Litchborough Churches and Village Newsletter September 2019 th th Walking Group 4 & 26 September November 2014 th 8 September – Cricket Club Open Day th 10 September - YOUTH CLUB MEETING th 10 September Parish Council meeting 13th September - Litchborough Ladies th 14 September Any articles, information, 15thSeptember –Litchborough Gardening Club - Visit notices, personal messages etc you would like in the 22nd September – 6.00p.m. newsletter, please send to HARVEST FESTIVAL St MARTINS me by email by the 20th of the month to:- 28th September Coffee Morning [email protected] or Note earlier Time 10.00am – 11.30a.m. telephone 830077 to have hard copy collected Litchborough Playtime - Village Hall Thank You Every Tuesday 9.30 am – 11.30 am from September 10th Sandy Aked-Walker See inside for more information Printed by G.T Print Litchborough 07889-948005 RECTOR’S RAMBLINGS I am sitting writing these having just conducted the funeral of Barrie Osborne, long time member of our community, churchwarden and stalwart supporter of the village and the church. So it seems appropriate that these ramblings are dedicated to Barrie’s memory. At his funeral we had as the biblical reading the Parable of the Good Samaritan- you know the one a man going from Jerusalem to Jericho falls amongst thieves etc.- Jesus told the parable in answer to a question which was posed to him by a member of the Jewish legal tradition. ‘Who is my neighbour?’ Now as I remarked in my address Barrie would never have needed to ask that question, for Barrie was a good friend and a good neighbour to all who he came into contact with, and his passing will leave a void not just for his immediate family, nor his extended family of the church at Blakesley but the whole of the Blakeley community. Barrie, Blakesley born and bred touched many parts of that community over his 85 years. He was a school governor, one of the founding members of the Blakesley Tennis Club, member of the Blakesley agricultural society, choirboy, and adult chorister with a fine baritone voice, and of course Barrie, with Dorothy at his side, farmed School Farm on the Maidford Road for nearly 60 years, no mean achievement in this day and age. So today was, as all funerals are, a sad event in one respect; but it was also a celebration of a life well lived, and the life of a man who gave much to the community in which he lived- so the sadness of the event was lifted by the joy of the life which we celebrated. At the end of the service in church, Barrie’s grandson Peter read the following poem which is so poignant and so Barrie, and of all the words which we used in that service perhaps the most fitting tribute to a remarkable man who was, as I say, a friend and good neighbour to all. ‘Close the gate’ Nancy Kraayenhof For this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head, your time has been and struggles enough; put the tractor in the shed. Years were not easy, many downright hard, but your faith in God transcended. Put away your tools and sleep in peace; the fences have all been mended. You raised a fine family, worked the land well and always followed the Son; hang up your shovel inside of the barn your work here on earth is done. A faith few possess led your journey through life, often a jagged and stony way. The sun is setting, the cattle are all bedded, and here now is the end of your day. Cont: page 2 Rector’s Ramblings Cont: from page 1 Your love of God’s soil has passed on to your kin; the stories flow like fine Litchborough Walking Group wine; wash off your work boots in the puddle left by blessed rain one final Our walks are fairly local and varied. They take up a morning and are time. You always believed that the good Lord would provide and He always usually 4 to 5 miles in length. Please come and give us a try, you will be had somehow; take off your gloves and made very welcome put them down, no more sweat and worry for you now. Your labour is done, We have such a varied repertoire of 4 - 5 ish mile walks and it is so nice your home now is heaven; no more must you wait, your legacy lives on, - that there are quite a few from our own doorstep with no need to use your love of the land;-and we will close the gate. cars at all. It was great to step out from the village hall earlier in August ‘May he rest in peace and rise in glory!’ using a familiar route towards Maidford but moving away from our known Fr Tim. walks to explore unknown territory from Maidford towards Seawell Valley and Foxley. We all agreed it was a pretty walk on a very pleasant morning. ******* Walking dates for September Wednesday September 4th St Martin’s Brass Cleaning & Flower Rota for September st th 1 September - Val Hartley Thursday September 26 th th 8 & 15 September Sandy Aked-Walker - we will be leaving the village hall at 9.45 am as usual 22nd & 29th September Harvest Team Walk details to be confirmed. Transport will probably be needed for the short drive to the starting ********* point for the walk. If some walkers are happy to bring cars to the hall, we can, as usual, share transport as required. For walk information and War Memorial Flowers – for September any questions please get in touch with Bernard or Lindsey. 31st August - Carol Gunter Lindsey 01327 830318 or e mail [email protected] 7th September – Sandy Aked-Walker Bernard 01327 830932 or e mail on [email protected] 14th September – Carol Hakin ********** 21st September – Chris Coade 29th September - Poppy Rickerd Stuart Moore Plastering Church Cleaning September 2nd & 9th September Val Hartley & Christine Rodhouse Local based plasterer 16th & 23rd September – Juliet O’Neil and Catherine Cook All Aspects of plasterwork completed 30th September & 7th October- Susie Heygate & Sarah Skinner Specialist in restoration and conservation of lime plaster and ornate plasterwork ********* Contact Stuart on 07841-021802 email:[email protected] Youth Club – 11th September Don’t forget Tuesday 11th September 7.00pm -8.30pm come along bring a friend and enjoy a fun evening after a hard day at school!! ********** th Litchborough Gardening Club - 15 September From St Martins Church We are looking forward to visiting Kelmarsh House and Gardens in There was no Benefice Service this month. th Northamptonshire on the 15 September. A Palladian style country house There are to be two in September, one at Maidford on Sunday 1st and historic gardens with a unique walled garden at the heart. On September, the other at Blakesley on Sunday 29th September for November 24th we will be visiting Waddesdon Manor (Buckinghamshire) Michelmas. which in addition to the beautiful, house, gardens and aviary will have We have had a variety of services and have heard about the helter their lovely Christmas market at that time. Please get in touch with Sue skelter in Norwich Cathedral as well as the crazy golf in Rochester, and Brunning on 01327-831545 or Teresa Cox on 07962925709 for details of whether or not they are a good way of attracting people into the church. timings and any other information. The church was due to have its 5 year inspection in August, but ******** unfortunately the Architect had picked the day the heavens opened and going on the roof was impossible and being outside not at all pleasant so that will now happen in September. th Litchborough Ladies – 13 September Thank you to everyone who supports the church in whatever way. We The next Litchborough Ladies meeting will be at the home of Vanessa appreciate really do appreciate your help. th Lowrey, 41 Towcester Road on Friday 13 September from 10.30a.m. – Christine Rodhouse 12.00 noon. Many thanks to Sue Brass for hosting our August get together where we enjoyed a delicious strawberry flan, scones and cakes. Newcomers to Litchborough are welcome, come along and make new friends Jan Hutchings 01327-830877 ********* Village Lottery The August winner was David Rogers again, the Lottery draw on Saturday had the Bonus Ball of no 3 which is David’s lucky number and he wins another cheque for £25. If you want to join the village lottery which supports the Church Building phone Ian lowery on 01327 830823. Your lucky number will cost you £1 per week for your chance to win a £25 cheque. Gardener Wanted The Village Hall is looking for a gardener to carry out some general tidying up and weeding. Please contact David Aked-Walker for more details -01327-830077 Benefice Service Times for September Sept 1st Eleventh Sunday after Trinity 10:00am Benefice Communion by Extension Maidford Sept 3rd 9:30am Morning Prayer Blakesley (Book of Common Prayer) Sept 8th Twelfth Sunday after Trinity 9:00am Holy Communion Farthingstone 9:00am Matins Maidford 10:30am Family Eucharist Blakesley 10:30am Family Service Litchborough Sept 10th 9:30am Holy Communion Woodend (Book of Common Prayer) Sept 15th Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity 9:00am Holy Communion Maidford 10:30am Holy Communion Litchborough 4:00pm Harvest Festival Adstone Sept 17th 9:30 Holy Communion Blakesley (Common Worship Sept 22nd Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity 9:00am Holy Communion Adstone 9:00am Matins Maidford 10:30am Harvest Festival Blakesley 6:00pm Harvest Festival Litchborough 6:00pm Evensong Farthingstone Sept 24th 9:30am Holy Communion Blakesley (Common Worship) Sept 29th Michaelmas 10:00am Benefice Eucharist Blakesley nd The Old Red Lion 2 Club Hello Everyone, Your Village Local Sadly it has been decided to call it a day on our monthly meetings.