2
Sunday (see page 10 for details) 8am Holy Communion (Prayerbook) or Morning Prayer
10am Parish Communion or Service of the Word (with Sunday Club for children)
6pm Evensong
Choir Practice Mondays 10.30 am Senior Citizens Lunch Club Tuesdays in the Honywood Hall 11am Study & Discussion Wednesdays 10.30am at Honywood Hall
Thursday 10.30am Edward Bear Club (Toddler Service, followed by coffee and play) Parish Contacts: Mother’s Union 4th Friday of each month, 1.45pm During the Interregnum for all church matters please Bell-ringing Practice contact: Fridays at 7.45 pm
Associate Priest Rev’d Sue Godsmark : 01621 891513 Email : [email protected]
If you are unable to contact the Associate Priest please speak to the Churchwardens:
Churchwardens Isobel Doubleday : 01621 891329 Karen Tarpey : 01621 892122
Baptisms For enquiries about baptisms, please contact Rev’d Sue Godsmark.
Magazine: Enquiries : Helen Mutton : 01621 891067 Adverts : Pauline Stebbing : 01621 892059 Email : [email protected]
Website: www.achurchnearyou.com/church/6657
3
Church News
St Peter’s Church Fun Dog Show
Saturday, 7th September was the rescheduled date for the Fun Dog Show postponed due to extreme heat at the church summer fete in June. This time the weather was ideal (well definitely for the dogs, maybe not the ice cream man!). The very generous Mann family provided us with a superb venue for the show, not to mention helping set up and clear away afterwards, so thank you, we couldn’t have rescheduled the event without you.
Dogs large and small turned out for the 12 classes, competing for the title of Best in Show. With over 40 dogs in attendance, our judge Marie Atkinson (and daughter, Brooke) from Totham Doggy Dawdles, had a tough task on their hands!! It was lovely to see the different types of dogs and handlers of all ages. Liz of Elizabeth Clare Photography spent the whole day capturing the combinations, resulting in some wonderful images which can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/elizabethclarephotos
A huge thank you must go to all of our sponsors. Raw Made Simple provided rosettes for all classes and the Best in Show prizes, along with running the dog scurry competition on the day. All our other class sponsors provided some amazing prizes for 1st and 2nd in each class. The support from these local businesses and charities is so gratefully received, and helped the event raise £355 for the church. Rachel Patten
4
Church News
St Peter’s Church Fun Dog Show Results
Cutest Puppy sponsored by Totham Doggy Dawdles: 1st Lisa and Teddy, 2nd Kat and Jasper Golden Oldie sponsored by Natural Answers: 1st Carol and Wotsit, 2nd Lucinda and Kiera Prettiest Bitch sponsored by Maypole Pet and Garden Centre: 1st Tina and Annie, 2nd Gemma and Millie Most Handsome Dog sponsored by Arnies of Essex, Dog Grooming Salon: 1st Damian with Kovu, 2nd Charlie and Veno Child’s Best Friend sponsored by Elizabeth Clare Photography: 1st Elizabeth and Argo, 2nd Charlotte & Jack with Simba Musical Sits sponsored by Elizabeth Clare Photography: 1st Gemma and Millie, 2nd Donna and Tilly Proudest Pedigree sponsored by Natural Answers: 1st Karen and Dora, 2nd Charlie and Winnie Canniest Crossbreed by Many Tears Animal Rescue: 1st Vanessa and Rascal, 2nd Vicki and Dudell Most Appealing Eyes sponsored by Raw Made Simple: 1st Hayley and Kobie, 2nd Karen and Monster Waggiest Tail sponsored by Maypole Pet and Garden Centre: 1st Donna and Tilly, 2nd Emma and Thor Best Rescue sponsored by Totham Doggy Dawdles: 1st Dean and Buster, 2nd Charlie and Veno The Dog the Judge would most like to Take Home sponsored by Arnies of Essex, Dog Grooming Salon: 1st Karen and Dora, 2nd Caroline and Shona Best in Show sponsored by Raw Made Simple: BIS Damian and Kovu, RBIS Karen and Dora
5
Church News
Saint Cleopatra
No, not that Cleopatra! This is Saint Cleopatra, a rather obscure Saint whose feast day is in October. She was a Palestinian widow who rescued the remains of Saint Varus.
Cleopatra brought the relics of the saint back to her home in Dera, Syria. When the church was dedicated to Varus, Cleopatra’s young son mysteriously died. According to legend, Varus appeared to Cleopatra and comforted her in her grief.
St Varus himself was a Christian martyr who died in Alexandria, Egypt in AD 307.
Both Egypt and Syria have small Christian populations in otherwise dominant Muslim populations. Egypt has around 10 million Christians, and Syria, which, as late as the 1920s had a 30% Christian population, is down to about 10%. The Syrian Christian population dates back 20,000 years and is currently suffering wide- scale persecution amidst a devastating civil war.
The great Apostle Paul’s conversion to Christianity on the road to Damascus seems ironic. Paul Smith
Church Cleaners
We have a beautiful church at St Peter’s. We need some wonderful people to join our team to help keep it clean. Is that you?
If you can help in any way, please contact Martyn on 892387, email: [email protected]
6
Church News
Church Registers
Baptisms
Sunday, 11th August Jayden Robert George Turton of Maldon Sunday, 11th August, Olivia-Rose Ruck of Maldon Sunday,18th August Edward Samuel Varley Boorman of Great Totham (pictured)
If you are considering baptism for yourself or your children, confirmation, weddings, funeral arrangements, Holy Communion at home, or you would just like a visit, please get in touch with Rev’d Sue Godsmark or one of the Churchwardens (see page 3 for contact details).
In your prayers at home this month, please include:
Our ‘Friendship Church’ - Bragernes Kirke, Drammen, Norway; Bob, David, Adam, Mary, Keith, Brian, Roger, Pat, Roger, Sylvia, Dennis, Laura, Mike, David and Noah.
7
Village News
Great Totham Gardening Club Autumn Show
8
Village News
Great Totham Gardening Club Autumn Show
The winners and best exhibit in each division were:-
Division 1 - Vegetables Division 2 - Fruit 1st with 44 points: Norman Wright 1st with 14 points: Jenny Phillips 2nd with 26 points: Richard Monk 2nd with 8 points: Derryle Beard 3rd with 19 points: Rebekah Clark 3rd with 6 points: Cliff Ellams Best exhibit: Richard Monks: Best exhibit: John Keyes: 3 Onions 4 dessert apples Top Tray winner: Norman Wright Division 3 - Flowers Division 4 - Floral Art 1st with 24 points: Rebekah Clark 1st with 8 points: Rebekah Clark, 2nd with 21 points: Ken Cooper Pauline Wright 3rd with 18 points: Richard Monk 2nd with 6 points: Linda Warr Best exhibit: Richard Monk 3rd with 1 point: Yvonne Hawley Best exhibit: Rebekah Clark Division 5 - Cookery Division 6 - Arts and Crafts 1st with 19 points: Yvonne Hawley 1st with 23 points: Brenda Steele 2nd with 15 points: Rebekah Clark 2nd with 12 points: Derryle Beard 3rd with 14 points: Derryle Beard 3rd with 7 points: Pauline Wright Best exhibit: Yvonne Hawley: Best exhibit: Fruit Cake Madeline Garwood's Cross Stitch Best Fruit Cake: Yvonne Hawley Best Victoria Sandwich: Rebekah Clark Division 7 - Photography Spud Bucket Challenge 1st with 28 points: Sue Ebert 1st with 5lb 11oz: Rebekah Clark 2nd with 11 points: Ken Cooper 2nd with 3lb 10oz: Jenny Phillips 3rd with 9 points: Christine Walker 3rd with 3lb 9oz: Linda Keyes Best exhibit: Ken Cooper's Fairground Scene
Most points in the Autumn Show: 1st with 68 points: Rebekah Clark; 2nd with 54 points: Norman Wright; 3rd with 48 points: Ken Cooper
Overall Spring and Autumn Show Winner 2019: 1st with 111 points: Rebekah Clark; 2nd with 98 points: Christine Walker; 3rd with 76 points: Richard Monk Christine Walker 9
Church News Services at St Peter’s Church
October
Sunday, 6th October 8am Holy Communion The Sixteenth Sunday after 10am Morning Service of the Trinity Word 6pm Evensong
Sunday, 13th October 8am Morning Prayer The Seventeenth Sunday 10am Family Communion after Trinity 6pm Evensong
Sunday, 20th October 8am Morning Prayer The Eighteenth Sunday 10am Family Communion after Trinity 6pm Evensong
Sunday, 27th October 8am Morning Prayer The Last Sunday after 11am All Saints’ Day Service Trinity Little Totham (no 10am service at Great Totham) 6pm Evensong
200+ Club Draw Winners
August
1st Prize - Christine Adams 2nd Prize - Mary Bradley 3rd Prize - Roger Allen
If you would like to join the scheme, whose proceeds benefit the church, please contact Roger Allen on 892334
St Peter’s Church Website
Do take a moment to visit our new website for all the latest news and information on activities going on both at St. Peter’s and in and around the village: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/6657
Thanks to Chris Munton for managing the website for us.
10
Church News
United Benefice Service All Saints Church, Little Totham
On Sunday 27th October, for All Saint's Day, the three churches in our Benefice will be meeting together at All Saints Church, Little Totham, at 11am. There will be no 10am Service or Sunday Club at St. Peter's Church on that day and you are all invited to join us at Little Totham.
Christine Walker All Souls Service
If you would like the name of a loved one mentioned at the All Souls Service to be held on Sunday, 3rd November, please give details to Rev'd Sue or the Churchwardens. The service will be held at St. Peter's Church at 3.30pm, followed by tea.
Christine Walker
St Nicholas Fayre Saturday, 23rd November
“Many hands make light work”
So if you are able to plan to spare an hour on 23rd November in the Vil- lage Hall, we would be very grateful for your help with our annual St. Nicholas Fayre. This could be setting up on Saturday morning from 9.30am, or helping on a stall during the afternoon. This is a great com- munity event, so don’t be shy! Assistance with clearing away between 4.30pm and 5.30pm would also be very welcome.
Finally, donations of cakes, preserves and/or books would be most grate- fully received, and these can brought to the hall from 9.30am onwards.
For more information, please phone Karen Tarpey on 01621 892122 or Vanessa Ellams on 01621 893148.
Thank you in advance!
Karen Tarpey and Vanessa Ellams
11
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Published by the PCC of St Peter's Church, Great Totham
The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Parochial Church Council of Great Totham nor can the Church guarantee the credentials or performance of any of the advertisers within this publication. Please mention the Parish Magazine when contacting our advertisers. Free Quotations Prices per edition: Full page £56 Half page £28 Quarter page £14 Small ads £3.50
Advert Enquiries: Pauline Stebbing 892059
12
Church News
You are invited to
St. Peter's Church
Halloween Holiday Club
For primary school children at St. Peter's Church, Great Totham 10am to 3pm Tuesday 29th October
Pumpkin Carving: Crafts: Competitions: Games
Please bring a packed lunch (drinks provided) Also a carrier bag, wellies and a coat for a walk in the woods.
A donation of £4 towards costs would be welcome.
Please note that places are dependent on the number of helpers.
...... Please return completed form by Saturday 19th October to the postbox at the Honywood Hall, Hall Road, Great Totham.
I/We would like to come to the Halloween Holiday Club on Tuesday, 29th Oct.
Name...... Date of Birth......
Address......
...... Telephone No......
Alternative number whilst at the Club......
Parent's signature......
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Church News
Text for the Week: October
6th October 13th October In their last days, God says, I Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, will pour out my Spirit on all my soul. I will praise the Lord all people. Your sons and my life; I will sing praise to my daughters will prophesy, your God as long as I live. young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Acts 2:17 Psalm 146:1-2 20th October 27th October I know that the Lord secures Since we are surrounded by justice for the poor and such a great cloud of witnesses, upholds the cause of the let us throw off every thing that needy. hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Psalm 140:1 Hebrews 12:1
Bible Readings for October
6th October Hab. 1. 1-4, 2. 1-4 Sixteenth Sunday After Trinity 2 Tim. 1. 1-14 (Gospel) Luke 17. 5-10 13th October 2 Kings 5. 1-4, 2. 1-4 Seventeenth Sunday After Trinity 2 Tim. 2. 8-15 (Gospel) Luke 17. 11-19 20th October Ps. 121 Eighteenth Sunday After Trinity 2 Tim. 3. 14 - 4.5 (Gospel) Luke 18. 1-8 27th October Ps. 119. 129-136 Last Sunday After Trinity Rom.15. 1-6 (Gospel) Luke 4. 16-24 17
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18
Church News
St Peter’s Church, Great Totham Buildings and Grounds Update
Recent works include:
Restoration of ancient stained glass in various windows, kindly funded by Great Totham Community Choir and Friends of St Peters Church.
Renewal of chairs in the Honywood Hall, partly funded from a generous gift from the late Peggy Midwood.
Painting and decoration of the church extension
Current works include:
Restoration of two dangerous box tombs.
Repair of the East and South side church walls by replacing modern concrete mortar with lime mortar to allow the walls to breathe.
Further restoration of graves to original condition to comply with Diocesan Regulations.
Future works may include consideration of:
Replacement bridge on the public footpath to the graveyard extension in relation to a further graveyard extension.
Provision of a means of better access for wheelchair users, including disabled parking.
Provision of hard surface car parking at the Honywood Hall.
“Unless the Lord build the house they labour in vain who build it”
Paul Smith
19
Church News
News from the Belfry
The bells at St. Peter’s Church, along with most of the towers mentioned in Dove’s Guide, are hung for Full Circle or Change Ringing. The bell can be chimed by pulling the end of the rope as shown in the picture below. For ringing on a Sunday morning, the bell is rung so that it is upside down. The stay resting on the slider enables us to “set” the bell just over the balance. The ringer of the treble with the command “All hold trebles going she’s gone” starts us ringing rounds. The conductor will call three to one, or a similar command, to change the order of the bells. Once we are ringing “perfect rounds” then the conductor may decide to ring a method and call “Go Plain Bob Doubles”.
/continued on next page
20
Church News
/continued from previous page
Whilst researching the bells of Cattedrale Santa Maria Matricolare in Verona, I discovered that only in the Veneto region of northeast Italy, there are around 300 towers where full circle ringing is carried out. None of these churches feature in Dove’s Guide.
The bells are rung up and held on the balance by the ringer, as the bell does not have a stay. The Conductor calls a Concerto. This may contain single or chords of two or sometimes three bells. Chords are given names, usually based on the ordinal number for the heavier bell in the chord. For example, a chord involving 4 and 2 striking together is called "quarte". Each ringer has to hold the bell on the balance until the conductor calls his number. Then he pulls the rope and sets his bell at the other stroke until his number is called again.
To find out more about Veronese ringing visit: http://www.ringing.demon.co.uk/veronese/veronese.htm
To see and hear the bells being rung visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1M9BqLZJgg
Congratulations!
Our congratulations go to Mandy and Peter Mickelsen who were duly nominated and elected as members of the Essex Association of Change Ringers. This occurred at the EACR South East District meeting held on the 7th September at St. Mary Burnham-on-Crouch. Ringers are elected when they have reached the required standard of the EACR. This was only achieved through the excellent guidance and tuition of our Tower Captain, Janice.
If you are interested in learning to ring the bells at St. Peter’s please contact our Tower Captain, Janice Spalding, on 01621 892197, come along to our Friday practice at 19.45 hours or visit http://greattothambellringers.org.uk.
Andrew Hood
21
Children’s Activity Page
Make a seasonal noughts and crosses
You will need :
2 - 3 sheets of card, a drawing pencil, coloured pencils/felt tips, scis- sors, and an imagination.
First decide on a theme here are some ideas for the main board of 9 squares.
A House A bonfire
A pumpkin
You can decorate these main boards to make them look like the real thing. Continued on next page 22
Children’s Activity Page
Continued from previous page
Second you need to make counters on the card, here are some ideas.
Now just enjoy a game and use your imagination to think up other ideas.
Sourced by June Eaton
.
23
Church News
Golden Wedding 1st September Glynis and Clive Potter
On Sunday, 1st September, Glynis and Clive Potter celebrated their Golden Wedding with a renewal of their vows during the morning service at St Peter’s.
The day was perfect, with beautiful sunshine, and their family and friends there to support them. Glynis wanted the day to be full of fun and laughter as her actual wedding day had been when she and Clive had been young and nervous.
Glynis and Clive faced each other and took each other’s hand as they repeated those well known words of the marriage vows.
Every good wish for many more years together.
Sheila Allen
24
Village News
Message from the District Councillors Speculative Housing Developments
I understand that some residents have received public consultation documents from Gladman Homes regarding the land adjacent to The Bull. This is the third proposal this company has put forward this year within the district, the others being in North Fambridge and Tollesbury.
When I stood for election in May, one of my pledges was to oppose any speculative development that infringed on the integrity of the villages in the ward. This development would dramatically impact on Great Totham and is outside the settlement boundary for the village. It is an entirely speculative proposal and would do very little to enhance the village.
At Maldon District Council, we have some very important planning decisions to make which, if passed, will ensure that we have allocated our five-year housing supply. This would mean that this development is unnecessary and does not fit within the Local Development Plan.
I will do everything I can to ensure that Great Totham is protected. www.facebook.com/tothammatters/ Kind regards Councillor Richard Siddall
Essex Dementia Care Sale Saturday, 26th October 10am to 12 noon URC Hall Chapel Road, Totham North
Once again I am holding my sale in aid of Essex Dementia Care, a local charity that helps sufferers and carers of this dreadful disease. They gave my husband and me huge support for five years.
As usual, there will be cakes, bric-a-brac, raffle, books, craft and refreshments.
The staff of Essex Dementia Care will be in attendance to offer their help if needed.
If you have an queries, please contact me on 891237. Looking forward to meeting you there! Judith Mann
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Village News
GREAT TOTHAM VILLAGE HALL ACTIVITIES - EVENING WI
The WI meets in the Village Hall, as the name suggests, in the evening on the second Thursday of each month, with a break in August.
Our branch was formed in 1964 as an evening WI to cater for ladies who found it difficult, either through work or childcare, to attend during day- time.
At most meetings we have invited speakers who have talked eloquently on a wide variety of subjects. We have been entertained by actors, sing- ers and poets, have watched a number of demonstrations and taken part in a variety of crafts, There is always a break for tea and coffee and cakes, with the chance to socialise and catch up.
We have also had opportunities to be more active as we had a go at croquet, outdoor bowls, ten pin bowling, new age kurling and keep fit sessions, and also played tennis on a member’s court.
In July we often venture out to visit places of interest; a goat farm, guid- ed walks round Coggeshall and Maldon and a Ghost Walk in Colchester! Last year we had demonstrations of Tower and Handbell ringing at St.Peter’s Church and some of us were brave enough to have a go!
Each WI has its own unique culture and interests organised for, and influenced by, its membership but it is also part of a Viking group of WI’s where we organise a Spring get-together. The Essex Federation provide courses and access to various activities in the wider County. The Nation- al Federation hold Annual Meetings in various large venues around the country where resolutions on a number of important issues are debated and voted upon, with access to Government with the results. Some of our recent campaigns have included tackling food waste, combatting loneliness, plastic pollution and making time for mental health matters.
Great Totham WI could be for you. Come and join us and help us find more ways of “Inspiring Women” in our local community. You will be most welcome. Sue Pulford (tel. 892063)
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30
Church News
On 21st October, we have a Deanery Meeting at Witham Church Hall when we meet at 12.15pm with our lunch for a meeting at 1pm. Dates for the next few months will be arranged and reports from all the branches in the Deanery will be read out. Drinks will be kindly provided for us.
Our monthly meeting will be on 25th October at 1.45pm in the Honywood Hall, Hall Road, when we celebrate Harvest, singing our favourite hymns.
4th November is the Diocesan Council, Service and Annual Meeting in Chelmsford Cathedral from 10am, when coffee will be available.
Christine Walker
Coffee Morning
The Bank Holiday weekend in August started well with our monthly Coffee Morning on Saturday. There was wonderful hot weather all weekend, both for all those who stayed at home and the regulars who were away.
We were lucky to have fresh picked runner beans for sale, together with the new crop of delicious marrow and apple chutney. Homemade jams sold well, and flavours included peach and the first of the Victoria plums. As Nick was away, Roger took over the cooking of the bacon butties, and the coffee flowed.
We are looking forward to seeing you next time, particularly if you are new to the village or haven’t ventured in before.
10am—12 noon in the Honywood Hall in Hall Road on the fourth Saturday in October, do join us! Sheila Allen
31
Village News
Who Knows Where The Time Goes?
…indeed as Sandy Denny wrote in her fabulous song. Well perhaps a slightly more pertinent question is “why does the time change?” Most people believe that the imposition of “daylight saving time” was first thought about in the early part of the last century as it would help farmers in time of war. In fact, the idea of daylight saving time was first mooted in 1784 by Benjamin Franklin although it wasn’t until another 123 years later in 1907 that Great Britain seriously thought about it.
In 1907 a proposal was put forward by William Willett, a builder from Kent, in a pamphlet entitled “The Waste of Daylight” to solve a problem, as he saw it, about the waste of daylight due to the arbitrary time on the clock. However it wasn’t until a year after William Willett’s death in 1915 that daylight saving time was officially adopted and the first country to do so was…..Germany! But the UK followed quickly a few weeks later to be copied by many other countries thereafter.
Daylight saving time has not always involved the moving of the clocks back or forward one hour. In the Second World War, Great Britain adopted double summer time when clocks were advanced by two hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). This was done during the summer with winter time kept one hour ahead of GMT. The idea was to provide more daylight throughout the period of the war to help increase productivity.
Ever since the end of the Second World War, Great Britain has retained BST with the time being advanced one hour ahead of GMT from March to October. However there was an experiment carried out between 1968 and 1971 when the clocks were put forward by one hour in March but were not put back. Any advantages or disadvantages of doing this were proved hard to define and so the experiment was ended. It wasn’t until 1972 that the UK officially created the British Summer Time Act beginning the tradition of changing the clocks in late March (depending on Easter) and returning them back again in late October. In 2002, the UK was then aligned with the EU to adjust clocks on the last Sunday in March and October. /continued on next page 32
Village News
/continued from previous page
Every year when the country has to undergo the tedium of changing the time on their clocks, ovens, watches etc, there emerges a debate over the necessity of doing this. Some people advocate a return to British Double Summer Time whilst others say we should be on BST permanently. The argument is that this will save energy usage and extend lighter evenings. In fact, parliament even considered a bill back in 2010 put forward by backbench MPs to change BST but this bill (The Daylight Saving Bill 2010-2012) was not passed. Those against daylight saving point to the fact that keeping BST for people in the north of England and, more specifically, Scotland would mean that they wouldn’t see the sunrise until mid-morning in certain parts. This would lead to children having to go to school in the dark.
Whilst I’m reticent to mention the ‘B’ word at this juncture (Brexit), there are changes planned. Of course, it makes sense that if the country is no longer a member state of the EU, then we should be able to change our clocks as we wish. However the EU itself is also proposing alterations. The European Parliament has backed a proposal to end the obligatory one-hour clock change from 2021. Each EU member will have to decide on either permanent summer time or permanent winter time. To complicate matters, Europe also operates 3 different time zones (GMT, Central European Time (GMT+1) and Eastern European Time (GMT+2)). What we do will probably take some considerable time to decide (!) but, in the meantime, we will have to put our clocks back by one hour on 27 October this year. Chris Bingham
British Summer Time
British Summer Time ends on Sunday, October 27th, so don't forget to put your clocks back by 1 hour on Saturday, 26th October and enjoy an extra hour in bed.
33
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Village News
Great Totham Neighbourhood Plan Open Weekend
By our reckoning, almost 250 of you came down to the Village Hall for the Open Weekend. Please accept a big ‘thank you’ from all of us on the Steering Group and Parish Council for making the effort to attend.
The feedback we received was, on the whole, very positive and has told us that we are going in the right direction. Lots of you took the time to make your own suggestions on the Post-It notes. These have been col- lated and the working groups are in the process of including as many as possible in their reports or as items for action by the Parish Council.
What next?
We are launching a Housing Needs Survey in October. Each household will receive a short questionnaire, we need you to complete it and post it in the SAE provided. Your answers (which are anonymous) will be collat- ed by the Rural Community Council for Essex.
The results will give us an idea of how many new homes might be need- ed and what type they should be (one-bed, two-bed, bungalow, afforda- ble / rented / market etc etc). This will help us assess what is needed to keep the village sustainable.
We are aiming to finish the plan early in the New Year. It will then be open for consultation for six weeks before moving onto the final stages. The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group
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Village News
Contacting the Police
In an emergency dial 999.
For non-emergencies dial 101 extension 412335 / 01245 491491
Send non-emergency police related information/intelligence to your North Blackwater Neighbourhood Policing Team at: http://www.essex.police.uk/ or text 07624 80010
Maldon Police 0300 333 4444 or 101
Maldon District Council Offices Princes Road Monday—Thursday: 9am—5pm Maldon Friday: 8.30am—4.30pm
Great Totham Neighbourhood Watch
Visit Maldon District Neighbourhood Watch website for up to date local crime reports, non-urgent news and links to the police and national NHW websites: http://www.maldondistrictnhw.co.uk/index.htm
For Totham Hill Green, phone Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator, Ian Barratt, on 891949. Email: [email protected]
For local crime reports, visit https://www.police.uk/essex/28/crime/
Great Totham Evening WI
After a break in August, our monthly meetings resumed in September when we welcomed Seona Ford, whose talk was entitled ‘The Life and Works of Dorothy L. Sayers.
Dorothy was born in 1893 in Oxford, the only child of Rev’d Henry Sayers and his wife, Helen. At that time, her father was Master of Christchurch Choir School. When she was four, the family moved to Bluntisham in the Fens, where her father was appointed Rector. The family later moved to another living in Christchurch, Cambridgeshire.
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Dorothy led a very solitary childhood and was educated by her father at home. However, she took pleasure in the company of her cousin, Ivy, and they enjoyed imaginative play together.
In 1909, Dorothy completed her education at the Godolphin School in Salisbury, and in 1912, she won a scholarship to Somerville College, Oxford, where she studied modern languages and medieval literature. She finished with first-class honours in 1915, but was not awarded a degree as was common for women at that time. She was, however, among the first to receive a degree when the position changed a few years later in 1920, when she graduated as an MA.
After university, Dorothy tried teaching and later worked for Blackwell Publishers, but her longest employment was from 1922 to 1931 when she worked as a copywriter at S.H. Benson's Advertising Agency, located at International Buildings, Kingsway, London. During her time at the agency, she collaborated with artist John Gilroy on "The Mustard Club" for Colman's Mustard and the Guinness "Zoo" advertisements.
She began writing her first novel some time during 1920–21 and went on to write many detective novels. She also wrote a number of short stories and poetry and translated Dante's Divine Comedy.
Dorothy had a strong religious faith, becoming church warden at St Anne’s in Soho. She wrote many works with a Christian theme, including ‘The Man Born to Be King’ for radio.
She married Mac Fleming in 1926 and, after living in London for many years, they finally made their home in Newland Street, Witham, which is where she died in 1957.
Visitors are always welcome at our meetings, held on the second Thursday of the month at 8pm in Great Totham Village Hall, so why not come and join us?
For further details you will find Information on our website www.greattothamwi.weebly.com or email [email protected].
Sue Pulford
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Village News
Wickham Bishops WI Centenary Celebrations
Our last meeting on Thursday was very special, as we were celebrating 100 years since the inaugural meeting of WB WI.
We were greeted in St Bartholomew’s Church by our President Diane, and proceeded to have a jolly sing-a-long accompanied by two thirds of the Beacon Hill Trio on organ and flute. We were then welcomed by Vicar Hillary, who passed on some really interesting facts about an early WI resolution in 1915, which refused the inclusion of male members - no change there then!!!
A very posh cream tea was served in the hall following a performance by “Henry VIII”, who had everyone in stitches with his slightly risqué humour. Fun was had by all and it was a day to remember!
A beautiful commemorative cake was made by member Rachel’s daughter and everyone was gifted a slice and a gorgeous jar of home made marmalade (courtesy of Joy) to take home.
Our next meeting will be on Thursday, 31st October, where we shall be enjoying a Dabble Day. Everyone is encouraged to try something new or just sit and catch up with friends while playing games and having a cuppa. You are more than welcome to come and join in the fun. This is our most informal meeting of the year and is one not to be missed!
For more information about WB WI please call our secretary, Sharon, on 01621 891631.
Just to remind you that we have a craft group that meets every Friday from 2-4pm at the same venue - St Bartholomew’s Church Hall. Bring along any unfinished project and join us for a friendly afternoon chat and cup of tea.
We also have a walking group that meets at 9:30am on Monday morning opposite the Village Hall in Church Road for a walk around the village. Our September meeting has two look-a-like poets to entertain us which I’ll tell you about next time, until then take care of yourselves.
Jayne Kneale, Treasurer & Press Secretary
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Betty and Merlin go on Holiday
“Oh, didn’t we have a lovely time, the days we spent in Suffolk.”
We stayed at Dunwich in a beautiful lodge, with a secure garden for our dogs to explore. The beach was close, but had large stones which hurt poor Merlin’s feet. Whilst Betty was brave, Merlin was not, so while sweet Betty waited patiently by the water, we carried Merlin back to the steps.
At Southwold we had a sandstorm, it was surprisingly warm and we shared our ice creams and all had a jolly good time. We also visited Walberswick and went for a walk, then stopped for coffee before an extremely nice roast on site, and the dogs shared a bite. Finally, before heading home, we went to Aldeburgh; what lovely shops, but the queue for fish and chips was something else.
Our time away was exhausting, but we loved Suffolk and will be back one day. Lyndsey Phillips
Future Events
3rd Nov All Soul's Day 10th Nov Remembrance Day 12th Nov PCC Meeting 7.30pm Honywood 18th Nov Great Totham Parish Council meeting 7.30pm Village Hall 23rd Nov St. Nicholas Fayre Village Hall 2pm 1st Dec First Sunday in Advent 15th Dec Nine Lessons and Carols St. Peter's Church 6pm 22nd Dec Nativity Play St. Peter's Church 10am
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Village Walk 17th August
Beacon Hill Churches together (BHCT) arranged for local historian Clive Potter to lead a walk from Wickham Bishops to Great Totham. I signed up to go along, but was disappointed not to be able to take my dog. The reason given was that part of the walk would be on private ground. So I was intrigued to find out where that would be.
After sharing lifts from St. Peter’s and some confusion over the meeting point, we eventually started at Wickham Bishops Village Hall, where just fewer than 30 of us gathered. The focus to begin with was on Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo, an Arts and Crafts architect who designed with symmetry in mind. One of his buildings still stands at Snows Corner; we were shown old photos of what the building had looked like in the past. We also saw pictures of how the street used to appear with a small garage and “The Chequers”.
Clive directed us along Handleys Lane to view the “motor houses” intended for people who worked for Mackmurdo, with space for garages and workshops. We saw the old Parish Workhouse, built at the edge of the village boundary for people who had fallen on hard times, which is now a picturesque cottage. Then on past the well-kept War Memorial towards Great Totham, showing us “Little Ruffins” and “Ruffins Lodge.” Clive told us the story of the metal gates, behind which was Mackmurdo’s masterpiece, “Great Ruffins.”
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This was not clearly visible from where we stood, but sounded very grand. I had expected to carry on along the road but to my surprise, Clive invited us to follow him through the gates to the house. No wonder we couldn’t bring dogs, we were actually allowed around the back of the garden to get the full beauty of the design of the house. Whilst taking in the fantastic view, Clive told us all about the history of the building and grounds, together with anecdotes about previous occupants.
Leaving “Great Ruffins”, we turned right and ambled along “Lovers Lane”, then across the road to a footpath which opened out to a magnificent view of the countryside, before turning towards “Staplers Heath”, which may in the past have been a place to sort and sell wool (a wool–stapler is a wool dealer). We followed the path to “The Bull“, where, as well as catching up on the rugby score and use of the facilities, we were given access to a building at the back to view an old wattle and daub wall.
Time was running out on us, so a change to the planned walk took us across to the shop and to Mill Road, to be shown where the windmill stood, once again with some fascinating photos of how it looked in the past.
We then strolled along St. Peters Walk, hiding painted stones that we found on the path on our way back to the church, where tea and cake were waiting for us.
We were fortunate to have such an informative and interesting guide, so thank you to Clive for taking us to places we hadn’t been before. He is brimming over with local knowledge and had more he wanted to tell us as we missed out the “plane crash”. So I think we may have to have more village walks. Thanks to BHCT for organising this one and my son for taking our dog on his usual walk. Vanessa Ellams
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Village Diary October
10 Barn Church Coffee morning 10am-12noon WI Village Hall 8pm - Puppy Walking for Guide Dogs Jane Sillett 12 Coffee morning URC 10am-11.30am 13 Songs of Praise Barn Church 4pm followed by refreshments 15 2020 Flower Festival and Fete meeting 7.30pm Honywood 21 MU Deanery Meeting Witham Church Hall 12.15pm for 1pm Great Totham Parish Council meeting 7.30pm Village Hall 22 Flower Club Village Hall 7.30pm 'Fun with Samantha May Floristry' 25 MU meeting 1.45pm Honywood 26 Coffee morning 10am-12noon Honywood Clocks back 1 hour tonight 27 All Saints Day Service at All Saints, Little Totham 11am British Summer Time ends 29 Halloween Holiday Club St. Peter's Church 10am-3pm 31 Halloween Photographs
On many occasions, photographs are taken of adults and children for the Parish Magazine, Church Website and Church Facebook page to record the life and work of the church in Great Totham. If at any time you would prefer that a photograph was neither kept nor used, please indicate this to the photographer who will delete the image.
Rotas Church Flowers Church Cleaning 6th October - 13th October Sue Morgan Mrs Potter & Mrs Thake 20th October Wedding / - Melanie Scholey 27th October Vanessa Ellams Jenny Walling
Church Kitchen Cleaning October: Sandra Smith
Wickham Bishops Library
Monday 2pm-6pm Wednesday 2pm-6pm Saturday 9am-1pm
Telephone: 0333 013 2706
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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES (See page 3 for church activities) Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers www.girlguiding.org.uk Scouts, Cubs, Beavers at Prances Brenda Heal [email protected] Great Totham Cricket Club Colts Paul Marks 07709 793958 Nursery Group Village Hall Tracey Bezant 07960 947931 Edward Bear Club (Toddler Group) St Peter's Church Sue Godsmark 891513 Gardening Club Village Hall Fred Steptoe 891808 W.I. GT Evening 2nd Thurs. 8pm Village Hall Sue Pulford 892063 GT & WB last Thurs. 2pm St.B Church Hall Di Mellor 892247 St Peter's Lunch Club Tues. Honywood Hall Sheila Allen 892334 Day Centre Weds. URC Jean Johnstone 892293 Modern Sequence Dance Weds. 7.45pm Village Hall 788669 Carpet Bowls Tue & Thur 7.30pm Village Hall Jean Cloughton 892286 Tollesbury Table Tennis Club T’bury Parish Rms Paul Freeman 862510 mobile 07855 204505, email: [email protected] Maldon Croquet Club Forrester Park Jean Healey 843643 ([email protected]) Wickham Bishops Drama Club Roger Lyons www.wickhambishopsdrama.co.uk Great Totham Community Choir Colin Heaviside [email protected] 893067 Knit & Natter, Friday Mornings, Sandra Smith (Honywood Hall) 893153 USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Honywood Hall Hire Karin Mann 891215 St Peter’s Church Extension Hire Rev’d Godsmark 891513 Village Hall hire Sue Pulford 892063 URC hall hire Janet Davies 819419 St Peter’s—Interment of Ashes and Iron Crosses Chris Munton 891817 Great Totham Parish Council Clerk: Clive Potter 891474 District Councillors John Keyes 891388 Richard Siddall 07979 853947 / 890809 County Councillor Mark Durham 01245 227249 mobile: 07850 967239 Great Totham Primary School 891091 Maldon District Council 854477 Maldon Citizens Advice Bureau 875774 Police Community Support Officer 101 NERIL information line for mental health 0845 0900 909 every day from 6pm to 2am Water 01245 491234 Electricity 0845 6014516 Drugs Helpline (free) 0800 77 66 00 Childline Helpline for children 0800 1111 (free) NSPCC 24 hr helpline for children 0800 800 500 (free) The Samaritans 08457 90 90 90 01245 357357 Disabled Information Advisory Line 01245 287177 Church of England, St. Peter’s Rev’d Sue Godsmark 891513 Totham Barn Free Evangelical Church Elder Bob Bell 893085 United Reformed Church Vacant Wickham Bishops Church Rev’d Hilary Le Sève 892867 Maldon Methodist Church Office Rev’d Clifford Newman 853423 Maldon Roman Catholic Church Parish Priest - Fr. James Joseph 852259 Society of Friends (Quakers) Clerk to the meeting - Sue Smith 854056 Salvation Army 853942 Christian Growth Centre (CGC), Maldon Rob & Jeannie Saggs Pastors 855855
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