The Reverend Judith Blowey, Assistant Curate Tavistock, Gulworthy and Brentor writes …

‘I call you friends’ - this was the title of the Ordination retreat held at Sheldon. The text for the retreat was taken from John 15: 9-17. I share with you a small part of our retreat.

We were shown a copy of an icon which dates from the 8th century of Christ with Abba Mena (there are many prints and the icon can be viewed on line). The original icon is hanging in the Louvre in Paris. The French, however, title the icon ‘Christ and His Friend’.

The text from John’s Gospel reads ‘I do not call you servants any longer because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my father’. (John15:15)

The icon depicts Christ with his arm around the friend. The friend is Abba Mena; he can be seen to represent each one of us. Jesus does not face his friend, rather he stands alongside him; he accompanies him, sharing the burdens of his life. ‘Christ no longer calls us servants but friends’. The second striking thing about this icon is the position of the eyes. Christ has an eye on his friend and another looking out. This gives us an insight on how we all need to have one eye focused on Christ and one looking out to those in our care, to our neighbours and friends. As John 15:12 reads; ‘This is my commandment that you love one another’.

The icon shows Christ holding the scriptures; God’s word, the word that tells of the love between God and humanity. We are like the friend in the icon who is holding a small scroll which is rolled up, God’s loving plan not yet fully revealed. Another fascinating detail of this icon is that Christ is depicted without feet. The friend has feet; it is we who are being sent out. ‘As the Father has sent me so I send you’. (John 20:21)

There is a silence (as in all icons) to be discovered in this icon; both Jesus and his friend’s mouths are closed. The friend, however, is drawn with very prominent ears. We are the listeners of Christ; the silence in the icon is a prayerful silence. Prayer is the very essence of our relationship with God. I am writing this piece in early October; however, it will be read in November when churches across our Mission community and throughout

1 the country will be commemorating the ending of World War 1 one hundred years ago. As we remember and pay our respects to all those who went to war, to the horror that they endured and to the many thousands who did not return home, like the icon, as we have one eye focused on Christ and one on our neighbour, so we pray for peace and reconciliation in our world today.

Lord strengthen our hearts, hands and minds to work together for peace; to see you in one another, and to seek your kingdom above all things, that your will may be done, and your kingdom come, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords and King of kings. Amen (Church of England resources)

Dear Friends,

Thank you for all the cards, good wishes and for your very generous gift in celebration of my ordination to the Priesthood. I am in the process of purchasing a set of Oil stocks. It was such a privilege to see so many from our benefice in the cathedral and in St Eustachius’ for my first celebration of the Eucharist the following day.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chris, our fantastic ministry team and everyone in Tavistock, Gulworthy and Brentor for your support and contribution with and in the Eucharist service on the Sunday.

As I have written before, it has been an amazing year and I look forward to continuing to serve you as my journey of ministry continues.

Judith

2 November 2018 (Services are in Tavistock Parish Church unless otherwise indicated)

Thurs 1 10 am Roman Catholic Mass

Fri 2 ALL SOULS’ DAY 8.30 am Holy Communion 10 am Holy Dusters 10 am Friendly Friday Coffee Morning 12.30 pm Holy Communion (Said) 7 pm Reflections and Readings for All Souls’ Day – Christ Church 7.30 pm Holy Communion

Sun 4 ALL SAINTS’ DAY 7.30 am Morning Prayer 8 am Holy Communion (BCP) 9.45 am Family Communion: a service with a group for children 9.45 am Holy Communion – Christ Church, Brentor 11.15 am Holy Communion – Gulworthy 6 pm Evensong

Mon 5 12 pm Roman Catholic Mass

Tue 6 10 am Roman Catholic Mass

Wed 7 10.30 am Holy Communion 3.30 pm Messy Church

Thurs 8 12 pm Roman Catholic Mass

Fri 9 8.30 am Holy Communion 1.45 pm Tavistock College Remembrance Day Service

Sat 10 10 am Intercessors’ Prayer Group 1 pm Marriage of Benn Paradine and Charlotte Thomas 7.30 pm Mount Kelly Remembrance Day concert

3 November 2018 (Services are in Tavistock Parish Church unless otherwise indicated)

Sun 11 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 7.30 am Morning Prayer 8 am Holy Communion 9.30 am Family Communion: a service with a group for children 10.50 am Remembrance Service – Tavistock War Memorial 10.50 am Remembrance Service – Christ Church, Brentor 10.50 am Remembrance Service – Gulworthy 6 pm Evensong 6.30 pm Remembrance Service and Lighting of Beacon – St Michael’s, Brent Tor

Mon 12 12 pm Roman Catholic Mass

Tues 13 10 am Roman Catholic Mass 7.30 pm Gulworthy PCC

Wed 14 10.30 am Holy Communion 11.30 am Pastoral Care Team meeting – parish centre

Thurs 15 10 am Roman Catholic Mass 2 pm ‘Living with Bereavement’ – parish centre

Fri 16 8.30 am Holy Communion 10 am Friendly Friday Coffee Morning

Sat 17 10.30 am Church Bazaar – Tavistock Town Hall

Sun 18 SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT 7.30 am Morning Prayer 8 am Holy Communion 9.45 am Family Communion 9.45 am Holy Communion – Christ Church, Brentor 11.15 am Holy Communion – Gulworthy 11.30 am Family Worship 6 pm Holy Communion for Healing & Wholeness

Mon 19 12 pm Roman Catholic Mass

Tue 20 10 am Roman Catholic Mass 7.30 pm Brentor PCC

4

November 2018 (Services are in Tavistock Parish Church unless otherwise indicated)

Wed 21 10.30 am Holy Communion 7.30 pm Tavistock PCC

Thurs 22 10 am Roman Catholic Mass

Fri 23 8.30 am Holy Communion 10 am Friendly Friday Coffee Morning

Sat 24 7.30 pm Mount Kelly Choral Society concert

Sun 25 CHRIST THE KING 7.30 am Morning Prayer 8 am Holy Communion 9.45 am Family Communion: a service with a group for children 9.45 am Family Service – Christ Church, Brentor 11.15 am All Comers’ Family Service – Gulworthy 6 pm Evensong

Mon 26 All day Christmas Tree Festival set-up

Tue 27 All day Christmas Tree Festival set-up

Wed 28 10.30 am Holy Communion All day Christmas Tree Festival set-up

Thurs 29 All day Christmas Tree Festival set-up

Fri 30 8.30 am Holy Communion 2.30 pm Opening of the Christmas Tree Festival

Sat 1 10 am Christmas Tree Festival open until 4.30 pm 2 pm Marriage of Adam Holland and Katherine Weston – St Michael’s, Brent Tor

5 From the Vicarage

Remembrance Sunday

In this centenary year of the ending of the First World War, services will be held on Sunday, 11th November at 9.30 am at Tavistock Parish Church and at 10.50 am at the War Memorial in Bedford Square, during which an Act of Remembrance will take place. I hope as many people as are able to do so will gather to be part of these acts of worship and remembrance, and to observe two minutes silence. The services will be offered on behalf of the whole community for all who have died for their country in war. Members of the British Legion and all ex-service men and women will be very welcome and are warmly invited to attend. The church bells will be rung at 12.30 pm and at 2.30 pm to commemorate the cessation of hostilities and fighting. At 2.30 pm the bells will also be ringing to mark the 700th Anniversary of Tavistock Parish Church. Commemorative services will take place at the War Memorials in Gulworthy at 10.50 am, and at Brentor at 10.50 am. In the evening, a service to mark the cessation of fighting will be held at St Michael de Rupe, during which a beacon will be lit. Please gather on Brent Tor at 6.30 pm.

Benefice Away-Day

Our Benefice Away-day will be held this year on Tuesday 27 November at Buckfast Abbey. Please put the date in your diary. The day will be led by the Venerable John Reed. Further details will be published in our churches and everyone is welcome. Please sign up.

St Andrew

The 30th November is St Andrew's Day. St Andrew's Day is the traditional day on which to pray for missionaries and mission, and to encourage vocations to missionary work.

Mission is a word which we are often hesitant about. Perhaps this is because we tend to begin with ourselves. We think how large the task is, how small and how few we are. The temptation is to shrink back from the task of mission, paralysed by a sort of fear. But mission is something which is not

6 primarily about ourselves; it is about God. It is God who is doing the mission, for it is God who does the sending out - it is his mission, not ours. God has sent his Son into the world and he has sent his Holy Spirit. God sends us now in the name of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit to do his will. All mission belongs to God, and therefore, in our thinking, planning, and doing of mission, we must always begin with God; for our mission is part of God's mission. Our part in that mission must arise out of prayer and our discernment of God's will and purpose for us as individuals and as part of the worldwide Church of God. Only then do we get mission in the right perspective. It is not so much about what we do, but rather about what God is doing, and what he can do in and through us.

Andrew’s encounter with Jesus awakened him to new awareness of life. Meeting Jesus gave him a new purpose and a new direction (St Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 4, verses18-22). He shared this new purpose and direction with his brother, Simon. Andrew’s story is one of new hope, for individuals and for the world.

When we think about mission, it's important to begin by asking: "What is it that God is already doing around us?" "What are the opportunities and the good things already happening that we should build on and develop?" Then, we must ask ourselves: "What is not happening?" "What needs to be done?" "What gifts, strengths and vision has God given to me, and to the others, who are the church in this place, to fulfil his will?" "How best can I use my time, talents and money to help others?" With these questions in mind, our priority then will be to develop and use the opportunities and gifts we have been given to the full - responsibly, generously, and in love. One of our main responsibilities is to recognise the resources which God has given us to use in his name. As we think of St Andrew let us be encouraged to embrace more fully this task of mission which is God's work, in and through each one of us.

With my love and prayers. Chris Hardwick

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Prayer for November

To Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love All pray in their distress;

And to these virtues of delight Return their thankfulness.

For Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love Is God, our father dear, And Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love Is Man, his child and care.

For Mercy has a human heart, Pity a human face,

And Love, the human form divine, And Peace, the human dress.

Then every man of every clime, That prays in his distress, Prays to the human form divine,

Love, Mercy, Pity, Peace.

And all must love the human form, In heathen, Turk or Jew; Where Mercy, Love, and Pity dwell There God is dwelling too.

William Blake, ‘The Divine Image’ from ‘Songs of Innocence’, 1789

This is a lovely poem about prayer, which might itself be used as a prayer.

The poem contains a number of deep spiritual insights. It refers to the ‘virtues of delight’, ‘Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love’ as the embodiment of God and also as the embodiment of humankind, God’s ‘child and care’, created in God’s image. And each of us must love all humankind ‘in heathen, Turk and Jew’ where ‘God is dwelling too’.

John Rea

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10 Benefice Quiet Day

Tuesday 27th November 2018 Buckfast Abbey, 9.30am to 5pm.

“Let me seek you in longing; long for you in seeking. let me find you in love and love you in finding” S. Anselm This day provides time and space away from your daily surroundings and preoccupations. It is a time for God and you. So, I will aim to keep verbiage to a minimum and let music and silence become the better vehicles for the refreshment of your soul. Advent has been described as ‘the time for adults to prepare to let in the child’. Advent recalls God’s ‘adventure’ – the time leading up to his coming to us in The Word made Flesh, the child of Bethlehem, Jesus. I encourage you to take this time away before the start of Advent and look forward to sharing it with you.

Led by The Venerable John Reed

Please sign up at the back of church if you would like to attend the Quiet Day, or let the Parish Office know (01822 616673). The cost of the day per person is £15 to include refreshments, but not lunch. If you need help with transport, please let us know. We shall be based in the Dart View No. 1 meeting room in the Conference Centre at Buckfast Abbey. Steven Martin.

Tavistock Food Bank

The AGM of the Tavistock Food Bank was held on 25 September 2018. Rob Weston, the Acting Chair, reported a significant increase in Foodbank use over the previous 12 months. Linda Medford, the volunteer coordinator, reported that the Trussell Trust audit had been extremely positive. She also stressed the need for more volunteers. Rob Weston thanked the generous donors from the community Tidingswho regularly givefrom food and Tavistock money to the Foodbank. … Thanks were also extended to local supermarkets Tesco, Co-op and Lidl, to TACT and to the URC who accommodate the Foodbank 11

Mission of the month..

During November following the Wednesday 10-30 a.m. Service I will be serving tea/coffee to support this Mission. As those who follow the news placed on the Mission of the Month stand will know, this supports our fellow Christians throughout the world who are persecuted for their faith. One such person is a young girl Leah who was abducted in Nigeria and refused to renounce her faith in exchange for freedom. What courage! In September a 200 hour vigil was held outside the Nigerian High Commission for her release. C.S.W. works to defend, uphold and promote the right to freedom of religion or belief. Through their advocacy they challenge world leaders to fulfil their duty to protect religious freedom. Please support these mornings. Thank you. Eileen Hooper

Church Stewards

As we have just come to the end of another stewarding season, I

would like to say a big “Thank you” to all the Stewards. I know that visitors to the Church very much appreciate the welcome that they receive when they come in, and often like to have chat. It is a very rewarding way of passing a couple of hours every couple of weeks, so, if you feel that this is something that you could help with, I will be hoping to recruit some new members of our team next year. Mary Whalley

12 TALES FROM THE TOWER October is always a busy month for us bellringers. I think this is something to do with Tavistock and its environs being (traditionally) a largely farming area. That may be changing as the town grows – hey, maybe there will be some ringers amongst the occupants of all those new houses! - but we still have a livestock market and Goosey Fair, and we can still see green fields and moorland from the town’s main streets. But being a farming area means that in autumn the harvest is safely gathered in (I love that hymn) and farmers can lift up their heads, take a breath – and go ringing. The Tavistock ringers do still number farmers amongst the band and that is one of the reasons why we generally have our annual outing at this time of year. It used to be in June, which is a lovely time to go jaunting round the countryside, but the big farming and county shows all seem to take place then, with a few more throughout July and August, and with our tower captain, George, being a world-class competitive sheep shearer (it’s amazing what the human race can find to compete about) it also tends to be a busy time for removing woolly jumpers. So autumn it has to be. It’s not just outings, either. October is the time for the Devonshire Guild of Bellringers to compete to see which branch can produce the best short piece of ringing. (I told you human beings will compete about pretty well anything.) This year, the competition took place in Plymouth, with six-bell teams ringing in the morning of October 20 at St Budeaux and Stoke Damerel, and eight- bell teams in the afternoon at Emmanuel. Ringers came from all over the county to take part in this and we were proud of the team from Sampford Spiney, who did well in the six-bell, and just a little chuffed with our own performance in the eight-bell, with seven out of the eight ringers to represent the South West branch coming from Tavistock. (We came third, only a whisker behind the team who came second, and the judges commended the quality of the ringing throughout.) That’s what competitions are all about – the quality of the ringing. We practise beforehand and we strive to produce good striking – melodious, rhythmic music, not too slow, not too fast, and with no clashes. The whole thing raises the standard of our day to day and Sunday service ringing, even though all the ringers in the home band might not have taken part in the competition. And there are no prizes – we might, if we come first, return home with a cup or trophy, but unless we win we will have no more than a certificate to put up on the wall of the ringing chamber. That’s all we need.

13 In earlier times, there were money prizes or, as in the old song, such desirable items as ‘a belt and a hat laced with gold’. Probably kegs of beer or cider featured too. But that was deemed unsuitable, and I’m not sure what husky farming ringers would do with a hat laced with gold anyway. Not exactly what you’d wear for doing the milking. On the last Saturday in October we have what for some of us is one the highlights of the year – the Tavistock Deanery Ringing Festival, fondly known as ‘Deanery Day’. On this day, every tower in the Deanery that possesses ringable bells is asked to open its doors to teams from all the churches to go and ring, at times of their own choosing, with no need to ask permission. We travel round in our little groups, some starting as early as 10am, and finally convene at a host tower for a short service and hearty tea. It’s a chance to experience different bells, enjoy the local countryside at its most colourful, and meet together to chew over the events of the past year (as well as those sausage rolls and jam and cream scones that inevitably appear with the mounds of pasties, sandwiches and cakes that form all ringers’ teas). For a long time, we have wondered just when this festival began, but after reading about this in Tavy Links and Moorland Links, local historian Peter Hamilton-Legge took the trouble to do some research (thank you, Peter) and discovered, in the Cornish and Devon Post of November 7, 1903, a report of the very first one, held at Milton Abbot – on a Wednesday, for some reason. If only we had known, back in 2003, we could have celebrated its centenary. As it happens, we went to Milton Abbot last year. This year, the Festival service and tea will be hosted by Lifton. But there will be ringing all over the Deanery, so if you happen to be in one of the villages where they have bells, listen out. And, even more importantly, there will also be a lot of bellringing on Armistice Day, which this year falls, fortuitously, on Remembrance Sunday. As always, in memory of those who died during all the wars since 1914, we shall ring the bells of Tavistock in solemn half-muffled mode for the morning service and again after the service by the War Memorial. The muffles will then be removed to ring, together with all that can possibly be rung all over Europe, at 12.30, in celebration of peace. This is when our new ringers, who came forward in February during our special Ringing Remembers drive to recruit a new ringer for each of the 1400 lost during the First World War, will be invited to ring too. A very special occasion.

14 And then, starting at 2.30pm, the more stalwart and experienced members of our team will attempt a full peal of one of the oldest of all the ringing ‘methods’ – Grandsire Caters – which will comprise over 5000 different changes and last for just over three hours. I say ‘attempt’ because a full peal can never be considered a fait accompli. It can go wrong in the very last few minutes and have to be aborted. To stand for over three hours, ringing the same bell without pause and, at the same time, concentrate on the mathematical formula and patterns which produce the music, is no mean feat. So please join me in wishing the band the very best of luck, and come to listen to and enjoy the ringing, which will celebrate the 700th anniversary of St Eustachius’ church as well as commemorate the cessation of hostilities in the First World War. Oh, and just in case you are still wondering about that outing... instead of making it a major day out, as we often have in the past, we decided to keep it fairly local and visited Noss Mayo, Newton Ferrers, Plympton, Plymstock and Shaugh Prior. Back home in time for a quick cup of tea and wash and brush-up, and then to the Peter Tavy Inn for a fine, relaxing dinner. In the busy life of a bellringing team, it’s good to relax and just enjoy each other’s company. Donna Baker

THE 45TH ANNUAL CHURCH BAZAAR We celebrate the 45th Annual Church Bazaar on Saturday 17th November, from 10.30 am – 3.30 pm, and would be very grateful for your support to fill the stalls. Unfortunately, we do not have anywhere to store the items, so please could you deliver them to the Town Hall on Friday 16 November between 1.30 pm and 6 pm, or leave them in the church tower on Thursday 15 November.

If you have difficulty in delivering any items for the Bazaar, please let Barbara know on 615201 and arrangements will be made for them to be collected. Your help is very much appreciated as always.

15 BELLS

We are fortunate in Tavistock to have such a fine peal of bells and a skilled and energetic team of ringers, and I much enjoyed Donna Baker's recent article about them. Hearing our bells while walking into church has a hallowing effect, and who cannot be moved by the sound ringing out from a country church and drifting across hills and fields on a sunny Sunday morning? The effect can be both inspiring and comforting, especially if the peal is tuned to the major key. Reading the article set me thinking about my memories of bells. One of them takes me back to 1935 when I was eight years old, and the 13th century church of Holy Trinity, Buckfastleigh, just across the moor. Known as the 'church on the hill' to differentiate it from the Victorian St Luke's chapel-of- ease down in the town, it was the church of both sides of my family for generations, and where I had been baptised and was often taken to Sunday service (matins in those days) by my parents or grandparents. (I recall a particular pew, fairly near the back which had 'Reserved for the Ringers', in old fashioned script on the door, but it rarely seemed to be occupied). The six bells were in poor condition, badly needing repair, and were causing concern. The cost of this, plus the addition of two more bells to make a peal of eight, was generously provided by a local couple, and the work was undertaken by John Taylor and Sons of Loughborough. When it was completed the new bells were dedicated by the then Bishop of Exeter, the Rt. Rev. Lord David Cecil, and a special tea held afterwards in the Town Hall. The tea was arranged by the benefactors, who were close friends of both my sets of grandparents, and my parents and I were invited to the service and the tea. (I received my own individual invitation, which delighted me!). I was impressed by the bishop's large white beard, and his white frilly wrist bands. In reconstructions for the new bells the upper inward side of the tower had been left open, with railings, providing a gallery, and the floor raised to accommodate the newly sited choir vestry below. This meant that the ringers were now visible to the congregation. It was interesting to be able to see what was going on and to hear the calls of the changes. When the church was sadly destroyed by arson in 1992 the bells were damaged, but saved and restored by Taylors, and rehung. They are still rung on occasions when services are held in the still consecrated and listed remains, open to the sky. (A new St Luke's church was built down in the

16 town). Years later, in 1975, during the time when we were living in Leicestershire, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit Taylors' bell foundry, with the Leicestershire Industrial Archaeology Society, where we were shown around by Mr Paul Taylor. He explained the critical aspects of setting the molten metal to achieve the right tone, and the skills and sensitivities of tuning. A modest man, he told us how he had recently been on a river cruise on the Continent (it could have been on the Rhine) and how he had been feeling somewhat at a disadvantage in conversations with other passengers who all seemed to have more to talk about than he had. Then, on the Sunday morning he was alone out on deck and was met by the uplifting sound of a fine ring of bells coming across the water from a riverside church. And it dawned on him that making bells to produce such a sound was something, that of all the passengers, probably only he could do, and a sense of self-confidence returned. There are many talents and many ways of serving God. It is to be hoped that new recruits will come forward to sustain our band of ringers, to use their energies and to apply their minds in learning the 'calls' and 'method' systems which encourage and welcome us to church. There could be understanding if after their strenuous spell in the belfry, they do not always stay for the service, although some do. There are many talents, and many ways of serving God. Helen Harris

Christmas Tree Festival, 30 November – 9 December

TheYes, that2018 time Abbot’s is upon us Wayonce again! Walk —a note from

StevenWould you like to be part of the fun? Your help would be much appreciated. The 2018 Abbot’s Way Walk—a note from There is a rota at the back of church for you to sign if you would Stevenlike to volunteer as a steward. Helpers with refreshments will also be needed, and there will be lists for that too.

Thank you in anticipation! Pat Morrison 613614

17 The 2018 Abbot’s Way Walk—a note from Steven Many thanks indeed to all those who sponsored me to walk the 23 mile-long Abbot’s Way Walk on Sunday 7th October. About a dozen walkers and supporters met for the 6.45am said Eucharist in church, which also included an Itinerary (a short service for people going on pilgrimage). We then set off from Tavistock to walk to Buckfast Abbey. The walk usually starts at Buckfast Abbey, but this year, to mark the 1000th Anniversary of the foundation of Buckfast Abbey and the 700th Anniversary of the Consecration of St Eustachius’s Church, the walk started in Tavistock. It is also quite proper to begin at Tavistock, as the Abbey here was established before that at Buckfast, in 974 and given its charter in 981.

The weather was perfect, and I was very lucky to have been invited to join the ‘elderflowers’ group, led by Sioned Barton. I couldn’t have wished for a better set of walking companions. Sioned and Alison Stewart made sure that we knew where we were going (!) and, being doctors, were able to expertly attend to my blisters along the way! Christopher Pancheri was able to point out various places of interest along the way, and Viv Hutchison provided a seemingly limitless supply of Jelly Babies to keep us all going. All together we made a very jolly team.

Along the route members of the excellent Dartmoor Rescue Group manned various checkpoints where we signed in to make sure we hadn’t sloped off to the pub, been sucked into a mire or ravaged by the Hound of the Baskervilles. We reached Buckfast about 10 hours after setting off from Tavistock. We were not the last team to arrive…..we were fourth-to- last….but we did it! It was wonderful to see the Abbey nestling in the valley, with verdant rolling hills all around and the sea visible to the right, in contrast to the wild landscape of the Moor which had been our view for some hours.

We missed the fantastic Peal rung at Buckfast to celebrate the walk (a Peal is 3 to 4 hours of ringing and is a feat in itself!), but when we arrived we met some of our Tavistock ringers who had taken part who, like us, were greeted with a welcome cup of tea and a pasty provided by the Girl Guides. The walk has raised well over £1200 at the time of writing, with a few more pledges to come in and Gift Aid still to be added.

18

The money raised will be split between two charities, the Melanesian Mission UK and the Carl Rosa Trust.

The money given to the MMUK will be sent to fund the project to relocate the Brothers from Ambae to Malo, after the recent volcanic activity which has displaced about 10,000 people. Once securely based on the safer island of Malo, the Brothers will be able to help others by providing accommodation and assistance to those who need it, building schools and creating basic amenities (constructing a water supply, plant crops, build new houses and churches).

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The Carl Rosa Trust looks after a very significant collection of musical scores which are of international importance. The money given to the CRT will help safeguard the future of the archive which is in need of preservation.

THE CARL ROSA TRUST Registered Charity No. 1055322

Thank you again for your support and sponsorship. ------From January to Easter 2019, Steven will be assisting the Parishes of St. Peter’s, Peter Tavy and St. Mary’s, Mary Tavy, which are currently without a regular parish priest. He will still be based in Tavistock and will be around to take some services, but will be focusing on ministry in the two villages. Steven has completed the training required for his curacy in Tavistock, so is taking the opportunity to take on more responsibilities locally, as he begins the search for a first incumbency. Please keep him and his family in your prayers as they discern God’s call to his first parish.

If you would like to contribute to this magazine, we would very much like to hear from you.

It could be a one-off article, a letter, or something on a more regular basis though not necessarily every month.

We would like to widen the content, and thus the interest, of the magazine. Have you visited anywhere of note, met some interesting people, had an adventure?

Please contact Mandy in the Parish Office – contact details on the cover.

20 MOUNT KELLY CHORAL SOCIETY AUTUMN CONCERT

November 24th at 7.30 pm in St Eustachius’ Church, Tavistock

The choir will perform Vivaldi’s Magnificat and Vaughan Willams’s Fantasia on Christmas Carols. The conductor will be Julian Jensen Mount Kelly College Director of Music. Three of the soloists will be exceptionally talented current or recent students of his. They are Jonny Hibbs - Tenor, Tessa Hansford - Soprano and Indira Falle - Mezzo Soprano. They will be joined by Andrew Farris- Baritone. Harpist Finnuala Kirby will be playing some Christmas music and there will be Advent Carols for all with other seasonal music. The organist will be Mary Mazur-Park. Tickets will be £10/free to under 18s. and available at Mount Kelly College Reception, Bookstop in Tavistock, online at www.eventbrite.co.uk and on the door. www.kellychoralsociety.com

Antonio Vivaldi composed several settings of the Magnificat hymn. It was composed either before 1717 or in 1719. Set in G minor, it is scored for alto and tenor soloists, Soprano, alto, tenor and bass choir, violin I and II, viola, and basso continuo (cello and organ).

Ralph Vaughan Williams always retained a passion for the festival of Christmas. It was nourished early on by his love of the carol and of childhood memories of singing them at his home in Surrey. His lifelong fervour for Christmas and all its cultural manifestations was powerfully expressed in four works of which Fantasia on Christmas Carols was the first. It was first performed on the evening of September 12, 1912, in Hereford Cathedral, conducted by the composer. Sir Hubert Parry noted in his diary: ‘Vaughan Williams carol piece very jolly.’

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29 Gulworthy Notes … We have had some wonderful weather of late and I had the opportunity to sit on the bench outside St Paul’s in the warmth of the sun, and listen. In the background were the voices of the Gulworthy primary school children playing and the birds singing. Gradually the sounds drifted away and there was silence. It was time to appreciate the beauty around me. Silence is a wonderful thing that we can use to enjoy our surroundings, concentrate on the task in hand, for prayer or to remember. As we do each year at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month; we observe a Two Minute Silence. Armistice Day on 11th November marks the end of the First World War and is a day to remember and honour those who have paid the price for our freedom, and also those 12,000 service men and woman who have been killed or injured since 1945. This silence, although only for such a short time, is a very powerful moment as we know it is happening all over the country and all our noisy, busy lives just stop. This year is 100 years since that day, more than a life time away but only a short time in history. It is a time for reflection.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS In Flanders' fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place: and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders' fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe; To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high, If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders' Fields. John McCrae

30 It is a compelling piece of writing creating a vivid image of the lives that were given for us, with a message that was asked of us at a time when the future looked so dark. It also is a message to say how lucky we are that there were so many prepared to work together in our time of need to provide a future for so many that they didn’t know or who didn’t even exist then. This is therefore a time to say a big:

At St Paul’s we are having a Commemoration Meal; as always it is sure to be a great evening so join us in Gulworthy parish hall on Friday 9th November at 7.30pm: it’s £15 for a 2 course meal with entertainment. Why not get fully immersed into the atmosphere dressing for the occasion in a costume of that time. There will be at least two soldiers attending! Tickets are available from Viv Hutchison 01822 612803.

The Remembrance Service on Sunday 11th November will be at 10.45am where the 100 poppies made by the pupils of Gulworthy primary will be displayed. A big thank you to everyone who sponsored the poppies. Many of us like to purchase a wreath at Christmas. Instead of buying one, why not make your own? On Thursday 6th December at 6.30 pm in Gulworthy Parish Hall - expert tuition and all materials will be provided. You are welcome to bring some of your own materials if you wish. A glass of mulled wine and a mince pie is also provided for only £15 - a great evening out. See the large advert for more details.

Looking forward to seeing you at any of our advents and services.

Hilary Marks and all at St Paul’s, Gulworthy

31 Judith’s Ordination

It is indeed a pleasure to write this article, after having the privilege to be present at Judith Blowey’s Ordination at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 29th September, along with her many friends and family. This was a very special and moving service, to see Judith ordained with 10 other Deacons, by the Bishop of Exeter. The following morning it was a great pleasure when several members of St Paul’s Church at Gulworthy took part at her First Eucharist Service at St Eustachius’ Church. Both services were so special for a special person. At St Paul’s, many of us have been friends to Judith for over 30 years. She has always had an active and committed involvement in our church community, being a Churchwarden for many years, a member of the PCC, involved with the Jam Club, with Open the Book with Gulworthy School and visiting and taking Communion to the sick in hospital and in their homes. All this I know she enjoys immensely. Judith has such a calm, caring, considerate and friendly personality. Being called by God to take on this role, it was a committed decision by Judith, sharing it with husband Peter, her family, grandchildren and her farmhouse Bed and Breakfast business. We admire the way that Judith managed to achieve all of this. We all love the hymn “What a friend we have in Jesus”; I know I can say on behalf of all St Paul’s Congregation “What a friend we have in Judith”. We are proud of her achievements, and her dedication to being a Priest. We look forward to sharing her ministry in this benefice of Tavistock, Gulworthy and Brentor churches. With every blessing Lowenna Edwards

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34 Brentor News

Brentor Church Harvest celebrations this year started with a traditional country service of thanksgiving in the beautifully decorated church, with all manner of produce throughout the building. Unusually it also included a beer festival, with local brewers Bere Brewery and Countryman’s Cider offering a cheering cup or two. Bere Brewery, present for the second year running, really enjoyed the event, and thirsty patrons found the choice of beers an excellent accompaniment to a ploughman’s lunch. The highlight of the day was the auctioning of produce, mostly grown locally and donated by villagers, in aid of Tavistock Food Bank – the volunteer auctioneer, Robin Burdfield, has obviously missed his true vocation! £200 was raised for the Food Bank, along with a mass of practical donations. Everyone had a really good time, so roll on next year!

Battle’s Over – Brentor will be taking part in the national events! This year Brentor church are holding a unique Remembrance service at St Michael’s, at 6.30pm. This is a special short service to commemorate the end of the First World War, with a bugler and bellringers paying tribute to those who lost their lives. A beacon will be lit on the tor (a traditional beacon site) and this will be part of a national chain of over 1000 beacons across the nation, Battle’s Over. Everyone is welcome but while the path up the tor will be marked with light sticks (as it will be dark) make sure

35 you take care coming up, and please bring a torch. Also, make sure you allow enough time to climb the tor, so you don’t miss the start of the service, and any dogs attending must be kept on leads at all times. We will finish with sausage rolls and mulled cider and orange juice. It should be a wonderful occasion and if the weather is good we should be able to see other beacons as once the watchers on the tor would have seen them in times of crisis or celebration in the past.

Brentor Commons After a few rather quiet walks around the common over the past month or so, it was a pleasure to see and hear a return to a much more active habitat. On parking my car I was greeted with a mixed flock of long tailed, blue and great tits being very mobile and calling continuously to each other. There may well have been other birds with them but they quickly moved away. On walking across to see the new heather planting I disturbed first one then another snipe. The second of these birds flew directly away, not zigzagging, and with no rasping “schaarp”. This may have been a Jack Snipe, a close but smaller relative of the common snipe. As I moved further along the common, a party of 10 or so meadow pipits were moving from the telephone wires to the ground and back, a typical feeding behaviour for meadow pipits. As I watched them a great spotted woodpecker flew up and across the common, clearly showing its white wing bar and undulating flight. Along the bridle path I came across a stinkhorn fungus pushing up through the leaf litter. My attention was drawn to it by the swarm of flies that were clearly aware of its reputed smell of rotting flesh. I did not try to smell it. There is still a good crop of sloes on the blackthorn and another bonanza of the glorious summer is the sweet chestnuts to be found on the ground under the trees at the end of the track to Burcombe farm. The trees are not that mature so it is good to see them producing fruit already. They are not very big, but large enough to roast. Finally, as I returned to my car I saw a couple of butterflies taking advantage of the late afternoon sunshine. Poppy had enjoyed her exercise and I felt well rewarded with an interesting and busy perspective of our common. Barry Albrighton 01822 860445

36 The Old Testament Books of Kings Like the books of Samuel and Chronicles, the book of Kings was originally one book but divided into two by the Greek translators. The period covered is about 400 years, roughly 975-586 BC, and it is an account of Israel’s history, the death of King David, through the division that followed King Solomon’s death to the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians The first book starts with the death of King David and the accession of his son Solomon, the third and last king of the united Israel - a reign that was to last some 40 years. It was considered to be the golden age in Israel’s history, with the temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem becoming the centre of the life and worship of the nation. Solomon, on being asked by God in a vision what he wanted from him, replied choosing wisdom and understanding (Ch3 v 4-10) and was consequently given riches and honour. His wealth was legendary and referred to by Christ in comparison to the lilies ‘that neither spin nor weave but I tell you that Solomon in all his splendour was not attired like one of these.’-(Luke12:27-28). His wisdom is referred to in the Old Testament books of the Song of Songs, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes and indirectly in Psalms 72 and 127. The first book tends to give emphasis to kings, who either were particularly faithful to the covenant with God, or who had deviated from it. The figure of Ahab is of particular importance; his reign had violations of the covenant often arising through the influence of his pagan wife, Jezebel. The prophet Elijah is significant as a model of a faithful prophet working under very difficult circumstances. The second book in its first 13 chapters is primarily about the ministry of the prophet Elisha, the successor to Elijah. It continues with the gradual decline of the kingdoms of Judah, formed from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and Israel, from the remaining 10 tribes. Chapter 17 records the defeat of Israel by the Assyrians and the assimilation of its people into the Assyrian empire. The final defeat of the nation of Judah by the Babylonians is detailed in chapter 25, with the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, followed by the deportation into exile of her king Zedekiah and most of the people to Babylon and other regions of its empire So what is the lesson for us today from these 2 books of Kings? I would say to maintain faithfulness, honour and loyalty to God as a nation. Ian Silcox

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Tinhay Retreats, Lifton, Devon We have just released the dates of our next season of Day Retreats: Thursday 15 November 2018 - Advent Craft - A day retreat from 10 am until 3 pm for anyone who would like to have a go at some craft activity (such as an Advent wreath). Time of reflection on the theme, plus optional craft activities. Wednesday 5 December 2018 - An Advent Adventure - A day retreat from 10 am until 3 pm exploring Advent, the time of preparation for Christmas. Prayers and meditations on the theme. All retreats include the opportunity to explore eight acres of grounds, to sit inside or outside and read or relax in quiet. We are also available for Elders' Away Days. The address is Down Farm Cottage, Tinhay, Lifton PL16 0EL. For further details our website is www.tinhayretreats.com

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39 Mission Community Events for November Thursday 1 November: 8 November & 29 November: 9.45 am at Coronation Hall, Mary Tavy. Pilates with Sally Cinnamond (£6 per session). Thursday 1 November: 1 ~ 3 pm & each Thursday; Knit, Natter & Craft group meet at Mary Tavy Chapel Hall, (contact Wilma 01822 810040). Sunday 4 November: from 5 pm Mary Tavy Annual Community Free Bonfire Night at the Recreation Ground. [email protected] Tuesday 6 November: 11 am~1 pm & every following Tuesday morning, Coronation Hall, Mary Tavy, Short Mat Bowls. Please join us. Tuesday 6 November: 7:30 pm then usually following Mondays: Prayer and bible study at Janet’s: ring Janet on 01822 810166. Every Tuesday in November: 7–9 pm Table Tennis in the Coronation Hall. Wednesday 7 November: 2 pm Moorland Outreach. Mary Tavy Chapel. Speaker: The Revd. Adrian Brook (Bridestowe) - all welcome. Wednesday 7 November: 7 ~ 9 pm & every following Wednesday, Coronation Hall, Mary Tavy, Short Mat Bowls. Thursday 8 November: 12 ~ 1:30 pm Peter Tavy Methodist Chapel, Soup and Dessert Lunch. All welcome. Tuesday 13 November: 7:30 pm Whist Drive in the Peter Tavy Village Hall. Contact Peter Tinson 01822 810314. Thursday 15 November: 7:30 pm in the Coronation Hall, Mary Tavy, Villages in Action present Kit Holmes with Allan Greenwood. Blues/Soul Guitar with vocals. Tickets Adults £8: Children £4 from 810408, Mary Tavy Post Office and on the door. Thursday 15 November: 7:30 pm Brentor Garden Club, in Brentor Village Hall, “Holly Wreath Making” - a demonstration by Judith Coles of Wild at Heart Country Flowers. Visitors welcome at £2 on the door. Saturday 17 November: 10:30 am ~ 12:30 pm St Mary’s Church pre-Christmas Coffee Morning at the Mary Tavy Chapel Hall. All welcome. Saturday 17 November: 7:30 pm The Haldon Quartet will be performing at Peter Tavy Village Hall. Tickets Adults £8: Children £4: £22 family, (2 adults/2children). Call Dawn on 01822 810552 to book. Monday 19 November: 10 am ~ 12 noon: Jigsaw swap ~ Mary Tavy Chapel Hall. Chat & refreshments. Contact Pauline 01822 610079. Monday 19 November: 7:30 pm Mary Tavy Twinning Association AGM in the Coronation Hall. All welcome. Saturday 24 November: Tavistock Parish Church, 7.30 pm Mount Kelly Choral Society concert Tuesday 27 November: 10 am ~ 12 noon. Mary Tavy Methodist Chapel Hall. Monthly visit of The Devon Sensory Team (for people with hearing and/or sight loss). Friday 30 November: Tavistock Parish Church 2.30 pm Christmas Tree Festival opens

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