The Three Towers May 2012 Serving the communities in and around Edenham, Swinstead & Witham on the Hill, including Toft, Lound and Manthorpe Advertising manager: [email protected] Editor: [email protected] FORTHCOMING EVENTS Ringstone Players present ‘Just Green - village party the Two of Us’ - May 17th, 18th Manthorpe: and 19th in Edenham Village Hall. 4th June, 2.00pm in the Parish 80's Quiz Night - May 19th at Playing Field - Parish party 7.30pm in Witham-on-the- hill Swinstead: details to be decided Parish Hall. A fun evening to include an 80's Quiz, and a raffle. Edenham: Entry £7.50 per person, to include 2nd June, Village photograph plus a two-course meal and a glass of Fun on the Field. Barn dance wine. plus hog roast and bar. Edenham Arts, Craft, 5th June, Songs of Praise in the Needlework and Fellowship Church. Group - May 25th 2pm to 4pm in Race night in Edenham Village the Vicarage. hall on Friday 22nd June 7pm for Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 7.30pm prompt start. Free entry Witham on the Hill: but if you would like to buy a horse or sponsor a race please 2nd June, 7.00pm to 11.00pm contact Ruth 01778 591328 Ceilidh (barn dance with Moggy in before 15th June. Please bring the Wood) in Witham on the Hill your own drinks and glasses. School Sports Hall. Proceeds to Steam Action. 4th June, 2.00pm on the Village CONGRATULATIONS to Trish and Jon Page on the birth of Sebastian, on Thursday 19 April, weighing in at 8 pounds 1 ounce. A brother for Francesca. CONGRATULATIONS to Claire (nee Renner) and Gareth Burley of Edenham, on the birth of their first baby, Penelope, on Tuesday 17 April, weighing in at 9 pounds 4 ounces. Advertising manager: [email protected] Editor: [email protected] The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations at St Andrew’s Church, Witham on the Hill The Church will be open all weekend for the 'Jubilee Doomsday Project' display - details available locally Sunday 3rd June2012 10am Church service – Parish Communion 6pm Church service – Songs of Praise and the Revd. Canon Andrew Hawes will bless and distribute the commemorative Jubilee mugs Jubilee tree planting ceremony – more details to follow All are warmly invited to all of these events Advertising manager: [email protected] Editor: [email protected] VIEW FROM THE VICARAGE – but in all this there is no May is called ‘Mary’s month’ – substitute for the place of the ‘Lady Day’ being the last day, the Mother. 31st – on which Christians From a Christian perspective, celebrate the visit of The Virgin there is no higher vocation and no Mary to her kinswoman Elizabeth, more important work than who was six months pregnant with mothering; and despite all the John the Baptist. As Elizabeth rightful and righteous aspirations heard Mary’s greeting the baby of women to have a demanding leapt in her womb and Elizabeth and fulfilling working life, it is greeted Mary with the question wonderful to see and share the ‘who am I that the mother of My wonder, joy and reckless love that Lord should visit me?’ From this new mothers discover in their new has come the various titles of role. Mary – ‘Mother of God’ or in the During Her Majesty the Queen’s Greek ‘Theotokos’ meaning God Diamond Jubilee we have an –bearer or God’s parent. opportunity to reflect on a life-time On Easter Day I remarked to the of Christian service to the United congregation that I had never Kingdom and The seen so many babies and Commonwealth. Although she has pregnant women in church before. never said, as her namesake Certainly, as far as the parish Elizabeth the first did, that ‘ I am churches are concerned, the the mother of the nation’, there is thought of imminent births has no doubt that being a wife and never been far from our thoughts mother has provided her with and prayers, neither have the strength, wisdom and insight that unborn members of our has enabled her to be a source of congregation. As many readers unity, strength and integrity to our will know, having a baby around common life. changes life radically; each baby During the Jubilee celebrations needs its own community of care your Parish Church will host a Advertising manager: [email protected] Editor: [email protected] ‘Songs of Praise’ as a with prayer through the orchards thanksgiving for the Queen’s and fields. Please see details of ministry and an opportunity to the Rogation Walk (on the service renew our commitment to love list) this year from Swinstead to God and our neighbour. These Edenham on the 13th May. This songs will represent each decade route takes an hour and a half of of the past sixty years and there slow walking through the peerless will be readings from all the poet parkland of the Grimsthorpe laureates of the Queen's Reign. Estate including the banks of the There will be a special service lake. Please do come – if only for booklet that will serve as a the guided walk! souvenir of the celebration. I hope to see the churches full with people and song! CHRISTIAN AID WEEK Please do make a generous response to the annual collection for Christian Aid which will take place between 13th and 20th May. As we experience all the lush beauty of an English spring we might spare some thought and money for those who do not even have clean water to drink. ROGATION Rogationtide is a time of asking God’s blessing on the growing crops and on the work of human hands. This is usually accompanied by a procession Advertising manager: [email protected] Editor: [email protected] Advertising manager: [email protected] Editor: [email protected] EDENHAM REGIONAL with registration and refreshment. A simple lunch is provided. Please HOUSE notify the house of any special Established in 1989, as a dietary needs. Suggested charitable Trust (no 1058116), contribution is £12.50, but situated in the Vicarage, Edenham participants may give more or less, Regional House is a residential according to will or circumstance. Christian retreat house and For booking or further information conference centre. It is an ancient tel 01778 591358 or email and living church, in a beautiful [email protected]. working landscape, with deep traditions of worship and service, a “BEARING WITNESS” – Friday 11 living community of home and May. Canon Ian Silk opens up the village, warmly welcoming all who prayer and teaching of seek peace and renewal. Rooms Lincolnshire saints – Guthlac, can be booked for individual quiet Hugh, and Edward King on the days, for meetings, for bed and command of Christ to proclaim the breakfast or for an individually Gospel to all nations. guided retreat. The house is very flexible and will cater for individual “STOP IN THE NAME OF GOD” – needs. The Upper Rooms consist Saturday 16 June. This is of 4 bedrooms: 2 singles and 2 Edenham’s contribution to a twin-bedded rooms, all en-suite; national initiative by the Retreat with a kitchenette for self catering Association. Members of the if required. The Coach House Regional House Ministry Team will accommodation, on the ground offer “taster sessions” of different floor, next to the stable chapel, types of prayer. provides twin bedded en-suite accommodation which has been adapted for wheelchair use, and also has kitchen facilities. Please telephone if you would like a tour of the facilities. For photographs and details see www.erh.org.uk EDENHAM REGIONAL HOUSE—FOUND AT EDENHAM The Regional House has a VICARAGE—IS A RETREAT AND CONFERENCE CENTRE programme of days of reflection, WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO FOSTER AND PROMOTE CHRISTIAN open to all. They begin at 10am SPIRITUALITY. For details see www.erh.org.uk Advertising manager: [email protected] Editor: [email protected] Advertising manager: [email protected] Editor: [email protected] WITHAM ON THE HILL WI 7th June “Right Royal Revelry” At the AGM on 3 April Ann by Jill Collinge Burbidge was re-elected as 3rd July “Decopatch” (hands-on President. Following the business, craft work) by Angela Nicholls a bring and share supper was 14th August “Corsets, camis, enjoyed by all. After supper, swimsuits & Smiles” by Maggie entertainment included Marion Rampley (at Carlby Village Hall) Paterson leading community th singing of old folk songs, Margaret 4 September “Waitrose” by Rine reciting a couple of Pam Kelham Cooke Ayers poems, and Sue Cork spoke 2nd October “My Life as a of her work as wardrobe mistress Banquet Florist” by Peggy at Tolethorpe and answered lots of Shrosbree questions. The evening concluded with Ann Burbidge hosting the card game of “higher and lower” Visitors and new members are which resulted in a lot of shouting always most welcome. We meet at and laughter. 7.30pm in St Andrew’s Parish Hall, Witham on the Hill. Do come along The programme for the next six and hear about all the other things months is as follows: that we do! For further information 1st May “Costume Cavalcade contact President Ann Burbidge, Hill View, Witham on the Hill, tel 01778 Part 2” (dressed dolls through the 590132 ages) by Teresa Thompson Clerk’s notes of the Witham on branches and moles on the Village the Hill Parish Council Meeting, Green. It was also suggested that held on 12th March 2012 a wildflower meadow be created The Parish Council meeting was on the Village Green.