ST. MARY'S CHURCH - PURLEY ON THAMES

********************************************************************** ** SUNDAY SERVICES

9.30 a.m.First Worship - An informal service including All Age Teaching (creche provided) 11.15 a.m.Parish Communion 6.30 p.m.Evening Worship

RECTOR Rev. Roger B. Howell, The Rectory, 1 Westridge Avenue, Purley on Thames Tel: 417727

CURATE Rev. Brendan Bailey, 10 Knowsley Road, Tilehurst Tel: 451411

READERS Jean Rothery Wally Watkivs Tel: 843625 Tel: 426170

CHURCHWARDENS Mary Barrett David Jordan Tel: 842166 Tel: 415994

CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR CHURCH HIRINGS

Jackie Benstead Liane Southam Tel: 429116 Tel: 428243

BAPTISMSEnquiries about baptism should be made to the Rector (417727)

WEDDINGS Enquiries about weddings should be made to Jackie Benstead (429116)

FUNERALSEnquiries about funerals should be made to the Rector (417727)

1 LETTER FROM THE CURATE JULY 1996

Dear Friends,

Summertime and the livin' is easy ......

This will be the last edition of the Parish Magazine until September. Some the groups that meet in the community will be taking a well earned break. Soon the schools will be out for the Summer. Many of you will have planned your holidays by now.

Two of the highlights of the Summer will be the Old Tyme Music Hall performances in July and the two Holiday Clubs in August (details elsewhere in this issue). I know that much preparation is going on behind the scenes to ensure that everything is ready for these events.

However, this doesn't mean that the Church will be closing down or that God will be having a break. There are still services throughout the summer, although there will be no evening service during August. We will continue to have services at 9.30 and 11.15 each Sunday morning. On the first Sunday of the month there will be a single main service at 9.30 a.m.

A recent Bible passage from one of the services relates to the story of the prophet Elijah. He challenged the followers of one of the pagan gods to prove his power. When this didn't happen Elijah began to tease them, saying that the god might be asleep, or on a journey or busy with something else. Then he showed the power of the True All-

2 Powerful God who answered Elijah's prayers instantly and decisively.

The God whom Elijah worshipped and served is the same God who was to show his power to save and help his creation by coming to earth as a human being in the person of Jesus. But unlike the pagan god in the story of Elijah, God didn't leave everything again. No, God is still active in the world and concerned for it and the people of the world.

God who we worship as Christians is always aware of what is happening in the world he made. And is concerned for us all. No holidays or time off for God. It's a 24 hour a day, all year round occupation. But this is no chore for him. Rather it is a labour of love. There is a verse in John's Gospel which sums this up wonderfully:

"God so loved the world, that He gave His only son, Jesus Christ, so that whoever believed in Him should not perish but have everlasting life".

While you are relaxing in the garden or on a beach somewhere or walking in the countryside, say thank you to God for the world he has made and which he cares for. And remember to thank God for caring so much that He sent Jesus to know us and to save us from ourselves.

Have a wonderful summer. With love in Jesus. Brendan Bailey

FLOWERS IN CHURCH

If you would like to contribute to the floral arrangements in church, to remember a loved one or celebrate a special occasion, please contact Mollie Bridge on 426722 who will give you details about how this can be done. Jackie Benstead

PARISH REGISTERS

Weddings

25th May Nicholas Kapp and Andrea Roberts

1st June Steven Morris and Victoria Wild

3 8th June Matthew Gray and Rosamund Baxter

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

St. Mary's Church in Purley have been magnanimous in their hospitality for a very small relatively unknown ancient sect of Christianity, the Coptic Orthodox people, on whose behalf I have the pleasure to write this synopsis by kind invitation of the Rev. Roger Howell. Firstly, I would like to put on record our immense gratitude to the Parochial Church Council in granting us permission, with a true Christian spirit, to use your Church for a monthly Saturday Service. We are truly touched and indebted to you all.

I am a local General Practitioner in Tilehurst and was brought up in the Coptic Orthodox faith. It was upon my request that this venture has come to fruition through your kindness.

Our Church goes back to the days of St. Mark the Evangelist, who laid its foundations in Alexandria. It prides itself in being true to the letter of the New Testament without variation, corruption, diplomacy, or political correctness. It is an Apostolic Church with a Pope at its head based in Alexandria, and Bishops throughout the world assisted by Priests and Deacons. Its cornerstones are the seven sacraments as laid by Christ Himself, and is very traditionalist. My own personal slight regret in this respect is with regard to our Church's stance on communicating with other non Orthodox Churches. Consequently no-one who is baptised in any way other than (by complete immersion) in an Orthodox Church is allowed to have communion. I sincerely hope that in due course this will change. However, we remain in communion with all other Orthodox faiths, namely Greek, Russian, Armenian etc.

Our Priests are either Monks or already married, but once ordained they are not allowed to marry. The Pope and Bishops, however, have to be Monks. Women are not ordained. Homosexuality is an anathema.

The Coptic language is akin to the Greek alphabetically and phonetically and is interspersed throughout the liturgy to preserve the heritage. The largest mass of followers is in Egypt and there are pockets in most nations now, although the ones in the Arab world are very much restricted and closely "watched" by the Islamic governing bodies.

We believe in Saints and in their intercessions. St. Mary the Virgin holds a special place in the Orthodox Church and is most highly venerated but not worshipped. A large

4 number of our Saints were martyred in the course of their fellowship.

The Church and its "diligent" followers practice the biblical fasting discipline at regular intervals throughout the year. Our Christmas falls on the 7th January and our Easter follows the Jewish Passover Feast annually, hence the reason why it does not fall at the same time as the variable western Easter.

In all other respects apart from the above it is similar to a very high Church of England. During one of its Two Hour (!) Eucharistic Services a visitor would be excused for thinking that it is a unique mixture of a Synagogue, Catholic Church, and High Church of England.

It goes without saying that any members of St. Mary's at Purley are most welcome to attend our Saturday services. I hope to fix the dates well in advance with Roger Howell. Dr. George B. Boulos

REQUEST FROM PURLEY PARK TRUST

We are looking for people to help with befriending our residents, particularly one who is a regular attender at St. Mary's Church. Some of the things envisaged are meeting with them from time to time for a coffee and a chat, perhaps taking them to and from church or for an occasional drink. If you are interested in this, please contact Jo Stafford at Purley Park on 427608.

ARCHIE WHITE (1915 - 1996)

Archie died 7th May, just five weeks after his wife Jessie on 2nd April. He came to live in Wintringham Way early in 1950 and soon became a member of Purley Park Property Owners Association, taking part in all the activities and giving his time and energy towards the welfare of this estate. During this time he made many friends, all of whom will greatly miss him as will the few of us remaining who knew him in "the good old days". Bob Skerritt

ENGLEFIELD GARDENS Englefield Garden Centre is now opening on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays, 9 am - 5 pm as the new base for the horticultural activity of the Thames & Chiltern Trust. The work carried on at Englefield will provide training and work experience for people with learning disabilities and will include sales to the public. Initially the emphasis of these

5 sales will be on plants and it is intended to offer a range of garden centre goods in due course.

6 7 8 LUNCH POT

If you haven't got down to St. Mary's on Thursdays between 12 noon and 1 p.m. to sample our delicious salads, then you had better hurry up as our last session before we close for the summer holidays will be on Thursday, 18th July.

We re-open on Thursday, 15th September when we will be back to warming homemade soups along with the usual jacket potatoes, rolls etc.

See you soon Nicki Woodward

NANCY AYERS

My mother, Nancy Ayers recently celebrated her 80th birthday at Hillcrest Nursing Home, Looe.

My wife and I would like to thank all the people who sent her cards and also the many people who have written to her over the past few months. She is no longer able to write but she does appreciate all your messages. P. Ayers

During Save the Children Week in April 1996, the Pangbourne and District Branch raised £3,620.65 from door to door collections. Other donations and sponsored events brought this to £4,582.60.

We would like to thank all those who so generously gave their time and money to aid the work of Save the Children both in the UK and abroad. Mrs. J.A. Stroud, Chairman, Pangbourne & District Branch

BARGAIN CORNER

Belling Format, slot-in cooker (brown). Double oven, main oven fan assisted, 4 radiant

9 rings. Good clean condition. Price : £150 Tel: 417925

10 11 12 TWENTIETH DORCHESTER ECUMENICAL PILGRIMAGE in honour of SAINT BIRINUS, APOSTLE OF WESSEX Sunday, 7th July 1996

The pilgrimage programme is as follows:

12.45 p.m.PICNIC LUNCH begins with prayer for God's blessing. Please bring your own lunch and join up with other pilgrims inside the flagged area on Churn Knob, Blewbury. 1.30 p.m.THE LONG WALK (12 miles) begins from Churn Knob with a Liturgy of the Word, led by the Anglican Bishop of Dorchester. A signal will mark the start. 3.30 p.m.THE SHORT WALK (5 miles) begins from Brightwell, near Wallingford with a Liturgy of the Word. 4.30 p.m.REFRESHMENTS from then on are available in the grounds of St. Birinus Catholic Church. 6.15 p.m.PILGRIMAGE PROCESSION TO DORCHESTER ABBEY from St. Birinus Catholic Church. Please assemble in the Presbytery gardens. 7.00 p.m.ECUMENICAL PILGRIMAGE SERVICE IN HONOUR OF ST. BIRINUS, PREACHER - THE RT REVD LORD RUNCIE 7.45 p.m.BARBECUE in the grounds of St. Birinus Catholic Church. Tickets for this will be on sale in the grounds of the Church from 4.30 p.m. onwards.

DO YOU HAVE ......

Reading School Crusaders have been cleaning up parts of Reading and have raised money, through sponsorship, to support Christian work. In August one of the Reading School technology teachers, Mr. Seaton, will take up a post at a governmental school in a rural area of Zimbabwe. A Sixth Form pupil, Chris Evans, will be helping at the same mission during his summer holidays. The mission school serves a large rural area where Africans have little access to education, welfare and the Christian gospel.

Maybe you have some unwanted tools, technical books or machinery (or other school equipment) which you could spare and could be of immense value to Mr. Seaton. The container leaves at the end of July, so please ring 873033 (before 12th July) if there is anything you could donate. Nathaniel Roberts

13 PURLEY MEMORIAL HALL ACTIVITIES FOR THE COMING MONTH

10th July 7.30 p.m. Women's Institute 18th July 2.15 - 4.00 p.m. Health Visitor Clinic (Please note that there will be NO Clinic during August).

** Child Advisory Clinic at St. Mary's Church, Purley EVERY THURSDAY 9.30 - 10.30 a.m. **

Each week during term time, Monday to Thursday, 9.15 - 11.45 a.m. : Purley Pre- School Playgroup. For further details, please telephone Sue Slade on 410778 or call in during one of the sessions.

We wish all the Hall hirers a very good summer break - have a good holiday; see you back in September. Mrs. J. Hutchings, Hon. Secretary

THE ANNUAL BOAT BARBECUE

Purley's Annual Boat Barbecue trip to Hardwick House will take place during the evening of Saturday, 31st August, so put the date in your diaries now!

There will be a huge BBQ to cook your supper on and a band to lead the singing round the bonfire. Remember to bring a torch to light your way back from the lock.

This year there will be a slight change to the schedule; the boat will leave Mapledurham Lock, travel all the way up to Pangbourne, turn just below the weir, and come back downstream to dock at Hardwick. And all this for £3.75 adult (including 50p for charcoal) & £1.75 child. This means that there will be 60 minutes between the boats leaving Mapledurham lock, so the journey and turn-around will be a little less rushed. The first boat leaves at 6.30 p.m. and the second at 7.30 p.m. It will not be possible to travel out on the first boat and back on the second.

Claudia Beckett (844893) and Claire Pearson (843070) are taking the bookings again this year. It would help us if you book now; please don't leave it to the last minute.

14 "ALL GOOD PALS AND JOLLY GOOD COMPANY"

Do join us for a trip to the Seaside at St. Mary's Church on FRIDAY, 12th or SATURDAY, 13th JULY at 8.00 p.m. Get your tickets for this Olde Tyme Music Hall by calling:

Gerry Hiscock on 418715, Jean Chudleigh on 842563 or Anne Bolland on 413259

(Tickets £5.00 to include delicious refreshments - Children £3.50).

15 THAMES VALE SINGERS OR THE MAESTERSINGERS OF PURLEY ON THAMES

I have always enjoyed singing and especially choral singing, so I was interested when I saw the invitation to try a visit to the Thames Vale Singers rehearsal evening on Tuesday, 21st May.

I was somewhat apprehensive when I arrived but was soon made very welcome and given a Welcome Pack, name badge, raffle ticket and glass of wine, all in quick succession. There were people that I knew from other places and I was soon chatting away merrily.

After all of us newcomers had been welcomed by the Chairman and entertained by a piece from the last concert to "prove that we can sing", we plunged into a piece from Faure's Requiem. There were copies of the music for this in the Welcome Pack; very efficient and comforting as one didn't have to hunt around to arrange a "share". After a short break for a cuppa, we then tried another piece from Beehoven's Mass in C. It was all very friendly as there had been someone to help you find a car parking space, a place for your coat, a seat and even the right note.

I enjoyed my first evening and have been back again. The approach seems at first impression to strike the happy balance of getting the music correct but all the while enjoying the experience.

Hopefully they will allow me to join on a permanent basis as I look forward to the final polished versions of what we have just started to learn.

Why don't you give it a try, in particular if you are an alto tenor or bass. There is a great shortage of tenors. O.K., the present music is sacred and in Latin, but I am assured that they like to have a wide repertoire from modern musicals to opera. I promise you a warm welcome.

For further information, you can contact Sybil Titlow on 845404.

Maureen Watkivs

SUMMER SUN To Let - Menorca, Calan Porter - pretty apartment which sleeps 5. Mature gardens,

16 pools, playground, central position. Calan Porter has a clean, safe beach. Tel: 844564.

As from this month Feed The Children is to be known as Children's Aid Direct. I think the new logo is quite catching - hope you agree. So what has changed? Our mission remains unaltered. It is to bring help to children who are suffering need, hardship, or distress anywhere in the world as a result of famine, drought, flood, war or any other calamity. The people who are Children's Aid Direct will continue to save lives, relieve suffering and bring hope as they have done over the last six years. The field teams, whose dedication and professionalism have been widely recognised by international authorities, will maintain their high standards. The same staff and volunteers will raise funds, pack the aid, load the lorries and ensure the aid gets to where it is needed. Children's Aid Direct will be guided by the same fundamental humanitarian values which have served us so well in the past. We will always be led by the needs of children and their carers, delivering aid and a message of hope directly from you to them.

So what's new? The need is changing. We are now doing so much more than feeding children. We're clothing them, providing them with shelter, helping restart their education, reuniting them with their lost families, supporting them as they come to terms with the psychological after-effects of conflict. From crisis to recovery, we are committed to being there for the children.

This month I thought it a good idea to ask for your help in providing warm clothing and shoes for the children in Kosovo. Kosovo is the poorest region of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. There is a real emergency there at the present time. As summer is here and we are kitting out our children with summer clothes, I thought now would be a good time to ask you not to throw all the outgrown winter clothes away but instead throw them into the box provided at St. Mary's, Purley. (Anything suitable for children up to 14 years old would be most welcome). With the launch of our new name, may I take this

17 opportunity of thanking you for your continued support in this very worthwhile local charity. Sheila Adnett (625760)

PURLEY C. OF E. INFANT SCHOOL

Throughout the Summer Term at Purley School, we try to use our grounds as much as possible. Children hunt for mini-beasts as part of their science studies, they have P.E. and art lessons outside and playtimes seem so much nicer when the sun shines.

Just recently we have been very busy with a series of special events. On 6th June as part of our history studies we held a Victorian morning. All children and teachers pretended they were back in Victorian times. Boys and girls came into school separately, hands were inspected for cleanliness, tables were recited and the quiet throughout the school was wonderful! The children couldn't wait for lessons to return to normal - I'm not so sure about the teachers!

During the week of the 5th to the 12th June we held a book fair. On the 10th the children came to school dressed as their favourite character from a book. We had a tremendous range of characters ranging from Snow White and Just William to Robin Hood and Bo- Peep. Mrs. Lyn-Jones was quite out of character as the Bad-tempered Ladybird, while Mrs. Boler became an excellent Mrs. Wobble the Waitress.

Thank you, on behalf of the children, to everyone in the village who supported our sponsored Bounce. So far we have raised over £500.

On Saturday, 15th June we held our school fete and Auction of Promises. The auction was a new venture for the school and proved successful. Mr. Gavin Wilson, our auctioneer, had a very persuasive approach and encouraged good bids to be made. One of the star pledges was a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce ride to and from a meal at the Copper Inn Restaurant. The total raised by the auction alone was £512.00. Together with the fete, the final total is just over £900. Thank you to all who helped.

This year we entered the children's art competition at the Pangbourne Fete. Each school is asked to send five paintings. Purley School won first prize, second prize and highly commended in the infant section. Nicholas Hinton's prize for coming first was a £50 voucher for his school towards a day out at Child Beale for his class. Nicholas also received vouchers for his family, as did Sean Best for coming second and Sophia North for her highly commended.

18 Another new venture this term is our French club. We have a French teacher, Francoise Richardson, who is taking classes on a Monday evening. The aim is to find out about France, sing songs and have fun learning to speak French.

As part of their religious education studies, the children visited St. Mary's Church to look at the building. "Buildings" is one of the core areas of the R.E. curriculum. Revd Howell greeted the children and showed them around the church. This was a very informative visit and one which the children really enjoyed. It was lovely to see the children taking rubbings of some of the brass memorials and trying hard to read the words.

If you would like to visit the school, or put your child's name on our admissions waiting list, please telephone 842384 and make an appointment. Jeannette Goddard, Headteacher

LONG LANE PRIMARY SCHOOL

I am pleased to report that the residential visit to Derbyshire was successful, with the children gaining much from the experience. It was encouraging to hear of children becoming more self-confident and self-reliant as they were away from home for maybe the first time. I was also pleased that Mr. Lambden, who led the party, reported that on numerous occasions the party from Long Lane were complimented on their politeness and good behaviour and that many guides (for example at Coventry Cathedral and Chatsworth House) were impressed with the general knowledge of our pupils. Well done everyone!

Although there is still much to be done before the end of term, plans are well in hand for the next academic year. In September we will be welcoming 36 new children to our

19 school and again we will be pushing the maximum accommodation level for our school; thank goodness for our new classroom! I hope that the saga of the "corridor class" will be assigned to the annals of history and that children can be taught in classrooms suited to their needs.

There will be a number of changes to the school from September; some are to do with the building and some to do with the curriculum. The area that had to be used for the "corridor class" is being converted into a junior fiction library so that we can extend the range and availability of reading material for our older children. The area is being decorated and members of staff have willingly given of their time to paint scenes from children's literature on the walls of this area. I have to say that the refurbished area will be a great asset to the school and will complement our lovely non-fiction library that we opened just over two years ago.

We have also developed a central art resource area which will house all the school's materials for teaching art and also act as a small group teaching area.

Due to the steady increase in pupil numbers over the past four years, we are again increasing staffing and we will be saying a sad farewell to Mrs. Knox, a part-time teacher, who is to retire at the end of the academic year, and welcoming Miss Catherine Foley who will join us as a full time member of staff. Overall, our staffing will increase by 0.4 (two days a week) and this time will be spent supporting the work of class teachers and allowing curriculum co-ordinators time to support the teaching of their subject across the school.

The school budget has curriculum expenditure as a priority this year (last year was a real problem!) and every area of the curriculum is to have money spent on it. In particular, we have purchased a newly published whole school music scheme that will provide a clear framework for the teaching of this subject. Our School Association have pledged to raise funds to purchase additional reading books and additional computers for use by the children.

Despite the pressures, I am excited at the prospect of my fifth year at Long Lane as the school is now, I believe, reaping the harvest of all the hard work that has gone on to improve the quality of learning materials available to the children as well as the significant improvements to the actual learning environment. A.T. Kuhles, Headteacher

20 COTTAGE TO LET

Country cottage Brittany/Normandy borders, self-catering, sleeps 5/7. Half-hour from Mont St. Michel, half-hour from St. Malo, one and a half hour's drive from Cherbourg. Available April to October. Enquiries to Della Davies on 427919.

DENEFIELD SCHOOL

Athletics 1996 A very busy season to date has seen a variety of successes from both boys and girls. For the size of the school, the athletes at Denefield compare favourably with most larger schools in the County. The first team success of the season was gained by a mixed boys and girls team. They took on the might of our much larger neighbours, Little Heath and Theale Green in the Parker Trophy, winning quite comfortably.

This was followed by a convincing success by the boys in the Aggregate Trophy, which is Reading schools field events competition. There have been three main competitions so far for individual athletes - Berkshire AAA Championship; Berkshire Multi-Events Championships; Berkshire Schools AA Championships.

U20 age group: Simon May (800 metres) and Kathryn Murtagh (triple jump), performed well in both the Berkshire AAA and Berkshire Schools.

U17 age group: Darrel May followed a 3rd place in the Berkshire AAA 800 metres with a fine win in the schools 1500 metres steeplechase. Although not being a champion, Dean Powell gained 2nd place in both major county competitions behind last year's national long jump runner-up. Andrew Grierson and Robert Toms were yet again champions in the hammer and high jump respectively. They are both fine athletes and have been selected for the 3rd year running to compete for Berkshire in the English Schools Championships to be held in Sheffield early this month. Melanie Harriss gained a creditable 3rd place in the 300 metres hurdles.

21 U15 age group: Jason Denniss was a member of the Reading relay team who became Berkshire Schools Champions, as was Robert Sayer. Robert was also 2nd in the long jump in both major County Championships, being selected for the Berkshire Team to compete in the South of England Champions. He joins Edward Toms in the County team as Edward gained 2nd place in the Multi-Events Championships. Edward also performed well in the major county championships by winning the Berkshire AAA high jump and being placed 5th in the County Schools. Robert and Edward travelled to Hemel Hempstead for the South of England Championships on 22nd June. Douglas Grierson also has an excellent record this year as he was Berkshire AAA and Berkshire Schools AA hammer champion.

The athletes of Denefield have deserved their successes this year, which are due to hard work and dedication.

Cricket Congratulations to Mark Nash who is playing for Berkshire Schools U15 cricket team. He is the first Denefield pupil to gain this honour and is the only "state" pupil in the squad. Roger Toms, Head of P.E.

PURLEY CRICKET CLUB

The Saturday 1st team made their customary slow start to the season, losing 3 and drawing 1 of the first four games in the League. However, an exciting tie in their 5th game at home to Reading Allstars (183 all out to each team) is hopefully the start of better results for the rest of the season.

The Saturday 2nd team have started the season in style, winning 3 and drawing 1 of the four League games played.

The Sunday team have played competitive and enjoyable friendlies against local village sides and have achieved some creditable results.

Annual Charity Cricket Match This year the event takes place at our home ground on Sunday, 14th July starting at 2.30 p.m. Purley Cricket Club will be playing Purley Jubilee Football Club and there will be a Barbecue, Disco in the evening and a raffle. All proceeds will go towards a locally based charity, The Windmill Respite Scheme, which aims to provide respite for the carers of

22 people suffering from Alzheimer's Disease.

Junior (Colts) Cricket Colts evening is every Tuesday, 6.30-7.45 pm, at our home ground (the Recreation Ground Beech Road, Purley).

Club Practice Evening During the season, Club Practice takes place on Thursday evenings (6.30-8.00 pm) at our home ground.

Fixtures for the remainder of the Season Saturday 6th July v Emmbrook (1st XI League) Home " 6th July v Peppard (2nd XI League) Away Sunday 7th July v Silchester (Friendly) Away 2.30 p.m.

Saturday 13th July v Wraysbury (1st XI League) Home " 13th July v Theale (2nd XI League) Away Sunday 14th July v Presidents Game (Friendly) Home 2.30 p.m.

Saturday 20th July v Theale (1st XI League) Away " 20th July v Frimley 3rds (2nd XI League) Home Sunday 21st July v Woodcote (Friendly) Away 2.30 p.m.

Saturday 27th July v Holyport (1st XI League) Home " 27th July v Tilehurst (2nd XI League) Away Sunday 28th July v Mortimer (Friendly) Home 2.30 p.m.

Saturday 3rd Aug v Reading All Stars (1st XI League) Away " 3rd Aug v Sandhurst (2nd XI League) Home Sunday 4th Aug v Goring (Friendly) Home 2.30 p.m.

Saturday 10th Aug v Broadmoor (1st XI League) Home " 10th Aug v Crown Wood (2nd XI League) Away Sunday 11th Aug v Hermitage (Friendly) Away 2.30 p.m.

Saturday 17th Aug v Peppard (1st XI League) Away " 17th Aug v Ibis/Mapledurham (2nd XI League) Home Sunday 18th Aug v Whitchurch (Friendly) Away 2.30 p.m.

Saturday 24th Aug v Ibis/Mapledurham (1st XI League) Away 1.30 p.m.

23 " 24th Aug v West Ilsley (2nd XI League) Home 1.30 p.m. Sunday 25th Aug v Aldermaston (Friendly) Home 2.30 p.m.

Saturday 31st Aug v Stratfield Turgis (1st XI League) Home 1.30 p.m. " 31st Aug v Wraysbury (2nd XI League) Away 1.30 p.m. Sunday 1st Sept v Yattendon & Frilsham (Friendly) Away Sunday 8th Sept v Woolhampton (Friendly) Home All matches being at 2.00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. If you are interested in participating in the Cricket Club in any way (Colts or Adults playing, umpiring, scoring or just watching) come along to any advertised event or contact: Martin Bishop (427142) or Brian Smith (843653).

Purley Jubilee Presentation Evening

Our Annual Presentation evening was once again very well attended. Our guest, Mick Gooding, presented the following awards:-

U10s Player of the Year James Dyer U10s Most Improved Player Daniel Francis U12s Player of the Year James Beisly U12s Most Improved Player Ryan Quinland U13s Player of the Year Paul Rixon U13s Manager Special Award Andrew Giles Men's Player of the Year Paul Latch Men's Manager Player of the Year Liam Higgins Junior Golden Boot Daniel Baker Senior Golden Boot Steve Fuller Long Service Awards Nigel Careless Richard Sanders Clubman of the Year Richard Sanders

24 On behalf of the Management Committee of Purley Jubilee F.C., I would like to thank Purley Sports and Social Club for the use of the club; Mick Gooding for coming along to present the awards and to all those who kindly donated gifts towards our grand raffle.

"Field of Dreams" At the Presentation Evening mentioned above, our President and Founding Father, Jack Mattison, brought along some old magazines that the Club used to produce in the early 1980s; in the first issue was a very interesting article by Jack Mattison on how the Club came into being.

Jack related that originally the only organised football for youngsters in Purley was the "Saturday Club" but that only catered for boys up to 11 years of age; having been involved with the Saturday Club, Jack felt that it would be a good idea to form a football club to cater for youngsters of all ages in Purley. The club was formed in 1977, the year of our Queen's Jubilee, hence the name Purley Jubilee. The Club colours were a very patriotic Red, White and Blue.

The club were in need of a pitch and it was Bill Roberts of "Hedgerows", Long Lane who came to their aid. He said he had a field at the rear of his garden that the club could use. Working parties were formed and every Sunday morning they set about removing dead trees, blackberry bushes etc. until the field was converted into a football pitch. An old car and gang mowers were purchased to cut the grass and a second-hand caravan was used as a changing room.

After much hard work, everything was in place just in time for the team (Under 12s) to play their inaugural match against a side from Upper Basildon during Jubilee week. The club played here for a few seasons before moving to its present home at Purley Recreation Ground.

I related this story to Robbie Stephens, our Under 10s Manager, who now lives at Hedgerows and he invited me to see the field where it all began. The goalposts are no longer there and the field must look much as it would have done nearly twenty years ago when the founding members of Purley Jubilee first set eyes on their "field of dreams".

As the club approaches its twentieth year, the Management Committee felt it would be an interesting idea to form an official archive of the club's history in the form of old photos and memorabilia. If anyone has any old photos, medals or articles relating to Purley Jubilee that they would be prepared to donate or allow the club to make copies of, we would be most interested to hear from them. We would particularly like to contact Barbara Buckner and John Carpenter. If anyone can help regarding this matter, please

25 telephone me on 624577 or John Careless on 843988. Rick Farrow, Secretary

CARAVAN TO LET

West Sussex, Bracklesham Bay. 6-berth caravan on a private site. Well suited for Chichester, Portsmouth, Goodwood and the South Downs. Club bar, launderette, children's playground, good walks, space and peace. Tel: 844564

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Summer Sounds of Purley

What are the sounds of summer for you? Is it the swooping shrieks of house martins and swallows on the wing; the buzzing chirps of grasshoppers amidst the long grassy banks; maybe even the long, lazy drone of a distant aeroplane winging its way across the sky at some far off high altitude.

If all is quiet, it might even be the gentle sighing of the summer breeze as it gently stirs the trees or wafts the tall waving grasses or perhaps the distant murmur of the Thames as it cascades over the weir.

Yet Sundays in Purley what do we hear? All hell is let loose with the incessant frenzies of the modern machine age. The DIY power tools, lawnmowers galore from the push'n'pull to the more sophisticated sit-on jobs but, above all else, can be heard the high pitched angry whine of those dreadful strimmers!

When one finally leaves off, another one starts up and so it goes on throughout the day......

A plea for peace - couldn't we have a moratorium for the Sabbath; after all, we all need a day of rest and relaxation - for the body and for the spirit.

Failing that, could we all agree on an (un)happy hour, preferably in the morning before the guests and visitors arrive, before lunch and the afternoon siesta in the garden.

26 I will try to remember that my noise disturbs your peace if you will remember vice versa. In Purley we are very fortunate to live in the countryside away from suburbia with all its noise and confusion. Trevor Cotton, 2 Jasmine Cottages

FOUND

Green budgerigar found in Hazel Road on 17th June. If you think this is your lost pet, please call 625593.

WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

Due to unfortunate circumstances, our guest speaker was unable to give his talk on canal barges. We hope the problem resolves itself and look forward to the talk at a later date.

Nevertheless, Jean Spencer had much to relate. This lady from Whitchurch was happy to travel with others to Cardiff as our delegate to deliver our votes for this year's Resolutions. Quite a hectic but stimulating day was had by all.

Forty visitors from Suffolk called into Purley hall also on their way to the conference at Cardiff. They were happy to receive a warm welcome and a wonderful slap-up meal provided by the W.I. members. An extra thank you goes to Barbara who provided an extra posh loo over the road!

Denman College - Mrs. Spencer urges us to use this college, near Abingdon. It is owned by the W.I. and, for a few days at a time, courses are run for W.I. members. What a wonderful opportunity to wallow in the luxury of the college accommodation and indulge in that interest or hobby you've always wanted to exercise. If there is an activity you've wanted to get out of your system, here's your chance. You are away from the kitchen sink, telephones and family demands. You owe it to yourself. Do a Shirley Valentine and go for it. We're all tempted now.

Did you know - and not a lot of people know this - that W.I. throughout the kingdom entered into a Guinness Book of Records competition to knit the longest scarf? It measures two miles long!! Having done this, we are now chopping the whole lot up into six foot strips, for blankets for the Third World underprivileged.

27 The flower table was won by Barbara Mercer with a Dutch Iris - what a magnificent shade of mauve and just like velvet. Second was Shirley Lewis with an Allium from the onion family.

Despite not having our barges man, we still produced our boats for the Build a Boat competition. First was Shirley Lewis with Noah's Ark (two by two - by two by two). She must have seen the concert. Second was Sylvia Conquest with A Sailor in a Mini Coracle Stranded on the Sands - poor soul.

This month's meeting, on Wednesday, 10th July at 7.30 p.m. in Purley Memorial Hall, the speaker will give her impression of Cyprus. There will be a book stall, and the competition will be Bring a Holiday Souvenir - no ladies, not your sun tan! See you there - have a night out. Sylvia Conquest FROM MY HISTORY NOTEBOOK

Edward Sherwood (1807 - 1856)

Four generations of the Sherwood family dominated the life of Purley Village for over 120 years until the untimely death of Edward Sherwood III in 1856. First came Edward Sherwood I, yeoman, who arrived in Purley about 1733; he died in 1778. Thirty years previously he was living in "his new dwelling house at Purley". Then came his son, John (1735 - 1792), yeoman of Purley; his grandson, Edward II (1770 - 1811), gentleman; and finally his great-grandson, Edward III (1807 - 1856). Edward Sherwood III was baptised at Purley on 2nd December 1807, the sixth of the eight children of Edward II and Mary Ann Sherwood. He was only three and half years old when his father died, and did not inherit his share of the estate until 1833.

The Sherwoods leased about half the land in Purley, but they only owned about 7 acres outright. By 1835, Edward III had increased his holding to about two-thirds of Purley's 877 acres and, therefore, paid about two-thirds of the Poor Rates. In his position as Overseer of the Poor he was responsible for the distribution of Parish Relief (which, under the circumstances was mostly his own money), either on a regular basis to widows and orphans, etc. or as the need arose in the case of illness or accident. He seems to have performed this task without undue generosity, but it is difficult to judge as there is only his book of the Churchwardens' Accounts to refer to - no other records survive.

Edward Sherwood's property included 14 cottages and 3 houses (excluding Purley Park, Purley Hall, Purley Lodge and the Rectory). Part of the property was leased from Anthony Morris Storer on condition that he act as Overseer and distribute the "Cow

28 Money" (see last month's article). To help him manage his farm land, Edward employed Stewards: William Waite in 1842 and Savory Griffin from about 1851 - 1854. By 1851 he farmed 800 acres and employed 45 labourers which represents almost the entire working force of Purley at that time. Most of his labourers would have lived in his "tied cottages" which had to be vacated on leaving his employment. This goes part of the way to explain why there is relatively little continuity of families in Purley, which remained a "closed village" for a long time; no new houses were built for the growing population. It was not until land was sold off in this century that more houses could be built, thus allowing the population to increase dramatically from less than 200 in the 19th century, to over 4,000 in 1981. Apart from being Churchwarden and Overseer from 1829 until his death, Edward III was also Constable in 1831 and Surveyor (of the roads) in 1832. Ten years later he held four of the eight parish offices; Churchwarden, Overseer, Guardian (he represented Purley in the Bradfield Union from 1835), and Assessor and Surveyor (this last one is one post). The Reform Act of 1832 enabled him to vote for Parliament for the first time as he leased land worth more than £10 per annum.

It was not until he was almost 39 years old that he took the plunge and married Amelia Purvis at St. Giles Church, Reading in October 1846. She was 16 years younger than her husband and fourth daughter of Captain Edward Purvis of Watlington House, Reading. Edward and Amelia had five children baptised at Purley; the eldest, Edward Purvis Sherwood, baptised 1848, went into the Church; Mary was baptised in 1850; Arthur Paul, baptised 1851, became a doctor; Edith Sophia, baptised in 1854, is perhaps the best known of his children as she was killed while a missionary in China during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900; her memorial is in the north aisle of the Church; the youngest child, Catherine Amelia, was baptised in April 1856, six weeks after her father's death. She later married a minister of the Church.

It is difficult to know where the family lived in Purley. By 1851 they had moved to Pangbourne where Edward Sherwood III died suddenly on 12th March 1856 aged 49. Six days later he was buried quietly in the Sherwood vault at Purley, which is marked by a long, narrow chevron stone on the right hand side of the path by the porch. His obituary in the Berkshire Chronicle said that he was an agriculturalist and regularly attended Reading Market. For some time he had been "suffering occasionally from heart disease, which rendered the tenure of his life precarious". His wife Amelia died 60 years later in 1916 at the age of 93; she had left the district and remarried. Jean Debney

(This article was first published in Purley Parish News in June 1982 and has been reproduced by kind permission of Jean Debney).

29 COMMUNITY COUNCIL FOR BERKSHIRE

Meals on Wheels

Have you 2 hours to help with Meals on Wheels in this area? If so, please ring 01635 43483 or 01734 576055 for more details. Sarah Ward, Rural Community Care Worker

NEWBURY COLLEGE

Basic Skills Courses

Do you want to -

* improve your reading, writing, spelling or spoken English? * improve your everyday maths? * improve your job prospects? * help your children? * return to study? * gain a qualification?

Newbury College can help you. We run classes in -

*Brush up your English *Brush up your Maths *English for Speakers of Other Languages *Basic Information Technology

Daytime and evening classes are held in:- Newbury, Thatcham, Upper Bucklebury, Theale, Burghfield Common, Hungerford and Lambourn.

All our groups are small and friendly and you will get individual help. You will be able to choose what you want to learn. You can work towards qualifications in these classes. All classes are FREE and you can join at any time.

For further information, contact Linda Fergusson on 01635 37000, ext. 270.

30 Time to Spare?

Could you help someone with reading, writing or everyday maths? Why not become a volunteer tutor? Volunteers work in a class under the guidance of a tutor often with individual students. You need a good standard of English and Maths and the ability to make a regular commitment. Training is given through the City and Guilds Initial Teachers' Certificate.

For further information, contact Linda Fergusson on 01635 37000, ext. 270.

12 RULES FOR PARENTS FOR RAISING JUVENILE DELINQUENTS

1.Begin with infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way he will grow up believing the world owes him a living. 2.When he picks up "bad" words or "dirty" words, laugh at him. That will make him think he is "cute". He will run off and pick up some other words that will blow the top off your head. 3.Never give him any spiritual training until he is 21 and then let him decide for himself. By the same logic, never teach him the English language. Maybe when he is old enough he may want to speak Bantu. 4.Praise him in his presence to all the neighbours; show how much smarter he is than the neighbours' children. 5.Avoid the use of the word "wrong". It may develop in the child a `guilt complex'. This will prepare him to believe that when he is punished later on for stealing cars or assaulting women, society is "against him" and that he is being "persecuted". 6.Pick up everything after him; his shoes, his books, his clothes. Do everything for him, so that he will be experienced in throwing burdens on others. 7.Let him read anything he wants. Have no concern whatever for what goes into his mind. Provide him with Lily cups for his lips, but let his brain drink out of any dirty container for words and ideas. 8.Quarrel frequently in the presence of your children. In this way they will be prepared for broken homes later on. 9.Give him all the spending money he wants; never let him earn his own. 10.Satisfy every craving of the child for food, drinks and everything that has to do with the sense of taste and touch, gratifying every sensual desire.

31 11.Take his part against policemen, teachers and neighbours. They are all "prejudiced" against your child. 12.When he gets into real trouble, always defend yourself and say, "I never could do anything with him". Author unknown

DON'T FORGET TO BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR THE OLD TYME MUSIC HALL (12th and 13th JULY) - SEE PAGE 15 FOR DETAILS

LAUGHLINES

Middle age is when, wherever you go on holiday, you pack a sweater. ************** It's easy to identify people who can't count to ten. They're in front of you in the supermarket express lane. *************** I went to see the Doc the other week, told him I was seeing double an' falling over a lot ...... kept forgetting to go to work, an' things like that.

He buries his head in `is `ands and says "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. I can't do anythin' for you. It's just too much drinkin', Mr. Ogden".

So I gets up an' staggers out an' says I'll come back when `es' sober. Silly ol' fool! *************** PURLEY PARISH NEWS

EDITOR:Pauline Manning, 5 Oak Tree Walk, Purley on Thames. Tel: 429630 ADVERTISING:Claire Pearson, `Letgable', Purley Village. Tel: 843070 CIRCULATION:Les Jamieson, 58a Wintringham Way, Purley on Thames. Tel: 412342

I welcome contributions from anyone to this magazine, particularly on local issues and events. Please note, however, I reserve the right to edit contributions to suit space availability. Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily

32 reflect the views of the Editor or the P.C.C. of St. Mary's Church, Purley on Thames - sponsors of Purley Parish News.

This magazine is published on the first Saturday of each month (except August) and the subscription Price is £3.00 for eleven issues. If you are new to the area and would like to subscribe to Purley Parish News, please contact the Circulation Manager, Les Jamieson, on 412342.

This month's magazine is published on Saturday, 6th July 1996. All copy for the September issue must reach me by 15th August and the magazine will be published on Saturday, 31st August 1996. Editor

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