1
FROM THE EDITOR
It seems that I am destined to continue as editor for at least a little while longer. Fortunately for Benjamin, he will no longer have to be embarrassed by my presence in Out of this World (his Sunday School group for those of you who aren’t familiar with the new name). Lizzy, despite only just being able to walk again has kindly stepped in to teach the little VICAR: The Rev Stephen Bowen ones. The Vicarage, Felbridge, West Sussex RH19 2QT I would like to take this opportunity to Tel: 01342 321524 thank Maureen Reynolds for all her hard Fax: 0870 9156268 work in writing the in the garden series for [email protected] us over the past few years and through whom I have learnt a great deal. I would Vicar’s day off: Thursday also like to welcome Rosemary Archer ASSOCIATE MINISTER: (previous chairman of Felbridge Michael Peach Horticultural Society) on to the editorial 5 Burns Way, East Grinstead, team. West Sussex RH19 1SA This year’s covers have been designed by Tel: 01342 312406 John Toogood, who has put a huge amount [email protected] of his spare time into creating a beautiful Michael’s day off: Friday cover for us to enjoy and formatted the advertising pages, without which we would be unable to produce this magazine. Cover photo: We would greatly value your comments and contributions. Please let us know what St John’s in the snow you think. You can contact me at the By Malcolm Francis address below. Lindsey Saunders
MARCH: Articles for this Issue to be handed in by SUNDAY 12TH FEBRUARY Please e-mail your articles to [email protected], put them in the editor’s pigeon hole in the church entrance, or post them to Lindsey Saunders at The Bungalow, Saint Hill Farm, Saint Hill Green, East Grinstead, RH19 4NG.
1 STEPHEN WRITES…
Bible humour?...
DEAR FRIENDS, His second point is that there is no room for some parts of the body There is not a great deal of humour feeling that their rôle is superior to in the Bible, to be honest. It deals others’. ‘The eye cannot say to the with serious matters, of course—but hand, “I don’t need you!”’ so does many a sermon that starts with a joke. Perhaps the reason is So the people with ‘important’ that humour tends to be culturally positions in the life of the church are specific. not to the slightest degree any more important than those with What is funny to us in our culture ‘insignificant’ rôles. In fact, he says, might not be funny to people at the reverse is true. other times and in other cultures. And God’s revelation is for all people And his third point is that we all everywhere. need each other and should have equal concern for each other, and Having said that, I think one of the should function as one unit, rejoicing passages that might raise a wry and suffering together—just as the smile anywhere in the world is the parts of a body do. Apostle Paul’s teaching about the church being like a human body. It is A church that is growing towards a powerful concept. that reality will be a great witness to the world of what human life was The idea is that the church is like a designed to be by its Creator. human body, made up of a whole variety of parts, all different, but all needing each other.
It wouldn’t work if every part was P.S. You can read about all this in 1 the same. He pictures a foot suffering Corinthians ch. 12, verses 12‐26. Just from hand envy, and saying, ‘Because before that much loved chapter I am not a hand I do not belong to the about love... body,’ or an ear feeing the same way about an eye. But, he says, if a body was just composed of eyes, it wouldn’t be able to hear, or smell. The variety is essential.
2 VILLAGE ISSUES
Felbridge W.I. We are having a banner made to advertise our W.I. through a kind Mr. Peter Mansfield Clark MBE was donation from a past member, our speaker at our January which we will raise as the Olympic meeting. He is the Director of Open torch comes through the village, House in Crawley which gives and also at our Country Fair in shelter to the homeless. Felbridge. It was extremely interesting to hear Daphne Ayerst of his personal experiences over the years and insights into the Ken Harwood’s notes problems faced by people who, I am pleased to report that there often through no fault of their own, has been a significant drop in crime have lost their accommodation. As in Felbridge which, hopefully, well as being open 24 hours a day, means that our community is being meals, showers, bedrooms and more observant and more careful occasionally space for a dog with home security. Well done – companion are on offer as well as please keep it up. clothing. Wherever possible permanent housing is also found A Chinese lantern was found in the for them and any necessary fields with the ignition system still furniture. There is also a youth intact. Had this happened in the hostel where teenagers, some just summer the ignition could have set 16 years old, are cared for, crops ablaze. Please be aware of educated and if possible found the dangers of these lovely looking employment. balloons and the damage they could cause. Any donations of bedding, towels, toiletries and clothing are always Ken Harwood welcome. Contact telephone 01293 447702 Members are having a New Year th lunch on the 20 January and Felbridge and District looking forward to a day out on a Horticultural Society horse drawn boat trip in the summer. We are starting a Craft meet on 17th March at group and have added DVD’s to 8.15pm in the village Hall our book library service for members.
3 WHAT’S HAPPENING
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY
Connections, first Monday of WI first Tuesday of Watercolour on the month at 2pm - 4pm the month in the Wednesdays in the Village Hall at Church Hall at 2pm 1.30pm 1st Felbridge ( St John’s) Brownies
Prayer on Wednesday (non-homegroup weeks) at 8pm
Sunday Services 8AM 10AM 6PM 5th February FAMILY SERVICE HOLY Stephen Bowen COMMUNION Don Ely 12th HOLY Peter Davies Stephen Bowen February COMMUNION 19th HOLY COMMUNION RAISE THE ROOF February Michael Peach 26th HOLY Andy Brown Michael Peach February COMMUNION 4 THROUGH THE WEEK
THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
WIGS at the Old 1st Felbridge Prayer breakfast on 4th Pheasantry, Woodcock (St John’s) Rainbows February at 8am—9am Hill (home of June Clark) at 10.30am Girls Bible Study in the 1st Felbridge Men’s breakfast on 11th Church Hall at 4pm (St John’s) Guides February at 5 Burns Way from 8.30—10am JAFFA Plus in the Church hall on 2nd Feb- ruary at 7pm - 8.30pm
Special Events
Fish & Chip Supper and Desert Island Discs Come and enjoy supper whilst listening to several people telling us about their favourite piece of music Saturday 10th March 7.30pm At St John’s Church Hall, Felbridge Ticket Price £7.50 per person Tel: Cecilia 01342 718441 or Lis Woolley 01342 300356 Drinks available from Licensed Bar Proceeds to St. John’s Church
5 IN THE GARDEN
Inspired by such gardens, it’s time to get down to work. Providing the soil is not too wet, we can make a start on preparing the vegetable beds, perhaps covering with plastic FEBRUARY – many people’s sheeting to warm the area least favourite month. up for a good start to early However, for the gardener it is sowing of onions, French the beginning of another beans and early peas. Tomatoes, growing season, full of hope and peppers and chillies can be sown promise, and for the garden visitor now on a sunny windowsill or there are annual joys which should heated propagator. Many annual on no account be missed. flowers can also be sown this Despite the damp, chill weather of month, including annual sweet February, there is plenty for us all peas; dahlia tubers can come out of to get out and marvel at, even this winter storage to start into growth in early in the year. Snowdrops should compost, though they do need to be be at their finest – unless, like mine kept above 10°C. Don’t forget to they were in flower before chit your seed potatoes, putting Christmas! One of the best places them in a light, cool but frost free to see them locally is at Nymans, place. which has great drifts of glorious These days, we are all advised to snowdrops as soon as you pass leave left much of last year’s growth through the gates. on perennials and grasses, both for There should still be time to breathe winter interest in the stems and in the heady perfume of Daphne seed-heads, and as valuable Bholua which fills the air as you habitat and food for wildlife. On the follow the stream downhill at other hand, perhaps it was one job Wakehurst Place. I vividly recall the too many to complete last autumn! first time I met this, following my It is time to clear this now as it is nose to find the source of the looking rather bedraggled, and new extraordinarily powerful scent which shoots will soon be appearing. enveloped us long before we found Now is the time to look forward as the tiny flowers. My Daphne, the spring flowers successively planted as soon as possible after bring life back to our gardens. Who that first encounter, has been in hates February? Not me! bloom now since the first days of the New Year. Rosemary Archer
6 STREET PASTORS
The 21st century has thrown up a Who can be a Street Pastor? challenge both to the church and to Anyone over 18 years of age (no upper society, with a growth of anti-social age limit) who has been committed to a behaviour at a local, city wide and Christian Fellowship for more than a national level. The biggest challenge year and comes with a positive and surprise is the young age of some reference from a church leader/ of those involved in anti-social Minister. They would need to be CRB behaviour. Some of the contributing checked and be willing to complete a factors to this are poverty, family 12-day Street Pastors Training Course. breakdown, a lack of supervision in the home and truancy from school. Street Together with Local Government and Pastors are the Churches’ response to the Police, the church is being asked to such neighbourhood problems; help. Together we have hundreds of engaging with people, on the streets members, who could be harnessed to and in night-time venues, to care, listen bring positive changes to this situation and offer practical help. in our local community. In response to a request from our own local police What is a Street Pastor? force here in East Grinstead we, as A Street Pastor is someone from the Churches Together in East Grinstead, Christian community who is willing to have been considering this whole issue care, listen and help, particularly for the past six months and at this young people who have found year’s Churches Together AGM on themselves is difficulty, or are 21st February will be giving some distressed in some way, out on the serious thought to this challenge and streets of our towns, during the making some decisions on the way evening and night-time hours. Street forward. Please give your support to Pastors are people willing to engage this by attending the meeting, if you with young people where they hang possibly can, and perhaps your out – be it on the street, in the pubs or willingness to get involved. Your input clubs. would be greatly valued.
STREET PASTORS Feb 21st Shrove Tuesday at JUBILEE CENTRE From 6.30 - 7.30pm pancakes Followed at 7.30 with a presentation on CARING -- LISTENING -- HELPING Followed by brief Churches Together AGM at about 9.00 7 FELBRIDGE WILDLIFE
Stackdaws and a Starling Spectacular
THE local jackdaws have started crimson wings of evening in the dropping sticks down any uncapped West light the clouds and are chimney to make a platform that will reflected in the water, the whole hold their nests. The increasingly lake seems on fire. Then come the large flocks of 'daws are breaking birds. Cohorts of black arrowheads, up into pairs which usually stay wheeling, rising, turning in a display together for life. Several pairs breed of synchronised flying that defies in the holes of the Evelyn the mortal eye to follow. Twice, on chestnuts. rapid, steady wingbeats, a sparrow A delightful surprise in The Limes, hawk flew into the throng, grabbed was a weasel undulating across the a victim and carried off the road, pausing on the grass verge. struggling body. Seconds later the Britain's smallest carnivore, this entire cast turned and dived down eight inch long killer of voles, mice into the reeds. A brief murmuring in and even rats, is half the failing light as further parties the size of a mink. The joined the dormitory, corny advice on identity explains why the is, 'the weasel is collective noun for weasily distinguishable starlings is a but the stoat is stoatally 'murmuration'. different'. In the morning, all This year sees the start the birds will leave of a Government trial together, departing cull of badgers, in an attempt to in all directions, unseen except by reduce bovine TB in cattle until an the postman, the milkman, and immunisation programme can be those watching 'Ring Angels' on the afforded. One fear is that an radar screens at Gatwick. ineffective programme of trapping Next month many of 'our' starlings and shooting will disperse the will return across the North Sea to existing badger population, a Russia, Finland, the Baltic process called 'perturbation' and countries and Germany. spread the disease further. Those that stay will become busy At Hedgecourt Lake, there has making more starlings and feeding been a sensational evening aerial them from Felbridge fields and display, as tens of thousands of gardens. starlings gather to roost in the reed Peter Bateman. bed at the Mill Lane end. As the
8 CURRENT ISSUES: DEBT
Christmas spending pushes many into long-term debt
A SURVEY by price comparison site Shop around: Try as many places as uSwitch.com in December said that possible to get the best price. Buy what nearly a quarter of Britons would be you want and not what others say you pushed into debt by Christmas need. Be wary of extended warranties. spending. About 40% of people Buy safe to be safe: Don’t buy from surveyed used credit cards to cover the unauthorised traders and don’t borrow costs of presents and thought it could from unauthorised lenders. take six months to pay off their debts. Read the small print: Check for Citizens Advice Bureau says that debt hidden extras in any credit agreement. is now the biggest enquiry topic for its Work out the total amount payable. branches nationwide. CAB can help Ensure that the monthly instalments are people negotiate lower payments with within your budget before signing. their creditors or help them with a debt management plan. For some, personal Do your own credit checks: If you are bankruptcy or an IVA (Individual going to use a credit card, shop around Voluntary Arrangement) to avoid and compare terms and conditions. Put bankruptcy are the only options. the payment dates in your diary. CAB has the following tips to avoid a Be organised: If you’ve borrowed debt hangover next year: money it won’t be long before you have to make a payment. Pay on time, Plan early for Christmas: Be realistic even if it is only the minimum, or you and budget accordingly. Work out how will get extra charges. much you are going to spend on each person – and stick to it. Start planning and saving for next Christmas: Now is the time to look at Don’t forget the everyday bill: Rent, what you did well and what you didn’t. mortgage, utility bills, food bills and Learn from your mistakes and start other existing debts still have to be planning how you will do things paid. differently next year. Start saving. Don’t bank on an overdraft: If you If you or a family member have debt need more money, don’t just run up an problems you can find your local overdraft without talking to your bank branch of CAB in Cantelupe Road, first – it will work out more expensive. East Grinstead or you can call them on Keep things simple: If you can afford 0844 477 1171. to pay for your goods outright by cash, Other sources of free, confidential and cheque, or debit card, don’t take out independent advice include the extended credit agreements. Consumers Credit Counselling Service (0800 138 1111) and National Debtline (0808 80804000). 9 TELL ME WHY?
How can a God of love send people to hell?
EVERYONE seems to be agreed that God is a God of love. However, if he is a God of love, how can he possibly send people to hell, a place of pain and punishment? The phrase ‘God is love’ is found in the book of 1 John in the Bible and, if you read on, it helps to address this question: “... God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:8-10 NIV) John says that God is love, and his love is shown most especially through him sending Jesus into the world to deal with sin. Perhaps when we think of sin we think of either crimes like murder, or slightly unwise actions like eating too many cream cakes. However, the Bible defines sin differently: sin is going against God, the Creator and rightful ruler of the universe, and choosing not to do what he says. Sin is a problem for everyone, for each of us rebels against God – sometimes by quietly ignoring him, and sometimes by loudly defying him. Sin is very serious for it is rebellion against the King of the Universe, and its consequences are hurt, pain and suffering for others. God’s justice means that he must send people to hell. He must make sure sin is paid for. Indeed, if God ignored sin he would not be a God of love either, he would instead be a God of indifference. For how can it be loving to ignore hurt and pain, and to ignore justice? The real question is not how could God send people to hell, but rather, how can God justly not send people to hell? Our verses from 1 John tell us that God’s love was shown in sending Jesus as an atoning sacrifice for sins. The sinless Jesus stands in the place of sinful humanity on the Cross. There he suffers the just punishment for all our sin. By doing so Jesus takes away all the sin of those who trust in him, and saves them from hell. God’s love is shown in that he sent his Son, who willingly suffered and died so that we do not have to face hell. Wonderfully we are offered heaven instead of the hell we deserve, through God’s love. How will we respond? Michael Peach
10
FELBRIDGE HOTEL & SPA EVENTS Valentine’s Champagne Dinner on Tuesday 14th & Saturday 18th February 2012 If you are looking for the perfect place to romance your loved one this Valentine's Day, then the Anise Fine Dining Restaurant and The Bay Tree Restaurant are ideal.
Our Executive Chef has created a menu that will tempt the taste buds and soften the heart this Valentine's Day and will be served in both of our restaurants.
As an extra sparkling treat you will receive a complimentary glass of champagne on arrival. £39.00 per guest.
Why not treat yourself and stay over in one of our beautiful bedrooms? A Romance Spa Break from just £166.00 to include a bottle of champagne on arrival, overnight accommodation, breakfast and full use of the Chakra Spa facilities.
For bookings call 01342 337700 or email [email protected]
One Life. What’s it all about? Christianity Explored is an opportunity for a small group to meet together and consider what Mark’s Gospel says about the central questions of life: What’s life all about? Who is Jesus? Why did he come? What does it all mean for me? Anyone can come along to Christianity Explored. You would be very welcome whether you feel you know nothing much about Jesus at all, or have been coming along to church for many years but would just like to revisit the central truths again. Each time the group gets together we’ll start with tea and coffee, followed by looking at a bit of Mark’s Gospel. After that we’ll watch a short talk shown on DVD, discuss what everyone thinks, and have the opportunity to ask any questions. We will be starting a daytime and an evening group from January onwards, meeting for 7 weeks, at a time that is convenient for those who would like to come along. If you are interested, or would like to find out more, then please do contact Michael Peach: (01342) 312 406, [email protected]
15 ELECTORAL ROLL
Prior to the Annual Parochial Church this point, or on any other matter Meeting or APCM on April 1st, I shall related to the Electoral Roll, please be preparing a short report for the PCC contact me or, alternatively, the vicar. (the governing body of the church) Once entered on to the St John’s detailing the number of Parishioners Electoral Roll, a person may attend the on the St John’s Electoral Roll and the APCM and also vote on relevant number who have joined and left the matters arising. It is also a measure of Roll in the last twelve months. commitment to St John’s to be entered Although a full, five yearly, revision on to the Roll. There is no charge – the of the Roll is not required by the ‘fee’ is your commitment to St John’s! Diocese until 2013, it would It is a sign of belonging to the family nonetheless seem to be a good time to of St John's to be a part of the ensure that any person eligible to be membership. entered on the Roll who has not previously applied, now has that If any person who is not currently opportunity. entered on the Electoral Roll feels that they should take that step, then please Entitlement for entry on the Electoral do get in touch with me. This can be Roll is assessed as follows. An done at any time although in order to applicant must be a non-ordained Lay be included in the figures for 2011– Person who has been baptised as a 2012 and attend this year’s APCM, a member of the Church of England or a completed application (obtainable church in communion with it; is aged from me) would need to be received by 16 or over; is either a resident of the end of the last week in February. Felbridge Parish or has been a regular attendee at St John’s for the last six David Legg months and has completed the St John’s Felbridge Electoral Roll necessary application form. In certain Officer circumstances, an applicant can have attended another church that is not in 01342 713152 communion with the Church of [email protected] England – if guidance is required on
16 JOHN STOTT
A small group from St John's went up to St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday 13th January for the Memorial Service for Dr John Stott. It had been an immense privilege to have John Stott as a member of our Sunday morning congregation during the first year or more of his time at the College of St Barnabas in Dormansland, while he was well enough to come. It was a very moving experience to be part of a huge congregation filling St Paul’s, at which we gave thanks for God’s work through his servant John. It is even more amazing to realize that over 30 other services have been held around the world to give thanks for this one life! He was an outstanding Biblical preacher, a pioneer and innovator in town-centre parish ministry, a strategic leader in the worldwide evangelical movement, and a prolific writer. He had an amazing visionary ability to see to the real heart of issues and to determine the right priorities. Before it had become common to emphasize that environmental concerns were a significant part of Christian obedience, John led the way. He was deeply interested in one particular aspect of God's creation, as a very keen ornithologist. His world travels also gave him a profound concern for those living in poverty. His goal was to be more like Christ - one that all Christians should emulate. He lived a very simple life of Christlike devotion, and rigorously avoided any sort of self- aggrandizement. Yet his Memorial Service was attended by bishops from around the world, as well as the Bishop of London, and the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. People representing the different areas of ministry he had founded, and people who had worked closely with him, gave moving tributes. And many of them spoke of his personal friendship. Probably a large proportion of the congregation could have done the same! For me personally, it was almost unbelievable that in his final months, I should have had the privilege, by the kind courtesy of the Warden of the College of St Barnabas, of visiting John with one or two other members of St John’s to share in simple Communion Services in his room. It was strange when we were in a cathedral full of people, singing in God’s praise and thanking him for all that John Stott had meant to them, to reflect on those occasions, with John very weak and hardly able to speak. His watchword was to be content whatever the circumstances (Phil 4:11). Because he had learned the secret of coping well in good times he was able to be content in human weakness at the end. God equipped and used John Stott so mightily and yet he remained someone whose friendship was appreciated by so many. Stephen Bowen
17 MISSION MATTERS
Andy and Joan’s time with Mercy Ships
ON the 7th October Andy and I flew to Freetown, Sierra Leone to join the Mercy Ship for 4 weeks. This was a challenge to our Christian commitment since Mercy Ship crew must follow Jesus’ example, bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor, seek to love God, love and serve others, and be people of excellence and integrity. On landing in Freetown we faced a confusing crowd of locals all offering to get us to the Mercy Ship until the true reps from the ship rescued us and led us to be ferried over to the air conditioned security of the ship. Reception signed us in as new ‘crew’ and showed us to our room. Wow! En- suite shower room, kitchenette area with fridge freezer, wardrobe each, big bed and enough storage space for a permanent resident! Many ‘crew’ live long term on the ship and any children attend the ship’s school. Andy did not have far to go to work, just one floor down led to the operating room and wards. They had lots of patients lined up for him and after three full days of surgery he was ‘whacked’. I was initially superfluous in a department staffed by five physios and two assistants. Then they discovered I could use Excel so I spent a lot of time recording stocks: crutches, splints and compression garments for burns. Burns happened because people lived in unlit shacks with open fires. Patients needed stretching exercises to prevent contractures. On our fist Sunday we went to a local Baptist church for a two hour service. Short by local standards! I wore a dress as recommended but was well outshone by the local women. One elegant local lady was dressed in white from head to toe. Somehow I felt more free to express my christian faith in Africa. A large group of us went out for a meal in admittedly, a fairly empty café, and I stood up and said grace. I would never do that in England! One of my patients was Osata, a 10 year old girl, who stayed in the Hope Centre, a hostel for patients having outpatient treatment. The hostel showed me their big toy boxes, but Osata said they never got the toys out for the children to play with. I found this hard to believe but certainly there were no toys out when a group of us went on an evening visit to the hostel. I was told that they daren’t get the toys out because, not surprisingly, the children ran riot!
18 You can of course play without toys. I stuffed rubber gloves with tissues to make a ball and kicked it around in the hospital corridor with the children. I had to replace the physio ball as it got punctured when I took it outside for the kids to kick at some goal posts at the back of the physio department. I found a stone and drew hopscotch squares. Showing them how to hop around it was hard but they got the idea. It worked on the beach with a stick. When I played ring o’ roses with the beach kids they dragged me down and jumped on top of me. Scary! Now we’re back home Freetown is a long way away. People ask if we will go back again. That’s for Andy to decide. If he goes again I will go with him but as a cleaner! You don’t have to be a health worker on a Mercy Ship. There are jobs in the laundry, school, kitchen, dining room and shop etc. they take people short or long term. Although the vast majority on board are Christians, Mercy Ships accept people who are sympathetic to their aims but not fully committed Christians. The strict dress code e.g. no short shorts and no visible bra straps and skirts covering knees even while seated might put some young people off. As a life enriching experience I would recommend it! Joan Brown
Welcare I raise my glass, or should I say coffee cup to everyone who supported Welcare over the past year. Especially the last six months with the gifts of much needed food when the cupboard was bare. The Harvest gifts, and the Toy Service. The total toys taken to Welcare were 172, and £110 in cash and vouchers, and the cherry on the cake was the Carol singing £43. My Thanks also go to Waitrose who supplied their Bags for Life which enabled me to pack and deliver the toys easily.
St Catherine’s Hospice £434.90 was raised at the tree of Light Service, held on 12th December. Jenny Young would like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped in so many ways and without whom it would not have been possible, especially to Sally Hudson from Danecourt Nurseries, who provided the tree for our Service and to Paul Young for cutting it down, the fireman for putting up the lights, Peter Burton for sorting out all the wires, Barbara Cottier for printing the Order of Service and also Barry and Helen lear, Stephen Bowen , Don Ely, Beth and Rosie, Phil, Lyn, Lis and Joan, Anne But- ler who helped the Service flow so beautifully. Thanks again to Lynn Skinner and Joanne for providing the teas and coffees afterwards.
19 CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
Births
Very warm welcome to Christian Cottle a welcome brother to Michael and Eva Marie and son to Philip and Dawn Cottle. Congratulations to Lawrence and Anne Jack on the birth of their first granddaughter Lucy Katherine born to their daughter Jennifer and her husband Neil. We also welcome the arrival of George Henry Short, to Vic and Elaine Short's son and daughter -in-law. Last but not least we congratulate Ken and Sue Pond on their first grandchild William born to their son Craig and his wife Vicky.
News and Thanks
Jim and Jeanette Farrant have now moved into their permanent home. The address is available from the church office on [email protected] or by phoning 01342 321524.
£42 was raised for for Welcare from donations given at the Carols by Candlelight at The Wiremill. The management asked for a group of singers to lead this from St John’s and a merry band gathered after the Tree of Light service. The carols were well received and all those who took part were very happy to be part of this event. Special thanks to Gill Matson and Celia Esau who organized it all.
The Bowes family and Cecilia Bliss have new email addresses. For details, contact [email protected] or phone 01342 321524. A warm welcome to ‘Connections’ a group for seniors which got off to a flying start with a lunch launch at the Star just before Christmas. The first meeting was held on 9th January and over 30 people enjoyed the time together. If you would like to know more speak to Don or Michael. We were sad to receive the news that Barbara Kitchin died in hospital just before Christmas. She will be rejoicing with the Lord she served so faithfully but we will miss her. We were sad to hear that Harry Smith died on 13th January 2012. He had made friends in his care home in Cheltenham and been happy to be nearer
20 to his family. He slipped away quietly following a series of chest infections. He maintained a deep affection for Felbridge and was talking about his home here ,where he had spent many happy years, and his beloved wife right up to the Lord taking him. There will be a service at St Johns in a few months time when his ashes are interred in the churchyard with his wife's. Any who knew or remember him will be very welcome to come to that service and we will announce it as soon as it is arranged.
Funerals
Noreen Rachel Emily Howarth (known as Maureen) died on 24th November 2011, aged 82. The funeral took place at the Surrey and Sussex crematorium on 7th December 2011. Lucy Sarah Downing died on 28th November 2011, aged 100. The funeral took place at the Surrey and Sussex crematorium on 12th December 2011 Barbara Kitchin died on 23rd December 2011. A Service was held at Surrey & Sussex crematorium on 20th January and a Service of Thanksgiving was held at St John’s Church on 21st January 2012.
CARPARK - UPDATE
THE good news (lower case!) is that the Diocese received four tenders on 21st November 2011 for carrying out the refurbishment of the car park. The bad news is that funds for the work are not immediately available! The Diocesan Architect had invited contractors to provide costs for two options to resurface the car park (1) permeable block paving = PBP (2) plastic cell system with decorative stone infill = PCS. Option PCS was around 6 to 7½% cheaper than PBP for all four tenders. The tender results were reviewed by the Diocesan Surveyor, his architect, the Vicar, the PCC Finance Team chairman and JMG at a meeting in January. The outcome of the meeting was very positive. The Diocesan Surveyor agreed to identify sources of funds that would meet the full cost of the lowest tender for permeable block paving (the preferred option of St John’s) including new lighting. He hopes to report in February before the expiry of the Tenderers’ validity period. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns (email [email protected]). J Grainger 18th January
21 ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Yellow Energy? (FIT High or Low?)
At the time of writing it is still not clear what the feed-in-tariff (FIT) will be for new Solar PV installations. Last year the Government proposed to reduce the FIT but this was challenged in the High Court by lawyers acting for Friends of the Earth and two Solar Companies. The High Court judge ruled that the Government’s plans were ‘legally flawed’ (the date of implementation of the reduced tariff was before the date of the end of the consultation period). The Government went to the Court of Appeal on Friday 13th January 2012 to overturn the High Court decision. Judgement is expected to take at least a week. However none of this affects the St John’s Solar PV project, because: Tandridge District Council refused planning permission. The PCC withdrew support for the project. Now we must find other ways to reduce our carbon footprint. J Grainger 15th January Stop Press - Information received on 21st January Plan A – Government wins the court appeal The original FIT ‘deadline’ of 12th December will stand (assuming that Friends of the Earth do not appeal further), meaning that anyone registering a domestic solar PV installation after this date but before 1st April 2012 will receive the new lower FIT rate of 21p/kWh from 1st April. Between 12th December and 1st April they will continue to receive 43.3p/kWh. Plan B – Government loses the court appeal If the 12th December date is settled as being unlawful, a new date of 3rd March will come into effect instead. Anyone who registers a project before the 3rd March should receive the higher FIT rate of 43.3p/kWh for 25 years. However, anyone who registers their system on or after the 3rd March (but before 1st April) will only receive 43.3p/kWh for one month, and then move onto the new rate of 21p/kWh after the 1st April. J Grainger
22 PEST CONTROL SERVICES Wasps, flies, fleas. All types of rodents and vermin 01342 321373
BUTCHER ARTHUR FRY, Lingfield Road, East Grinstead 01342 323225
CHIMNEY SWEEP MILBORROW CHIMNEY SWEEPS, ‘The Flueologists’ All Flues and Appliances Swept and Serviced. Pots, Cowls, Caps, Birdguards, Fireplace Repairs, Stacks Repointed 01342 717900
FUNERAL DIRECTORS R MEDHURST, Vine House, Hartfield Caring family firm; home visits; 24 hour service. 01892 770253 Memorials arranged: Golden Charter pre-paid Funeral Plans 01342 315880
GARAGE & CAR REPAIRS, MOTs & COACHES 01342 325544 Woodcock Hill Service Station, London Road, Felbridge 01342 326213
KOINONIA COUNSELLING Marriage problems, bereavement, depression, eating disorders etc Jackie Lake 01342 718948
TV SALES, SERVICE & INSTALLATIONS Panasonic Specialists. Plasma, LCD, Multiroom Systems, Aerial & Satellite. Scott Brothers, 178 London Road, East Grinstead. 01342 321117
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When you contact any of our advertisers, don't forget to mention that you saw their advert in Parish News. For advertising enquiries, contact Gordon Wilkinson on 01342 311516 or John Dabell on 01342 317745. USEFUL CONTACTS
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