Aug - Sep 2020

Website: www.coxgreencommunitycentre.org.uk CoxGreenCommunityCentre

At the time of publication of the Newsletter, due to the (COVID-19) pandemic many of the events have been cancelled or postponed.

For any updates from the Cox Green Community Centre, please visit http://www.coxgreencommunitycentre.org.uk/

Please STAY SAFE...

You can find out more about the (COVID-19) pandemic via the websites.

NHS (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/) Gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus) WHO (https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1)

The Cox Green Newsletter are launching a BIG THANK YOU.

During these difficult times we have seen many acts of kindness, people going out of their way to help others. We want to recognise these people, by printing over the next two newsletters as many thank yous as possible.

Here’s how it works

1. Please send your message of thank you to [email protected]

2. In the email include your message of thanks, if you want your name printed, please include this within your message

3. To ensure we get as many messages in the next two newsletters, please keep your completed message to a maximum of 50 words.

Community News is a bi-monthly publication distributed free by the Cox Green Community Centre (Registered Charity No. 277252-R), 51 Highfield Lane, Cox Green, Maidenhead, Berks.SL6 3AX Telephone No. 01628 636715. The contents do not necessarily represent the views of the Management Committee. Contributions are welcome and should be addressed to the Editor, or can be emailed to the Community Centre at [email protected] and any submissions may be subject to editing.

NEW CHURCH EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] Parish Priest: The Revd Joan Hicks You can also call the Church Office on 01628 632567 Visit our Facebook page: goodshepherd.coxgreen and our website: www.chogs.org.uk

Services and Groups at the Church of the Good Shepherd Email: [email protected] Tel: 01628 622139 In response to government guidance relating to Coronavirus, the Church of England has put on hold all public worship, whether midweek or on Sundays, for the foreseeable future. We have also put on hold all groups. Once we are allowed to meet again, information will be available on our website and on our Facebook page. In the meantime, please do what you can both to stay healthy and to support those you know who may be vulnerable.

Although we cannot physically get together, by the wonders of modern technology some small groups are still meeting - please do get in touch if you would like to find out more: email [email protected] or call us on 01628 622139. If you would like to join us for a ‘Zoom’ coffee morning or afternoon ‘cuppa and chat’ session, just let us know and we will send you a ‘Zoom’ invitation. Make yourself a cuppa, break open the biscuit tin and join the chat - just click on the link in the invitation to join the meeting! Zoom will automatically download onto whichever device you are using, and your device will probably ask you if you are happy for Zoom to be downloaded onto it. Email invitations to all such events are blind copied (ie your email address will not visible to others).

Modern technology enables us to meet for services too; we are continuing our Sunday Worship via Zoom on Sundays at 11am. Our children’s groups are also meeting via Zoom at 10am on most Sundays. Please do email [email protected] or call us on 01628 622139 for details of services and children’s activities.

There are many other services available too, including those led by our Diocesan Bishops, live streamed and available on demand at the Diocese of Oxford’s website: https://www.oxford.anglican.org/coronavirus-covid-19/livestream/ You can also access services on the Church of England website: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/church-online. A number of churches are also offering streamed services – do look at the A Church Near You website to find a church local to you that is offering live streamed services https://www.achurchnearyou.com/live-stream/?tags=Live_stream. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to join in worship with thousands of other Christians each Sunday. ‘LITTLE FISHES’ Usually on Wednesdays in school term-time between 9.30am and 11am at Cox Green Community Centre. For parents, grandparents, carers, pre-school aged children and babies. Little Fishes starts with toys, activities, squash and biscuits for the children, and tea and coffee for adults. This is followed by a short time of informal worship through action songs and rhymes, music and stories to help us to learn more about God’s love and the world around us. There is no charge for Little Fishes but donations are welcome to help cover costs. For more details, visit www.chogs.org.uk or the Church Facebook page, phone the Church Office on 632567, or email us: [email protected] Everyone is welcome.

From the Parish Registers:

Cremation at Slough Crematorium Monday 23rd March 2020 Shirley Clarke Monday 30th March 2020 Jean Barlow

Funeral at Braywick Cemetery Friday 15th May Kathleen (Kathy) Stock

Funeral at Easthampstead Crematorium Tuesday 16th June Timothy Crowe

Our groups are not currently meeting but when we are allowed to get together again the New Horizon Bereavement Support Group is one of many that will be pleased to resume. In the meantime, we are exploring virtual meetings via zoom. Do contact the Church Office if you would be interested and we will send you an invitation.

‘NEW HORIZONS’ - BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP Now meeting fortnightly via Zoom Have you recently been bereaved? Looking for friendship and support? How about coming along to ‘New Horizon’? This group started several years ago as a way of offering care, friendship and support to people who have recently been bereaved. Usually, we meet on Thursday afternoons every fortnight at 2pm for about an hour in the Conference Room at Cox Green Community Centre. Sometimes we go for a meal out instead. There is no charge for our fortnightly meetings at the Community Centre, although donations are welcome towards the costs of running the group. You are welcome to come with a friend or family member. We would love you to join us. For more details, visit www.chogs.org.uk or goodshepherd.coxgreen, phone 01628 622139, or email: [email protected]

Newcomers are very welcome.

It is uncertain what the situation will be for churches this autumn and whether (or how) we will be able to meet in person. We plan to celebrate Harvest Festival at the start of October and very much hope that the Children’s Harvest Fun Afternoon and our Harvest Festival celebrations (see the details of both, as originally planned, below) will be able to go ahead in some form. Do contact the Church Office or visit our website or Facebook page for more details nearer the time.

CHILDREN’S HARVEST FUN AFTERNOON

Saturday 3rd October, 2 - 4pm at Cox Green Community Centre Craft activities, games and Bible stories, ending with a short time of lively worship.

The theme for our Fun Afternoon activities will link in with our Harvest celebrations at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Sunday 4th October. Those taking part, and their families, would be welcome at either of our Harvest celebrations the next day if they would like to come. Otherwise, just join us for the Fun Afternoon!

The Fun Afternoon is especially suitable for children of primary school age. Younger children are welcome if they are accompanied by their parent, or a guardian who is over 18 years. Registration forms, available from the Church and Community Centre Offices, need to be returned by Wednesday 30th September. Children must be registered in order to come.

Further information about our Fun Afternoons is also available on our church website: www.chogs.org.uk There is a nominal charge of £1 per child towards the costs of hall hire and running the day. Additional donations are very welcome.

Pick up a form from the Church or Centre Office and join us for a fun-filled afternoon!

HARVEST FESTIVAL Sunday 4th October at The Parish Church of The Good Shepherd, in Cox Green Community Centre We warmly invite you to join us for our Harvest celebrations! 10am Harvest Festival Service for all ages 6pm Harvest Songs of Praise

Do stay and chat over tea, coffee and homemade cakes after both services. If you have never been to The Good Shepherd – why not come along and find out what your local church has to offer? If you have not been for a while – come and renew old friendships! We would love you to join us for Harvest.

Marriage Preparation is offered to all couples getting married in, or through our parish. Most attend a Marriage Preparation Day with other couples getting married in the coming year, which is shared with two other local parishes. This is usually held in the Community Centre, or St Luke’s Church, or All Saints, Boyne Hill. The day is very relaxed and informal. If you are not getting married in church, but would be interested in attending our Marriage Preparation, do make contact with the Church Office and we will do our best to accommodate you. Details of our marriage preparation can be found on our website, as well as feedback from couples who have attended. The only part of the day which is specific to those getting married in church is the afternoon. You would be very welcome to join us for the morning session.

CELEBRATING SPECIAL WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES If you have a significant wedding anniversary coming up, you may like to consider having a special service in church as part of your celebrations, or special prayers and/or a blessing within a church service. This would be an opportunity to give thanks to God for your life together and renew your commitment to one another. Re-affirming your marriage vows can be included if desired. Please contact the Revd Joan Hicks for more information on 01628 622139.

Opening hours: 8am to 2pm Monday to Friday (term time only) Address: 51 Highfield Lane, Maidenhead SL6 3AX Contact: Linda on 01628 636715

Our Aims We offer a welcoming setting in which we enjoy seeing our children progress on their learning journey and grow as individuals. We aim to:

 Provide a friendly, safe, secure and stimulating environment in which your child can develop their independence and grow in confidence

 Enable learning through play in which the children are excited to learn at their own pace

 Provide a wide range of activities and experiences to help your child’s development throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

 Provide positive role models and experiences

 Work in partnership with parents/carers to help your child learn and develop

COX GREEN LUNCHEON CLUB Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus lockdown we have only managed to meet for ten weeks this year and cannot yet fix a date for reopening. Like everyone else we are keen to start back just as soon as it is safe to do so – let’s hope that will not be too long now.

Sadly Don Dunning died from the Coronavirus on 30th March 2020. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his family. Don was a volunteer from 1995 when he took over the organisation of the Luncheon Club, a job he did until 2006. From then he continued to help serving on the committee, sorting out transport for members and always being there on Tuesdays to talk with, listen to and advise members and volunteers. He will be greatly missed.

To paraphrase the Vera Lynn song – we will meet again, do know where (Cox Green Community Centre), just don’t know when. When we can start back we will most certainly have a great party!

In the meantime we hope all our members and volunteers continue to keep safe and well and look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Summer Camp

Sadly, due to the (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak, the Community Centre will not be running our Summer camp this year. While we know this is disappointing, we hope you can understand the steps we’re taking to help keep our staff and attendees safe.

The good news is: We will see you next year.

Horticultural and Craft Show

It has been decided that due to restrictions arising from the (COVID-19) pandemic , this year’s Horticultural and Craft Show scheduled for 5th September will not take place.

Hopefully this decision will not upset any people who have been working on their exhibits or looking forward to the cream teas.

If you are holding a cup or trophy from last year’s show please hold onto it for another year. Alternatively it can be returned to me, Helen Ford (01628-548680), or the Community Centre sometime in the new year.

A date for next year’s show will be published in the autumn.

Alterations & Bespoke Works for Ladies & Gentlemens Garments

Antoinette Pace-Tabone 26 Lillibrooke Crescent Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 3XG

Tel: 01628 823293

With great sadness, we announce the loss of Hippie

Hippie sadly died on 7th June and our sincere sympathies are with Alex and the family.

She will be remembered by so many especially latterly for her fantastic Christmas Decorations and Gift Stall - a highlight at the Centre Christmas Bazaar.

Her connection with the Community Centre began in 1991 when she started work as secretary to the Rev. David Cawte. She continued in this role working with the Rev. Viv Brooks and the Rev Joan Hicks until her retirement in 2012 However, her enthusiasm, energy and interest in the community meant that she was very soon involved in many other activities. Being a willing volunteer meant that she was asked to be on various committees and she was a member of the Centre Management Committee for several years.

Hippie served on the PR & Fund Raising Committee until ill health forced her to step down at the end of 2019. Over the years she helped to organise so many events for the community to raise funds for the Centre. The Quiz Evenings which she ran for many years were very popular and had waiting lists for tickets. She wrote the questions, acted as quiz master and always made sure everyone had an entertaining time. She took part in many of the Centre Pantomimes, taking on a variety of roles. Another major event she helped to organise was the Centre’s Tea Stall at the May Fair on Brill Green – quite a logistical problem getting water to the site, which she did from her home nearby. You could be certain that she would be involved in organising and helping with fund raising events ranging from Jumble Sales to Elvis Evenings. For many years she edited Cox Green Community News, creating quite a few ‘special editions’ to celebrate specific events.

Following her retirement she continued to volunteer helping at the Luncheon Club and the Horticultural Show. The lucky squares hampers at Easter and Christmas were her work too. However, her main efforts were for the Christmas Bazaar stall. Throughout the year she spent many, many hours sorting, packaging and pricing donations of Christmas decorations donated to the Centre, ensuring that on the day of the Christmas Bazaar the stall was so wonderful and colourful you just had to buy something!

Hippie was a vibrant, effervescent lady who was so much fun to be with – she will be missed.

DAVID SHAILES PLUMBERS & DECORATORS Showers, Baths, Sinks, Repairs, Cylinders, Immersions, Taps, Washers, Pumps, Bathroom Suites, Toilets, Basins, & Radiators fitted. Full Interior & Exterior Decorating. Reliable & Clean. Find us on Facebook. [email protected] Phone: 0770 8602442

Cox Green Wives Group

For more information call Pam Hitchcock on 01628 825157

The last few months have truly been the most unusual for us all!

Most of our students have had to undertake online learning over the last few months, but we have had an increasing number of students and staff on site – initially children from key-working families, but in recent weeks, we have held on-site sessions for Year 10 and Year 12 in addition to some 1:1 mentoring sessions for our younger students.

Work has begun on the roof repairs following the damage by the storm in February and this will be completed over the summer holidays.

We are still waiting for more specific guidance from the government with regards results days and the return to school in September, however we are doing our utmost to plan for as “normal” a start as is possible, ensuring that the relevant and necessary considerations are given to health and safety. Our site team really have been incredible ensuring that the school is kept safe for students and staff, and the parents and carers within our community have been supportive, constructive and positive for which we are eternally grateful.

Sending best wishes to the community for a safe and healthy summer – we look forward to seeing you all in September!

Total Tree Care and Landscaping

 Tree Surgery  Ivy Removal  Fruit trees, pruned & shaped  Seasonal Pruning  Hedge Maintenance/Trimming  Stump Removals  Turfing  Fencing  Patios  Tarmac and Block Paving Drives  Garden Tidy Up  Pressure Cleaning All work guaranteed. 20 years experience. Free no obligation quote. Fully insured. Helpful, honest and hardworking Tel: 07503 079892 Office: 01628 876271

The deadline for the Oct/Nov 2020 Community Newsletter is Friday 28th August 2020. Please submit any contribution you would like included in this issue by that date, marked for the Editor, Community News or email to: [email protected]

Does lack of self-esteem hold you back? Is your anxiety controlling you? Are you dealing with a difficult life event? Maybe you are simply feeling stuck. I can work with you to help you understand your issues and make positive changes. Take that first step towards a better life and contact me.

www.duprecounselling.co.uk 07394 061770 [email protected]

Cox Green Library 49 Highfield Lane, Cox Green, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 3AX Phone – 01628 683876 Email – [email protected] Follow us on Twitter @RBWM_libraries Like us on Facebook RBWM Libraries Visit the library website – https://www3.rbwm.gov.uk/libraries

New Resource - Niche Academy Video Tutorials now available Niche Academy can help you get the most of our online resources. We have many tutorials on Niche Academy, such as signing up to Facebook or accessing eNewspapers with PressReader. Check out RBDigital and learn how to navigate the site and enjoy fantastic digital resources, this gives you access to a range of emagazines, ebooks, eAudiobooks and eComics. There is something for everyone in RBDigital.

The Summer Reading Challenge is here! This year, it’s ‘Silly Squad’: a celebration of funny books, happiness and laughter! This year’s Challenge takes place online so you can sign up from home. It is free to join and will also feature lots of games, quizzes and downloadable activities to encourage children to take part in the challenge. You can sign up direct with the Summer Reading Challenge at sillysquad.org.uk There is still time to join. We have lots of eBooks and Audiobooks to choose from. Search under Libby and RBdigital to borrow and help you reach your six-book target.

Meet Libby Free download of audio and eBooks to your device. For the best experience, download the Libby app. You can read or listen from the OverDrive website, or download the OverDrive app for Windows 8 or Kindle Fire devices. Check out the library website for details. https://www3.rbwm.gov.uk/libraries

E-Books Bestsellers