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British Summer Time starts at 1am on Sunday 29th March. Don’t forget to put your clocks forward 1 hour.

Contacts in the In this month’s magazine: Crediton Benefice Community ’s Notes Page 2 RECTOR Boniface Centre The Reverend Matthew Tregenza  01363 894038 Page 3 PRIEST AT SANDFORD The Reverend Paul Fillery  01363 777372 Crediton APCM Page 3 LICENSED READERS Carol Price  01647 24468 Letter to Clergy Sandra Collier  01363 777013 Page 4 PARISH OFFICE Letter to Parishioners Parish Administrator: Gill Lee Page 5 (Tuesday and Friday 9.30am – 12.30pm) Spiritual Communion The Boniface Centre, Church Lane, Crediton, EX17 2AH Page 6  01363 773226  [email protected] Website: www.creditonparishchurch.org.uk News from around the Benefice Page 8 CLERK TO THE CHURCH GOVERNORS Sandra Thresher English - a vision of the future  01363 85467  [email protected] Page 10 CHURCHWARDENS Missions and Charities Crediton: John Musty, Sheila Ralph, Mike May Page Sandford: Colin Clark, Linda Bennett-Smith LOVE : Rosemary Barber, Jack Fey Page 13 Yeoford: Carol Price (Licensed Reader) : Fiona Mortimer (Chairman), Ruth Vigers (Treasurer) Electoral Roll Revision Page 17 DIRECTOR OF MUSIC (ACTING) Richard Stephens  01363 775170  [email protected] Profile: Peter Brewer (Pt 2) BELL TOWER Page 24 Tower Captain: Geoff Sparling  01363 776681 Synod Feedback  [email protected] Page 26 BONIFACE CENTRE BOOKINGS Plus regular features: Robin Lavery  01363 772536  [email protected] Choir Notes – Page 16 CREDITON MOTHERS’ UNION Friends of Crediton Church – Page 21 Anne Jerman  01363 772865 From the Archives – Page 10 HOLY CROSS FACEBOOK PAGE Mothers’ Union – Page 22 James Turner  [email protected] Prayer Diary – Page 12 PARISH MAGAZINE Reverberations – Page 23 Editor and Advertising: Rose Grisman Rhymes and Things – Page 20 1 Penton Rise, Old Tiverton Road, Crediton, EX17 1HR  01363 776002  [email protected] Distribution: Kathleen Hughes  01363 777371 To all contributors to the magazine The deadline for items to be If you would like a copy of the magazine delivered included in the MAY edition each month please contact Gill Lee or Kathleen of the magazine is: Hughes Sunday 12th April Annual subscription £9 Thank you for your co-operation ********** © ROOTS for Churches Ltd 2002-2013. Material in Prayer Diary The May issue will be available in reproduced with permission www.rootsontheweb.com from All articles and correspondence in this magazine reflect the views of the writers and should not be read otherwise Saturday 25th April

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Rector’s Notes of Jesus. We very much become active participants in the Journey to the Cross. Also Stop Press! there is that foot-washing which never fails to I wrote my article a few days before we heard bring a tingle to my spine. His disciples always that the Archbishops of Canterbury and York found Jesus unpredictable; the trouble with us had taken the decision to suspend public is that we sometimes shrug off anything that is worship in view of the Coronavirus pandemic. different and may cause us to think again! I've decided to share with you all that I had ‘Lord, you washing my feet... whatever next?!’ originally written as I hope it may offer you In many ways, this was a radical departure for some thoughts to take with us through Holy Jesus as he washed his disciples' feet... an act Week and Easter and to remind ourselves of of loving service, an act of hospitality and an the symbolism of the liturgy, even though it is act of humility. most unlikely that we shall be able to meet The following day we shall enter the together for public worship at this most desolation of Good Friday and our worship on important time in the Church's year. this most solemn of days will reflect this, both Please do keep a close eye on the Holy Cross in the morning Walk of Witness and the website and please do share information with service at 2pm in the afternoon. This will be a each other. Although we can't meet together time to reflect on our Lord's suffering and for corporate worship, please be assured that death... a time to reflect on his unconditional you all remain very much in my thoughts and love for humanity! my prayers. I shall, of course, continue the The whole of Holy Week with its climax at our worship of the church with morning prayer Lord's resurrection, which we celebrate with and evening prayer and I hope that although the great Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday we are 'dispersed' physically, we will remain evening with the kindling of the new fire, the united spiritually. We hope to be able to offer lighting of the Paschal candle and the first worship online, via YouTube etc., but please Eucharist of Easter together with the do continue the offering of prayer in your own Eucharist on Easter Day itself, enables us to homes at this time. proclaim - The Lord is risen - He is risen Original Notes for the April magazine indeed! As I write this, we are still very much in Lent We are so privileged in our celebration of the but it will not be long before we enter Holy seasons in our worship. We re-enact the story Week and follow the Way of the Cross. This year by year with the great events of the birth most Holy Week of the Christian year - the of our Lord at Christmas, his death and week which takes us from celebration, resurrection at Easter and the coming of the through betrayal, suffering and death and then Holy Spirit at Pentecost. As we grow in our culminates in the joy of the Resurrection. faith, I hope we learn something new with On Palm Sunday morning we shall have our each new account that we read or listen to. usual procession as we accompany Jesus into Sometimes what we read seems to speak Jerusalem. In the evening we shall begin the directly to the situation that we find ourselves first in our series of three addresses for Holy in and we wonder why it has not meant the Week followed by Compline. same thing to us in the past. But at the centre of it all we have the great truth that our Lord Station of the Cross, together with Pergolesi's was ready to give up His life to save us. Stabat Mater, will focus our minds on Wednesday in Holy Week as we prepare for Without Easter we would never have realised the events of our Lord's passion and that the Cross was not a defeat but a victory. resurrection. Easter is God’s mystery, full of surprises. We read in the Gospels how the disciples were Maundy Thursday gives us new insights on always caught out by the Risen Christ. He our usual Sunday worship. It puts the turns up as gardener, traveller, cook. This Eucharist into its context in the Passion Story

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Easter watch out for him in unexpected people Crediton Parish Church and places. It is the eye of the imagination that so often reveals the Risen Life. APCM Arrangements Let the story and the joy of Easter burn in our We are waiting to hear from the Diocese hearts and let us not be afraid to share it with about what will happen with APCMs in the anyone who shows interest. light of the Covid-19 advice. The Annual Your friend and Rector Parochial Church Meeting is due to take place in the Boniface Centre on Wednesday Matthew Tregenza 6th May at 7.30pm with tea/coffee and biscuits served from 7pm. This year, we will FROM THE CHURCH REGISTERS be electing three churchwardens, three members of the PCC and four Cadbury OF THE BENEFICE 2020 Deanery Synod representatives. Full details Baptisms of these roles appeared in the March Parish March 1 Amelia and Archie Pick Magazine. (at Posbury) Anyone willing to be nominated for any of these roles must be on the Church Electoral Funerals Roll and this also applies to the proposer and February 18 Rosemary Hunt seconder. Certain groups are disqualified February 21 Philip Rodd from nomination and the details of this can February 21 Kenneth Chamberlain be found on the nomination form. If elected, February 21 Norman Thorne (at Sandford) the person will also be required to have an February 27 Joyce Ash enhanced check under the Disclosure and February 28 Ian Binnie Barring Scheme and to complete a Fit and March 2 Frederick Snell (at Shobrooke) Proper Person declaration. The Church of March 3 Rachel Newcombe takes a very serious view on March 9 Delsie Clarke ensuring these requirements are fulfilled. The PCC meets 9 times a year on the second Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm in the Boniface Centre Boniface Centre with the meeting generally Thanks to COVID-19 all bookings for the lasting 1½ hours. Each member is also Boniface Centre have either been cancelled, or encouraged to sit on at last one PCC sub- are likely to be so, and therefore the diary has committee of their choice – these normally been suspended until matters improve. meet three times a year. There are nine There is one organisation that, elected PCC members with three being understandably, intends to maintain their use elected each year for the next three years on of the Centre as planned – the NHS Blood a rolling programme. Deanery Synod Donation Service. It is due in the Centre on representatives will be elected for the next 31st March, and after that not until 12th May, three years. The Churchwardens are elected but we have been asked to provide extra each year but are encouraged to seek re- sessions if the need arises and we have agreed election in the next five years. This is also a to do so. rolling programme so that we have a variety of levels of experience amongst the Very regrettably we have had to cancel Churchwardens. Nomination forms, copies of Tuesday drop-in as we do not have people to last year’s minutes, this year’s agenda and staff it and most of its ‘clients’ are in lock- the Annual Report & Accounts for 2019 will down. be available in church depending on the Gill Lee will be continuing her normal office Diocese decision with regard to APCMs. If hours as long as that is possible, but visits to you would like to receive the paperwork the office should be limited to essential needs. electronically, please ask Anne Jerman.

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Letter to all Clergy from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ We wanted to write to you today (17 March 2020) to offer you advice and encouragement at this very difficult time for the whole of our country. Please find attached to this letter some careful guidance. We write this letter having consulted with the bishops across the and are grateful to them for their wisdom and help. Thank you for all that you do and will continue to do as disciples of Jesus Christ and ministers of the Gospel. We recognise what a very unusual and painful time this is for everyone and we want to stress that we are praying for you all and are very grateful for all that you are doing. It has always been the historic vocation of the Church of England to be the church for everyone. William Temple, one of the great Archbishops of Canterbury and York of the last century, is often quoted as saying that we are the one organisation which exists for the benefit of its ‘non-members’. As the challenge of the coronavirus grips the world, and as the Government asks every individual and every organisation to rethink its life, we are now asking the Church of England in all its , chaplaincies and ministries to serve all people in a new way. Public worship will have to stop for a season. Our usual pattern of Sunday services and other mid-week gatherings must be put on hold. But this does not mean that the Church of England has shut up shop. Far from it. We need to look at new ways of serving everyone: 1. Where you can and where it is prudent, we encourage all clergy to continue their pattern of daily prayer and, if it is your practice and can be done within the constraints as set out, a daily Eucharist. It is vital to observe strictly the protocols of hygiene and, where necessary, self-isolation and social distancing. This will not be public worship that everyone can attend, but an offering of prayer and praise for the nation and for the world. 2. If churches and worshipping communities have the resources to live stream then they should do so. This will enable the people of God and anyone and everyone who looks to God for support and meaning in this time of crisis to participate in the life of worship at home. At the same time, both nationally and in our dioceses, we will produce and provide resources for prayer and worship in the home. This will be especially important for those who are self-isolating, but also for the benefit of everyone. 3. Many people are going to suffer during these coming months as the coronavirus reaches its peak. Tragically there will be deaths and so many will be grieving and fearful. We, the Church of Jesus Christ, with our sisters and brothers from other Christian churches, must be in the forefront of providing practical care and support for the most poor and the most vulnerable, and we offer our services to all those who are beginning to think through how best to provide for those in need. Being a part of the Church of England is going to look very different in the days ahead. Our life is going to be less characterised by attendance at church on Sunday, and more characterised by the prayer and service we offer each day. We may not be able to pray with people in the ways that we are used to, but we can certainly pray for people. And we can certainly offer practical care and support. Please do carry on supporting the local foodbank and buy extra provisions for it. Ensure the night shelters wherever possible are kept open. There are many very encouraging schemes happening right across our country in communities to focus on caring for the most vulnerable, so do continue to play your part in those. Then by our service, and by our love, Jesus Christ will be made known, and the hope of the gospel – a hope that will counter fear and isolation - will spread across our land. This is a defining moment for the Church of England. Are we truly a church for all, or just the church for ourselves? We urge you sisters and brothers to become a different sort of church in these coming months: hopeful and rooted in the offering of prayer and praise and overflowing in service to the world. Please, therefore, join us in this great challenge; and pray for our Government and nation, for each other, and especially for those who work in our health and emergency services. With every blessing, +Justin Cantuar +Sentamu Eboracensis

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To all Parishioners of the Crediton Benefice Community As you will, no doubt, have heard, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have decided to suspend public worship in our churches 'for a season'. How long this will be for is difficult to judge at this stage, but I'm writing to reassure you that the Church of England is still very much in business, however we will need to adapt to a new way of being church for a period of time. There is much that we can do in terms of continuing our worship of God and in terms of staying in touch with one another. I very much hope that you will continue the life of prayer at home and there are a variety of resources to help with that. For those of you with on-line access, the Diocese of website has some very good resources, including Morning Prayer and Night Prayer which can be easily used at home: https://exeter.anglican.org/resources/coronavirus-guidance/coronavirus-resources/ For those of you who don't have online access, I'll make printed copies available and put them at the back of Holy Cross, on the table near the door. Although we shall be unable to physically receive holy communion, we are encouraged by our bishop to make an act of spiritual communion when we would normally be present at the Eucharist (see page 6 of this magazine). For the majority of us that would be on Sunday morning. A sheet with details of this will be circulated and some hard copies placed at the back of church. Holy Cross will still be very much open for prayer. If someone else is there please do practice sensible social distancing measures (at least 2 metres apart from another person), and it would be good if you could bring your own hand gel to use prior to entering the church building. We hope to be able to publish a weekly newsheet (similar to the pewsheet) and we'll offer a reflection each week, based on the Sunday readings. For those not online, we can make hard copies of the newsheet available at the back of church. Although we can't meet together physically, I'd still like us to see ourselves as a community that continues to worship God. Keep in touch with one another by email, skype or by phone and do please continue to view the Holy Cross website for information - https:// www.creditonparishchurch.org.uk We have set up a new email address specifically to deal with pastoral care issues at this time - [email protected] or phone Matthew (01363 894038) or Stella Stephens (07960 388198). If you, or someone you know, want someone to call you or email you, send your phone number or email address to our new email address. If you need help to do something like buy food or collect a prescription please use our new email address or contact Matthew or Stella Please contact us via our new email address if you are able to offer help with shopping, collection of prescriptions etc. We are also hoping that we might be able to deliver a weekly notice sheet to those unable to access the internet. Please only offer to do any of this if you are under the age of 70 and do not have any under-lying health conditions; we don’t want anyone to put themselves at risk. I shall continue to pray daily in church, but unfortunately, due to the current circumstances, these times are not public acts of worship. I shall however, be praying for you all across the Crediton Benefice, for our local communities, wider community and for those on our prayer lists. We plan to upload some recorded worship in the next few days and hope to be able to continue this for as long as public worship is not possible. With my love and prayers for you all Matthew Tregenza

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Spiritual Communion You may wish to say or pray The term ‘Spiritual Communion’ has been Lord, have mercy. used historically to describe the means of Christ, have mercy. grace by which a person, prevented for some Lord, have mercy. serious reason from sharing in a celebration Read the following words from Scripture. If of the Eucharist, nonetheless shares in the you have access to today’s readings for Holy communion of Jesus Christ. The form of Communion, you may wish to read and reflect prayer below offers Christians an on them. opportunity to give thanks for their Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life. communion with him, particularly at times Whoever comes to me will never be when they would ordinarily be present at hungry, and whoever believes in me will the Eucharist. never be thirsty.’ The Book of Common Prayer instructs us John 6.35 that if we offer ourselves in penitence and Pray for the needs of the world, for your local faith, giving thanks for the redemption won community, and for those close to you. End by Christ crucified, we may truly ‘eat and with the Lord’s Prayer. drink the Body and Blood of our Saviour Our Father... Christ’, although we cannot receive the sacrament physically in ourselves. Making a Give thanks for the saving death and Spiritual Communion is particularly fitting resurrection of Jesus and ask him to be with for those who cannot receive the sacrament you now. at the great feasts of the Church, and it fulfils Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the duty of receiving Holy Communion the benefits you have given me, ‘regularly, and especially at the festivals of for all the pains and insults you have Christmas, Easter and Whitsun or borne for me. Since I cannot now receive Pentecost’ (Canon B 15). you sacramentally, The Church of which we are members is not I ask you to come spiritually into my defined by the walls of a building but by the heart. Body of Christ of which we are members. In O most merciful redeemer, friend and making our communion spiritually, we are brother, may I know you more clearly, joining with Christians everywhere to be love you more dearly, nourished by the one who tells us, ‘I am the and follow you more nearly, day by day. Bread of Life’. Amen. after the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester In making a Spiritual Communion, you may wish to pray all or part of the following, as You might then add one or more of the you are able. following prayers: An act of Spiritual Communion You may wish to find a space for prayer in Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your front of a cross, a candle, or a special place. disciples, ‘I am with you always’. You might choose to make your Spiritual Be with me today, as I offer myself to you. Communion at a particular time of day, or Hear my prayers for others and for after viewing a live streamed service. myself, and keep me in your care. Amen. Reflect on the day and on your relationships. O God, help me to trust you,  What good things have come from God help me to know that you are with me today? help me to believe that nothing can  Where have I fallen short? separate me from your love revealed in  What might I do tomorrow? Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Lord, in these days of mercy, make us quiet and prayerful; in these days of challenge, make us stronger in you; in these days of emptiness, take possession of us; in these days of waiting, open our hearts to the mystery of your cross. Angela Ashwin

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you most humble and hearty thanks for all your goodness and loving kindness. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And give us, we pray, such a sense of all your mercies that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we show forth your praise, not only with our lips but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Conclude with the following: The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil, and keep us in eternal life. Amen.

Birthdays and Anniversaries in April Happy Birthday to: Gill Besley, Enid Clifton, David Dornom, Alan Quick, Maggie Sandercock, Ruby Saulsbury and Ray Wicker.

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News from around the Benefice on the love of God, I will finish with this beautiful prayer from Francis which has Sandford helped several at this time: with Upton Hellions Lord, help me to live this day, quietly, easily. Well it seems we are now entering new and To lean upon Thy great strength, trustfully, unchartered waters as a family of churches. restfully. To wait for the unfolding of Thy As the Archbishops have suggested, we will will, patiently, serenely. To meet others, have to explore new ways of ‘being church’ peacefully, joyously. To face tomorrow, in these unusual times. For ourselves, we confidently, courageously. will be live streaming our Wednesday morning prayer time at 9.05am on our With prayers for peace and health to you all. Facebook page, and also posting a Sunday Paul Fillery service and reflection on Sunday morning. It may take us a short time to get to grips with Shobrooke the technology, but watch our Facebook page The 7 of us participating in Shobrooke’s Lent for news. In addition, I will be sending out Group enjoyed the first two sessions about prayers and reflections to our regular Parish the Eucharist from one of the Pilgrim Grow Post email group. Sandford is setting up a courses, and thanks to Canon Michael Hall Community Action Group and I will be for leading us once again. We may well meeting with others to see how our churches resume meeting in happier times. After all it can join with them in co-ordinating a united doesn’t have to be Lent for such discussions, response to help the most vulnerable in our although at the moment we are all community. I am sure there will be more experiencing Lent with a difference! ways in which our church family will Our thoughts and prayers continue to be respond to this crisis in the days ahead, and with Nikki Wilkins, Eileen James and Stevie all of us are eager to play our part wherever Fey, all admitted to hospital recently. we can. Thankfully all are safely home recuperating In our Lent group, we have been looking at now. the lives and writings of a handful of Sadly we now know that all church services Christians throughout church history who and meetings and future events must be have encountered the love of God in postponed as well, and a number of us are profound ways, and have left us the legacy of now self-isolating. We are so grateful to live their words and example to encourage us. in a very caring village where friends and One such figure was Julian of Norwich, who neighbours really do look out for one lived in the second half of the fourteenth another, and we extend our heartfelt thanks century at a time when one-third of the to all the folk who are always quick to offer whole world from Turkey to Iceland died of help and support to older and more the bubonic plague. It is likely that Julian vulnerable people. Phones and emails are a (who was a woman) lost her own husband godsend to keep in touch with the lonely, and children to the plague that ravaged and I am sure we will all be seeking our own Norwich. In the midst of this turmoil, (which ways to continue worshipping and develop also included the 100 Year War between our personal prayer lives. England and France), God gave Julian a series of visions: sixteen in all, that Rosemary Barber constitute the most positive and encouraging Tel: 01363 773419 revelations of divine love ever to be Email: [email protected] recorded in the English language. St Luke’s Posbury I commend her book ‘Revelations of Divine Love’ to you in this season that we are facing We were very pleased to welcome Archie together. We have also looked at the life of David John Pick and Amelia Elizabeth Molly Francis of Assisi and some of his teachings Pick to the church family on 1st March when

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they were baptized by Matthew after our Recipe for normal service. Archie and Amelia are twin children to Daniel and Emma Pick. David April Francis took the service on 15th March when we implemented our COVID-19 protocol at Rhubarb and Meringue Holy Communion. Instead of a pie or crumble, try rhubarb with Our church will be supporting members of meringue: our community as we work through the  500g (1 lb) rhubarb cut into bite sized current situation and we will keep people chunks posted via our Facebook page  a slice of lemon (www.facebook.com/posbury). If you don't  50 – 75g (2 – 3 oz) sugar have access to Facebook members of the committee will be kept informed or you can  2 large egg whites contact Ruth Vigers (01363 773945) or  100gm [4oz] caster sugar Fiona Mortimer (01363 777990). Cook the rhubarb gently with the ordinary Fiona Mortimer sugar and lemon. When tender place in a pie dish and allow to cool. Make the meringue Holy Trinity Yeoford by whisking the egg whites and gradually adding the caster sugar. Continue whisking The Messy Church in March was a happy until the mixture is firm. Spoon on top of the afternoon thinking about the breaking of rhubarb and sprinkle with a little more bread following the story in Acts when Paul sugar. Bake in a moderate oven until the preaches in a crowded room and a boy falls meringue is crisp, and a pale golden colour. asleep falls from an upstairs window is killed and Paul brings him back to life. Beware This is good with Devonshire cream custard falling asleep during sermons. made from the 2 egg yolks, vanilla extract, 250 ml (1/2 pint) milk, 25g (1 oz) sugar and There are several books, kindly donated by a teaspoon cornflour. Whisk the egg yolks Yvonne Cant, in the church for everyone to together with the sugar, cornflour and borrow. Please return when read with a vanilla extract. Pour on the boiled milk – small donation to church funds. stirring well. Return to the saucepan and The present situation allowing we intend to bring to the boil stirring thoroughly. Remove have a Safari Supper for Church Funds on from the heat and finish with a couple of 8th May. Tickets costing £18 for a three tablespoons of double cream. course meal including coffee (please bring Paul Cleave your own wine). This event will take place probably at a later date when the current crisis is over. As all services are now suspended the church will be open for private prayer. There are people who have offered to help with shopping picking up prescriptions and helping to order shopping online they are: Emma Martin 07412 600520 Steve and Dee Elston 07731 477627 Jane Messenger 01647 24332 or contact me for a chat or information. Carol Price  01647 24468

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English – From the Archives a vision of the future… 90 years ago - April 1930 (to be read on April 1st!)

The Government has commissioned a From the Cadbury Deanery Magazine: feasibility study in ways of improving Crediton – The Vicar writes ‘Friday March efficiency in communications between 14th was a great day of rejoicing. In the Government departments. It is often pointed evening we had an Organ and Vocal Recital out that English spelling is unnecessarily to mark the completion of our organ (Ed – difficult; for example: cough, plough, rough, although the project had started back in through and thorough. What is clearly needed 1921). The big congregation must have been is a phased programme of changes to iron out these anomalies. The programme would, of very gratifying to Mr. Church and the Choir, course, be administered by a committee of who both gave us of their very best. We now staff at top level from all Government have an organ worthy of our magnificent Departments. Church.’ In the first year, for example, the committee Shobrooke – the most interesting parochial would suggest using ‘s’ instead of the soft ‘c’. event to record this month is the baptism of Sertainly, sivil servants in all sites would William Richard, son of Commander and receive this news with joy. Then the hard ‘c’ could be replaced by ‘k’ sinse both letters are Mrs. Richard Shelley, grandson of Sir John pronounsed alike. Not only would this klear and Lady Shelley and of the Lord Bishop of up confusion in the minds of klerikal workers, Exeter and Lady Florence Cecil. The Bishop but keyboards kould be made with one less himself took the service in the Parish letter. Church. The font was beautifully decorated, There would be growing enthusiasm when in and a large number of parishioners were the second year, it was anounsed that the present. The service was choral and the bells troublesome ‘ph’ would henseforth be written were rung. ‘f’. This would make words like ‘fotograf’ twenty per sent shorter in print. In the third year, public akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expected to reash the stage where more komplikated shanges are possible. Governments would enkourage the removal of double letters which have always been a deterrent to akurate speling. Quiz Sheets We would al agre that the horrible mes of Answers to Quiz No.41: silent ‘e’s in the language is disgrasful. 1_I do not know 2_Great Yarmouth Therefor we kould drop thesr and kontinu to 3_10 Downing Street 4_Gloucestershire read and writ as though nothng had hapend. 5_Newgate 6_The Backs 7_London City By this tim it would be four years sins the 8_Durham 9_Lea 10_Peak District 11_Tower skem began and peopl would be reseptive to steps sutsh replasing ‘th’ by ‘z’. Perhaps zen ze Hamlets 12_Carlisle 13_Seven 14_Lowestoft funktion of ‘w’ kould be taken on by ‘v’, vhitsh 15_Ronnie Scott's 16_Leeds 17_Fleet 18_Six is, after al, half a ‘w’. Shortly after zis, ze 19_Nothing 20_Billingsgate Fish Market unesesary ‘o’ kould be dropd from words 21_Green Park 22_Henry IV 23_Station Road containing ‘ou’. Similar arguments vud of kors 24_Bristol 25_Oxford 26_The Bishop of be aplid to ozer kombinations of leters. Durham 27_A30 28_Charing Cross 29_Exeter Kontinuing zis proses yer after yer, ve vud 30_Tewkesbury eventuli hav a reli sensibl riten styl. After The winner, following a draw, was Becky tventi yers zer vud be no mor trubls, difikultis Green (Marion Delve's daughter). and evrivun vud fin it ezi tu understand ech ozer. Ze dreams of the Guvernmnt vud finali Quiz No.42 'Chocoholics Anonymous' is now hav kum tru. available.

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Missions and Charities Thanks to all those who supported the cake stall on 8 March and the sale of Fairtrade chocolate. We were able to send £137.35 to the Bible Society, including a £10 donation from Babes & Toddlers. Many thanks to everyone that donated cakes for sale. We have recently heard from Beth Kinyanjui who is the new Makongeni Parish Link and will continue to receive the parish magazine each month electronically – the wonders of the Internet! Beth has taken over from our previous contact Peter Gakuya. Beth writes:- “Receive Christian greetings. Makongeni Parish is doing well. Our current vicar is Ven. Solomon who has been here for three years. Our church has grown well spiritually and also development wise. We have a school by the name ACK St. Luke's Academy which produced the best pupil in this region last year. Joan scored 439 marks out of 500 marks and we thank God for this achievement. On 16th February this year Rt Rev Dr Julius Wanyoike dedicated a multipurpose hall, a gate and perimeter wall in this parish. We had elections for the departments and church leaders this month and all of them were very successful. We thank God for the far He has taken us. We also pray that God will help us make this link active from now henceforth.” The Missions and Charities Committee will be writing back to Beth and if anyone wishes to send a message themselves, please pass it to Anne Jerman either in writing or by emailing [email protected]. This is a good time to re-establish contact as we are hoping to host visitors from Makongeni in June 2021. More details about this will follow in due course.

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Prayer Diary for April 1st – As we face the continuing challenge of the 15th – Pray for the committee and members of Covid-19 virus, pray for our Government and the Shobrooke Friendly Club. nation, for each other, and especially for those 16th – Lord, help me to see you in others. who work in our health and emergency services. 17th – Pray for all the leaders and members of 2nd – Lord Jesus, open the eyes of my heart that I our local Brownies, Guides, Scouts, Cubs and may see you clearly. Beavers groups. 3rd – Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ For 18th – Heavenly Father, You are the great I AM. all the benefits Thou hast given me, For all the 19th – Easter 2 – Go out and sing praise to God, at pains and insults Thou hast borne for me. O most all times and in all places, that others may see him merciful Redeemer, friend and brother, May I through your worship. know Thee more clearly, Love thee more dearly, 20th – Pray for the congregations and supporters Follow thee more nearly. Richard of Chichester of the churches at Beacon, Posbury, St Lawrence, remembered today. Upton Hellions and Yeoford. 4th – Remember all the members of the Sandford 21st – Saint Anselm – Lord Jesus Christ; Let me Heritage Group, Shobrooke Historians and seek you by desiring you, and let me desire you by Crediton History Society who work to keep seeking you; let me find you by loving you, history alive in our local communities. and love you in finding you. 5th – Palm Sunday – Lord Jesus, you know the 22nd – Lord, be my shield and my guide dusty road, the fickle crowd, the pushing and 23rd – St George – Pray for the Armed Forces pulling of everyday life. Be beside us as we journey serving at home or abroad as today we on. remember St George, the Patron Saint of soldiers. 6th – Lord, let your will be done even if it means 24th – Remember all those that volunteer to work that my will is not done. with numerous organisations throughout our 7th – Save us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us local communities. while sleeping, that awake we may watch with 25th – Saint Mark – Saint Mark, enlighten my Christ and asleep may rest in peace. heart, grant me to walk on the path of good and 8th – Lord, open my eyes to see the gifts you’ve always in the light of truth. Give me the strength to given me in my life. make worthy and honest decisions and be able to 9th – Maundy Thursday – Lord Jesus, this is love. spread the love for Jesus Christ and charity among That You spoke the word of God, walked a painful my fellow men. road to the Cross, shared living water, bread of life, 26th – Easter 3 – Happy moments, praise God; brought Salvation to the world and died for the Difficult moments, seek God; Quiet moments, sake of all. [email protected] worship God; Painful moments, trust God; Every 10th – Good Friday – As Christ faced his darkest moment, thank God. hour with faith, help us to seek no less than that 27th – Lord, with You by my side, I have nothing same faith when we are faced with tough to fear. decisions. 28th – Pray for all the clergy who serve and 11th – Easter Eve – O God, as we prepare to minister within the Benefice, Matthew, Paul and celebrate the Paschal mystery, grant that we may our wonderful ‘retired’ clergy. comprehend your mercy so that the gifts we 29th – Pray for all gardeners and allotment receive from you this night, may confirm our hope holders and give thanks for their part in showing of the gifts us the wonders of creation. 12th – Easter Sunday – The veil of darkness 30th – Today, we remember St Catherine of transformed to the brightest light. The most Sienna, Patron Saint of fire prevention. Give dreadful end became the most beautiful beginning. thanks for the Devon Fire and Rescue service, The depths of despair fade to reveal hope especially those on call from Crediton Fire everlasting. The curse of death defeated by eternal Station. life. Thank you, Lord, for the wonder of Easter. Prayer of the Month www.lords-prayers-words.com Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. 13th – Lord, protect me as I travel this earth. Grant us ears to hear, eyes to see, 14th – Open Doors – Pray for income generation Wills to obey, hearts to love; projects and vocational training projects being Then declare what thou wilt, run in different parts of India by Open Doors Reveal what thou wilt, partners. Pray that God will use these projects to Command what thy wilt, give our brothers and sisters the dignity of being Demand what thou wilt able to support themselves and their families. (Christina Rossetti who is remembered on 27th April) 12

LOVE Devon helps bring communities together It may be cold outside, but there’s a warm glow spreading out across the whole of Devon. From coast to countryside, villages and towns to cities, LOVE Devon is bringing communities together to support themselves and each other and to celebrate everything that is good and glorious about living and working in this part of the world. LOVE Devon was established by Devon Communities Together which is approaching its 60th birthday. The independent charity was set up with the intention of helping communities to help themselves, and LOVE Devon was established as a way of raising awareness and raising much-needed funds to support the charity. The charity’s key objectives are more important than ever – to ensure Devon’s communities are given the support they need to address the issues that affect them; to help them become more resourceful and resilient and to build places that are healthier, more vibrant and inclusive with improved well-being. LOVE Devon is unashamedly proud of its people and places and there’s a whole raft of enterprises. Projects include the Village Halls Service which keeps the buildings at the heart of any community beating and the Big Energy Saving Network which tackles the issue of fuel poverty that is worse in rural areas where there is limited access to the mains gas network. There are important challenges facing everyone in Devon including affordable housing, entrepreneurship, rural isolation and loneliness, the environment and sustainability. But for every challenge, LOVE Devon has a creative way of approaching it. If you love Devon, get involved! Join in with fundraising, access help and advice or simply spread the word. For more information go to the website www.devoncommunities.org.uk.

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SHED group removing washers the size of pennies on a March meeting spigot attached to the pendulum. Having shown us the old hand-winding system, he ‘Ding Dong Merrily on high, in Heaven the pays no little tribute to those who converted bells were ringing’ – OK, so it’s not Christmas this to the current electrical drive system for but the bells were indeed ringing when a the winders. platoon of Shed members were invited up to the Tower for a look and learn with Geoff And lovely to see the faded signatures on the Sparling: Bell Tower Captain and Guardian of door of the clock cupboard, of those who the Church Clock. serviced it: mostly gone now but I could just make out one dated 1802; a direct link with The monstrous Clock mechanism of steel, the past. gunmetal, bronze and brass, was built in 1838 by Thwaites in Camberwell, and now The crowd assembled in the ringing chamber stands guarded by rough and savagely hewn were stripped for action as their work is timbers which I judge are at least 10 inches very demanding. The bells having been left square on the site of an earlier model built in with their clappers hanging free, task 1 1551. This latter fell from favour when it was (where we witnessed Robin at work) was to deemed not powerful enough to drive the swing them effectively upright, so that when hands on a second of dials proposed to be each rope was then pulled, the bell would added to the North face of the Tower, and so rotate and its clapper subsequently strike. It sold on to P. Church, where it still seems like a black art to work out exactly at functions. The aforementioned timbers which part of the cycle this happens, support the floor of the belfry, where the especially when trying to maintain a sense of twelve bells are seemingly crammed in rhythm with those working the other bells, cheek by jowl. This actually has been very and it is easy to understand why ringers are cleverly done with the axes of the bells set at cleverly trained and diligent in their work. right angles to each other, rotating in Having rung all of the bells ‘up’, they rang 8 opposite directions so that the net effect of for us to see it all work. Geoff would call out movement to the Tower is more or less when, for example, bell No. 2 was to move neutral. Pride of place goes to the monstrous place in the ringing order, changing with, Tenor, which weighs in at 27cwt, and is say, No. 3. This we understood was Devon dedicated to Whitechapel Foundry who cast Call Change ringing; the alternative method it, and also features Nigel Guthrie’s name. ringing relies on the memory of a huge We later watched Robin Lavery, together sequence of unrepeated changes (5040 in with another of the ringers struggling to Bristol Surprise Maximus rung in Derbyshire start it moving, and it is interesting to note last week in a time of 3 hours 15 minutes that Robin’s Morris Minor Traveller, at a with no mistakes!). This is known as a peel; mere 15cwt, is very much the junior in terms you can also have a quarter peel, etc., the of mass. possibilities are endless (and terrifying). Bell ringers are as gregarious as they are hard Back to the clock, which is kept to time by a working and their outings to other towers massive pendulum that swings 39 times per are known to be great occasions. minute, and whose vagaries are subject to atmospheric (mostly temperature) changes, Leaving the ringers busily at work, we then and requiring not infrequent adjustment as a retired to the Boniface Centre to consume a result. Geoff, being able to hear the chimes wonderful Lamb Stew and an enormous from his house is able to observe those Banoffi pie prepared by Bill Rimmer, at the vagaries and compute the necessary same time putting the world to rights. A changes, effected after struggling up flights magic end to the evening! Shed is in a good of narrow spiral stairs and by placing/ place, and there is room for more!

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Few youngsters could have had such a far- Choir Notes reaching inauguration; a cathedral evensong, Handel’s ‘Messiah’ the Christmas services then Did I use the expression ‘written in stone’ in followed by Lent. Truly they have earned their the last notes? Well, nothing is written in place on the Choir’s front row! stone any more – I’d like to say that our acting Director of Music, Richard Stephens has a For the rest, Choral Evensong heralded a ‘cunning plan!’ but as everyone is only too period of Purcell, with his Canticles in G Minor aware of the nation’s health emergency, along with ‘Remember not, Lord, our planning anything at the moment is leaning on offences’ (quite apt given all the the side of optimism! Just as I submitted these circumstances!) and the motet ‘Thou knowest, notes the diocese has put out its edict that all Lord, the secrets of our hearts. Both Wilby and services/practices are to cease for the time Tallis shared the next two weeks introits with being. Amidst their rewriting, I can only say ‘If ye love me’ respectively and as I put that I have nothing but praise for our juniors together these notes, we have just finished the and adults alike, who have turned up melancholic ‘Sicut Cervus’ by Palestrina. Why diligently at practices and services thus far. the detail? It just gives you some idea of the range that our two new youngest members So… a post Easter break has turned into above are covering! something much longer and just as the Lord’s Prayer takes the same time as washing your Harder times ahead I fear, but church music hands, why not do a more thorough job and and fellowship has prevailed through much sing a hymn as well!! harsher periods! I thus join in with our members to wish the readership a Happy All this notwithstanding, Richard Stephens has Easter and for better weather and better been quick to grasp the nettle, having put out health all round! a schedule of music, practices and services at speed and life has continued, if now somewhat Philip Stallard spasmodically. One of our up and coming young trebles Lucy received her Dark Blue Ribbon presented by Deputy Head Chorister Isabelle Kingsley. At the same time in the past month two of our young probationary trebles, Grace and Zoey, have been presented with New Address for the their surplices by Head Chorister Louise Jones Parish Giving Scheme as fully fledged members of the Junior Choir. (PGS) If your planned giving to the church is made through PGS, please note that their office is moving and they have new contact details from Monday 2nd March: Address: 76 Kingsholm Road, Gloucester, GL1 3BD Helpline telephone number: 0333 002 1260 Email: [email protected] Telephone calls from a landline will typically cost no more than the national rate but this will depend on your communication provider. Please be assured that after Monday 2nd Grace and Zoey being presented with their March 2020 any emails, telephone calls and surplices by Head Chorister Louise Jones with the mail posted to Church House will be diverted Rector and Karen Reed to the new address. 16

Electoral Roll Revision Crediton Flower Festival The Holy Cross electoral roll is revised Postponement annually prior to the Annual Parochial Dear all Church Meeting. This year the revision will take place until 12 April. If you are already After some deliberation it has been decided on the electoral roll there is no need to to postpone the flower festival. The new complete a new form, however it would be dates for your diary are Saturday 4th July very helpful if any changes of name or until Thursday 9th July. address could be notified at this time as it We feel that in the current climate it is does help us to keep in contact with you sensible to postpone the festival by a month. and ensure you receive things such as This will give us all chance to evaluate the invitations to the parish lunch. situation going forward and have something You must be on the electoral roll to serve on to look forward to in July. the PCC or Deanery Synod or to take part in Thank you all for your patience. any voting at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. If you are in any doubt as to Best wishes whether or not you are on the existing Stella Stephens electoral roll a copy can be found on the Festival coordinator notice board in the church near the war memorial board. Electoral roll forms are available in church or from the parish office and once completed can be left at the parish office or handed direct to Gill Lee, the electoral roll officer. Any queries should please be directed to Gill Lee.

The Organ House (Church Car Park) Our current tenant Colin Rutterford retires later this year and the premises will be available to be re-let from 1st July 2020. If any reader knows of someone who might be interested, please contact as below. The premises have been used as an office in recent years and are ideal for this purpose or for a store etc. Mike Beskeen pro Crediton Church Corporation  01363 774017  [email protected]

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Crediton Flower Club A totally unexpected and delightful addition to Barbara's demonstration was that she March Meeting accompanied each design with lovely music What a treat! - In the midst of life's current ranging from Louis Armstrong's 'Wonderful problems Barbara Clatworthy travelled all the World' to Emile Sande's 'Imagine'. But that way from to delight Flower was not all! - while she worked she captivated Club members with her demonstration, her audience with a little tale of a certain lady “Sticks, Stones and Dulcet Tones”. Barbara, called 'Phoebe' who opened a flower shop in herself a member of Flower Club, the West Country – she had a rather difficult used to be the florist at the Saunton Sands time but, as all good stories should, it ended Hotel and her skills were plain to see. 'happily every after'! Her first 'all round' design was created in a tall Mary Tasker thanked Barbara on behalf of the rustic container covered in bark and featured members for the delightful evening enjoyed by variegated foliage, agapanthus seed heads, red everyone, really lifting their spirits in such spray carnations, yellow roses, purple gloomy times. lizianthus and beautiful lime green 'Shamrock' Sadly, due to current circumstances it has bloom chrysanths. The finished result was been necessary to cancel the next meeting of placed on a mirror base alongside pebbles and brightly coloured 'pretend' toadstools to the Flower Club. complete the picture. Next came a downsized wrought iron bicycle with two basket placements featuring white lizianthus and beautiful soft lilac carnations called 'Moonlight'. Barbara created movement St Lawrence with the use of medolino sticks on to which she had threaded artificial 'stones' – she It was wonderful to see a goodly number in certainly had some very innovative ideas! the congregation for the first Evensong of 2020, on the 8th March, despite appalling Kindling sticks had been used next to create weather. Thank you to everyone who two wooden towers, painted in green and supported that. The Chapel was looking brightened with sparkling lights. Two sparkling, after the Spring clean, thank you placements of beautiful yellow roses and ladies, you know who you are. purple lizianthus were skilfully arranged to complete the picture. Barbara had covered a large round container with 'stone effect' fablon which she used as the base for a modern design next with aspidestra leaves, delightful pink bouvardia, Memorial Kneeler white gerbera and lizianthus. A polystyrene ball had been covered with sheet music to reflect the idea of 'dulcet tones'. For her finale 2 white rustic baskets formed the base for lovely 'Golden Wave' phormium, white gerbera, white lizzies and the 'Shamrock' chrysanths once again. She had made a black and white musical 'stave' to weave through the design and the two placements were 'joined' with artificial brambles. Bill Rimmer with the kneeler dedicated in memory of Carole

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Rhymes and Things by with liquid potash (tomato food will do), once a week until the leaves begin to die down, Bert Jewell then, with a Dutch hoe or small hand trowel, April cut the dying leaves off at ground level. This in turn will fill up the hole in the ground, April: and the seeds in the packet are ready to stopping the Narcissus fly grubs from getting sow, at the bulbs. Daffodil bulbs can be left in maybe trays full of compost or a neat little row containers if they are deep enough, if not lift in the garden or allotment with the soil raked them (once they have died down), dry them fine, and store them somewhere cool over the The rows marked out straight with an old summer. Then replant them again next garden line. autumn. And those seeds: how they vary in colour and Now the lawns have taken a battering over the size, winter months, not with frost and snow, but The parsnips that grow could win you a prize with all the rain. Water tables are high, lawns from the seeds that you planted, they’re so flat are staying wet for longer so increasing the and round, risk of moss. April is a good time to help the But they dislike manure or stones in the ground. lawn get back to good health. I always like to Take the plump rounded seeds of the early pea, make sure the edges are in good condition Plant them 2” deep and soon you will see, first. Well defined edges can make the beds Green shoots appearing like troops on the and borders stand out. I then deal with any march, moss that may be present. Stiff and upright, like they’re filled up with Then late April early May I apply a high starch. nitrogen lawn feed, this should last well into But the seeds of Begonias are fine like a dust, the summer. Some people recommend that So care and attention is really a must you just rake any moss out with a wire lawn when sowing these seeds, maybe mixed with rake and, if you don’t like using chemicals fine sand, that’s absolutely fine. In my experience this Sprinkled on the compost with a calm steady method helps spread the moss to other areas hand. of the lawn. I use a liquid moss killer and lawn tonic containing seaweed extract, this helps With the seeds now all planted it’s time to relax green up the treated areas once the moss has for me with a book to read all the facts died. I then rake the whole lawn area with an about what we have planted and how they will electric lawn rake, removing the dead moss grow, and any build up of thatch. in trays full of compost or a neat little row. Read the instructions on all containers and Things to do in the April garden packets and use as instructed. Too much high The daffodils have looked amazing so far this nitrogen fertilizer in one spot will burn the year, but, unfortunately their flowering season grass and the brown patch could last all is fairly short, but there a couple of things you summer. can do now to help make next years display April is also a good time to sow seeds of even better. Cut off all dead flower heads at cabbage, Brussel sprouts leeks, beetroot, the top of the stem, leaving the stem to cauliflower, carrots, spring onions, early peas basically become a leaf, helping to take and a whole host of other vegetables and nutrients back down into the bulb. Talking of flowers, also a good time to plant early to main nutrients, after flowering is the best time to crop potatoes. feed any spring flowering bulbs. I feed ours

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Plant of the month Holy Cross Roof Appeal “Pieris” Due to the coronavirus situation the A shrub that is at its best at this time of the decision has been taken to cancel the roof year, showing off the red coloured young appeal fund raising events between the foliage growing at the tips of shoots, they also 18th April and 15th June. These are the have sprays of white flowers. “Pieris Japonica first of two planned quiz evenings, and Firecrest” is about right for most gardens, talks about the Mayflower and growing to about 8’ x 6’. The only drawback is Search and Rescue. Our other that it requires fertile acid soil. It is a good events planned for the period August to companion for Rhododendrons, Camellias and November will be reviewed at later date Azaleas. Enjoy your gardening

New Safeguarding Team Friends of Crediton Church We are sorry to hear of the passing of Tom Connell. Tom will be known to readers as a grocer/shopkeeper etc. in the High Street for many years. He had been a member and later a life member of the Friends for ten years and was supportive of our work. We send our sincere condolences to the family. Due to the coronavirus situation the l to r: David Brassington, Stephen Mitchell, decision was taken to cancel the 78th Chrissie Mabin and Slim Savage with Matthew Friends AGM scheduled for Tuesday 24th March. David Brassington (Adults at Risk) and Stephen Mitchell (Children and Young People) have taken over from Chrissie Mabin and Slim Savage as the Crediton Safeguarding Representatives. Jumble Sale cancelled The Jumble Sale, in aid of St. Swithun's Church funds, which was to be held on Devon Historic Churches Saturday April 25th in the Parish Hall has been cancelled because of the Trust talk Coronavirus. The illustrated talk by Bill Jerman at the Thank you to all those people who had Boniface Centre on Sunday 23rd February offered items for sale or to help. attracted a good-sized audience and raised the sum of £260. Bill would like to thank Chris and We hope to reschedule some time in the Vince for dealing with the refreshments and future. everyone who came along.

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Food and Fellowship Staff at Mary Sumner House are working on an exciting new project which is due launch In recent years, the Mothers’ Union has had a this harvest and in time for the annual national focus on branches ‘Listening, gathering in Belfast in September 2020. They Observing and Acting’ on local issues. As a are looking for recipes with a story of why result, the Crediton branch has collected they are important to members. The recipes items for the local Babybank Network and can be sweet or savoury; a family favourite items to tackle period poverty as well as or individual treat; a slow cook or a quick continuing to support the Crediton meal – all we ask is that you tell us why this Foodbank. Moving forward, the theme for dish means something to you. Additionally, 2020 is ‘Building hope and confidence’ and they are looking to collate a collection of Di Passey attended our March meeting to grace and prayers around the theme of food talk about this. The themed resources and fellowship. Please send your recipes coming from the MU nationally aim to help and/or grace and prayers to Anisha at us live out our faith to build hope and [email protected]. confidence in ourselves as well as those we Future Dates for your Diary support, and to nurture our faith as we continue to walk forward in step with God. In light of the Covid-19 advice, all Mothers’ The Bible makes it clear that our foundation Union meetings and activities are suspended for building hope and confidence is God and for the now. This includes the monthly his Word. These are the rock on which to meetings, the planned trip to Sampford build our life to withstand whatever we Peverell on 2 April and the Home encounter in life. Knowing what is being Communion on 6 April. Arrangements are achieved (locally, nationally and being made to help the whole church family, internationally) and what we can do to not just the MU members, to stay in touch. I further those achievements, allows us to be would urge everyone to maintain contact by confident that other goals can be attained – telephone, email or any other non-contact and also to promote the outreach of Mothers’ means available to them to help combat Union to a wider audience. Di pointed out loneliness and isolation. that people don’t recognise gifts in Anne Jerman themselves. If we are to start building hope and confidence within Mothers’ Union, then we need to start in building confidence in ourselves and acknowledging (and using) the gifts that others see in us. To help with this, the name of each member present was written on a piece of paper which were all then circulated amongst the group. Up to Going for a Sing-Song three comments could be made anonymously for each person, saying what it Along with so many other activities, Going was thought they did well e.g. great knitter, for a Sing-Song on Friday 17 April is good listener. Finally, the person was passed cancelled. It seems likely that it won’t take back their piece of paper to see what had place in June either. Please be assured that been written for them. Personally, I found Sing-Song will be back when normal service what had been written about me quite is resumed! humbling – it does seem that people see Anne Jerman things that we don’t see for ourselves!

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Reverberations from the Tower

We have had a fairly quiet (but not silent!) last few weeks, just keeping up with ringing for services and practice at Crediton. We did have a visit from the gentlemen of SHED at our first Tuesday practice in March when they were taken up the tower to see the church clock mechanism and the bells themselves. The clock, in particular, was of great interest, and if you get the opportunity (perhaps at one of the church festivals) then I recommend a visit. The old wood beams are features in themselves. SHED then descended to the ringing room and witnessed the bells being raised ready for ringing followed by some ringing that was not always successful (it was practice night after all!). On the second Sunday of March our newest ringer, Linda Boddy, rang at Shobrooke for the morning service for the first time. It was very pleasing to see her overcome nerves and ring very well on ropes she has hardly used before. Shobrooke’s bells are rung from the ground floor and therefore the unsupported length of bell-rope is much greater than at Crediton. That places a much greater onus on rope control, most especially for the less experienced ringer, so, well done Linda! We have now been taken over by events and as there are no services to ring for the bells will be silent thanks to the virus. Our Central Council of Bell Ringers has decreed that there should be no practices either as we do not want to risk spreading the virus. The lack of the intended recruitment campaign could be potentially very serious. So there is going to be nothing to say for a while, and that being so Reverberations joins the multitude of suspended groups. Robin Lavery

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Profile by Jenny Francis Eyam’ (see Jenny’s piece about the village of Eyam at the end of this article) which Peter Nigel Brewer (Pt 2) premiered at the Northcott Theatre in 1970. Posted to in April 1968, Valerie and He appeared in other productions including Peter were delighted to find they had been ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’, and ‘A Midsummer allocated a new three-bedroom semi in a Nights Dream’, some at Morwellam Quay. group of fourteen newly built Police houses. This period in Peter’s work was challenging. They bought furniture at an auction to Stationed close to Dartmoor, local Police were supplement the little they already had, and called on to search for escapees. (One, found after realising the only heating in the house decapitated on the Moor, was identified only was one open fire, they added night storage after his head had been taken to the dentist to heaters. During their second winter their check dental records!). Nevertheless, there home proved cosy after all. Hitherto their were compensations. Buzzing around on a efforts to start a family had been unsuccessful, 500cc Police bike was one and living in a but, finding themselves with neighbours of young cohesive community another. He and similar age, several of whom were busily Valerie enjoyed many balls and it was during reproducing, they gladly followed suit! It this time Peter received the International became a close and mutually supportive Dancing Masters’ Gold Award. community with plenty of very local friends Posted to Exeter in 1976, Peter was on the for the children. Their first son, David, was beat in Heavitree for three years with short born in February 1969. Ian appeared in July spells as Acting Sergeant. When he passed his 1970 and Sally in July 1973. Sergeants'’ exams in 1980 he soon began to Because Police pay was barely enough to live miss the public face of policing for the focus of on, it was common for Constables to the second half of his career was to be on supplement it by ‘moonlighting’ i.e. recruitment and training. In 1985 he began 10 undertaking jobs in their spare time off-duty. years as the Sergeants’ representative on the Peter found he really enjoyed driving, Police Federation. After 30 years service, he sometimes the hearse for a local undertaker, was invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden but particularly coaches for Trathens, based Party and finally retired after a total of 35 in Yelverton. Meeting all sorts of people years. As ‘a youngster’ Peter’s interest in proved stimulating and the first time he drove other countries had led him to join the a group of swimmers to an international International Police Federation. Was this competition in Germany, he encountered an what prompted his involvement with eleven-year old Sharron Davies. She won Crediton’s Twinning Association with many medals representing the UK including a Avranches? silver at the 1980 Olympics. He so enjoyed When Peter became a Freemason, in 1969, he this assignment, he signed up for a second proudly followed his father into the Old year. Helean Lodge. During the decades since, he As a beat Policeman around , a has progressed through the ranks and, like his village on the outskirts of Tavistock, Peter father, became Master of a Mark Lodge in nurtured a link with the local youth club. On Exeter and Commander of the Royal Ark one occasion, hearing noises and seeing lights Mariners in Crediton. Freemasonry continues after hours in the Town Hall, the to be an important part of Peter’s life, conscientious PC went to investigate. He together with considerable civic activities. discovered the local amateur dramatic society His kind care and concern for others was rehearsing and so began his own acting rewarded by being made the Rotary Citizen of career! The Western Evening Herald later the Year in 2018. His various accolades have named him as runner-up in its search for the resulted from acceptance of jobs or positions ‘most improved player of the year’. It was for which he feels will help others. his part as Bedlam in Don Taylor’s ‘Roses of 24

Peter is comfortable worshipping at Holy willing to help with school outings and out-of- Cross where he often assists those with school activities. This gave him the chance to compromised mobility as well as chairing learn to ski. After four years he became a different committees and organisations in the classroom assistant, even completing a course wider town. At present, for example, he is a equipping him to support Downes’ Syndrome Trustee of the Musical Endowment Fund and children. For nine years, he really enjoyed makes sure we all know how to operate the being a Houseparent to QE boarders. defibrillator outside the Boniface Centre. Their own family is very important to Valerie and Peter. Their second son lives in W. Yorkshire but the other two children are more local. As grandparents, they delight in being close to their five grandchildren, the oldest being a relatively local granddaughter who, at the time of writing, is almost twenty- eight. Experience has taught them that marriage can bring its own challenges, but, in January 2017, Peter and Valerie celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. They support each other and are sustained by the Christian faith which has been their rock throughout the decades. That faith has enabled them to give a great deal to the rest of us, thank you. Eyam Eyam in Derbyshire is famous for cutting itself off completely from all outside contact Peter and Valerie celebrate their during the Plague 1665-6. This was the last Golden Wedding Anniversary epidemic of the bubonic plague which had Peter is clearly a stalwart member of the local originally struck with devastating results in community and whatever responsibility he the 1300’s causing great terror. Led by its assumes, experience indicates he will be Rector and their previous Puritan Minister, committed to its proper execution. His early who buried their differences for the greater interest in photography began with a Box good, the village survived. Despite many Brownie, and he continued using film deaths, the villagers’ efforts prevented any competently until it was superseded in our further spread in the county. The memory of digital age. Similarly, his interest in First Aid the Black Death which had wiped out many evolved from his interest and involvement in communities when it reached England in swimming and the realisation that a 1348, instigated enormous fear over 300 swimming club or other special event needed years later. It is believed the infection was life-savers close to hand. He has maintained carried by infected fleas on rats and probably his own proficiency in the necessary skills and originated in China. made it his business to teach others, keen to This strikes a topical note as millions of us make the world a safer place. may soon heed the call to ‘self-isolate’ to control the spread of Covid-19. For a year after retirement he delivered Calor Gas for Adams before moving on to be Jenny Francis caretaker at QE’s Barnfield campus. There, being the social animal he is, he was always

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Feedback from the Cadbury Deanery  The Shoots newsletter was very useful but Synod Meeting on 11 March 2020 advice was needed on how to forward it Speaker – Chloe Axford, Diocesan Director and retain its appearance. of Communications and Engagement – Deanery Treasurer’s Report – the Deanery Chloe had also been the speaker at the Accounts for 2019 had been independently recent Deanery Development evening, examined and issued with the agenda. The although that had concentrated on the Synod accepted the accounts with no issues different types of social media. The talk at raised. the Deanery Synod was more about engaging Common Fund in the Deanery had been paid with people by whatever means. It was in full for 2019 by all but four parishes which accepted that this was often achieved was well done to everybody. It was expected through the power of a story – especially that the four parishes would pay their where it was well told and creative. It wasn’t outstanding sum during March 2020. The just about words either – pictures could also latest version of the booklet ‘Explaining the be used. The Synod divided into groups to Common Fund’ was available at the meeting discuss how story might be used to attract for parishes to take away. There was also a volunteers to look after the churchyard. new video about Common Fund on the Suggestions included:- Diocesan website.  Initial invitation to get together of All PCC Treasurers had been sent the interested people; guidance for the end of year action by the  Use a strap line – ‘Let the churchyard be Old Deanery on 13 January 2020. Last year, your garden’ or ‘The Green Team’ four parishes failed to submit their Annual  Story around the churchyard history and Report and Financial Statements in the notable graves correct format. However small the PCC is, every set of documents must have the  What does the churchyard mean to you? following elements:  Wildlife areas to attract nature  Annual Report enthusiasts  Financial Statements, prepared on either a  Identify particular passions and interests Receipts & Payments or an Accruals basis The communication to possible volunteers  Independent Examiner’s Statement could then be through parish magazines, posters, Facebook, village websites. Although Annual Parochial Church Meetings – there Chloe didn’t have time to go through it, she were three main things for PCCs to think left a two-page document about Church about – DBS Checks for PCC Members; Communications Planning was issued with triennial election of Deanery Synod the minutes. representatives; and changes to the Church Representation Rules. There were three other issues raised:- Deanery Training and Development – the  When any email was being sent by Blind ‘Making the Most of Media’ event with Chloe Copy to all the recipients (this was much Axford on 2 March had gone well. There more common since GDPR came in), the were two further dates planned for 2020 – text of the email should state who it had 27 April and 8 June. It was most likely that been sent to – not by name but by role e.g. Chris Keppie would be the speaker in April, Deanery Secretaries, PCC Treasurers etc. looking at church and the environment. It  It was suggested that the Diocesan was suggested that the June event could look website could include a Q & A Forum at fundraising for capital projects and grant which might save parishes from applications. reinventing the wheel.

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General Synod Report (February Sessions) Lambeth Conference and Diocesan Synod (28 March 2020) Agenda – Jack Shelley’s report of the General 2020 Synod can be obtained from the Deanery 2020 is the year of the fifteenth Lambeth Synod Secretary. He encouraged the Synod Conference. The theme is God’s Church for members to follow the links in the report to God’s World – Walking, Listening and read the fuller papers on the subject. There Witnessing Together. The Lambeth were three subjects in particular which Conference happens once each decade. It’s a would feed through to the Diocesan Synod – gathering of bishops from across the two of which were actually on the agenda for Anglican Communion. 28 March. These were The Covenant for Convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Clergy Care which everyone should read and the conference takes place at the University think about; Living in Love and Faith as the of Kent, Canterbury Cathedral and Lambeth conversation continued on how we live Palace during the summer of 2020. Over one together with our different views and thousand people will travel to the theology on human sexuality (this was likely conference from around 165 countries. to reach Deanery level after the October This event plays an influential role in the life Diocesan Synod); and Climate Emergency & of the Anglican Church worldwide and Carbon Reduction Target. The Church of gathers together bishops and spouses for England had given an undertaking to be prayer, bible study, worship and fellowship carbon neutral by 2030 which had serious and helps shape the life of the Anglican and challenging implications for parishes but Communion for the next decade. was thought to be achievable. It was to be Prior to the conference itself, overseas hoped that there would be simple and clear bishops are hosted in English dioceses and guidance on issues such as carbon offsetting, the has asked us to host The carbon audits, green energy and solar Rt Revd Cathleen Bascom (Bishop of Kansas panels. in the Episcopal Church of the USA) in the Devon Historic Churches Trust – for the Crediton Benefice Mission Community second time in three years, Cadbury Deanery during the weekend of the 18-19th July. On had raised the most money at the DHCT day Saturday 18th July, Bishop Cathleen will in September 2019. This was very largely have a tour of the Benefice and I'll invite her due to the fantastic efforts made by to preside and preach at the Sung Eucharist members of parish on the morning of 19th July at Holy Cross. church. I'm hoping that she'll be able to meet as The Big Hello – 12 bishops and their many of you as possible. Watch this space!!! partners from around the world had been Matthew Tregenza invited to spend a week in Devon from 14 to 22 July 2020, prior to the Lambeth Conference. The Right Reverend Cathleen Bascom, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas and her spouse would be in Cadbury Deanery for a special Deanery service at Crediton Parish Church at 4pm on Sunday 19 July. For more information on any subject, contact Anne on 01363 772865 – [email protected]

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28 Crediton Parish Church Music Endowment Fund Registered Charity 1136033 President : The We aim to raise a capital sum of at least £250,000. The interest from this sum will be used in the following ways: To help pay for existing or newly created choral and organ scholarships To provide financial assistance to children in the choir or music groups to pay for instrumental tuition To supplement Parochial Church Council expenditure on music staff salaries To enhance singing tuition within the choir We hope not only to maintain our standards but to broaden our musical range and outreach

How You Can Help: By making a one off donation or a regular direct debit gift, by making a donation under the Gift Aid scheme or becoming a Patron or Supporter

For further Information please contact Robin Thomas  07834 556532  [email protected]

The Choir of Crediton Parish Church Please note: There will be no choir practices until further notice due to the current situation

Further information available from the Acting Director of Music Ever thought of joining a tradition dating back 400 years? Richard Stephens Why not become a bellringer and  01363 775170 join the ultimate team activity?  [email protected] or visit the choir section If you are aged ten or over and would of the Crediton Parish Church website be interested in learning here at www.creditonparishchurch.org.uk HOLY CROSS CREDITON we would very much like to hear from you. For a no obligation enquiry please contact the Tower Captain Geoff Sparling  01363 776681  [email protected] Practice Night Tuesday 7.30 – 9pm at Crediton Boniface Centre Church Lane, Crediton

A flexible, multi-purpose hall suitable for 10 – 200 people

Ideal for: Business meetings Fund raising events Private functions Training seminars

Well equipped kitchen Hearing loop/public address system Level access Free parking within 100 metres Premises licence for public entertainment and sale of alcohol

For bookings please contact: Robin Lavery  01363 772536 email: [email protected]

THE FRIENDS OF CREDITON PARISH CHURCH President: The Bishop of Crediton Registered Charity no: 268236 Founded in May 1937 Have you ever considered becoming a’ Friend’ to help secure the future of our magnificent church? You can become a ‘Friend’ from as little as £5 per annum or you can become a ‘Life Member’ for a one off payment of £125. Should you be a UK taxpayer we would encourage you to Gift Aid your contribution For further information why not pick up a booklet at the church or have a look at the ‘Friends’ section at www.creditonparishchurch.org.uk The membership secretary/treasurer Mike Beskeen can be contacted at  01363 774017

Printed by Hedgerow Print, Marsh Lane, Crediton, EX17 1ES  01363 777595