November Sandon 2016 Parish 40p Magazine

Grief is the price we pay for Love November Church Services St. Andrew's, Sandon Sandon Parish Contacts st Tuesday 1 9:30 am Holy Communion Howe Green URC followed by Tea and Chat Rev Mark Meatcher [email protected] rd Thursday 3 8:30 am CCG Morning Prayer Pam Knott 471691 at East Hanningfield Essex County Councillor th Sunday 6 3rd Sunday before Advent Ian Grundy 01277 840737 10:00 am All Age Communion Service Chelmsford City Councillors with collection of shoeboxes Richard Ambor 222874 th Tuesday 8 9:30 am Holy Communion Bob Shepherd [email protected] 223709 followed by Tea and Chat Ian Wright [email protected] 226289 th Thursday 10 8:30 am CCG Morning Prayer at Sandon Sandon Parish Council th Sunday 13 Remembrance Sunday Ron Bullus [email protected] 473633 8:00 am Said Holy Communion Cedric Calmeyer [email protected] 478900 10:00 am Remembrance Day Service Martin Cross Vice-Chair [email protected] 478910 th Tuesday 15 9:30 am Holy Communion Rosemary Hoare [email protected] 473974 followed by Tea and Chat Dee Hyatt Chair [email protected] 697015 th Thursday 17 8:30 am CCG Morning Prayer at Stock Richard Mbonye [email protected] 476800 th Sunday 20 Christ the King Sandon Village Hall 10:00 am Sung Eucharist Julie Fisher Chair 475976 nd Tuesday 22 9:30 am Holy Communion Evelyn Ellis Vice-Chair 222682 followed by Tea and Chat Ray Kerslake Bookings 472386 rd Wednesday 23 9:30 am Celtic Morning Prayer Uniformed Organisations’ Leaders th Thursday 24 8:30 am CCG Morning Prayer Jean Blake Group Scout 603155 at West Hanningfield Susan Little Brownies 01621 840525 th Friday 25 Patronal Festival Jane Ronaldson Girl Guides 07939 047987 7:30 pm Choral Evensong Janet Bernardes Beavers 476830 Preacher Venerable Elizabeth Snowden Steve Eatly Cubs 07957 802898 Archdeacon of Chelmsford Aimee Agombar Scouts 07549 206055 followed by Cheese and wine Women's Institute th Sunday 27 Advent Sunday Dorothy Gray 223609 10:00 am Sung Eucharist Sandon Sports Club th Tuesday 29 9:30 am Holy Communion Graham Lucas 283730 followed by Tea and Chat Page 2 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 3 Terry’s Letter Christian principles which have human life, from conception to celebrate His coming to earth to As we enter November our shaped our country for many, grave, is a clear teaching of be our Saviour. But the Christian minds can easily turn to the many centuries. Too often there scripture. It is these principles, hopes too for Jesus’ return. The season of remembrance. We is a complacency of which we when properly applied, that need penultimate verse of the Bible have Remembrance Sunday can all be guilty, and if we are to be upheld at all costs, says, “He who testifies to these when we think of those who not careful, the Christian sometimes, tragically, with force, things says, ‘Surely I am coming suffered and died in the 2 World foundations of our society will as in WWII, although I am aware soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Wars and subsequent wars too. crumble entirely, with of the paradox in that statement. Jesus!” So we look forward to That suffering is not confined to consequences that will be far Thank God that there continues the day when Jesus will return. those directly in conflict but also reaching and not to the general to be evidence of Christian But it will be a time of tribulation those at home agonising about good of our population. I don’t civilisation in Great Britain. We and we need to live ready for their loved ones and those left believe such an outcome would still have much to give thanks that day. We will be surprised behind. War also too readily be honouring to those who for, but we must remember that when it comes. Indeed we need destroys infrastructure and sacrificed so much during 1939- these blessings have been hard to live ready to meet the Lord security and hence food supply. 1945, and yet, little by little, it is won. Let us work together to whether in our life, in our death It is often a precursor to famine. happening. This begs the ensure their survival and resist, or in Christ’s return. We rightly come together this question, ‘What do we feel about at all costs, their slow but sure This was a theme that Revd Tim month to remember all who have ‘the survival of our Christian removal from our country. At the Ball brought to the men’s fought to preserve our freedoms civilisation’? Perhaps we feel going down of the sun, and in breakfast at the beginning of and way of life, and I warmly such a phrase is out of date and the morning, we will remember October. He began his working invite you to come to your parish out of place in 2016. Perhaps we them. life as a fireman and was later church at 10 am on have never thought about it and One of the gospel readings in ordained. He pointed out that Remembrance Sunday. It is the would rather not start now November, in the weeks before both involved meeting people at least we can do. In my view we because X Factor is on soon! Or Advent contains the words, “And their end. To help folk think and not only have a duty to perhaps we might just dwell on you will hear of wars and prepare for this he is conducting remember, but also to uphold what our forefathers and rumours of wars; see that you sessions called ‘Grave Talk’. what they fought for. mothers thought of such a are not alarmed; for this must So maybe you will be praying to In 1940, Winston Churchill, in phrase and the concepts behind take place, but the end is not help prepare yourself to think one of his greatest speeches, at it, and we would then do well to yet. For nation will rise against about these issues. the time of the Battle of Britain, recall what it prompted them to nation, and kingdom against This is a way of thinking of the said of the struggle, “Upon this achieve on our behalf, in the kingdom, and there will be hope we have in Jesus that battle depends the survival of defeat of a great evil. famines and earthquakes in death is not the end but a Christian civilisation.” Well I shall Jesus is talked of in the Bible as various places: all this is but the continuation of life begun in him. leave it to others to judge what the ‘Prince of Peace’. He came beginning of the birth-pangs.” So as we remember this month Winston would make of the state ‘to turn swords into plough Here Jesus is speaking of the let us all keep that Hope in our of Christian civilisation in Britain shares and spears into pruning trials that many in the world will hearts, in Christ, and share it and beyond in 2016, but we hooks’. He taught us to ‘love our undergo prior to His return. with those around us. should take a moment to think neighbours as we love Advent means coming and at With love and prayers, about the need to guard the ourselves’, and the sanctity of Christmas we mark and Terry Page 4 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 5 Syria: Praying for peace to the town centres, leaving The Bishop of Wakefield, the women to run the churches. Right Revd Stephen Platten, Pray also for Bishop Maker who recently encouraged parishes to escaped death in 2014 and has join in praying for peace in Syria. been largely operating from Please join us in this excellent Kenya. initiative using the prayer below. He recently visited Rumbek and Prayer for peace in Syria said that the area was largely How long oh Lord? How long? calm except for hunger and We have been crying to you for starvation due to drought. The th peace in Syria; for an end to greatest fear amongst the Operation Christmas Child Saturday 19 Nov killing and despair, an end to population is a return to violence th 10am Sun 6 November Christmas Fayre hostilities on all sides. We thank due to the outstanding political It may be hard to imagine what 12 noon to 2.30 pm in Sandon you for the current cessation of differences amongst the leaders. a difference a shoebox Village Hall hostilities and pray it may turn Please also pray for: containing a few simple toys Lots of stalls including bottle into a long lasting peace. A change of mind-set amongst and gifts makes to a child, but if tombola, gifts, children’s stall, We cry to you for humanitarian both Nuer and Dinka people. you think, for many, this is the cakes, bric and brac, Grand aid to reach those most in need. A restoration to faith for those first time they will receive any raffle and much more. We beseech you for the who have turned away from present at Christmas, it helps Offers of help to Liz on 471756 rebuilding of ruined homes, Jesus. people understand. businesses and communities. The church as it engages in Many are abandoned or have Come and have fun and do We long for the repairing of the evangelism, to share God’s love been removed from abuse, are some Christmas Shopping at breach and the restoration of even in the midst of suffering. ill, or are living in poverty or our Christmas Fayre streets where your children may Pachong Diocese as it attempts squalid conditions. The Hot food, Cakes, Christmas dwell in harmony. to engage constructively with the shoeboxes bring happiness, Stalls, and ... Father We cry out that justice, truth and youth, who are being rehab- not only the presents, but proof Christmas! Free Admission love may prevail for all the ilitated from the effects of war. that someone is thinking of people of Syria. The diocese which has seven them and cares about them. We pray in the name of the archdeaconries and 91 parishes, This Christmas do share in the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ all of which need pastors to be power of a gift - reminding a our Lord. Amen. trained/attend proper theological child that God loves them and bible colleges. they have not been forgotten. South Sudan: The church in both Sudan and Please help to send as many We have just heard from Bishop South Sudan and that it will give shoeboxes as we can. If you John Maker of Pachong Diocese hope to the next generation by would like more details please who asks us to urgently pray for providing opportunities for pick up one of the leaflets at his region, where insecurity is children to go to school and the back of the church. rampant. Many pastors have learn how to provide a better been displaced and have moved future. Amen Page 6 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 7 The Claydon Clinic

Physiotherapy Sports Injury Rehabilitation Acupuncture Tea and Chat www.theclaydonclinic.com Tel/fax 01245 401255 Every Tuesday th 10:15am – 11:30 am Email. [email protected] Sunday 13 November in St. Andrews Room. Old Southend Rd, 10 am Remembrance This is an opportunity where Howe Green CM2 7TB Day service people can pop in for a cup of All the family are welcome as tea or coffee, chat, catch up on we remember those who have local news and make new paid the ultimate sacrifice. friends. This special service will be attended by our uniformed Are you lonely? Our Page answers: All are in the organisations. Feeling blue? Bible except numbers 1 and 7, the cat and the monkey. At 11am there will be a two Then 'Tea and Chat' is minute silence. Please do all Here for you you can to attend. Every Tuesday For an hour There's tea and chat Kevin Willmo MIPTI Flowers by Mary And so much more (IRMT & VTCT dips) • Beautiful Floral designs So come and join us • For home, office, weddings, Have some fun Experienced mobile massage anniversaries, birthdays etc. A welcome's here • Big or small occasions therapist with longstanding For everyone • Traditional to contemporary Sandon and Danbury clientele. designs • Affordable prices Tel: 01206 331529 • Free local delivery Mobile: 07792 221975 01245 477926 07929 840631 www.townandcountrymassage.co.uk [email protected]

Page 8 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 9 written by Bridget Foreman, Something has to change. directed by Paul Burbridge, designed by Sean Cavanagh As the nights draw in, watching her father’s dementia slow him Leah keeps losing things. First it down and her daughter’s future was her knitting, then the race ahead, Leah seems to be sheep, and now her father waiting too – but for what? keeps wandering off. She frequently loses her temper and Simeon’s Watch is an engaging some days she thinks she’s new play about family. A losing her mind. Or is it her wonderful story about growing father Simeon who’s doing that? old, discovering hope and being Staring out of the window, surprised. muttering about angels, waiting with unshakeable conviction for Do support this play. You will ‘God knows what’. It’s all a need to book tickets beforehand game to Leah’s daughter, which and can obtain them directly only makes things worse. from Riding Lights or from Judy Cecil 01245 224747 Page 10 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 11 Bet you don't know A Jewish family, Karnovsky, who They sincerely admired his Now I know why! "Big cheeks" had emigrated from Lithuania to musical talent. Later, when he Interesting! Very interesting. the USA, had pity for the 7-year- became a professional musician Why do men's clothes have Big cheeks old boy and brought him into and composer, he used these buttons on the right while their home. Initially giving 'work' Jewish melodies in women's clothes have buttons David Farrar brings our attention in the house, to feed this hungry compositions, such as St. James on the left? to this fascinating little story. child. There he remained and Infirmary and Go Down Moses. When buttons were invented, A grandson of slaves, a boy was slept in this Jewish family's The little black boy grew up and they were very expensive and born in a poor neighbourhood of home where, for the first time in wrote a book about this Jewish worn primarily by the rich. Since New Orleans known as the his life, he was treated with family who had adopted him in most people are right-handed, it "Back of Town." His father kindness and tenderness. When 1907. In memory of this family is easier to push buttons on the abandoned the family when the he went to bed, Mrs Karnovsky and until the end of his life, he right through holes on the left. Because wealthy women were child was an infant. His mother sang him a Russian lullaby that wore a Star of David and said dressed by maids, dressmakers became a prostitute and the boy he would sing with her. Later, he that in this family, he had learned put the buttons on the maid's and his sister had to live with learned to sing and play several "how to live real life and right! And that's where women's their grandmother. Early in life Russian and Jewish songs. determination." buttons have remained since. he proved to be gifted for music Over time, this boy became the You might recognize his name. and with three other kids he adopted son of this family. The This little boy was called: Louis Why do ships and aircraft use 'mayday' as their call for help? sang in the streets of New Karnovskys gave him money to "Satchmo" Armstrong. This comes from the French Orleans. His first gains were buy his first musical instrument; Louis Armstrong proudly spoke word m'aidez - meaning 'help coins that were thrown to them. as was the custom in the Jewish fluent Yiddish! And "Satchmo" is me' - and is pronounced, families. Yiddish for "Big Cheeks"!!! approximately, 'mayday.' And I'll bet you did not know any of this.

Page 12 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 13 WI Meeting 8th September 2016 After the summer indulgencies of

cream teas and ice creams, Sandon WI members were th brought back to reality with a talk I, Terry Brown, am delighted Friday 25 November by Gabriella Clarke on Nutrition to announce that 7:30 pm for Women’s Health. She told us we have four candidates for Patronal Festival how many items of our diet could Confirmation this year. help our well being and aches for St. Andrew and pains as well as providing rd The Confirmation is on recipes to use such things as Saturday 3 December th Choral Evensong. Sunday 20 November Our Preacher will be seaweed, fennel, soya and Christmas Market at 3:30 pm The Venerable coconut. She also told us that some chocolate is good for us. by the Friends of Sandon Elizabeth Snowden in Chelmsford With that in mind we all Church 5 pm Archdeacon of Chelmsford Cathedral. thoroughly enjoyed our cakes at Service followed tea time without too much of a This evening will include a visit Please pray for by cheese and wine. conscience. from Father Christmas, lighting Andrew, Mike, All most welcome to attend Plans are afoot for a Denman of the Christmas Tree, carol Stewart and Denise this service and singing and various craft stalls the cheese and wine. afternoon tea this month, a pie in church. and mash lunch before our October meeting and a trip to There will be a chance to buy Norwich on 24 th November. all those Christmas presents. Then it’s Christmas! Sandon WI meet on the 3 nd If you would like to have a table at this event and sell your Thursday of the month, 2 pm at produce then ring the Village hall, so please come Terry on 01245 698988 or and join us and find out what email [email protected] else we do. Dorothy Gray

01245 223609

Page 14 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 15 The 6 Presidents of Churches Together in England Picture from www.cte.org.uk/TKC The Presidents of Churches Together in England unite with 'Thy Kingdom Come' Many of the churches in England “We want to encourage our have accepted the invitation of brothers and sisters in churches the Archbishops of Canterbury of all traditions to partner in and York to set aside 10 days praying ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ in before Pentecost Sunday to pray the days leading up to for the renewing and Pentecost, from 25 May - empowering presence of the 4 June, 2017. We hope each Holy Spirit to “make Christ real in church will participate in a way our midst, for the flourishing of that is authentic to them and all”. The Presidents of Churches where possible engage in this Together in England said, “we with partner churches nearby. are delighted to join together to The aim of 'Thy Kingdom Come extend this invitation to all the 2017' is simple and threefold: churches in England to • To join with the whole family participate in this movement of of God the Father prayer in 2017.” • To pray for the empowering of God the Holy Spirit • To be effective witnesses to God the Son Jesus Christ” “We will write to our churches and congregations to ask them to share this aim and to take part. We pray to the Father that his family, called to be one in Jesus Christ, may see the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to transform many lives and communities.” Page 16 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 17 St Andrew's, Sandon NEW St Andrew’s www.sandon-church.info Parish Magazine: Contributions or requests for this As from December 2016 the magazine should be sent to parish magazine will be [email protected] published and distributed every 3 or Richard Cecil, Chestnut months, in December, March, Cottage, CM2 7RN by the 10 th of June and September. the month preceding publication. Saturday 10 th There will be no charge for From the Registers December Ladies Sandon parish residents but of We welcome to the Lord’s family course donations will be Breakfast by baptism: accepted. For those outside the Speaker Elizabeth Snowden Skyler Jayne Rayner parish we will charge 50p per Archdeacon of Chelmsford , 11 th September copy 8:30 am at We celebrate the marriage of Butts Green Garden Centre. David and Emily Haddington It will be delivered to all Book you place (£7) 16 th September households in Sandon, of which on the list there are about 600, will be at the back of the church A Century in Memoriam available in church for other or telephone Janet on Driver Frederick Daniel Card of supporters who want to take one 01245 472997 the Royal House Artillery & and we will continue to send by 5 th December. Royal Field Artillery died of his copies to our friends who have wounds on Wednesday 15th moved away but still want to November 1916 and was buried keep in touch. in Carnoy Military cemetery. He was born in Sandon in 1893 of We hope contributors and Bus Green Caroline Card, of Lower Green, advertisers will continue to Sandon, Chelmsford, and the support the magazine. Services, Garden Centre late (when Frederick died) events and meetings for the George Benjamin Card. Over the coming 3 months will be & Café past few months we have publicised as well as news and witnessed the centenary of the reports of past happenings. Mayes Lane battle of the Somme with all its CM2 7RW slaughter but none from Sandon. Please send in your material by Gifts - Plants - Food Recently Judy and I were near a the 10 th of November for the first Open 9:30 am till 5:00 pm place in the Cotswolds called new style magazine. This will Tel: 01245 223524 Upper Slaughter where all cover plans for December 2016, returned from both World Wars. January and February 2017. for reservations

Page 18 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 19 St John the Apostle th supper he sat next to Jesus and (Feast Day 27 December) leant against him rather than One of the best-known of the resting on the surrounding Apostles; presumed author of couches. He was also the first to the fourth gospel, the book of reach the empty tomb with Peter. Revelation and possibly three He was the only disciple to stay epistles but what do we know of by the cross and, as instructed him? by Jesus he took Mary into his He was born in Galilee in 6AD care after the crucifixion (John and lived a long life, dying in ch 19 vv 26-27) and it is about 100AD. He was the only interesting to wonder why: one of the twelve to die of old possibly because she had no age, rather than be martyred other sons to take care of her. and, of course outlived them all. He was the younger brother of Rather importantly he witnessed James the Greater, both sons of the transfiguration, where Jesus Zebedee and was one of the first went onto a mountain and to be called by Jesus (Mark ch.1 became radiant in Glory in the vv 19-20). presence of John, Peter, James, Moses and Elijah. The voice of He is also known as John the God was heard to call Jesus Divine or John the Evangelist ‘Son’. The account can be found and if one reads his gospel, it is in Matthew ch.17 vv 1-9. clearly different from the other three. He aims to promote belief, There is a story – probably just whereas they contain similar legend – wherein John was stories, possibly based on plunged into boiling oil but Mark’s view. He was exiled for a miraculously emerged while to Patmos – a not unusual unscathed. punishment of the times – and it After his death in Ephesus he was while there that he wrote the was buried and a basilica was Book of Revelation. built on the site. His tomb was excavated in the fifteenth He was much at the centre of century and found to be empty. events –“The Disciple whom His body has been lost and Jesus loved” and is regarded as sadly there have been no claims one of the pillars of the church to his relics. Thus there is no (Galatians ch2 v9) along with shrine to this towering figure of James and Peter. At the last biblical times. Michael Puffett Page 20 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 21 Sampling Monasticism Sister Cassiane met us at the We left after tea and chat on gates of their garden and Tuesday morning light of heart immediately made us all and heavy on expectation. As welcome despite having been our shepherd (Terry) had kept waiting for quite a while. arranged the trip and diligently ensured everyone had directions written by himself, Kim and I were pleased to be travelling in his car. We immediately ignored mosaics of saints. Terry had the directions and followed the arranged for the weather to be Maldon and beyond road to The lovely so we enjoyed this Ship where we all had a fine outdoor art very much. Next we lunch. came to a slightly lighter room decorated floor to ceiling with From here we loaded the post stunning frescos showing code from Terry's directions in scenes from the bible. the satnav, spent fifteen minutes After Richard had ascertained Apparently frescos must be getting to know the car park and the exact type of steel used to painted without stopping as they were off. As the satnav seemed secure the mosaics to the wall change whilst the medium dries confused we followed Colin’s car and Colin had invited a friend he only revealing their true colours until it passed us going in the made in the car park (a vicar an hour or so after the artist has opposite direction. After re- from London) to tag along, the finished. The room also included enacting the Hampton Court She led us along a pathway now fourteen of us visited our several orthodox crosses. Maze saga of Jerome K towards the first of several first room. It was a small dimly lit Dennis asked about the Jerome’s ‘Three men in a boat’, chapels within the grounds past chapel with dark wood panelling difference between these and we decided to trust the satnav. a magnificently decorated wall. covered in icons illuminated with the cross familiar to us as they This led us straight back to the This was our first experience of gold leaf which seemed to create have a small additional bar at pub. Now we tried Terry's written the religious art practised by the its own light. Sister Cassiane the bottom. Sister Cassiane said directions – in reverse. This led brothers and sisters living here. explained that Orthodox us back to Colin’s car, now A vibrant three storey high churches tend to have small parked by Wilkins jam factory. mosaic of animals entering windows and low lighting, relying Divine intervention in the form of Noah’s arc. As we subsequently on the light which seems to Richard Cecil and Vodafone found with all the art work in the radiate from their art and live by ended the country drive and we monastery God has inspired the the light of God in their hearts. arrived at St. John the Baptist brothers and sisters to ensure Monastery half an hour late. every thing is absolutely perfect. We left this chapel and walked It seems every tile, brush stroke through the monastery gardens or placement must be correct. passing several more large Page 22 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 23 that this was tilted with the right A Rhythm of Life I’m going to do that will be hand side (Jesus’ left) slightly Alison Read points us to a text enjoyable in the day. lower to remember the two from Society of Saint John the Here’s something you may thieves either side of Jesus. The Evangelist’s work on the Rhythm include in your Rule of Life: you penitent one on Jesus’ right of Life that Revd Caroline Brown may not “dis” yourself. If there is having the bar higher on his has been leading in Sandon. a part of you that is continually side. There are things that will make a critical about yourself, where real difference in your life. One is you’re not “good enough,” – that Once we had finished here, to have beauty as a daily part of has to stop. You have to look Sister Cassiane took us to the go instead for bread and – oh your life, especially when you go kindly on yourself and love communal dining room. The wait perhaps not. through a difficult patch in life, or yourself as God your Creator monastery has about forty nuns every day is full of challenge. does. You are God’s creation, a and monks sharing several small Our appetite for consumer Christ Using your five senses to take in child of God’s adoration, and you chapels and one dining room. sated we said goodbye and beauty will give you a different need to cooperate with that. This room is no exception from multumesc, Romanian for thank sense of balance in your life. And then, what about Sabbath the rest of the monastery in that you, to Sister Cassiane. (She is The difficulties won’t go, but you practice – a day to be and not to no piece of wall is left wanting Romanian and I wanted to show will get a much greater sense of do? If you cannot figure into for religious art. The theme now off after a reluctant business trip harmony, blend, direction, focus, your life a weekly Sabbath, then is saints and there’s an to Bucharest a few years ago) hope. think about a Sabbath practice individual picture of every saint She smiled, as she had been Something else that I do is to that can inform some of every recognised by the Orthodox since we arrived, and kindly plan for something that I know day. It will make a world of Church. It's a larger room than didn't test my Romanian further. I will be enjoyable, every day. I difference to you, and you’re the rest and the nuns had very think everyone of us left plan for something that I know worth it! kindly set it out for us with tea, impressed not just with the art coffee and biscuits. and design which was obvious but also the peace and joy we We rounded off our visit in saw in the people who lived traditional British excursion there. Also thank you very much manner by an inspection of the to Terry for arranging everything gift shop attached to the and letting me blame him for refectory. It is in fact a good shop anything that may have gone and in generally better taste than entertainingly awry. Finally I most I have visited.. To prove should say he didn't actually this Kim bought a fridge magnet arrange the weather; he can't depicting the last supper in the really do that in case anyone has hope that if the kids bother to a holiday planned. look at it (which they won't) they Mark Davies might leave the good stuff and

Page 24 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 25 Some Adventure space about 30' from the trail. It one else, so I would be next to myself for milk powder and tea Andrew Harding gives us a must have been about 5.30. I get to it, and could take bags! A touch of Britishness in sense of where some adventure pitched camp, and made tea. whatever I needed. Trail the wilderness . I broke camp can lead! Quiet and peaceful, very etiquette says you only take and started the ascent of the I had planned to walk what is soothing to be this close to what you need, so when I found butte, some 3 ,000 feet. There known as 'The Pacific Crest Trail' nature. Easing in. The sun went it, exactly where he said, I filled were 8 switchbacks, I knew this, - PCT - some 2,600 miles down and I turned in. two pouches. I now had six litres and I had determined to stop at northbound from Mexico to the Next day, Sunday, I was up early of water and about five miles to each turn if it was twenty Canadian border. A long, long, with the light. A heavy dew on walk, including an overnight minutes, or more, between. A walk, about 5 months to do, and the outside of the tent, meant I camp. Perfect. Water from a cool little mind game. I also nearly 7 months of planning. could sense the impending heat, source on a long walk, is about determined not to look up or at Terry has asked that I record the and I broke camp after more tea the best thing in the world. the distance to the top. I started events of my fateful trip, and and breakfast. My plan was to I had dropped to look for what was revealed to me. walk to Hauser Creek, no water down into what I had In late April of this year, I set off. there, so a silly misnomer, and Hauser Creek, called in my The start of the trail is at the camp there. That would be found a perfect mind, 'sipping Mexican border. Quite a shock. somewhere around 12 to 14 site and stones', where Big sheets of metal making what miles further, which was about pitched camp. I could sit, rest is clearly a wall, stretching right for the first full day. I noticed my pack horizon to horizon. The Southern Beautiful, barren scenery as I another hiker without taking Terminus of the PCT is about 20' came out of the relatively who I had it off, and take in from that. I took a few sheltered and green areas of the seen earlier a mouthful of moments, re-hitched my bag, first few miles, hard and had also water. In time, and started to walk, it was mid to unforgiving, but vista after vista. arrived, and I crested the late afternoon. It made me smile I dropped out onto a dirt road shortly summit, took with pleasure and nerves. Pretty about one mile from my thereafter a time to soon I found the first mile prospective camp site, to find a third remember to marker. A very strong sense of wiry, very old, suntanned man on appeared. look back, and the wilderness, and I stopped for a tiny scooter. I flagged him Positively Andrew Harding setting off thoroughly a picture. So about 15 minutes down and asked if he knew busy. from the Mexico border enjoyed this in, a landmark moment, and I where any water source near by Camp was small was on the PCT. may be. He asked me where I calm and peaceful , as was I with achievement. My plan was to walk for about was from, and was I 'a through the knowledge that a tough climb The views were simply stunning, two or three miles, about an hiker' (going all the way to and five miles would see me at I knew I was about 2 miles into hour, and start to look for a camp Canada). He was very excited I Lake Morena, with showers and the day, had about 2 and a half site. I wanted just to ease in, no was from the UK, and advised a resupply shop. I slept well, and litres of water, and about 2 or 3 rush, and just get the rhythm of me he was a 'trail angel', and again woke with a remarkably miles to go. All on time, all on walking. At about mile three, I had just dropped off a cache of easy body, no aches. Another schedule. I had several hours found a really nice flat, quiet ice cold water. He had seen no cup of tea, so pleased with Page 26 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 27 before dark anyway, no need to the back pack, I was a bit like an my mind. It was not the whole rush. upside down tortoise. I think I life flashing by thing, that you I was stupidly feeling a bit smug, passed out again, and came to hear of when people are at the and enjoying the whole PCT violently trying (again), to vomit very edge, nor was it a making thing. The trail started an easy and shivering with cold. 'peace' thing either, but more of descent, and into sheltered, cool A girl hiker arrived, the only a consideration of things. I knew woodland type growth. Down the person I had seen, saw me and Sarah, my fiancé, was on the trail, no worries, and a slow assessed the situation, I trail with me, I had spoken to her incline up. I knew the trail would assume, and soaked a bandana in that canyon, so I do know she Saturday 12 th November crest a 'saddle', maybe a to put on my head. I remember it was there. Men’s Breakfast hundred feet, nothing to what I was blue. It was also very clear I knew I may well not survive had just come over, then sweep from her reaction that she knew this. The odds were very high Speaker Nicholas Henshall down, slight ups, but generally how serious this was. She against me, it was getting late, Dean of Chelmsford down, to Lake Morena. promised me help, that she had the helicopter had gone, I The trail started to rise, out into to leave to get it, but help would thought, and there was a peace Nicholas is an excellent the heat again, and very dusty. come. to it all. Almost inevitable. Liz, speaker who will certainly wake Dirt that had seen no water for I have no clear recollection of my daughter, had given me a you up on a Saturday morning. months, scuffing up small clouds times and timing. Let's say, and small St Christopher, which was It is great that he has found the as I walked. I also realized that I it feels right, that I keeled over buried deep in my back pack. I time to come and speak to us. had a couple of blisters that had about 1pm. That means I had thought a lot about that. Many I do hope you can join us for a decided to say hello. I had seen come up and over the butte, and other thoughts went through my Full English breakfast (£7) at no one all day. covered about 2 and a half miles mind, nothing focused, not on 8.30am at Butts Green Garden And just about then it hit me that through the course of the specifics, just family. Again and Centre. Book you place on the I was not feeling at all well, felt morning. Slow progress, but all again, I think I must have passed list at the back of the church or the lights going out and my brain about right in that terrain. I faded in and out, cold, trying to vomit, telephone Dennis on 01245 all fuzzy, fizzy sounds in my in and out, and was now very shivering and very lonely. 472997 by 7 th November. ears. I knew I was going to hit cold and shivering. I kept trying The helicopter had not flown the dirt, face forward. to vomit and kept sliding down to away, and had been looking for I came to in the middle of the lay slumped. It took all my a place to land. One of the trail. I felt very sick and strength to sit up. officers came down the trail Christenings or disorientated, and knew I was At about 6pm, I heard a towards me shouting my name, Weddings seriously not good. I could not helicopter, and saw it over the so I must have got it right for the stand. I was trying to vomit, ridge I had just descended. It girl hiker. He asked questions St. Andrews Church could not move my legs, and was clearly searching. I could and triaged me. He had no Sandon had a crippling headache. not get up, and I could not be medical equipment, and radioed Contact Obviously, I still had my pack on. sure if it saw me. I was between his pilot and another Revd. Terry Brown on 01245 698988 I crawled a few feet up the trail convinced it had flown away. helicopter. He advised I needed or to a scrubby tree, and slumped During this time, alone in the dirt, urgent medical help, and he said email [email protected] onto my back, unable to remove a lot of things had gone through on the radio that I was Page 28 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 29 deteriorating rapidly. I faded in been the ER. They put stuff into two drips. Sarah phoned, and over a week earlier, and out, and was very confused me through two intravenous they simply handed me a phone geographically less than a mile. that there were now two drips. I remember him shouting to talk to her. I was overcome How can these things ever be helicopters. I know they at me to stay awake, stop with emotion and relief. measured? From my determined immediate shivering and breath normally. During the next hours in hospital, determination to walk the PCT, evacuation, because they put He kept asking me questions, the seriousness of my condition to being found in the heat and me in a body bag on a flat bed, my name, my age, what year it and how dangerous some of the dust of that same PCT, but and winched me up. There was was. I had my name band on, tests were showing when they barely with the adventure under no area for the big medical but clearly remember a variety of came back, meant they were way. Being found and helped by helicopter to land. answers as I struggled to focus. I going to admit me for some time. a complete stranger. Indeed, all was panting short gasps, and It seems I was less than one the doctors seem to agree, My biggest concern, I remember, shuddering with cold. hour from death. My heart beat having my life saved by what was how cold I was, how much I was all over the place, and the that stranger did. What took her wanted to sleep, and why no one We arrived at an ER. I was filthy ER Doctor said he thought my to the PCT, what life path. So, I would let me get warm or let me dirty, my clothes in shreds, and core temperature had hit 40' for say again, how can these things close my eyes. The helicopter no id or visible means of support all these symptoms to have be measured? When I eventually winch man had constantly asked or proof of anything at all. My manifested themselves. They returned to the UK, it took quite me my name and age, over and accent helped, I think, and there decided I had dangerously high some time for BA to allow me to over, and again I think I recall were some nurses curious potassium levels and was at fly, I was struggling to know what thinking I wish he would just about what had come to pass. massive risk of heart attack or to do, and how to come to terms write it down. My back pack had gone, taken stroke. I was suffering crippling with what had happened. Or, by the helicopter pilot, but it cramp in both legs, and they more accurately, what had not I knew the helicopter was flying meant I had nothing. I did realize also knew that my hormone happened. I spoke at great somewhere. Obviously. But I had I had my iPhone in my pocket, it levels and toxins in my blood length to Terry, whose kindness no idea where. I came to being had not worked in the canyon, were still very dangerously high. and help have clarified for me hauled and heaved into an and I had left it on. I do not, to There is no explanation, at least the next few steps. After my ambulance. I simply do not know this day, know why it was in my not yet, for why it was then and conversations with him, and our where we were. The medic in the pocket and not in the back pack. there, and not before or reflections together, I am ambulance cut through my Battery was down to very, very, elsewhere, that it all hit. seeking to be confirmed in trouser legs and the sleeves and low. One message out, and it Reflecting on this, as I now November. chest of my shirt. Shredded would probably die. I sent Sarah have, I wonder if it was simply a I know I was not alone in that everything. I was now violently a message. It was, apparently, confluence of things that in canyon. I do not know why I was shivering, gasping and retching, about 06.00 London time. That isolation would not have had saved, and I do not yet know for and very confused. The made it 10 in the evening San impact. Jet lag, heat, strenuous what purpose. So many things ambulance man kept pinching Diego time. I was very alone exercise, altitude, altered diet, went to my life being saved. my shoulder muscles to keep me again, very unsure and very my own emotions - adrenalin, Strangers, luck, and, I am conscious. I was fading in and nervous. Still shivering and cold, excitement, pleasure. convinced, the little St out, and he was on the radio to the ER nurses had put space Dramatically, I was light years Christopher. Something much, someone. I think it must have blankets on me, and I was on from where I had started just much, more too. My daughter Page 30 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 31 had also given me an old Celtic poem, which I carried with me, the last lines of which are '..and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand'. I know now He did, and He was with me in that hot, dirty lonely canyon, where I knew I would die. I have been given an incredible gift, and I am still trying to sort out why me, and what is this gift for. These answers are slowly becoming clear, coming into a focus, but like the PCT, it seems to be a very long way. I know who will be walking beside me though. Andrew Harding

Page 32 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 33 Pear and Chocolate caramelise. Tip into a 1½ litre Dog, Cat & Mouse Crumble baking dish. St Martin de Porres is often Base: shown with mice because, 4 large ripe pears Make the crumble by rubbing according to one story, the Half a lemon butter into flour until it looks like monastery had problems with 30g butter breadcrumbs, stir in the sugar rodents and decided to put traps 50g caster sugar and oats. (I don’t understand out. Martin was so upset that he why people do all this rubbing spoke to the mice and agreed Crumble: when just warming and melting St Martin de Porres that if they would leave the 85g butter the butter is so much easier. It is Martin was born in 1579 in Lima, monastery, he would feed them 80g plain flour what I have done for years. Ed.) Peru, the son of a former slave. at the back door of the kitchen. 80g Demerara sugar Chop the chocolate and stir He grew up in poverty and was From that day forward, no 3 tablespoons oats through the crumble mixture. taken in by a religious order as a mouse was seen in the 70g dark chocolate servant boy. The monks looked monastery. Tip the crumble mixture on top of down on Martin because he was Which of these animals do you Warm oven to 180C /gas 4. the pears. Leave the surface mixed-race but in time his think are actually mentioned by Wash the pears, remove the rough, do not pack it down. Bake behaviour led to the Dominican name in the Bible? cores and chop into quarters 45 minutes till lightly coloured. Order stopping their racial limits (Peel them if you like). Toss them on admission and he was made Cat, Horse, Dog, Mouse in juice of the lemon to stop them Enough for 4 people. a full brother. He worked Lamb, Frog discolouring. Melt the butter in a tirelessly on behalf of the poor, Monkey, Lion pan and cook the pears and Offered by Narelle Arnold starting an orphanage and a Donkey, Ox sugar till they start to soften and courtesy of Nigel Slater children's hospital. During his lifetime he was seen Answers on page. 8 in other places. An African slave said Martin came to comfort him and many others. When the same man later saw him in Peru, How does a group of dolphins he was very happy to meet him make a decision? again and asked Martin if he had Flipper coin. had a good voyage; but Martin had never left Lima. How do sheep sign their In pictures, Martin de Porres is letters? shown as a young man with a ‘Ewes sincerely.’ broom, since he thought all work sacred, no matter how lowly. He Judy tells me this is ewes- is also shown with a dog, cat and able. mouse, all eating in peace from Ed the one dish. Page 34 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine Sandon Parish Magazine November 2016 Page 35 Saint Andrew’s Parish Church Contacts

Revd. Terry Brown* Priest-in-Charge 698988 [email protected]

Church Warden David Farrar* 471484

PCC Secretary Christine Mennie* 281305 PCC Treasurer Nick Bobeldijk* 471756 Child Protection Alison Read 474858 Vulnerable Adults Christine Farrar 471484 Electoral Roll Liz Bobeldijk 471756 Organist Ron Woods 268304 Bell Ringing Nick Tovey 472692 Tiny Tots Alison Read 474858 Magazine Editor Richard Cecil 224747 as * above and Colin Bryan, Judy Cecil, Parochial Church Anna Cosby, Valerie Grimwood, John Gruby, Council Members Simon Johnson, Michael Puffett, Dennis Terry and Janet Terry

Regular Activities

nd 2 Sundays of the month 8:00 am Holy Communion (Traditional) 10:00 am Family Service Other Sundays 10:00 am Parish Eucharist Tuesdays 9:30 am Holy Communion 10:00 am Tea/Coffee and Chat 7:45 pm Bell Ringing Practice Wednesday 9:30 am Celtic Prayer (4 th Wed of month) 1:00 pm Tiny Tots (term time only) Fridays 7.30 pm Choir Practice Page 36 November 2016 Sandon Parish Magazine