DORCHESTER NEWS June 2015 FREE TO EVERY HOME IN THE PARISH Talking Point Do you ever wish you had a crystal Nichols, issued statements saying ball and could look into it and see what that there was a hard won fight to In this issue the future holds? At the time of writing give everyone the right to vote and Abbey Bellringers 15 this article (end of the first week in you need to use that right. "Unless Abbey Calendar 30 May in order to meet magazine dead- we exercise the democratic rights Big Bash 9 lines) that is exactly how I feel at the that our ancestors struggled for, we Bus times 29 moment. Given the title “Talking Point” will share responsibility for the fail- CAB 25 Chiropodist 3 I imagine you are reading this expect- ures of the political classes. It is the ing some illuminating words on some Discovering Dorchester 11 duty of every Christian adult to vote, DOGS 11 subject which is currently making even though it may have to be a Dorchester Historical news. This week that could be fairly vote for something less than a vi- Society 3 easy: the week began with the birth of sion that inspires us." Earth Trust 21 a new princess, fourth in line to the Election results 23 throne, then we moved into a General As just one example, it was political Festival memories 9 Election and a result which totally con- action in Parliament by Christians Festival news 5 Fishmonger 3 founded all the pollsters (I imagine lead by William Wilberforce that they wish they had a crystal ball!); Focus on DADS 19 was responsible for the abolition of Football Club 13 followed by the resignations of the slavery in this country in 1833. If the Footsteps Foundation 25 leaders of not just one, but three, polit- Church had kept out of politics what From your county ical parties; then we moved on to com- councillor green p1 th would have happened? memorate the 70 anniversary of VE From your MP green 1 Day; and pushed into the background I firmly believe that religious belief Fun Run 7 is the crisis and suffering in Nepal does have something to say to the Hempcroft Allotment News 3 Hurst Water Meadows 21 caused by the massive earthquake world of politics, something about which struck that country but which no Important date for diary 3 justice, mercy and compassion, our John Masefield House 11 longer dominates our news although attitudes to the poor and needy and May Morning 7 the situation is far from resolution. By the outcasts of society and our love Mobile library 3 the beginning of June who knows what for our neighbour. I support the right Parish Council Notices green p1 will dominate our news? of Church leaders to offer support Pre-school news 17 for, or argue against, policies put Refuse Collections 29 At the risk of being out of date I want forward by political parties. Regular events 30 Safari Supper 11 to concentrate on the political news. What stance should Christians be tak- Scarecrow trail 6 Jesus himself had things to say SODC seeks your views green p1 ing as politicians who lost their seats about attitudes to power and its use St Birinus school news 17 or failed to be elected recriminate on and misuse. Speaking to the reli- Talking point 1 one hand and rejoice in a parliamen- gious leaders of his day he con- Thanks for Festival 3 tary majority (albeit slim) on the other? demned them in no uncertain terms Urgent Village Notices 3 The easy way out is to say something using words which could easily be Wallingford Archaeology 27 along the lines of “The Church should applied to some political views, Wallingford Corn Exchange 29 keep out of politics” and bury our “Woe to you, scribes and Phari- heads in the sand. Keeping out of poli- Wallingford Country sees, hypocrites! For you have ne- Market 27 tics is not the Christian way. Universal glected the weightier matters of the Wallingford Model Railway suffrage is a right which was fought for law: justice and mercy and faith. It Show 27 hard and long in the past. At the be- is these you ought to have prac- Wallingford Museum 27 ginning of the last century women tised without neglecting the others.” Wallingford U3A 29 were still not allowed to vote, that can- WI 13 not be right but many people do not So my prayer is for politicians of all exercise their right. viewpoints that they will rule through parliament with justice and At the start of the election campaign mercy, compassion and integrity. the Bishops of the Church of England, David Haylett closely followed by Cardinal Vincent Associate Vicar 1 Dorchester News June 2015 Dorchester News Minor Injuries Editorial Team The Minor Injuries Unit at Abingdon Hospital, Marcham Road, is Ian Brace, Kathy Glass available every day from 10.00 am to 10.30 pm: 01865 425161. Distribution Co-ordinator A&E Rosemary Day The nearest A & E units are at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Copy Deadlines for Dorchester News Oxford (01865 741166) and the Royal Berkshire in Reading July/August edition 12 June (01183 225111) September edition 14 August Health Centre—Berinsfield October edition 11 September Telephone number 01865 340558 Clifton Hampden Surgery Advert Deadlines for Dorchester News Telephone Number 01865 407888 One week before copy deadline Those items in electronic form may be sent via e-mail attachment to Abbey Guest House Bookings [email protected]. Anything people Anyone wishing to hire the Abbey Guest House for private would like sent to newsletter editors for other churches in the functions, meetings, exhibitions, etc, should contact Hilarie Team should be sent to [email protected] by Rogers on 01865 340007. the 9th of the preceding month. Hire of Dorchester Village Hall Magazine Advertising Costs To hire our Village Hall, please contact Brenda Edwards; Why not use this parish magazine to advertise your business, [email protected], or telephone: service, function, etc? There are ten issues per year with double 01865 343062. Please telephone at least 24 hours in advance issues in July/August and in Dec/Jan. For an eighth of a page to arrange collection of the key. the cost is £11.75, for a quarter page £23.50, for a half page £35.25 and just £47.00 for a full page. The Communal Lounge at Belcher Court The communal lounge at Belcher Court is now available for rent. All charges are put towards the cost of the paper, printing and Contact the Scheme Manager, Caroline Major, on 01865 343128. postage of copies being sent outside the village. You may supply your own advert or we can produce the advert and Street lighting - fault reporting artwork for a fee. Report any problems with a street light to 0800 317802, which is available 24 hours a day. Callers will be asked for the address Should you wish to incorporate a logo or artwork, please supply a copy, of the site and the nature of the fault. preferably via e-mail: [email protected]. One-time adverts, please send a cheque, payable to ‘Dorchester Complaints about highways and footpaths Abbey PCC’, to Nick Forman, Willoughby House, 73 High Street, Ring Oxfordshire Highways on 0845 3101111, available five Dorchester-on-Thames, OX10 7HN. days a week, with a 24-hour answering facility. Complaints can also be sent via e-mail to [email protected]. Editorial Blocked Drains? I am well aware that I have written about the anticipation of the Ring Thames Water for blocked drains on 0800 316 9800. Dorchester Festival in previous months, and make no apology Callers will be asked for the postcode of the address where the for coming back to it again. We can see from the amount of drains are blocked. money raised given on page 5 what a success it was financially. But what a success it was in so many ways providing a diverse Refuse collection range of entertainment, fun and delight for so many people. I Any residents whose household rubbish is not collected on the enjoyed the concerts: the BBC Elstree Band together with the due date (see page 29) should contact the contractor direct. The military wives choir, the spell-binding sounds of the Tallis number to call is 03000 610610 and the website Singers, and the sheer energy of Out of the Blue. The Comedy www.morerecyling.co.uk Night was great fun, but Dizzy Dean, the children’s entertainer, equally made me laugh and laugh. Ben Morris, talking about Berinsfield Library making films was captivating, and The Big Bash got the Festival Green Furlong, Berinsfield 01865 340771 off to an amazing start. But we can’t forget the Scarecrow Trail, Free Internet access. DVDs can be ordered. in which so many people participated, and got the attention of Opening hours the local newspapers. The answers are given on page 6, if you Mon - closed Tues, Wed, Fri 10.00 am –12.30 pm still don’t know. And all in such a good cause. Tues 2.00–7.00 pm Weds, Thurs 2.00–5.30 pm Fri 2.00–5.00 pm Sat 10.00 am – 12.30 pm But now we need to move onto other things. The big attraction Village Bus Services in June will be DADS’ production of Man of the Moment, and we spotlight DADS in our ‘Focus’ feature this month. This sounds Information about village bus services is now given on inside back page.