Going Forward

Dear Friends, went to see him in the Vestry. As I shook his hand he Thomas said, “This is an Elijah and Elisha moment,” a reference Woodhouse I have been conscious in the last to the story in the Second Book of Kings when Elisha few months that it is easy to takes up the mantle of the Prophet Elijah (2 Kings 2. 9- become possessive when handing on our precious 14). It was many years before I came to understand that endeavours for others to complete, but as St Paul reminds he was inviting me to share in his ministry; to continue us, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” that ministry. God’s purposes are worked out through human links in a chain that stretches back through time and forward into Christian discipleship is costly because it means eternity: each generation building on the foundations of abandoning any views of ourselves as in control of our the past. destiny! Instead we are challenged to allow Jesus to work through us, as he grows his Body, the Church. Much of the ministry of Jesus was spent building up people’s confidence. Jesus encouraged those he met to I am thrilled to have joined in the ongoing life of the understand that they were filled with the Holy Spirit, that worshipping communities in Dorchester and the they were loved by God. He gave purpose and direction Winterbournes and thank you for inviting me to come! to their lives. When I was a young man my Baptist Minister did just that for me! As ever,

Following his final service Malcolm was too overwhelmed Thomas

to stand at the door to bid people farewell; instead we Team Rector

Happy Birthday, Dorchester Parish Magazine!

This is the 200th Edition (and 20th birthday) of the Dorchester Parish Magazine. See page 17 for

Ann Onymus Ann how it all began.

Correction

Last month’s article ‘First Aldhelm Certificates Awarded’ was attributed to Jill Minchin, but was actually written by June Jenkins. Apologies to both and many thanks June for being so understanding and insisting you did not mind — typical of June who is a total angel in our Parish office with never a word of complaint. Margaret M

Editor Advertising Manager Production Editor

Margaret Morrissey OBE Liz Green Lucy Connelly 9 Hessary Street, Poundbury 7 Sydenham Way, 15 Came View Road Dorchester DT1 3SF Dorchester DT1 1DN Dorchester DT1 2AE 01305 250366 01305 269610 01305 751249 [email protected] [email protected] magazine@lucy—connelly.co.uk 1 Dorchester Noticeboard?

Mothers’ Union THE THURSDAY GROUP Visitors and newcomers welcome PLEASE JOIN US - ALL WELCOME

at all of our meetings. The Thursday Group meets on the 2nd Thursday Tuesday 4 March monthly, for talks on a wide range of subjects, occasional lunches out and other events. St. Peter’s MU meet at 2.15pm in the hall. Det. 267724.

Wednesday 5 March For more information, contact: Vernon Moffet 259755 Dorcas MU Bible Study group meet at 10am at 19 Powys Close. To Proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom. Hang On In There Sharing & caring group for parents with challenging Luke 9: 1-6. Details 260259. teenagers — meets fortnightly Friday 7 March Please e-mail [email protected] Women’s World Day of Prayer Services – 10.30am at St for further details and information George’s Church & 7.30pm at the Quiet Space, Poundbury. Casterbridge Speakers

Monday 10 March Meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month 7.15pm — 9.30pm. Visitors welcome Dorcas MU meet at 7.30pm at 4 Kingsbere Crescent. at the Wessex Royale Hotel, High West Street, DT1 1UP Update on the Hub with Margaret Barker. Det. 260592.

Wednesday 19 March Lent Lunches Dorcas MU Bible Study group meet at 10am at 4 Dorchester United Church Kingsbere Crescent. To Teach, Baptise & Nurture New Wednesdays, 5 March to 16 April Believers. Luke 24: 13-27. Details 260259. 12.00 to 1.30 £5.00 to include cost of Ploughman’s Lunch, dessert and Tuesday 25 March coffee, in aid of Christian Aid Sherborne Archdeaconry MU Lady Day Service at 2.30pm at Sherborne Abbey. Dorset Chamber Orchestra Concert

Tuesday 1 April with Martin Clunes St Mary’s Church St. Peter’s MU meet at 2.15pm in the hall. Det. 267724. Saturday 8th March — 2 pm Wednesday 2 April Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir Concert Dorcas MU Bible Study group meet at 10am at 155 St Mary’s Church Damers Road. To Respond to Human Need through Saturday 15th March — 7.30 pm loving service. John 13: 3-15. Details 260259. Poetry in Lent CHRISTIAN MEDITATION at St George's Hall Contemplative Reflection and Silence Wednesday 12th March 2.30pm An invitation to ‘come and be’ with others in the Thursday 27th March 7.30pm stillness, silence and simplicity of contemplative prayer. Please come with poems that interest, comfort or intrigue you, whether original, classic or modern, to read and Our Meditation groups meet every Wednesday at 5pm in share as a basis for reflection—if possible bringing some the Chapel at St Mary’s Church, Edward Rd, Dorchester spare copies. Each session will finish with a short service & also on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 7.30pm at the of Evening or Night Prayer Quiet Space, Poundbury. All are welcome. For details contact Rosemary Bassett 01305 262615 or Anita Finnigan 01305 259032 Women's World Day of Prayer Service 2014 Streams in the Desert, prepared by the women of Egypt Friday 7th March LOTS MORE EVENTS HAPPENING THIS 10.30am — St. George's Church, speaker Rev. F. Hall. MONTH—SEE THE REST OF THE MAGAZINE 7.30pm — The Quiet Space (same day)

2 Dorchester Noticeboard?

Christian Aid ‘Fearless—a life free from fear’

Saturday 22nd March — 3pm St George’s Church, Dorchester

A representative from Iraq will tell of developments there with a Christian Aid linked organisation. It promises to be a very inspirational occasion. Entrance FREE. Refreshments available More information: 023 80706969 [email protected]

Charity Concert at the United Church, South Street, DT1 1BT on Saturday 22nd March 2014, 7—10 p.m.

Supporting Mercy Ships (www.mercyships.org.uk) and featuring the Dorset based duo Ninebarrow, Jon Whitley and Jay Labouchardiere, combine vocal harmonies with a variety of musical instruments, including tenor ukulele, mandola and melodeon. They perform traditional and contemporary material as well as their own original songs www.ninebarrow.co.uk Tickets are available at the United Church Shop, Harmony Music and online at: www.paulopenshaw.com/shop.

Lecture on Elisabeth Frink ‘Visions for Dorchester’ Thursday 20th March 2014, 6.30pm for 7pm Talks Programme for 2013 / 2014 The Dorford Centre, Top o’ Town, Dorchester, 7.30pm A lecture by the curator of the Frink estate and Archive, Free events but non-members of the Society are Annette Ratuszniak, entitled Elisabeth Frink and encouraged to make a donation of £3 Archiving the Arts in Dorset, at the Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester. Tuesday 25th March 2014 Tickets: £10 (including canapes and first glass of wine) Joe Doak Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning and Development, To book your place telephone 01305 228945 or pick up a School of Real Estate & Planning, Henley Business booking form at the Dorset History Centre. School, University of Reading Resilient Dorchester - Lessons from an Interconnected Quiet Day World At The Quiet Space in Poundbury Dorchester Civic Society Saturday 22nd March, 10.30am – 3.30pm Contact [email protected] Ever Faithful God

Suggested donation on the day: £5—£10 Date for your Diary... Please book a place by email [email protected] or tel: 01305 459755 or mob: 07795140708 St George’s Day Fair — Fordington Green Bring a packed lunch, Bible, notebook and pen Saturday 26th April

Tea, coffee and biscuits provided Durnovaria Town Band — Stalls — Morris dancers Further information on The Quiet Space: Cream teas — Refreshments — Choir in church www.thequietspacedorchester.org — 01305 250719 Displays — Games — Donkey rides 3 St George’s Fordington

Messenger Church Correspondent: Margaret Morrissey 250366

Amy’s Antics

Crufts is nearly upon us again, and I Good job the Bible reminds us that “Everything God Fiona remember one of my first dog shows. Fiona created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is Hall was persuaded to enter me into the received with thanksgiving.’’ ‘Working’ dog class, rather than the ‘Waggy tail’ section. I pranced beautifully around the ring, So if you’re feeling a bit like a square peg in a round hole flashing my long eye lashes at the judges and was shown or a triangle with nowhere to go, cheer up because, “There the exit pretty quickly. I didn’t meet the breed standards, is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is nor did I have the right papers. It was humiliating! there male and female, (nor cruft or scruff) for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

St George’s Day Fair—Sat 26th April

The fun will start at 1.30pm on Fordington Green, inside the Church and the Church Grounds. This year will not only bring the usual stalls but we hope to welcome Donkey rides and a Fire Engine. We also welcome Vivo Choir and the Manor Park School Choir to perform inside the Church as And what’s more, having been rejected from the pedigree well as Scottish Dancers, Morris section, I’m considered too much like my breed to enter Dancers and the Durnovarian Scruffs, the show for non—pedigree dogs – I can’t win! Town Band which will all be on Too good for one group and not good enough for the the Green. other group.

4 Please come and support us and have a delicious hog roast skittles, many fun games for children and adults, raffles, bun washed down by a refreshing pimms or juice, tombola, home made cakes, home made jams, jewellery followed later by a traditional cream tea!! etc. etc. A date not to be missed—mark your diaries now, and we look forward to seeing you whatever the weather, Plenty to do for the whole family from a bouncy castle, although the sunshine has already been booked!! Lent @ St George’s Fordington 2014 March Tues 4 3pm Pancakes @ St George’s Hall — £1 for the first pancake 50p for seconds! All proceeds to charity. Wed 5 10am Ash Wednesday Service Fri 7 10:30am Women’s World Day of Prayer St George’s Church Egypt – Streams in the desert.

12:30pm Lent Lunch – St George’s Church

Wed 12 7:30pm Poetry Night – bring poem(s) St George’s Church Hall Sun 16 12:30pm Children’s Easter Activity Day St George’s Hall please ring Allen Knot or Fiona Hall to book Wed 19 7:30pm Film Night – Chariots of Fire – popcorn provided! St George’s Vicarage Thurs 27 7:30pm Poetry Night – bring poem(s) St George’s Church Hall Sun 30 10:15am Mothering Sunday – Come and Worship (Communion 8am) April Sun 6 4pm YP@D Passion Play - St George’s Church

Sat 12 10am – Quiet Day at St George’s Church & Vicarage 3.30pm “Death, Grief and Resurrection’’ With time for reflection, art, craft, discussion and quiet Bring and share lunch cost £3 Sun 13 10:15am Palm Sunday – with a Donkey visiting.

3pm Fauré’s Requiem by Portland Singers St George’s Church

5 St Mary the Virgin

The Open Door

Service dates for March St Mary’s Lent lunch will be on Friday 28th March from Sunday 2nd March – Sunday next 12noon until 1.30pm. All are welcome. before Lent Rosemary 8.00am – Mass Bassett On the 17th March the Monday Club will meet in the 9.45am – Sung Eucharist – President Church Hall, Alexandra Rd from 2.30-4pm when our & Preacher Canon Thomas Woodhouse speaker will be Ann Purvis who will give a “Talk on 6.00pm – Taize service Canada”. Concerts Wednesday 5th March – ASH WEDNESDAY 7.30pm – Sung Eucharist with Ashing Saturday 8th March – 1.00pm – Dorset Chamber Orchestra Concert Sunday 9th February – 1st Sunday of Lent Saturday 15th March – 7.30pm – Bournemouth 8.00am – Mass Sinfonietta Choir 9.45am – Sung Eucharist 2.00pm – Baptism of Amelia Harris Sic transit…

Sunday 16th March – 2nd Sunday of Lent Although you’re reading this in early 8.00am – Mass Robert March you will probably remember 9.45am – Sung Eucharist Potter that January was rather wet. Too 12.30pm – Baptism of Oscar Green wet for gardening, often too wet for 2.00pm – Baptism of Oliver Burden walking, really too wet to do anything outside, so it was a good time to catch up with jobs inside. “We ought to do Sunday 23rd March – 3rd Sunday of Lent something about the slides”, it was said, “and then we 8.00am – Mass could get rid of the projector”. 9.45am – Sung Eucharist You remember ‘slides’? Long ago, in the days when you Tuesday 25th March – Annunciation of our Lord to the used films in your camera, you could get the pictures Blessed Virgin Mary printed or you could produce slides which were then 9.30am – Mass projected onto a screen (or the sitting room wall) to entertain (or bore) your guests and visitors. Over the years Sunday 30th March – MOTHERING SUNDAY these slides accumulated in carefully labelled boxes in a 8am – Mass cupboard or packed away in bigger boxes. 9.45am – Sung Eucharist 6.00pm – Meditative Communion with Laying on of Getting them out now and going through them was not a hands and anointing. simple process. The projector was set up on a table top with the screen vertical and square and the required Weekday Mass on Tuesdays at 9.30pm and at festivals. distance away. Slides were put into a rack, the right way up and the right way round and 5 o’clock was awaited, the The Contemplative prayer group meets each Wednesday time when, with curtains drawn, it was properly dark. at 5pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and at the Quiet The plan was to re-photograph the pictures we wanted to Space at 7.30pm on 13th & 27th March keep with the idea of transferring those through the computer onto a CD.

Other events coming up during Lent The slide show progressed slowly over several days. We started with family pictures – babies, toddlers, school girls, Stations of the Cross will be on 11th, 18th & 25th March at weddings, career girls, parents getting older – who’s that 6pm young lady in the flowery dress or that young man with 6 St Mary the Virgin sideburns and a wide tie?! How ruthless can you be in rejecting yet another picture that could be saved for posterity and the family record?

Then it was the holiday pictures. We went to Moscow Concert Programme for 2014 and Leningrad in the days when you had to fly with Aeroflot and stay in an Intourist hotel with an Intourist Sat 8th March – 1.00pm – Dorset Chamber Orchestra guide. Very interesting but do we still want pictures of Concert forbidding government buildings or even of St Basil’s Sat 15th March – 7.30pm – Bournemouth Sinfonietta cathedral and the Hermitage? Skiing pictures from Choir Austria, snow and ice in Canada, the mermaid in Sat 17th May – 7.00pm – Dorset Chamber Orchestra Copenhagen and so on. Then there were the closer-to- Concert home holidays – the family on the summit of Tryfan, a Sat 24th May – 7.30pm – Occasional Singers Concert picnic at the top of Coniston Old Man, views of Dorset Sat 31st May – 7.30pm – Cor Meibion De Cymru Concert and most English and Welsh counties, all of which had a Sat 5th July – 7.30pm – Hardye’s School Concert story to tell. Sat 11th October – 7.00pm – Dorset Chamber Orchestra Concert One other batch recorded a schools cruise. Years ago Sat 25th October – 7.30pm – Thomas Hardye School Dorset booked places each January on the Uganda, a ship Concert which catered for educational cruises by school children. Sat 1st November – 7.30pm – Dorchester Choral Society One year I was asked if I would like to be one of the staff Concert members – I did say ‘yes’! There were pictures of children, Sat 29th November – 7.30pm – Dorset Chamber some names still familiar, and pictures of places from Orchestra Concert Ceuta eastwards to Israel, all very nostalgic - but they had Sat 13th December – 7.30pm – Dorchester Choral Society to go. Concert

A few of these holiday pictures were deemed worthy of re- photographing but most disappeared into a plastic bag. Sanctuary Lamp candles To a large extent it was pictures which included a member 2nd Given by Cyril Treviss in memory of his wife Joan of the family which survived. whose birthday was on the 2nd March. In the days of film, pictures were taken more selectively 9th Given by Adrian Downton in memory of his father than they are now and these reminders of faces and places represented important times in our lives. They had been Leonard whose birthday was on 8th March. projected and enjoyed several times but now it was time – 16th Given by Ellie Stephens in thanksgiving for her after much heart-searching - to discard 5 ½ lbs of them. Grand-son Sam whose birthday is on 16th March. They may not have been ‘glories of the world’ but, like those glories, they passed away, leaving only memories. 23rd Given by Diana Barber in memory of her mother Sic transit gloria mundi – or photos of the past. whose years mind falls on 21st March. Also by

Evelyn Toogood in memory of her husband Monday Club Programme for 2014 Maurice whose years mind falls on 21st March.

17th March – “Talk on Canada” – Ann Purvis 30th Given by Betty Batten in memory of her husband th 28 April – “Kingston Lacy” – Mary Holman Gerald whose years mind falls on 31st March. 19th May – “Listen & Laugh” – Tony Holt 16th June – “Working with children with Autism” – Alison The only time you will witness this phenomenon in Crawford your life... 21st July – Outing and Cream Tea to be arranged This year, the month of August will count 5 Fridays, 5 August – No Meeting Saturdays and 5 Sundays. 15th September – “The Women’s Refuge” – Mollie Rennie Apparently, this phenomenon occurs only once in 20th October – “Talk on Italy” – Jill Minchin every 823 years. Don’t wait for the next time! 17th November – “Inner Sanctums” – Rob Curtis Vernon Moffet 8th December – Christmas Lunch 7 LENT 2014 in the Benefice of Dorchester Ash Wednesday 5th March (all with ashing available) Lectio Divina 10am at St George’s – Said Holy Communion 7.30pm at St Mary’s – Sung Mass Every Monday evening during Lent 8pm at St Peter’s – Compline (Night Prayer) Listening to the bible reading through our hearts rather Lent Lunches – donations to Christian Aid than our minds. Friday 7th March at St George's , Fordington12noon Listening to God within our hearts. Friday 14th March at West Stafford Village Hall 12noon Listening through our hearts to how Christ would like us Friday 21th March – Martinstown Village Hall 1230pm to live his life here on earth. Friday 28th March at St Mary's, Edward Road 12noon Trusting the Holy Spirit as she dances between us and Friday 4th April at West Stafford Village hall 12noon sings her songs within our hearts, within our spirit, within Thurs 10th April at St Peter's, Dorchester town 12noon our being.

Lent Course — St Peter’s Hall We meet at 10, South Walks Rd. Dorchester at 7.30pm Mondays 10th,17th,24th, 31st March 10.30am-noon every Monday during Lent. led by the Revd Canon Michael Insley. Theme – The If you would like to talk anything through first, please do Lord’s Prayer * (see opposite page) ring me, Rev. Jo Lacy-Smith 01305 889476 repeated: Tuesday evenings 11th,19th, 25th March & 1st April 7.30pm-9pm Lent 2014

Lectio Divina – 10 South Walks, Dorchester on Mondays A four session course on The Lord’s Prayer at 7.30pm ** see below Led by Canon Michael Insley, a retired priest in the Parish of Dorchester, a Spiritual Director in the Salisbury Diocese and Stations of the Cross - St Mary’s Church formerly Vicar of St. Luke’s Bromley Common and Canon Tuesdays 11th, 18th, 25th March & 1st, 8th April all at Theologian of Rochester Cathedral. 6pm On Monday mornings 10.30 a.m. – 12 noon: 10th, 17th, Meditation — St Mary’s Church on Wednesdays at 5pm 24th, 31st March 2014 & on Thursdays 13th, 27th March &10th April 7.30pm Or Tuesday evenings 7.30 – 9.00 p.m.: 11th, 18th, 25th at the Quiet Space March & 1st April 2014

Venue - St. Peter’s Church Hall (behind the church): Poetry Readings: St George’s Hall on Weds 12th March at 2.30pm Seeing Jesus at prayer, his disciples asked him: ‘Lord, teach & Thurs 27th March 7.30pm. Please bring poem(s), us to pray’. In response Jesus gave them the prayer we call original, modern or classics. the Lord’s Prayer.

Film Night at St George’s Vicarage on Weds 19th March This Lent will give us the opportunity to explore the 7.30pm Chariots of Fire Lord’s Prayer, to see what it meant for Jesus in the context of his ministry: to see how generations of Christians have Children’s Easter Activity Day at St George’s Hall engaged with this prayer; to see how we can use it Sunday 16th March 1230pm (contact Fiona - 262394) ourselves and live out its petitions. A Course for Lent, Passion Play at St George’s Church on Sunday 6th April open to all, on The Prayer that Jesus gave us. at 4pm Content: "Emma's Mystery", presented by Young People @ Dorchester 1. Mon 10/3 or Tues 11/3 : Prayer’s Focus - Our Father and his kingdom School Holiday Activity morning at St Andrew's Church, West Stafford 2. Mon 17/3 or Tues 18/3 : God’s will and Human needs Thursday 10th April 10am -noon (contact Jane - 264360) – give us our daily bread

Quiet Day at St George’s Church & Vicarage (bring & 3. Mon 24/3 or Tues 25/3 : Broken Relationships – share lunch) forgive us, as we forgive others on Sat 12th April 10am-3.30pm - £3 -Theme: Death, Grief 4. Mon 31/3orTues 1/4 Dangerous encounters–lead us and Resurrection not into temptation, rescue us

Details for Holy Week & Easter next month and in individual All welcome churches Further information from available from Michael at - [email protected] 8 DORCHESTER Parish MAGAZINE – the Morgan years As the 200th issue loomed, Margaret appealed both to Felicity asked me to give a flavour of the the church Morgan early years. Mike and I were editors members and the of the Magazine from the first issue wider community. in April 1994 to December 2010, when - on Mike’s death At times I think we - Margaret and her team were catapulted into the job - have succeeded. without missing an issue. This has been

th mainly: I uncovered the 100 edition (March 2004) and read Mike’s editorial notes, his telling of the story so far:  When we have featured articles ‘About ten and a half years ago I spoke to Robin Johnson looking back on [then Team Rector] and offered to be Parish Publicity the past of the Officer. “Does that include producing a magazine for the town whole parish?” he asked. “Why not?” I thought … ’  When we have Previously there had been separate magazines for the three been involved in churches in the parish: The Open Door, The Fordington activities and Mike Morgan, the magazine’s first Messenger and The Bunch of Keys. These titles were issues that concern editor retained for the church sections in the new magazine, the whole town initially with the same editors – Jean Saddington, Olga  When the churches themselves have been doing Kardas and Sylvia Herring, with Val Potter contributing something interesting. the Churches Together page. ‘Someone said that the Christian Church is one of the few Mike continued: ‘As the Parish Office only had an organisations that does not exist for the benefit of its Amstrad pcw, Jean Saddington ordered a proper members but for the rest of the world. That is how I’d computer and showed me how to use it. She helped us like to see the DORCHESTER Parish MAGAZINE too.’ produce a few editions and then we were on our own. As Margaret would no doubt echo, we were grateful to the For several years Felicity and I sat in the Parish Office, regular writers who could be relied on to help structure - sometimes till midnight [with Bronwen, our guard-collie, and fill - each issue. Sometimes we felt we had not under the desk], typing up the articles and laying them sufficient time to go out and find stories and interview out. Fortunately now the same ageing computer is in our people, and perhaps relied too much on what came in. house and most of the articles arrive by email or are typed However, Mike was always able to write a full-page article ready for the scanner, which reduces the person-hours on a matter of local or global concern if he felt it was considerably. …’ important (especially if we discovered we were a page

Again we moved with the short!) times, switching to using Mike thanked especially our tireless Advertising our own computer and Manager in that 100th issue: ‘The person who really working in Word, then makes it all possible is Liz Green, who keeps the Publisher, and eventually venture financially viable by seeking out advertisers emailing all the pages to …’ I thank her, too, for putting up with our Creeds in Broadoak for occasional inefficiencies, when we forgot an advert printing, rather than or failed to take one out. driving the hard copy over on the deadline weekend. Commenting on the parish in 2004, Mike wrote, ‘I (A few postal disasters sense that we are less outward looking than ten taught us that this was the years ago. We do less as Churches Together more reliable way to work.) (remember Road to the Cross, the Youth Mission, Photographs got sharper - Dorchester Praise…) and even as an Anglican most of the time - and we parish each church is increasingly doing its own could access the Web. thing. Perhaps a group of a hundred or so people is the biggest size most people feel comfortable in?’ Further into the 100th issue Mike wrote, ‘People Thank you Margaret and your team for taking on told me it was impossible the Magazine, and for continuing it - in your own to have a magazine that The first edition, in April 1994 style - for the churches and the wider community.

9 Serving the Community for 15 Years They came from North, South, East Brian and West of the county to visit First Parkhurst Dorset Credit Union’s Open Day on Wednesday 19th February. (Some even came from Dorchester!) There were members and other visitors from Easton, Fortuneswell, Blandford, Gillingham and Sherborne.

It was a very successful day with members of the public wanting to take out application forms and discuss the many aspects of providing ethical banking facilities, but not a high street bank! The purpose of the Open Day was to mark the transition of FDCU head office from a rented suite of offices to the former Magna office at 40 High East Street, which has been purchased on a 125-year long lease to provide permanency in fast moving credit union circles. Cheryl Edwards, Credit Controller (left) and Rachel

The space has been customised to provide a superior Bailey, Office Manager (right) Service Point and offices for Admin, Treasury and Loans The activities continued into the evening with the Annual sections. Most of the work was done by volunteers already General Meeting of the credit union held, for the first involved in working in Dorchester. Visitors commented time in the new, well-appointed rooms of West Dorset on the high standard of workmanship in evidence. District Council Offices, known as South Walks House. Chairmen of the various sections reported to members on A second reason was to express gratitude for the help the operation during the last financial year, showing given by Magna Housing Association over many years in further growth, and plans for future expansion. A lively allowing FDCU to operate its Dorchester Service Point question session followed each presentation, with rent-free and paying for the services required to run it – at Directors able to satisfy the many searching questions a time when Magna had stopped using the offices posed fron the floor. themselves. FDCU would not have been able to expand without this assistance. It was felt by those involved in setting up the Open Day and AGM that much had been learned with the Among those coming to find out more — and sign up – opportunities to discuss matters with members, and that was our new Rector, Thomas Woodhouse. He showed the two events had been well prepared and executed. great interest in the work of FDCU and was impressed to be informed that senior volunteers of the credit union FDCU is looking forward to the future and hopes to be attend all the major churches in the Benefice. Like other able to grant more and larger reliable loans to our visitors he was impressed that Dorchester SP had been members so that they can be persuaded the FDCU is a far open 4,000 times for members to transact business during better way of dealing with financial stress than falling into the fifteen years of existence. the clutches of doorstep lenders or payday lenders. South Sudan — Update And we complain it’s bad here! experience and networks to make sure assistance gets David quickly to these who need it most. As well as providing Fighting continues in parts of South Bowen relief, the South Sudanese Church is providing Sudan. Almost a million people are courageous moral leadership at great peril, speaking out displaced with over 3 million at risk of hunger. against political and ethnic factionalism and revenge. The Archbishop of Canterbury recently visited the country That’s why our Diocese has launched a Diocesan appeal and saw the scale of the problem first hand. In Bor, 3,000 that will run until Easter to help the Episcopal Church. had been buried, a similar number had not. He could After Easter, we will ask again for help with more targeted smell death. At St Andrew’s Cathedral the bodies of 20 projects to rebuild lives. clergy and lay workers were laid out and he was asked to bless a mass grave. There is deep anger at the perpetrators. You can donate in three ways: Online via www.justgiving.com/sdbf , Text “SSUD14 £10” to 70070 Our fellow Anglicans in the Episcopal Church of South to give £10 or By post make cheques payable to "Salisbury Sudan and Sudan are responding directly on the ground. DBF SSA". Send to South Sudan Appeal, Church House, Their development agency, SUDRA, has the expertise, Crane Street, Salisbury, SP1 2QB.

10 The Right Reverend Michael Perham Michael Perham grew up in Dorchester and as a small boy was a member of St George’s church choir. It was with great joy Dorchester welcomed the Bishop back at the end of January, firstly to the funeral of Rev Canon Brooks’ wife Lyn, and then to preside over the Candlemas service at St George’s.

It was surprising to speak to so many clergy over that weekend that had been trained by Michael and had great admiration for him.

The Right Reverend Michael Perham became Bishop of Gloucester in 2004. After a lifetime within the church he is now a member of the House of Lords and of the House of Bishops’ Standing Committee. He serves on the Working Party reviewing the Church of England’s teaching on human sexuality. He has been a strong advocate of the role of women in the Church as priests and bishops. He is Bishop Protector of the European Hardye Boys Province of the Society of St Francis, Chair of the Governing Body of Ripon College, Cuddesdon, President of the Alcuin Club, of the Retired Clergy Association and of Affirming Catholicism, plus numerous roles in the Diocese of Gloucester.

The Bishop has announced his retirement and has said he will go in November after more than ten "happy, stimulating and fruitful years" in the diocese. Bishop Michael said the time was right for him and his family and that he would be moving to Wells.

Michael Perham, who was a year below me at Hardye's School, and I last met nearly two years ago when he was guest of honour at the annual Hardyeans' Club Dinner. We kept in touch after leaving school and our paths have crossed several times; not least during his impressive stint as a 'Prep' Schoolmaster before reading Theology at Keble College, Oxford. His administrative and social skills, as shown to very good effect in the Geography conferences (one of which I attended) he mainly organised, augured well for his vocation in the Church of England which had been evident since boyhood. Jonathan Pullen

The Church Times announces that The Revd Philip Lambert, formerly our Team Rector and then Canon Missioner at Truro Cathedral, is becoming Assistant Chaplain of Greater Athens where he will have special responsibility for St. Thomas the Apostle, Kefalas, Crete. You might meet him on your holiday.

11 Getting Through Chemotherapy Five years ago I had bowel cancer and the final week is a respite week, when I take no drugs Tricia which was successfully treated. to give my body a chance to recover, ready for Day One of Bowen However before my bowel resection the next cycle. Before I start it my case is reviewed by my and removal of lymph glands, it would oncologist, who listens carefully to how the treatment has seem that a few cells fled to my liver, made themselves at affected me and amends my medication accordingly. This home and now are evident. Cancer. It puts you in a dark makes the second cycle is easier. and scary place. Worries flood in – how long have I got, will I be able to get treatment, what will it be like. The wonderful thing that I have discovered is how kind Anxieties about close family, they are frightened and and caring people are. I have always believed that almost worried too - how can I support them? Regrets - would I all people are good almost all of the time, but the love and see my grandchildren grow or be able do all the things I concern I have received is so up-lifting. I am constantly wanted to see and do. Then there is the question “Why being reassured that people are thinking of me and me?” - wrong question. “Why not me?” - am I so special sending messages by way of cards, e-mails and personally. that I should be spared this? No. Evolution shows that So many people are praying for me, it’s wonderful. A we are created over a long time. Without mutations we friend of my sister, who I’ve never met, left a prayer for me would never have made it out of the primordial swamp. in a prayer house while walking in the Florida Everglades. I feel that I am being carried along on a wave of love, it is Worries need to be sorted in order to make a plan. I pray quite humbling. Very many thanks to everyone. It has to make a plan. I am not very good at prayer, they are been much appreciated and I am truly grateful. usually more like telegrams, or in modern terms tweets, rather than long conversations. So my plan isn’t very When you hear of someone with cancer, please don’t grand. I pray: “Lord, hold my hand and light my path just forget the family, who are also frightened and worried one step at a time”. I remember Joshua 1:9 and the words about their Spouse, Father, Mother, Sister, Brother or of Mother Julian of Norwich come to me: “All shall be Child and it is helpful for them for this to be well, and all manner of things shall be well”. acknowledged. Step one meet my oncologist. The tumour is in the most Thanks too to the many researchers working to improve inaccessible place it could be and so an operation is not treatment for cancer, which has made the treatment less an option. He recommends 4 x 3 week cycles of chemo- oppressive and more successful. The staff at DCH are therapy. Next I have a pre-treatment appointment, where successful at giving confidence in the treatment. My a friendly nurse outlines what my treatment will entail. oncologist has been attentive and the specialist nurses are She explains things very carefully, answers my questions very helpful. The Fortuneswell Ward are competent, and shows me the Chemo-therapy Lounge where I will caring and will patiently answer any questions you may ask receive the treatment — a room with 8 reclining chairs, so when you are there. They telephone during the second doesn’t look like the usual ward. She gives me a booklet week of treatment at home to see if there are any further with dos and don’ts and a daunting list of possible side concerns. So if you ever need them, they will make the effects. Will the treatment be successful? Don’t get ahead process as easy as is possible. of yourself, one step at a time.

Next step the first chemo-therapy cycle: day one of the cycle in the Fortuneswell Ward. This is the only time in each cycle that I receive treatment in hospital. First they take blood to make sure I am fit for treatment. 45 minutes later the results say I am good to go and they make up the first infusion, which will take about an hour. An hour later it arrives and the drip is set up. It takes two hours to complete the procedure. Finally, a nurse goes through what seems like a carrier bag of drugs to take home with me. She also gives me a book with emergency numbers, note of treatment received and a colour coded list of side effects and how to deal with them. Fortunately, I have few side effects and most of them wear off as the first week goes by, which seems to be the worst for me. This maybe because of the variety of drugs being taken. By the second week, I have only one drug to take

12 St Peter’s High West Street · Dorchester

Vicar: The Revd Vicky Thurtell 268767 Churchwardens: Mr Brian Hellin 268844 and Mr Mike Nisbett 260983

Services in March 2014

Sundays 9am BCP Communion and 10:30am Sung Eucharist

Ash Wednesday 5th March – Compline (night prayer) Congratulations to Edmund Clancy who celebrated his with ashing 90th Birthday on 11th February and shared in church with cake and bubbly – thanks to you, Ed and to Barbara Choral Evensong – the hope is that this service will be and the family. resumed in March/April, Please look out for notices in church and magazine next month. St Peter’s AGM

**Lent ** 2014 The AGM will be held on Sunday 6th April at 12noon, after the Sung Eucharist (with time to ‘grab a coffee’). Easter is ‘late’ this year – Sunday 20th April so Lent begins AGM report booklets with accounts for year end 2013 will on Ash Wednesday at the beginning of March – March be available in church soon. All are welcome to the 5th. Please look out for the selection of services across the meeting – Church Electoral Roll forms available from benefice that day, including Compline at 8pm at St Peter’s Churchwardens/Vicar. (night prayer with hymns, anthems and ashing) Thanks to treasurer Beryl for driving the fundraising, During Lent the Revd Canon Michael Insley – retired excellent account keeping and to all who contribute parish priest and Canon Theologian of Rochester through collections, regular giving and extra donations - St Cathedral - has kindly offered to run a Lent Course on the Peter’s has again paid its Share (the amount, which has to theme of the Lord’s Prayer. There is a choice am/pm – all be paid to the Diocese each year) in full. in St Peter’s Hall: Morning sessions 10:30am-12noon on This year there are vacancies on the Church Council for Mondays 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st March two new members, so if you would like to stand for Repeated for election then please see notices in church (blue Evening sessions 7:30pm-9pm on noticeboards) and ask someone to nominate you. Equally, Tuesdays 11th, 18th, 25th March & 1st April if there is someone you would like to nominate then There is a sign list on the blue noticeboard in church (to please give them a prod. The Council meets six times per help Michael with planning) or just ‘turn up’. year at a mutually agreeable time of day.

Further details about this and other Lenten opportunities Ordination may be found in the BENEFICE LENT pages elsewhere in this magazine. Many will know by now that the ordinations this year are scheduled for Sunday 29th June at 10:30am at Salisbury Mothering Sunday – this year falls on Sun 30th March. Cathedral, to include ordinand Alison Whiting, to be Services will be held at the usual times, 9am and 10:30am, made Deacon by the Bishop of Salisbury. Services at St both with distribution of posies for all. Peter’s will continue as usual that day with Michael Insley officiating. All are welcome to attend the cathedral service Welcome – on Sunday 23rd March, Dorchester’s new – by car (parking is available in the close ~£5 or local car Team Rector Thomas Woodhouse will preach at St Peter’s parks) or by coach, which has been ordered (cost ~£13 per at the 10:30am Sung Eucharist. person) picking up at Poundbury and in town. Thanks to 13 Alison for organizing this – she will display a sign up list in Farewell church (noticeboards) immediately after Easter and it will be on a ‘first come first serve’ basis (sorry not the first shall Farewell to Margory Winzar RiP, who died last month at be last etc– although we could ponder that one! ) Beyond Avenue House. Marjory worshipped for many years at St that, I’m sure that we could share lifts. This vicar will be in Peter’s – one of the original ‘Holy Trinity –ites’. Salisbury overnight – attending, on the Saturday evening in the cathedral, the ordination as priest of Rev Sue Linford (my tutee for three years) of the Bride Valley. Whist at St Peter’s Please ask Alison or me if you have any further questions. On the cessation of the St. Mary's Whist Ron Club, the Rowan Cottage Whist Club On Sunday 22nd June at 10:30am, there will be a ‘send Cave and the Maiden Castle House Whist off’ for Alison with presentations and usual fine fare of Club, I was 'persuaded' by some of the refreshments. Details of her ministry in the team after whist players to run a whist drive. On 7th September 1982 ordination have yet to be officially finalised with the therefore, I began to run a whist drive at Maiden Castle Bishop, Director of Ordinands and Team Rector. We House which I did until 6th June 1988. Surplus funds hold Alison, and all preparing for ordination at this time, were paid to the Maiden Castle House Amenity Fund. in our prayers. From the 13th June 1988 with the permission of the then Theology/Ecclesiology Discussion Group Rector and churchwardens I was permitted to transfer to St. Peter's, provided as I think Jimmy Hamilton -Brown Those who were in church towards the end of February put it, that the surplus funds should go to something will have heard me mentioning in the notices the vaguely Christian! The number coming to the whist drive possibility of a discussion group around the issue of being grew to over 40 in the early years but has gradually church in this generation, our current context..in the 21st declined through death and illness to only 14 players if century; this in the light of recent lectionary readings and everyone was well and available. Sadly therefore after over challenges in sermons and talks regarding ‘God talk’. 25 years and 1139 whist drives held at St. Peter's it is no Already I have many names of people interested in longer practical to carry on and the last drive was held on pursuing such discussions and debates. It’s most likely that 30th September. I’ll offer dates for an initial meeting after Easter. Please let me know – if you haven’t already – if you wish to receive The main purpose of the whist drives has always been details (Vicar) [email protected] or 268767. social and many friendships have been made, which extended to members being helped/ visited by other members when unwell. The players came from several different churches and some from no church at all. Pews Response to Article — Feb 2014 News was always available for them to look at or take away. At first the entry fee to each drive was only 50p, later I feel I must “cross swords” with my old friend and rising to £1 which included refreshments at ''half time', all colleague Tony Wheeler, over his article “The Death of of which were donated, and cash prizes. The surplus funds Democracy”. over the years have amounted to £5078-45 of which £4393 -45was paid to St. Peter's Church General Fund, £375 to Surely the opportunity to vote is something we must Church Restoration and Repair Funds, £150 to Sunday always use unless the whole point has collapsed. I don’t School and Youth Club, £110 to the choir fund for choir honestly feel we have arrived at this stage yet. music and folders and £50 to the old 'Friends of St. Democracy has always been a fraught business with Peter's’. temptations and failures. But what is the alternative ? My somewhat cynical view is that we vote for the Party I am grateful for all the help received to run the drives that is the least awful! during these 25 years and to Derek Norris standing in for me when I was away until he had to look after Joan. In Can I suggest that the only other choice can be found recent years, although everyone has been so supportive, I in North Korea? I understand in North Korea people would particularly like to thank Miriam Crofts, Ken and who oppose the governing dictator are normally thrown Joan White [the latter a 'founder member] and Steve and to hungry dogs – watched by friends of the ‘beloved’ Judith Barrett. In conclusion I do strongly feel that it has leader. If we fail to vote we might find ourselves all been a very worthwhile exercise. adopting this alternative. Come what may – VOTE. We could well do worse. ...and thank you Ron for all your work in running this important community activity — Vicky Rev D Parry

14 St Andrew’s Church West Stafford Church Correspondent: Revd Jane Culliford

Dates for March

2nd Sunday next before Lent 10am Parish Communion Children’s Activity Morning 9th Lent 1 10am Morning Prayer 14th 12-1.30 Lent Lunch Village Hall On Thursday 10th April there will be an Activity morning 16th Lent 2 10am Parish Communion for children in the church telling the story of Holy Week 23rd Lent 3 10am Parish Communion and Easter with lots of arts and crafts and refreshments. 30th Mothering Sunday Anyone from the Benefice, friends or visitors is welcome 9am Holy Communion to attend. 10am Mothering Sunday Family Service Come and Worship Please note the change to the normal pattern of services for the last 2 Sundays in March There is a varied pattern of worship at St Andrew’s Church and on the 4th Sunday of the month after a 9am Lent Lunches Service of Holy Communion the 10am service is a Service of the Word –Come and Worship (changed this month This year there will be two Lent Lunches held in West because of Mothering Sunday). Stafford Village Hall on 14th March and 4th April from 12 -1.30. In previous years there has been good support This is a more informal service and usually has a theme. In from across the benefice and although the lunch is only January we welcomed Alison Whiting talking to us of her simple this is a good opportunity for fellowship as we eat Christian journey and vocation as she approaches together. We look forward to welcoming old friends and ordination as a deacon this summer. This was within the new once more. Donations are for Christian Aid. theme of each person’s calling to discipleship.

Churchyard Maintenance In February, having experienced wind and storm and flood, the theme was Delight in Creation as we looked not The churchyard is looking well cared for only at the fast flowing river and flooded fields but trees but to keep it in trim there will be the first coming into bud and all the bulbs that have been planted of this year’s gardening and maintenance around the village beginning to blossom. mornings on Saturday 22nd March from 10-12. All are welcome to join in. Wearing old clothes and gloves is essential while bringing gardening tools such as secateurs or a trowel is helpful.

Mothering Sunday

Posies for Mothering Sunday will be made up in the church on Saturday 29th March from 10am ready to distribute at the Family Service the next day. As Easter is late this year and the spring flowers have been out since mid February, the posies may have a different look this year. Come and Worship with us and give thanks not only for our mothers but the mothering love of God. 15 St Simon & St Jude Winterborne Monkton Church Correspondent: Ursula Norman

Services in March

In March we have reversed the order of our services, so that we have Matins on Sunday 2nd March and Holy Communion on Sunday 16th March taken by our new Rector the Rev Canon Thomas Woodward – we extend a very warm welcome to him and to his family and trust that they will very soon feel at home amongst us.

Advance notice

A note for your diaries – we are holding our main fund-raising effort, a Coffee morning, at Ursula Norman’s house on Tuesday 20th May at 10am. Because we are one of the smaller Churches in the Benefice, we are always very grateful to members of the other Churches who come and support us.

Dorchester’s Sixth Community Play

Some readers will recall Dorchester’s first community and burn policies adopted to subdue them and the play of recent times David Edgar’s Entertaining Strangers treatment of the Boer women and children who were performed to great acclaim in St Mary’s Church in herded into what became the first concentration camps. 1985. Some may even have taken part. From the success Rupert Creed’s play shows us the glory of the war and its of that play came the formation of Dorchester tragedy: its bravery and its brutality and will encourage us Community Plays Association and four further plays the to ponder what constitutes a just war and the legitimacy last of them in 2007. A sixth play is now well underway of the tactics used to pursue it. and will be performed at the Thomas Hardy School at the beginning of April. No play set in Dorchester in the early part of the twentieth century could ignore its greatest son. But the Drummer Hodge, written and directed by Rupert Creed, problem for Rupert as he wrote the play was how to is set in the Dorchester of around 1900 with the Boer involve Thomas Hardy without letting him take it over. War as a backdrop although its closing scenes take us to The ingenious solution adopted is to employ Hardy as an the verge of a much more terrible conflict. We see a observer, as indeed he was, commenting on the action town becoming steadily more prosperous, outgrowing its mainly through his poetry. boundaries and taking to new modes of transport and complacently basking in the fading glory of one of the Come and see for yourself. The play will run from greatest empires the world had ever known. As a Tuesday 1st April until Saturday 12th (no performance garrison town Dorchester was more aware than most of on Sunday 6th). Doors open at 7.15 p.m. and the string of small wars fought by the British in far off performances start at 7.30. The performances are places throughout the second half of the nineteenth promenade but some seats are available for those who century including Afghanistan and indeed early in the might find standing for over two hours difficult. Tickets play the local hero Sam Vickery returns home to are now on sale at £12 (with a range of concessions for welcoming crowds honouring him for the VC he was families) and can be bought by phoning the play office awarded during the Tirah campaign. (228269) or calling in (it’s in the former public lending library opposite County Hall, open daily from 10 a.m. to But although broadly the town was proud of its men 6 p.m.) or on-line: www.dorchestercommunityplay.org.uk who went to fight the Boers some of its people were troubled by the stories which seeped back of the slash David Lang Dorchester Community Plays Association 16 CHURCHES TOGETHER Compiled by Val Potter DORCHESTER 264416

Quiet Space 5DD and Tuesday 8 April 2014, Maiden Castle, near Dorchester, DT1 2HH. Time: 10.30am gather in car park Despite the recent dreadful weather we can soon look for briefing; 11.00am walk inwards around ramparts; forward to spring and time outdoors. The Trustees took 12.30pm picnic and service; 1.30pm walk outwards the decision to open the garden of the Quiet Space at around ramparts; 3.30pm depart. Leaders: Dr Graham weekends after Easter. We have depended on the Kings, Bishop of Sherborne and Chair of Churches availability of Companions for the present opening hours, Together in Dorset and other Church leaders. Open to but felt it was more important that people of all ages and anyone to join in, of any church or none, of any age. those who are at work during the week, can enjoy this School visits are welcome. Come to one walk or to beautiful oasis of peace, so the garden (but not the both. Please don't forget to bring a packed lunch! building) will be open on Saturdays and Sundays, from The Churches Together in Dorset AGM will take place 10.00 till 4.00, without Companions to chat to, so come after the Walking With God event at Badbury Rings on along and enjoy it. Tuesday, 18th March, 2014 and will be held at the Kingston Lacy Tea Rooms, BH21 4EA, from 4-5pm In the first full week of Lent (Monday 10th April – Friday 14th), we shall have some new and different ways to help Contact: Katja Babei, County Ecumenical Officer for Churches you to reflect and find tranquillity in the Quiet Room. Together in Dorset email [email protected] tel: 07500 660 455 You will have the opportunity to lose yourself in our multi or Robert Shuler, Assistant to the Bishop of Sherborne email -coloured activity, contemplate a series of devotional [email protected] tel: 07500 660455 pictures, use your hands for tactile peace seeking and read or take away our pocket size reminders. Come and see for Ecology Group yourself. As the group has not met recently, but recent flooding and Seek out this lovely place for yourself and direct others to extreme weather has renewed the climate change debate, it it so that it really does become an oasis of peace and is worth giving the text from the summary of the tranquillity for everybody, as the original vision intended. proceedings of the February General Synod:

Churches Together “Another important debate was on Climate Change. This motion was put forward by the Diocese of Southwark. In moving We are gradually building up a committee consisting of the motion, Canon Giles Goddard said that all the evidence ministers and representatives of each member church and leads us to realise that we are creating climate change on a people to represent the main ecumenical groups: Poverty massive scale. All faith groups should be engaging in these issues. Action, Quiet Space, the Ecology Group and Christian The motion called on synod to recognise the damage being done Aid. At the recent meeting we shared information on Lent through the burning of fossil fuels; the fact that huge reserves are activities, plans for the Good Friday walk of witness and being held by the energy companies; the commitment we should progress on conversations about World War I have to care for our planet; the financial responsibilities we have commemorations. We also discussed ways to share as a major investing body; and to note that the Ethical information more effectively so that more people learn Investment Advisory Group is reviewing its policy so as to take about not only activities planned together, but also the seriously issues of environmental concern. The motion, which was activities and events of all the churches in the locality overwhelmingly carried, called for an alignment of our investing which are open to all. policy with environmental concerns, a report from the EIAG to be published before the end of the year and the establishment of a Walking with God — Churches Working Group on the Environment.”

Together in Dorset All are welcome to join the growing Dorchester area Churches Ecology Group. Contact Jo Lacy Smith A spiritual exercise is planned in Lent around two of [email protected] Dorset’s iron-age hill forts, walking along the concentric ramparts, from the outer circles to the centre, for a picnic New Roman Catholic Bishop lunch and short service, and then outwards again. Why? To draw closer to God and to each other. Where? Tuesday The new Bishop of Plymouth is Monsignor Mark O’ Toole 18 March 2014, Badbury Rings, near Wimborne, BH21 who was ordained bishop and installed on 28th January by 17 A Month in the Life of a Grandma A new arrival at St Mary’s – no, Update on short trousers — still being Margaret not Rector Thomas. In church worn, one downside with rain lashing Morrissey two Sundays ago Jan came over down in buckets, yes he wears to talk to a couple of us. She wellingtons — trouble is with no trousers was so excited as she had in the past 24 hours to soak up water it runs down his legs become the Grandmother of a baby girl. Her face and fills the boots — on most days you was lit up with the joy in her heart — a really could keep a goldfish in them!!! wonderful moment. Exercise It took me back to the moment I held my first I felt like my body was totally out of grandchild, also a little girl, Eva, my mother‘s name. shape, so I got my doctor's permission to My mother’s sister, a second mother to me, was join a fitness club and start exercising. I called Edie, her birthday was the day this new baby decided to take an aerobics class for the girl was born, and would you believe this new baby mature lady. I bent, twisted, gyrated, has been named “Edie” — life is full of coincidences. jumped up and down, and perspired for I hope this little one brings as much joy to her an hour. But, by the time I got my Grandmother and all her family as my Eva has to us. leotards on, the class was over. February started well — all the children well and Facts about staying healthy peace all round — well, it went as far as the 3rd. 1. If walking/cycling is good for your Early Monday morning the phone rang — can you health, the postman would be immortal Rocco, dressed for the take Rocco to hospital the doctor has seen his hand 2. A whale swims all day, only eats fish, school play and said A & E . In panic shot to the house — very drinks water and is fat brave boy with very messy fingers. For what reason only a 3. A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years small boy would know he had found it necessary to work 4. A tortoise doesn’t run, does nothing... yet lives 450 on a rusty bike in the summer house trying to move the years chain. Do not need to tell you chain moved, taking at least And you tell me to exercise, I don’t think so. one finger and trapping two more. After a very rough Secrets of Life night we hit the hospital, we waited 45 minutes with Roc When I woke up this morning I asked myself: what are explaining his entire problem and giving intermittent some of the secrets of success in life. I found the answer flashes of his bloody finger to all around. right there in my room. The fan said: Be cool, the roof We arrived with the doctor who immediately said this said: Aim high.The window said: See the world, the clock should have been cleaned up, not what you said yesterday said: Every minute is precious. The mirror said: Reflect says Rocco, you said take some Calpol, keep it clean, be before you act, the Door said: Push hard for your goals. okay. Not knowing he had even been there, he then said, And don’t forget, the Carpet said: Kneel down and Pray. well I did break my arm before. I told him he had never The Senility Prayer broken his arm but he insisted, turned out to be his hand Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked and 3 days after his visit to A & E hospital rang to say his anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and hand was broken. Doctor looking suitably worried by now, the eyesight to tell the difference. mother in the law profession, rushed him to x-ray, yes, one finger broken, other badly cut, so massive antibiotics and Always Remember This... strapping and off we went All this took the entire morning You don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow but despite all not one tear or complaint. Life is never dull old because you stop laughing. with a Rocco and his four bruised fingers in it.

Churches Together (continued from previous page) his predecessor, Bishop Christopher Budd. Plymouth has appointed me the new Bishop of Plymouth. Roman Catholic Diocese covers most of Dorset, Devon Recognising that I am a sinner who experiences the love and Cornwall. Mgr O’Toole was previously the rector of and mercy of the Lord Jesus, I embrace with my whole self Allen Hall Seminary and in the past he was supervised for this deeper call to service in His Church. I know that the his M. Phil thesis at Oxford by the Lady Margaret example and witness of Pope Francis will continue to Professor, Dr Rowan Williams. His subject was the inspire and shape my ministry as Shepherd to all in the relationship between Divine and Human freedom. Diocese, especially to serve the poor, the weak, and those At his ordination Mgr O’Toole said: who feel alienated from God, as I work alongside fellow- “I am deeply humbled that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, Christians.” 18 Bookworm Two and three make five! The Fibonacci sequence is a series of Italy Sarah saw the work of women sculptors and on her Jean numbers where the next number is found return she planned substantial alterations to Woodside Lang by adding up the two prior numbers. So some of which she executed herself having learnt to work 0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34… The curves that in wood and stone. frequently appear in nature whether petals/pods or Having extended and improved her home Sarah set about pinecones often reflect the Fibonacci numbers. work in the village. In 1841 she persuaded the local Five miles south of Carlisle is the small village of Wreay landowners and the diocese to let her rebuild the chapel at and in it a small church which looks like a Byzantine Wreay and “to erect a new and more commodious basilica. Inside every surface is covered with carvings; structure”. Her father had been a political radical, a friend ammonites, fossils, monsters, snakes, corals, poppies, of Wordsworth and Coleridge and Sarah was an tortoises and pinecones. The building is the work of Sarah independent thinker and that independence of thought Losh, it is her story and that of her church that Jenny showed itself in the church design. The nave was low and Uglow tells in “The Pinecone”. simple but the apse was curved and round and the front façade was rich with carving. Inside carving tumbled off Jenny Uglow writes biographies amongst then that of Mrs the window ledges and around the doors, the candlesticks, Gaskell, of Thomas Bewick (the engraver) and of The which Sarah carved in alabaster, were the shape of the Lunar Men. This book feels very much a labour of love. lotus flower, the lecterns a stork and an eagle while wood Jenny Uglow was brought up in Cumbria and her telling used for the pulpit was bog oak left untouched for over of Sarah Losh’s life is in part a tribute to that part of the 3000 years. Everywhere there were carved pinecones, country. It tells “of a colourful extended family and the whose bracts swirl from the base in opposing directions changing life of a village………of the growth of the following the Fibonacci sequence, an ancient symbol of Tyneside industries, the coming of railways, the fight for regeneration and enlightenment. electoral reform and how the industrial revolution made some women independent.” Sarah continued to live at Wreay until her death in 1853, the Church gradually deteriorated until “rediscovered” by Sarah Losh was born in 1786 at Woodside, a comfortable Pevesner in 1967 and the subject of a major renovation in Georgian mansion on the outskirts of Wreay. Her father 2006. It stands now between was a local landowner but also an entrepreneur. In 1794, the railway line to the East and with his brother William, he formed the Walker Chemical the M6 to the west a monument Company to produce refined soda – used in glass making to the imagination of one and other chemical processes. Other brothers developed women who herself is now other businesses – the Hexham brewery, the Tynemain rediscovered in this beautifully Colliery, the Leven Iron Works, and the Newcastle to written recreation of a time and Carlisle Railway Company. On her father’s death in 1814 a place. Sarah and her sister Katherine (then 26 and 28) were heiresses to the land, the alkali works and sundry other interests. Sarah’s new found financial independence and “The Pinecone” status allowed her to travel and with her sister she toured By Jenny Uglow the Low Countries, France and Italy returning in 1817. In (Faber)

Editor’s Comment The Telegraph newspaper told us on 31st January: “Church fears end of parish magazines”. The Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev Nick Baines, said, “The whole media world has changed. People look at a church on the internet, not wandering around the building.” Well, fortunately in Dorchester this is just not so: St George’s has a large number of visitors from many parts of the world, and so I am sure do St Peter’s, St Mary’s and St Andrew’s, and all enjoy taking away with them a copy of our parish magazine.

So let us all support the magazine and prove to the Church, who have stopped producing a paper version of Sarum Link, that we can all use computers but there is still something special about picking up a magazine and enjoying it. 19