USEFUL FACTS & NUMBERS Contents Page Useful Facts And Numbers POLICE 2 (non emergency) 101 Cover Story 3 ROADS, PAVEMENTS AND STREET Lockdown Poem LIGHTING ISSUES 3 report online at: Back To The Future Meetings www.staffordshire.gov.uk/reportit 3 Village Voice 4 STREETSCENE Ministry Matters Methodist (litter and dog mess) 01785 619401 5 (Page 8) St Lawrence Church News GNOSALL SURGERY 6 01785 822220 Quote Of The Month 6 Letters & Announcements GNOSALL PHARMACY 7 01785 822228 Gnosall Methodist Church 8 GROSVENOR CENTRE Gnosall Catholic News 01785 822685 9 Remembrance Sunday GNOSALL VILLAGE HALL 10 01785 823303 (L Malone) Gnosall St. Lawrence C.E. Primary Academy RBL 10 (Page 11) Royal British Legion GNOSALL & DISTRICT VOLUNTARY 11 CAR SCHEME Short History of the Shropshire Union Canal 12 Co-ordinator: Jenny Hodkinson Face Coverings During Covid-19 Pandemic Contact 01785 823425 13 The Mercer Of Gnoshall Mobile 07583 390363 14 only between 9am-5:00pm The Best Kept Village 15 VET - SHIRES VETERINARY PRACTICE Healthy Walk No 9 01785 823713 16 or emergency only Eccleshall 850218 Gnosall Writers 17 Shropshire Union Book Review Canal PEST CONTROL - STAFFORD 17 (Page 12) BOROUGH COUNCIL Gnossword 0845 505 7378 17 Gnosall Towpath Restoration STAFFORD RECYCLING CENTRE 18 Macmillan Cancer Support St Alban’s Road - Opening Times 18 Santa Arrives Every Day 9am to 5pm 19 (Except over the Christmas Period) Wishing You Bellycheer Close: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, 19 New Years Day GLRC 20 BKV EMERGENCY SERVICES Gnosall Parish Council (Page 15) 21 Jambusters WI • Police:Telephone 999 in emergency 22 where there is a danger to life or a Beautiful Tree Poem crime is in progress. 22 Telephone 101 for non - emergencies Gnosall Library where police attendance is required, to 23 report any other incidents. Call to 101 Gnosall Footpath Friends have a fixed cost of 15p per call. 23 Index of Local Trade Directory • Fire & Rescue Service: 0300 330 1000 23 • Ambulance HQ: 01785 253521 Local Trade Directory • Electricity: 0800 6783105 or 105 23/43 Santa Arrives • Water: 0800 7834444 Victorian Christmas Market Past (Page 19) • Gas: 0800 111999 44
HOSPITALS CONTRIBUTIONS
• County Hospital ( Stafford ): Contributions for the GPN must be received by the 15th of each month by 5pm for inclusion in the 01785 257731 next edition, please send details to the Editor. • Cannock Chase: 01543 572757 EDITOR - Joyce Rowe Tel: 822579 email:[email protected] • St George’s: 01785 257888 DESIGN & PRINT PRODUCTION - Keith Kinsella Tel: 0772 512 6333 • University Hospital of North DISTRIBUTION - Bob Colman, Holly House, The Rank. Tel: 823955. email: [email protected] ADVERTISEMENTS - Olive Wakefield email: [email protected] Staffordshire: 01785 715444 WEBSITE - Bob Alker - www.gnosallparishnews.com TREASURER & CHAIRMAN - Pat Tweed. Tel: 822523 email: [email protected] 2 Cover Story, ! BACK TO THE FUTURE MEETINGS
When you think of Christmas, one of the first images to spring to mind is probably a Christmas tree, covered • Gnosall Writers every first Thursday of the in twinkly decorations, lights and tinsel. month, 7:00pm, at the Library. • Gnosall Memorial Village Hall Committee Meeting - 3rd Tuesday of the month. Contact But where did the tradition of having a fir tree in Mags Yeo on 01785 822862 for details. our house and decorating it like this come from? All welcome. • Newport Chess Club every Thursday at Many people think the tradition of Christmas trees 7.30pm at the Royal British Legion Audley in Britain started with the Victorians. This refers to Road Newport, call Daniel on 01785 82332 the time when Queen Victoria was on the • Gnosall Lions 7.30pm, Fire station 1st Monday throne, from 1837 until 1901. in the month • Gnosall Handbell Ringers Grosvenor Centre Tuesdays 8.00 - 10.00 p.m. Contact 822592 Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert • Bowling Monday 3pm, at Gnosall Village Hall were known to be very big fans of Christmas! also Thursday 3pm and 7pm • Bingo Friday 7.30pm at Village Hall However, the tradition actually dates back • Bridge at the Grosvenor Wednesday 7.20pm further than that.It originally came from Germany, where contact Pat & John on 824203, Prince Albert was actually born, and was introduced to England during the • Phoenix at Grosvenor Friday 10am -12noon Georgian period, when King George III was on the throne. • Gnosall Players, 7.45pm Tuesdays at the Youth Club Cabin, Grosvenor Centre. • Healthy Walking Group Wednesday & Sunday He had a German wife called Charlotte, who it is thought used to decorate a tree for 10.30am her family in the 1790s. • Military Whist, Grosvenor Centre 7.30pm Wednesday Starts at 7.45pm But Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are said to be the ones who made it extremely Contact Hilda 824984 popular and fashionable to decorate a tree at Christmas like this, which is why a lot of • U3A Newport. Meetings are held on the third people think that they started the tradition in Britain. Tuesday of the month at the Royal British Legion Club, Audley Road, Newport. • Gnosall Painting Group Friday afternoon At first, people used to put their trees on tables, as they were smaller. But when it sessions 1.30pm – 3.30pm at the Methodist became possible to get bigger trees from Norway, people began to put their trees on Church. contact Carol Perry tel.824917 the floor, with presents underneath. • Gnosall Toddler group Every Thursday 9.30- 11.30 School Room in the Methodist Church The reason that fir trees are traditionally used is because they are evergreen, which Contact 07816 100 068 means they are still bright green with lots of leaves - even during the winter. • Church Bell Ringers Practice Friday evenings from 7.30-9pm at St. Lawrence & ring at 9.45am most Sundays. Ever since 1947, Norway has donated a tree to London to say thank you for helping Contact Phil on 07913 757512 them during World War II. • Gnosall Jambusters WI 1st Wednesday in the month GMVH 7.30pm A special ceremony is held in Norway in November, when the tree is cut down in the • Gnosall Grosvenor Youth Club – GG’s Youth forest in Norway. Then, it comes over to the UK by sea, before being driven to London Club is open on Wednesday Evenings on a big lorry. It is then put up in Trafalgar Square in London using a special crane. It is 6 -7.30pm for Children in School Years 4, 5 & decorated in the traditional Norwegian way, with strings of lights going down the tree, 6 and 7.45 - 9.15pm for Children in School Years 7, 8 & 9. The Youth Club Building is rather than criss-crossing it. located behind the Grosvenor Centre, contact Jordan on 07715 392345 for any information. SC • Royal British Legion Gnosall Memorial Village Hall 1st Tuesday in month • Gnosall Art Class, Gnosall Grosvenor Centre, Lockdown Poem Thursday 7 pm – 9 pm • Bradley Mixed Media Art Class, Bradley Village This amusing ‘lockdown’ poem was found on the internet. Hall, Mondays 10 am – 12 noon. For further No author’s name was attached, but credit is surely due to Yeats, Kipling, details contact: Debbie Chatfield, 01785 781075 or 07727216523; and Wordsworth….. and readers, who else? debs@ debbiechatfield.co.uk • Newport Photographic Club every Tuesday at I won’t arise and go now, and go to Innisfree 7.45pm Baptist Church, Water Lane Newport I’ll sanitise the doorknob and make a cup of tea. more information at www.newportphotoclub.com I won’t go down to the sea again, I won’t go out at all, • The Friday night youth groups at Gnosall I’ll wander lonely as a cloud from the kitchen to the hall. Methodist Church are now enrolling. The junior club is on from 6.15-7.45pm. There’s a green-eyed yellow monster to the north of Kathmandu The senior club is for young people in years 9, But I shan’t be seeing him just yet and nor, I think will you. 10 and 11 and doors open 8-9.30pm While the dawn comes up like thunder on the road to Mandalay • The opening hours of Gnosall Community Library are: Monday 4:00 - 6:30 pm Tuesday I’ll make my bit of supper and eat it off a tray. 10:00 am - 12:30 pm Wednesday 3:00 - I shall not speed my bonnie boat across the sea to Skye 7:00 pm Thursday 2 - 4pm Saturday 10:00 am Or take the rolling English road from Birmingham to Rye. - 12:30 pm phone No. 01785 895750 • Gnosall Singers Wednesdays 10.30 to 12.30 About the woodland, just right now, I am not free to go Methodist Hall. To see the Keep Out posters or the cherry hung with snow Contact Anne Robotham, Tel: 01785 822423 • Gnosall Over 55s Friendship Group 2nd And no, I won’t be travelling much, within the realms of gold. Wednesday of the month 2.00 - 3.30pm Or get to Milford Haven. All that’s been put on hold. Community Rooms Impstones. Give me your hands, I shan’t request, albeit we are friends Tel: 0800 111 4554 Nor come within a mile of you, until this XXXX show ends. 3 Life In Lockdown I have heard some people trying to draw a comparison between life in the present lockdown and war time. I'm old enough to tell them there is very little similarity. I grew up from five years old with wartime controls and rationing. During our current lockdown we have the benefits of 75 years of technological development to help us, the world seems a smaller place. Communication is instant with the internet and TV and our mobile phones, access to the most recent news is available to all. In the forties we had censored newspaper, Radio and Universal News at the cinema which was probably a couple of weeks old and heavily censored. Having just left a month of remembrance. We have been reminded that in the first day of battle in France, in 1914, we lost 60,000 men. Frightening as it may be, in November 2020 in By Trevor C Ashton England, since March, this year, we have reached 50,000 deaths connected with Covid19. We think we are suffering with the latest restrictions but I remember in war time, cutting a boiled egg in half (our weekly ration) and had to eat that horrible bread, which is beyond description, I don’t recall ever complaining though. There are many people in Gnosall will share these memories. We are now informed on an almost hourly basis of the rise and fall of the Coronavirus figures. On TV, The Internet, Newspapers and Radio. With Twitter, Facebook, Whatsapp, Zoom etc. etc. playing a useful part in a two way opinion poll involving everyone from president (useful?), prime ministers and the public in countries all over the world. In the 1940s, we ultimately endured losing nearly half a million of our young men. The USA almost the same. Russia lost 24 million. In our current situation, before drowning ourselves in self-pity, we should try to see how we are using the present-day fightbacks to control our own response to the pandemic and, perhaps some of these will endure afterwards. It is heart warming to see the appreciation of our communities to both those who work on the front line and to those affected. They are trying to ease the pain and struggles of the disabled, the underprivileged, the elderly and children, previously recognised as needing more effort by us all. Not only for now. With the involvement of celebrities such as Marcus Rashford, we can all help to change things now for a better future. Things are not all bad. As Captain Tom (now Sir) has said. ‘It will be better tomorrow’. We should all be in awe of the response to opportunities the lockdown has presented. How the use of social media such as Zoom and Tic Toc has improved over such a short time. Presentation of group meetings and in music particularly have enabled us to continue appreciating choirs and orchestras and created their own stars. The dementia affected music teacher Paul Harvey aged 80, who composed a four-note symphony on the spot. Since taken and recorded by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Inspirational characters of all ages have risen to the challenge and their names will endure. Church activities including weekly services are being produced on the internet to remarkably professional standards. (see Castle Church Stafford on the web, Facebook and Youtube) I’ve been more or less confined to my room with the support of my family for the last six months and they have been wonderful. I am enjoying being one of four generations in one home. Another of my saviours has been my iPad. It is one of the first things I reach for when I awake and has provided an alternative to the television for so many of my interests. I can read the daily newspaper or magazines. Being able to enlarge the text makes it even better than paper print for those partially sighted. I can borrow books from the public library. Solve Puzzles from Crosswords to Sudoku, watch films or play games like Mahjong or jigsaws. Many are renewed daily in my online newspaper. I can pursue my art by digital painting and drawing without getting the paints out. Peppa Pig is shared by my four-year-old great-grand-daughter when she needs entertaining. Not least there are a number of apps, Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram etc. that we can talk face to face with our relations whether in the next street or thousands of miles away. For FREE. (i.e. Except for broadband charges). Should Broadband be the next freebie from the government to replace the TV license, for the very elderly, we have lost? I wouldn’t object to it being means tested. Come on Boris! Compared to the past, we are so lucky. Today I have just learned that a vaccine has been discovered and it will be available soon.
BE SAFE, BE LUCKY but most of all be thankful.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. TCA (from imagination a work in lockdown produced on my iPad) 4 Part Of What Christmas Is About, is getting together with family or with friends to share food and exchange presents. It’s one of the reasons why so many people who live on their own, dread the season. Some people feel that if they’re not part of a large gathering they’re excluded from the ‘real’ Christmas even though Christmas has its roots in a tiny gathering of just two people and a baby without any of the trimmings we have come to associate with it. The way we celebrate Christmas has changed in my lifetime. It used to be much smaller and simpler before advertising took over. In fact the celebration of Christmas was abolished for us in1640 and only became a public holiday in Scotland in 1958. By Rev Kathryn That means that until relatively recently, our ‘tradition’ was for Christmas day to be a working day when children might receive a stocking with an orange, an apple, a ‘penny’ and a book. And that’s within the living memory of many of our older people. We just don’t know what we will be allowed to do this Christmas. I love having everyone coming for dinner. I love all the services especially the midnight service on Christmas Eve. I love having only a few hours’ sleep before getting up to get the turkey in the oven before the early Christmas day service. This year it looks like less. And while for me and for many others that might be disappointing – in some cases deeply disappointing – it may actually transpire that it helps to take just a little of the load off families who find Christmas difficult at the best of times and who would face even greater pressures this year thanks to job losses or the reduction in their income as a result of the current pandemic. This coming Christmas could be seen as an opportunity to give everyone the perfect ‘excuse’ to reassess how we mark the celebrations whether as a faith festival or simply as a ‘holiday’. That said, this year has been so psychologically tough for so many that the thought of Christmas too, being restricted, could be for some, the straw that breaks the camel’s back. People need things to look forward to – especially perhaps those who have been in isolation and who have missed significant events such as the birth of a grandchild or important birthdays, a family wedding, or who have even had to forgo attending the funerals of people they have loved. To have such a major event in their lives, one they have been looking forward to, taken from them, could have devastating consequences on their mental health. We can’t underestimate that impact. We need, as a society and as communities, to look out for those around us. Perhaps we need to find other ways of drawing people together. Churches the length and breadth of the land are already beginning to think of ways to help people hear the Christmas story in a different way. You will see in the magazine of the plans we are putting in place in this parish in the hope that we can make them happen and it could be very special and one we will remember. For us, the Christmas message, even in a time of pandemic, is one that is principally about hope. The child who was born in a manger didn’t come so we could have a party. He came to build bridges and to bridge gaps between people and God and between people and people. The baby’s birth is a challenge to the whole of humanity to dare to look beyond ourselves to the needs of those around us, in the knowledge that God thought everyone was worth sending his Son for. This Christmas may not be like Christmases past, but it will still be Christmas. And we can help it to be good Jesus Is The Reason For This Season in a different way by caring not just for ourselves but for everyone. 5 Rector: Rev Kathryn Hammond 01785 822820 [email protected] (Day off Friday)
Associate Minister: Rev Cathy Dakin - 07971 101259 [email protected]
IN NORMAL TIMES To book weddings & baptisms please call at the Vicarage, Glebe Lane, Gnosall, ST20 0ER, St. Lawrence any Tuesday between 6.15 & 7.15pm Church Gnosall appointments not necessary. CHURCH WEBSITE Part Of the Benefice of the www. gnosallparish.org.uk Staffordshire Border Group of Churches. www.facebook.com/GnosallParish
SERVICES IN DECEMBER **
Sunday 6th Morning Worship on Zoom at 9.00 & 10.00 am QUOTE Holy Communion at Knightley at 4.30 pm OF THE MONTH Sunday 13th Holy Communion at 7.45 & 10.30 am On n ever giving up...... “Work so hard that one day Sunday 20th Holy Communion at 7.45 & 10.30 am your signature will be called an autograph.”
CHRISTMAS EVE – Thursday 24th Tim Notke At 4.00 pm we will have an outdoor Celebration of Christmas around ( Baseball Coach ) the stable and crib in the churchyard. Wrap up warm and come along - if you could bring a light it will add to the atmosphere! At 11.15 pm in church we will be holding a Midnight Communion Serv - ice. As we will have to observe social distancing, we will be issuing tickets for this service so that we can make sure we keep within the numbers we can safely have in the church. To obtain a ticket please either email the church office [email protected] or ring on 01785 822820
CHRISTMAS DAY – Friday 25th 7.45 am Holy Communion in church 10.00 am Christmas Worship on zoom
Sunday 27th Morning Worship on Zoom at 10.00 am
** Details of services correct at time of going to press but may be subject to change depending on future guidance from the government & the Church of England.
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH IF YOU WOULD LIKE ADVICE ABOUT ACCESSING SERVICES ON ZOOM
6 To Gnosall Family & Friends The Children's Society These are now our samba shakers in school Music lessons. They make the On behalf of The Children's Society best tins for the job as they can be can I thank everyone for the gener - held in the fingertips and are easy GPN Article by Ron Large ous donations from the box holders instruments to hand-sanitise. who raised the amazing sum of Ron wondered about the derivation £1,372 this year. In view of the spe - As they are proving so useful, I will of the 'skipping game word 'a-laira'. cial circumstances this year which re - continue to collect empty tins I was intrigued so decided to do a sulted in my not being able to collect throughout next year - 2021 search on the 'net'. I came up with all the boxes in this is truly an out - two entries as follows. standing amount. Do contact me at:- The box collections really do change [email protected] if you could From The Liverpool English Dictionary. children’s lives everyday by providing donate and I will arrange Alaira (n) skipping game based on the funding to maintain the Society’s vital collection. recital of one, two, three, alaria (Lane services. This year especially the do - 1966: 2) 'Aye, and One-Two-Thre-A- nations will really make a difference Thank you in anticipation ler-ah-/Auntie Sarah I did see, /Sitting as other forms of fundraising have on her bum-de-ler-ah-/ Come and been curtailed. Hannah Morgan play a game with me' (Hallowell Can I also thank the box collectors 1972: n.p.). Recorded in m.20c.; the whose help I greatly appreciate espe - origin and precise sense are unclear ; cially in this difficult year. Gnosall Parish News Subscriptions and there are many variants possibly from Old English 'lima lyne' / As reported in a previous issue, the effectively 'lost limb'. Yvonne Cannell (Coordinator) annual subscription to the GPN will remain at £5 for 2021. These last words seem to be borne in the second entry I found in 'Word Subscriptions are normally collected Origins and How We Know Them' as by our distributors when delivering follows:- The Cartwright And Hudson the January edition of the magazine. Several scholars have tried to guess Foundation However, we are not living in normal the origin of alairy/aleary, and as so times this year and it would be good often happens in etymology, have • Attending University ? to minimise the contact between offered the same explanation, • Hoping to go to University ? distributors and those they deliver to. unaware of the attempts of their • Attending College ? predecessors, in a long and famous • Undertaking an Apprenticeship ? This year I am suggesting that poem by William Longland (ca 1332- • Any other Vocational Training ? subscribers may like to deliver/post 1400), titled Piers Plowman, a gang their £5 subs to me at the address of imposters is described. They are If the answer is yes to any of the below; please remember to include beggars feigning bodily defects. above and you are under 25 years old your address as well as the money or Some leide their leggies a-lery; as and reside in Gnosall, Moreton or a cheque (payable to Gnosall Parish suche looselles cunne, that is, "some Knightley READ ON News). It would be helpful if I could laid their legs a-lery, as such receive your subs by Christmas, I can abandoned wretches (louts, The Cartwright and Hudson then let distributors know, and they scoundrels) know how to do..." Foundation can provide assistance will not need to contact you for the There is some disagreement over how towards the cost of books, tools, money. they "laid" their legs, but, apparently, equipment, special clothing etc. the result was that the beggars For further information and for an We appreciate your support over the looked as though they had only one application form all you need to do is past year and hope that you have leg or no legs at all. They pretended to telephone: enjoyed the magazine. We look to be cripples, in order to arouse forward to a time when things return compassion and extort alms. Mrs Dina Stiles 01785 841314 to normal and we will be again The trick is no secret to actors who reporting on activities in the village as have to impersonate a one legged well as the other articles. character, for example, Long John Silver in Treasure Island. Allinson's Dried Yeast tins Bob Colman. Holly House, The Rank, Gnosall ST20 0BU. There may be many more references. Many thanks, everyone, for your email: donations of empty Allinson's Dried [email protected] Peter Jobling Yeast tins, with their plastic lids. 7 SUNDAY SERVICES
Our Chapel is now opening once a month for a service and some services are still being provided through Church web sites, Facebook, You Tube and possibly Zoom. If you would like to find out more about when our service will take place please contact our Senior Steward, Bill Basford, 01785 824856 or e; [email protected]
December 20th 10.30 David Hemingway
When we return to normal the following will apply. Bookings : Mrs Joan Jobling 01785 822592. Gnosall Tuesday: 2pm Women’s Fellowship ( Fortnightly) Friday: 6.15 – 8pm Junior youth club Methodist Church Contact for Minister through Circuit Office Tel. 01785 229973 Crèche facilities and Junior Class (4 years upwards) “Welcoming All To Grow in Christian Faith and Love” at morning service. CHRISTMAS Oh dear, everyone is wondering what we are going to do about Christmas! The first thing I think we could do is, count our blessings, because although we are still having to cope with Covid and sadly people are still dying, we aren’t also having to cope with earthquakes, lack of food or water, lack of medicines and hospital facilities and so much more. Yes, we still have homeless people on our streets but we also have organisations like Crisis and The Salvation Army, who with our help, give up their time to care for these people, not just at Christmas but all year round. I wonder how much money we will all save this year by not over indulging on excess food etc. Or how many gifts we can make ourselves to give to others, gifts made with love and thought . Talking about gifts, this time of ‘lockdown’ can also be taken to focus on the extra Special Gift that Christmas is really all about, the gift of Jesus. Sometimes people justify not believing by saying it isn’t His real birth date, and maybe it isn’t, but it gives us a time to focus on the fact that Jesus did come into the world around this time of year, as a tiny baby. He came to be the world’s Saviour. Emmanuel, God with us. So, while we are all trying to make the most of these uncertain times, let’s think about putting CHRIST back into CHRISTmas and discover the real meaning of Peace and Joy. G.J.
The Story of the Christmas Tree. Why do we have trees in our homes at Christmas? Did you know trees have been used for decorations at winter time for thousands of years as it was thought they would help Spring come! But it is thought the first tree to be brought inside the home was by a German preacher called Martin Luther. Legend has it that Luther was walking through a forest the night before Christmas and was struck by the beauty of the stars shining through the trees. He told his family that it reminded him of Jesus, who left the stars of heaven to come to earth at Christmas time. Luther brought a tree home and placed candles on it to remind him of Jesus and his birth. So the tradition spread from Germany to England. Then when a newspaper published a picture of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (himself German) with their decorated Christmas tree, a new trend began!
A Prayer A Smile is a Funny Thing. From the Methodist Prayer Handbook 2020/2021 A smile is quite a funny thing, It wrinkles up Dear God, the virus does not respect borders. It spreads from place to your face. place and person to person. It has brought grief, fear, hardship, And when it’s gone, you’ll never find its secret suffering and isolation. hiding place. Dear God, your love does not respect borders, It flows from place to But far more wonderful it is, to see what smiles place, person to person. can do It brings comfort, hope, justice, wholeness and community. You smile at one, she smiles at you and so one Dear God, we pray for all those around the world whose lives have smile makes two. been impacted by coronavirus. We pray for our churches as we rediscover community and learn new He smiles at someone, since you smile and then ways of being. that one smiles back, We pray in the name of Jesus, our peace and our Saviour. And that one smile, smiles until in truth you fail in keeping track Amen And since a smile can do great good by cheer - Conrad Hicks, Director of Global Relationships, GR team ing hearts of care Let’s smile and not forget the fact that smiles WISHING EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS. go everywhere.
8 Parish Priest : Canon Michael Neylon St Austin’s, 82 Wolverhampton Road, Stafford ST17 4AW. Tel: 01785 223553 email: [email protected] Parish Website: www.saintaustins.org.uk
When the 2nd lockdown hit us all early in November it obviously restricted church services once again, so I thought I would give you a reflection of what it is like for any Priest to celebrate Mass without a congregation whilst streaming the service on the internet. These are the words of such a priest. Fr. Paul Fitzpatrick, Parish Priest, Sacred Heart, Henley-on-Thames.
“What is it like to celebrate Mass in an empty church? Firstly I endeavour to celebrate Mass as reverently and Prayerfully as is possible. Of course, I do that all the time, but I make sure my actions and pronunciation are clear for the camera and sound. I talk a little slower than usual.
Secondly, I focus carefully on my parishioners whom I am missing. Thankfully, several email with requests for prayers and for those dear to them. I keep them uppermost in my mind. I visualize where people usually sit, or speak to one or two individuals. Speaking personally, as if to one other person.
Thirdly, I try to ensure that the liturgy is celebrated as carefully as possible. I make sure I practice the readings. I have musicians who record the Psalm and Alleluia every week. Others who compose music – a Pie Jesu for Remembrance Sunday, a Marian Anthem for Eastertide, May and October and other music in Church. I lead the congregation with four hymns, while still continuing to incense the Altar.
Sometimes balancing all these things at once is a challenge.
Finally, and most importantly, you never know who is watching! I make sure my homily is at least twice as good as before lockdown – or I work twice as long on it.
Which in turn leads to the second familiar question: Why does Mass take much longer when you are on your own? As compared to when I had a congregation?
COME AND SEE!"
CONTRIBUTIONS Fr. Paul Fitzpatrick, Parish Priest, Sacred Heart, Henley-on Thames. “Contributions to the GPN are welcome from all Local News: members of the community.” Please send copy and any photographs to: On Sunday 8th November a Wreath was laid on behalf of the Catholic the Editor Joyce Rowe, email: Community of Gnosall, at the Remembrance Wreath Laying Ceremony [email protected] tel: 01785 822579 held outdoors at the Memorial Village Hall, to commemorate the Fallen of both World Wars and more recent conflicts. Only one representative of each group or organization was allowed to attend and no members of the public were permitted due to coronavirus restrictions. It was a very respectful and moving service led by Rev. Kathryn along with members of The British Legion. Thanks to all those who arranged the service and kept us all safe.
On Friday 13th November the local Catholic group held a Zoom session and although we were small in numbers we were Big in Heart, as Steve reminded us. We discussed how each of us had kept busy over these last 8 months and thankfully everyone reported how well we had all coped. Fran and Chris joined us once again and explained their new “craft skills”, while Steve and Nuala are preparing for the arrival of their new puppy! We did miss that cup of tea though but had an enjoyable time together. Rupert and Cathy kindly led us in gospel readings and meditation for a short period and Steve played his guitar for our final hymn. It was really nice to be with such lovely people.
9 WREATH LAYING SERVICE A safe wreath laying service was held at the Gnosall Memorial Village Hall on Sunday 8th November to remember our War Heros.
Strict Covid -19 safety rules where adhered to with all who attended representing the different organisations of the community staying 2 metres apart and wearing face masks.
10 JOIN THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION GNOSALL BRANCH
You do not have to be an ex service person or a serving member of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, anyone can join ! For more information, please telephone: 01952 691131 or email: [email protected]
Four generations of the Royal Family are helping us launch a new community initiative to provide extra support to the Armed Forces community at annual festive get togethers.
Her Majesty the Queen was joined by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and Prince George to prepare special Royal British Legion Christmas puddings at Buckingham Palace. The puddings will become the centrepieces of next year’s Legion Christmas get togethers.
Starting in 2020, the annual events will be hosted at high street locations, care homes, membership branches and other locations with the aim of combating the loneliness and isolation experienced by some members of the Armed Forces community at what can be a difficult time of year.
These special puddings will form part of 99 puddings that we will distributed in time for Christmas 2020 get togethers, marking our 99th year.
“Bringing people, families and communities together lies at the heart of the Legion’s work and has done since we were founded in 1921," says Charles Byrne, The Royal British Legions Director General.
"As we head towards our centenary in 2021, we are proud to start a new tradition for our community with the support of our Patron, Her Majesty the Queen, and three generations of her family.
“We are keen that the people we support and the wider public understand that the Legion is not only here for older veterans, but all ages of the Armed Forces community. "As the Monarch and next three generations, Her Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses represent a cross-section of those supported by the Legion, from the children of service personnel, to Second World War veterans.
“Christmas can be a time when peoples troubles and worries are exacerbated by the financial pressures of the season or feelings of loneliness and isolation. The extra support the Legion can give, and the camaraderie of our get togethers can make a big difference to our community’s well-being. "Making and eating Christmas puddings has traditionally been a shared family activity, and we look forward to sharing these special puddings made with the help of The Royal Family.”
David Winterbottom PRO for the Gnosall and District RBL Branch.
11 SHORT HISTORY OF THE SHROPSHIRE UNION CANAL
A wonderful photo on the front of the November edition of GPN but must point out inaccuracies in the nxxaxrrxaxtxivxex xaxttxrxibxuxtxexdx xtox KK.
Txxhxex Sxhxrxoxpxsxhxixrex xUxnxixon Canal is not a “Contour Canal”, a term generally applied to the earlier 18th century canals, notably those surveyed and planned by James Brindley, who died in 1772. Brindley had an aversion to straight lines on account of the costs involved in lock or tunnel construction at the time, and his Canals took long detours to avoid hills or other obstructions. A number of his early routes were shortened by Thomas Telford and others in the 19th century, including:
1) Birmingham Canal Old Main Line between Birmingham/Wolverhampton, completed in 1772, shortened by Telford between 1825/1838 using massive cuttings and embankments, cutting the route by 7 miles.
2) North Oxford Canal between Braunston and Coventry, opened 1774, surveyed and shortened by Brunel (Senior), 1827 -1834, reducing the length by 15 miles.
The Shropshire Union, between Autherley Junction and Ellesmere Port was constructed in a number of Phases:
a) The length between Nantwich and Chester was constructed as a Broad Canal (Terminus of Chester canal, 1776-96; River i.e. for 14 foot wide boats by the Chester Canal Co. and opened in 1776, Dee arm exits lower left) providing access to the River Dee at Chester.
b) The Wirral Line was planned and constructed by the Ellesmere Canal Co. with William Jessop as Engineer between 1793-1796 and connected Chester to the (then) small fishing village of Netherpool (Renamed as Ellesmere Port shortly after) on the River Mersey. After construction of the Manchester Ship Canal in the 1890’s the Northern outlet of the canal was with the MSC.
c) By this time the Ellesmere Canal Co. were constructing what is now commonly termed the Llangollen Canal between Trevor, Ellesmere (Shropshire), Whitchurch and, after a number of forced change of routes, this eventually joined the earlier Chester Canal at Hurleston Junction by 1806. A feeder was constructed to Llangollen and the Horseshoe Falls were constructed by Telford at Llantisilio on the River Dee to supply the Canal with water – now used as a water supply to Hurleston Reservoir and for drinking water to the citizens of Crewe/Nantwich.
d) In 1813 the Chester and Ellesmere Canal Companies amalgamated.
e) The “final link” in the Shropshire Union between Autherley Junction and Nantwich was built under an Act of Parliament dated 1826 by the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal Co. Thomas Telford was appointed Engineer to the Project which was a late arrival on the English Canal scene. Prior to Telford, canal engineering had developed firmly within the “contour mould”. (Woodseaves Cutting, deep and Brindley had a marked reluctance to ascend or descend a hillside whilst any chance of following a straight rock cutting) contour, however sinuous, remained a possibility. He also avoided high embankments and deep cuttings wherever he could if only because there was little machinery available in those days beyond pick, shovel, wheelbarrows and the sheer muscle power of his Navigators (Navvies for short).
In contrast, Telford constructed massive Cuttings at Cowley (Gnosall), Grub Street (North of Norbury Junction) and Woodseaves (South of Market Drayton) with huge embankments at Shelmore (between Gnosall and Norbury), Shebdon (between Norbury and Market Drayton) and Nantwich.
An analogy between Brindley’s early Canals and Telford’s Canals is that between early stage coach winding country ( Ellesmere Port Docks in their heyday, probably early 20th century) roads and modern Motorways. The sheer wonder of our Canal at Gnosall is that Telford’s Navvies had no modern machines to hand and that huge volumes of material from Cowley Cutting was excavated by pick and shovel and transported towards Norbury by horse and cart! The solid rock face at the entrance to Cowley Tunnel and the Tunnel roof still show signs of the drills used in the laborious hand excavation. Shelmore embankment, in particular, continually slipped during its construction and, literally, haunted Telford to his grave. It was not completed until 1835, a year after the remainder of the navigation opened, a full five and a half years after it was commenced and six months after Telford’s death.
f) In 1845, the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal Co. and the Ellesmere and Chester Canal Co. merged and shortly after were reformed as the Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Co. Links for canal History at http://www.gnosallhistory.co.uk/canal.htm and a video of when part of the canal was refurbished in 1986 at http://www.gnosallhistory.co.uk/canal_1985-86.htm D.M.Taylor Link to Gnosall industries http://www.gnosallhistory.co.uk/industries.htm 12 Face Coverings During Coronavirus Pandemic:
A face covering should:
Cover your nose and mouth whilst still allowing you to breathe
Fit comfortably and securely against the side of your face
Be secured to the head with ties or ear loops
For all types of face covering:
Do not touch the front of the face covering or parts of the covering that has been in contact with your mouth or nose
You should prevent it from touching surfaces (they may be contaminated)
You should also avoid taking it off and on in quick succession (eg. Leaving or entering shops)
Change the face covering if it becomes damp or you have touched it
Avoid wearing on your neck, forehead or under your nose
Taking off face coverings:
Wash your hands thoroughly or use hand gel
Only handle the straps or ties
Dispose of in general waste bin (if single use) or place in a plastic bag to take home and wash
Wash your hands thoroughly or use hand gel
General care of face coverings:
Wash your hands or use hand gel every time you put on or take off a face covering
Avoid touching your face
When you are temporarily storing a face covering in your pocket/bag, when moving between spaces it should be placed in a washable bag or container and avoid placing it on surfaces
Reusable face coverings should be washed after every use
Single use face covering should be placed in the general waste bin (DO NOT create litter)
If you have been in contact with someone who has coronavirus you need to take extra precautions – double bag personal items, store them for 72 hours and then throw them in the general waste bin
Information supplied via: www.gov.uk 13 THE MERCER OF GNOSHALL By Felicity Potter (with thanks to David Noy, Bob Johnson and Annette Davies)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx In the 1660s, just after the Stuarts returned to the throne, a wealthy young man came to Gnosall. Cxxhxaxrxlexxs xFxyxgxex x(x1x6x3x 9-1676) was a son of London apothecary Valentine Fyge, a friend of Samuel Pepys. He set up a Mercer’s shop, which he promoted with metal tokens reading: ‘SEND MEE TO THE MERCER OF GNOSHALL’ on one side, and ‘GOD GRANT PEACE 1667’ on the other. Mercers were primarily cloth merchants. After Cromwell’s protectorate ended in 1660, colourful clothing was again permitted, so perhaps a range of fabrics was in demand as the wealthier livened up their wardrobes.
Aged just 26 he gave £50 to set up a charity for the poor in 1665, married Ann Arthur of Eccleshall in 1667, was chosen as Overseer of the Poor for 1667-9, and was listed as a feoffee of the school lands in 1668. He and his wife had three daughters, Margaret, Ann and Mary, and a son Valentine, born 1670.
Sadly, Charles died aged 37, “sick in body, yet of good perfect & sound memory” leaving his shop and a house full of furniture, the latter all listed room by room on Staffordshire Past Track. The contents of the shop and his warehouse are not listed, but they were worth £241 9s 4d - although there were “very desperate debts” of £41 17s owing plus other debts of £85.
Charles had attended Shrewsbury School with his brother William, but it is a mystery why he had chosen Gnosall. Thomas Grimes of Eccleshall (an executor) was the half-brother of Charles’s wife Ann.
As a hint at Charles’s interests, he left behind books worth £20, quite a lot in those days, and a dulcimer in ‘the chamber over the parlour’. These no longer had the social status they had had formerly (they were popular in pubs and at puppet shows) so perhaps he just liked playing it. They are quite hard to play and it was not mentioned in the 1699 listing.
His son Valentine was only six when Charles died and presumably his widow Ann kept the shop going, as when Valentine died in 1699, the contents were worth £482. Valentine’s will inventory lists the contents and they mostly comprised rolls of cloth, as you would expect: drab, double damask, grogram, shalloon, silk, crepe, kersey, drugget, canvas, silk, serge, camlet, shag, calamanco, mock calamanco, etc. He had also sold girdles, ribbons, laces, hose (men’s and women’s), combs (horn or ivory), rings, buttons (mottled, pewter, glass, silk, gold) - and soap, tobacco of various kinds, pipes, sugar, currants, beeswax, nails, spices (cloves, mace, cinnamon), brandy (12 gallons @ 4/-) and something called Ann Juator (12 gallons @ 2/2). The latter may have been a spirit involving anise, such as was sold for medicinal purposes: his grandfather had been an apothecary.
Where was the shop? It would be nice to think it was in Gnosall as suggested by the wording on the token. Probably on the High Street if so and it must have been quite spacious as the room above it in Charles’s time held a four-poster bed with feather mattress, curtains and vallances, plus 12 leather chairs, a cupboard, small table, looking glass, three trunks, and a wicken (twiggen) chair, as well as china, glasses and knives. Possible contenders are the site now occupied by the Coop (which had a food shop on it in the 1770s) and Green’s, also the site of St Lawrence’s Day Nursery by the church. The Workhouse minutes of 1837 refer to ‘that part of the House called the Weaver’s shop’ in the building that stood here then: was this a memory of the Mercer’s premises? It had been bought for Workhouse use in 1783, then described as ‘The New House, late the property of Mr Thomas Foster Gnosall’. Alternatively, the shop may have been in Stafford: it is possible Charles’s father moved to Stafford in later life and died there in 1685.
The will also lists a two-storey ‘house’ (with kitchen contents), a parlour with a room above it (there were five beds of different kinds here), a warehouse, a buttery and a barn, as well as a place in Stafford with a bed, malt and corn. Charles was shown as only having one hearth on the hearth tax listing of 1666 but as only one room is listed as having fire irons (the kitchen) this does not help.
Valentine moved the leather chairs (now 13 of them) to the upper parlour, but in the room over the shop kept a four-poster bed, 14 chairs, four looking-glasses, a cupboard, books - and a grate with fire irons and coal. (The hearth tax had been repealed by William and Mary in 1689.) He died aged only 29, and since two of his daughters died at 10 and 12, it is possible the family suffered from TB. He was buried at Gnosall church; it is likely Charles was buried there too but the 1676 records are missing.
As for the Fyges’ legacy, a Poor Levy list of 1735 recorded that Richard Beckett was living in ‘Fige’s house’. Rather unfairly, Charles Fyge’s charity became known as Baker’s Charity, after the vendor of the land. For such an enterprising family they have left very little local trace.
14 The Best Kept Village By Dave Clarke
The BKV Countryside Calendar 2021 features wonderful images from our talented village photographers.
The calendars will be on sale in the village shops, hairdressers, dentists and service station from early November for just £5. We print 500 copies and the print costs are covered by generous village businesses, so that the £2,500 raised through sales all goes to local charities and village projects. Each year we sell out by Christmas so please buy your copy early!
For further help please telephone 822483
The COVID-19 Rock Snake has been created to help us all to remember and celebrate the wonderful community spirit during Lockdown 2020. We asked for villagers to paint pebbles and we were delighted to receive over 600 beautifully decorated pebbles! The Rock Snake was built by members of Gnosall's Best Kept Village team, and is permanently set in a concrete hexagon on the grass area opposite the Lockup. The Snake has been varnished to help protect the pebbles from the weather. We would love to know what you think about our COVID-19 Snake.
In fact painted pebbles date from around 22AD, the Pictish period. They were thought to be of magical nature by the Picts, and used to cure sickness in animals and humans. The snake is one of the oldest and most widespread mythological symbols. Snakes have been associated with some of the oldest rituals known to mankind, from being fertility symbols, to joining all humans to Mother Earth and encouraging good health and regeneration. Lets hope our Rock Snake has similar properties! The pebbles we did not use in our Snake will be displayed in another shape yet to be created!
15 16 Dancing by the Light of the Moon, by Gyles Brandreth Published 2019
I was given this book last Christmas, I would not usually choose to read a poetry book, but I really enjoyed it. It was reassuring that a lot of the poems were very familiar. The book contains over 250 poems, separated into 16 chapters with themes, e.g. A lot of nonsense, The seven ages. Gyles Brandreth often gives some details about the poets, dates of birth and death etc. His suggestion is that the reader should learn the poems, and gives ideas of how to do so. I like his humour on the radio, and it often comes through in this book. I have read them all, but I’m afraid I haven’t learnt any of them yet, maybe I will if Covid 19 goes on much longer. I will certainly keep it, and maybe make more effort with reading poetry.
Joyce Rowe
GNOSSWORD Novembers Gnossword Answers A n s w e r s
i n
n e x t
m o n t h ’ s
p u b l i c a t i o n
ACROSS 20.Jupiter Moon 34. Knight DOWN 13.Three 30. Free (3,3) 1. Caviar 21.Faucet 14. 37. Street 1. To-and-fro 14.Gold 31. Bashful 7. Volume 22. Playstation 38. Narrative 2. Usefulness 17.Amount 32. Claws 10. Feeder 24. Doctor 39. Flax 3. Eye part 19.Extended Play 34. Nazi Police 11. Anger 25. Isle of ___ 41. Swedish company 4. Happy 23. Palladium 35. Angled print 42. Preposition 36. Input 12. Joined 27. Did bleed 5.extraterrestrial 24. Organic molecule 43. Near 40. Very 28. Soft cheese 6. New York 26. Throw 14. Like 44. Formerly 43. Lettuce 15. Lithium 30. Fathers 47. Money 7. Eye protection 27. Sour 45. Deity 16. Difficult 32. Tuberculosis 48. Camera 8.Alternative 28. Degree 46. Victoria Cross 17 18. Old yours 33. Ensconce 49. Pasta 9.Lower 29. Gain height 47. Copper Well now, Autumn, that season of ‘mists and mellow fruitfulness’ is well and truly here and while we still await a return to happier days, some work is going on behind the scenes by the Gnosall Towpath Restoration members.
The Herb garden by Bridge 35 has been tidied up and a start has been made to clear the weeds which had totally overpowered parts of the canal bank, threatening to suffocate the bulbs and flowers we look forward to in Spring!
The photos show the before and after on the bank at Bridge 35. I am told that we now have some stone to put down along the canal towpath when it is safe to do so! Any volunteers should contact us at:-
www.gnosallparishcouncil.org/gtr (Bridge 35 Herb Garden)
Jill Carthy
(Bridge 35 before tidy up)
(Bridge 35 after the tidy up)
Fundraising during 2020 has been very limited and as a result of the coronavirus epidemic we have not been able to hold any formal events for the Macmillan Charity. However we have received a number of private donations from individuals as well as local organisations, for example the BKV Team, Jambusters WI, Aqualate Golf Club Ladies and Collecting Boxes (during the first quarter). In addition the Monthly Draw has made around £800 profit in the last 12 months. As a result we will be in a position to send about £3000 to Macmillan on your behalf. We are most grateful to all those who have been involved in giving up their time and energy to support the charity and a special “Thank You” to those individuals who have kindly given personal donations. Your contributions are very much appreciated. We are not going to be able to hold a formal AGM in the new year, but hope to make some arrangement on a virtual basis. On a personal note, I have been Leader of the Gnosall Macmillan Group for the last 15 years and would appeal to anyone who would be prepared to offer to take over as Leader of the group to contact me on 01785 822348 to discuss details for a changeover. I intend to carry on as a member of the group for the foreseeable future anyway. We are also looking to recruit a new Treasurer as Sandy has been doing that role for over 15 years and is anxious to step down also. Macmillan Cancer Support needs you, so please give some serious thought to this appeal. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
THE MONTHLY DRAW:
We would like to welcome 8 new members to this fundraising venture and thank everyone who has renewed their membership for the year 2020/21, which commenced on November 1st.
The prize winners for OCTOBER were as follows: 1st Prize No. 113 C. Hewlett £32.00 2nd Prize No. 81 E. Wildridge £19.00 3rd Prize No. 12 P. Wood £13.00
New participants are still welcome to join so please contact Gill on 07949 750032 or any member of the Gnosall Macmillan Fundraising Group. We would like to thank the management and staff of Bank Top Garage for their kind hospitality. Prize winners are notified immediately following each draw and are published in the GPN each month. You can also follow the results of each monthly draw on the Gnosall Macmillan page on Facebook.
18 “Santa Claus is arriving by helicopter?” Eve Wilson had stopped for a catch-up with Dawn Brown who was on her way into the village school for the Christmas nativity play. “Yes, on the playing field,” Dawn replied with a grin. “The Head’s been saying she doesn’t know who’s more excited, the kids or the staff. Jamie’s disappointed, mind.” “Oh? Why?” Eve asked, looking down at the small boy holding on to his mother’s hand. “He wanted the helicopter to land on the school roof. He was hoping Santa would rope down into the hall through the window.” Jamie’s arms windmilled excitedly. “Like Spiderman!” he exclaimed with a toothy grin. “Bit of a challenge for Bill,” Eve said with a laugh. Bill Walker, a genial retired postman, was the village’s usual go-to candidate for Santa activities. “Ssh! Don’t spoil it!” Dawn replied. “Oh look, here’s the new vicar.” Vicar Christine was approaching across the school car park. “A lady vicar this time.” “Yes, times are changing” Eve agreed.
Reverend Christine had earlier been admiring the Christmas flowers displayed in the 13th century church. She had also been considering whether her parish funding would stretch to repairing another hole which had suddenly appeared in the vestry roof. A temporary plug was now in place, but a permanent fix would be needed. “Perhaps Santa could bring us a new roof this year” her church warden had said. That would be asking for rather a lot from Santa, the vicar thought, as she headed out of the church towards the village school.
Later that afternoon, the helicopter landed safely on the school playing field and Santa (aka Bill) successfully ho-ho-ho’d his way in through the doorway into the assembly hall. Bill had earlier been discussing business in a ‘phone call with Alf Roberts, his friend and fellow Santa from the neighbouring village. “Who’s doing the farm shop this year? ... Oh good old Sid, thought he’d retired ... No, I’m doing the Christmas lights switch on ... Fred’s doing that one ... in a hot air balloon? That’s a first ... with a reindeer? ... Who’s that who’s doing the garden centre? ... Never heard of him ... Her? Never! ... “ “Are you the real Santa?” a small voice beside him asked as he was opening the sack of presents provided by the school’s PTA. Bill beamed down at the little girl’s upturned face. “Of course I am” he replied.
It hadn’t been an easy year for anyone, Eve reflected, as she turned for home. But everyone was doing their best and surely next year could only be better. The village was a good place to be at a time like this, she thought, as she waved to Marjorie Simpson. The children’s voices were floating through the air behind her: “Happy Christmas, peace on earth.”
By Yve Hamilton
There are certain words and phrases in British English, associated with Christmas, which virtually all British people are guaranteed to know; mince pies, pantomimes, the Queen’s speech, and Boxing Day are widely understood within these shores. However, some words and phrases have not passed the test of time.
In the 1800s, workers in Yorkshire’s mines and factories allegedly worked harder in the week before Christmas, in order to earn extra money prior to the holiday period. This became known as Bull Week.
Local children wanting to sledge this Christmas will be hoping that the hills around Gnosall are ninguid (snow-covered), but many adults will be less happy if they have to meggle (trudge) through the snow to get to the Co-op. Yuletide is not widely used, but most British English speakers probably still know the word. But what about yulestarn? A yulestarn was a Scottish dialect word for the brightest star in the sky on Christmas night. Whilst a yuleshard (or sometimes a yulejade) is a word with Old English roots, and is used as a name for someone who leaves all of their jobs to the last minute at Christmas. In the 19th Century, a scurryfunge would be found hastily tidying up prior to a guest arriving, and maybe taking time to boun (decorate) the house.
Who wouldn’t agree that Christmas is as good a time as any for apolausticism, the 19th-century term for devoting oneself to enjoyment? In the 18th Century Christmas Eve was nicknamed Rumball Night, and was the evening to feast. After the festive feast you might need to create a yule-hole (an extra hole) in your belt to enlarge it. Hopefully though, you will be left with a contented tummy and experience bellycheer. 19 By a self-confessed scurryfunge (aka Andrea Lacy) Paul’s Story 1 July 2020: I’d completed an 8 mile run that evening, and then received a message on my phone from Dale (Fit Box) which read as follows, ‘ Good miles TP. Are you doing Bootcamp Saturday morning?’ Experience has taught me that it’s always wise to do as Dale suggests (in fear of future Burpee punishments), so somewhat bleary eyed I appeared for the first time at 6.30am on 4 July, and at time of writing I’ve now completed several Bootcamp outings. But where did my running ‘journey’ start?
Probably one of my earliest and fondest running memories was completing a 6 mile route just before I started secondary school. This was made special for me as both my mum and dad also took part, and although we went round the course under our own steam, we all completed it. The photograph always reminds me of my ‘Boris Becker style’ white Puma trainers with the red stripe. There was some fine fashion in the 1980s!
Through secondary school there would be the occasional cross country PE lesson. Albeit we were never told in advance, so it was a surprise to us all. I think I did everyone in studded boots, (which are not ideal on pavements) expecting we would be playing football or rugby as normal. Now there was then a 20 year plus running hiatus for me, post school A levels!
During the mid 2010s I accepted an invitation from NHS England to book in at Gnosall Health Centre for a check up. The results were generally good, but one recommendation was to do some more exercise. So to compliment some cycling, there have been regular fitness classes, and of course running. Initially doing laps of ‘The Cage’ on Brookhouse Road, this then advanced to the old railway line (Route 55 cycle path) getting to a distance of about 6 miles.
My first race entry since 1986 was then the 2017 Gnosall 10k. Now that lives in the memory as being a very hot June day, and was my first real taste of trail running and being with lots of other runners all doing the same thing. I have to admit that I was under prepared for the demands of the trail and the heat, but was thankful for the water stations, and Liz Bennett who had cold flannels in a bucket of water for us! Eventually I got to the finish line. Lessons were learned that day, the main one being make sure you’ve prepared properly.
Since then several 10k races have been completed at Brewood (twice), Chasewater, Pattingham, Walton on the Hill, and 2020 saw me complete my first unofficial half marathon run, and fourth Gnosall 10k (ish).
Our village event grows each year, and is testament to a wonderful community spirit, which has been even more important during 2020. A Saturday morning Bootcamp allows you to maintain fitness, get prepared and or compliment your training for any current ‘virtual’ race that you have entered, and the people are fantastic. There are a number who have regularly completed half marathons, marathons, and even some ultra runners. All of them will make you feel very welcome, and you will not be left behind. The distances are usually 8 to 10 miles and although this may (or may not) take you out of your comfort zone occasionally, and I’m usually moving like Phil Tufnell used to in the outfield, and that’s fairly slowly (there’s a cricket reference for ‘Bootcamp Bob’, who is a huge England fan), we go out together and come back together, adhering to the current Government rules in place.
I can look back on some wonderful sensory memories from the second half of 2020, courtesy of Bootcamp, and have again really appreciated where we live and the surrounding area. The smell of ST20 strawberries in the early morning as we have gone alongside and through the local farms will stay with me for a long time. The end of 2020 / start of 2021 will see the emergence of a new running club, Gnosall Globetrotters. Watch this space for details, or keep up to date via the website address: www.gnosall10k.co.uk I hope that the new year sees further new attendees at Bootcamp, and that Gnosall Globetrotters membership progresses in an upward curve.
Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas and a healthy 2021. Paul Birch 20 GNOSALL PARISH COUNCIL (INCLUDING THE WARDS OF MORETON AND KNIGHTLEY)
Christmas 2020
By the time you are reading this, the village Christmas trees will be illuminated and from reading recent social media posts it seems a lot of Office Opening Times people will be making extra efforts to illuminate their homes this year. The tree in front of the Grosvenor Centre is a dedicated community tree Monday - CLOSED and parishioners are invited to decorate a pre-cut tree decoration, available Tuesday - 10.00am – 2.00pm from outside the parish office. Finished decorations are to be handed back Wednesday – 9.30am-12.30pm to the parish office (in a box outside the office) and they will be laminated Thursday - by appointment only and displayed on the tree for everyone to enjoy. It is preferable to telephone or Christmas could be very different this year for many families but the email the office during the community spirit that has been evident throughout this strange year cer - pandemic rather than visit tainly continues. Jayne Cooper Clerk, Rachel from Green’s Café, along with a number of volunteers, is Gnosall Parish Council, The organising a free Christmas meals for local people who are vulnerable, Grosvenor Centre, High Street, socially isolating, not able to be with friends & family, struggling financially, Gnosall, Stafford ST20 0EX feeling lonely etc. If you would like to book a meal or if you know anyone Tel: 01785 822685 who you think may benefit from seeing a friendly face on Christmas day delivering a homemade Christmas meal with all the trimmings and a few email: extra goodies, please call 07947 104411. Meals are to be booked by [email protected] 19th December. www.gnosallparishcouncil.org.uk
This wonderful idea is being part funded by a community Christmas raffle. Facebook Fabulous prizes including Christmas hampers, hair and beauty vouchers, meal vouchers, a day’s boat hire from Norbury Wharf, Christmas planters Did you know Gnosall Parish and many more have been donated by local businesses for which we are Council has a Facebook page? very grateful. If you can’t get out to purchase a ticket, please call the Local information and events are hotline number and arrangements will be made to get tickets to you. posted regularly. Why not “like” The grand draw will take place on 22nd December. our page and start following us. Hundreds of other people do and Usually in this edition the community is informed about when the parish help share useful local information. office is closing for the Christmas break. This year, the office has been closed for many months (work has continued!) and even though the staff Useful telephone numbers and councillors will be taking a break from working on projects and Police (non emergency): 101 general parish council work, the hotline will remain open every day for people to use if they are in need of help whether that may be shopping, Highways: prescription collection, needing someone to talk to or for any other reason (roads, pavements and street they feel the need to make contact. Please be assured, someone is there lighting issues) to help no matter what your situation is no matter what day or what time report online at of day. Our village is very fortunate to have so many people who will www.staffordshire.gov.uk/reportit help. Streetscene: 01785 619401 (litter and dog mess) On behalf of the Parish Council a very big thank you is sent to all the volunteers who have helped in so many ways during 2020 (and continue Hiring The Grosvenor Centre, to do so), to the fundraisers and to our local key workers. Stuart Ridgewell [email protected] or All parishioners are sent our very best wishes for Christmas and the New 01785 822685 Year and if we all continue to follow the guidelines to help slow down the transmission of the COVID virus, let’s hope 2021 will be a more normal year.
The Hotline number is 07947 104411 21 We are now in our second lockdown due to Covid-19 virus, fingers crossed, this could be the last, on behalf of Gnosall WI we would like to wish you all well and keep safe, in these strange times.
November is upon us, the change in temperature, the lovely colours and nature preparing for winter, it is a lovely time of the year and we are lucky to have the seasons. Halloween and bonfire night have come and gone, hopefully these will be celebrated, without restrictions next year, Christmas is just round the corner, its going to be different from previous years, we will have to make the best of it, and remember the real reason for Christmas, and make a point of looking out for people who will be spending the day on their own.
Our Act of Kindness went to Helen Bundy, June kindly delivered some lovely flowers, Helen works tirelessly for Blood Bikes such a great cause, so the flowers were well deserved Thank You Helen. (Helen Bundy) Moving On …. The monthly walk that takes place on a Saturday had to be cancelled due to the lockdown, however Helen Air very kindly invited WI members to join her on her morning walk, on Wednesday 4th November the weather was sunny a bit nippy but was enjoyed by all, Thank you Helen, fingers crossed we will be able to do the next walk.
ZOOM Meeting 4th November -- Recycling with Becky Martin from Staffordshire County Council, this went well, Becky discussed the background to Recycling past and present, 2023 will bring more changes. Becky reminded us that from 2021 there will be £36/year charge for emptying the brown bin which is quite low compared to some authorities, we had a quiz and the meeting was open to questions! this was the first zoon meeting for Becky, she put a lot of information together so a Big Thank You for an interesting evening.
“Did you know that the average Dust Man walks 12 miles a day” can you believe that!
We have three new members who joined the zoom meeting they are Lynne and Daisy Williams and Julie Parsons Welcome to Gnosall Jambusters WI.
One must not forget Remembrance! this took place at the Village Hall Car Park limited people allowed to attend the service, Helen Hinde committee member represented our WI and a wreath was laid in memory of all the service men and women that lost their lives, their memory will live on!
Coming Up … 2nd Dec - Holy Reynolds Sing a Long - don’t forget the Gin and Wine Ladies 8th Dec - Wreath Making this is now booked - Ladies you will need to pay by Bacs 17th Dec - Christmas Tree Decoration Competition, and Quiz there will be a prize for the winner! Please join in the fun and Zoom in at 7.20pm
I think that's it for now, should you wish to join our WI contact Celia via email [email protected] or if anyone would like to join the Committee the more the merrier. We are lucky to live in a lovely community it’s always a pleasure to help where needed! In the mean time Please Stay Safe Jean – Gnosall Jambusters Treasurer Beautiful Tree
In Summer you were clothed in lush bright leaves Camouflaged nicely in flowing green sleeves Now Winter is coming, your trunk and branches lay bare Your leaves have fallen, spread on the cold earth A new version of you has given birth Your trunk all bent and gnarly, now it’s all clear to see What your laden branches covered, is another beautiful tree 22 Jen Delamont Gnosall Library: LOCAL TRADE DIRECTORY
Lockdown and beyond FOOD SERVICES: Gnosall Express p24, Hogart Wines p24, Occasions Caterers p24, Boat Inn p25, The Bakery p24, Matthews Butchers p25.Navigation Inn p24. By the time you read this the November Lockdown will nearly be over, or perhaps over, if ACCOUNTS & FINANCIAL: Mike James p26, Bright & Co p29, you are reading this late! There is a possibility the ‘Lockdown’ will be extended…hopefully Deaconsfield p32, Kates Accountancy Services p42, not… but either way the Library will be open. Jeanette Martin p26.
APPLIANCES: Tom Sturgess p31, Appliance Force p36. Previously, the public were using the ‘Order and Collect’ service which started in August. We had just begun Phase 3, as it is referred to within the Library Service, which means to ART AND PUBLISHING: Hare and Moon p42, The Extrahand Marketing Company p42. the uninitiated, back to browsing books when, after only a few days, we had to return to severe restrictions again. BATHROOM, BEDROOM, KITCHEN: RT Bathrooms p27, Regent House p33, Kitchen Visions p34. Whether you have used either ‘Order and Collect’, managed to browse on those few days, BUILDERS: Phil Dolloway p27, LT Talbot p35, or during this November used our ‘Threshold’ service (‘Click and Collect’) where you pick CR Large p35, Daniel Mattocks p40, up the books you have reserved online, we are glad you have visited us. Too many have CARE INC. RESIDENTIAL: Gingercroft p31, not. The Care Company p36, Newport Cottage Care p38. CHILDCARE & EDUCATION: St Lawrence Pre-School p37. Over the summer, and now still, we have seen a reduction in the number of visitors and CHIROPODISTS: Wendy Palser p34, Clare Pitchford p36, when we opened for browsing those scant number of days, there was no recovery. Sarah Irvine p41.
CLEANING (Home, Windows, Chimney): Mark Smith p25, We do believe the library service is a good thing, giving the public free access to books. You Can't I Can p25, Magic Carpet p26, Helpful Housewives I know in the recent past there was a tendency to buy books, like the tendency to buy p28, Gutter Cleaning p29, Safeclean p41, First Impressions anything. Ownership has been the goal for most people; but as things become more p42, Gnosall Laundry Services p43. expensive, the desire to fill your home with books is less desirable through lack of space, COMPUTING & TV: AAS Aerials p30, AAS CCTV p32, rental is far more attractive. Computer Running Slow p32, iTom p33. DANCE, EXERCISE: Fit4TheFuture p29, Yes, I know you can get the same book on Kindle or equivalent, but there is nothing like Movement Matters p39, Diddi Dance p39. holding a ‘real book’ and turning the pages. DECORATORS: Steve Dimelow p26, Steve Taylor p30, Gordon Hall p31, IS Ferguson p34, DW Bentley p42, Aaron Mayer p37. As soon as Lockdown is over, you will be glad to know we will revert to full browsing. Glenn Ward p39. However, just a note… we do not intend offering the public computer service during ELECTRICIANS: Hall Electrical p27, Westwood Electrical p29, library sessions as yet, as you may know, our library is small and we want everyone to be as Craig Michael p31, Nick Bundy p32, Rob Souter p26. safe as possible. If you do require the computer, please email us and we can still arrange FUNERAL SERVICES: Owens Memorials p26. for you to use it for a short while after the library session has finished. FURNISHING: Staffordshire Kitchens p28, Will Mockett p33, Home Farm p35, Penn Home Services p43. We look forward to seeing you! GARDENS, TREES, LANDSCAPING: Gnosall Lawn Mowing Services p27, J Hitchenor p28, Mark Hodgkins p29, M Bissell Please go to the GPN website for more up-to-date news of Gnosall Library at p29, Squirrel Fencing p31, JB Ground Care p33, Littlehales p37, JWH p38, Autumn Leaves p38.
www.gnosallparishnews.com/news HAIR, BEAUTY, JEWELLERY, CLOTHING: Barber Shop p28, Sewing Alterations p29, Hair Razor p34, Angela Smith p38, Parkview Lasercare p41. Chairman HANDYMAN: The Shropshire Handyman Services p26, The Handyman P30,Handyman Servcies p39, Owen-Hampton Flooring p40.
HEALTHCARE: Katharine House shops p37, Gnosall Dental Gnosall Footpath Friends p38, MASE p40. Joanne Vogel p30. HEATING: Fifth Element p27, Brain Brothers p30, Charles We are a new group, working under the auspices Swann Coal p39. Park Nook Logs p25 of the Parish Council's Public Rights of Way JOINERS: David Bebbington p30, Charlie Jones p31. Group. We are interested in looking after the LEGAL: Legal Legacies p36, Donn&Co p40.
parish footpaths, ensuring they are fit for purpose. MOTOR TRADE: SDW Automotive p25, The PROW Group's primary aim is to try and record all the historic rights of way Gnosall Autobodies p33, AJ&H Wright p35, Bank Top p43. within the parish boundary. The Government requires this to be done by 2026. MUSIC: Paul Weaver p40. As well as finding any rights of way that are not shown on the Staffordshire OPTICIANS: In-Home Eyecare p36, Mincher Lockett p42. Definitive Map and Ordnance Survey maps, we are surveying all the paths in the PETS: Kitty Sitty p27, We Pamper p28, Shires Vets p35, parish, noting any issues and reporting these to Staffordshire County Council. Grooming Great p26, Kay Gibson p39. This includes missing fingerposts, damaged stiles and paths that have become impassable. PLASTERERS: RHJ Plastering p27. PLUMBERS: JH Knight p32, Daniel Mattocks p40, Howfield p41, Alan Moore p41. But we need your help. We are setting up Gnosall Footpath Friends and are PROPERTY MAINTENANCE: Richard Carn p36, looking for a few volunteers to befriend some of the paths in the parish, to Marc Hinde p40. commit to walking them at least twice a year and reporting any issues to our group. It is as simple as that. ROOFING: Weathertight p37. RETAIL OUTLET: Tylers Gas and Electrical Andy Wright p34. Agiyo Ltd p38. If you're interested in becoming one of the Gnosall Footpath Friends, please contact Charles at [email protected] for further details. We have heard that TAXI: Mr Jenkins p28, Core Cars p33, Austin's Travel p40. there are problems with some paths in the Moreton and Outwoods area in VAN HIRE: Stafford Removals p41. particular, so if you can help there, I would also be glad to hear from you. VENUE HIRE: Grosvenor Centre p26. 23 Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory e t o u 2 Q
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Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Local Trade Directory Here is a selection of photographs to add a little sparkle to the weeks leading up to Christmas. They were taken at the Victorian Market in the years between 2012 and 2017. The annual event at our glorious parish church of St Lawrence has become a highlight of the vil - lage calendar ….. raising much needed funds for the upkeep of the ancient church.Let’s make a Christmas wish for a return next year.
If you would like your pictures to feature on a future issue please contact: [email protected]