both at the benefi tted. April meeting. The new Parish Council meets for the first time on 20 May and there will be two vacant seats (one for St Bees Ward and one for Rottington Ward), which can Sincere Thanks to all those with responsibility for the ministry, administration and be filled by co-option. If you are interested in being co-opted to the Parish Council and maintenance of the Priory and its halls and grounds over the past year – for their would like to know more, please contact the Clerk (822560 or [email protected]) dedication to its life and work. The PCC wish to thank our vicar and Ministry team; the churchwardens retiring and newly appointed; secretaries and treasurer; committees and Annual Parish Meeting – Each year the Parish Council calls an Annual Parish Meeting – offi ce-bearers; teachers and youth leaders; church choir and organist; bellringers; the a meeting of electors of the parish. This year the meeting will be on Monday 20 May at grounds squad of mowers; the fl ower-arrangers; embroidery group; cleaners and vergers; 6.30 p.m. in the Village Hall, immediately before the Parish Council meeting. The Parish plus sidesmen & women! Not forgetting the Area Visitors and Prayer Group; and the Council Chairman will present his annual report and talk about future projects. Roger magazine editors and distributors without whom this would not be produced or delivered! Sinnett, the Headmaster of St Bees School, has accepted an invitation to come and give Also, those behind-the-scenes stalwarts who keep the church functioning. Thanks to one a short presentation about his plans and vision for the school. There is a lot of interest in and all. the village about the progress with re-establishing the school and everyone is welcome to come along to hear Roger speak. What’s On at the Priory in May Anti-social Behaviour – At the April meeting a representative of the British Transport Priory Singers Summer Concert - Friday 3 May at 7.30 p.m. in The Priory Church. The Police came to speak to councillors about reports of anti-social behaviour around the Great American Songbook, with wine and nibbles after the concert and retiring collection railway station, particularly on Friday evenings when groups leave the village pubs to to defray costs. travel into Whitehaven. The rowdy and anti-social behaviour is intimidating for railway St Bees Youth Club – Meeting on Fridays 3, 17 and 31 May from 7.00 to 9.00 pm. employees and also for other travellers. Councillors reported that there have been similar In NCH for games, music, social chat and snacks. All youth of secondary school age instances of nuisance in the Main Street as groups make their way towards the station. welcome. Most of those involved are not residents of St Bees, but the Parish Council is hoping to work with local publicans to find ways of mitigating the problems. If anyone witnesses Men’s Breakfast will meet on Saturday 11 May from 8.00 to 9.30 am. in New College this type of behaviour around the station, please report it to British Transport Police (text Hall for a great breakfast and discussion, and thoughts for the day. 61016). Issues within the village can be reported to Cumbria Constabulary on 101. Priory Flower Rota Parking – Problems continue to be reported of inconsiderate parking at the top of Sea 5 May Mrs Dilys Brownrigg 12 May Mrs Kay Steele Mill Lane. Delivery vehicles and bin lorries etc. are having difficulty turning into Sea Mill Lane because of parked vehicles. Please ensure that vehicles do not obstruct the junction. 19 May Mrs Elizabeth Cotes 26 May Mrs Sally Kennedy Tree Planting - For a number of years now the Parish Council has had an active 2 June Miss Elaine Lamb programme of tree planting in various areas around the parish. If anyone has suggestions Methodist News for areas where new planting would be a benefit, please contact the Clerk. Many thanks to all who came along to our last-ever Spring fair recently - it was good to Beach Toilets – The repainting of the ladies and gents toilets has been completed and new see you all, including a few new faces. As an update to the announcement last month that splashbacks are being fitted behind the sinks. We hope to refurbish the disabled toilet in the chapel will be closing in September, we will be continuing regular Sunday morning the coming weeks. worship until 21 July, and not the end of May as previously noted, and this will be our CPR/Defibrillator Training – The first training course on 29 April was fully booked. anniversary service, led by Fishing Stone. Meanwhile, services continue as advertised Names are being taken for a second course. If you would like to book a place, please every Sunday at 11a.m. Do come along! contact Claire Hale on 07740 717481.

2 19 18 3 Christian Aid Week British Takemusu Aikido Christian Aid Week Collection – This year you will fi nd a Christian Aid envelope inside Come and learn a traditional Japanese or with your parish magazine for you to fi ll as wished and return to: either the Priory or martial art in St Bees, at the Old Gym at put in the wooden pillar box by the publicity table; or bring to Pop-In café and place in St Bees School. Adult classes the box provided; or hand in or send to Rosalie McAndrew or a church offi cer. We hope Thursday night 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. this will be a more satisfactory system, as we can no longer collect door-to-door. More Contact Adrian on 07951 999 192 or envelopes will be available in church or the Post Offi ce if you do not receive one with email [email protected] for details or your magazine. Envelopes should be handed in during May please. Organiser: Mrs R. fi nd us on Facebook – Whitehaven Dojo McAndrew, South Winds, Outrigg Close, St Bees. CA27 0AH

Christian Aid Week is from 12-18 May. The focus is on Sierra Leone, the most dangerous place in the world to become a mum. Sierra Leone has a population of nearly 8 million. The country was hit by the worst ever Ebola outbreak in 2014-16. As a result, 10% of the health workers died. Sierra Leone is still having to pay off the debt incurred in managing the Ebola crisis. May to December is the hungry season, so most families only manage one meal a day, not enough for a pregnant woman. This, combined with lack of trained health workers, few and poorly equipped health centres, mean that 10 mothers die a day in child birth. Egremont Farmer’s Market has a special event to raise funds for Christian Aid on Friday May 17 9.00 a.m.- 12.30p.m. Please come along and support the event. As well as the usual stalls, the teas, coff ees and cakes will raise funds for projects in Sierra Leone. Please pray this prayer with the churches of Cumbria Happy Birthday today to over 1,000 people in Cumbria, a time of celebration and refl ection. We thank God for our life and opportunities. Today more than 10 babies will be born in Cumbria, a moment of joy and new life. We pray for all new parents, especially those facing challenges and sadness. Today 10 mothers will die in Sierra Leone during childbirth. We pray for those who have died, and those who have lost wives, daughters, sisters and mothers, when joy and hope turned to sadness and loss. Ten per cent of healthcare workers in Sierra Leone were killed by Ebola. We pray for their families and thank God for the skill and compassion of all healthcare workers. Today, in Sierra Leone, Christian Aid and our local partners are changing things for the better. We thank God that they are turning pregnancy from a time of fear and sadness to one of joy and hope. Today, with every gift, every Big Brekkie, we can save lives. We thank God that by giving, acting and praying we can stand together to bring a new era of health and life in Sierra Leone and around the world. Amen

4 17 George Clark again ... This is the fi rst time I’ve off ered two consecutive articles on the same subject, but following last month’s account of George Clark, quite a number of people have stopped me with questions. Here, therefore, is a little more about him. Some will remember that Clark was a Civil Engineer. In the 1870s he lived at 5 Richmond Crescent, opposite the Seacote. There his wife bore him fi ve children in six years, and then – after a gap – another fi ve in seven. George was to leave his family there while he went to darkest Africa, as a sort of missionary-engineer for the Church Missionary Society. He fi rst caught my interest when I was looking at some papers about the Furness railway. As Superintendent of Works he had been responsible for the line between Whitehaven and Foxfi eld. Later he had planned extensions to Whitehaven’s sewerage system and improved the town’s water supply. His name cropped up too in Muncaster Castle’s records, for he was much involved in its restoration, and in the Lonsdale Estate papers, where he was Estate Surveyor. Tracing most of his career wasn’t diffi cult. However, there was one big mystery. What was he doing in the four years after 1874? His Professional Institute did not know; the newspapers revealed nothing relevant; but his activities around here had ceased, even to his regular begetting of children. I began to wonder whether he was in prison, but didn’t know how to fi nd out. And then everything fell into place, with no eff ort from me at all. It happened just as the Revd. Philip Bryan retired. A day or so before he left the Vicarage, someone turned up there From the Priory Registers with a bundle of papers. They were to do with St Bees, Holy Baptism and had been passed down in his family: would anyone here be interested? Before long the package was in my 31 March Jack Joseph Fowler Northwich, Cheshire hands, and on opening it ... all the missing part of the 4 April Callum Aitken 15 Firth Drive, St Bees story. Here were Clark’s letters from Africa, or some of 7 April Rudy Mack McDonald Lonsdale Place, Whitehaven them, and the Journal he kept daily. Christian Funeral I wrote last month of the privations and suff erings of 27 March Molly Branch Bethel House, Greenbank; formerly his time in Africa. As a pioneering Engineer and as a Dickinson Court and St Bees Christian witness he achieved everything that was asked of him. He came back to St Bees weak and ill, but as his 18 April Mavis Marshall 1 Abbotts Way, St Bees health recovered, his career fl ourished again, his expertise being sought country-wide. Then suddenly he died, in an Ambleside street. He was fi fty- May God’s Blessing be upon you and your families one. His gravestone still stands here, his papers are with the C.M.S. Archive at the University of Birmingham, and – for anyone wanting to know more - there is a full account in the Priory’s history corner. Bob Jopling, Village History Group

16 5 Seagalls Our session was facilitated by the lovely Kay Wayman who kindly spent her birthday evening with us There was a good turnout and we welcomed four new members this month. Once the yoga mats were sorted, we enjoyed some guided relaxation, yoga and qigong, and gained a general taste of Kay’s practice. Our next meeting is an outing to Lakes College Restaurant on Tuesday 7 May. We still have a few places left for anyone who would like to join us. We are organising return transport to the village. Please contact Judith on 07772523742 or Lynne on 01946 822285 from May onwards if you would like to join us. Our continued thanks to Tom Milburn and all the lovely staff in the Seacote Hotel who make us welcome for any meetings we hold there. St Bees WI March News - Thank you to Sarah Beattie, a local physiotherapy student, who attended our March meeting to tell us about her research project into falls in diff erent age categories. Many members helped with the research. Best wishes to Sarah in her future career. Thank you to all the amazing pudding makers, which were all enjoyed in our Puddings and Prosecco evening. April News - Thank you to Joan Holland who gave a most interesting talk on Family Tree Research, giving advice on how to go about researching our own family’s past. Thank you to all those ladies who brought in their family trees for the competition (Back in Time). The one that went back the furthest in time belonged to Marianne Postlethwaite; the year was 1493 and the prize was a bottle of Prosecco. Our next meeting is Monday 13 May with guests from Blood Bikes Cumbria. There will be a slide show, telling us about their vital role in taking blood and tissue between WCH and Carlisle, no doubt saving many lives and getting blood to where it is needed quickly. There may even be one of the blood bikes visiting NCH if available. So do come along and meet the people from this amazing organisation. Looking ahead to 10 June, it’s something musical - The Dean Hand Bell Ringers - so make a date in your dairies, and join us. Visitors always welcome. £4 per session including refreshments. There will also be a raffl e. We meet at NCH (St Bees Priory Grounds) at 7.30 p.m. Details from Roxanne Benson Tel 823137, village notice boards and www.facebook.com/St-Bees-WI Florence Mine Arts Centre A Memorial Exhibition by the late Kevin Carr is on show from 20 April to 18 May and features 40 oil/charcoal portraits of local Whitehaven characters he met, mainly in pubs; plus copies of famous photo portraits of fi lm stars and celebrities. Entry free – open Wednesdays to Sundays, 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

6 15 News from St Bees Village School The children returned to school after the two-week Spring break looking refreshed and eager to start the Summer term. The weather had been fantastic over the break; let’s hope it continues in the Summer! Easter Week - During the week leading up to Easter weekend, the children visited the Priory in groups to learn about the story of Easter. They took part in lots of activities including coin rubbings, drawing round their feet to depict Jesus washing the Disciples’ feet, making Lego and mosaic crosses and sharing bread to represent Jesus sharing bread and fi sh with his friends. A whole-school giant Easter colouring activity was completed over the week and the children had a wonderful time. Many thanks to Rev Gibbs, staff and helpers for organising and supervising a splendid week. Tullie House - As part of their History topic, Year 4 had a trip to Tullie House Museum in Carlisle to help the children understand more about the Ancient Egyptians. Colour Run - Lots of children have signed up for the St Bees Village Primary School Mini Colour Run in support of West Cumbria Hospice at Home. We are looking forward to this event, which takes part on the school fi eld on Tuesday 7 May at 2.30 p.m. It will be a fun- fi lled afternoon, getting messy and raising money for a great cause. Diary Dates Monday 6 May School closed for May Day Bank Holiday Tuesday 7 May West Cumbria Hospice at Home Colour Run Monday 13 May Key Stage 2 SATs begin Monday 20 May Sports Week begins Tuesday 21 May Year 4 Residential Meeting for Parents Friday 24 May School Closes for Half Term at 3.15 p.m.

Amnesty International West Cumbria Amnesty West Cumbria Have planned their programme of events for 2019 and invite members and supporters to join forces for their fundraisers for justice and human rights. Amnesty Annual Sponsored Walk for Life – Saturday 11 May – on the Coastal Way from Whitehaven to St Bees (and return if wished!) Meet at the Market Place in Whitehaven at 10.00 a.m. to walk the 6 miles to St Bees Beach (or 12-ish there and back). Refreshments provided at the Lighthouse, and at St Bees Beach park (coff ee & cakes!). Sponsor forms available from R. McAndrew (822326) or Alan Alexander (810444). Do please join the walkers and be sponsored, or sponsor ohers. Come and enjoy a dramatic walk!

14 7 8 13 St Bees School News The Friends of St Bees Priory Taken from Newsletter Issue 31 – A message from the new Headmaster On Friday 29 March Dr Ian Hill gave an absorbing talk entitled “Murder in Old St Pauls?” First, for those who have not yet met me, please allow me to introduce myself. Roger A goodly sized audience heard of the details leading up to the mysterious death of Richard Sinnett, just returned to the UK after 23 years leading international schools in Germany Hunne in 1514. The death was stated to be suicide by the authorities, but contemporary and, latterly, China where I have been based for the past 13 years. I was also a founding evidence suggests otherwise. Dr Hill, who has extensive forensic experience, listed member of the Full Circle Education Group, which is the parent company for St Bees and the evidence that suggested murder, clumsily disguised as suicide. The talk was full of a number of other schools in the UK and China. descriptions of the corruption of both Church and State in the early sixteenth century. The evening ended with refreshments and a social gathering. Many thanks to Dr Hill and to a It is my pleasure to give you a brief taste of our plans for St Bees and its future. Let me generous audience. make one thing clear. St Bees is not a selective school. Rather, we accept children who have potential. Our premise is ‘character is key’, and we are recruiting students who Future events can take advantage of the opportunities we off er to develop their academic attainment Although a number of events are still to be fi nalised, including a second family fi lm night, in balance with their character attributes, creating a rounded education with a global the following have been arranged: horizon… May 10 A talk by Mr John Knewstubb, “The Road to Damascus.” 7.30 p.m. in Head to our website www.stbeesschool.co.uk to read the rest! New College Hall, refreshments after. Taken from Newsletter Issue 32 May 22 Annual General Meeting, 7.00 p.m., OCH – please come, all invited The pupils have been studying the history and origins of Islam and were tasked to design June 23 The Friends’ Choral Evensong a quiz to test each other’s knowledge. Split into groups of three, they worked together as July 5 An Organ Recital by Mr Frank Bowler a team to form their questions. After the rules of engagement were explained, they began September 20 A talk by Mr Philip Barratt on The Periodic Table (2019 is The to question each other under the watchful eye of quiz-master Mr Sinnett. It was during International Year of The Periodic Table) the bonus ‘quick-fi re’ round that their teamwork was tested. Individuals could answer the October 11 A concert by Egremont Town Band and its junior members. questions on behalf of the team, but if the answer was incorrect, a point was deducted. An Look out for further details exciting and enthusiastic lesson, well done all! St Bees Triers do “Miles for Myeloma” Open Days Saturday May 25, 6.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. We had a wonderful time on 30 March meeting new families and sharing our vision for This year’s Trier’s Charity Challenge is “Miles for Myeloma” in aid of Myeloma UK. the future. We have another two Open Days coming up in May and June. The details of One of our members is aff ected by Myeloma, so we want to raise money for the charity which are outlined below. This a great opportunity to meet with the Headmaster, have a which helps and supports Myeloma patients. A number of us have taken part in the St tour of the School and fi nd out more about our unique Fusion Curriculum. Bega’s Ultra (SBU) trail race which runs from Bassenthwaite Lake to St Bees, a distance Saturday 18 May – 2.00 – 4.00 p.m. and Saturday 15 June – 10.00 a.m. – 12 noon of approximately 36 miles, so we want to see how many SBU-equivalents we can run/ Summerfest walk in a 12-hour period from 6 00 am – 6.00 p.m. This will be along a fi gure-of-8 route, taking in St Bees Head, Sandwith, Moor Row, Cleator and Dent Fell. The start will be Places are available to book on our Summerfest holiday club! Summerfest was incredibly from our Challenge HQ at Adams Rec. and there will be a manned check-point at the popular last year, with 118 children attending alone over three weeks! We are looking Jubilee Rooms in Cleator (tbc). forward to welcoming back both familiar and new faces to the School! We therefore need runners and/or walkers, either individually or in teams, to help with Please note spaces are limited our challenge. So, if you have some spare time on Saturday 25 May, please come and 22 July – 26 July, 29 July – 2 August, 19 August – 23 August, 26 August – 30 August register, then clock some Miles for Myeloma. The complete route is approximately 18 We have a new booking system in place for both holiday clubs and swimming lessons; miles, although you can just complete parts of it, or do it as part of a team as a relay, you can access this on the following link: stbees.schoolactivity.co.uk/ however teams will need to make their own arrangements for transport etc. You can fi nd the general swim times in this magazine. Please be aware that a new The entry fee is £10 per adult, £5 per child. We’d also like to collect sponsorship, swimming term starts on 15 April; keep up to date with the latest timetable on our website. either through our JustGiving page (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stbees- milesformyeloma, or using a sponsor form.

12 9 Grassroots Letter from Michelle Proctor Bring and take with tea and cake at New College Hall on Tuesday 14 May 2.00 – 3.30 I love that I live in a place surrounded by nature, that I can sit on my porch and watch the p.m. Bring along your unwanted gifts, books, bric-a-brac and household items (though no birds, that monkeys visit my garden and that occasionally I see something unexpected like electricals please), and swap them for another item, while you enjoy a drink and snack. a Blue Headed Tree Agama! I keep a list of the diff erent birds I have seen in my garden Toys and other children’s items welcome, so please drop in before the school run. Even and so far, I have seen 34 diff erent types! God’s creation around me never fails to amaze if you don’t have any items to swap, you’re welcome to take something or simply enjoy me and fi ll me with joy. refreshments. Donations from refreshments to Priory funds. Africa is famed for its wildlife and people travel from all over the world to visit the game Cumbria Wildlife Trust Conservation Day at Clints Quarry Nature Reserve near parks and view the animals. However the very same creatures that many travel to see can Egremont on Friday 17 May from 10.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. The work involves botanical for those living with them on a daily basis be a problem. Cute monkeys steal crops and monitoring of the rich fl ora, some knowledge being useful. Bring refreshments hippos, out of the water at night, will trample fi elds of maize. and a packed lunch. Booking required – phone 01539 816300 or email events@ In the hospital we come across trauma and even fatalities caused by our wild life. On cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk Please park in layby at the reserve. the Saturday evening I was called in to give anaeshtesia to a man with a broken femur NSPCC Strawberry Tea - Sunday 12 May at Hodgett’s 2.00 – 4 .00p.m. £7 per person. and deep wounds on his leg - caused by a hippo. It attacked him, biting his leg, but he For tickets contact 01946 824109. managed to free himself and make it to the hospital where he is recovering. Over 60s will be holding a coff ee morning in The Odd Fellows Arms pub on Tuesday 7 Sunday night and a call to a patient who had been bitten by a snake. Most snake bites May at 10:30 a.m. There will be a cake and bric-a-brac stall. All welcome. On Tuesday 21 we see are painful and cause swelling at the site of the bite but this one was much more May we will be having a trip to The Rheged Centre and a boat trip on Ullswater Lake. The serious. The venom from the snake was neurotoxic and was eff ecting the patients nervous bus will leave The Odd Fellows at 9:30 am, with usual pick-ups. system. I arrived just as he stopped breathing. We were able to resuscitate him and administer anti-venum, for a while we were doubtful he would survive and had to give Memories of Mavis Marshall repeat doses of the anti-venum. Thankfully he did live and was able to go home a few Mavis is remembered with great aff ection by many in the village and further afi eld, well- days later. known in various circles of community life. She was a delightful friend with a wonderful The last couple of months have been hard for our doctors at the hospital with very few enthusiasm for life - in her youth an avid worker in Sunday School, Guides and Youth of them around at any one time. With our surgeon having to take unexpected leave and Club. In 1964 she and Philip moved from Manchester to St Bees, making lifelong friends another doctor away there has, at times, been only two doctors to cover both medical and on the Beach estate, and sharing in social events with their 3 sons – David, Peter and Paul. surgical cases. During this time our prayers were answered and we only had to transfer They loved St Bees and Mavis became involved in village life, joining the W.I., the Tennis 3 patients to another hospital for surgery, everything else we were able to manage. Last Club, Cricket Club Teas (Philip being club secretary), the Priory, and for 30 years helping week a surgeon and 2 medical doctors arrived to help and we all breathed a sigh of relief. with the local NSPCC and its fundraising events. I am currently in Lusaka for a few days before fl ying to England on the 5th April. I have She also enjoyed helping at the hospital café; and with Philip working as volunteers at lots already planned for the next 5 months, including travelling the length and breadth Lowes Court Gallery (& then Tourist Information Centre) providing a warm welcome of the UK visiting churches and supporters, from St Bees to Southampton and Cardiff to with help and advice to visitors. Mavis took a passionate interest in people, leading to her Cromer. I have a medical, debriefs and time at the SIM offi ce booked and in May I am role as Whitehaven correspondent for Radio Cumbria, interviewing many local friends! doing a course on Trauma Healing. She and Philip loved travel - their sons have very happy memories of family holidays There will be, I hope, much chatting over tea or coff ee as I spend time catching up with camping or caravanning abroad – with the famous Primus stove! Mavis had an amazing friends and family. There will also be time for some rest and relaxation including a talent for engaging with people and forming strong friendships. She kept in touch with holiday with my sister to Edinburgh and one with my parents to Northumbria. friends and was a devoted writer of letters. She was always grateful for her family and friends and her fulfi lling life and achievements. I really am looking forward to the next few months although the weather may take some adjusting to as I was enjoying a day of “cooler weather” at 22 degrees! In recent years, when struggling to come to terms with the loss of her husband and then her son Peter in an accident, she greatly valued the love and support of the Priory and her Thank you for your continued interest in the work here at Mukinge. friends there. We off er our deepest sympathy to her sons – David & Christine, and Paul & (Michelle is a St Bees Missionary nurse serving in Mukigje Hospital, Zambia for Serving Helen, and their families. in Mission charity).

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