A Message From
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A message from Huw Good News! Probably the largest part of my time is spent on visiting people who, because of temporary illness or increasing infirmity, stay at home and do not go out. Sadly, I don’t manage to see any of them very often, so the help I offer is limited to a bit of a chat, a sharing of memories, and (if they wish it) bringing them Holy Communion. However, the people I meet seem surrounded by a host of carers, who are far more reliable than I. These friends and family members do 101 things – visit, collect pensions, go the shops, get prescriptions, or do a bit of gardening or cooking. They are unsung heroes, who get on and do the right thing without making a fuss, simply because it is the right thing to do. As we chat, we may touch on the news, which is full of things going wrong and threats to our stability and comfort. Sooner or later, one of us will contrast the public gloom and alarm with the hidden kindness that is actually near at hand. It can feel as though parts of the media actually enjoy scaring us; certainly most of the media seem to live by the axiom, “Good news is no news”. When I get really shaken and scared it is rarely because of world events, rather it is smaller things that affect me deeply: death, illness, unemployment or simply unkindness. We all know what it is to be afraid – we may even recognise that our fear has no basis, and yet it is still strong. Where can we turn for help when fear bites? Well, for myself I turn to my own circle of family and friends; at times I have turned to medication and counselling. In addition, as a Christian, I cling to the good news of Easter, For Christians the worst news in the world – that Jesus was condemned unfairly, was executed and buried – is linked inextricably with the best – that on the third day he rose from the dead, having conquered death. And in conquering death Jesus has shown us that the power of God is stronger than anything that may be thrown at us. Do I always live a happy, fear free, life as a result? Sadly no; I get as shaken and rattled as anyone. But the love and power of God is stronger than my emotions, even than my fears. And it is that unfailing, strong, love which we celebrate at Easter, and live by every day of the year. - 1 - A note from the Editors I’m sorry – we can’t help it – the sun shining through warm air, the bursting forth of Spring flowers, and the birds singing happily – all of these things reach into our souls, and we feel inner joy, despite the Lenten season, the terrible news in so many parts of the world, and the politicians shouting at each other. And even despite the infirmities of old age. This is nature’s analogue of Easter – a reminder that the trials of winter and the gales of early spring pass, and that something wonderful then happens. From the Parish Registers Notices in this department will be published in the May edition. Betty Edey It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Betty Edey. Betty attended St Mary's church for many years, bravely enduring the disabilities of old age in recent years. She was a very loyal member of the Women's Guild, of which she was Treasurer for some time. Despite her short stature, her flower arrangements for church services, festivals and weddings were magnificent – she had worked at the Constance Spry School in Winkfield, and she knew exactly how it should be done! She would have been 100 years old in November. We will all miss her – she was such a character! Bits and Pieces Office opening hours (Friday closed): Mondays: 9:30am to 12:30pm Wednesdays: 9:30am to 3:30pm Tuesdays: 9:30am to 12:30pm Thursdays: 9:30am to 12:30pm Contact info Church Office: c/o St Martin’s Church, Church Road, Chavey Down, SL5 8RR Phone: 01344 882933 Website: www.winkfieldandcranbourne.org.uk email: [email protected] If you are arranging an event, please contact Alison Burt in the Church Office, so that it can be noted in the Church diary and mentioned on the - 2 - website. Alison will endeavour to keep track of activities and timings etc. You may view event details on the website given above. Prayers are held every week at 9:15am on: Monday at St Peter's Tuesday at St Martin's Wednesday at St Mary's Thursday at St Martin's For further details please contact the church office. All are welcome to attend. Events, Notices and Dates for your Diaries The deadline for articles etc. for the May Parish Mag is 10 April 2017. Collation day is 28 April 2017. Who’s Who pages in the Winkfield Parish News The 3rd page of our magazine is the parish Who’s Who. It has been recently updated. Please note that the Editors’ telephone number 01344 310665 has been changed to 01344 483347. Please report any further changes or corrections as soon as possible to: [email protected] Easter Memorial Lilies At Easter, lilies are arranged in St Mary's Church in memory of loved ones. If you would like to purchase any memorial lilies, please contact Doreen on 01344 886324 or e-mail [email protected]. The cost of each lily is £2. Cats Protection Spring Fair 2017 – Saturday 1 April Don’t forget this event, which takes place from 1-4pm at Carnation Hall. Chavey Down Association AGM The 55th Annual General Meeting of the Chavey Down Association will be held on 19 May at St Martins Hall, Chavey Down, at 7pm for 7:30pm. Members and new residents are most welcome. Please attend and socialise, and hear what your Committee have achieved over the past year. Ruth Timbrell Secretary - 3 - CHAT & CRAFT at St Peter’s Church This new weekly group meets every Thursday at St Peter’s Church between 2pm and 4pm; and Scrabble and Bridge have now been added to the activities. Entry £1. See its entry under Regular Events on page 12. Popel’s Cottages Almshouse Vacancy A first floor flat at Popel’s Cottages, Church Road (next to Popel’s Hall) has become available following redecorating and refurbishment, including new carpet and a walk-in-shower. The flats are managed by the Winkfield Parochial Charities to provide accommodation for single women in need, approaching retirement age or older, with limited financial means whose personal circumstances mean they would benefit from the assistance of our charity.1 If you know someone in Winkfield who would be interested in the property, please contact Michael Zerilli (Chairman of Trustees) by phone on 07522 306988 or e-mail at [email protected] for more information. Winkfield Parish News deliverers urgently needed We urgently require volunteers to deliver the parish magazine in the following areas: Brockhill (39) Scania Walk on the Carnation estate (18) Winkfield Lane: Junction of Winkfield St to Crouch Lane (29) Larger rounds can easily be split. Please call Wendy French on 01344 883528 Mayday Fair - help with social media promotion If anyone can spare a few hours to upload information about the Winkfield Row May Day Fair onto various ‘What’s On’ websites and promote through local social media sites in April, we’d be pleased to hear from you! The May Day Fair Committee 07713 348913. Please call Wendy French on 01344 883528 1 The trustees are mindful of Equality legislation; however, the stated purpose of the charities is that the accommodation is to be provided for women of the Parish. - 4 - Chavey Down Association Memory Garden. The tidy-up days for 2017 are as follows. 13 May, 8 July, 14 October Please help if you can if only for an hour – and please bring tools. Starting time 9:30am. Thank you. Ruth Timbrell Chavey Down Women’s Institute Our April meeting will be held on Monday 10th in St Martins Church Hall at 7:45pm. This is our members evening at which one of our own members will give a talk. Our competition this month is for a local legend or saying. The Bailwick Group meeting will take place on Tuesday 6 April at Warfield Park Hall at 2pm. May is the beginning of our new program year so if you are thinking of joining us then now is a good time. We will be having a stall again at the May Day Fair. Janey Bethune-Williams 01344 883854 Spotlights And Youth Music The Spotlights Musical Theatre Group (SMTG) has chosen ‘Youth Music’ as its charity for 2016/17. This charity supports music projects for disadvantaged children; it was set up by the parents of Alice Gross. Serena Kay, Spotlights Music Director, taught Alice singing for 3 years and she was an exceptionally talented musician, singer and performer. Tragically, Alice was murdered in 2014 – many people will remember this – and her loss impacted so many in truly devastating ways. Out of their grief and loss her family set up ‘Youth Music’ to help other children. Serena is convinced that had Alice lived she would have had a highly successful music career. Spotlights will fund-raise for ‘Youth Music’ for a year, maybe two; and they have already set aside £200 as a first donation, arising out of their Christmas concert at the Berystede on Christmas Eve.