Sunday Service Schedule for January 2019 for the North Kernow Benefice: Bude Haven, Launcells, Marhamchurch and Stratton

For February Services please see inside back cover

Sunday 6th: Feast of the Epiphany The Magazine for the North Kernow Benefice 8.00 am: Mass (Stratton) 9.30 am: Holy Communion (Marhamchurch) 9.30 am: Morning Worship (Stratton) 11.15 am: Mass (Bude Haven) 6.00 pm: Evensong (Launcells)

Sunday 13th: Baptism of Christ; Epiphany 2

9.30 am: Mass (Bude Haven) 9.30 am: Mass (Stratton) 11.15 am: Holy Communion (Launcells) 6.00 pm: Evensong (Marhamchurch)

Sunday 20th: Epiphany 3

9.30 am: Mass (Bude Haven) 9.30 am: Mass (Stratton) 11.15 am: Family Service (Marhamchurch) 11.15 am: Holy Communion (Launcells) 6.00 pm: Evensong (Stratton)

Sunday 27th: Epiphany 4

9.30 am: Mass (Stratton) 9.30 am: Holy Communion (Marhamchurch) 11.15 am: Family Eucharist (Bude Haven) 11.15 am: Holy Communion (Launcells) IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE CHECK WEEKLY PEW SHEET ~ SERVICES MAY CHANGE

WEEKDAY SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE In the normal course of events, weekday services are: JAN & FEB

Wednesdays at 8.45 am Morning Prayer, St Andrew’s, Stratton Wednesdays at 9.30 am Mass at St Andrew’s, Stratton 2019 Thursdays at 8.45 am Morning Prayer, St Michael’s, Bude Haven Thursdays at 9.30 am Quiet Mass, St Michael’s, Bude Haven Free 28 Please contact any of the following for information or enquiries about Sunday Service Schedule for February 2019 for the Anglican Church life in the Benefice: North Kernow Benefice: Bude Haven, Launcells, Marhamchurch and Stratton Our Parish Priest: Father David Barnes,1 Lanvean, Cleavelands, Bude EX23 8AB Tel: 01288 352254 [email protected] Sunday 3rd: Candlemas

Our Churchwardens: 8.00 am: Mass (Stratton)

St Andrew’s, Stratton: 9.30 am: Holy Communion (Marhamchurch) 9.30 am: Morning Worship (Stratton) Yvonne Bishop: 01288 352762 Simon Waring: 01288 321813 11.15 am: Mass (Bude Haven) St Marwenne’s, Marhamchurch: 1.15 pm: Deanery Candlemas Service Rob Corney: 01288 359754 Angela Grills: 01288 361247 (Poundstock) St Michael’s, Bude Haven: 6.00 pm: Evensong (Launcells) Susan Cotton: 01288 352896 Sunday 10th: 4th before Lent St Swithin’s, Launcells: Fiona Hargreaves: 01288 381165 9.30 am: Mass (Bude Haven)

9.30 am: Mass (Stratton) Stratton Deanery website: www.strattondeanery.co.uk/ 11.15 am: Holy Communion (Launcells) 6.00 pm: Evensong (Marhamchurch)

Regular Sunday Service Schedule Sunday 17th: 3rd before Lent 8.00 am 9.30 am 11.15 am 6.00 pm 1 Stratton Stratton—Morning To be announced Worship Bude Haven Launcells & Marhamchurch Sunday 24th: 2nd before Lent

2 Stratton & Launcells Marhamchurch Bude Haven To be announced 3 Launcells & Bude Haven & Family Service Stratton Stratton Marhamchurch IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE CHECK WEEKLY PEW SHEET ~ 4 Launcells & Stratton & SERVICES MAY CHANGE AND THOSE TBA WILL APPEAR Family Service at Bude Haven Marhamchurch Bude Haven IN THE PEW SHEET

5 Benefice Eucharist Benefice Evensong FOR ALL JANUARY SERVICES PLEASE SEE BACK COVER Editor of 1 Voice: Clare Hicks, Trelowen, Lynstone, Bude EX23 0LR 01288 352726; [email protected]

Copy date for March 2019 issue - by Friday 15 Feb please 2 27

PARISH NEWSLETTER

Dear Friends

I write this letter on the run up to Christmas, looking forward with anticipation of all that the celebration of Christmas brings. The four -week period of Advent gives us a chance to prepare both spiritually and practically for the Christmas festivities. The Christmas period is without a doubt short but not as short as the advertising in the shops suggest. In spite of Easter eggs being on sale the day after Boxing day, the Christmas season carries on right up to 6th January when we start the season of Epiphany.

The twelve days of Christmas stretch right through the New Year right up to Epiphany when we celebrate the revelation of who this Jesus is. The story of the Magi visiting the child Jesus tells of men on a mission following a star, leading them to a new king. The gifts they brought point to who Jesus is; Gold for a King, Frankincense for a Priest and myrrh for a sacrifice. In the gifts that are offered we begin to discover the true nature of Jesus.

These series of revelations continue for four weeks until we reach the Feast of the presentation of Christ in the temple, commonly called Candlemas. (It’s a time when candles are blessed in the church). Here Christ, as a baby, is revealed by Simeon as “The Light of the World”:

“To be a light to lighten the Gentiles And to be the Glory of my people Israel”

One can only imagine what Mary and Joseph thought as they heard these words being said about their son Jesus, who was not yet six weeks old. They had survived encounters with angels, shepherds praising God and Wise men from the east bearing gifts. Whatever next!

So, as we prepare for all that God has in store for us in 2019 and beyond and for inevitable changes in all our churches, and indeed as 26 3 we all ponder the extraordinary events taking place in the political world, I suggest we remember some words from the poem 'God knows' by Minnie Louise Haskins:

‘And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.” So, I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.’

Yours in Christ’s service

Fr. David

St Marwenne’s House Group

The aim of the group is about growing in discipleship. It meets every Wednesday evening at Liz & Malcolm Wright’s home, from 7.30—9 pm. Contact them on 01288 361639, or Janet Ward on 01409 255759 for more details and directions.

This edition of One Voice has been kindly sponsored by

Byron Rowlands

as a thank you for all the support he has received following Diane’s passing and during his illness

Thank you to everyone

4 25 While he was puzzling over all that, he heard the sticky tape across the top of the box Dates for your DECEMBER Diary: being ripped off. Up went the covers and he saw a little girl’s face peering down at him. “I’m done for now”, thought Marty, “She’ll scream and that will be the end of me, for Thursday 13th - Christmas Tree Festival, St Michael’s (see p. 7 for sure”, and his whiskers trembled with fear. But Marty was wrong, completely and won- Sunday 16th: details) derfully wrong. That little girl had a pet mouse of her own at home and when she saw Sunday 16th: Nine Lessons & Carols, St Andrew’s 6 pm Marty she just said, “Oh, you little dear” and carefully picked him up.

Knowing how unreasonable grown up ladies can be about mice, she quickly popped Tuesday 18th: Stratton Primary School Christmas Concert, him into her coat pocket. Then she calmly gathered an armful of oranges and took St Andrew’s 1.30 pm them to the table where the Christingle making was to be done. On her way back to Weds 19th: MU Prayer Group Meeting, 24 Bede Haven Close, collect a second batch, she stopped and pretended to re-tie the laces on her trainers. I 11 am say ‘pretended’ because what she really did was to take Marty gently out of her pocket and set him free! Yes, he was free, secretly helped by a kind little girl, who smiled as Saturday 22nd: Christmas Carols and Canapés, Cross Ways, New Road she watched him scurry away. “Goodbye little stow-away,” she said, “You’ll have to be Stratton 7 pm (see p 22) our church mouse now.”

For the rest of the morning Marty kept himself hidden behind a sort of cushion for Monday 24th: Christingle Service, St Andrew’s 4 pm kneeling on, under one of the seats. The people chatted and laughed as they worked. Crib Service, St Marwenne’s 4 pm They had red ribbons, shiny foil, white candles, little sharp sticks, plus lots of raisins Crib Service, St Michael’s 4 pm and piles upon piles of sweets! The morning ticked by as the people worked and then it all went quiet; the lights were switched off as the ladies and the kind little girl went Dates for your JANUARY Diary: away. Marty had been rescued and he’d got a new home. Looking at the splendid Monday 7th: MU Branch Meeting: Seasonal Fun, Bude TIC 2—4 array of Christingles on the table, he could see he wasn’t going to starve in this new pm—see page 18 for details place.

He hoped there might be at least one other mouse around so that he wouldn’t be Tuesday 8th: CBS Vespers and Benediction, St Michael’s 4 pm lonely, but however you looked at it, he knew he’d been a very lucky little mouse Saturday 12th: LYCiG session, Falcon Hotel Bude 9.30—3.30 indeed. Mischievous Marty had become the church mouse and a very interesting life it was going to be. If you’d like to know just how interesting, you can read about his Weds 16th: MU Prayer Group Meeting, 24 Bed Haven Close 11 am adventures with the friend he met, called Squeak, in the parish magazine every month. Thursday 24th: MU Corporate Communion—see page 18 for details

Dates fro your FEBRUARY Diary:

Sunday 3rd: Deanery Candlemas Service, Poundstock Gildhouse 1.15 pm—see p 26 for details

Monday 4th: MU Branch Meeting: Workshop, St Michael’s 2.30 pm

Tuesday 5th: CBS Vespers and Benediction, St Michael’s 4 pm

Weds 20th: Messy Church, St Michael’s 10.30—12.30

Weds 20th: MU Prayer Group Meeting, 24 Bede Haven Close 11 Susan Cotton 24 5 up and along the shelves to see what other different things had arrived. “Don’t get into any of the boxes”, the Father mouse warned them. “Your Uncle Reggie got into a box of burger buns outside the grocer’s once. It got picked up and put in the back of a van and we never saw him again. So, stay out of the boxes!” “Yes, Pa,” the pair of young mice said, and they did as they were told – until one December evening when they noticed three big cartons, stacked one on top of the other, beside the door; boxes that smelt too tempting for mischievous Marty Mouse to resist.

The lovely smell was because the boxes were full of oranges. They looked easy to get into because they had those oval openings for people to put their fingers through to lift them up. Marty tried the bottom box, but the oranges inside were too tightly packed for him to squeeze in beside them. So, he scrabbled his way up to the middle box and tried to get into that one. He could almost do it, but some of the oranges were wrapped in blue tissue paper which had got stuck to the cardboard round most of the opening. Feeling a bit disappointed Marty gathered his courage for the climb to the top box. Once up there he discovered with glee that it was only partly full! Nothing there to pre- vent a slender young mouse getting inside. So, in he nipped, with not a thought in his tiny furry head about his father’s solemn warning…

Marty nibbled his way through the shiny peel of the orange in the nearest corner and had his first taste of the sweet, sticky juice! He almost thought he’d gone to heaven, it was so delicious. He nibbled and licked and slurped and guzzled until he couldn’t swallow another drop. Then he curled himself up in a piece of the blue tissue paper and fell fast asleep.

Mr. Tonkin’s first customers the next morning were two ladies from the church up on the hill. Mr Tonkin greeted them saying, “Your Christingle oranges are all packed up and ready, Ladies. I’ll help you carry them to your car.” With that the ladies lifted a box each and Mr. Tonkin took the third. The sudden jolting woke little Marty with an al- mighty fright and, before he knew what was happening, the box he was in was plonked into the boot of a car and the lid came down with a deafening wallop. Poor Marty, if only he’d done as he was told… If only he’d remembered what his Pa had said about the terrible fate of his Uncle Reggie…

Cowering in the darkness, in the corner amongst the oranges, Marty was very, very scared. Because that box wasn’t full, the oranges kept rolling around as the car went around corners, bumping Marty about from every direction, but at last it all stopped. Daylight flooded in as the boot was opened and, one by one, the boxes were hoisted out and carried along. They were taken into a big grey building where lots more people were waiting. How was Marty going to get out of this predicament? How could he escape from the box without being seen by all the people?

6 23 UPDATING ST SWITHIN’S KITCHEN & TOILET FACILITIES

Mousey Mischief: A story for St Michael’s Christingle Service 2018 Dear readers,

Mr. Tonkin was a greengrocer – that means he had a shop that At St. Swithin’s church, Launcells we are planning to have a new toilet sold fruit and vegetables. It was not a large or smart looking shop; and to install a kitchen in the tower. We secured a faculty for the work in fact, it was a bit on the scruffy side. The paint around the big earlier this year which means that we can now proceed with plans to windows was flaking off in places and the shop door creaked and bring mains water down from Barton cottage to the toilet, and tower. rattled when you opened it. But once you got inside, it was like a Also waste pipes down to a sewage system at the edge of the car park. treasure chest full of colourful jewels. In this case, the jewels were all for eating not for The current toilet is not good enough any more and we want to have a wearing! Ruby red apples, golden yellow melons, emerald green cucumbers and pearly white cauliflowers, to name but a few. Mr. Tonkin’s shop always had plenty of flushing loo with a basin with hot and cold running water. Those of you customers, because everyone knew his fruit and vegetables were the best in the town who have helped us in the kitchen at those events where we provide and a whole lot cheaper than Sainsbury’s! food will know that it is far from ideal and needs to be updated to com- ply with modern standards. We plan a modern kitchen in the tower with At the back of the shop was a door that led through to a small kitchen, where Mr. sinks, cupboards, and work surfaces. A new ringing floor will be put up Tonkin brewed his cups of tea and ate his dinner-time snack. The kitchen was a bit to form a ceiling in the kitchen. tatty too, with droopy curtains at the window, washing up waiting to be done beside the The cost of all of this will come to roughly £35,000. We have so far sink and rather a lot of crumbs on the floor. It was Mr. Tonkin’s routine to leave his secured £16,000 of grant funding and other funders have been clearing away and cleaning up until Saturday afternoons, just before he closed the approached. We want to raise more money from our friends and shop for the weekend. relatives including parishioners.

Longer ago, Mr Tonkin’s big tabby cat had lived in the shop, but now that he was get- What if we don’t raise enough money? ting old, the cat preferred to live with Mrs Tonkin, at home in comfort, peace and quiet. We will not be able to have fund raising events! Some people don’t like That is how, totally unknown to Mr. Tonkin, a little family of four mice realised that it to use our current toilet and so don’t stay very long in church. Our pre- was quite safe to make their home in that rather grubby kitchen. They moved in sneak- sent arrangements for providing food are not fit for purpose. If we can’t ily one warm summer night and they didn’t mind the messiness at all. In fact, those have fund raising events, then it is inevitable that St. Swithin’s will close. fallen crumbs were a real treat to them. Sometimes they found bits of cheese from Mr T’s sandwiches too, or a small puddle of soup in the bottom of an unwashed bowl. But Why should this matter to you? best of all, once the closed sign had been hung up and the creaky-rattly door had been St. Swithin’s church is over 1000 years old. It is a part of Launcells’ locked for the night, they could scuttle through from the kitchen and explore the shop. heritage. Your children can be baptised here; you can get married here In there they could help themselves to the grapes and the blueberries, nibble little bites and when the time comes you can be buried here. off the ends of the parsnips or even work together to roll a whole plum out to their nest behind the cooker! There are forms available in church for you to use to donate or pledge money for this important cause. As the evenings grew dark earlier and the weather got chillier, the mice noticed that some Please take a form and give whatever you can to save your church, interestingly different things were arriving in the shop – crinkly walnuts, long brown brazil or contact Lilian Quinn (01409 2537760 or Margaret Bond (01409 nuts and little round hazel nuts were displayed in wooden boxes. They had hard shells 253776) for further information. Thank you. which were quite a job for the mice to gnaw through, but the delicious nuts inside made it very much worth the effort. Margaret Bond

Every evening the two young mice, Marty and Mandy, would go climbing and clambering

22 7

DIOCESE OF TRURO, BODMIN ARCHDEACONRY Requests the pleasure of your company at Accompanied Ministry Development Days

for all the Parishes of Stratton Deanery

Saturday, 12 January 2019 at the Falcon Hotel, Bude Saturday, 16 March 2019 at the Falcon Hotel, Bude Saturday, 4 May 2019 at Otterham & St Juliot Hall T.M. O’SULLIVAN & ASSOCIATES Saturday, 8 June 2019 at Otterham & St Juliot Hall

VETERINARY SURGEONS Buller Cottage, Marhamchurch, Bude, Cornwall EX23 0EW *** 9.30 am—3.30 pm *** Lunch provided ***

Providing Veterinary care for Farm Animals, Horses and Companion Animals in North Cornwall, North & West Devon WEEKDAY SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE Tel: 01288 361984 In the normal course of events, weekday services are: Email: [email protected] Wednesdays at 8.45 am Morning Prayer, St Andrew’s, Stratton 24 hr Emergency Service Wednesdays at 9.30 am Mass at St Andrew’s, Stratton Thursdays at 8.45 am Morning Prayer, St Michael’s, Bude Haven Thursdays at 9.30 am Quiet Mass, St Michael’s, Bude Haven

Going Out for Sunday Lunch !

Are you on your own on Sundays and find the day rather long? Is lunch by yourself rather a bore? Would you fancy to have lunch out with a few friends ? Then why not join us at one of the many hostelries or restaurants in the Bude area?

Several people at St. Michael’s have shown an interest in this idea and have suggested that we meet say once a month. The venues can be decided when we have an idea of numbers! If you would like to join us please contact: Sandra Huffer Tel: 01288 355941 or email [email protected]

8 21 PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE WANT TO ADVERTISE GARDENER

IN THIS SPACE? Specialising in Trees PLEASE CONTACT Shrubs Lawns Gardens HEATHER

ON 07771 964672 Ring Barry Lewis-Langley FOR DETAILS on 07376 528031 for full details

Congdon’s R. J. BROWN

Hospital Road, Stratton PAINTING AND DECORATING Carpet and Furniture Centre Large stocks of carpets, Tel: 01288 354701 divans and furniture Tel: 01288 354575 Rob Mobile 07970 969297

Tel & Fax: 01288 354111 Matt Mobile 07875 748035 email: [email protected] www.congdons.co.uk Established 1982

Off Licence

20 9 GREENFINGERS—in the garden in January & February Each year, around this time, I begin to wish I owned a wheel-barrow. When all the Children’s Society collection These are the two most difficult months for the boxes have been opened, I have to go to the bank to pay gardener, mainly because the weather is not pre- in all that accumulated cash. Believe you me, it is very, very heavy dictable. On no account do any lawn or border and a wheelbarrow would be ideal for transporting it all. jobs if the ground is frosted and definitely no cutting back. If you have a border of herbaceous This year, the band of loyal supporters, who keep collection boxes at home, have perennials which you have not cut down already, it truly excelled themselves. The total I have banked so far is an amazing £386. There is best not to do any cutting back now as frost are still a few boxes yet to come in, so it’s going to top £400! That is by far the could damage freshly-cut stems. It will look a mess finest total in the decade. I applaud you all and thank you most sincerely. but insects and birds will still forage and nature will prepare itself for winter without any interference I cannot stress too heavily how much the generosity of the box-holders means to the from us. Fallen leaves may be removed for the mulching sack, and that's Children’s Society or over-play the amount of good it enables them to do for the most about it. Tread on the lawn as little as possible if it is frosted or water- vulnerable children in this country. Last year more than 13,000 children and young logged. people received support from the Children’s Society services. It is very important to lag outside taps. Fleece covered with bubble wrap Making provision for children with mental health problems is just one facet of the work is ideal and can be tied to keep it in place. Greenfingers has found this they do. A sobering statistic is that an estimated 1 in 10 children in the UK have a preferable to the proprietary tap covers which never seemed to fit diagnosable Mental Health problem. Worryingly, the Society’s research shows that securely. Make sure that the hose is emptied if you leave it outside to around 30,000 children a year are turned away from specialist mental health care without avoid possible punctures. further support. To begin to bridge that gap, the Society funds and runs therapeutic support, befriending, counselling and advice services right across the country for young If you have Snowdrops, these will be cheering you up, and there will be people needing, but lacking, mental health support. red berries all over the Cotoneaster and Holly, and if you don't have a Witch Hazel (Hamamelis), do consider buying one for next year, as it Closely linked with mental health problems in youngsters, Child Poverty is another area loves flowering in the winter. With luck, Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Pos- of profound concern. Problem debt is often involved and it leaves all family members till' will be a fragrant delight even now. stressed, anxious and depressed. Because no child should feel under threat in their own As for vegetables, Greenfingers' raised beds will still be full of Kale and home, they are working to ensure that families are not suffering at the hands of debt Chard and the Lettuce 'Winter Density' are perfect grown in trugs, with collectors, loan sharks and bailiffs. Children living in families struggling with debt are five no slug damage at all. times more likely to become mentally ill than those in families who don’t have difficulty with debt. As well as actively campaigning to raise awareness of this, the Society is So it is not all gloom and doom, and March will soon be here heralding lobbying to bring about modifications to the benefits system that would help to end child SPRING! poverty. Their publicity highlights the damaging effects it has on youngsters’ life chances. Campaigning is ongoing to make sure that children and young people living in poverty And Winter, slumbering in the open air can be given the most basic resources they need - a warm home and sufficient meals to Wears on his smiling face a dream of Spring grow as other children do. Sadly, poverty is increasing in the UK for the first time in two decades, with more and more families struggling to get by. Samuel Taylor Coleridge

On these and many more issues action needs to be taken right now and that is why donations from box holders are so vital. If you would like to help by having a home collec- tion box, please phone me (Susan Cotton) on 01288 352896. Why not lend your copy of this magazine to a neighbour or friend when you have finished with it?

10 19 NORTH KERNOW St. Swithin’s Church, Launcells wishes to thank Mole Valley BENEFICE BRANCH Farmers in Holsworthy, for their generous gift of a beautiful MOTHERS’ UNION Christmas tree. A big Christmas tree is always an important

part of our Christmas celebrations and we are very grateful. Our Advent Carol Service was a pleasant mixture of friendship, worship, fun and food. The MU folk at St Swithin’s made us feel very much at home and we were pleased to welcome several non-members.

Supported by Roy Dinshaw’s masterful playing of the organ, we all joined in singing the familiar Advent hymns. These were interspersed with Gospel extracts from the early chapters of both Luke and Matthew, sensitively read by Sandy Cheshire. To help us dwell on the meaning of the readings, each was followed by a thoughtful commentary read by Simon Waring and then prayers led by Sheila Waring.

News from Marhamchurch Tower Next, there was a light-hearted interlude with more than a few furrowed brows: a quiz based on remembering the first line of a carol when given a Marhamchurch ringers rang a quarter peal of unique pair of words appearing later in the verses. This turned out to be Grandsire Doubles to celebrate the 70th anniver- a whole lot harder than it sounds ! sary of Charlie Taylor`s election to the Ancient The afternoon finished with a splendid afternoon tea provided by Branch Society of College Youths. This society is the old- Leader, Susan Cotton, as a thank you for the support she receives from est ringing society in the world, established in 1643, and members members, and others, in her Mothers’ Union role. must be nominated to join it. Charlie`s membership certificate is th January – February Activities dated 27 November 1947, and he received a congratulatory letter all most welcome from the secretary of the ASCY to mark the anniversary.

th 2:00 pm (to 4:00 pm) Monday 7 January Charlie learned to ring at St Marwenne`s in 1944, once the war- please note early start SEASONAL FUN time restrictions on the ringing of church bells was lifted. He was with Bring-and-Share Tea one of the pioneers of method ringing in this area and rang his first at Bude Tourist Information Centre peal at Poughill in May 1947. He then was part of the band that

11:00 am Wednesday 16th January rang the first peal at Marhamchurch in August 1947. He went on to PRAYER GROUP ring more than 50 peals in Devon and Cornwall, as far away as at 24 Bede Haven Close, Bude Berry Pomeroy and, where he considered he rang his best peal, th 9:30 am Thursday 24 January Down St Mary, but it is fitting that his final peal, in January 2010, please note: change of Time and Day was at St Marwenne`s for his 80th birthday. CORPORATE COMMUNION followed by refreshments with the Congregation The ringers who rang the quarter peal on Thursday night (29th No- at St Michael’s vember) were delighted when Charlie was able to come to the th 2:30 pm Monday 4 February tower and witness the start of the quarter peal, and the duty WORKSHOP SESSION photographer was able to make a record of the event. at St Michael’s Rob Corney 11:00 am Wednesday 20th February PRAYER GROUP at 24 Bede Haven Close, Bude 18 11 November and December at St Michael’s Ringing for Remembrance

At St Michael’s each month begins with two regular gather- As you will all know Sunday 11th November marked 100 years since the ings. On the first Monday the Mothers’ Union meets in the signing of the Armistice which brought an end to the First World War. afternoon. The Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament (CBS) It had been hoped that the bells would ring out across the country all at holds its devotional service of Vespers and Benediction on the the same time to commemorate this, rather like they did 100 years ago. first Tuesday at 4.00 p.m. Both groups extend a standing Unfortunately there are not enough bell ringers locally to be able to invitation to you all to come along and see if their activities achieve this and so we decided to ring in each of the four local churches appeal to you. They would make you very welcome. which have bells, over the course of the day. We started at Poughill, where we rang half muffled for the morning service, then some of us The Fund-Raising Committee decided to repeat their successful event moved onto Marhamchurch at 11.30 am to ring again at the official na- held last November and organised another Quiz Evening at the Brendon tional time to mark the occasion. Later on in the day we rang at Stratton Arms. This time Mr. Chris Nicholls was the Quizmaster and the topics before their service of remembrance and we finished the day at 5.30 at his questions covered ranged from Local Knowledge to Christmas Carols. Launcells where we rang our final peal and paid our respects to all who As before, crisply delicious fish and chips were served mid-way through, perished in that terrible conflict. plus rich and squidgy chocolate brownies! The team named “The Well done to all those who took part and especially to those who man- Thursday Girls” were the worthy winners and the event raised a healthy aged all four towers and to those who supported us along the way. sum for church funds. Helen Barnes Bude Choral Society held their Autumn Concert in the church on Satur- day 24th November. The presentation was entitled Faith, Hope and Peace. The programme was an impressive one and included ‘St Nicholas’ by Benjamin Britten and ‘Dona Nobis Pacem’ by R. Vaughan Williams.

From Advent Sunday onwards the calendar steadily fills up, beginning with the Mothers’ Union Advent Carol Service. Our Christingle service is booked for December 9th and 2018 marks 50 years since the Children’s Society introduced Christingle Services into this country. We shall cele- brate that. Once again St Petroc’s School and Bude Junior School will be Marhamchurch bringing their choirs. This has become quite a tradition and it is lovely to Poughill have them with us each year. In the following week, after literally months of planning, the Christmas Tree Festival takes place. Many nota- ble local businesses and organisations will be represented in the display of decorated trees. The venture is to culminate in the popular annual Service of Nine lessons and Carols, accompanied this year by Bude Metric Brass. After that we finally move on to the great event itself – the actual celebra- tion of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, with the Crib Service and Midnight Mass. Susan Cotton, Churchwarden

Stratton Launcells 12 17 St Marwenne’s News Notes from St Andrew’s

May we wish you all a very happy and peaceful New Year. St Andrew’s Patronal Festival: Gift Day and the 6 lines of table tops with

nd 30 boxes of books, carefully grouped in sections of interest, together with The lead up to Christmas started very well on Sunday 2 December with Christmas, Cakes and Jewellery stalls all made for considerable activity on a the Christingle service. This was well attended despite inclement very blustery and wet day. Friendships were rekindled and the refreshment th weather. As it was the 50 anniversary of The Children’s Society we had tables were often all filled with relaxing purchasers. Financially successful a guest singer, Tracey Harding, who sang the special hymn written for thanks to our many loyal supporters from Stratton and beyond, along with the occasion, also a Christingle Cake was made for the get together in the stalwart stall holders and caterers who created a cheerful day for every- the Bray afterwards. one. The delivering of 2,100 Gift Day invitations by our team of 30 helpers is a great effort and proved worthwhile. Apart from no Christmas day service, all the other services were a true Onward into 2019: Our church services will remain unchanged for the celebration of our Lord’s birth. Sadly I feel personally that the Bude Swim foreseeable future thanks to Fr. David, Revd. John Cotton and Revd. Canon takes our congregation away, as last year there were two at the Christ- Christopher Scott with the growing support from our Local Worship Lead- mas service. ers Sheila Waring and Val Barker. My very best wishes for 2019 to you all, and in gratitude for all the help, support and prayers received in 2018 by St With Brexit, and uncertain times ahead we need our faith even more, Andrew’s. and be assured that our Clergy and PCC will do all they can to provide a prayerful and secure stability for us all. The bonds are being strength- The New Year will be full of challenges, not problems, and we will show off ened between the local worship leaders throughout the Deanery, with our enterprise with the help of all the churches in the northern end of the Deanery; ready for our new incumbent who, all being well, should be regular meetings preceded by worship and prayer. All LWLs are welcome appointed during the year. and if you would like to join us at our next meeting then please email me for dates etc at [email protected] or ring on 01409 255759. Ian Barker PCC secretary 01288 353435

Strong bonds are being made with Marhamchurch School, with the Messy Church team holding a club every Friday in term time, and Rob Corney taking regular school assemblies.

The Church, Messy School, and the Bell ringers all put Trees into St Michael’s tree festival which was truly spectacular.

Our Family Service at 11.15am on Sun 20th of January will feature a talk by Bude Street Pastors. at St Michaels, Bude

Here’s looking forward to 2019 with joy and optimism in our hearts. 10.30 - 12.30 th on Wednesday 20 February 2019 Janet Ward PCC Secretary Theme ‘Jesus, The Light of the World’

EVERY WEDNESDAY: Meditation Group, St Andrew’s 10 am Come along and enjoy a fun session of hospitality, crafts, celebration and

St Marwenne’s House Group at Liz & Malcolm lunch for parents, grandparents and children of all ages to enjoy together

Wright’s 7.30—9 pm Donations are welcome but not compulsory

16 13 Tails from Stratton Tower Come to us for all your Ho! Nice to see you, especially in this weather. I don’t go out very far when it is wet and windy, although I do Christian Resources like to scamper among the fallen leaves to look for the odd nut that the wind might have blown down. It is nice to have something in the cupboard at this time of year. THE ARK ANGEL CHRISTIAN BOOKSHOP

We had quite a good store for Christmas, the folk had a Book Fest Large range of Bibles with nibbles and they left us a good lot of crumbs. It was a really Wide selection of Christian books nice event. First they put planks all around the place across the CDs Gifts & Cards benches and there was a lovely smell of wood. Then they covered them with lots and lots of books. We had a super time, every book “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet smells different you know. The posh new ones smell of print, but the and a light for my path” old ones are the best. You can guess where they have been kept - in- Reg. Charity No. 294313 01288 356886 side cars, wooden houses like the one at the top of church yard, or in Mon – Sat 10am – 4pm (5pm BST) kitchens. But we did not nibble. There was a table with lots of Lansdown Mews, Bude pretty, shiny things on that ladies wear round their necks and on [email protected] their paws. www.arkangeltrust.org.uk I think that there was a table of cakes, down at the front. It was empty the night before, but when they cleared everything away BUDE DOG TRAINING/ there were lots of crumbs on the floor. Squeak was interested in the AGILITY GROUP long box they use to put bits of paper in. I told him to keep out or he WHEN RESPONDING TELE 01566 86500/01288 would get whizzed around when they turned the handle. There were 321922 TO ADVERTS PLEASE lots of nice things stood around the box, interesting bottles and a HELPING LOCAL DOGS AND big cake. The cake was well wrapped up of course. Then there were MENTION THAT YOU OWNERS FOR 26 YEARS lots of packets of little pictures. They had robins on and snow, all PUPPIES, PET DOG TRAINING, PROBLEM DOGS, FUN AGILITY, sorts of coloured things, and a mother with a baby. I think they are SAW IT IN CLICKER TRAINING, ONGOING for folk to send to each other at Christmas. CLASSES ONE VOICE I hope you had a good Christmas. We did. It was Squeak’s first one ALL PROFITS TO CHARITY with us. It is nearly a year since he came to stay for a while, but he is still here and I hope he will stay. I am sure he enjoyed listening to all the little ones when they came with their school to tell their P & B Interior Design stories and sing. Their mums and dads came too to hear them. It was 2 Lansdown Mews, Lansdown Road, Bude EX23 8BN 01288 356303 nice to have someone to watch all the things that happen at Christ- For all your soft mas and to share my crumbs with. Over 25 years’ Now we are looking forward to Spring. I saw one of the ladies plant- furnishing requirements experience ing some little bulbs by the big door just before Christmas so I am Blinds ~ Curtains ~ Tracks & Poles Haberdashery ~ DMC Threads looking forward to seeing what will come up. Hope to see you again soon. Farrow & Ball Paints & Wallpapers Bye for now Church Mouse Fabrics Nets & Voiles from £1.99 per metre

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