Dorchester News Free to every home in the parish March 2016 John Masefield House Where are the buses going? Traffic survey replies 1 Dorchester News March 2016 In this issue A new spring hat 32 Editorial Team A War Effort 15 Dorchester News Ian Brace, Gail Thomas Action against cancer 24 March 2016 Benson Choral Society 5 Distribution Co-ordinator Benson Choral Society 26 A DoT view Maurice Day Bus times 28 We hope that by now the worst of the winter is over. Not Copy Deadlines for Children’s Society Boxes 7 that this has been a ‘traditional’ winter in the way that Chiropodist 7 Dorchester News Culham Horticultural 7 Charles Dickens taught to us to expect., It has lacked snow April edition 11 March Dorchester Diary 30 and frosts to any significant extent, at least to the time that I May edition 8 April Dorchester Education Trust 3 write this, which is probably tempting Providence. Now, June edition 13 May Dorchester Golf Society 6 Dorchester Museum 21 however, we begin to look forward to Spring, this year with Advert Deadlines for Doreen Beveridge 19 an early Easter. Not that being in March will mean that Dorchester News DoT Historical Society 7 there is likely to be a shortage of Easter flowers. Daffodils One week before copy deadline Earth Trust 9 are already in flower in places because of the mild winter, Items in electronic form may be Easter 3 sent via e-mail attachment to e- Easter Lilies 8 and with a little warmth should be in profusion by late mail address at foot of page. Fishmonger 6 March. With the Spring Flower Show still a month away, on Footsteps 25 9 April (see page 13), the trick this year may be to keep For newsletter for other Friends of Dorchester Abbey 5 them going until then. I hope that you will, and that the churches in the Team send to From your County Councillor 20 admin@dorchester- From your MP 21 entries for the Flower Show will be better than ever. Then abbey.org.uk by the 9th of Get clean for the Queen 24 we will really know that Spring has sprung. the preceding month. Good Friday 3 Advertising in Hempcroft Allotment 11 We have received many kind comments regarding the new Hurst Water Meadow 9 Dorchester News Index of advertisers 31 format of Dorchester News, and are pleased that it appears There are ten issues per year John Masefield House 16 to have been liked by so many. If you would like to get with double issues in July/ Lent Lunches 7 involved with creating Dorchester News each month, I am August and in Dec/Jan. For an Maundy Thursday 3 eighth of a page the cost is very keen to recruit someone to write features such as the Mobile library 20 £11.75 mono, £12.75 colour; Mothering Sunday 3 ‘Focus on…’ article each month and other pieces about for a quarter page £23.50 OSJ Bach St John Passion 25 village activities. If you are an aspiring writer or journalist mono, £25.50 colour; for a half Palm Sunday 3 who would like some experience on your cv or an experi- page £35.25 mono, £38.50 Parish Council 20 colour and full page £47.00 Parish Register 30 enced old hack who wants to keep their hand in, email me mono, £51.00 colour. Pre-School 15 at the address below. Also needed is a picture editor to Refuse collections 31 create and manage a library of photographs of Dorchester All charges are put towards the Spring Flower Show 13 and its surrounds for the front page or elsewhere. If you cost of the paper, printing and St Birinus School 15 postage of copies being sent Subsidised bus services 24 have an eye for a good picture, that could be you. outside the village. You may Talking Point 3 Ian Brace supply your own advert or we Team lecture 3 can produce the advert and Tennis News 7 artwork for a fee. Tennis Tournament 9 The Filling Station 15 To incorporate a logo or artwork, Traffic Survey Replies 23 please supply a copy, preferably via e-mail: to address at foot of Useful information 31 April deadline Wallingford Art Club 27 Deadline for page or contact the editor. Wallingford Corn Exchange 28 April Wallingford Country market 27 Friday One-time adverts, please send a Wallingford Flower Club 27 11 March Dorchester cheque, payable to ‘Dorchester Wallingford Gardening Club 27 Abbey PCC’, to Wallingford Historical Society 27 News Nick Forman, Wallingford Museum 27 Willoughby House, Wallingford U3A 28 73 High Street, Welcoming Abbey visitors 8 Dorchester-on-Thames, WI 11 email: [email protected] OX10 7HN. Dorchester News March 2016 2 Printed by Higgs of Henley. Talking Point Revd. Canon Sue Booys or the whole of the month of March up and sometimes doing something more. Part of the Easter story is F two journeys will be in my mind - one, There are some particular landmarks in the that the religious and political happening on the other side of the world Lenten Journey, for example, Mothering authorities succeeded in will be the journey represented by the Sunday or Refreshment Sunday is squashing the challenge that primaries in the United States of America traditionally seen as a Rest in the Lenten Jesus represented. He was, after all, whose complex electoral system is fast. Then, immediately before Easter sentenced and put to death. The message designed to be as representative and comes Palm Sunday. This is perhaps one of Easter, as unbelievable at the time as it consultative as possible. I suspect it is of the most significant landmarks in the is often found today, is that Jesus came certainly more exhausting than any other Jesus story and it represents one of the back from the dead! electoral system in the world and won't most "political" actions that he took. actually end until May. It is a highly political In doing so He offered a new way of being a journey and one in which faith, particularly He entered Jerusalem, where Roman rule new and different Kingdom. It is a Kingdom of Christianity often plays a significant part. was established, in procession as a hope - one to be worked for in the anticipation In our country, the view that church and "King" a real challenge to the governor that it is possible to seek this kingdom of politics don't mix is still fairly widely held and civil authorities. At the same time peace and justice in the world we know though in recent months the Bishops in Jesus challenged religious authorities as but that it will only be fully realised in the the House of Lords have spoken effectively people claimed he was the one promised future we cannot see. No wonder it is and with other faith leaders on social and to be king of the Jews; a claim that hard to believe! And yet the words and moral issues. represented both hope and challenge to actions of many people in our own time - the Jewish community. A hope because those who profess a faith and those who The other journey is the Lenten journey they longed to be set free from Roman don't, suggest that many people seek and and because Easter is right at the end of rule and believed that the Messiah would hope for this ideal that Jesus described March all its major landmarks happen this help overthrow their oppressors. A as The Kingdom. It is perhaps not a question month. challenge because in everything Jesus of whether Christianity and politics should did he championed the poor, the outcast engage but how and when? We need landmarks! For Christians Lent and those who had been treated unjustly is a journey that takes place internally. It whilst directing his most powerful invective It is for His Kingdom that we prepare in is about meeting the challenge in one against those leaders of the faith who Lent and celebrate at Easter. way or another to live in a way that is used their power to uphold the status quo closer to what we think of as Gods way. and squash any opposition. Sometimes this involves giving something Team Lecture Maundy Thursday Thursday 3 March 7.30pm, Dorchester Abbey For the past few years, members of the Dorchester Team have All are invited to the next in the series of Quarterly Talks joined together for an ‘Agape’ meal in which we remember and arranged by the Dorchester Team, Ripon College Cuddesdon, celebrate the meal that Jesus shared with his friends the disciples. and the Churn Churches: This is a good opportunity to learn the story and share good company (and excellent food). No age limits – but children Environmentalism in the religion and science debates: theology, must be accompanied by an adult. We begin at 6.30pm and spirituality and practical action end (weather permitting) with a procession into the Garden. A talk by the Revd Dr Gillian Straine, Physicist and Church of Solemn Holy Communion with stripping of the High altar follows. England priest. Members of the Dorchester congregation may We need to know numbers attending this event not later than remember Gillian, who was a summer student here in 2008. Palm Sunday – please sign the lists in churches or contact the Rectory office by email or phone. Places filled up quickly last Mothering Sunday year. 6 March 10.30am Please note that you will be asked to bring your own plate and Everyone will be welcome to join us for this service to celebrate cutlery.