Litchborough Churches and Village Newsletter April 2019

To All Our Readers November 2014

27th March - Garden Club

30th March Ben’s Comedy Night-The Old Red Lion

1st April - Meeting re The Baptist Chapel Site

rd th 3 & 11 April - Walking Group

th nd Any articles, information, 8 April – 2 Monday Club notices, personal messages th etc you would like in the 11 April - YOUTH CLUB MEETING newsletter, please send to 12th April– Litchborough Ladies me by email by the 20th of the month to:- 27th & 28th April – Art & Craft Festival [email protected] or telephone 830077 to have Litchborough Playtime - Village Hall Every Tuesday 9.30 am – 11.30 am hard copy collected

Thank You See inside for more information Sandy Aked-Walker Printed by G.T Print Litchborough 07889-948005

RECTOR’S RAMBLINGS – Sitting at my desk with literally hours to go before the copy deadline wracking my fading brain of what I should put in this month’s Ramblings and with Easter fast approaching I am reminded of a question posed to me many years ago by an Oxford Don. He was interviewing me, a then green naïve (and probably looking at the outcome of the interview) totally unprepared candidate for a place to read theology at St John’s College. It was a dark wet November afternoon, my final interview of what had been a long and hard day of mental gymnastics and interviews. Within minutes of beginning the interview this high powered academic launched the question that has stuck in my mind for the last forty plus years. ‘Tell me Mr Fernyhough if the bones of Jesus Christ were dug up in Palestine tomorrow, would that in your mind disprove the resurrection?’ After going through the mental checklist of pause, consider, take your time – then answer; I fluffed my way through some kind of response. Suffice to say I did not get a place that year! Years later as a schoolmaster teaching Theology to very bright VIth formers, and perhaps playing a little bit of let’s throw a curved ball at them, I often used a variation of that verbal question as an essay question for my pupils, trying to get them to evaluate the Resurrection Narratives of the Gospels. All the Gospels of the New Testament, record some account of the resurrection of Jesus, and indeed the certainty of the event pervades the whole of the New Testament. The Early Christian writers were in no doubt of the fact of the resurrection. True, there are many variations in the details of the Resurrection accounts when you look at them side by side, how many women discovered the empty tomb, who the women were, were there guards outside the tomb, did they run and fetch Peter and one of the other disciples or not etc etc.; and that conflicting evidence in detail can and does prove problematical for some. Add to that the purely rational fact that we know bodies when buried decay, and the rational experiences we have that dead bodies do not come back from the dead -and yes it is tempting to say it’s all myth. In the 1930’s a book ‘Who moved the Stone’ was published, written by the author Albert Henry Ross, under the pseudonym Frank Morrison, that set out to look at all the alternative theories surrounding the resurrection event continued page 2

Continued from page 1 Initially Morrison (Ross) was sceptical of the idea of the resurrection Litchborough Walking Group and had set out to write a short paper ‘Jesus- the last phase’ to demonstrate that it was all myth. In the course of his research he Our walks are fairly local and varied. They take up a morning and are became convinced that the alternative theories we all flawed and that usually 4 to 5 miles in length. Please come and give us a try, you will be the resurrection was true, and this resulted in the book ‘Who moved the made very welcome. stone?’ No transport needed again for the first walk of Spring. We strolled along The truth of resurrection which we, the Christian Church, celebrate one of our popular village tracks, crossing local farmland and then joyfully at Easter every year is the central point of the Christian heading up grassy pasture land to the Stowes where we enjoyed coffee faith. When the women who discovered the empty tomb returned with and delicious cake before the downward trek back to Litchborough. the news of the resurrection, the male disciples didn’t believe them, Despite high winds and initial showery rain, we all enjoyed the lovely but they came to believe in the event, irrational and illogical as it views surrounding our home village and felt all the better for having might have first appeared and slowly it began to make some kind of blown away our cobwebs! sense and gave purpose to their lives. The eminent psychologist Walking dates for April William James remarked that everyone has beliefs - he called them Wednesday 3rd April ‘working hypotheses’- which help make sense and give purpose to life. th Thursday 11 April These beliefs are vital to human existence; but they lie beyond logical

-we will be leaving the village hall at 9.45 am as usual or scientific proof. For example in 1948 the United Nations Walk details to be confirmed. reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, and we also Transport will probably be needed for the short drive to the starting believe in them. No scientific experiment can prove that everyone has point of the walk. If some walkers are happy to bring cars to the hall, we basic human rights-yet we all believe it to be so. This is a positive can, as usual, share transport as required. For walk information and any belief, and it creates human solidarity. So too does the belief in the questions please get in touch with Bernard or Lindsey. Resurrection, it brings joy and hope of yet greater life. Lindsey 01327 830318 or e mail [email protected] So to return to that awkward question I began with ‘If the bones of Bernard 01327 830932 or e mail on [email protected] Jesus Christ were found tomorrow would that disprove the

resurrection?’- Now I would answer emphatically No! ******* Whatever your personal thoughts and opinions, when it comes have a, St Martin’s Brass Cleaning & Flower Rota for April Joyful, Happy and Blessed Easter- Rejoice and be glad. ‘Christ is During Lent there are no flowers in the church but volunteers to clean risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!’ the Brass are always welcome! The Easter Team will be decorating the Fr. Tim church on Saturday 20th April. *********** *******

Church Cleaning April War Memorial Flowers – for April st st 30thMarch - Patricia Sykes, 6thApril – Lucy Cavell-Northam 21 March & 1 April – Juliet O’Neill & Catherine Cook th th 13th April – Margaret Ashby, 20th April - Deborah Aubrey 8 & 15 April – Susie Heygate & Sarah Skinner nd th 27th April – Vanessa Lowery 22 & 29 April –Vanessa & Ian Lowery

‘FAITH AND ART’

LAMBFOLD BENEFICE LENT COURSE 2019

‘The Shadow of Death’ (William Homan Hunt 1872)

When?: Tuesday evenings: 12th March; 19th March; 26th March & 9th April 2019 at 19:30 (refreshments from 19:00.) Village Lottery One winner again this month Sandy and Sheila Melville had their number Where?: The Old School Hall. School Lane drawn on the 9th March. Their cheque for £25 will be on its way almost as a bon voyage gift as they are due to leave the village shortly. What?: As always to win yourself you need to purchase your number from Ian Following on from the 2018 Lent Course which looked at the religious art Lowery (01327 830823) for £1 per week of Sir Stanley Spencer (RA); this year we will be looking at the religious art of two other artists and how their work illustrates aspects of the Christian faith. We will begin by looking at some of the religious paintings of one of Britain’s most famous painters, the Pre-Raphaelite painter Stuart Moore Plastering Local based plasterer William Holman Hunt. The final two sessions will look at the art of one of All Aspects of plasterwork completed the famous painter of the Reformation period Lucas Cranach (the elder) Specialist in restoration and conservation of lime plaster and and how, working in association with Martin Luther, he conveyed the ornate plasterwork message of the Reformation through various types of art. Contact Stuart on 01327-830931 or 07841-021802

If you like art, or are just curious as to how art has been used to email:[email protected] express aspects of the Christian faith- or just plain curious then please come and join us at Adstone on Tuesday evenings during Lent. Happy Easter to my Customers

Litchborough Ladies – 12th April Litchborough Ladies will be meeting on Friday 12th April in the village Hall Happy Easter To All Our Customers from 10.30am -12.00noon. As a number of members have a birthday on this day I thought it would be nice to have room to celebrate and make it a party for everyone to share. Bring partners or friends to if they are not working, In March we enjoyed a lovely morning at Liz Robinsons beautiful home. Some of us even got to have a cuddle with Liz and John’s first born Spring lamb while its mother watched anxiously. Thank you Liz for the lovely refreshments and very warm welcome. Hope to see you all on the 12th.. - Jan Hutchings 01327-830877 *********

From St Martins Church You may have noticed that the new wooden church gates have now been put in place, they look wonderful. Thank you to the Luger-Mawson family, the new gates are dedicated to the memory of Janette Luger-Mawson. The Annual Meetings for the Church were held on Monday 18th March in the Village Hall, it was possibly the biggest attendance for many years. Thank you to all who came. At the meeting Christine Rodhouse and Patricia Sykes were elected as Church Wardens, and David Aked-Walker, Sandy Aked-Walker, Ian Lowery, Matthew Rodhouse and Liz Robinson were elected as PCC members. During March we have had the usual mix of services, on Sunday 31st March at 10.30am there will be a Family Service for Mothering Sunday, please do come and join us, there will be a gift for the ladies present. The Art Festival will be held over the weekend of the 27th and 28th April, if you would like to help, exhibit or display your Classic Car please contact me, Christine, on 830350. The Wombell is still in the church, is anyone else interested in learning to ring a bell? Please contact Christine 07890 906257 or Richard 07802 725510 if you are.

Benefice Service Times for April

31st March Fourth Sunday of Lent Mothering Sunday The Old Red Lion 10:30am Morning Service for Mothering Sunday Litchborough nd 2 April 9:30am Holy Communion Woodend Happy Easter to All Our Customers (Book of Common Prayer) th SO MUCH HAPPENING 7 April Fifth Sunday of Lent - Passion Sunday 9:00am Matins Adstone From 10.00am on SATURDAY’s 9:00am Holy Communion 10:30am Family Service Litchborough Pop in and enjoy Breakfast 10:30am Family Service Saturday Night is 6:00pm Evensong STEAK NIGHT 9th April 9:30am Holy Communion Blakesley (Book of Common Prayer) A choice of several different steaks 14th April Palm Sunday and Procession 9:30am Procession on the Green Blakesley 10:00am Benefice Eucharist Blakesley 16th April 9:30am Holy Communion Blakesley th (Common Worship) 7.30p.m. Saturday 30 March th 18 April Maundy Thursday Ben’s Comedy Night 7:00pm Stripping the Altar Blakesley

19th April Good Friday 12 Noon – 1pm Meditations on the Cross Farthingstone 2pm – 3pm Meditations on the Cross Maidford th 20 April Holy Saturday st 7:30pm Easter Vigil and Sunday 31 March Mothering Sunday First Mass of Easter Farthingstone Treat that special lady to a special 21stApril Easter Day 8:00am Sunrise Service Maidford Sunday Roast Said Eucharist (BCP) 9:00am Holy Communion Adstone 10:00am Family Communion Litchborough 11:00am Family Communion Blakesley 23rd April 9:30am Holy Communion Blakesley QUIZ NIGHT is the last Wednesday of the month

(Common Worship) Got a special occasion any other time then telephone 28thApril Second Sunday of Easter 8:00am Holy Communion (BCP Said) Blakesley The Old Red Lion Tel: 01327 830064 30th April 9:30am Holy Communion Blakesley or email: [email protected] (Common Worship) to arrange your booking

Cricket News: Farthingstone and Badby cricket clubs 2nd Monday Club - 8th April join forces Many thanks to all who made it to our March meeting, Steve's snippets With the new season only a few weeks away, Farthingstone & District CC about the Titanic were both interesting and quite fascinating. formally joined forces with Badby CC to form what will now be known as A thank you also to those who chose to become or remain members for Badby & Farthingstone Cricket Club. the coming year, really helpful when it comes to planning speakers and A new club constitution was voted and agreed upon at the recent club suchlike. AGM with several new officers appointed. This month we're welcoming Doreen Addicott. Doreen is coming to chat New committee: Chairman Andy Nightingale, treasurer Chris Prastka, to us about THE ROYAL ORDNANCE DEPOT just along the road at secretary Malcolm Alphonso, captain Charlie Ashmore, vice-captain Steve Weedon. Loads of info about it if you do a bit of a search. Nelligan, grounds officer Phil Hall. 'Napoleonic Wars era, built 1802, the Military Ordnance Depot was Vice presidents: Michael Wilcox, Alan Brooks, Peter Collins, Peter Banks, established by an Act of Parliament in 1803, as part of the British anti Martin Wilcox, Mick Mynard, Neil Brooks, Jim and Mo Scott, Peter and invasion preparations of 1803 - 1805. It was a central small arms depot, Linda Mayne, Robbie Knox, Paul Egerton, Len Birchall. for the British Army and was originally served by the canal, by its own Finance: in order to cover the increased costs of preparing and branch which entered through a portcullis.' maintaining the ground at Badby, subs are now £50 p/a (up from £30) History lesson over. Thanks Wikipedia. with junior subs remaining at £10 p/a to encourage younger players. The Please come if you can. 2nd Monday is open to everyone. Bring whoever “pay per play” fee option was increased to £10 per game (up from £5) you like along, all will be very welcome! while teas will now cost £5 (up from £3). Not too late to join, £20 for the year or £3 if you're coming on a pay as New season: first match is on Sunday May 5 with an away fixture at you go, basis. Spencer Bruerne CC who play at Stoke Bruerne, followed by home Looking forward to seeing you on the 8th. A bit of local history. matches against Maids Moreton (May 19) and Northampton Eaglets (May Fantastic. 26). Carol The club are affiliated to the ECB and Northants Recreational Cricket

and draw its players from the local area, growing steadily thanks to the efforts of the local community, club committee and players who enjoy the social nature of the cricket played on the pitch and the relaxed Litchborough Garden Club – 27th March family atmosphere off it. We look forward to welcoming Peter Richardson from Preston Bissett The club welcomes anyone in the area – young, old, male, female - who Nurseries for a talk on 'Summer Perennials; Summer Colour' and he will want to enjoy a game of cricket or simply support this family-friendly also be bringing some stock with him, so another great opportunity to club. Matches usually take place on a Sunday afternoon with the treat ourselves to a special plant: Wednesday, 27th March at 7.30pm in occasional midweek fixture. the village hall. The talk is free for members and £3.50 for non- The club would like to take this opportunity to thank Litchborough Parish members. Council for their great support which has been instrumental in helping For more information on Litchborough Gardening Club and its activities the club grow. please contact Sue Brunning on 831545 or Teresa Cox on 07962 925709. Please contact either of the Litchborough players below if you are interested in joining us. Phil Hall 07710 850353 * Graeme Whitcroft 07793980500

St Martin’s Church April Services Litchborough Arts and Crafts Festival 7th April Fifth Sunday of Lent - Passion Sunday

10:30am Family Service Coffee: Liz Robinson

th The 26 Annual Art and Craft Festival 14th April Palm Sunday and Procession in Litchborough will take place on 9:30am Procession on the Green Blakesley Saturday and Sunday 27th and 28th 10:00am Benefice Eucharist Blakesley

April, open each day between 11am and 21stApril Easter Day 5pm. 10:00am Family Communion Coffee:Val Hartley & CarolHakin Sidesmen: Reg and Carole Furniss Reader: Liz Robinson – Exodus 14 vs. 10-end & 15. Vs. 20-21

th Over the weekend here will be a display of works of art in St 28 April Second Sunday of Easter 8:00am Holy Communion (BCP Said) Blakesley Martin’s Church; there is a small charge of 50p per adult for a catalogue on entry to the church. There will be a number of ******* carefully selected craft stalls including jams, knitted clothes, jewellery, woodturned items and cards in the Village Hall as well as Compline refreshments; ploughman’s lunches, soup, tea, coffee and During the Lent there is a short evening service, Compline, at 7.30pm on homemade cakes. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The services last 15 minutes at the most. Monday Litchborough Tuesday Adstone Sunday coincides with the Classic Car Wednesday Blakelsey Thursday Fathingstone Drive it Day, so weather permitting Friday Maidford. we are hoping for a number of Classic Cars to be on view on Sunday between 2pm and 4pm…so far we could have a Citroen Traction Avant, a Triumph Roadster, a TVR, a Lotus, We deliver daily newspapers and an FB Vauxhall VX 4/90, 1937 Austin magazines to the village. 7 Ruby and some MGs! Any combination of days per week catered for. Please do come and support this event, the main fundraising event for St Martin’s Church. Ring us on 01295 268499 or e-mail [email protected]

Happy Easter to all our customers

Litchborough Parish Council NOTICE OF CASUAL VACANCY I hereby give notice of a vacancy for a Parish Councillor arising from the resignation of Councillor Steve Rickaby. Unless ten electors of the Parish give written notice to the Returning Officer* of the District Council within 14 days# after the date of this notice, requesting an election to fill this vacancy, the Parish Council will fill the vacancy by co- option.

Signed: Date 12th March 2019 Lynn Lavender, Clerk to the Council * The Returning Officer is Richard Ellis, South Northants Council, The Forum, Moat Lane, , NN12 6AD # Excluding Saturdays, Sundays, Bank Holidays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Good Friday *************

Parish Council Update from 12th March Meeting  The Parish assembly will be held at 6.30pm on Tuesday 14th May at the Village Hall all are welcome.  There is a casual vacancy for a Parish Councillor following the resignation of Steve Rickaby. The Parish Council thanks Steve for his contribution to the community.  The streetlight upgrade is nearing completion.  The Youth club would welcome new members, watch out for notices and flyers about what activities are planned.  The footpath wardens have been walking the local paths and several issues have been highlighted and resolved.  Please report issues with footpaths, fly tipping and highways to Street Doctor Lynn Lavender, Clerk to Litchborough Parish Council *********

7.30p.m. MONDAY 1st April A Special Parish Council Meeting is to be held in the Village Hall to discuss the Planning Application for the Baptist Chapel Site in Chapel Lane. The Planners will be present so do come and have your say. All villagers are welcome.

7.30p.m. SATURDAY 13th APRIL THE OLD RED LION

PRIZE BINGO In Aid of the Talbot Butler Ward

Emergency Assessment Unit Litchborough Youth Club

FUN GAMES ON A MONTHLY BASIS If you are aged 10 -16 years come to our next

meeting

th

THURSDAY 11 APRIL LITCHBOROUGH ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY 6.30pm Tuesday 14th May 2019 Litchborough Village Hall 7.00pm - 8.30pm Light refreshments available.

Street Lighting Upgrades Defibrillator Youth Club Litchborough Village Hall New Website Village Hall

Updates from Village organisations

Come along and hear what has been happening in the village and what the plans are for the coming year.

Tim Sykes Chairman Litchborough Parish Council