Contact your editorial team with any news, articles or items for DEADLINE for next issue the next issue, everything welcome:- (February) of the Warbler: Lexi Gordon-Finlayson & Amanda Thompson 26th January 2019, 5 pm Email: [email protected] Issue 61 November 2018 We, the editors, would like to congratulate all the organisers and attendees of the village fete that helped raise so much money - well done! It really was an excellent day of fun for all ages. This issue contains lots of things to get you in the wintery spirit, not least the mincemeat recipe - we are willing Guinea pigs for anyone making mince pies! Craig at Barn Farm Plants has some excellent hints and tips for the gardeners amongst us; and their charity evening later this month is always a nice evening. All that is left to say is: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance!! Lexi and Amanda Amanda’s Mincemeat 1 lb cooking apples, peeled, cored and grated 4 oz suet, shredded 8 oz raisins If you have a favourite 8 oz currents recipe that you would like 8 oz sultanas to share, we’d love to hear 4 oz candied peel from you! Please send it to 12 oz dark muscovado sugar the warbler email address Grated rind and juice of 2 lemons on the front page, or drop it Grated rind and juice of 2 oranges in to Cobweb Cottage. 4 tsp ground mixed spice 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 nutmeg grated 6 tbsp brandy 1. Mix all the ingredients except the brandy into a large bowl. Cover with a cloth and leave for 12 hours. Place the mincemeat loosely covered in foil into a cool oven - gas mark 1/4, 120C, 100C fan - for three hours. Remove from the oven and stir thoroughly and allow to cool. 2. When completely cold, mix in the brandy, more if required. Spoon into clean, dry jars. Cover with waxed discs and seal NB: If desirous, nuts and/or glace cherries could be added to the mixture—just removed the equivalent amount of either the sultanas, raisins or currents. This recipe makes approx. 6lb of mincemeat. Issue 61 November 2018 This year’s village fête was memorable for its wonderful, happy atmosphere, lovely warm weather and beautiful backdrop. The event was opened by Mrs Evelyn Phillips, at 100 years old Wardington’s oldest resident and still one of its most energetic. She was very warmly received, gave a delightful speech and was duly appointed Lady Wardington for the day by host Forbes Elworthy! For the first time, the village Produce Show was combined with the fête and a very impressive display of flowers, vegetables and other produce was on show. Along with the large array of games and stalls hosted by village groups and others, we were joined by The Adderbury Village Morris Men and Bert Manton with his gipsy caravan and traditional crafts. The event raised £1,665 (plus further amounts for the Over 60’s, Friends of St Mary Magdalene, the Garden Club and others). A donation of £250 was made to Dogs for Good with the balance going to the Memorial Hall capital expenditure fund. The fête was once again organised by Bridget Elworthy, Ginny Steven and Clive Hunt and on be- half of the Village I would like to thank them all for their huge effort in coordinating and organising this much-loved and anticipated afternoon. Thanks also to Bridget and Forbes Elworthy for host- ing us all in their beautiful garden. Issue 61 November 2018 NEWS FROM ST MARY MAGDALENE CHURCH HARVEST FESTIVAL On the evening before the Harvest Festival service the traditional Harvest Supper was attended by a much increased number with the ages spanning just under one hundred years! It was a very happy evening with Paul Turnock providing a wide range of musical entertainment. The dancing was, of course, led by no less than Evelyn Phillips! Thank you to all the cooks who provided the cottage pies, apple pies and, especially Jan Funnell, the cheeses. The largest Harvest Festival congregation for many years was in Church on Sunday for the special service led by Sue Upton. Thank you to everyone who supported the Church flowers team with the lovely decorations which were again the best for years. A donation of £142 - half the collection - has been made to The Farming Community Network, the charity which specifically supports the spiritual and financial needs of farmers and the farming community. NOW - LOOKING AHEAD TO CHRISTMAS…… CHURCH SERVICES & CAROL SINGING Sunday, 16th December – Carol Service – 6.00pm Thursday, 20th December – Carol Singing – 6.00pm – Upper Pool Christmas Eve – Crib Service – 4.00pm Christmas Eve – Midnight Mass – 11.00pm TOWER CAPTAIN After four years in the role Rachel McLoughlin has decided to step down. We are very grateful to Rachel for the lead she has given to the small team of ringers together with galvanising support from neighbouring parishes when we have been short of ringers. Rachel has also been instrumental in establishing a dedicated Bell Fund the sole purpose of which is to ensure that our six bells – three of which date back to the 17th century – are fully maintained in a workable and safe state. Nikki Stell has willingly taken on the Tower Captain role with immediate effect. As referred to elsewhere in this issue of the Warbler there has recently been a national campaign to increase the number of ringers. One of Nikki’s aims is to ensure that this initiative is reflected here in Wardington. If you – or any one you know – is interested learning to ring please do contact Nikki directly (758301). CHURCH CLOCK As many readers of the Warbler could tell from his fascinating article in the May issue, Malcolm Patterson obviously knows more about the Church clock than anyone else in the village. That is not surprising since he has been winding it once, sometimes twice, a week for over thirty years. He has now decided to “hang up” his winder and will retire from the task in January. As everyone will know the clock is rarely more than fifteen seconds fast or slow – this is down to Malcolm’s attention to detail in ensuring its accuracy. A special thank you must go to Malcolm – he is unlikely to miss the thirty-nine steps up the tiny spiral staircase! QUIZ QUESTION: How many faces does the Church clock have? CHRISTMAS DRAW Tickets will soon be on sale for the annual Grand Christmas Draw with its usual host of prizes. The star prize once again will be a ‘Cottage in the Yorkshire Dales for long week-end’ kindly donated by Roderick & Nikki Stell. The actual draw will be taking place on Tuesday, 27th November at the Christmas Charity Evening at Barn Farm Plants. The Church will also have its usual Tombola and Cake & Preserves stalls there. Contributions for the Tombola will be gratefully received by Roderick Stell (758301). The Cake stall will be co-ordinated by Nigel Bankes (750500). Issue 61 November 2018 CHURCH FLOODLIGHTING We are very grateful to those in the village who routinely sponsor a week or weeks at a time. For the record the sponsors for the next three months include: Clive & Philippa Hunt, Gilly Turl, Elsie Smith, Roderick & Nikki Stell, Malcolm Patterson, Mark Abbiss and Andrew Steven. Please consider joining the scheme. Full details and an application form can be found at http://www.wardington.net/st-mary-magdalene/ or on the table adjacent to the south door of the Church. CHURCH & CHURCHYARD Everyone is most welcome to visit the Church and the Churchyard at all times. The Church is open every day from 9.00am until 5.00pm or dusk whichever is the earlier. We do however ask that the solemnity of the place is respected at all times. In the Churchyard please do always keep dogs on the lead and to the footpaths. ST MARY MAGDALENE CHURCH: Services: November 2018 – January 2019 Please check Church notice board or https://wardington.net/st-mary-magdalene/church- services/ for further information and confirmation of these times. SUNDAY SERVICES November 4th 10.00am Family Service November 11th 10.50am Remembrance Service November 18th No service at Wardington November 25th 10.00am United Benefice Communion December 2nd 10.00am Christingle Service December 9th 10.00am United Benefice Communion – Claydon December 16th 6.00pm Carol Service December 23rd 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP) Christmas Eve 24th 4.00pm Crib Service Christmas Eve 24th 11.00pm Midnight Mass Christmas Day 25th 10.00am Holy Communion – Claydon Christmas Day 25th 10.00am Holy Communion – Great Bourton December 30th No service at Wardington December 30th 11.00am Holy Communion – Great Bourton January 6th 10.00am Family Service January 13th 10.00am United Benefice Communion - Cropredy January 20th 10.00am Family Communion January 27th 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP) WEEKDAY SERVICES Every Tuesday 12.00noon Holy Communion (Iona Liturgy) – Cropredy No service: 27 Nov, 25 Dec or through January November 7th 9.00am Morning Prayer December 12th 9.00am Morning Prayer Issue 61 November 2018 MEMORIAL HALL NEWS UPDATE FROM THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HALL IMPROVEMENTS In recent weeks, the Hall Committee has continued its commitment to maintaining and enhancing the facilities. The entrance area and main hall floors have been refurbished. Contractors have sanded the floors and a hardwearing stain-resistant coating applied. External security lights have been installed to help facilitate the filling of the hall dustbins when it is dark. USE OF THE HALL The hall continues to be a well-used community asset. As an example, fitness classes are proving very popular, including a recently established yoga class.