Shipley Parish News

Shipley Church with a dusting of snow

December 2019 & January 2020 60p Shipley Parish News

Christmas Day Christmas

Christmas Services Christmas 2019

Christmas Eve Christmas

St. Mary St. Shipley Virgin, the

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SaidEucharist the by Horsham) of HolyArchdeacon Communion (taken Christmas Tree) the of Dressing include (to FamilyService and Carols ServiceLessons of Carols CelebrationChristmas of

Sunday 15 December Sunday 08:00 10:00 December 22 Sunday 10.00 18.00 TuesdayDecember 24 17:00 23:30 WednesdayDecember 25 10:00 December 29 Sunday 10.00

2 December 2019 and January 2020

Parish directory

Church Gavin Kenny T: 01403 734387 Wardens Meadowcroft, Polecat Lane, E: [email protected] Copsale, RH13 6QR

Sarah Nuttall T: 01403 733878 College Farm, Church Lane, E: [email protected] Southwater RH13 9BT

Honorary Colin West T: 01403 741912 Treasurer The Old Vicarage, School Lane, E: [email protected] Shipley, RH13 8PL

Honorary Jo Nunn T: 01403 741329 Secretary E: [email protected]

Organist and Peter Sanderson T: 01403 741170 Choirmaster E: [email protected]

Assistant Anne Haimes T: 01403 218061 Organist Sunday School Liz Cockerill T: 01403 731818 E: [email protected]

Safeguarding Andy Guy T: 01403 730164 officer E: [email protected]

Bell Captain Simon Meyer T: 01403 741131 E: [email protected]

Bell Secretary Sue Meyer T: 01403 741131

Andrew Hall Jane Gardner T: 01403 741542 Amanda Jupp E: [email protected]

Magazine John Davies T: 01403 741657 advertising E: [email protected]

Magazine Lucy West T: 01403 741912 subscriptions The Old Vicarage, School Lane, Shipley, RH13 8PL

Magazine Greg & Rachel Huitson-Little T: 01403 741469 editors E: [email protected]

3 Shipley Parish News

The Churchwardens’ letter

Recently I had the bittersweet experience of attending a family funeral in Spain, bitter for the obvious reasons but also sweet in the fact that I had a chance to reconnect with parts of the Kenny family who I’d lost touch with and also because I had a chance to meet with another family I had forgotten about, and that was our Christian family in Spain.

Now granted there are some elements of a Spanish Catholic Mass which are very different, such as spending an entire day in a room with an open coffin as well-wishers come to say goodbye. Family are expected to attend all day! A little different to what we do in Shipley! The Catholic Priest was lovely and took the entire Service in both English and Spanish and to my surprise I found the words of the Catholic Mass are nearly identical to those of Common Worship we use in the Church of England. What did touch me however was the kindness and sincerity of those who came and attend the service, people who were strangers to me but joined together by faith and friendship, it is a useful reminder that we are all part a larger family and no matter far we are separated by distance, language or tradition we are never truly alone.

Talking of tradition as we move into the Christmas period it is a busy time in the Church and in our lives generally, but while it is easy to be overwhelmed with the stress of expectation around food, presents and entertaining it is useful to remind ourselves that Christmas isn’t about material things and while these are all lovely, what is really important is coming together in Christian Fellowship to celebrate the miracle of the Christmas story, something that reminds special and solid in these times of upheaval and change.

As you might imagine there is a lot going on with the Church and Shipley is a truly special place at Christmas. We have had the boilers serviced, lots of fuel and we’ll keep the Church nice and warm so do please come and join us. There are services for everyone, look in the front cover of this magazine for a handy reminder, a quick run-down is :  At 10am on 22nd December is a Family Service where Children will be invited to make Christmas Decorations at the back of the Church and then come decorate the Christmas Tree.  Then at 6pm on the 22nd December will be the Service of Lessons and Carols, which has lots of the carols we all love.  On Christmas Eve, 24th December, there will be the  at 5pm Crib Service, with nativity play and real sheep and

4 December 2019 and January 2020

donkeys – very popular so come early, and  at 11:30pm Midnight Mass  On Christmas Day: 10am Christmas Communion  Then on Sunday the 29th December, there will be a simple service of Carols and readings

While I am talking of Services, can I encourage everyone to come to the 10am Service on the 15th of December as The Arch Deacon of Horsham, the Venerable Fiona Windsor, is taking the Service. Fiona has been a massive help to Shipley during the Interregnum and was instrumental in us getting all the “paperwork” sorted out in record time.

In respect to the Interregnum, I can report that the Parish Profile, which describes the Parish and what we want in a new priest has been approved by the Bishop of Chichester and is in circulation, also our advert has been published in the Church Times and Fiona is currently sifting applications. All those she believes are appropriate will be sent to the PCC for review and ultimately interview of those the PCC feel are most suitable. So please come to the 10am Service on the 15th (there is also a service at 8am on the 15th Dec, so why not make it a double!) and help us make sure Fiona really knows us and can help us find someone who shares our values and outlook in life.

Also, another treat, we are very lucky to be having the Very Reverend Stephen Waine, who is the Dean of Chichester Cathedral, take our 10am Service on the 26th January, so please make a note in your diary to make sure you come and hear him preach. While it is great fun to have visiting preachers, I must say a HUGE thank you to those priests who are being absolute stalwarts in helping us take our service each Sunday. Rev. Jack Mulder, Rev. Lionel Watley, Rev. John Joyce and the Rev. Jeremy Sykes and all the others who have taken a service or two. Without them we would be having very simple services or a lot more Matins!! But don’t worry, you won’t be seeing me up front any time soon, not only have these brave clergy agreed to come back but we have some new players joining the bench and we have cover arranged until March 2020!

While I am thanking people, I would also like to thank all of you, who are being so supportive, still coming to Church and volunteering to do jobs, big or small, or coming up with new and exciting ideas, which we will try and see how they go. Shipley as a community has really stepped up to the plate over these last few months and it makes Sarah and my jobs so much easier and rewarding, so thank you.

Yours in Christ Gavin and Sarah

5 Shipley Parish News

Church calendars

Sidesmen Reading and reader Prayers

1 December at 10:00am: Holy Communion, Advent 1, Sunday School Romans 12, V11 to V14 Carole Cooper Peter Sanderson Liz Blower

8 December at 10:00am: Holy Communion, Advent 2 Romans 15, V4 to V13 Richard Killner Audrey Bernardi Andrew Bernardi

15 December at 8:00am: Said Eucharist James 5, V7 to V10 (no sidesmen) Gavin Kenny Sarah Nuttall

15 December at 10:00am: Holy Communion, Advent 3 James 5, V7 to V10 Claire Ebdon Gavin Kenny Rob Ebdon

22 December at 10:00am: Family Service, Advent 4 (to be confirmed) Nigel Jupp (to be confirmed) Liz Cockerill and Mandy Jupp

22 December at 6:00pm: Service of Nine Lessons and Carols Sarah Nuttall (to be confirmed) (to be confirmed)

24 December at 5:00pm: Crib Service

Michael Power (see service sheet) No prayers

6 December 2019 and January 2020

Sidesmen Reading and reader Prayers

24 December at 11:30pm: Midnight Mass (reading to be confirmed) Colin West Claire Searle Lucy West

25 December at 10:00am: Christmas Day, Holy Communion Alan Haimes Titus 2, V11 to V14 Hariot Anniss Richard Anniss Anthony Burrell

29 December at 10:00am: Celebration of Christmas Carols (reading to be confirmed) Richard Killner (to be confirmed) Liz Cockerill

5 January at 10:00am: Holy Communion, Sunday School Ephesians 1, V3 to V14 Nick de Zoete Peter Sanderson Ginny de Zoete

12 January at 10:00am: Holy Communion Acts 10, V34 to V43 Carole Cooper Audrey Bernardi Andrew Bernardi

19 January at 8:00am: Said Eucharist 1 Corinthians 1, V1 to V9 (no sidesmen) Sarah Nuttall Gavin Kenny

19 January at 10:00am: Family Service 1 Corinthians 1, V1 to V9 John Hall Mandy Jupp John Hall

26 January at 10:00am: Holy Communion 1 Corinthians 1, V10 to V18 Bob Phillips Gavin Kenny Josie Phillips

7 Shipley Parish News

Cleaning rota

30 November Claire Searle Sarah Nuttall

7 December Carole Cooper Chris Seymour Shirley Killner

14 December Annabel Jordan Ginny de Zoete Ros Wild

21 December Claire Ebdon Lucy West

28 December Jane Sanderson Peter Sanderson Caroline Dowse

4 January Claire Searle Sarah Nuttall

11 January Carole Cooper Chris Seymour Shirley Killner

18 January Annabel Jordan Ginny de Zoete Ros Wild

25 January Claire Ebdon Lucy West

1 February Jane Sanderson Peter Sanderson Caroline Dowse

Thank you so very much for all your time and support so generously given to help care for our Church!

If you would like to help, please contact the Churchwarden Sarah Nuttall (details inside the front cover)

8 December 2019 and January 2020

Flower rota

Altar Vases Memorials

30 November and 7 —— No flowers for Advent —— December

14 December —— Wedding ——

—— Decorating for Christmas —— 21 December —— Greenery and Candles ——

4 and 11 January Michael Kingerlee Caroline Dowse

18 and 25 January Hariot Anniss Jane Grinling

1 and 8 February Shirley Killner Christine Seymour

2020 Shipley Parish News publication and submission dates

Publication Article submission deadline February and March 2020 17 January 2020 April and May 2020 13 March 2020 June and July 2020 15 May 2020 August and September 2020 17 July 2020 October and November 2020 18 September 2020

9 Shipley Parish News

Editor’s letter

Welcome to the December and January Shipley Parish News!

As you pick up this magazine, December will be upon us, as will increasingly cold weather. I’ve watched in our first oil delivery since about March, and expect I’ll be seeing one again before the year’s out. Please do remember to check your tank if you run on oil. The log burner is being put on most nights to keep us all warm. There is something about the warmth from a real fire that doesn’t happen with radiators; a certain je ne sais que. Maybe it’s the all round sensory experience: the crackling noise, the smells of the different wood, the visual dance of the flames. A couple of logs should be popped on before everyone retires to bed, which hopefully last through the night for the morning embers to start the whole thing again the next day. This is what winter was made for!

For me, the festive season is particularly beguiling. In this day of online shopping, rarely a day goes by with some small package sailing through the letterbox and landing on the floor. What secrets does it hold? What can I tell from its shape, size, weight, smell, etc etc? Is it for me? I will have to wait and see. Occasionally, the postman will ring the doorbell, which necessitates a cacophony of barking before inspections are made of these larger boxes. The same questions are asked, and a quick shake might indicate multiple items contained within. An even bigger conundrum.

Edible tantalizing treats are also making their way into Parish News HQ quite regularly now. Some of those are squirreled away for later dates. However some do not even make it into the cupboard. Instead, they are whisked away to the office to be transformed, through the miracle of digestion, into the Parish Magazine or other such written works. It is a magical skill that has been mastered to perfection. Those sugar covered German style gingerbreads are a particular favourite of mine.

Many days I wander into the kitchen, gaze to the Aga and wonder what lies behind the cast iron doors. One of the selling points of an Aga, I was led to believe, was that it contained all those cooking smells within. Well that’s not quite true. And for a nose as attuned as mine when it comes to my next meal, this is both a pleasure but also a torment. More so at this time of year when light quickly cooked meals give way to slow cooked stews and casseroles: these, of course, spend most of the day in the oven and consequently spend most of the day wafting around the kitchen. My digestive juices start hours before the

10 December 2019 and January 2020

meal… I’m sure it’s a form of torture. Of course what really lies behind those doors is a pile of soon-to-be washing up, which I dutifully assist with as Mrs Editor attempts to load the dishwasher each night.

The one thing about these winter months is the amount of mud I collect when out on walks. Being on Sussex clay as we are, many of the footpaths are particularly sodden and slippery with all the recent rain. It’s not uncommon to sink a good few inches further into the ground than first expected. Whilst most of it eventually falls off, and despite the weather being as soggy as it has been, returning home often requires washing off dirt and mud. But for me that’s not a problem at all. I find there’s nothing more invigorating than a good rub down with a towel, after which I can pop on my dressing gown, collapse in a heap somewhere out the way, and while away the afternoon, snoring.

Despite this bliss, there are moans to be had. Just recently, there have been issues around communications in Parish News HQ, particularly with Mrs Editor. I want something, she doesn’t quite get what I want. I’ve tried to talk to her but she doesn’t listen, or at least pretends she doesn’t understand. It is a cause of deep frustration. Thus, I have taken to staring at her, incessantly, until the message sinks in. Dinner is a particular issue; I do like my dinner at a particular time and will make my presence known in the kitchen, sitting, staring, as she goes about her business until finally the penny drops and food is prepared.

The other day she was in my favourite televisual watching spot in the corner of the sofa, which is where I wanted to be. No amount of grumbling did the trick. So I stared at her. I stared at the corner. Her. The corner. Her. The corner. Eyes boring into the soul until finally the penny dropped and she moved over. I hopped up, stole the blanket, and enjoyed the rest of the evening in my usual slumberous manner.

When I don’t fancy the sofa, I sit at Mr Editor’s feet. This may be upstairs when he’s working, for someone has to keep a check on his progress. Of late, its been whilst he tinkles away at the piano. I think they call it tickling the ivories; personally I’d prefer a tickle of the tummy but never mind. Maybe the snooker will be on soon, and we can both kick Mrs Editor out from the corner of the sofa.

Wishing everyone a lovely Christmas and happy new year,

Yellow-Dog Guest Editor [email protected]

11 Shipley Parish News

Autumn’s End

Peter Sanderson

Candles lit, the fire flickering; another rich autumn harvest comes to an end, and winter closes in. The cold earth sleeps until another spring; inside the house the hearth is warm, the larder stocked, the produce of the season reaped and its dried flowers and leaves a sculptural reminder of the dying year. The land is at peace; We have celebrated the country harvest.

Shipley’s Harvest Festival took place on Sunday 6 October when the Rev. Pat Sinton happily returned to us from her retirement to conduct the service. The church looked lovely, and had been decorated with impressive arrangements of flowers, fruit and vegetables, beautifully created by friends of the church, to whom we are so grateful for the special contributions they always generously make on Festival occasions.

There was lusty singing of familiar and much loved harvest hymns as the organ sounded, and while our Sunday School children joined the large congregation, the gifts they brought with them for charity were placed in front of the altar.

12 December 2019 and January 2020

The bells in the tower rang before and after the service; the choir sang loudly and performed excellently John Rutter’s attractive harvest anthem, “Look at the world”:

Look at the world, everything all around us: So many joys and wonders. Praise to thee, O Lord, for all creation, Give us thankful hearts to see. Think of the spring, think of the warmth of summer, bringing the harvest Before the winter’s cold. Give us thankful hearts, that we may see All the gifts we share, and every blessing, All things come of thee.

As John Betjeman wrote in his “Diary of a Church Mouse”:

For me the only feast at all Is Autumn’s Harvest Festival, When I can satisfy my want With ears of corn around the font.

After the service many of the congregation of 80 strong, repaired to the village hall for a celebration Harvest Lunch – once again (as in previous years) provided by each of the participants and volunteers who adopted a “bring-and-share” feast for the assembled company. We enjoyed a selection of homemade soups, bread and cheese washed down with red and white wine, apple juice and fruit crumble and custard. The “ears of corn from around the font” were donated to Chestnut Tree Children’s Hospice. A jolly rousing raffle then wound up the proceedings.

The feeling I had was of a strong and happy community sensing the magic that we, living intimately with the earth, always experience when we join to praise, once again, its everlasting bounty.

13 Shipley Parish News

Anniversaries for 2020

Peter Sanderson’s annual update

2020 will be a Leap Year; The Summer Olympics will be held in Tokyo, Japan 24 July – 9 August; The ICC T20 World Cup will be held in Australia; The United States will hold its Presidential Election 3 November.

Years ago 850 Thomas Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury was assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral y followers of King Henry ll (29 Dec 1170)

600 King Henry V of England enters Paris in triumph during the Hundred Year’s War with France, and marries Catherine of Valois, daughter of the Charles Vl of France at Troyes, and is recognised as heir apparent to the French throne, creating the dual monarchy and union between the two kingdoms.

400 The Pilgrim Fathers depart from Plymouth aboard the “Mayflower” bound for New England (6 Sept 1620)

250 Birth of German composer Ludvig van Beethoven (17 Dec 1770)

Birth of English author Anne Bronte (17 Jan 1770)

Birth of English poet William Wordsworth (7 April 1770)

250 Cpt James Cook formally claims eastern Australia for Great Britain, naming it New South Wales (21 Aug 1770)

200 Birth of Florence Nightingale

150 Birth of Russian revolutionary and leader Vladimir Lenin (22 April 1870)

Death of English author Charles Dickens (9 June 1870)

150 Tower Subway, the world’s first underground tube railway opens in London (1 Aug 1870)

14 December 2019 and January 2020

Years ago

125 Foundation of the National Trust in the UK (12 Jan 1895)

100 Funeral and burial of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey

80 Birth of songwriter and one of The Beatles John Lennon (9 Oct 1940)

German Luftwaffe begins its attack of British convoys in the English Channel marking the start of the Battle of Britain (10 July 1940)

75 Adolph Hitler committed suicide at the end of WWll (30 April 1945)

VE Day (Victory in Europe) WWll (8 May 1945)

Atomic bomb dropped on Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki (6/9 Aug 1945)

Liberation of the German concentration camp Auschwitz (27 Jan 1945)

75 The first commercially successful ballpoint pen goes on sale in USA

“Animal Farm” by George Orwell first published (17 Aug 1945)

David Lean’s film “Brief Encounter” starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard goes on general release (26 Nov 1945)

70 The Peak District becomes Britain’s first National Park

65 Death of Sir Winston Churchill (24 Jan 1965)

60 The first episode of the world’s longest running soap opera Coronation Street is broadcast (9 Dec 1960)

The Farthing coin ceases to be legal tender in the UK

45 Margaret Thatcher elected leader of the Conservative Party (11 Feb 1975)

30 Channel Tunnel sections started simultaneously from the coasts of England and France meet 40 metres beneath the seabed (1 Dec 1990)

15 Shipley Parish News

Remembering at Coolham

Richard Harris reports

Many will recall the commemorations, in June this year, of the service and sacrifices of servicemen based at Coolham airfield and the D-Day 75 year anniversary commemorative walk around the airfield. Over the same weekend, two commemorative information boards were erected, one on the airfield itself, and the other by the Memorial, adjacent to the Selsey Arms pub at Coolham crossroads. These information boards were built and erected by the Shipley Men's Shed. The Shedders have since then continued to maintain the information boards and the site of the fifteen oak trees planted 25 years ago. The oak trees were planted in memory of the fifteen servicemen who lost their lives in the few months, before and after D-day, that the airfield was operational.

Bob Phillips remembers the excitement as a young lad of watching the bustling activities of this temporary airfield as it went about its vital business supporting the Allied invasion of France. Bob still lives on the edge of what was the airfield, and when one of his oak trees was brought down in the great storm of 1997 he stored the timber, donating recently the very last two planks to the Shipley Men's Shed.

Bob and Josie Phillips

16 December 2019 and January 2020

From this oak, the Shedders have now fashioned a rustic bench which has been placed next to the fifteen oak trees and facing south across the airfield towards the Normandy landing grounds. Walkers and visitors may now sit in quiet contemplation at this tranquil spot and take in the beautiful Sussex countryside.

Says Richard: “We wanted to create a resting place for walkers to read the information board and then take a moment. And when Bob came forward with this timber from one of only a few oak trees that survived the construction of the airfield, we had to use it. I wish to thank Bob for the timber and the lovely guys in our Men's Shed who have created the bench. We hope it will be used by walkers who will walk the two miles of runway perimeter, read our information boards and sit, and contemplate the service and sacrifice of those young men all those years ago.”

Richard Harris is a Trustee of the Horsham and Shipley Community Project which includes, among many activities, the Shipley Men's Shed.

See the website at https://www.horshamshipleycommunityproject.org/mens-shed/

17 Shipley Parish News

An Epiphany Tale

Those of us who heard Pat’s sermons over the years will be familiar with the story of Mary and Martha. When Jesus used to visit them, Martha would rush about, tidying the house and preparing elaborate food in the kitchen, while Mary would sit at Jesus’ feet talking with him and listening. When Martha complained that she had to do all the work and Mary did nothing, Jesus replied that perhaps Mary’s priorities were more important.

I was reminded of this story when I came across the poem “The Ballad of Befana - an Epiphany Legend” by Phyllis McGinley.

I wanted to share it with you:

The Ballad of Befana - an Epiphany Legend Phyllis McGinley

Befana the Housewife, scrubbing her pane, Saw three old sages ride down the lane, Saw three grey travellers pass her door - Gaspar, Balthazar, Melchior.

‘Where journey you sirs?’ she asked of them.

Balthazar answered, ‘To Bethlehem, For we have news of a marvellous thing. Born in a stable is Christ the King.’

‘Give Him my welcome!’

Then Gaspar smiled, ‘Come with us, mistress, to greet the Child.’

‘Oh, happily, happily would I fare Were my dusting through and I’d polished the stair.’

Old Melchior leaned on his saddle horn. ‘Then send but a gift to the small Newborn.’

18 December 2019 and January 2020

‘Oh gladly, gladly I’d send Him one, Were the hearthstone swept and my weaving done. As soon as ever I’ve baked my bread, I’ll fetch Him a pillow for His head, And a coverlet too,’ Befana said. ‘When the rooms are aired and the linen dry, I’ll look at the Babe.’

But the three rode by.

She worked for a day and a night and a day, Then, gifts in her hands, took up her way. But she never could find where the Christ Child lay.

And still she wanders at Christmastide, Houseless, whose house was all her pride, Whose heart was tardy, whose gifts were late; Wanders and knocks at every gate,

Crying,’Good people, the bells begin. Put off your toiling and let love in.’

I think this is a lovely poem for the season of Epiphany. I do wonder if the Epiphany of the title also refers to Befana’s realisation that she was too much Martha and not enough Mary.

Perhaps she should have paid more attention to Pat’s sermons!

Anne Haimes

Pilgrimage to Oberammergau in 2020

Enjoy the World Famous Passion Play in the picturesque village of Oberammergau, Germany that takes places once in a decade, from August 14 to August 21 next year. Chichester Diocese has announced that a pilgrimage there will be led by Bishop Martin. It will begin with five nights in Austria in the village of Waidring, visit Salzburg and then travel to Oberammergau for two nights with top grade tickets for a performance of the Passion Play.

A brochure covering the programme, costs and travel details is available from Lightline Pilgrimages, their website is http://www.lightline.org.uk

19 Shipley Parish News

St. Nicholas Children’s Home, Nakuru in Kenya

The Revd Lionel Whatley, who has taken services here in Shipley during Interregnum, tells us more about the orphanage in Kenya he supports

Our interest in St. Nicholas Children’s orphanage started when I was asked to lead a team of Curates and Readers from the Diocese to our link Diocese of Nakuru. The orphanage has 30 children and 5 full-time staff. Revd. Nancy Maina is the warden and Vicar of three parishes. Rose is the Social worker, Lucy is the cook and Harrison does all the maintenance around the centre and looks after the boys.

Initially I was concerned about the children’s health and decided that they needed a good balanced diet so we bought 25 hens and three cockerels to provide eggs for the children and later chickens to eat. The following year we bought an incubator to rear chicks and to ensure that they would have a steady supply of eggs, new stock and some to sell on to support the orphanage. A team of five from Queen Street church The team from Queen Street church went out for ten days to build Lionel is third from left the hen house and run.

While we were there we also supervised the erection of sports facilities: football nets, basketball nets, netball nets and volleyball nets and provided footballs etc. (these all taken out in our hand luggage – including the incubator!) We replaced the 50 beds, mattresses and covers which were all in the most appalling condition and provided built-in wardrobes for each of the children to have their own “space”.

20 December 2019 and January 2020

The boys’ and girls’ washrooms were in a terrible condition and we have just finished tiling the floors (walls are our next project) and have put in showers with Solar panels to heat the water. We first had to brush down, paint and repair the rooves of all the building and provide tower, new tanks, pumps, facia board and guttering to save the precious water! All the tanks were full and overflowing when I visited last week.

The kitchen too was a mess. The cook, Lucy, and the children, were constantly ill from the smoke filled building and the unhygienic conditions. We replaced all the cookers, put in new sink and shelves and tiled and decorated the walls and floor in the kitchen and tiled the dining hall and storeroom floor. This has made a remarkable difference to the lives of the staff and children; none of them have had to visit the doctor or clinic for months since the new facilities were finished. Praise God!

Peter Scofield had the wonderful idea to install “eco toilets” (so we set off earlier in the year with a urine separator in our hand luggage). We had fun explaining this to the customs officials and when we explained the principle to the girls there was even more nervous laughter. They have now been using this eco toilet for the past 6 months.

It has been good to see the garden producing an abundance of fresh vegetables from the packets of seeds that we took out with us last Christmas.

They have a cow called “Chichester” who has just had a calf “Little Chichester”, a goat and occasionally someone in the parish will donate a sheep. (we will never forget the slaughter of the last sheep for our New Year’s Day celebrations!).

There is still so much more that we would like to do at the Children’s centre.

Please let me know if you would like to contribute to this project. We urgently need to provide funds for the school fees for the New Year and also the fees for Brian and Dorcas who are leaving at the end of the year and going on to further education.

If you would like to contact Lionel, his email address is [email protected].

21 Shipley Parish News

A Look at Locks

Michael Kingerlee takes a look at locks, keys and the doors at St Mary’s

The earliest picture of a form of lock was in an Egyptian temple at Karmak dating from 2000BC. It would not be recognisable to the modern eye and very cumbersome but it functioned effectively. The principal was that of raising pins to create a sheer line to allow movement. This principle however was not re- discovered until 1848 by Linus Yale and refined by his son between 1861 and 1865 to give the pin tumbler cylinder lock widely used today.

The oldest lock found was excavated from the Palace of Sargon at Khorsabad in Iraq, dating from 700BC. Later a lock was found in a metal worker’s shop that was swamped by lava when Vesuvius erupted in 79AD which had assumed a form recognisable today. Henry VIII travelled with a Beddington lock which he used to lock his chamber door wherever he stayed. In the 17th century architecture and the arts were flowering which extended even to locks which had highly decorated cases, and sometimes even the mechanism and keys were engraved. This elegance ruled and even simple locks were highly decorated until the middle of the 18th century. In 1778 Robert Barron improve the security of locks and invented the lever system, which he patented earning him the title of ‘Father of the English Lever System’ Six years later Joseph Bramah produced a lock design which utilized a series of sliders in a circular pattern to provide even better security which he also patented. The earliest of these was the Banbury lock which consisted of a block of wood (the stock) which was cut out for the metal locking mechanism.

The generic name for the family of wooden locks was ‘Woodstock locks’. Later in the century improved iron working techniques were used to develop the ‘Plate Lock’ which had all the moving parts mounted on a plate with a wooden ornamental cover. These locks were nearly all made by individual craftsman and therefore it is extremely difficult to say when these were completely replaced by the Banbury lock which was still being made at the end of the 19th century. In 1819 the Ward lock was invented which could be made in a simple or complex form. The lock consisted of several half circular rings of different heights mounted on the back plate. The key therefore went into the lock and each cut out on the centre of the key had to correspond to the exact height of the ring and be in the same position. The key was then able to turn and push the bolt which locked the door.

22 December 2019 and January 2020

These are mentioned in the Old Testament in Judges ch.3 v.25 written around 1170BC and in Isaiah written in about 740BC

As to keys, the parts of old keys are all named. Firstly at the end there is the ring which can be three different shapes. There is a flat oval bow, a wire bow, or a heart bow. We then have the shank, which is followed by a throat nose and collar finally followed by the bit or lever which ends with a pin. The security of the locks today can be judged by the number of steps that are on the lever. A lock today therefore may be called a two, four or six lever lock according to the steps on the lever.

The doors at St Mary’s, Shipley

One of the features of the Victorian era was to reform and improve. In 1893 our church here in the Parish was refurbished.

Part of this work was to replace all the doors using as much of the old iron work as possible. All the hinges on the four external doors were replaced and made in one of the many small iron workshops in an ornate Gothic design. The usable old iron work dating to probably 1830 was re-used on the two internal doors, the vestry and bell tower.

All the church doors were fitted with Ward locks, which possibly were the original ones fitted in the early 19th century, and sadly the ward rings are wearing away and therefore the locks have had to be replaced on certain doors.

We could not end the year without a Kingerlee Konundrum…

…and whilst out gardening in the middle of October, Michael has had to pause and ponder: has Spring already arrived?

23 Shipley Parish News

Shipley Parish Council 2019 in review

2019 has been another busy year for the Parish Council. We will have met formally 19 times in the year and reviewed approximately 25 planning applications, amongst a host of other activities.

One of our key focuses has been progressing our Neighbourhood Plan. The Shipley Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee, which comprises a mix of councillors and members of the community, has continued to be very active throughout 2019.

Attention has been focused on getting ready for the recent public consultations and next, we will be looking to pull together all of the responses we have received. This will enable us to submit the updated version of our Plan to Horsham District Council for formal review and sign-off before the end of the year. I would like to extend my thanks to all members of the Steering committee for their contributions on this long running, and sometimes problematic project.

The Parish Council also continued to focus on traffic management this year as issues continue to be evident, particularly at the junctions of Pound Lane and the Coolham Crossroads. The Parish Council has continued to escalate concerns via our District and County Councillors and met directly with WSCC Highways Management in September, to discuss and progress the various ways we may improve our traffic management systems within the Parish. Solutions that we are working on include speed indication devices and the installation of gates displaying 30 mph signs positioned at key areas (Coolham crossroads) to encourage drivers to slow down. We have also recently set up our own Community Speed watch group. Our group of volunteers are currently undergoing their training

24 December 2019 and January 2020

and then will be active in the parish over the coming months. We are of course, always looking for more volunteers to join our group, so do please contact our parish clerk ([email protected]) if you would like to join us.

The council has also recently been reviewing our Winter Emergency plan. This ensures we are prepared for any extreme winter weather and have road gritting arrangements in place as, due to funding cuts, this is a service that is no longer provided for Shipley (amongst other areas) by West Sussex County Council.

We have also continued to review the general maintenance of the parish in terms of signposts, verges, hedges, footpaths and potholes and act where necessary each month. Did you know that you can now report any incidents you see yourself via the ‘Love West Sussex’ app?

The Parish Council has made £800 of charitable donations spread across local good causes during 2019. One of the donations was made to assist a parishioner who wished to adopt an old BT phone box in Dragons Green as part of BT’s ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ scheme. The parish council thought this was a great community initiative and donated some funds to help provide decorating materials to re-paint the box. It was also great to see the welcome return of the community stoolball match taking place over the summer. I think all who attended had a really good day.

Finally, I would like to end my review by thanking my fellow Councillors for all their contributions and hard work over the last year. As volunteers, our Parish Councillors devote a lot of their time to their role, contributing to several activities outside of the formal council meetings to help our community. I know we all take our responsibilities very seriously, and it has been great to see everyone working together this year to resolve issues and progress key projects.

If you would like to know more about your council, please visit our website (www.shipleyparishcouncil,org.uk) or come along to one of our meetings. We are always happy to talk through any questions or concerns and it would be great to see you there.

With best wishes

Nicky Wiltshire, Chair, Shipley Parish Council

25 Shipley Parish News

Shipley History Society

Gina Larcombe reports from the Shipley History Society

The Shipley History Society Committee wishes all members a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our meetings in 2020.

The new programme is:

Thursday 20th February at 7.30 pm

Oliver Tempest will be coming to speak about the history of the Knights Templar in Sussex.

Thursday April 16th

A welcome return of historian Helen Poole who will give a talk on Sussex during the Elizabethan Era.

One evening in June

A guided tour recalling the history of Shipley Church followed by our annual summer evening social. This will be hosted by Colin and Lucy West at the Old Vicarage. Date will be confirmed later.

September

A visit to the Music Box Museum at Bucks Green. Date and details will be confirmed later.

Unless otherwise stated, all the Shipley History Society meetings are held at Andrew Hall, Shipley, RH13 8PH All events are free to members (membership is £10 per year) or £3 for guests.

You can contact the Society at [email protected]

You can find Shipley History Society on the Shipley Parish Council website www.shipleyparishcouncil.org.uk and follow the Sports and Recreation link.

26 December 2019 and January 2020

The Black The White A poem on the Ancient Town of Horsham by Sarah Nuttall

I bid you look upon the night and darkly dream Resting your head upon the pillow of the chalk white Downs While the whiteness of the moon’s beam Shines upon the time-bleached shells thrown Up from the sea’s rich seam

From the silver regions of the milky way The carbon black dinosaurs were born From stars to roam through tropic mists When down the Equator’s belt South England Lay See their white bones in the town’s museum in the Causeway

There sleep in the dark dew The Saxons who in their hundreds Ploughed the Susses soil in straight pews Foundries once cast black Weald iron Black the timber beams of old farmsteads Black and white the Friesian cows that graze in the dew

Pale in the moonshine What the barge of the Knight Templar As it slips silently down the silvery brine Of the river Adur, Adieu! As to foreign lands besieged by the crusade He is drawn. The reeds on either side Flash pale in the regimental lines

Waking or asleep Bow down your head for Normal arch And enter the dark church of Mary where Under the cream white marble plaque With lions lies the Norman Knight Thomas and see the ripples of water that Flowed over sand in the long dry Stones around this ancient town where Land and water meet and silver swans fly

Featuring lines by Horsham poet Percy Bysshe Shelley

27 Shipley Parish News

COSMIC CAPERS

From Friday 13th - Sunday 15th September 20 cubs from 1st Shipley went on a Cosmic Capers , the West Sussex County Cub Camp at Ardingly show ground. They spent the weekend alongside hundreds of other Cub Scouts from West Sussex.

The lucky Cubs got to experience many new adventures over the weekend, they tried sports and activities such as air rifle shooting, fishing, abseiling and pioneering. Along with the amazing array of activities on offer the cubs also were able to participate in an open and closing ceremony as well as a party on the Saturday night. The party involved everyone dressing up in their best space costumes. There were astronauts and aliens and everything in between! The evening ended with a bang with a spectacular firework display!

The weekend involved a lot of firsts for the cub pack. From trying a new activity to sleeping in a tent for first time it was an amazing experience for everyone. We were very lucky with the weather over the weekend. It’s safe to say that everyone (leaders included) had a very good nights sleep on Sunday!

28 December 2019 and January 2020

PATROL LEADERS’ CAMP

On the 20th-22nd September Shipley Scouts held a camp for Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders. Friday night was a little cold but everyone wrapped up warm, were cosy and slept well, unusual for the first night in camp. Saturday morning and the sun was out with the scouts keen to cook their breakfast, full English cooked and eaten!

Saturday morning saw us setting off for a great day trip to Littlehampton. We had a fantastic visit to the Coastguard Station which was so interesting and well worth a visit. Such incredible guys showed us around, the experience was enjoyed by everyone. They told us some amazing stories. Don't forget dial 999 for the Coastguard if you need help for any sea or coastal rescues.

Then an hour spent crabbing – after thirty minutes the girls have 37 crabs and the boys 22, proving girls are better crabbers than boys. The leaders have a measly 6 crabs! The final total was 104 crabs, 1 eel, 3 small dogfish and a tiddler. The day finished with a kick about in the park followed by a fish and chip supper and then amazing ice creams to finish before returning to the Scout Hut to watch the sun go down and a campfire.

Sunday morning was a little wet so following breakfast cooked and served by the leaders it was time to pack our gear and get the tents down. Scout’s Own to celebrate our appreciation and gratitude for the weekend, followed by a litter pick around Dragons Green to keep our environment tidy. Then a picnic lunch with a little free time listening to DJ Sarah.

The final activity on Sunday afternoon, with all the gear packed away was a walk to Abraham’s Well and a hunt around the WWII Canadian camp woods to see what treasures we could find.

Thanks to the Cannons family – Debbie, Pete and Sarah and to Peter Sutton for giving up their weekend and organising everything.

29 Shipley Parish News

Jamboree on the Air

On the 19th and 20th October 2019 the annual Jamboree on the Air radio station for Horsham District Scouts was once again held at the 1st Shipley Scout Headquarters in Dragons Green. This event, now in its 61st year, has been held in the District for the past 41 years many of which have been at 1st Shipley. The Radio Scouting Team led by Peter Head and supported by Pete, Steve and Neville set up their aerials and equipment at the Scout Headquarters and then spent the weekend contacting other Scouts from around the world. During the two days they were joined by Cubs and Scouts from not only 1st Shipley but also many other Scout Groups from the local area. The Cubs and Scouts were able to talk to other members of the Scout movement and radio amateurs in a number of other countries including Ireland, France, Belgium, Finland, Sweden and Ukraine as well as the United States. We are very grateful to the Radio Scouting Team for providing the equipment and expertise so that our youngsters can talk to people from many other countries. Although this is a Scout event anyone is welcome to join us, JOTA is always the third weekend in October so put the date in your diary now.

Bonfire Night 2019

On the 8th of November 1st Shipley Scout Group held their annual Guy Fawkes Night and Fireworks at the Scout Headquarters in Dragons. Over 100 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers together with many parents joined us for the event which marks the anniversary of the discovery of a plot organized by conspirators to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London in 1605. 1st Shipley Scouts have celebrated this every year since the Second World War.

In addition to the normal barbecue, this year the Scouts made and sold pancakes donating the profits to Horsham Matters.

As lots of you will know 1st Shipley Scouts have many longstanding traditions, Guy Fawkes Night and Carol Singing being two of them. Next year’s bonfire event is planned to be held on Friday 6th November

30 December 2019 and January 2020

National Motor Museum 16th November 2019

Some of you may have thought that Dragons Green had a new bus service on the 16th November when a bright red double decker bus arrived and parked outside the Scout Headquarters – sorry to disappoint but this was not the case!

This was our transport to the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu trip for Cubs, Scouts and Explorers. We set off at about 9.00 am and arrived at Beaulieu at 11.00 am where we disembarked to look around the National Motor Museum and see all the cars and other vehicles that they have there. The cars ranged from a 1¾ hp French car from the 1890s to a very modern Bentley Continental GT Convertible with a top speed of 207 mph! In addition there were formula 1 racing cars, motor bikes and a few commercial vehicles. Also in the museum were the land speed recording breaking cars from the first half of the twentieth century including the Bluebird, the Golden Arrow and the 1000 hp Sunbeam. In addition to the motor museum there were special exhibitions of Top Gear ‘cars’ and screen cars including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Del Boy’s three wheeler, Mr Bean’s Mini, Bab’s Cab from Royston Vasey and Doctor Who’s canary yellow roadster Bessie. As well as the cars there was an interesting exhibition about the Special Operations Executive – the secret agents who were parachuted into France to aid the resistance during World War Two. Beaulieu was used to train many of the SOE agents.

Finally we visited Palace House where there was the opportunity to dress up in clothes from the end of the 19th Century, this activity seemed to appeal mainly to the older Scouts and Explorers. This combined with rides on the monorail and a veteran double decker bus made for a really interesting day out!

31 Shipley Parish News

Victorian Shipley

Shipley School turned back the clocks recently: Jen Harvey sends us this report

The whole school participated in a 'Victorian School' theme day recently. Our beautiful Victorian school building was the perfect setting for our Victorian day. Children, all in costume, were kept busy with hand inspection, handwriting, and drill. They read from the Bible and recited poetry, While no-one was caned for bad behaviour, each class had a dunce's chair. There was a queue to sit in it at one point!

We were joined by Rainbow Theatre Company for a drama workshop where the children acted out scenes from Victorian times. Some were chimney sweeps, factory workers, match sellers, school children, all under the watchful eyes of their cruel employers and strict teachers (the actors).

“I'm glad it is not like that now. I wouldn’t want to be caned by my teachers” said one pupil. “People used to wear clothes like this at this school” asked another!

The children and staff had an amazing experience, wearing their authentic Victorian costumes entering into the spirit of the day brilliantly.

32 December 2019 and January 2020

Cooking up lessons!

Shipley CE Primary School are delighted to unveil their new ‘learning kitchen’. At the official opening of the new food technology facility, the Headteacher and Chair of Friends of Shipley School (FOSS) were joined by Josie Philips, retired Shipley school welfare officer, and Sarah Campbell who kindly donated the kitchen to the school. Two cookers and a fridge freezer were purchased by FOSS through fundraising and help from our local Buck Barn Co-op community donations.

From left: Jen Harvey, Headteacher; Sarah Campbell; Sarah Cuthbertson, Chair of FOSS; Margaret Henderson ; Josie Philips and Bob Philips

Margaret Henderson, a former midday meals supervisor at the school, and Bob Philips, who was the youngest child to arrive at Shipley School during the war as an evacuee from London also took part in the opening ceremony.

Once our VIPs had pulled the ribbon to open the new kitchen, families and villagers celebrated together with tea and cake, sponsored by Buck Barn Co-op and parents. We raised a whopping £127. What an amazing project giving the children an area where they can learn to cook and bake.

33 Shipley Parish News

The FOSS report

Lachlan Robson reports

At Shipley School we have done some outstanding work to fundraise and have a great parents team – FOSS (Friends of Shipley School)

Do you know we have some super new goalposts? Our goalposts were old and the nets were beginning to rip. We now have two shiny new goalposts, shown in the picture on the right, thanks to our generous FOSS team.

Forest School is great for every year group. We are outside every week, even in the rain, bug spotting, log collecting, eating toast and hot chocolate by the fire. We would really benefit from having a Forest School shelter so we can have an outdoor kitchen and learn more about cooking over an open fire. FOSS have agreed to help us with this project. The parent team are also helping us with moving our chicken run so that the children can see and help look after the three school chickens – Molly, Ginger and Snowball.

Last week we had ‘Shipley Come Dancing’ disco. Which raised £197.50! I had so much fun doing my moves on the dance floor. The DJ played some banging tunes and everyone loved it. The judges gave out plenty of top scores of 10!

A theatre company came in for a day and we all dressed up. The actors shouted at us like we were real Victorian children and it was a bit scary, but it showed us what Shipley school would have been like when it was first built in the 1870s. The workshop was funded by FOSS and there’s a separate report this month.

The 5p challenge has got all the classes competing to see who can collect the most 5ps in the bottle. Who knows which class will win – it is a very close battle. If you have any spare 5ps, feel free to donate them to us as we will be able to spend the money on equipment for our classrooms.

Thank you for reading my report Lachlan, FOSS reporter.

34 December 2019 and January 2020

A Word from FOSS The last of the fence Pickett have now come back from Wenban-Smith, and are now pride of place on our ‘Legacy Fence’ surrounding our Forest school area. Thank you to all those who supported this scheme.

The winning mural design, won by Jasper is now finished and really brightens up the play ground on these dull winter days. Huge thanks to Fynn Dodd for his time recreating Jasper’s art work onto the climbing wall.

Lastly, we are organising a Pub Jolly on Friday 13th (National Christmas jumper day!!!) everybody welcome. The children (and hopefully some adults!?) will be singing some well known Christmas favourites, at the George and Dragon Pub from 3.15pm - 6pm. Pop down for a mince pie and come join in the fun! I hear even Santa may be popping along! Also, from 6-6.30pm, anyone booking a table directly with Penny at The Crown Inn, Dial Post, mentioning ‘Christmas Jolly’, the pub has very kindly offered to discount 30% from food bill and pay onto FOSS! Why not make an evening of it! The more the merrier!

Have a wonderful Christmas and see you in the new year!

Sarah C - Chairperson - and The FOSS Team email [email protected]

35 Shipley Parish News

West Chiltington Probus

Nick Vincent reports

October at Probus

The highlight of this month was an exclusive visit to Highgrove House, the home of Prince Charles in Gloucestershire.

The trip was organised by our own John Coventry who invited members of the Billingshurst and Rotary Clubs to join Probus members. The visit included a conducted tour of Broadland Farm, lunch, conducted tours of Highgrove garden and then afternoon tea. Probus members congratulated John on an excellent event. The monthly coffee morning, attended by members and partners was also very well attended.

There were 43 lunching at the Roundabout Hotel this month where Dr Janet Pennington was guest speaker. Her talk, ‘The History of Lancing College’ was delivered with passion, more than a touch of humour and benefitted from her years as archivist at the college.

Janet dwelt not only the formation of Lancing College but other related educational establishments founded by Nathaniel Woodard. Woodard who came from humble beginnings, dedicated his life to the church and used his charisma, drive, energy, religious commitment and contacts to found and maintain schools across the country. The emphasis was on education combined with Church of England teachings.

The college was the result of the merger of two separate boy’s schools Woodard founded and to this day the formal name is St Marys and St Nicholas. The college has some 600 pupils, is coeducational and boasts an outstanding music department with recitals at the stunning Chapel.

If you are semi-retired or retired and wish meet to like-minded people, why not join us at our monthly lunch meeting where we enjoy high quality speakers and convivial company. Partners are welcome to all other activities, visits and the monthly coffee morning.

36 December 2019 and January 2020

November at Probus

As the sun sets lower, the days shorten and the countdown to Christmas starts in earnest, what better time to reflect on another busy year for Probus.

We remain a very active and inclusive club: during the year we enjoyed nine members lunches with a wide variety of informative and entertaining speakers; twelve coffee mornings; three seasonal lunches at different venues; a BBQ in the setting sun and exclusive visits to Durrance Manor, Highgrove House and the Waste processing centre in Horsham. To keep us moving we enjoyed the croquet day in Worthing and the skittles evening at The Spur in Swindon.

From time to time we join forces with other clubs and meet new like-minded people. The croquet day was a combination of four Probus clubs, the visit to Highgrove House was sponsored by West Chiltington but enjoyed the company of Billingshurst members and Chanctonbury Probus have invited other clubs to join them on a 75th year VE day landings celebration in Normandy. All very promising for local clubs.

The Autumn lunch was held at a new venue, Random Hall at Slinfold. A new and pleasant venue with an excellent meal for members and partners.

This month 43 members lunched at the Roundabout Hotel where Sarah Lavery gave a very enthusiastic and well received talk on ‘Southlands Valley Vineyard – Moving from hobby vineyard to commercial operation’. In 2000, John Gilbert planted 4,000 vines and thus established the vineyard on the lower green sand, the perfect soil for sparkling wines. After a lifetime as a chartered engineer, Sarah purchased the vineyard in 2014 and has planted an additional 7,000 vines with production in 2018 reaching an all-time record of 14.2 tonnes. In common with other wine growers and farmers, the weather, animals and disease can cause havoc to the crop, the late frost in 2017 cut output to 2.3 tonnes.

The vineyard produces three wines, sold under the Smock Alley label, they are available from Nisa and The Post Office.

And we still look forward to the Christmas dinner at the West Sussex Golf Club.

Our lunch meeting is on the first Wednesday in the month. Membership is open to retired PROfessional and BUSiness men, if you would like to know more please contact our Secretary David Goddard: - [email protected]

37 Shipley Parish News

38 December 2019 and January 2020

An update on our neighbours’ village show

Firstly, a very big thank you to those who came to the Volunteers meeting and AGM on 6th November, it is always very encouraging when there are more volunteers than committee members!

Pauline Lugton, chair, gave an excellent review of the centenary show, Chris Hunt, treasurer, outlined our finances and referred to the £3,000 surplus. Donations from the surplus have been made to the Girl Guides; £200 sterling work during the show: The Silver Band; £200 outstanding commitment on show day: The WC Community School: £500 for a new project this year and to CHART; £500 for their excellent work in the community. Please get in touch if you would like us to consider a local good cause.

Donna Harper, school’s coordinator, talked about the @Intergenerational Banner’ produced and paraded at the centenary show and outlined plans for the ‘Creative Threads Project 2020’, more of that later.

We were delighted to welcome Lesley Jay and Sam Bates who, with their enthusiasm and some funding from the show started a STEM (Science, Engineering, Science and Technology) project at the Community School. The project was hugely successful by engaging children and helping them learn and develop science based knowledge through fun activities. If you would like to know more visit [email protected]

Pat Hampton and her team are working hard on new and different classes within our competitions for next year’s show, details will be on the web site from late December.

Visit www.westchiltshow.org or contact Nick Vincent: [email protected]

39 Shipley Parish News

Countryman

This year autumn was exceptionally wet across the country. Sadly, more weather records were broken and floods hit many areas causing severe damage and heartbreak to several communities. Having suffered a mini-flood ourselves only last year, I realise that you can feel totally helpless because of the power of water and your inability to divert it. I learned very important lessons about keeping drains and culverts clear and ensuring ditches are regularly maintained. These mucky jobs will help minimise the impact of any heavy storm. I now also regularly check our gutters so that any excess of water has a chance of escaping safely rather than gathering and causing a potential flood risk or problem.

I expected a beautiful autumn this year and I was not disappointed. The parish has been lovely, the North Downs around Leith Hill have been really spectacular but my favourite autumn photograph I took was at Leonardslee Gardens. The photograph shows a back-lit maple with sunshine creating the most amazing back drop. The garden is Beautiful autumn colours in Leonardslee Gardens, Lower Beeding described as the ‘Finest Spring Gardens in England’. The 240-acre estate is a beautiful landscaped Grade I listed garden which was first planted in 1801. It is famous for its spring displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, magnolias and bluebells which are truly magnificent but the picture below shows that autumn is pretty special too.

On one of my regular walks, with camera in hand, I heard something unusual underneath some lovely oaks trees. There is a natural channel which was full of water, running off towards the old gun club. I could hear snorting and grunting and splashing and was surprised to see several sows and mature piglets rootling around in the water, it soon became clear what was going on as the sows were

40 December 2019 and January 2020

snuffling around underwater. The sows were teaching the piglets a trick that must have be passed from generation to generation. As the sows came up for breath, they munched the acorns they had foraged. On a Tamworth Sow and piglet foraging for acorns side note, it seemed to be a prolific year for acorns so there was a lot of food available. I watched the pigs for 20 minutes and left them to it as the light faded.

On another walk, I went out specifically to photograph the deer rut and failed miserably to get any really interesting images. Maybe next year! When I go out to shoot a particular subject or animal, I often pre-set my camera settings. It saves me time in the field and it also ensures that if I get a chance shot, I can basically point and shoot knowing that I should get a properly exposed and sharp image. As I was heading home my eye caught the slightest movement in the tree roots along the Green Stoat pictured on Green Lane, Shipley Lane footpath. I snapped a couple of shots as this little stoat appeared from the tree roots. As he popped back down one of the holes, I froze and waited for over ten minutes and luckily, he popped up again and I was able to get another couple of pictures. The shot wasn’t planned but having my settings already programmed in meant that I could take a picture of this amazing and very elusive creature.

41 Shipley Parish News

I visited the Birling Gap in October and took some Australian relatives. On a similar trip to Australia in 2004 I visited the 12 Apostles, a natural coastal region on the Great Ocean Road between Adelaide and Melbourne. Like our own Seven Sisters, the 12 Apostles are shaped by erosion. Last year at the Birling Gap the original lighthouse stood proudly on top of the cliffs but such is the erosion, that the facility is now closed as it is too close to the edge. The footpath that was once on seaside of the lighthouse has now Birling Gap, Seven Sisters seascape been closed forever.

The Seven Sisters, because of erosion, now comprises 8 peaks but the name has not changed. Originally a name was given to each peak and because it looked like a nun’s hat, they were called the Seven Sisters. The eighth peak doesn’t look like a nun’s hat so we have the Seven Sisters and one peak! Another interesting fact from Australia, the 12 Apostles are now down to 7 stacks due to the The Twelve Apostles, Victoria, Australia 2004 fierce Southern ocean eroding the coastline.

Enjoy the rest of the Autumn season and early season’s greetings to you and those you love.

Your Countryman

42 December 2019 and January 2020

Gina cooks… ...Christmas Mincemeat Parcels For the eagle-eyed cooks out there – yes this is a repeat recipe printed in November 2012, though I have tweaked it slightly! But as these little parcels are so easy to make and quick to prepare, I think it is worth repeating. Plus I have included a photograph this time so that you can see what they look like!

Ingredients

1 pack filo pastry 8 tablespoons mincemeat (homemade if you have it) Grated rind 1 orange 2oz / 50g butter, melted Icing sugar for sprinkling

Makes 8 parcels

Method

Cut the filo pastry sheets into 6inch/15cm squares. For each parcel, place 3 sheets on top of each other at a slight angle so that they form a 12 pointed star. Put a heaped tablespoon of mincemeat into the centre with a little orange peel. Then simply gather up the corners and close leaving the top “frilly”. Brush the parcel with butter. Arrange the parcels on a baking tray and bake for 10-15 minutes until crisp and golden at 190C/ 375F/gas mark 5. Dust with icing sugar and serve with cream, custard or ice-cream.

Filo pastry dries out very quickly so work fast and if necessary keep pastry covered with cling film while you working.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas. Gina Larcombe

43 Shipley Parish News

Health and Leisure Walks December 2019 and January 2020

All are welcome to guided, free, sociable Horsham District Council walks led by trained volunteers. There is no need to book, just turn-up at the start point. A walk leader will be at the start of the walk whatever the weather! Beginners are recommended to contact the Walk Leader to discuss suitability. All walks can be wet and muddy in places.

A booklet containing over 250 walks is available from the Walks Co-ordinator (telephone 07720 714306) or online at www.horshamhealthwalks.co.uk

Some forthcoming walks in the Shipley Parish and neighbouring areas:

Every Thursday at 11:00am: Billingshurst 2.3 miles 60 mins / Walk 1013. Meet at Billingshurst Library, Mill Lane, RH14 9JZ. Walk around Billingshurst ‘s footpaths or Jubilee Fields. Stay for coffee afterwards. Can be muddy, wear suitable footwear. Dogs on leads allowed. Parking 75p per hour - annual parking permits are available Chris 01403 782745

Sunday 1 December at 9:30am: Copsale “Bacon Butty Walk” 4 miles 1.5 hrs / Walk 2171. Park in the Downs Link car park (approx. TQ171249), opposite the Bridge Inn / Copsale Village Hall, Bar Lane, RH13 6QT. Please DO NOT park at the village hall. Join us for a country walk through meadows (possibly muddy) along country lanes and the Downs Link, 2 or 3 stiles. Possibility of cattle and/or horses. Dogs welcome on leads. Copsale Village Hall offers Bacon Butties £2.50, Tea/Coffee £1 in aid of Village Hall funds 10 am – 12 pm Jean 07734 323321 Jill 07780 701184

Fridays 6 & 20 December, 3, 17 & 31 January at 11:00am: Southwater 2.6 miles 75 mins / Walk 1009. Meet in the Visitor Centre car park of the Country Park, (off Cripplegate Lane, RH13 9UN). Along bridleways and country lanes and return via the Downs Link. No stiles but can be muddy. Not suitable for wheelchairs or prams. The café and toilets at the Park will be open. Sorry no dogs. £1.50 parking charge applies at the Country Park. Alex 01403 273751

44 December 2019 and January 2020

Fridays 13 & 27 December and 10 & 24 January at 11:00 am: Barns Green 2 miles 60 mins / Walk 1010. Meet in new car park above the Village Hall, enter by way of the car park outside the Village Hall which is marked by yellow road markings RH13 0PT. Firm going underfoot on the outskirts of Barns Green. One gentle incline, some views but can be muddy. Well behaved dogs welcome. Chatter 07720 714306

Monday 30 December 10:30am Littleworth and around 5 miles 2.5 hrs / Walk 2273. Meet at the Windmill Littleworth Lane Partridge Green RH13 8EJ. Please DO NOT park in the pub car park. Parking available along the lane. Delightful flat walk along Sussex footpaths and with close views of the monastery. WILL BE MUDDY. No dogs Jill 07780 701184

THE DAN AND MORFA POPE MEMORIAL FUND Shipley’s charity for young people

The Trustees of the fund would like all members of Shipley Parish to be aware of the above fund which was formed to help young people enhance talents they would otherwise have found difficult to develop due to lack of funds.

The terms of the Charity are as follows:  The young person must be under 25.  Must live in the ecclesiastical parish of Shipley (which includes Coolham, Brooks Green and Dragons Green)  Or if not living in the parish, must attend or have previously attended Shipley C of E Primary school.

GRANTS: If you have a child, or are a young person who fits this description, we encourage you to get in touch and apply for a grant.

The fund has limited resources and it may not be possible to fund all applications, however, we promise we will consider them all.

Please contact Nicholas de Zoete at [email protected] if you are seeking a grant.

Registered charity no 10887795

45 Shipley Parish News

Sports and Activity clubs

Badminton

Every Tuesday night 8:15pm to 10:15pm at Dial Post Village Hall. All welcome. Any skill levels - we play doubles and rotate partners throughout the night. For more information call Peter Buckley on 07788 133965

Shipley Bowmen

Sundays and Wednesdays. Beginners’ tuition starts on the first of Sunday every month. Visit https://shipleybowmen.co.uk or contact Philip Baxter on 01403 741093

Shipley Petanque

Every Tuesday morning, 10:30am to 1pm at the Football Ground in Shipley. Beginners most welcome and all equipment is provided. For more information, please contact Melanie Roberts on 01403 782134

Short Mat bowling

At Southwater Leisure Centre in Pevensey Road - sessions are run throughout the year on Tuesdays at 1.30 and from the first week of October also on Saturday mornings at 9.00. All equipment will be provided. Please come along 10 minutes before the start time if you want to have a go. If you want any more details please call Tony on 01403 731177 www.southwaterbowlsclub.co.uk

Walking football club

Every Tuesday morning, 10am to 11am at the Football Ground in Shipley. Everyone welcome! For more information, please contact Philip Gibbs at [email protected] or on 07786 070939

If you would like to include your sports or activity club, please email us at [email protected] with a short description and contact details, or call Greg or Rachel on 01403 741469

46 December 2019 and January 2020

Following their successful 80th anniversary celebrations, Chichester Cathedral Friends has announced an exciting programme of events for the autumn/winter season.

Friends events are open to anyone who would like to come along and they can be assured of a warm welcome. Tickets and information are available from the Cathedral Shop or online at www.chichestercathedral.org.uk/get-involved/ cathedral-friends/friends-events.

Upcoming events for the remainder of the season are:

Saturday 7th December, 10am Friends Christmas Fayre and Coffee morning in the Vicars Hall

Saturday 14th December, 7.15pm Handel’s Messiah performed by NMH Conducted by Charles Harrison in the Cathedral

Tuesday 7th January 2020, 12.30pm Friends Epiphany Lunch in the Vicars Hall with Guest Speaker – Revd. Dr. Dan Inman, Chancellor

Saturday 1st February, 10am Friends Coffee morning in the South Transept of the Cathedral

The Friends are a registered charity. Membership costs £15 per year and £25 for a couple.

For more information visit: https://www.chichestercathedral.org.uk/get-involved/chichester-cathedral-friends or email [email protected].

47 Shipley Parish News