Golden Cap E-Magazine February 2021

Aerial view of Marshwood Church by Marc Thurgood

BETTISCOMBE, CATHERSTON LEWESTON, CHARMOUTH, CHIDEOCK, FISHPOND, HAWKCHURCH, LYME REGIS, MARSHWOOD, MONKTON WYLD, MORCOMBELAKE, WHITCHURCH CANONICORUM, WOOTTON FITZPAINE

Letter from the Editor Welcome to the first edition of 2021. And we’re back to an e-mag! We might have passed the ‘New Year’ stage, but we have nonetheless plenty of looking forward in this issue. We’re all no doubt feeling rather tired of Lockdown Version 3, but there’s much going on to celebrate. Vaccines are well underway in the area, and some of the first to receive their jabs report on the experience here. There is some looking back at our somewhat unusual Christmas, and looking ahead to new ventures, such as the approaching arrival of the Syrian family in Uplyme as part of the Community Sponsorship programme: we look forward to hearing more. We have guidance and inspiration for reflection in the coming weeks from Rev’s Chris and Ginny, and Sue at Pilsdon. We congratulate all the members of the Pilsdon Community on their High Sheriff’s Community Award. The award was presented by High Sheriff of Dorset George Streatfield, who commented, ‘Everyone who lives and works at Pilsdon should be congratulated on the way that they are living through difficult times and Sue’s leadership has been a beacon of light through it all.’ We continue our hunt for a new Editor (or editing team!), as I step back this month from my temporary role - do get in touch if you’re interested or would like to find out more!

1 Journeying to our Heart

Dear friends, Journeying to our Heart We hope 2021 will be very different to 2020, for all kinds of reasons. There are signs of hope. We still live in difficult times but vaccines are being rolled out, light is beginning to overrun the darkness and it will soon be springtime! In this hope, we want to begin the year by embarking on a project that will help us to (re)discover who we are and what God has already provided in the Golden Cap Benefice so together we can set some direction for the future. We are calling this project ‘Journeying to our Heart’ and it will be rolled out in the coming months in five stages:

1 Naming our Heart - a questionnaire for all of us - coming soon! 2 Telling our Heart Story - based on the questionnaire - who are we? Springtime 3 Uncovering what we have and making friends - finding out what God has already provided in our Benefice - Springtime and Summer 4 Setting Direction - based on all we’ve learnt so far and how God guides us through the journey - Late Summer time/Early Autumn 5 Reflection - so we can understand where we’ve been and what we’ve discovered - Autumn

We are journeying to our heart because the heart is the symbolic place of meaning, where the deep things happen. So, it’s about us uncovering the deep things of God that are already here, uncovering what is God’s heart for this corner of God’s kingdom, what the rhythm of God’s heartbeat is for the 7,000 people who live here as well as the 20,000+ tourists who visit.

It’s a journey of discovery, like a pilgrimage because we believe it’s God who is the initiator of mission; it’s God who is at work among us, both inside and outside the church; and it’s our job to discern where He is active and join in! As a well-known theologian says ‘It’s not the church of God that has a mission in the world; it’s the God of mission who has a church in the world!’ So, this project is about seeking to uncover what God is doing and what God has in store for us, rather than asking God to bless OUR plans.

2 Pilgrimage is such a good metaphor. Anyone who has ever walked a pilgrimage knows that it’s about the journey, not the destination. It’s about the travelling, not the arrival, because every step is an arrival of its own. BUT….the destination frames the journey. When you set out on the walk, it’s good to know that you are headed somewhere, and that there are paths to follow in getting there. It helps you to move forward purposefully and discerningly. And having the destination in mind enables you to track where you have come from, where you are now, and where you are headed to. Having a destination in mind helps you track your journey’s progress towards it. That’s what this work is about. It’s about uncovering the destination that God would have us walk towards on both ancient and new paths. So, what’s next? Stage 1: Uncovering/Naming our heart We start here this month, simply, with a short and engaging questionnaire called ‘(Re) Discovering our heart’ which you are all invited to complete, whether or not you attend church regularly. We would love as many people as possible from all our local communities to have a go at it. It will go out electronically but we can also do paper copies - if you want one, please ask Margaret. It’s easy to fill in. We know that many of us usually switch off at the word ‘questionnaire’ but this one is unlike anything you will have done before. Chris has already done it and loved it; it asks you about the feeling of the PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE of your church using a selection of images and three words of your choice. We hope that as many people as possible will complete it. This is a genuine process of discernment so we need your prayerful honesty. We will keep you informed and also give more details about the next stages, as the journey unfolds. Watch this space! We pray that 2021 will be a year in which we find our hope renewed with a sense of who we are and are becoming in service of God. Amen. With our very best wishes, Chris Ginny Team Rector Team Vicar

The Small Things in Life

Those of you who have been to my house will know that just inside my hallway I have always got a small flower arrangement made up of “bits” from my garden. Just before half term I renewed this arrangement as my daughter and family were coming. On taking it apart I found that twenty one of the “bits” had rooted themselves in the Oasis foam block. Really strong roots on really small plants! I transplanted them all. I don’t think my daughter would have believed me if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes. She took four of them home when she left. The photos are of the renewed arrangement and of the ones I transplanted. All are going begging! Betty Wood 3 Spotlight Well, here we are in 2021. How are you feeling? Relieved? Optimistic? Fearful? I have no doubt that there is a whole range of feelings being experienced by different people at this time.

In 2020 there were many sad losses for family and friends, some through Covid and some through other illness. Many families were unable to meet with each other, there were no holidays and severe economic hardships.

Yet through it all there emerged a remarkable human spirit of community, of charity, of kindness and of love for one’s neighbour and so many more acts of human interaction. No doubt that will continue into this year as hopefully things improve with the spread of vaccinations and, in due course, a recovery of our economy.

At Christmas we of course missed the majority of our normal services and carol services. However, we did manage some worship over this period. So all is not lost. In St. John’s gospel many of you will be familiar with chapter one which is read every year during our Christmas worship. In particular, verses 4 and 5, ‘In Him was life and that life was the life of mankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has never mastered it.’ In these words lies our strength as we face the next twelve months. Because through the centuries that brought us war, plague, famine etc. the light has never been extinguished by the darkness.

The human reaction in the past year as seen in our NHS staff and support services, our scientists, individual fundraisers such as Captain Tom and many more, does indeed show that the darkness will never overcome the light.

A peaceful and healthy New Year to you all. Jim Pettifer LLM

Christmas Eve at St Michael’s Church Despite the bother of having to set up a booking system, everything went smoothly for our 11pm Service. The candles were lit on all the windowsills which were decorated in a simple way with beautiful berried holly, ivy and poinsettias – these now surround our font.

Usually at this service the church is packed with local people and their visitors and relatives. This year our gathering of 30 people and 1 child (plus a small choir – socially distanced) was mainly made up of people who don’t usually come to our church, plus some of our regular congregation.

The atmosphere was really good with everyone being thrilled to be there to start their Christmas celebrations. Alex, our organist and choir master along with his wife Alison, had prepared some beautiful musical treats for us. The choir ‘did us proud!’ Along with Rev. Chris they led us thoughtfully through our Eucharist service to prepare for Christmas Day. Thank you to all who helped us to enjoy this very special service.

I must not forget to thank all those who stayed behind at that late hour after the service, to make sure the church was sanitised in readiness for our Christmas Morning Service. Betty Wood 4 Christmas Services in Lyme On the 13th December St Michael’s held its traditional carol service. It was necessary to have a booking system in order to respect Covid rules, so in all around 40 people attended. The church as always looked beautiful with a large tree lit up at the front and greenery bedecking other areas, thanks to Betty and Shirley.

Unlike previous occasions, the congregation was not allowed to sing, but there was a lot of humming behind our masks. The choir sang, from a safe distance, the traditional carols and some less well-known ones. Much credit here must go to Alex, our organist and Alison, his wife, who were responsible for the arrangement. Many commented after the service on the professional quality of the singing and felt imbued with a true spiritual start to Christmas.

Sadly, this year we were unable to have the Christmas eve service for the children due to Covid restrictions. However, the Christmas eve service went ahead at 11 o’clock as you will see from Betty’s article. After much consideration, there was also the Christmas morning service attended by around 35 people, including a number of older church members who have long since lost affinity with that late hour! Alex again played and Alison with her daughter and two other choir members provided the singing. I for one was so pleased to be able to attend, and thank you to John Eade who presided at the service.

Despite the restrictions, the British bull dog spirit came to the fore thanks to the efforts of the Town Crier and his wife, the Minister from the Baptist Church and our own Chris Martin. The result of this united effort was the carols from the car park, superbly organised. We all had to drive in and stay in our cars but with the windows down so that everyone could join in with the carols. It really was a memorable occasion. Many thanks also to the Town Band who braved the cold to accompany the singing. The Town Band also played on two occasions on Broad Street to add to the Christmas spirit.

The council had done a great job with the lights around the town so that, despite the gloom of the virus, our spirits were lifted. St Michael’s school did their bit in organising the Christmas story with each class involved. This has been put onto their website for all to enjoy.

And so we enter 2021 with our third lockdown. For many this is going to be very difficult and for those of us in good health and not too elderly, our chance to look around and see where we can give a helping hand. Many of our older citizens are receiving the vaccine and I have been very impressed at the rolling out of this. Let’s hope that this will continue without the hitches we have witnessed in the last year.

I wish all our readers a happy and peaceful new year, and ask that with reverting to e-mag format again, the articles be passed on to many. Frances Barter Churches that are open for private prayer

Chideock—Saturdays 10am-2pm Lyme Regis—Wednesdays 10-4pm Hawkchurch—Every Day, daylight hours Marshwood—Sunday from 10-4pm Whitchurch—Sunday 12.30-4pm Morcombelake—Saturday 10-4pm

5 Christmas in Catherston Leweston

Our Christmas Day service went ahead obeying the social distancing rules. Can I say it was a great success? The church had been decorated with a reduced array thanks to Liz, Karen and Jan. It was Chris’s first service at St Mary’s whose congregation were delighted to see him and his old socks which he used as an aide for his talk. We were also delighted to welcome two new families who have moved into Catherston in the last few months. It was something special to have children at this service. We had to forgo the usual hot punch and mince pies - maybe next year. I was recently watching TV and saw James May assembling a Hornby train set; he started with all the individual pieces. Of course, Hornby trains came already assembled but it did show how many parts there were and how difficult it was to assemble. The train was the Flying Scotsman and in 1972 it was an expensive gift for any child, or in fact any adult. This was about the time when there was more money about and children were getting more gifts at Christmas. Compared to today a lot of children get much more than in 1972 - the TV is full of adverts to tempt children and parents to buy. I wonder sometimes if this a good thing. The toy manufacturers benefit, it keeps people employed. But does it make our children any happier or more grateful? I hope they are. I was born during the War and presents and money were hard to come by. I remember a second hand Bakelite David Brown tractor which my brother and myself had to share. It lasted until we grew out of it. Asking my mother some years later where the toy had gone, she said that she had given it away. I was a bit upset about that as it was a good memory of my childhood. One other thing I can remember was that we used to use old cotton reels with an elastic band and matchsticks to make a run along toy. If you thread the elastic band through the hole then fasten the ends with a match stick, twist the band as tight as you can and let it run. We had many hours of fun with them. We had the countryside with a woodland for building tree houses and a hill for tobogganing. What a wonderful childhood. We never needed that train set. Bob Hatch Christmas in Charmouth On Wednesday December 16th Edward Jacops came to play his grand piano and entertain us with a selection of well-known Christmas songs for an appreciative audience, who were probably humming under their masks. We thank Edward for his time and wonderful gift of playing so beautifully to start the Christmas season. We were very fortunate at St. Andrew's to have two services. The first one was a Carol service led by Alison Taylor from the Charmouth Free Church who chose to have the carols on a CD from King's College, Cambridge (operated by John Berridge) and they sounded so beautiful. Members from the two churches did the readings. It was a lovely atmosphere and got us in the Christmas spirit. We thank Alison and Rector Chris for a meaningful Christmas message and Anne Follett for making two lovely Christmas arrangements for us to enjoy. Thank you to all who took part. On Christmas Eve we welcomed 28 people and we were so pleased and delighted to have Ginny, pictured right, our new Team Vicar, with us to lead a Eucharist service. It was a very moving service with Ginny giving a good message. The hymns were played by Tony on the organ and they sounded so beautiful to hum to. We welcomed all of the Martin family coming together for their first service in St. Andrew's - we were very happy to see them. Our thanks go to Ginny and everyone who helped in any way to make it a memorable service. Pauline Berridge 6 News from Monkton Wyld Court

Some of you may know of Monkton Wyld Court - the old Victorian rectory located opposite Monkton Wyld Church. Since 1982 this grade 2 listed building which occupies 11 acres of land including pasture, woodland, organic gardens and various outbuildings including a small farm, has been home to a resident community of people seeking a more sustainable life- style.

Since March last year there have been 15 adults (including four long-term volunteers) living and working here and five children of various ages. We are a large household with a wide range of skills and experience. We look after and maintain the building and grounds as well as running a programme of educational courses and activities to help promote more sustainable ways of living.

With restrictions in place due to Covid we were able to open from July through to October offering self- contained ‘suites’ in the house and socially distanced camping in the grounds. Groups of six were able to come for a limited period of time before the tier system really tightened things up again. In December several families enjoyed an afternoon of homemade pizza, mulled apple juice, live music and followed a star trail around the grounds at our outdoor ‘solstice’ event.

During 2021 we hope to eventually resume normal activities but with some restrictions. We are using the current lockdown to spruce up the grounds and repair our notorious pot-holed drive which, I am happy to report, is now much improved. With guests in mind we are focusing on the inside of the house too and ensuring that all will be in good order when we re-open. Having struggled to keep the rabbits out of the vegetable patch last year (they won!) the garden team are rabbit-proofing the area with fencing to keep them out. We are approaching this year with optimism and moving forward with plans. We have lots of bookings – many from regulars who had to cancel last year, so all being well we will be able to open again soon. If you would like to know more about Monkton Wyld Court and its activities please check out our website at monktonwyldcourt.org. LymeForward Food Bank

As a result of the pandemic, this December saw the busiest period at the Food Bank since opening our doors over three years ago. In addition to the normal weekly delivery on the 22nd December, our amazing and dedicated volunteer team worked tirelessly in order to deliver a Christmas hamper to all our clients on the 23rd December, containing everything required for a traditional Christmas lunch along with lots of extra treats and goodies. Additional hampers and presents were also provided to the Woodroffe school and St. Michael’s primary school for those families that were struggling over the Christmas period.

Utilising a small bubble of volunteers, the Food Bank continues to operate every Wednesday from The Hub in Church Street between 10am-12pm. Although clients can still call in, most of our parcels are now delivered.

Items we consistently run short of include the following:- Rice pudding Custard Tinned meat pies/ tinned spaghetti Savoury biscuits Laundry tablets/washing up liquid

Donation boxes are located at Uplyme stores, Co-op Lyme Regis and Morgans in Charmouth. If anyone would like to make a financial contribution please contact Lisa or Mary on [email protected] 7 Covid-19 vaccinations One afternoon in early December the phone rang and a voice said, ‘Would I like to have a coronavirus inoculation? I replied, ‘Yes please and can my wife have one too please?’ Having had our details checked we were then given our appointment times of 1pm and 1.10pm on Wednesday December 16th at Bridport Medical Centre. We arrived, as it happened, some thirty minutes early and were sitting in the car when a gentleman approached us and said, ‘are you here for the inoculation, and if so you can go in now’.

We went in through the rear entrance and had our temperatures checked and hands sanitised. We proceeded along the corridor to take a seat which were spaced two metres apart. We had hardly sat down when we were called forward and went to separate rooms where our details were checked and the injection given. We then had to go to a lounge and wait there for fifteen minutes in case we had a reaction to the injection.

We departed the Bridport medical centre 5 minutes before our appointment time! Apart from feeling a little tired the following day we have had no further reaction. The second injection three weeks later went just the same with all the staff being very friendly and helpful. Nothing to worry about! We feel very blessed that we were included in the first batch and thank our doctors, nurses and staff for this privilege. John Berridge

Whitchurch Canonicorum, Morcombelake & Ryall Village ‘100’ Club

December 2020 Monthly Draw

First Prize. £15.00 No.90 Mr. Kevin Clausner Second Prize £10.00 No.71. Mrs. Helen Roberts.

January 2021 Monthly Draw

First Prize £15.00 No.32 Mrs. Brenda Knight. Second Prize £10.00 No 40 Mrs. Lisa Fairtlough.

Local shop opening hours

Felicity's Farm Shop Open Monday to Saturday, 9am - 3pm for shopping but will stay open later for collections.

Morgan's, Charmouth Open from 7am - 12 noon, 7 days a week

Post Office Outreach, Charmouth Open at the library on Thursdays, 10.15 - 1.00pm & 1.20pm - 3.00pm. Open at Charmouth Village Hall on Fridays, 10.15am - 1.15pm.

Sent by Julia Eager

8 1st Lym Valley Scout Group (Uplyme and Lyme Regis) This term has been a rollercoaster for the group, having been able to run five weeks of face-to-face activities before being plunged back into lockdown and the fun resuming on Zoom. At the time of writing I don’t know if we’ll be back doing face-to-face activities or carrying on virtually; such is the uncertainty we have faced this term. However, wherever or however we meet doesn’t matter; what matters is that Scouting continues to deliver the skills for life that matter and that our young people need in these difficult times. Our young people have shown remarkable resilience during the pandemic, though I know this has come at an incredible cost to their mental health, and whilst Scouting helps improve mental health, there is a lot of ground work needed to help build this back up.

There is a lot of good things that have happened this term: we were pleased to elect Roger Hussey as our new Chairman, following John Wyon-Brown finishing an incredible 20-year stint as our Chairman. I’m pleased to say that both John Wyon-Brown and his wife Paula, who has served many years as our treasurer until Anna Fenn took on the role recently, have been made Presidents of the Scout Group. The role is honorary and it was a great pleasure to thank them for their years of services in this way.

The Explorer Unit has continued to grow and has now decided to call themselves the ‘Powder Monkeys.’ Sarah and Callum have done a fantastic job at really building the ethos of the unit and making it a place of fun and humour in what can be quite a dark time to be here. There are spaces in the Explorer Unit, and if your child is aged between 13 ½ and 17 I would really urge them to get involved.

The Group now has bought archery equipment that we’re hoping to start using as soon as is possible. I know this is a very popular activity with young people and adults alike, and it’s great that finally we can offer this in-house, which helps massively reducing the costs of doing archery and increasing access to it. We also hope to resume our air rifle sessions as soon as possible as well; giving our young people a range of activities to sort out. With all these positives, we as a group look forward to the future. May I wish our young people, our volunteers, and you and your family, a Happy New Year. Yours in Scouting, Karen Yelland Beaver and Scout Leader mob 07588389389 [email protected] In response to the Archbishops calls to regular prayer at 6pm each evening, The Team have set up a zoom meeting at 6pm for15 minutes to pray during February. We are starting on Monday 1st February and will pray every evening in February and finish on the 28th February. The Zoom link is on the email with this newsletter, the same link will work every evening! It will be a short led session, with the opportunity to type your prayers in the chat box or say them out loud if you would like to. We will also be lighting a candle each evening. Please feel free to join whenever you would like and do forward this onto anyone else who you think would like to join. Thanks so much. Ginny and Chris.

9 News from Pilsdon Community Having wended our way from Epiphany to Candlemas we now find ourselves with just two Sundays before Ash Wednesday, our gateway to the discipline of Lent. Potentially Lent is a place where finding a thread of something not altogether new, but from a different angle, can open up our hearts to deeper understanding.

Our day at Pilsdon ends with the ancient night prayer, ‘Compline’. Beautiful lines, “Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me under the shadow of your wings”. and the rendering of the Nunc Dimittis many of you will know from Candlemas and the end of traditional funeral services,

Now Lord you let your servant go in peace *your word has been fulfilled* my own eyes have seen the salvation* which you have prepared in the sight of every people.

An important part of Night Prayer, whichever form we use, is the silent reflection before confession. We are invited to look at the day and the way we have lived, noticing what has given us life and what might have been life-denying. Are there repeating thorns as St Paul experienced? As I get older I have more compassion for myself with the difficult stuff. My prayer practice, particularly meditation (Centering Prayer) and this examination of conscience has helped to heal some old hurts and move me into a more intimate relationship with the mystery we call God in Christ.

The invitation as we approach our reflection is always to see ourselves through God’s loving eyes. So many images of God in scripture are frightening. Coming into a reflective silence as we review the day we trust we are loved beyond anything we can imagine and we need never be afraid. Saying we need not be afraid doesn’t mean we won’t ever be, but it gives us an opportunity to enter the fear and begin to let it go. I have been working on my own fear for many years and I can spot it much more quickly. Sinking into the visceral sensation of fear in itself, I know now, cannot harm me. The avoidance of experiencing my unnamed fear can be spilled out sideways into my life and onto others, especially if I’m tired or angry. So often fear is expressed as anger. Christ’s letting go, surrendering, acknowledging his fear in the garden of Gesthemane is a significant transformational edge for us too and we do well not to skip over it.

We are all going through a time of uncertainty, challenge and for many, very real fear. Perhaps this Lent if we intentionally give ourselves more time to pray each night, or if you are a lark like me reflect in the early morning we can walk our talk in new ways. This practice may sound self-centered to some but we offer this prayer in the knowledge that Jesus spent much time alone in prayer being comfortable in himself and at home with God. St Augustine realised, ‘You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.’

If this is a new practice for you, deal gently and lovingly with yourself and remember you are a Beloved of God. If you find yourself being harsh with yourself stop and pray before you begin again:- ‘Lord help me to believe the truth about myself no matter how beautiful it is.’

As a help, and inspired by John O’Donohue, one of my favourite writers, we might integrate a few of the following questions as promptings to our prayer. Please resist the temptation to answer all the questions in one sitting and as the days of Lent unfold we can enjoy becoming more comfortable in ourselves and more fully present to God.

With Love from all of us at Pilsdon, Sue Langdon, Warden for the Pilsdon Community

10 Night Prayer Questions by John O’Donohue adapted by SL

Where did I see beauty today? Where did my eyes linger longer? Where was I blind? Where was I hurt without anyone noticing? What did I learn today? What did I read? What new thoughts visited me? Who did I neglect? Where did I neglect myself? What did I begin today that might endure? How were my conversations? What did I do today for the poor and excluded? (For the housebound and elderly remember prayer is vital and actual work) Did I remember the ones I love but see no more today? Where could I have exposed myself to the risk of doing something different? Where did I allow myself to receive love? Where and how did I offer love? With whom, or in which moment today did I feel most myself? What touched me today? Who ‘saw’ me today? What thoughts had I from the past and from the future? What did I avoid today?

St Michael’s CE (VA) Primary School

We all returned after a different Christmas break ready to welcome all the children back to school on Tuesday 5th January 2021!

However, late on Monday evening of January 4th, we all found ourselves under National Lockdown 3, and the closure of schools to all but children who were more vulnerable and those children of critical workers.

We closed for one day to allow us to prepare the school and ourselves for another different start. On Wednesday 6th January we re-opened to the key groups with all classes operating.

We have had an average of 22% attendance across the school with children in every bubble attending. Those in school are able to receive a hot school meal whilst those at home who are entitled to Free school meals are being provided with a digital meal voucher.

All staff have returned, anxious but with a really positive approach and all wanting to continue to deliver the best for our children. Children in these key groups have continued to be engaged in their learning and adapted well to the new structure all with a smile.

For those children who are not currently attending school, the class teachers are delivering the curriculum through Google Classrooms. This is our remote digital learning platform and it very closely matches the curriculum being taught in school. Hard work, effective communication and everyone willing to ‘give it a go’ has meant that we have seen approximately 80% of all children engaged with this remote digital learning. Where this has not been possible so far, the adults in school have been preparing learning packs for children to complete at home.

Staying safe is our main priority and with the support of parents following the national guidelines, having clear systems in place within school, we continue to deliver the best we can for our children. Nick Kiddle, Head Teacher

11 Word Forest Organisation

The Word Forest Organisation is a small international reforestation charity based in Lyme Regis, run by passionate environmentalists Simon and Tracey West.

The pandemic has presented this young NGO with the most enormous challenges over the past 10 months. Since March, as well as focusing on planting as many fast-growing trees as possible in rural Kenya, they've also had to send over critical food aid to members of the tree planting communities they work with, so they can keep starvation at bay and contin- ue to nurture the forests.

Tracey explains: "Over 83% of Kenyans work in the informal sector: they aid tourists, make trinkets for them, work as domestics in hotels and hospitality etc. COVID-19 has sideswiped almost every opportunity to earn any money. Most of them exist on less than 1 dollar a day but even that has been almost impossible to find and sadly, darker doorways to survival have been opened. The closure of borders with Kenya’s trading partners in East Africa, plus domestic and international travel restrictions have disrupted every- thing, making the world's poorest and most vulnerable people, poorer still if that's even possible. Loss of income as a result of zero employment, combined with fear of contagion and increased uncertainty for the future, has meant international charities like ours now shoulder the responsibility for keeping people alive."

Word Forest has been sending £4,500 per month to Kenya which has helped feed around 1,600 people, including many elderly folks, young orphans who have absolutely no way of creating income and others greatly marginalised by disability.

Simon adds: "If we don't continue to support the simple humanitarian needs of our friends in Kenya, there's a high likelihood they'll perish. I understand that approximately 50% of UK charities are expected to have to close their doors in the coming year as a result of the pandemic - our tiny, dedicated team are working flat out to ensure we're not one of them. The existential crisis that's hanging over us all hasn't gone away and tree planting is a guaranteed way of reducing the devastating effects of it."

The charity did have plans for small fundraising events in early 2021 but they've all been scuppered by the 3rd lockdown. If you'd like to help this wonderful small charity clean the air we breathe in the South West via trees in the tropics and you're able to make a donation, please visit WordForest.org/donate or send a cheque to The Word Forest Organisation, Unit 1 St Michael's Business Centre, Church Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3DB.Visit WordForest.org for further details.

Winter thoughts—A poem by Nigel Ball in Lockdown 2021

I am venturing out with cold breath on the air Leg warmers so tight to feel them warming Walking a passion, precision and care The veins and arteries so old and groaning Frost scrunching on frozen ground Thermal underwear that comes out once a year Glisten, clear sky, not but a sound. To lend us some warmth and cheer.

Sparkle the trees, lights twinkle in the night The walk is great but to destination Slippery pavements, owls hoot, gives a fright. To light the fire, for hot sensation Welly boots grip the ground with adhesion. Sitting with hot milk and honey in a cup The phone starts a ringing, now what's up.

12 The latest news from Uplyme Community Sponsorship Since our update in last month’s magazine, we are several steps closer to welcoming a Syrian family to Uplyme. The Home Office have given us details of a family with two young children who we think are suitable for resettling in our community and we are hopeful they will be with us before March providing there are no delays or flight postponements.

As a reminder, what exactly does Community Sponsorship mean? It means that we, as a community group, support the empowerment of refugee families to become self-sufficient members of their new community by: meeting the family at the airport finding suitable housing (the families receive housing allowances) finding English language classes and practising English with the family registering children in schools helping them find a job making sure the family can access suitable medical and social services helping them acclimatise and understand British culture offering friendship and advice as they settle into their new lives.

We have been asked whether we should we be attempting to resettle a family during a pandemic. Given this is a global pandemic and their situation in Lebanon where they are living as refugees is a very great deal worse than here, we are happy to accept the family and support them as well as possible in the circumstances. Of course, Covid-19 and the lockdown makes everything more difficult and means that both the family and our volunteers must take great care and follow strict protocols in terms of personal contact and social distancing. Activities they would in normal circumstances do face to face will have to be done online. However, despite these additional challenges we welcome the restarting of the resettlement scheme in the UK and we are aware that for families whose resettlement was postponed this is a great relief. The family will have to test negative for Covid-19 before travelling and will be in quarantine for the requisite period after arrival in their home in Uplyme. For this reason we will limit the volunteers who provide face to face support in line with the advice we have received from the Home Office. Thereafter, we will support the family in compliance with the Covid-19 restrictions which are current at the time and are hopeful that as soon as schools re-open, albeit with restrictions, this will greatly help to facilitate the integration of the family. Although face to face volunteering will need to wait until lockdown restrictions are eased, if you would like to get involved in the future or find out more please go to our website at: www.uplymecommunitysponsorship.org.uk. where you’ll find a volunteer form you can print off and scan to us. Or just contact us by email at [email protected] which you can also find on the ‘Contact’ page on the website and we’ll get in touch. To make a donation, use the donation button on the ‘How can I help’ website page or email us. As Deborah Hodd, UCS acting lead sponsor says: “The UCS team has worked hard over many months to get everything ready so that now we and the community can welcome our family to their new house and new life in Uplyme.” Contact: Kevin Benfield : [email protected] : 01297 446066 13 Contacts THE GOLDEN CAP TEAM

Team Rector Rev. Chris Martin The Rectory, 5 Georges Close, Charmouth, Bridport, DT6 6RU 01297 561065 [email protected]

Team Vicar Rev. Virginia Luckett 07812 056564 [email protected] Licensed Lay Minister Pastoral Minister Mr Jim Pettifer 01297 489260 Mrs Freda Pitfield 01297 678264 Lay Worship Leaders Mr Philip Sankey 01297 442558 Ann Bartlett 01297 489532 Mr Colin Horlock 01297 560838 Team Administrator Team Treasurer Mrs Margaret Trafford 01297 443763 Mr Peter Hunt 01297 489417 [email protected]

Website: http://www.goldencapteamofchurches.org.uk Facebook: Golden Cap Team or Lyme Regis and Marshwood Vale C of E Churches

Church Wardens Bettiscombe Mr Eddie Rowe: 01308 868334 Catherston Leweston Mr Robert Hatch 01297 560689 Charmouth Mrs Pauline Berridge 01297 560957 Chideock Mrs Val Hunt 01297 489417 Fishpond Mrs Cora Rawlins 01297 35712 Hawkchurch Mrs Jean Ransford 01297 678285 and Mrs Ruth Churchill, 01297 678354 Lyme Regis Secretary: Mr Andrew Ellis 07990 659266 Marshwood Mrs Trish Hollands 01297 678566 Monkton Wyld Mr David Gallier 01297 442636 Morcombelake Mrs Ann Bartlett 01297 489532 Whitchurch Canonicorum Mrs Sue Johnson 01297 489375 Wootton Fitzpaine Lady Bradbury 01297 560455 Pilsdon Community The Rev. Sue Langdon 01308 868308

Magazine Committee

EDITOR (Acting): Ruth Mattock 01297 489275 [email protected] PRODUCTION: Margaret Trafford [email protected] LYME REGIS SUB-EDITOR: Frances Barter [email protected] ADVERTISING: Ros Woodbridge 01297 489055 [email protected] TREASURER: Martin Mattock 01297 489275 [email protected] DISTRIBUTION: Sam Milburn 01297 489546

If you have anything that you would like to appear in the next magazine, email your article to: [email protected] Lyme articles to go to Frances Barter [email protected]

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