Great Totham Parish

Magazine sent to every home in Great Totham April 2019

Easter Services at St. Peter’s Church

Maundy Thursday 18th April 7:30pm until 9pm Eucharist of the Last Supper followed by Prayer Watch

Good Friday 19th April 2pm Stations of the Cross

Easter Day 21st April 6am Dawn Eucharist 8am Morning Prayer 10am Family Communion

All Welcome

Inside This Edition: Looking forward to Easter Children’s Activities

Sunday (see page 10 for details) 8am Holy Communion (Prayerbook) or Morning Prayer

10am Parish Communion or Service of the Word (with Sunday Club for children)

6pm Evensong

Choir Practice Mondays 10.30 am Senior Citizens Lunch Club Tuesdays in the Honywood Hall 11am Study & Discussion Wednesdays 10.30am at Honywood Hall

Thursday 10.30am Edward Bear Club (Toddler

Service, followed by coffee and play) Parish Contacts: Mother’s Union During the Interregnum 4th Friday of each month, 1.45pm for all church matters please Bell-ringing Practice contact: Fridays at 7.45 pm

Associate Priest Rev’d Sue Godsmark : 01621 891513 Email : [email protected]

If you are unable to contact the Associate Priest please speak to the Churchwardens

Churchwardens Isobel Doubleday : 01621 891329 Karen Tarpey : 01621 892122

Baptism Co-ordinator Janet Gleghorn : 01621 892746

Magazine: Enquiries : Helen Mutton : 01621 891067 Adverts : Pauline Stebbing : 01621 892059 Email : [email protected]

Website: www.essexinfo.net/st-peter-s-church-great-totham 3

Church News

Dedication of Communion Wine Vessels

Earlier this year, a glass communion wine vessel was broken and a replacement was proving difficult (impossible) to find.

Knowing that I was in the glass trade, Karin Mann approached me to see if I could help.

This is where the story begins. In 2014, a very good Polish friend of mine, Tom Czecho, lost his wife, Kate Skupin; he was naturally devastated. Knowing my connection with St Peters, which he had visited, he asked if we could add his wife’s name to the weekly prayers, which was duly done.

Poland is a very religious Roman Catholic country, in fact, during the communist regime when religion was frowned upon, Poland rebelled, but, as a consequence had to submit to severe hardships. I remember visiting, where, on a Sunday, there were only one or two priests for the entire city and worshippers crowded in the streets outside the churches; those that were open!!

During our many trips, my wife Angela and I also visited a city called Czestochowa (a famous Polish shrine), which was always packed (like Lourdes). Czestochowa is a fascinating city with a beautiful cathedral.

So, now up to date, Poland is a well known producer of glassware, so I contacted Tom to ask if he could help. He in turn contacted a Crystal Glass Factory, called ‘Violetta’. The Polish named a lot of their glassworks with female names, thanks to the communist regime in nationalising them!

Violetta is situated in the south of Poland, by the Czech border, about 200 miles from Warsaw, 100 miles or so from Krakow.

/continued on page 5

Church News

/continued from page 4

The vessels (bottles) are lead crystal, mouth blown and hand cut, and of extremely good quality. This factory also makes for Waterford, Edinburgh and other well known makes.

They, courtesy of Tom, supplied them without charge, but with a special request. On asking the cost, I was asked that St Peter’s remembered Kate in their prayers on 24th February, the date she died, and asked for a psalm to be read in her memory. As a consequence of this, the vessels were kindly donated and Kate was remembered in our prayers during the service on 24th February. In addition, Rev’d Sue Godsmark also blessed and dedicated the vessels. The 23rd Psalm was also read, being probably the most well-known and appropriate for the circumstanc- es The same is read (but not sung) in Poland, where it is also well known. A similar service was held the same day in Szczecin (Stettin), Poland, on the Baltic.

Together with our connection to Bragernes Kirke in Drammen, Norway, we have truly interna- tional connections.

Grateful thanks were received from Tom, who tendered all good wishes and peace to the congregation of St Peter’s Church, Great Totham.

Peter Roast

Church News

Wednesday 3rdWednesday April 3rd“ JustApril as a bulb cannot“Just beas a bulb readycannot for be Springready unless for it hasSpring lived unless throughit has Win-lived ter,through so Chris- Win- tianster, cannot so Chris- betians ready cannot for Easterbe ready unless for theyEaster have unless ob- servedthey haveLent- ob- Godserved’s Spring- Lent- timeGod” ’s Spring- time”

Church News

Lent and Easter Study

St Peter’s Church continues our Lent and Easter study at The Honywood, Hall Road (opposite St Peter’s Walk) each Wednesday in Lent from 10.30am. Below is our programme for April, it is not too late to join us and we welcome you. Sometimes it's serious; sometimes it's fun; sometimes it's serious fun! For more details contact Paul on 01621-893153, email [email protected]

“Just as a bulb cannot be ready for Spring unless it has lived through Winter, so Chris- tians cannot be ready for Easter unless they have observed Lent-God’s Springtime”

Wed 3rd April - Lent Study 5 73 Brother, sister, let me serve you John 13:21-30 328 Make me a channel of Your Peace

Wed 10th April - Lent Study 6 499 There is a Green Hill Mark 15:1-38 549 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Wed 17th April - Easter Study 1 88 Come and See Mark 15:39-47 & John 19:31-42 399 On a hill Far Away

Wed 24th April - Easter Study 2 508 This is The Day John 20 & 21 503 Thine be the Glory

In your prayers at home this month, please include:

Our ‘Friendship Church’ - Bragernes Kirke, Drammen, Norway; Bob, Adam, Mary, Keith, Daphne, Roger, Pat, Roger, Sylvia, Dennis, Geoff, Laura, David, Lucy, Joe and Noah.

Church News

Easter

Rev’d Sue Godsmark, the Churchwardens and Parochial Church Council wish you all a very happy Easter. We would be delighted to see you at one of our services. For more details, please contact Rev’d Sue, Isobel Doubleday, Karen Tarpey or any member of the congregation.

February Coffee Morning

Will we be reading this when the weather has turned cold again, remembering the very sunny warm days at the end of February? There was standing room only that week and Nick had to go out and buy more baps after running out of ‘butties’ too soon. OR have people dropped off the wagon of the January diet?..... A very enjoyable morning catching up with friends.

We look forward to seeing you all again on Saturday, 27th April.

Sheila Allen

Sunday Club - 3rd March

See what we get up to for yourself; come along at 10am on any Sunday morning at St Peter’s Church.

All welcome.

Church News

Decorating St. Peter’s for Easter

The period of Lent has meant a time without any flowers decorating our Church and to celebrate the rising of the Lord on Easter Day we would like to have a wonderful display throughout our Church. Please come along to help decorate St. Peter’s on Saturday, 20th April from 9am. You are all very welcome. Christine Walker Easter Lilies

If you would like to commemorate a loved one you are invited to make a donation towards the cost of lilies to decorate St. Peter’s for Easter.

Donations can be given to Sue Keyes, Peter Roast or the Churchwardens, Isobel Doubleday or Karen Tarpey. Christine Walker

Ash Wednesday

Rev’d Sue Godsmark led our Ash Wednesday service on March 6th, the day after Shrove Tuesday. Psalm 51 was read by Robert Tarpey and John Doubleday read 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 20 to chapter 6, verse 10.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent and is considered a day to cleanse the soul before Lent begins. Palm crosses from the last Palm Sunday are burned and the ash is used to mark parishioners with a cross on their foreheads to symbolize repentance for sin. Christine Walker

200+ Club Draw Winners

February

First Prize - Ivy Coker Second Prize - Julian Mann Third Prize - Madge Dewing

If you would like to join the scheme, whose proceeds benefit the church, please contact Roger Allen on 892334

Church News Services at St Peter’s Church

April Sunday, 7th April 8am Holy Communion Fifth Sunday of Lent 10am Morning Service of the Word 6pm Evensong Sunday, 14th April 8am Morning Prayer Palm Sunday 10am Family Communion 6pm Evensong Thursday, 18th April 7.30pm Eucharist of the Last Maundy Thursday Supper followed by Prayer Watch Friday, 19th April 2pm Stations of the Cross Good Friday Sunday, 21st April 6am Dawn Eucharist Easter Day 8am Morning Prayer 10am Family Communion

Sunday, 28th April 8am Morning Prayer Second Sunday of Easter 10am Morning Service of the Word 6pm Evensong

If you are considering baptism for yourself or your children, confirmation, weddings, funeral arrangements, Holy Communion at home, or you would just like a visit, please get in touch with Rev’d Sue Godsmark or one of the Churchwardens (see page 3 for contact details).

Photographs

On many occasions, photographs are taken of adults and children for the Parish Magazine, Church Website and Church Facebook page to record the life and work of the church in Great Totham. If at any time you would prefer that a photograph was neither kept nor used, please indicate this to the photographer who will delete the image.

Church News

Friends of Saint Peter’s Church

The Friends of Saint Peter’s Church is a charity, formed to assist in the preservation of this beautiful village building. It is an important venue, not only in spiritual terms, but because of the part it plays in the life of the wider community. As well as services of baptism, marriage and burial, St Peter’s plays host to a variety of organisations including Rainbows, Ed- ward Bear Club and the Community Choir. It is also under the auspices of St Peter’s that we can enjoy a traditional Village Fete or Flower Festi- val, concert or quiz, a meal with friends at Lunch Club or companionship at Knit and Natter.

As a result of changes in data protection laws, we now need your consent to contact you. By completing the application form on page 31, you will be confirming your consent to The Friends of Saint Peter’s holding and using your personal data solely for the purposes of the charity. Con- tact details are not shared with any third party.

We are grateful to the many Friends of St Peter’s for their continuing support and would welcome new members with an interest in preserving the Church for future generations. Vicky Heaviside Open Gardens

Well - Spring is here at last and lots of gardeners will no doubt be busy digging, planting, pruning and maybe praying too, so that all goes well for our special weekend on the 18th/19th May.

We thank them all for agreeing to open their gardens for people to see and enjoy the results of all their hard work. Please help by advertising the event among your friends and family.

We hope you will enjoy wandering around the gardens, chatting to other like-minded people - a relaxing way to spend some time after a busy week maybe! Our central point is the Village Hall where we shall be selling the programmes. We shall also be providing light refreshments there - a chance to rest and look at the photographic exhibition on display. Daphne Taplin (893195)

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Church News

News from the Belfry

Michael Portillo uses Bradshaw’s Guide for his railway journeys around the United Kingdom and Europe. Bell ringers have “Dove’s Guide for church bell ringers to the rings of bells of the world”. Dove’s Guide was first published in 1950 and the 11th edition has been recently passed to the printer. The guide is also online at https://dove.cccbr.org.uk/ home.php. The guide provides details of churches and other buildings with rings of bells with three or more bells and also a tenor weighing greater than 0.5cwt. The guide does not include rings of bells that can only be chimed. An entry in Dove’s Guide provides the following information; location, county or state, name of building, number of bells, weight of tenor, practice night and other information for example whether the bells can be rung or not. In addition there may be a link to a website, as in the case of St. Peter’s Great Totham,

The countries with rings of bells are as follows (Ireland includes both Eire and Northern Ireland): England 6697, Wales 227, Australia 62, USA 48, Ireland 39, Scotland 23, Channel Islands 11, South Africa 10. Canada 8, New Zealand 8, Isle of Man, Windward Islands and Zimbabwe 2 and lastly Belgium, India, Kenya, Pakistan and Spain 1.

As a bell ringer, a warm welcome awaits everyone at all the rings of bells throughout the world. Over the past three years six new ringers at St. Peter’s have learnt to ring bells and now ring on Sunday mornings and have also become members of the EACR. With Dove’s guide to hand I wonder where they will ring next!

If you are interested in learning to ring the bells at St. Peter’s please contact our Tower Captain Janice Spalding on 01621 892197, come along to our Friday practice at 19.45 hours or visit http:// greattothambellringers.org.uk. Andrew Hood Hatfield Peverel Bowling Club Open Day 10am to 4pm, Saturday, 4th May Wickham Bishops Road, Hatfield Peverel CM3 2JL

The club offers short mat bowls throughout the year and lawn bowls May to September. Come along and have a go at both. Woods will be provided but please wear flat shoes. For more information, visit our website http://www.hatfieldpeverelbowling.org/ or contact 01621 892150.

Andrew Hood

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Church News

Text for the Week: April

7th April 14th April As we gather as God’s people Blessed is the king who comes in today, we worship our righteous the name of the Lord! Peace in Lord and King and pray for his heaven and glory in the highest. kingdom on earth. May his justice set the captives free and his mercy prevail forever. MU Wave of Prayer Luke 19:38 21st April Easter Sunday 28th April Alleluia, Christ is risen! Lord we Lord of the nations, we praise you Praise you that through Christ’s that your government is perfect. resurrection you bless us with We gladly place ourselves under abundant life. Help us not to take your rule and authority, trusting in this gift of new life for granted, but your plans for the here and now, to share our joy with others. and for all eternity. MU Wave of Prayer MU Wave of Prayer

Bible Readings for April

7th April Ps. 126 5th Sunday of Lent Phil. 3. 3-14 (Gospel) John 12. 1-8 14th April Isa. 50. 4-9 Palm Sunday Phil. 2. 5-11 (Gospel) Mark 21st April Ps. 118. 1-2, 14-24 Easter Day 6am Acts 10. 34-43 (Gospel) Luke 24. 1-12 Easter Day 10am Isa. 65. 17-end Acts 10. 34-43 (Gospel) Luke 24. 1-12 28th April Ps. 118. 14-end Second Sunday of Easter Acts 5. 27-32 (Gospel) John 20. 19-end

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Village News

Wickham Bishops Flower Club Our Annual Meeting was held in the Village Hall on 26th February and in her report Wendy, our Chairman, said that, although it had been a good year with some talented flower arrangers and two successful workshops, the accounts still showed a loss. However, we battle on in the hope things will improve. As no additional members came forward to join the Committee, our present Committee were voted in en bloc: Chairman: Wendy Blagrove, President and Secretary: Christine Walker, Janet Stinson: Programme Secretary, Susan Lucas: Treasurer and Jenny Barclay, Chris Reece-Ford, Angela Fuller, and Carole Parker. Hattie Philips agreed to collect the money for the ‘Flower of the Month’ competition and keep a record of the winners which will be a great help at our meetings

After refreshments Wendy introduced Pamela Cantellow, with her demonstration ‘Bric-a-Brac’; I think that meant her containers, as her arrangements were amazing.

Our meeting on Tuesday 23rd April will be our spring workshop, where we all attempt our own arrangement. If you wish to join in, please bring your own bunch of flowers; we will provide oasis, dish and tape, plus assistance if required. Even if you do not wish to make your own arrangement, please come along to support others and enjoy a chat with friends only seen monthly. We look forward to seeing members, friends and visitors in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on that evening. Christine Walker Great Totham Gardening Club

On 4th March Norman Wright entertained us with his ‘Good Days Out’. Norman is a ‘Bird Watcher’ so he went not too far away, in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk, Orford, Minsmere and the Ouse washes to name a few. His talk was followed by a quiz to see if we could remember the wild fowl we had seen. Norman also had slides of recent show exhibits and prize winners. People also collected their potato buckets and potato to plant and there were plants for sale.

The Spring Show is fast approaching on Saturday, 6th April at 2.30pm in the Village Hall; entries close at 7pm on Thursday 4th April. These should be sent to Mr. S. Hyam, 1 Staplers Heath or Mrs. L. Warr, 28 Chapel Road. There are Divisions for Flowers, Floral Art, Amateur Photography, Cookery, Vegetables, Arts and Crafts and Children’s classes up to 14 years. Please come and view the entries if you are not exhibiting. There will be homemade refreshments throughout the afternoon and we look forward to seeing you.

Our final assembly before the serious gardening commences will be on Monday, 29th April in the Village Hall at 7.45pm, when Spencer Squire from Goldhanger will give us a talk about bees. We look forward to seeing you. Christine Walker

Church News

What Happens on Palm Sunday? Palm Sunday (sometimes known as Passion Sunday) is commemorated as the day on which Jesus entered Jerusalem on His last journey into the city before the crucifixion. It is the last Sunday of Lent and is a moveable event representing the start of Holy Week. As we saw from the article last month on the Spring Equinox, Easter always occurs on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the Spring Equinox. This year Easter Sunday is on 21 April meaning Palm Sunday will fall on 14 April.

On this day, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. This is highly symbolic expressing Jesus’ intention to show that He was coming in peace since, if He had ridden into the city on a horse that would have indicated He was entering for war as this was the method adopted by war -like kings of the time. The Bible shows that many people gathered to greet Jesus and they laid down palm leaves and branches (and also robes) on the ground in front of Him as He entered the city. This would also have made it easier for the donkey as potholes etc on a rocky road were common even then!

The celebration of this event appears to have started as early as the 8th century in the ‘Frankish Empire’ (originally the largest post-Roman barbarian kingdom in Western Europe but which had adopted the Roman Catholic faith by AD 750). At that time, there was a procession on Palm Sunday during which palms were blessed. There is still a ceremony involving a procession to the church, a blessing of the palms followed by a Mass.

Some countries make crosses out of palm branches and leaves and decorate them with flowers which are then cut to make ornaments. In the Netherlands, crosses are made of palms and decorated with candles and bread. Afterwards the palm branches are kept and put in front of houses as a sign of welcome to Jesus and “all men of good faith”.

Where palms are not readily available other types of plants are used. For instance, olive branches are used in Italy as well and are also used to symbolise Jesus’ prayer on Mount Olive. It has been known for yew branches to be used in Ireland where Palm Sunday was called Yew Sunday or Domhnach an luir. Other European countries have also used types of willow trees and history shows that flowers and/or flower petals were often sprinkled. Elsewhere such as in South America, Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is often re-enacted by a priest arriving at church sitting on a donkey riding over palm leaves, branches and clothes lain on the ground. /continued on next page 20

Church News

/continued from previous page Some countries have quite different traditions for Palm Sunday. For instance in Finland, children dress up as Easter witches and go round houses trading decorated pussy willow branches for coins and sweets whilst chanting (in Finnish) “I’m wishing you a fresh, healthy upcoming year, a branch for you, a prize for me!”. This is an old Karelian (Karelia was once a Finnish province) custom. In Latvia, the date is called Pussy Willow Sunday symbolising new life and children are often woken by being swatted by willow branches! In Poland, competitions are held using artificial palms to see who can build the highest palm. Chris Bingham

Come and join us for our Hot Cross Bun Morning On Saturday 13th April Between 10am and 12 noon At the Honywood Hall

We will be serving teas, coffees and of course hot cross buns.

There will be cakes, jams, marmalades and many different Easter themed items for sale. An Easter raffle with prizes including an Easter egg, plants and maybe a bot- tle of something.

Please bring a friend with you to enjoy a nice little natter.

Village News

20 Years of Campanology

One Sunday in 1998, Essex Radio came to St. Peter’s Church in Great Totham looking for bell ringers to ring for the Millennium. This got me interested and I was interviewed by Karen Smith, followed by David Barclay showing me how to ring a bell. This looks fairly easy, but actually there’s a lot that goes into getting it right. On Friday nights I went to practice, where Mick Edwards would teach me to ring, although rounds and call changes were the limit at which I felt comfortable, ringing six bells at St. Peter’s. I tended to ring the second, although occasionally I would ring treble or third. Years ago, a curtain would be closed to separate the ringers from the congregation. Now there is a rope to stop people walking in amongst us whilst we are ringing for health and safety reasons, of course. This is attached to the back pew and a hook on the inside church wall with another hook behind the font.

The Tower has a captain and in 1998 when I started, the Tower captain was Edwin Parsons. Often we would go ringing at other venues around the country and would join a convoy of cars and venture to ring for weekends in places such as Bath, Bournemouth, Gloucester, and Wales to name just a few. My first 12 bell tower was Bath Abbey – Wow! Now that was an eye opener as we had to climb up to the roof to get into the tower to ring. Days out were also spent ringing in country churches with lunch in village pubs. We were often accompanied by our other halves, making these events very enjoyable.

A tower clean day would regularly take place, where the area around the bells and where we stood would be cleaned. The end of the ropes, dubbed “Scruffy Sallys”, would also be trimmed with a little razor to smarten any scruffy ends. Cleaning efforts were usually rewarded with tea or coffee and biscuits or cake.

We ring for special occasions, including Sunday services, Christmas, Easter, Mothering Sunday, weddings, funerals, flower festivals and competitions. We also have Ringing Days where other towers come and try out our bells. A few years ago, I took on the job of wedding ringers coordinator where I have to organise six ringers, usually to ring for a given length of time as the bride and groom leave the church.

Our uniform is red polo shirt, red sweat shirt, black trousers and black shoes. However, one Christmas I suggested that we, (us girls) wore tight black skirts and fishnet tights for the midnight service. Luckily candlelight meant that not many in the congregation were aware of our attire! 22

Village News

/continued from page 22

It’s now 20 years since I began my campanology and 10 years since Janice became Captain of our tower. In all that time of ringing, I have only once experienced an incidence of a rope breaking. This was not at St. Peter’s but at a tower we were visiting. I suspect this had occurred more than once though, as the ringer just calmly said “Oh that happens”. The rope actually broke and fell to the floor like a curled-up snake! This just shows that it’s very important that bells should be serviced regularly.

Well thank you dear friends, ringers and families, happy memories. Ding Dong, time to move along. Lindsey Phillips 1st Beacon Hill Scout Group

1st Beacon Hill has been in existence for over 60 years and has always been a very successful and popular scout group. We have Beavers, Cubs and Scouts and it is only possible to maintain these sections with the dedication and enthusiasm of the leaders and helpers who volunteer their time.

We currently have three scout leaders, two of whom (due to work changes) will be leaving the Group at the end of the summer term. Our third leader has agreed to stay for another year to aid a hope- fully seamless handover, plus he genuinely enjoys it. He is our resident paramedic and an experienced leader, but is unable to head the section as his work shift patterns mean he is only able to help every other week.

Leading scouts can be challenging; it can also be brilliant fun, very re- warding and fulfilling, just knowing that you’re helping the people who are our future. We do not want this section to have to close, but we do need at least two people to come forward to volunteer.

No previous experience is necessary and you would be supported by the rest of the Beacon Hill team and leaders. Any required training would be given. If you think you would be able to volunteer, please contact me on [email protected] or visit www.1stbeaconhill.org.uk. You can also call me for a chat or more information on 01621 893060.

Janet Richardson

Children’s Page

Colour me in

Easter Jumbled words

1.skateb 2. missnlas keac 3. nunyb

4. seusj 5. srcso 6. pusper tasl 7. rsaete geg

8. raytebde 9. lemusarej 10. rnigps

Children’s Page

ST. GEORGE’S DAY

St. George’s Day falls on 23rd April. He is the Patron Saint of England. The most widespread legend of St. George concerns his fight with the Dragon! St. George was riding through a strange land when he noticed how sad the people were. He found out that a very fierce dragon was terrorizing the citizens and each day had been demanding two of their sheep to eat for its dinner! As there were now no sheep left it was asking for a child to eat each day instead.

The King of the land’s only daughter had been chosen by the drawing of lots to be the first victim! Outside the city walls St. George saw the dragon, he prayed to God for help and managed to kill the creature with one blow of his sword!

Before he left the country St. George taught the people all about his Christian faith, and the king to show his gratitude built a church and dedicated it to St. George. He decreed that all the newly converted Christians could worship there evermore!.

Sourced by June Eaton

Spring. 10. Jerusalem, 9. Betrayed, 8. egg, Easter 7.

Supper, Last 6. Cross, 5. Jesus, 4. Bunny, 3. Cake, Seminal 2. Basket, 1.

words. jumbled Easter to Answers

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Church News

mothers Branch Leader: union Christine Walker www.themothersunion.org 01621 892431 At our March meeting we all enjoyed June, our Treasurer’s, recent holiday in India celebrating a ‘special’ birthday. We are all very envious of the amazing things June saw on her travels from her photographs, they even washed elephants and got very wet, although they did not see any tigers.

We will be holding a Hot Cross Bun and coffee morning on Saturday 13th April in the Honywood between 10am and 12noon with Easter gifts, cakes and a raffle. Please come along and support our work. At our meeting on 26th April in the Honywood, we will be discussing the Deanery theme for this year which is “Listen, Observe, Act-in-Step with God”. If you would like to join us, please come along at 1.45pm, you will be very welcome. Christine Walker

Women’s World Day of Prayer

This year, the service on Friday 1st March had been prepared by the women of Slovenia, with their theme ‘Come – Everything is Ready’. As everyone came into St. Nicolas Church in Witham, they were given a red carnation and service booklet. During the service we heard about Slovenia, a little republic on the south-eastern boundary of the Alps. Slovenia was the first of the Yugoslavian republics to declare independence in 1991. The north of the country bordering Austria consists of the steep, limestone mountain ranges of the southern Alps. Some spectacular caves, such as those at Postojna, are among the most popular tourist attractions in Slovenia. Most of the country’s people live in the river valleys, where all the larger cities are situated.

The capital city of Ljubljana, and the second largest city, Maribor, are together home to more than one-quarter of the population.

After the service we were all invited into the church hall for tea and cake, holding our carnations. Next year the service will be prepared by the women of Zimbabwe. Christine Walker

Church News

Join The Friends of St Peter’s Church, Great Totham

Help preserve the beauty of the building and care for the rich diversity of wildlife in the churchyard

Membership 2019

I would like to renew my membership _____ I would like to become a Friend of St Peter’s _____ Individual membership £10 pa _____ Family membership £20 pa _____ Corporate membership £50 pa _____ Individual Life membership £100 pa _____ Donation _____

Name……………………………………………………..……………………….……. Address………………………………………………………………………..…..…… ……………………………………………………………………..………….………… Post Code…………………………. Phone………….…………….. Email……………………………………......

In accordance with data protection legislation, your data will be stored securely and used solely in conjunction with your membership of the charity. At no time will your details be divulged to a third party. Please sign below to consent to these conditions.

Signature ……………………………………………. Date …………………………

In order for us to be able to treat your membership fee and all qualifying gifts of money as Gift Aid (at no cost to you), please sign below:

Gift Aid declaration: I/we want Friends of St. Peter’s, Great Totham to treat all donations I make from the date of this declaration, until I notify you otherwise, as gift Aid donation.

Signature ...... Date ......

I confirm I have paid or will pay an amount in Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year that you reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I will notify you if I no longer pay an amount of income tax or capital gains tax equal to the tax you reclaim on my donations.

Please return this form and subscription to the Membership Secretary: Colin Heaviside, 12 Totham Hill Green, Great Totham, CM9 8DX Tel: 01621 893067. Membership fees can be paid in cash or by cheque payable to The Friends of St Peter’s Church. 31

Village News

Great Totham Parish Council

17 people attended the Annual Parish Meeting on 11th March: six members of the Parish Council and the Clerk, Cllr Durham from Essex County Council, the Chairman of Little Totham Parish Council, three members of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering committee and five members of the public.

The Chairman of the Parish Council reported on the events of 2018, thanking all who had contributed to the life of the village. We are fortunate that both Councillor Atkinson and Councillor Marshall are ‘men of action’ and can be relied upon to deal with practical matters ranging from monitoring and repairing equipment to taking part in Speedwatch activities. Councillor Keyes was responsible for organising the most recent, and very enjoyable, Beacon Lighting shared with neighbouring parishes. Thanks were also offered to Councillor Mrs Adams (Vice Chairman), the Clerk and the Parish auditor. Despite monetary outgoings, for example, an increase in the budget for the Community Protection Team, it was noted that the precept for 2019 remains as for 2018.

Councillor Durham described his responsibilities, including Children’s Services and Libraries, mentioned moves to devolve additional matters to Parish Councils, and explained that the ECC initiative to report the worst potholes for priority repair had been extremely successful. He answered questions, mainly Highways related, concerning a significant increase in traffic in the wake of housing development, the possibility of upgrading cycle paths, public rights of way and footpaths and the continuing problem of speeding, specifically in the Maypole Road area.

A Status Report was presented by a member of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, outlining how the results of the questionnaire are informing the development of a set of objectives for the future of the village and a design statement to protect its character. It is hoped to have documents ready for further consultation with local residents before the end of the year.

The Parish Council meeting followed and was attended by Cllrs Mrs Adams, Delderfield, Gable, Gregan, Mrs. Heaviside and Marshall. The Chairman of Little Totham Parish Council also joined us and explained that he would be standing for election as a Ward member in the coming elections. Polling day for the Maldon District and Parish Council Elections is on Tuesday 2nd May.

Following an inspection of the Captains Wood footpath, the PRoW Officer has expressed satisfaction with measures taken by the owner of the neighbouring property during essential drainage work, which will be reviewed when the work is completed. It is interesting that Councillor Durham referred to additional money being made available for footway (not footpath) repairs, as a new submission is being prepared for the completion of the walkable verge. Evidence is also being collected in connection with inappropriate parking in Hall Road and the Walden

Village News

/continued from previous page House Road lay-by. On the two most recent outings, the Speedwatch group recorded, and reported, 19 people speeding, and the Community Protection Team another nine. Ten cars have also been ‘moved on’ in the school area.

Two quotes have been sought for work to the Jubilee Recreation ground rear entrance, for which 20 square metres of anti-slip surfacing has been offered free of charge. Repairs to the seat at Beacon Hill, the slabs by the War Memorial bus stop and the roundabout at Totham North recreation ground are all in hand and will be completed as soon as the weather allows.

Just a reminder! The Clean Up Day is on 7th April at 2.30pm. Meeting points will, as always, be the Village Hall and The Compasses where litter pickers, sacks and high viz jackets will be available.

The next Parish Council meeting will take place on 15th April at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Vicky Heaviside Want to learn more about the Arts?

Do you enjoy learning about the Arts and would like to add to your knowledge? If the answer is yes, join like-minded folks at the Arts Society Blackwater.

We meet on the first Thursday morning of the month from October to July at Wickham Bishops Village Hall. Lectures include Victoria and Albert, Art and Love; Uncovering the Nation’s Hidden Oil Painting Collection; Silk Road: A Textile Journey. Speakers are all acknowledged experts chosen annually from a national register. Lectures last an hour with coffee, tea and chat beforehand, and there is always the opportunity to ask questions. For anyone who wants to get more involved, we have several specialist groups, including heritage volunteers and church recorders.

In addition to the lectures, we hold an annual one-day event, called Day of Special Interest. This year’s theme (1st April) is Design, Invention, Creation: the Multiple Lives of Leonardo Da Vinci, presented in three one-hour talks, with a break for lunch, by art historian Leslie Primo. We also arrange day visits to historic houses, gardens, museums and galleries in London and the Home Counties as well as extended tours over several days in the UK, and on the continent. Arts Active is another initiative set up for members wishing to visit exhibitions and other Art events in smaller, informal groups at short notice.

The Blackwater Society was formed in 1971 and has more than 150 members. We are affiliated to The Arts Society, a leading arts education charity with a network of almost 400 local societies worldwide.

For more information, please see our website: theartssocietyblackwater.org.uk

Paul Desmond

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Village News Village Hall

Great Totham Village Hall - an integral part of the community and village life, is a landmark building on the edge of Great Totham South. It was built in 1931 and designed by Arthur Mackmurdo, a famous local architect.

The building and its facilities have been updated and refurbished over the years, more recently with the removal of the original pebble dash on the outer walls and the block paving of the carpark, funded in part by grants.

It is a charity managed by a small group of volunteer Trustees who oversee the day to day running of the hall and its hire. They do not themselves set up any groups or arrange events but do make the facilities available for any individuals or groups to hire. Anyone interested in becoming a Trustee would be warmly welcomed.

Many varied activities take place in the hall and it is in daily use by the local nursery. It hosts celebration events, social evenings and quizzes and is available for everyone in the village. There is scope for new activities on some evenings and at weekends. Daphne Taplin (01621-893195) 35

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Village News

Contacting the Police

In an emergency dial 999. For non-emergencies dial 101 extension 412335 / 01245 491491

Send non-emergency police related information/intelligence to your North Blackwater Neighbourhood Policing Team at: http://www.essex.police.uk/ or text 07624 80010

Maldon Police 0300 333 4444 or 101 Maldon District Council Offices Princes Road Monday—Thursday: 9am—5pm Maldon Friday: 8.30am—4.30pm Great Totham WI

At our March meeting we welcomed back Eve Regelous who, when she visited before, spoke about her life as a theatrical agent and event planner. This time her talk was entitled ‘Everything Stops for Tea.’

Eve began by telling us all about the history of tea drinking in this country, with facts and figures on tea production, importation and tea’s expanding popularity, which now makes it the most favoured beverage in our country with over 165 million cups being consumed each day. She shared some of her favourite places to go for afternoon tea, explaining that the world’s most expensive afternoon tea is at Amberley Castle where couples will spend £550 to consume white truffles, caviar and gold -leaf encrusted chocolate cake! In addition, she played us clips from songs which described the efficacy of the cup that cheers, and read us some of her favourite tea-related quotations. The one attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt was a favourite with her audience ‘A strong woman is like a tea bag, you never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water!’

In April some of us will be attending the Annual Meeting of the Essex Federation and also enjoying an evening with our Viking Group of WIs in Little Baddow, where we will be entertained by David Webb (Hi-De-Hi) and the ‘Burlesque Bombshells’.

Visitors are always welcome at our meetings, held on the second Thursday of the month at Great Totham Village Hall. Details can be found on www.greattothamwi.weebly.com or email [email protected] Sue Pulford

Village News

Great Totham Neighbourhood Plan

Traffic and Speeding 860 people who completed our questionnaire made comments regarding the amount of traffic and the speed at which it goes through the village. You are also concerned about the potential growth in traffic associated with new developments being built in Heybridge and surrounding areas. Several also commented on the dangerous junction at Five Ways on Maypole Road.

You are most concerned about speeding on the B1022, Walden House Road, Maypole Road, Prince of Wales Road, Mountains Road, Chapel Road and Plains Road. We are not able to have a policy on speed limits in the Neighbourhood Plan as this is the responsibility of Essex High- ways. However, the Parish Council are now aware of your views and are pursuing:

 The repair of the electronic sign opposite the Jubilee Recreation Ground (the ‘Pit’);  Increased community speedwatch activity;  An increased presence by the Maldon Community Speedwatch team – you may have to attend a speed awareness course or receive a fine if you are caught!

The Parish Council would also like more volunteers to help out with the Community Speedwatch. Please contact the Council on great- [email protected] if you would like to assist.

Thank you for your input to the plan, it is much appreciated. The GTNP Team

Great Totham Neighbourhood Watch

Visit Maldon District Neighbourhood Watch website for up to date local crime reports, non-urgent news and links to the police and national NHW websites: http://www.maldondistrictnhw.co.uk/index.htm

For Totham Hill Green, phone Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator, Ian Barratt, on 891949. Email: [email protected] For local crime reports, visit https://www.police.uk/essex/28/crime/

Village News

Wickham Bishops WI

Our meeting this month welcomed three new members.

Our speaker was Graham Bendall who talked about "A Gamekeeper’s Year", which he has been involved in since he was a young lad of eight years of age. The stories he told included his sons, who have followed in their father's footsteps to become the fourth generation hooked on this way of life.

We are excited that two of Essex Federation members have been nominated for NFWI Board of Trustees. Good luck to both of them.

On 25th April we will welcome Sharon Flowers as our speaker, who will explain "How to Repair or Make Absolutely Anything in Fabric". Once again we welcome all guests, visitors and new members.

Looking to get fitter this year? Why not join our walking group who meet at 09:30 Monday mornings, opposite the village hall in Church Road. Walks last approximately one hour, around the village and surrounding area.

If you have a craft or creativity you would like to share or maybe come along and learn something new, our craft group meets in the Church Hall on Friday afternoons between 2pm - 4pm. A cup of tea and a biscuit always goes down well with good company and lots of laughter.

For more information please call me on 01621 891631. Sharon O’Connell Secretary Future Events

2 May Parish Council Elections 11 May Great Totham Primary School Sponsored Walk 15 May Christian Aid Bread and Cheese lunch at Macmurdos, corner Goat Lodge Road and Beacon Hill 12noon 18/19 May St. Peter’s Church Open Gardens 16 June Father’s Day 7 July Sea Sunday Goldhanger Sailing Club 10am 14 July Churches Together United Service Village Hall 10.30am 14 Sept Gardening Club Autumn Show Village Hall 2.30pm 22 Sept Pets’ Welcome Service St. Peter’s Church

Where in the Parish?

Have you seen the new residents in Great Totham? If so where are they living?

Answer on page 45 June Eaton

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CbC Church News

Annual Church Meeting

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting will be held at St Peter’s Church on Sunday 28th April. Prayers of Thanksgiving for what we have achieved during 2018 will be said during the 10am service with the formal annual meeting commencing at 11am. All parishioners are welcome to attend the meeting where the annual reports will be presented for acceptance and Churchwardens, Deanery Representatives and members of the PCC elected. All members of the Church’s Electoral Roll will be entitled to vote at the meeting, but anyone else will be able to have their say on other church matters. David Barclay

Great Totham Parish Magazine

Do you have some time to create images for the Parish Magazine? We are looking for someone to voluntarily assist us in producing covers for the 10 editions we publish a year on a monthly basis. We can provide the wording but need your ideas and technology skills to produce the front and back pages.

If you are not able to do this but would like to assist in some other way, either by writing articles, assisting with ideas, inputting data, helping with deliveries, please get in touch. You may like to get involved by joining our small, friendly committee who produce the magazine regularly—the more the merrier. You don’t need to be a member of the congregation although an interest in the church and/or parish would be helpful. For more details, get in touch with me by phoning 01621 891067 (evenings). Helen Mutton

Published by the PCC of St Peter's Church, Great Totham

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Parochial Church Council of Great Totham nor can the Church guarantee the credentials or performance of any of the advertisers within this publication. Please mention the Parish Magazine when contacting our advertisers.

Prices per edition:

Full page £56 Half page £28 Quarter page £14 Small ads £3.50

Advert Enquiries:

Pauline Stebbing  892059 43

Village News

News from Great Totham Primary School www.greattotham.essex.sch.uk

School News

School Council – Visit to the Houses of Parliament

On 13th February the school councillors visited the Houses of Parliament along with representatives from the other Blackwater schools.

We went inside the House of Lords, the Queen’s dressing room, the first House of Commons, the room where Guy Fawkes hid the barrels of gunpowder under the floor and the only room that remained from the Great Fire of London. After that we had a workshop all about debates and what the next debate is about. It was a fun day out for all school councillors. Written by Amelie 6Q

Dates for the Diary

Saturday 11th May: Sponsored Walk Friday 12th July 5-8pm: Summer Fete Friday 27th September: Golf Day, Benton Hall

Please contact the school office for further details

CbC Village News

Come and join us for the

GREAT TOTHAM

CLEAN UP DAY

Sunday, 7th April at 2.30pm

Meet at The Village Hall, Totham South, or The Compasses, Totham North where litter pickers, sacks and hi-viz jackets will be

available.

Road. Hall in field a in residing are sheep The

Answer Parish the in Where

Village Diary

April

1 Prayer Hour 10am Honywood 2 Magazine Committee meeting 7.30pm 4 Close of entries for Gardening Club Spring Show 6 Gardening Club Spring Show Village Hall 2.30pm 7 Village Clean-up meet 2.30pm Village Hall or Compasses 9 Easter Holiday Club St. Peter’s Church 10am-3pm 11 Coffee morning Barn Church 10am-12noon WI AGM 8pm Village Hall 13 Coffee morning URC 10am-1130am MU Hot Cross Bun coffee morning 10am-12noon Honywood 14 Palm Sunday 15 Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm 18 Maundy Thursday Eucharist of the Last Supper 7.30pm St. Peter’s Church 19 Good Friday Service Stations of the Cross St. Peter’s 2pm 20 Decorate Church for Easter from 9am 21 Easter Day 22 Easter Monday 23 St. George’s Day 27 Coffee morning 10am-12noon Honywood 28 St. Peter’s Church Annual Meeting following 10am Service 29 BHCT Committee meeting 10.30am Honywood Great Totham Gardening Club 7.45pm Village Hall

Rotas Church Flowers Church Cleaning 7th April Lent - 14th April Lent Mr & Mrs Hardy King 21st April Decorate for Easter - 28th April Vanessa Ellams Mrs & Mrs Campbell

Church Kitchen Cleaning April: Karin Mann

Wickham Bishops Library

Monday 2pm-6pm Wednesday 2pm-6pm Saturday 9am-1pm

Telephone: 0333 013 2706

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES (See page 3 for church activities) Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers www.girlguiding.org.uk Scouts, Cubs, Beavers at Prances Brenda Heal [email protected] Great Totham Cricket Club Colts Paul Marks 07709 793958 Nursery Group Village Hall Tracey Bezant 07960 947931 Edward Bear Club (Toddler Group) St Peter's Church Sue Godsmark 891513 Gardening Club Village Hall Fred Steptoe 891808 W.I. GT Evening 2nd Thurs. 8pm Village Hall Sue Pulford 892063 GT & WB last Thurs. 2pm St.B Church Hall Di Mellor 892247 St Peter's Lunch Club Tues. Honywood Hall Sheila Allen 892334 Day Centre Weds. URC Jean Johnstone 892293 Modern Sequence Dance Weds. 7.45pm Village Hall 788669 Carpet Bowls Tue & Thur 7.30pm Village Hall Jean Cloughton 892286 Tollesbury Table Tennis Club T’bury Parish Rms Paul Freeman 862510 mobile 07855 204505, email: [email protected] Maldon Croquet Club Forrester Park Jean Healey 843643 ([email protected]) Wickham Bishops Drama Club Roger Lyons www.wickhambishopsdrama.co.uk Great Totham Community Choir Colin Heaviside [email protected] 893067 Knit & Natter, Friday Mornings, Sandra Smith (Honywood Hall) 893153 USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Honywood Hall Hire Karin Mann 891215 St Peter’s Church Extension Hire Rev’d Godsmark 891513 Village Hall hire Sue Pulford 892063 URC hall hire Janet Davies 819419 St Peter’s—Interment of Ashes and Iron Crosses Chris Munton 891817 Great Totham Parish Council Clerk: Clive Potter 891474 District Councillors John Keyes 891388 David Sismey 07879 435430 County Councillor Mark Durham 01245 227249 mobile: 07850 967239 Great Totham Primary School 891091 Maldon District Council 854477 Maldon Citizens Advice Bureau 875774 Police Community Support Officer 101 NERIL information line for mental health 0845 0900 909 every day from 6pm to 2am Water 01245 491234 Electricity 0845 6014516 Drugs Helpline (free) 0800 77 66 00 Childline Helpline for children 0800 1111 (free) NSPCC 24 hr helpline for children 0800 800 500 (free) The Samaritans 08457 90 90 90 01245 357357 Disabled Information Advisory Line 01245 287177 Church of England, St. Peter’s Rev’d Sue Godsmark 891513 Totham Barn Free Evangelical Church Elder Bob Bell 893085 United Reformed Church Vacant Wickham Bishops Church Rev’d Hilary Le Sève 892867 Maldon Methodist Church Office Rev’d Clifford Newman 853423 Maldon Roman Catholic Church Parish Priest - Fr. Mark Reilly 852259 Society of Friends (Quakers) Clerk to the meeting - Sue Smith 854056 Salvation Army 853942 Christian Growth Centre (CGC), Maldon Rob & Jeannie Saggs Pastors 855855

47 OPEN GARDENS 18th/19th MAY 2019 11.00am—5.00pm

Programmes £5.00 (Valid on both days) available from the Village Hall, Great Totham Where you will also be able to purchase teas, coffees, light lunches And view a photographic display.

Great Totham Parish Magazine is published by The Parish Church to help everyone feel part of the community, recognising people's achievements and the value of community activity, and to encourage support of local businesses. Please contribute by sending us your good news, suggestions and details of any events and advertisements for the May Edition by 2nd April. Email: [email protected] Disk & Paper: 17 Goat Lodge 48 Road, Great Totham CM9 8BU. Printed by Colt Press Ltd. Witham, Essex