£ JULY & £1 AUGUST
ST. 2021 –
MARY’ S Five Star Summer Read!
MAGAZINE
WHAT IS IN THIS ISSUE? LAURA’S letter! THRIFTY Fifites! PHOTO Corner! ST CAMILLUS de Lellis! WEEKLY readings! YOUTH Speak! PEBBLE Fun in the Sun! Featured Article: LACHE LANE by John Elsley! PUZZLES for all! MEET a member of the Choir –Liz Young! ST. SWITHUN! IVY – Good or not! LETTERS Page! NEWS & Notices! OVERLEIGH ST MARY’S News! WHAT’S ON at St Mary’s July & August! BOOK of Remembrance July & August Pages! The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage. ERNEST W. EDGE & SON GREEN LANE VETERINARY CENTRE 54-56 Handbridge – Tel: 675156 5 Green Lane, Off Lache Lane, High Class Butchers. Local beef, lamb, pork, venison and chicken. Chester CH4 8LS Also fine cheeses, pates, cooked meats and Tel: 01244 683858 now home cooked pies. Consultation by Appointment RCVS Accredited Practice HANDBRIDGE PHARMACY www.greenlanevets. 7/9 Handbridge – Tel: 683454 Gordon & Staff welcome you to your local community Pharmacy. All prescriptions dispensed - prescription COMPUTER SUPPORT collection & delivery service available for the elderly & All your computer problems can be solved here the housebound. Full range of medicines, vitamins, homeopathic and with a fast & expert service by our friendly staff. aromatherapy treatments + medical & surgical goods, Visit our Service Centre toiletries and baby goods at 100 Boughton, Chester, CH3 5BP Tel: 01244 566280 for free estimates, SAMANTHA WILD HAIRDRESSING home visits and advice 58 Handbridge – Tel: 677557 www.computersupportchester.co.uk Our team is dedicated in keeping up with the latest styles and trends to provide you with a first class service. Call in for a free consultation and to ask about our latest offers.
BROWN SUGAR Handbridge Coffee Shop with Internet Terminals & Free Wi-Fi Come in and enjoy our fabulous coffee, home-made cakes and freshly made food! Tel: 01244 683386 DOORSTEPS of HANDBRIDGE www.brownsugarinternetcafe.co.uk Tel: 675656 or 07889 021033 QUALITY SANDWICHES, UNIFORMITY CLOTHING LIMITED HOME MADE SOUP, JACKET POTATOES Business 22-26 Handbridge Lunches, Sandwich Platters, Tel: 01244 680187 Party Catering and Hot Buffets. Call in for *Clothing Alterations www.acateredaffair.co.uk (Contact Mike) *Schoolwear *Embroidery *Transfers *Leisurewear HOST FAMILIES REQUIRED
We are looking for caring host families in this area HANDBRIDGE LAUNDRETTE for students from Italy and Spain aged 13-18 35 Handbridge, Chester throughout the year for 1 – 2 week stays *Service washes *Duvets £21 per student per night inc. bed & breakfast, *Dry Cleaning *Ironing packed lunch and evening meal. Up to three students per family. For more Tel: 01244 681009 information ring Susan Jones 07830 096900.
Safeguarding Policy R. FODEN LTD St Mary’s, Handbridge takes its duty and obligation to 4 High St. Saltney protect all extremely seriously. We have adopted the Tel. 680224 – Mob 07973 661095 national Church of England’s robust procedures and High class custom made joinery inc. doors guidelines. Read about the policies and procedures & windows in hard/softwood. at www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding If you or Frames, Staircases & Conservatories. anyone you are in contact with would like to talk with (Guild of Master Craftsmen & FENSA reg.) someone independently, please call e-mail:[email protected] the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or website:www.fodenjoinery.co.uk email [email protected]. Alternatively, you may contact our Parish Safeguarding COMPUTER TUTOR Tel: 01244 539507 Mobile: 07539 422 673 Officer Peter Dove or the Diocesan Safeguarding Complete beginners welcome Adviser in the Diocese of Chester, via email or No request is too small. We come to you. phone: 07703 800031. Lessons tailored specifically to your needs Business training also available Do not delay - get online and train today! www.pctrainline.co.uk Email: [email protected] The quality of life is determined by its activities. – Aristotle LETTER from Laura, Assistant Priest Since Easter I’ve been going back to work. Every day I get up, get dressed, fully and properly, including shoes. I brush my hair, put in my contact lenses and have to remember to take everything with me, like my computer and charger and lunchbox, every day. I sit in traffic, negotiate small parking spaces and then realise I have forgotten my keys or my security badge to get into the correct building. It’s exhausting, I can’t believe I used to do this every day. It’s a shock. At the same time, all the things I used to do, I can’t. I can’t make meals for truckloads of students, I can’t meet staff for coffees, I have to bother them online instead. I run online support groups where the students happily talk to each other and we have drop ins, where virtually no-one ‘drops in’ because no-one is quite sure of the rules anymore. Earlier in the pandemic, life was very busy, but as rules relax and students recover from a difficult year, I don’t seem to be as useful. I find the online world generally more tiring and less rewarding, more time faffing and less fruit produced. I seem to want to bring back the glory days of 2019 and I’m not sure where my place is in all this. Then I watched the Italy v Turkey football match where Italy won 3-0. The commentator said at the end about the Italian goalkeeper, ‘He’s a good goalkeeper, but he didn’t have much to do.’ Ah yes, I think, that’s me at the moment. Our church is full of good goalkeepers, brilliant at the thing they do, but there may not have been a lot to do over the last fifteen months; only a few have been able to keep their jobs in the same way. Some will be raring to get back to ‘how it was’ and others will be wondering if they want to return to that pace of life. We have been through fifteen months of patience, confusion, and hardship. In January, I knew that 99 percent of the congregation spent their time having the same week. Now all our experiences are starting to diverge. So I ask: what are we trying to do now, with ourselves, the church and the world? Firstly, ourselves. I’m a good goalkeeper, with nothing to do, but who are you? How do you work that out? How do you listen to God? How do you discern what is next for you? Do you listen carefully to your thoughts, filtering out what is good and fruitful and what comes from a place of fear? How do you reflect and pray? Who do you have around you for support and guidance? Secondly, the church. I went to a course recently about church after the pandemic. The message was simple: put your energy into finding the leaders on the edges. Could you lead something, take something on, dream something up without being asked? In the last 16 months we have had to think a lot of interesting things about being a Christian that don’t involve meeting together in a building once a week. This has been interesting and difficult, and what do we do with it now? Do we ignore everything we have learned, and go back to making it about meeting in this building every week? Are you, like me, trying to return to the ‘glory days’ of the past? Or are we heedful of the words of Isaiah, ‘see I am doing a new thing.’ The Christian organisation, Heart Edge, uses the slogan: ‘A future that’s bigger than the past.’ Thirdly, the world. How do we learn to inhabit the world in a more sustainable way? Archbishop Stephen said, if the Church of England said in March 2020, the whole church has to move online, they would have been laughed at, but somehow we did it. What else could we do? Eco Church (ecochurch.arocha.org.uk) seems to be a good place to start. Have a look, see what you could get involved with and what we could do together. Let’s make our future bigger than our past. Laura
The Thrifty Fifties by Wendy Gorman Thinking about the ‘use it once and throw it away’ culture of today, you may have already read about the rubber bed pans that used to have a permanent layer of urine crystals even after the machine wash, they also used rubber sheets that did nothing to prevent bed sores. At the Children’s Hospital, we wore starched white aprons and caps, can't remember any plastic ones. I loved working in the Path Lab which was a separate building which had doors that rattled in the wind. I didn't mind working there after the staff left, even the pickled brain on the shelf didn't faze me. My job was to go into the wards and collect all the used syringes and needles, I then took them back to the lab where I tested the needles for bluntness by running the points across my finger nails and where necessary, sharpen them on a wet stone and then inserting a wire through any blocked ones. After everything had been washed and dried, I would wrap the individual syringes in brown paper, write the sizes on them before putting them into the autoclave to be sterilized before returning them to the wards to replace more used ones; imagine this method if used for the Covid jabs! Remember when shoes were made to last by using stick-on soles and replacing those little metal stegs on the heels. School uniforms were taken off and neatly folded for the next day and you played in your oldest clothes because Monday was wash day and you had cold meat and chips or Bubble and Squeak for dinner. Kids could earn some money by collecting bottles and taking them to the shop for the deposits. Men's shirt collars would be turned when frayed and socks darned with the aid of a wooden mushroom; trousers torn at the knees would be patched. Now it is the fashion to buy them already torn. Do you understand that? No, neither do I! Mum used to unravel old jumpers and knit something new with the wool. Remember the knitted tea cosies and the crocheted toilet roll covers complete with a dolls head. I expect that you can remember more thrifty ideas from the 50s, some good some bad. Wendy Gorman Photo Corner
Klaus Armstrong-Braun’s summer garden in Broughton June 2021 St Mary's roof being repaired 27th May 2021
14th July St Camillus de Lellis - patron of the sick Sometimes those who suffer are best at helping others in a similar situation. Discharged from the Venetian army with an incurable leg wound, St Camillus (1550 – 1614) founded a religious order called the Ministers of the Sick (the Camellians). Both in their Holy Ghost Hospital in Rome, and by travelling to plague-stricken parts of the world, the Camellians dedicated their lives to caring for the sick. Camillus is the patron of the sick and of nurses. Today the Camillian Task Force Order responds to natural or man-made disasters. Parish Pump Weekly Bible readings for July and August 2021
Weekly Bible Readings First Reading Psalm Second Reading Gospel 4th July 2021 Ezekiel 2:1-5 Psalm 123 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Mark 6:1-13 Fifth Sunday after Trinity 11th July 2021 Amos 7:7-15 Psalm 85:8-end Ephesians 1:3-14 Mark 6:14-29 Sixth Sunday after Trinity 18th July 2021 Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 23 Ephesians 2:11-end Mark 6:30-34. 53- Seventh Sunday after Trinity end 25th July 2021 2 Kings 4:42-end Psalm 145:10:19 Ephesians 3:14-end John 6:1-21 Eighth Sunday after Trinity
Weekly Bible Readings First Reading Psalm Second Reading Gospel 1st August 2021 Exodus 16:2-4. 9- Psalm 78:23-29 Ephesians 4:1-16 John 6:24-35 Ninth Sunday after Trinity 15 8th August 2021 1 Kings 19:4-8 Psalm 34:1-8 Ephesians 4:25-5:2 John 6:35.41-51 Tenth Sunday after Trinity 15th August 2021 Proverbs 9:1-6 Psalm 34:9-14 Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6:51-58 Eleventh Sunday after Trinity 22nd August 2021 Joshua 24:1-2a. Psalm 34:15-22 Ephesians 6:10-20 John 6:56-69 Twelfth Sunday after Trinity 14-18
29th August 2021 Deuteronomy 4:1-2. Psalm 15 James 1:17-end Mark 7:1-8. 21-23
Thirteenth Sunday after 6-9 Trinity
Youth Speak Youth Speak is a forum for young people to share their views on all kinds of church-related topics. The diocesan idea is born out of the national Growing Faith adventure, which is a call for the renewal of hearts and minds so that it becomes second nature to include and value children, young people, and households in every aspect of church life for the lifelong formation of faith in the whole of life. Could the church be more effective in tackling climate change? Could we make an even bigger difference in local communities? Could the church be more inclusive? Children have many strong opinions on these types of questions and Youth Speak is an opportunity for the wider diocese to hear their responses to these issues. Jonathan Masters, Youth, Children and Families Missioner in the Diocese of Chester has been leading the development of Youth Speak. He says: "The future of the church depends upon our young congregation continuing their Christian faith into their adult lives. Whilst the church offers many activities for very young children, it is recognised that, as children enter their teens, some do start to drift away. One of the reasons for this that we sometimes hear is that the church doesn't really cater to people of their age. We really want to hear what young people think so that we can make the church better and more welcoming for them. And this is why we are inviting people between 10 and 18 years old to join Youth Speak, where young people can meet together to give their views on all kinds of church-related topics." Find out more and sign up to Youth Speak here. Most Youth Speak meetings will be held at Foxhill House, near Frodsham, on Saturdays. There will be approximately four meetings each year, with some attendance at other meetings such as Bishop’s Staff and Diocesan Synod, which happen in the week and on Saturdays. If you know someone aged 10 to 18 years old, who might be interested in being a part of the changing face of the Church of England within our diocese, please encourage them to sign up. For more information contact Jonathan Masters: E: [email protected] T: 07595 069880 Here comes Summer… so let’s have some A summer long, creative design activity (Prepared by Sarah Corfe and Derek Jones)
The artistry of Handbridge resident Sarah Corfe provided a fitting addition to our April feature ‘Handbridge in the Round’. Sarah created 10 decorated stone pebbles, and these were placed along the village walk. We had feedback that these pebbles were enjoyed by everyone who took part, so we are providing you all with a summer long activity to create your own pebble design based on the sights and sounds of summer and then, provided we are able, to offer the possible option of actually creating the design on a pebble during the October half term in a workshop with Sarah.
What do you think about when it comes to summer? May be these ideas will encourage you – these are just examples and you can select any topic, image or design that you associate with summer
Pebble artistry has a steadily growing interest, and they have several uses. A bespoke piece of pebble art is meaningful for the recipient as it is made to their requirements and can also be personalised to suit any occasion. Pebble art is a unique bespoke piece of artwork and is a special kind of gift for a close or special friend or family member. Recently, an article in the RHS Garden magazine highlighted decorated pebbles being used as plant indicators in a herb garden. Here is a reminder of the pebbles which Sarah created for our Handbridge in the Round activity.
Here are some broad guidelines for your design 1. Pebbles will range in size from around 3-5cm to 10-12cm (handheld size) and can be used in a combination of small, medium and large (as per images No’s 3 and 9 above). 2. The activity is open to everyone from across all generations 3. Create your own personalised ‘Images of Summer Fun’ design on a plain A4 or A5 piece of paper. Please do use colour to provide a sense of the colours of summer 4. Write your name on the front and also provide your main contact information separately 5. Send your completed design to [email protected] NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1ST 2021 6. A selection of the designs will be included in the October edition of St Mary’s Church Magazine 7. Details of the possible October half term activity will also be shared in the October edition of the magazine Further information about the brilliant artistry and work of Sarah Corfe and more design inspirations can be found on her Facebook page: therockndotco. Sarah will also post a video on her Facebook page with some tips on pebble artistry so please do take a look at this video. Have a great summer of enjoyment and fun and please do stay safe. We look forward to being inspired by your pebble designs. Derek Jones
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK CHEERS to a wonderful summer everyone! Even though, as I write we are not QUITE out of Lockdown, we have the joy of summer warmth and seeing the garden growing (and GROWING!). There are many things to be grateful for, not least, Bill and Maureen Hamilton’s celebration of 60 years of marriage on July 1st; SIXTY years is quite something! We also have John Elsley and Linda Manning who have BOTH tirelessly worked for the Children’s Society and Christian Aid respectively, raising money over many years for those worthwhile organisations. We also have Tam, at the other end of the ‘age span’ starting out with HIS voluntary work which I am sure will be well supported. Ebbs and Flows, the circle of life, and we certainly have had a focus on this over the past year or so. St Mary’s continues to stand proud – and just read those letters from the children at Overleigh. We have so much in which to feel hope for the future if we look for it and continue to take new opportunities as they pop up. Enjoy your summer one and all!
Catherine
Our Featured Article Lache Lane by John Elsley We moved from Stafford to our home in Lache Lane in 1960, amazingly now 60 years ago. My very first recollection was going down Lache Lane and seeing the wonderful row of trees lining the road, which also had the effect of accentuating the curvature of the road. The trees which were a variety of Elm changed colour over the seasons but eventually started to suffer from the Elm tree disease and one by one they were taken down and cannot be replaced due to the services in the pavements and verges, although a few flowering trees have been planted. The road in those days had various houses built during the 20th century, especially near the roundabout, but there were plenty of gaps and opposite our house there were hedge lined fields which later were developed into the Westminster Park Estate, commencing from Merton Drive. We used to slip over the loose wire fence across the road and take the children to the ponds (every field had one of these ponds for the stock) and they were filled with frogspawn in the Spring and all the hedge lined fields were full of birds nesting and all nature abounded. The hedges were gradually removed, and this photograph taken from our bedroom window showed the last harvesting in the Autumn of 1965 before the Westminster Park development. Was it a community area in those days, no not really! A road about a couple of miles long, without any centre hub meant people left their homes in the morning to go to work in their cars or bicycles. Margaret knew many more people than I did from meeting them at the bus stop to go to Chester to shop, although ordinary weekly shops were from Saltney where she went with the children in the New Cross pram which had storage space for groceries etc. from the useful shops there including the small grocery store which was an offshoot of the Dutton’s store in Eastgate street in Chester. The pram incidentally is still in service in the family. People got to know neighbours of course, otherwise it was in the sports clubs and the churches in Saltney and Chester. Perhaps the notable exception was when residents, Mr and Mrs Niall MacFadyen heroically invited residents in houses numbers One to One Hundred to their house to celebrate the Millennium Day. They had prudently arranged a series of shelters in their garden, refreshments and games to mix us up, so we met so many people we had never seen before and a happy party took place, all in continuous heavy rain! The houses and those empty plots were of a good size, and there did not seem to be the land shortage which gradually developed later so the houses had plenty of space around them, and ever since we arrived houses have been built and enlarged. Our house for example had a small kitchen, with a coal shed and toilet outside the back door even though it had a generous dining room, and we like so many other newcomers immediately enlarged the kitchen and started to use it as a dining area for ordinary meals. The garden has been wonderful over the years for the children and games on the lawn, for vegetables and for keeping us fit in our old age. We think that we have been most fortunate in having all this space compared with so many houses built these days. A small development was the pathway connecting Lache Lane and the Lache Estate. Another asset has always been the Westminster Park with its 9-hole golf course and other sports facilities. Then of course we had building of the Westminster Park Estate. I must admit when this was announced we thought that it was a pity to build on all those fields but over the years we got to know so many of the people now living there, and the range of shops have been a wonderful asset to us. John Elsley PUZZLE TIME for the
Young and the Not so…
ACROSS 1 Sent out three times on a reconnaissance mission from Noah’s ark (Genesis 8:8–12) (4) 3 ‘The vilest — who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives’ (8) 9 Described by the 19th-century MP Sir Wilfred Lawson as ‘the Devil in solution’ (7) 10 ‘Whoever — his life for my sake will find it’ (Matthew 10:39) (5) 11 King of Gezer (Joshua 10:33) (5) 12 Gideon’s home town (Judges 6:11) (6) 14 The area under the jurisdiction of a primate, for example, Canterbury, York (13) 17 To him God promised that David would be king (1 Chronicles 11:3) (6) 19 A descendant of Aaron who was not allowed to offer food to God (Leviticus 21:20) (5) 22 ‘If any of you — wisdom, he should ask God’
(James 1:5) (5) 23 I gain me (anag.) (7) 24 Relating to the armed forces (1 Chronicles 5:18) (8) 25 Title given to 2 Down (abbrev.) (4) DOWN 1 Greek coins (Acts 19:19) (8) 2 Church of England incumbent (5) 4 What Epaphroditus was to Paul (Philippians 2:25) (6-7) 5 Mother of David’s sixth son (2 Samuel 3:5) (5) 6 ‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in — ’ (2 Corinthians 4:8) (7) 7 It destroys treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19) (4) 8 It threatened Paul in Jerusalem (Acts 21:35) (3,3) 13 Well-known Reference Bible that espoused dispensationalism (8) 15 Where the choir sits in a parish church (7) 16 Real do (anag.) (6) 18 ‘Martha, Martha... you are worried and — about many things’ (Luke 10:41) (5) 20 ‘One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day — ’ (Romans 14:5) (5) 21 A place with twelve springs and 70 palm trees where the Israelites camped (Exodus 15:27) (4)
A. What do you call a man trapped in a paper bag? B. What does the Queen do when she burps? C. Did you hear about the two guys who stole a calendar?
Meet a member of the choir – Liz Young! I attended St Wilfrid’s Primary School in Brighton going on to St Michael’s Boarding School near Petworth, a Woodard School. This was originally set up for the daughters of Anglican Clergy and set in beautiful Sussex countryside. All the girls attended chapel twice daily! At age 17 I left to start 3 years training as a Registered Sick Children’s Nurse – RSCN. In 1966 I commenced at University College Hospital London to do my SRN qualification eventually becoming a Staff Nurse. During this time I became involved in All Souls, Langham Place for some two years. I then moved on to Cambridge to Mill Road Maternity Hospital to train as a midwife. As made famous on “Call the Midwife” I too cycled to my patients with my medical bag safely strapped to my bike rack. In Cambridge I met my husband to be, Robin who hailed from Londonderry and was doing a P.H.D in Aeronautical Engineering at Corpus Christi College. It was 1971 and we were married in April 1972 by the Bishop of Chichester in St Margaret’s Rottingdean. This meant I could be given away by my father. We remained in Cambridge whilst Robin finished his studies then moving to Sedgefield to be convenient for I.C.I, Teeside, Robin’s employers. He was churchwarden at Sedgefield when our eldest daughter, Rebecca, arrived in July 1973, followed by Timothy in February 1975. Two years later Robin’s work took us to Cheshire and we moved into our present home in October 1977. A prompt visit from the Rector at St Mary’s, Canon Winston Hurlow, resulted in the family worshipping at the Parish Church. Abigail was born in May 1979 and unhappily that year Robin was diagnosed with a brain tumour which ultimately brought about his untimely death in 1999. As a family we were always heavily involved in the Church but now I became limited to voluntary work because of Robin’s illness. Until the Covid situation developed I have been involved in the work of the Paediatric Clinic at the Countess of Chester Hospital. As far as the parish is concerned I have run the Pram Service, been a Baptism Visitor, sung in the Choir, done flower arranging and also been a Server. I have enjoyed assisting with the lunch club and in particular found my participation in the Meditation and Julian Groups very spiritually satisfying. My hobbies are tennis, walking and visiting gardens. I have been blessed with 6 grandchildren, Jack, Molly, Ella, Ben, Sam and Zac but it remains my continuing sadness that Robin has not been able to enjoy them with me. Liz Young
15th July - St Swithun (or Swithin) - saint for a rainy day” St Swithun is apparently the saint you can blame for rainy summers. It is said that if it rains on his special day, 15th July, it will then rain for 40 days after that. It all began when Swithun was made Bishop of Winchester in 852 by King Ethelwulf of Wessex. It was an important posting: Winchester was the capital of Wessex, and during the 10 years Swithun was there, Wessex became the most important kingdom of England. During his life, instead of washing out people’s summer holidays, and damping down their spirits, Swithun seems to have done a lot of good. He was famous for his charitable gifts and for his energy in getting churches built. When he was dying in 862, he asked that he be buried in the cemetery of the Old Minster, just outside the west door. If he had been left there in peace, who knows how many rainy summers the English may have been spared over the last 1000 years. But, no, it was decided to move Swithun. By now, the 960s, Winchester had become the first monastic cathedral chapter in England, and the newly installed monks wanted Swithun in the cathedral with them. So finally, on 15 July 971, his bones were dug up and Swithun was translated into the cathedral. That same day many people claimed to have had miraculous cures. Certainly everyone got wet, for the heavens opened. The unusually heavy rain that day, and on the days following, was attributed to the power of St Swithun. Swithun was moved again in 1093, into the new Winchester cathedral. His shrine was a popular place of pilgrimage throughout the middle ages. The shrine was destroyed during the Reformation and restored in 1962. There are 58 ancient dedications to Swithun in England. Parish Pump
Ivy on your house is not really so bad after all So says the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). In an effort to restore the plant’s reputation, the RHS has been showcasing the species at its flagship garden in Wisley, Surrey. It hopes to set a new trend, and to get people to stop seeing ivy as ‘the enemy.’ At Wisley you can now see 390 varieties of ivy, with a vast array of leaf shapes, sizes and colours. The RHS wants people to see that ivy can be an attractive and even eco-friendly addition to your home. RHS experts say that ivy is a ‘super plant’ that not only has insulating benefits, but also offers habitats for a variety of wildlife, as well as being a food source for birds and pollinators during months of the year when there is very little else for them to eat. https://www.rhs.org.uk/press/releases/New-research-shows-ivy-is-the-most-effective-plant Parish Pump LETTERS PAGE Celebrating over 36 years of Support for The Children’s Society 2021 marks the 140th anniversary of The Children’s Society’s founding by Sunday School teacher Edward Rudolf. It's been a long journey, and much has changed in 140 years, but one thing has remained ever present, and that's the incredible passion our supporters have for improving the lives of children & young people. This incredible passion is demonstrated by supporters like John Elsley who has been the House Box Co-ordinator since 2008. St Mary’s Church Handbridge has supported The Children's Society since 1985, inspiring their local community to come together and support our work through activities like Christingle and house box collections. John has been a loyal member of our network of 4000 House Box Coordinators, who together raise over £1 million a year for children & young people at risk of abuse, neglect & exploitation. After an incredible 13 years of coordinating the house box collections, John has decided to hang up his gloves, so we'd like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to John for his amazing contribution to helping us build a happier, safer society for children & young people to grow up in. We'd like to appeal to any members of the congregation that might be interested in taking over from John. As a House Box Coordinator, you will be at the heart of the community, reaching out to friends, family, neighbours, colleagues and other groups. You'll inspire all ages to come together and collect spare change to support young people. You can collect in whichever way suits you. Some choose to organise coffee mornings or afternoon teas. Other groups invite volunteer speakers to talk about the important work we do. If you're interested, please get in touch to find out more. Email our Supporter Care team or call 07702903406. Many thanks, all the best Jemma Kinch Relationship Manager – Chester and Liverpool The Children’s Society
Thank you for all your warm good wishes as we reach our Diamond Wedding Anniversary on 1st July 2021. 60 years! Where did they go! We were married at Emmanuel Church Preston back in 1961. There were three bridesmaids and a page boy, plus Maureen’s brother as best man. A friend had told Maureen to “just remember everything” and it was a lovely wedding and reception. A friend drove us to Fleetwood for the ferry to our honeymoon on the Isle of Man. The advice to “remember everything’ soon failed us, because on the ferry we could not remember the name of our hotel in Douglas! Our taxi took us far from Douglas but we found a phone book and the right address. The taxi cost 30 shillings, a good slice of our spending money, and we did not offer a tip! We have had a good marriage. We do not agree about everything, but we don’t fall out, and we are both thankful for our many blessings. With love and best wishes, Maureen and Bill Hamilton
Dear St Marys, The total amount collected in Christian Aid Week amounted to £1,953.53. 64 people signed Gift Aid vouchers to the value of £1,084.50 adding a total of £271.12 to the collection. We do not know how many people took the option of giving on line direct to Christian Aid but this is a very encouraging total. The total for 2019 was £2536.42. 103 people signed Gift Aid vouchers covering £1,419.53, so the total donation from St. Mary’s was £2536.42 plus £354.88 = £2890.88. Bearing in mind the issues we have had with Covid and personally financial situations, this year’s collection was much better than I thought it would be. Grateful thanks to everyone who took part. Linda Manning
Hello! Just to let you know that I am STILL fundraising (for a trip to Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, in July 2022. The 23-day trip will include working on a community project to assist Mlindzini High School, which is partnered with my school Abbey Gate College. The trip will also include conservation work in Mbuluiz game reserve, a two-day trek and a safari. To help with fundraising I am available for work – at a time to suit you!! . Thank you for your support. Tam My email is: [email protected]
Registers May 2021: Living Judaism Deaths Hosted by the Lord Mayor of Chester, Mark Williams Margaret Smith July 6th, 4.30pm in the Council Room Elisabeth Roberts at the Chester Town Hall May Margaret and Elisabeth, and Programme those others known to us personally, 4.30-5.10: An Overview of the rest in peace and may faith and Jewish Faith courage to be granted to those who with Rabbi Fabian Sborovsky mourn. 5.10-5.25: Refreshments Baptisms 5.25-6.00: The Passover with Ann Angel Supported by Cheshire West and Chester None Equality and Diversity Fund Marriages To book a place (no charge), please
Miles Dennitts & Terri Pitt contact: Congratulations to Miles and Terri from all at St [email protected] Mary’s! Church Flower Arranging Rota Handbridge Flower Club July & August 2021 July 2021 We are hoping to hold our first post-lockdown
Elizabeth Bennett demonstration in September, after what would Suzie Hingston have been our summer break. This will allow Linda Schofield time to properly assess the rate of infection and August 2021 any change in the lock-down rules. This will be Ann Baldacchino confirmed at a committee meeting in July. It will be Alma Hukin wonderful to all meet up in person again! Pat Swain If there is any change, be assured we shall let you all If you would like to be on the flower arranging rota know. Meanwhile, we hope you are all keeping safe and PLEASE contact Diana Morgan on 01244 678083 well and enjoying the flowers in your gardens and on your walks. Contact 01244 683715 or 07515324526 Coffee after church in July/August 2021 GARDENING GROUPS AT ST MARY’S 2021 Watch this Space!!!!! We do not know when this will be possible BUT we look forward to We have decided that in it when it happens! 2021 Gardening Groups will meet on the First Saturday of Every Month from April Handbridge WI Meetings July & August 2021 until September, so the next We had hoped to be back at St. Mary's Handbridge two gardening get togethers Centre for our July meeting but it is not to be. One of our will be 3rd July and 7th members has very kindly offered to hold the meeting in August. her garden, weather permitting; this will be on Tuesday Even if you can only manage 6th July. We are hoping that our August meeting on one hour, you will be very Tuesday 3rd August will be at St Mary's Handbridge welcome. If you can bring Centre when we will your own tools that would be great, but I will bring welcome Yvonne spades, forks and rakes and rubbish containers. There Matthews who is a bee will be a variety of tasks to be carried out so I am sure keeper. that you will find something to do. We are now You will be more than welcome! John Parkin having our book group meetings in our members’ gardens and our July book is Making Tracks Discover the West Coast mainline The Second Sleep by Robert Harris. July 17 @ 10:00 am - September 3 We will be meeting to talk about the book @ 4:00 pm on Tuesday 20th July. Chester Cathedral, St Werburgh We will be having two Street Chester, Cheshire CH1 2DY United Kingdom geology walks with An exciting model railway event chugs into the Cathedral Veronica Bull the first this summer. Created by railway enthusiast Pete on Thursday 8th July at 7.00pm and Waterman OBE, and from the builders of ‘Leamington the second on Monday 2nd August at Spa’ this event will present a bespoke model railway that 10.00am. These will last approximately two hours. demonstrates the West Coast Mainline - a 74ft OO model Maureen featuring the work of Thomas Brassey. A superb event For updated information please contact me: for model railway enthusiasts and families alike! Making email; [email protected] Tracks - Discover the West Coast Mainline is generously or follow us on: supported by Chester Model Centre - Chester's family- Facebook Handbridge WI Chester or 01244 671304 owned model centre. Booking essential please note!
This term we have had a whole school focus day on the Christian Values of THANKFULNESS. On this day, we thought about what we had to be thankful for within ourselves, our school and our community in the wonderful gifts and environment that God has given us. Many children wrote letters to express their thanks, these included examples written in Spanish, German and Polish. We really do have such talented children at Overleigh!
admin@overleighstmar ysce.cheshire.sch.uk www.overleighstmarys ce.cheshire.sch.uk Emma Drew - Headteacher
WHATS ON AT ST MARY’S IN JULY & AUGUST?
Regular Monday to Friday Services in July 9:20am Said Morning Prayer (in person and via St Mary Handbridge YouTube channel)
During August our daily services of Said Morning Prayer will be suspended. You may
participate in the services using the Church of England’s streamed daily service. Visit: https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer
All our services will be held in person (unless Covid restrictions change). “Together Apart” (usually on Sunday morning) will also be accessible via Zoom: Meeting ID: 905 965 2879 Passcode: 428485 Storytelling Services and Messy Church will be in person only. All other services will also be accessible via St Mary Handbridge YouTube channel. Please follow St Mary’s Facebook Page for updates. JULY AUGUST Thursday 1 10:00am Said Holy Communion Sunday 1 Ninth Sunday after Trinity according to the Book of Common Prayer 9:30am Storytelling Service 10:30am “Together Apart” Service Sunday 4 Fifth Sunday after Trinity 12:30pm Holy Baptism 9:30am Storytelling Service 10:30am “Together Apart” Service Thursday 5 10:00am Said Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer Thursday 8 10:00am Said Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer Sunday 8 Tenth Sunday after Trinity 9:30am Storytelling Service Sunday 11 Sixth Sunday after Trinity 10:30am “Together Apart” Service 9:30am Storytelling Service 12:30pm Holy Baptism 10:30am “Together Apart” Service Thursday 12 10:00am Said Holy Communion Monday 12 7:30pm PCC Meeting according to the Book of Common Prayer
Thursday 15 10:00am Said Holy Communion Sunday 15 Eleventh Sunday after Trinity according to the Book of Common Prayer 9:30am Storytelling Service 10:30am All Age “Together Apart” Service Sunday 18 Seventh Sunday after Trinity (Storytelling families please join Thursday 19 10:00am Said Holy Communion the 10:30am All Age Service) according to the Book of Common Prayer 10:30am All Age “Together Apart” Service 12:30pm Holy Baptism Sunday 22 Twelfth Sunday after Trinity 3:00pm Messy Church 9:30am Storytelling Service 10:30am “Together Apart” Service Thursday 22 10:00am Said Holy Communion 12:30pm Holy Baptism according to the Book of Common Prayer Thursday 26 10:00am Said Holy Communion Sunday 25 Eighth Sunday after Trinity according to the Book of Common Prayer 9:30am Storytelling Service 10:30am “Together Apart” Service Sunday 29 Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity 6:30pm Choral Evensong 9:30am Storytelling Service Thursday 29 10:00am Said Holy Communion 10:30am “Together Apart” Service according to the Book of Common Prayer
Daily Hope phone line to continue A free phone line offering hymns, prayers, and reflections to tens of thousands of callers after church buildings closed because of the coronavirus is to continue despite moves to ease the lockdown restrictions. Daily Hope, launched by
the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in April, has now received 173,000 calls from over 37,000 people – with
calls topping more than two million minutes. The service – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 –
was set up as a simple new way to bring worship and prayer into people’s homes, especially older people and anyone unable to join online church services.
PARISH DIRECTORY
Rector The Revd. Dr Richard P. Whaite, 671202 email: [email protected]
Assistant Priest The Revd. Laura Rhodes, 78 Ringway, Waverton, Chester, CH3 7NR 07875657784 email: [email protected]
Parish Administrator Doris Keen, St. Mary-Without-the Walls, Overleigh Rd., Handbridge, Chester CH4 7HL 671202 email: [email protected] - www.stmaryschester.co.uk Parish Centre Booking Secretary Doris Keen – Details as above.
Hon. Asst. Clergy The Revd. Maureen Pickering, 3 The Paddocks, Long Lane, Waverton, Chester CH3 7RB 749112 email: [email protected] The Revd. John Carhart, 29 Abbot’s Grange, Chester CH2 1AJ 380923 The Revd. Bill Hamilton, 51 Vincent Drive, Westminster Park, Chester CH4 7RQ 428457 The Revd. Trevor Dennis, 11, Anne's Way, Chester CH4 7BA email: [email protected] 638441 Hon. Parish Reader Linda Manning, 35 Eaton Mews, Handbridge, Chester CH4 7EJ 682143 email: [email protected]
Churchwardens Lynne Jones, email: [email protected], 676772 A Alison McLellan, email: [email protected] 07713167332 PCC Secretary tbc PCC Treasurer Helen Brophy [email protected] 629111
Bellringers Fiona Harrison, email: [email protected] 314712 Director of Music Michael Reynolds, email: [email protected] 07786 323946
Church Flowers Lead Diana Morgan 87 Lache Lane, Chester CH4 7LT 678083 Church Flowers Treasurer Linda Schofield, 8 Audley Crescent, Belgrave Park, Chester CH47ET 659149
Intercessions Rota Jackie Hirst, 32 Abbots Park, off Liverpool Road, Chester CH1 4AN 371083 email: [email protected] Server Rota Sue Dickinson, 8 Cottage Road, Westminster Park, Chester CH4 7QB 678328 Magazine Distributors Bill & Jaqi Yates, Broadwater, 16a Curzon Park North, Chester CH4 8AR 681349 John & Melissa Grundy, 39 Vincent Drive, Chester CH4 7RQ 630561 Magazine Editor Catherine Jones, email: [email protected] 07730584510 Social Activities Veronica Bull, Hermitage, South Crescent Road, Chester. CH4 7AU 676865 email: [email protected] Electoral Roll Officer Alison McLellan, email: [email protected] 676772 Giving Recorder Helen Brophy, 36 Norwood Drive, Westminster Park, Chester CH4 7RH 629111 Safeguarding Co-ordinator Peter Dove, 111 Philip Street, Chester CH2 3BZ 321938 Julian Meetings Sec John & Denise Parkin, 14 Edinburgh Way, Chester CH4 7AS 676009 and 07876154722 Meditation Group Jackie Hirst, 32 Abbots Park, off Liverpool Road, Chester CH1 4AN 371083 email: [email protected] Luncheon Club Leader Maureen Evans, 2 Queens Drive, Chester. CH4 7BD 676123 Youth Group tbc Beavers, Cubs & Scouts Susan Jones, 16 Ludwell Close, Westminster Park, Chester CH4 7RD 675538 Brownies Krystina Littlehales, 15 Devonshire Place, Chester CH4 7BY 07860845402 and 677983 email; [email protected] Guides & Ranger Helen Williams, email: [email protected] 07951959007 Rainbows Grace Hamilton, email: [email protected] 07943811854
Overleigh St. Mary’s Head: Emma Drew, Overleigh School, Old Wrexham Rd., Handbridge, Chester CH4 7HS 267525 C of E Primary School email: [email protected]
All advertising enquiries to be made through the Parish Administrator, Doris Keen by email: [email protected] or via the website www.stmaryschester.co.uk All Editorial enquiries to be made through the Editor, Catherine Jones email: [email protected] Articles, letters, funny jokes and photos to be submitted to Catherine by 10th of the month for the following month’s magazine, so 10th August for the September edition of the magazine please! Please contact Catherine if you wish to be sent the magazine in PDF form by email when you will receive it every month & you can still pick up your paper copy, (currently donation only), unless it is being delivered. This delivery service has an annual payment of £10.
PLEASE NOTE: The Parish Office hours are as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9:00am - 3:00pm, Wednesday: 9:00am - 12:30pm
Definition of a desk: A waste-paper basket with drawers!
Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. – Anon July & August pages of the Book of Remembrance
R. FODEN LTD IAN’S PLUMBING SERVICE 4 High St. Saltney Add or replace radiators. Tel. 680224 – Mob 07973 661095 Outside taps. Installation of washing High class custom made joinery inc. doors machines/dishwashers. & windows in hard/softwood. Fit new pumps. Frames, Staircases & Conservatories. Cylinder tank & ball valves. (Guild of Master Craftsmen & FENSA reg.) NO JOB TOO SMALL e-mail:[email protected] Call 07840 856380 website:www.fodenjoinery.co.uk
SALTNEY TYRE SERVICE BLACKWELL’S STONECRAFT LTD. Monumental & Masonry Work Units B1/B2, Brymau Ind. 1 River Lane, Overleigh Road, Handbridge: Tel: 680704 Saltney Batteries, Brakes, MOT Memorials/additional inscriptions and Tel: 67488 – Fax: 01244 674858 renovation work. Supply and fitting of granite Bill Edwards - All makes of tyres and exhausts worktops for kitchens An advert appeared in a student newspaper of a The real art of conversation is not only to university: “Sweet little old lady wishes say the right thing at the right time, but to correspond with good-looking also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the university student – especially a six-footer tempting moment. with brown eyes, answering to initials J.A.D.” It was signed: ‘His mother’. HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE I was helping my aged mother up the stairs on her new Support Workers Required. s tair lift when the vicar phoned. He was horrified to We are recruiting support workers, own hear me say: “Sorry, I’ll have to ring you back. Can’t transport essential, to offer Companionship, talk now because I’ve got Mother in the electric chair
Home Help and Personal Care Service for and I’m eager to press the switch and see if it works!’ adults and older people living in their own Specialising in anything homes in Chester and the surrounding areas. Flexible positions, including full/part time hours from minor roof repairs, and weekend shifts are available for suitable flat roofs to full re-roofs, candidates. lead work and slating. We offer a competitive rate of pay, weekend Dee Roofing covers all aspects of the residential enhancements, mileage to/from client’s home, roofing industry. All Dee Roofing tradesmen are holiday entitlement and free training. experienced CSCS qualified and from the Chester For further information, please call Becky on area. 01244 851744 or Dee Roofing workmen are registered installers of email [email protected] Firestone EPDM rubber roofing, or visit our website at www.homeinstead.co.uk Velux windows and skylight specialists. Contact Peter Reid on: Tel: 01244 681321 Mob: 07786852282 - Email: [email protected] ABBEYFIELD CHESTER SOCIETY Where older people can find a new lease of life. www.deeroofing.co.uk Our house in Queens Park Road, Handbridge (12 rooms) provides sheltered accommodation KEITH S. JONES & SON in a family-like environment where support, Electrical Contractors independence, companionship and privacy are Rewires, Domestic, Commercial & Industrial all on offer. For more details, contact our Tel: 01244 678942 manager, Lorna Hughes, on 01244 678308. email: [email protected]
I-VA ASSIST We brighten days. We shop. We organise. We transport. We run errands. SAUNDERS FOR SERVICE LTD We give families respite. All makes Car Servicing, Repair and MOT We make life easier for people in later years. Services from £99.99 inc. VAT Tel. 01244 350341 MOT £39.99 www.vi-vaassist.co.uk Free Collection and Delivery service [email protected] Free Courtesy Vehicles Free Wash & Vacuum with Service Units 5+6, Ketlan Court, River Lane W, Saltney.Chester. CH4 8SB – Tel - 01244 I680777 www.saundersforservice.co.uk House E-mail: [email protected] Visits Available - 24-Hour Service On Site Parking PAINTING & DECORATING
52 High St., Saltney, Chester CH4 8SF KEITH STOKOE Tel 01244 629999 49 Wavertree Road, Blacon
Personal attention at all times SALTNEY SERVICE STATION Tel: 371408 – Mob. 07970 257918 St. Mark’s Rd. Saltney – Tel: 681679 Peter Langford CLIVE LITTLER servicing and repairs to all makes. 45 yrs. experience No job too small Ever notice that the people who are late are Free estimates often much jollier than the people who have Tel: 372231 – Mob. 07539 653536 had to wait for them?