Little Hadham Parish News April 2019
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Little Hadham Parish News April 2019 St Cecilia’s , Little Hadham Rector of Parish: Revd. Steve Bate 01279 842609 e-mail: [email protected] Churchwarden, Mrs Karin Green 01279 - 771532 [email protected] Log on to www.littlehadham.com for issues dating back to May 2006 Letter from the Rectory Revd. Steve Bate I was going to write an article looking forward to Easter but then I heard the news of the atrocities that had just taken place in two mosques in New Zealand. Forty-nine people, loved by God, had been killed while attending their Friday Prayers in two mosques. Accounts have been emerging of communities coming together to share in mourning with their Muslim friends and neighbours. Vigils have been taking place around New Zealand. In one of these at a beach, flowers were laid on a heart of sand with the words “We stand with you” written with shells upon it. Meanwhile, here in the UK, I read of a man called Andrew Graystone, who stood outside a mosque in Manchester holding a sign that said “You are my friends. I will keep watch while you pray.” He offered a suggestion to other people via Twitter, saying “Can I suggest that Christians and others who are available gather outside their local mosque during Friday prayers today (about 12-1) to stand guard over our Muslim friends while they pray?” What a fantastic gesture of love and solidarity! We’re still in the season of Lent and we look forward to Easter. Reading our ‘Lent Pilgrim’ Church of England daily Lent reflections, I was drawn to one particular verse from the Bible passage known as The Sermon on the Mount. It’s a passage that can be found in Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus introduces some sayings called the Beatitudes (in other words the beautiful attitudes). Here’s the verse that struck me: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Who are the peacemakers? They’re people like you and me, people like Andrew Grayston, and people who follow their calling as Christians to bring something of heaven here and now on earth. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, puts it like this: “Christ calls us to be peacemakers who cross the borders and barriers that divide us – radical in our generosity and welcome. It’s a call to see others in their full humanity, to persist in seeking their good.” We’re in Lent - Easter’s coming soon, and on Easter Sunday Christians celebrate Jesus’ rising from the dead. God’s love is stronger than all evil – even death itself. For now, there are times when we mourn, we cry, we experience pain. But the bodily resurrection of Jesus points to God’s renewal of all things - God’s new creation - a time when God will wipe every tear from our eyes, a time when death will be no more, a time when mourning, crying and pain are no more. For now, each Christian is called to bring something of God’s new creation into their bit of the world around them, living out qualities of love, joy, peace and much more – being peacemakers. This Easter and beyond, may we be peacemakers, people who are radical in our generosity and welcome, people who see others in their full humanity, people who persist in seeking the good of others. Every blessing 2 Parish Council News Fantastic Book Boxes Graham Pearson, and Gavin Tooke will all be It is fantastic that the old red BT phone boxes retiring after completing one or multiple terms. are still being so well used as “book boxes” In addition Cllr Elizabeth Lloyd-Williams is both in Bury Green and The Ford. They are a looking to step down shortly, leaving the position wonderful resource that, by buying the phone of Chair to fill. boxes when it had the chance, the Parish Council If you would like to know more about the role has secured for the Parish. We would ask though, of Councillors in Little Hadham please do get in that when leaving donations in the boxes, that touch. The Council is made up of 7 Councillors, residents think about the well being of the books. a number determined by the number of voters Unfortunately in Bury Green a number of books on our electoral roll. In order to be quorate and have had to be binned because they had gone conduct meetings, 3 councillors must always be rotten either on the floor or pressed up against present. So, to put it mildly, we’re currently a little the glass or been badly squashed out of shape. short of numbers. When put on the shelves the boxes are weather Councillors have an important role across proof enough that books can survive the winter. the parish, and are very influential in matters The success of this lovely parish resource is down such as planning, problem resolution (such as to the generosity of those who leave books and flooding), and the on- going up well being of the it is very much appreciated. parish (for example after on-going problems of Bulbs from tubs vandalism in our Parks, it is the hard work of While we’re thinking about the things we Councillors which has continued to keep these appreciate, we also want to say thank you to important areas safe. Wendy Forgham, and other previous contributors Upcoming issues which Councillors will be heavily to the flower tubs. The daffodils both in and involved in are: around the tubs are looking lovely. •Post bypass Village enhancement works •Drive Safe scheme to combat speeding New Litter Picker •Consultation on any developments proposed It really is a time of change. We would like to If you care about Little Hadham you could be thank Jake and Cole for all their hard work over just the person we need! Please contact us on the past year picking up litter from across the [email protected] / 01920 870809 Parish. It really is a massive area we cover and unfortunately with many of our country roads Parish Assembly seen as a cut through, much litter to be collected. We have decided to postpone this year’s Parish Ron, has now taken on the mantle and will Assembly, scheduled for April. We the Assembly continue to work on a 4 weekly rota visiting all see this as a really important event in the Parish the areas across the parish. Thank you also to all calendar, and feel that once we have gone residents who help out collecting litter between through the current election period we will be in our Litter Picke’rs visits. a better position to host the event. If you would like to have a stall at the Parish Assembly, or New Councillors needed would like to talk about a local club or issue The Council elections are coming up both at then please get in touch with our Clerk Carole County and Parish Level. All Councillors wishing Page on [email protected]. We will to stand will be securing 10 nominations to put be announcing the new date as soon as possible themselves forward as candidates. Councillors and look forward to seeing many of you there. 3 Village Hall News Jan Williamson The month of March has been very changeable just like the weather and we have been busy continuing to trial new ideas. The 1st Thursday of the month afternoon tea for over 60s was a great success and I am sure that it will grow very quickly when people taste Wendy’s cakes. Anyone who knows Wendy Forgham will know that her attention to detail is second to none and her cakes delicious and I know she has worked very hard to make the afternoon tea a success. I am looking forward to the next 2nd Wednesday in the month coffee morning which is open to all ages and it would be great to have some of the younger Mums/Dads coming along so we can be more intergenerational. Adult ballet has started on a Friday evening at 6-7pm which is aimed at a gentle pace to help with balance, control and good posture. It’s also good for socialising! We have the Music to Movement on Wednesday morning 10-11am for the more mature mover and for the more energetic, fit steps takes place on Wednesday evening 7-8pm run by Jacqui. East Herts Lottery www.easthertslottery.com We have now sold 42 tickets per week and have had 3 small wins to date. Potentially this can raise £1.092.00 over a one year projection so just imaging what can be done if we sold 100 tickets. I appreciate there are so many lotteries out there and the bigger lotteries get to advertise on television . We are not in that league yet, but who knows ? The next event to hit our social calendar is David Willet’s talk on Victorian Gothic Architecture. continued on page 5 Bishop’s Stortford Chimney Services Office: 01279 771462 Mobile: 07990 770883 • Chimney sweeping • Stove installation • Maintenance & repairs • Pots & cowls fitted • Certificates issued • Free estimates bishopstortfordchimneyservices.co.uk [email protected] 4 Village Hall News, continued from page 4 David is involved with the U3A History Group and offers the occasional talk. David has very kindly offered to do one of his PowerPoint talks at Little Hadham Village Hall on Tuesday 9th April doors opening at 7.30 for refreshments followed by the talk at 8 o’clock which will last for approximately one hour.