ST. MARY'S CHURCH - PURLEY ON THAMES
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SUNDAY SERVICES
From this month, there is a change to the pattern of Sunday Services - see page 3 for full details.
RECTOR Rev. Roger B. Howell, The Rectory, 1 Westridge Avenue, Purley on Thames Tel: 417727
CURATE Rev. Brendan Bailey, 10 Knowsley Road, Tilehurst Tel: 451411
READERS Jean Rothery Wally Watkivs Tel: 843625 Tel: 426170
CHURCHWARDENS Jackie Benstead David Jordan Tel: 429116 Tel: 415994
CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR CHURCH HIRINGS Sally Robertson Liane Southam Tel: 625978 Tel: 428243
BAPTISMSEnquiries about baptism should be made to the Rector (417727)
WEDDINGS Enquiries about weddings should be made to Jackie Benstead (429116)
FUNERALSEnquiries about funerals should be made to the Rector (417727)
1 LETTER FROM THE CURATE SEPTEMBER 1997
Dear Friends,
Now is the time for the return to school and, in a few weeks time, to college for those going to college. It often seems to me that the time of the summer vacation gets shorter and shorter. I remember seeing some shops with back to school displays before the end of July. No longer do we have the opportunity to enjoy the present moment but we are encouraged to push on to the next stage of our lives. This is equally true for Church ministers as for everyone else.
No doubt many of you are aware that the Rector, Roger Howell, is having a sabbatical break for the next three months until the beginning of December. This is not a holiday, but the chance to step back from the day to day pressures of parish ministry and reflect on the life of the parish church and its members. There is also the space and time to engage in some study and personal development. Roger will be handing over the reins of St. Mary's to me for the whole of these three months. Any matters of parish concern should be directed to me from September 1st to November 30th inclusive.
This sabbatical period is not a modern invention of the management training schools. It is part of the biblical pattern for the re-creation of society. In the same way that the Ten Commandments call for one day's rest in seven, so the Old Testament calls for a special period of rest every seven years. This time known as the Sabbath Year, was the time when fields were left fallow. They could then regain their strength for more usual intensive growth for the other six years.
Every 50 years there was to be a year of Jubilee which was even more special for the people of Israel. This was to be time when debts were cancelled and any land which had
2 been bought and sold would revert to its original owners. There has been for many years a call to return to this principle of Jubilee in Western society as it rushes towards the next century. In particular there is growing pressure to use the Millennium to proclaim a year of Jubilee for those countries which are among the poorest in the world. They are in debt to richer nations to the extent that they owe far more per head of population than most people earn per year.
The Jubilee 2000 Campaign is working towards presenting a massive petition from many different nations to the summit meeting of the G7 group of richest nations at the turn of the Millennium. It would be a wonderful opportunity to allow the poorest nations of the world, all in the developing world, to make a fresh start for a new century. There is a copy of the petition and further details of the campaign on a noticeboard in the foyer of Church. Please come and sign it to join with millions of people throughout the world who are backing the campaign. If you would like to take a blank petition form and some useful answers to those awkward questions which people ask, please do let me know and I will pass those on to you.
Yours in Christ, Brendan Bailey
SUNDAY SERVICES FOR SEPTEMBER
7th Sept. 9.30 a.m. Family Worship 11.15 a.m. Morning Worship 6.00 p.m. Holy Communion
14th Sept. 9.30 a.m. Family Worship 11.15 a.m. Holy Communion
21st Sept. 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion 11.15 a.m. Morning Worship 6.00 p.m. Evening Worship
28th Sept. 9.30 a.m. Family Worship 11.15 a.m. Holy Communion
3 PARISH REGISTERS
Baptisms 20th July Hayley Christine Morgan Samuel James Morgan
Marriages 5th July Peter Painter & Helen Williams 2nd August Christopher Deacon & Nicola Leth
Funerals 4th July Joyce Beatrice Allchorne (burial at Pangbourne Hill)
LUNCH POT
Lunch Pot re-opens after the summer break on Thursday, 11th September at the new time of 11.45 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. We start the new term with the autumn menu offering two choices of homemade soup, jacket potatoes with a range of fillings, as well as a savoury homemade `special'. Come for a light lunch or a more substantial meal and finish it off with home-baked cake and a refreshing cuppa. There is something for everyone at reasonable prices. We offer good food and a warm welcome to all. Highchairs are available for little ones and there are toys and colouring to keep children occupied while Mums take a break.
This new term is remarkable because after two years of running Lunch Pot Nicki Woodward is stepping down and taking a well earned rest. At the end of July regulars at Lunch Pot showed their appreciation and Nicki was presented with a gift and a bouquet of flowers. Nicki has created a very welcoming and happy atmosphere at Lunch Pot and her topical theme days have been very popular. Last term helpers wore hats marking Lady's Day at Ascot and Wimbledon fortnight saw Tennis Ball Meringues, Boris Becker baked beans and Henman Hotdogs on the menu. We are very grateful to Nicki for looking after Lunch Pot so well and we hope Nicki will still keep in contact with us, this time on the right side of the kitchen counter!
Don't forget our new opening times - 11.45 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. every Thursday during term time at the church. We look forward to seeing you. Abi Stinson
4 5 DISTRICT NOTES
We now have a full complement of first tier officers at Newbury. As well as Roger Gibbins (ex Berks CC) as Director of Social Services, we have J. Mercer (ex LB Wandsworth) as Director of Education and Mike Harris (ex Newbury DC), John Ashworth (ex Berks CC) and D. Taylor as Corporate Directors. All will be taking up their positions in the next few months. There has also been an agreement on all the positions in the new Authority and these are being advertised first to existing Berks CC and Newbury DC employees. The change of name to West Berkshire Council has been approved and will take effect from 1st April 1998.
There have been many complaints about vans parked on Knowsley Road. I am pleased to hear that this should now be resolved as the firm concerned now have a yard elsewhere.
Two particular projects will probably affect many residents of Purley. These are the Reading Car Parking Strategy and the enhancement of the Oxford Road area from Reading West Station to Norcot roundabout. You may find it worthwhile to visit the Reading Civic Offices to find out more and to make your comments to Reading Borough.
The Government have been consulting on the setting up of Regional Development Agencies. The one for the South East, which includes us, will stretch around London from Kent to Buckinghamshire. I think most would agree that this makes very little sense as the several areas have very little in common. They are also talking about a new Food Standards Agency, partly as a result of the concerns about e-coli and BSE.
This year there will be even stricter control over the use of fireworks with shells not available for sale to the public and bangers, squibs, jumping jacks and mini-rockets banned entirely. Also, the minimum age has gone up to 18.
Could I repeat again the warning for people not to park their cars on pavements. You are doing no-one a favour, rather you are obstructing the pavement (an offence) and also probably doing considerable damage to services such as gas, water, electricity and telephone which are often just beneath the tarmac. In my own street (Cecil Aldin Drive) we are continuously having to have the pavements dug up to repair the damage. John Chapman Newbury District Councillor, Purley Ward PURLEY ON THAMES PARISH COUNCIL
6 A reminder to all landowners to trim back their garden hedges, shrubs and trees alongside pavements and public footpaths. These must be cut back to the edge of the pavement or path and any overhanging branches on trees etc. up to a height of 8 ft.
We now have new Parish Council noticeboards around the village. If you wish to place a notice on these, can you please get in touch with me so that I can authorise this and insert the notice for you. R.F. Fullbrook, Clerk to the Council
ARTHRITIS RESEARCH COUNCIL
The Thames Vale Singers are very kindly giving a concert for us in Pangbourne Village Hall on Saturday, 27th September at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are £3.50 to include light refreshments.
There will be a raffle. Tickets can be obtained from the following members or at the door:
Anne Bolam (421020), Sheila Aris (427721), Pamela James (843511)
PURLEY CRAFT FAIR Saturday, 11th October : 2.00 - 5.00 p.m. at Purley Memorial Hall
This year the Craft Fair will be organised by Chris Soper (who runs the Mayor's Market). It will still be the same Craft Fair, and Sylvia Conquest and Liz Holton will still be involved. Any enquiries (for stalls etc.) to Chris on 424765.
HOME-START READING - Helping young families under stress (Registered Charity 289794)
Are you a parent or grandparent? Could you spare a few voluntary hours each week, with expenses paid, to offer friendship and support to a family with young children? The only qualification needed is that you have parenting experience. There is a free preparation course for volunteers starting probably in September. For further information, ring NOW on 429518. Judith Colegate (Chairman) PROJECT PURLEY
7 Friday, 20th June saw our annual walkabout meeting, attended by eleven enthusiasts in spite of the threatening weather. In the event we had only a few drops of rain though the going was damp and muddy underfoot in some places. After an interval of seven years we repeated the walk through Sulham and Nunhide to Tidmarsh, starting by Sulham church, where we looked at Sulham Farmhouse. Probably of Tudor date, this fine old building shows clear evidence of later extensions which have obscured its timber framework and "jetty". Then along Nunhide Lane with glimpses of Sulham House and vistas over the Pang valley, with occasional pillboxes dating from the defences built in 1940. We then turned into a path alongside a tall barley crop where we could see the heads of several deer warily watching us, and then on through woodland over the Sul brook and then the Pang, passing long-abandoned sites of an old workhouse and labourers' cottages. Jean Debney regaled us with all sorts of information along the route, especially about the ancient field names, one of which is the delightful "Tickle-me-too". Finally, with the M4 traffic roaring nearby, one of our party pointed out where he had helped to construct a refuge for bats under a stone bridge crossing the Pang. A last short stretch of main road brought us to the "Greyhound" at Tidmarsh, where we refreshed ourselves suitably. It had been much more than just a country walk, and we all enjoyed it.
James Heslop
A very successful barbecue was held at The Mimosas on July 18th. We were fortunate that we escaped the recent excesses of weather and enjoyed a calm evening and a delicious meal in good company. The next meeting of Project Purley will be held on Friday, 19th September at The Gatehouse at 8 p.m. when we shall hear a talk by Neil Bucknell about The Birds of Berkshire. Rita Denman, Meetings Secretary
BARGAIN CORNER
Plain green Wilton carpet, 9ft x 11ft. Good condition - £25.00
Austin suite teak headboard with two single drawer pedestals. Suitable for 4ft 6ins or 5ft. bed. Good condition - £30.00
Tel: 418510
8 Last April's Save The Children Fund house to house collection for 1997 in the area of Pangbourne and district raised a total of £3,285.76. SCF would like to thank all those who gave so generously. House to house collectors frequently hear donors say "it's not very much" as they drop their contribution into a tin, but every little really does help. We should also like to thank all those who gave up their time to collect. At least this year the weather was good!
Save the Children Autumn Fair "Shopping that Puts Children First"
The 1997 Save The Children Fund Autumn Fair will be held on Saturday, 18th October at Pangbourne Primary School from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. On sale will be Christmas cards, wrapping paper, presents, toys, cakes, white elephants and much more. There will also be a national SCF raffle for a Peugeot car. Come and have a cup of coffee and do your Christmas shopping early and comfortably.
Get on Track to Save The Children Make tracks for Save The Children's sponsored walks on Saturday, 5th October and have fun as well as raising money to help give children the best start in life.
For families, there's a great free family fun day at Beale Park, Pangbourne. Walkers and their families get in free and Save The Children are providing plenty of free entertainment. Enjoy a circus skills workshop, jazz and steel band, face painting, Punch & Judy, clowns and much more. Choose between several routes of different lengths to suit all ages and abilities; most are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Who could resist a free day out at this lovely bird and animal park by the Thames?
If you want more of a challenge, there are 5 and 10 mile walks through the lovely Ashampstead Forest, starting at Yattendon Court Estate. The 5-mile route is suitable for wheelchairs.
For more information or to register for a sponsor pack, call 01344 869173. There are great prizes and free T-shirts for top fundraisers, so call today!!
Penny Billyeald, Secretary, Pangbourne & District Branch
9 PANGBOURNE COLLEGE CHORAL SOCIETY
Men and Women Wanted The Chaps want more Ladies. The Ladies want more Chaps. The Chap in charge wants both!
Pangbourne College Choral Society is planning to sing Verdi's Requiem in February. It's a big work and needs a big choir. It's an exciting work to listen to, but it's much more exciting to sing!
You would like to give it a try? Then come along on Tuesday, 9th September to the Music Room, Pangbourne College (anyone at the College will tell you where that is, and other singers will be arriving at the same time who can show you the way). We normally rehearse on Tuesdays 8.00 - 9.30 p.m., but it is better to arrive early on the first day.
The gentlemanly gentlemen and angelic ladies look forward to hearing you!
Pauline Garrett, Secretary
PANGBOURNE ART GROUP
Pangbourne Art Group is holding its 17th Biennial Exhibition and Sale of Work at the County River Centre, Pangbourne Meadow by Whitchurch Toll Bridge on Saturday, 6th September (11 a.m. - 5 p.m.) and Sunday, 7th September (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.). Admission is free and refreshments are available. F. Lewendon, Exhibition Secretary
BARGAIN CORNER Kenwood FM/MW/LW car radio cassette. RDS/EON messaging and auto frequency search. Remote control handset. Fits most cars. (New price over £200). £50.00 Tel: 429630
*** LUNCH POT RE-OPENS 11th SEPTEMBER ***
10 Every Thursday during term time at the Church hall. Note the new time of 11.45 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Come for a light lunch and a chat
CRAFT FAIR
Sunday, 14th September at Pangbourne Village Hall 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Over 30 Stalls. Refreshments available. Proceeds to Pangbourne Valley Playgroup New Premises Appeal. Further details from Abi on 414134.
ROTARY CLUB OF PANGBOURNE
In June members and wives of the Rotary Club assisted with the annual "Kids Out" event, when nearly 70 handicapped and disabled children from local schools were taken to Legoland at Windsor. An enjoyable day was had by everyone and fortunately rain did not intervene.
The club has recently distributed approximately £1,250 from fundraising to several local organisations, including Brookfield School, Purley Park Trust and Reading Cygnets.
The new Rotary year commenced on 1st July. President for this year is Mr. Les Jones of Tilehurst. Mr. Nigel Busby is Senior Vice-President.
Mr. Cliff Meredith is the club Public Relations Officer. He can be contacted at Wrens' Nest, Strachey Close, Tidmarsh RG8 8EP, tel. 843721 for information about the club.
11 SPANISH FLEE!
Although Douglas Fossey moved to Kintbury over 3 years ago, he has continued to play the organ at St. Mary's Purley once a month, fitting this in with his commitments playing at other churches in West Berkshire.
However, he considers 1,100 miles a bit too far and the final service at which he will be playing the organ before moving to Spain is 11.15 a.m. on 7th September. It is hoped that the church will be full and overflowing with the glorious sound of singing to the Glory of God. His final voluntary on the organ will be Widor's Toccata from the 5th Symphony in E minor.
I am sure you will all join me in thanking Doug for his contribution to St. Mary's and to wish him well for his new life in Spain. Editor
THE SHOP AT 1 COLYTON WAY
Despite being turned down for a licence to become an Off-Licence last year (a decision which was surely influenced by the strength of opposition from local residents) the shop is advertising a trade in wholesale alcohol. The committee of the P.P.P.O.A. were concerned about the implications of this but after consulting with the authorities - local authorities, VAT Inspectors, Customs and Excise, police, licensing courts and solicitors, we find that the proprietor is, as far as we can tell, doing so within the Law.
We would like to point out that as a wholesale outlet the quantities that can legally be sold are: 9 Litres of wines and spirits - 1 Whole Case Minimum 10 Litres of beers and ciders - 2 Whole Cases Minimum at any one time.
(This article appeared in the Purley Park Property Owners Association Summer 1997 Newsletter and has been reproduced by kind permission of the Chairman of the P.P.P.O.A.)
12 PANGBOURNE MEDICAL PRACTICE New Service at the Surgery - Minor Injuries Clinic We are pleased to announce that we now run a minor injuries clinic. Our Practice Nurse, Mrs. Carol Shipman, is available between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, to treat minor injuries. Sister Shipman is fully trained to treat wounds including those that may need a few stitches, burns, sprains and remove particles from eyelids. She can also advise on more unusual injuries such as animal bites and adverse reactions to insect stings. Any problem needing more specialist care will be referred to Casualty at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
Outside the hours of the minor injuries clinic, our team of Practice Nurses may well be able to help you. All the doctors at the surgery can also suture cuts and assess the injuries to see whether a trip to Casualty for an X-ray is required.
This service is offered between our normal working hours. The aim of this service is to cut down the number of our patients who attend Accident and Emergency at The Royal Berkshire Hospital and wait there for hours before they are seen. Much of the research done at Accident and Emergency Departments show that more than 30% of the patients attending Casualty could have been treated by their own GP's. We now have a letter from Casualty every time one of our patients attends for treatment there and we are often surprised that people have gone to Casualty and not come to the surgery for advice first.
As you may know, we have joined REDDOC, the Reading Co-operative for our out of hours service between 7.00 p.m. and 7.00 a.m. and at weekends. They will see many types of problems but do not do suturing or x-rays; patients who require these services will be referred on to Casualty.
We hope that you will find this an improvement to the service offered from the surgery. We are funded to run this service for one year and will be monitoring the number of patients seen in the Practice and at Casualty carefully. We hope that it will prove a success and will then be allowed further funding.
Stress - How are you Coping? Most of us can say that we have experienced stress at some time in our lives. Whilst a
13 degree of stress can be helpful, it can become a problem if it goes on too long or becomes too intense.
HOW CAN YOU RECOGNISE STRESS? Everyone has a unique way of reacting to stress and it is important to recognise the signs at an early stage so that you can take action. Have you noticed *tiredness * mood changes *irritability/anger *sleep problems *headaches *feelings of unreality *sexual difficulties
These may be symptoms of stress.
PANIC ATTACKS About 1 in 10 adults will experience a panic attack in their lifetime and it is likely that you know at least one person who has first hand experience. A panic attack is an extreme and time-limited reaction to stress. Symptoms include:
*tension and shaking *flushing/sweating *rapid shallow breathing *breathlessness *frequent urination *pain, e.g. in the chest *increased heart rate/palpitations *dizziness/faintness *nausea *tingling in fingers and toes
People who experience high anxiety will often try to avoid situations that appear to trigger symptoms. For example, people who are afraid of enclosed spaces may avoid lifts.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT STRESS? It may be helpful to look at your lifestyle and ask the question, "Can I make changes that would make me feel better?" In particular, you should look at the DEMANDS you face and the RESOURCES you have to cope with them.
1.DEMANDS - can you think of other ways to approach:
*work tasks (paid or domestic) *family problems *financial difficulties *lack of time, e.g. set realistic targets, decide your priorities *poor health
14 15 2.RESOURCES - have you thought about
*talking to someone you trust *taking some time off, e.g. taking a walk in your lunch hour *regular exercise *taking up pleasurable leisure activities *yoga/relaxation exercises *massage *taking a few calm breaks
You should not wait to tick off everything on your `must do' list before you allow yourself to do things on your `want to' list. If things are getting on top of you, then your coping strategies are not as effective as they might be. Make a change today!
Doctors consult at the following times:
a.m. from 9.00 a.m. - 12.20 p.m. p.m. from 4.00 p.m. - 5.50 p.m.
Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. am pm am pm am pm am pm am pm
Dr W Westerman X X X X X X X*
Dr M Powell X X X X* X X X
Dr I Cox X X X X X X* X
Dr H Powell X X X
Dr M Oppenheimer X X X
Dr C Keast X X X* X X X X
* Short surgeries alternate weeks. Surgery Telephone No: 842234
Dr. Oppenheimer
16 WOMEN'S INSTITUTE
A sultry summer evening gave start to the July meeting as we sat trying to cool ourselves. Minutes were read and we were reminded that the September Horticultural Show will shortly be upon us. (In that case, watch out for the slugs on your would-be show pieces).
Our gratitude must go to our competent representative, Gillian McDonald, who visited the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre. She reported on this year's resolutions. Discussions were colourful and controversial - not just national but global.
Our speaker was Mr. Blackham and his talk was entitled "Lazy Gardening"; more like commonsense gardening really. He was full of do's and don'ts, like why tolerate troublesome plants that don't enjoy your type of soil, just replace them simply with a shrub you don't have to coddle! Remember when buying conifers required for privacy to ask its yearly growth - otherwise you end up searching for the sun that the tree has blocked out. Forget the thorns of aggressive greenery and go for the friendly bush that you can prune without reaching for the first aid kit! We must remember now to consider plants that don't require too much water - see, another problem solved. The beauty of the speaker's garden was confirmed by his film slides. Yes, he had taken the backache and headache out of one of our favourite hobbies/chores. Must say he convinced me. So much so I think I'd better go now and dig up my garden and start again!
The flower of the month was won by Maureen Corke and second was Kath Hodge. The competition - "Second Biggest Bloomers" - was won by Vi Watts with Sylvia Conquest second.
The next meeting will take place on 10th September at Purley Memorial Hall at 7.30 p.m. Visitors welcome. Sylvia Conquest
PANGBOURNE AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY LUNCH
Pangbourne and District Community Lunch is held twice a year and provides the opportunity for local people to meet over lunch and learn more from those working professionally or voluntarily in the Pangbourne District.
The next community lunch will be held on:
17 TUESDAY 16th SEPTEMBER 12.30 - 2.00 p.m. at the DORMAN ROOMS, PANGBOURNE
Anita Weare will be coming to talk about the SUPPORT FOR CARERS in the Pangbourne area. We shall also be showing a video about the SHOPMOBILITY scheme in Newbury. This scheme provides wheelchairs (powered or manual) or scooters for those who want to come shopping in Newbury but have difficulty walking.
Anyone is welcome to come but if you would like to have lunch please write and let Anne Stone, Flowers Court Coach House, Tidmarsh Road, Pangbourne know by early September. Lunch costs £2.00. Sarah Ward, Rural Community Care Worker, Community Council for Berkshire
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor, I write as Chairman of the company that owns the shop at 1a Colyton Way.
My attention has been drawn to your piece in "District Notes" about the sales of alcoholic beverages from 1a Colyton Way.
I am perturbed, even to the extent of feeling that the use of the phrase "the matter is with the police", and by the suggestion that a "loophole in the law" has been used by us, may be libellous. There is, of course, no law against residents of Purley purchasing and consuming alcoholic products.
We have provided a facility for those who wish to obtain alcoholic refreshments to do so. Many have used it.
It is relevant that in its Summer 1997 Newsletter the Purley Park Property Owners Association writes that local authorities, VAT Inspectors, Customs and Excise, police, licensing Courts and solicitors all agree that my company's actions in this matter are lawful.
I hope that you will mention this subject again in your publication, this time in a way that will not seem to be intended to damage our interests, or suggest that we are scoundrels. Yours faithfully, J.R.A. Pollock
18 PURLEY CRICKET CLUB
A busy season continues at a pace, two Saturday sides, two Sunday sides and a busy Colts fixture list means almost constant activity at Purley Cricket Club.
Excellent League results has meant that as we enter the last few games of the season, the Saturday 1st XI is top of Division 1 of the Hewlett Packard Berkshire League and look certain of promotion to the Premier League. Not to be overshadowed, the Saturday 2nds are challenging hard for top spot in their Division.
Increased membership has enabled the two Sunday sides to operate full fixture lists with good performances and results being achieved.
Two Hewlett Packard Berkshire League Cup Finals (Knock-Out Cup and Cup Plate) have been staged at our ground as well as three Berkshire Under-13 representative games (Berkshire v Wiltshire, Glamorgan and Surrey). The opportunity to stage such games is indicative of the improving status of both our Club and Ground.
Colts Tuesday evenings at Purley Recreation Ground (Beech Road) have been busy and noisy as up to 40 youngsters (aged from 7 through to 16) take part in our coaching and practice sessions. Fixtures at various age groups (Under 11 to Under 15) have been played both on a friendly and a League basis (Under 11 Berkshire League).
Charity Cricket Match - 22nd June 1997 vs. Old England XI Despite the bad weather, all the advertised Old England players turned up for the match and some even arrived in the morning to coach youngsters. Brian Luckhurst (62) and Derek Randall (59) top scored in the Old England score of 191 for 4 wickets declared. In increasing wet conditions, Purley struggled to 35 for 5 wickets until a heavy downpour resulted in the game being declared a draw.
A considerable amount of money (£2,000) was raised for the two Charities involved (Imperial Cancer Research Fund and the Windmill Respite Fund), as well as for our own Colts Development funds. A number of raffle prizes remain unclaimed and anyone holding the following may contact Brian Smith (843653) or Martin Bishop (427142):
Pink - 32 Red - 34, 38, 352, 388, 565 and 583
19 Blue - 28, 60, 84, 92, 223, 367, 423, 458, 613 and 640 A highly enjoyable (if wet) day was had by all of those participating and attending. On behalf of the Cricket Club and the Charities involved, I would like to thank all those people who helped to make the day happen.
If you are interested in participating in the Cricket Club in any way (Colts, Adults playing, umpiring, scoring or just watching) new members are always welcome!
Please contact Martin Bishop or Brian Smith on the numbers given above.
FROM MY HISTORY NOTEBOOK
The Twenty-Four Poor Inhabitants of Purley (Cont'd)
The youngest man to receive a guinea from Mr. Liebenrood's Will was 24-year-old Thomas Allum. Orphaned at the age of 8, the last of his three brothers and a sister died a year later. He was married in 1802 and left the parish. "Old" William Sharman and his son-in-law Joseph Lambourn both died within 5 years of receiving their legacy. It was William's wife, Ann, who was said to be 100 when she died, but the records suggest that she was only 97!
The group of women is not so easy to identify and little is known for half of them. Almost all are called "Dame", a form of address indicating someone of a lower social order at that time; also few were given Christian names. So we may never know if Widow Hain was Frank Hayne's mother? If Fanny Smith, the gardener's wife, was related to John Smith a servant of Mr. Liebenrood's, or if Sarah Carter was the young wife of another of the servants, William Carter. Dames Martin and Grundy may have belonged to families known to have been in the parish some years previously, but the Dames Barnes, Bedwin and Dinah must remain quite anonymous at present. Among the remainder, the husbands of Dames Jane Palmer (37), Jane Hamblin (36) and Mary House (27) were all attendants at the funeral.
Dame Hannah Doe's husband, George, later begged for and received 10/6d (52.5p) from the Churchwardens by claiming that he had been at the Battle of Waterloo! Helen Newbury (23) was one of the few baptised at Purley and was orphaned whilst a teenager. She died, unmarried, at the early age of 32. Dame Elizabeth Buckland (spelt Bugland in the Will) was then a young married woman of almost 21 with a husband 15 years her senior, and her later story as a destitute widow makes sad reading in the Poor Law
20 records.
The last of the women is Dame Jane Baker who was married in Chieveley in 1791. A year later she and her husband John were found to be destitute and "removed" by the Magistrates to Purley with their baby daughter. John Baker's position in life improved in later years and he was appointed Parish Constable for Purley in 1830 -31.
In drawing up his list of names, Mr. Liebenrood appears to have differentiated between the "deserving" and "undeserving" poor - phrases so beloved of the Victorians. He would have seen and observed all these families for some time and noticed their struggle to make ends meet. In this context, his bequest can be seen as a reward for virtuous poverty and was the reverse of the usual treatment handed out to "undesirables" in the 18th century. Jean Debney
(This article was first published in Purley Parish News in May 1983 and has been reproduced by kind permission of Jean Debney).
NEEDS OF YOUNG CARERS ARE HIGHLIGHTED THROUGH DRAMA
Last term, GCSE pupils at Theale Green School undertook a project which focused on the needs and issues for children and young people who care for someone at home. There are approximately 40 thousand young carers in the UK and 10 thousand of those are the main carer. A 20- minute drama piece was shown in House Assemblies. It is hoped to raise awareness with other schools in the area in the same way.
For further information, contact Mo Brickwood on 01635 516713.
*** LUNCH POT RE-OPENS 11th SEPTEMBER *** Every Thursday during term time at the Church hall. Note the new time of 11.45 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Come for a light lunch and a chat.
21 22 23 LAUGHLINES
"I would like to marry you" said the middle aged widow.
"But it frightens me that you have been married five times before".
"Oh", he said, "You mustn't listen to a lot of old wives' tales".
***************
Some years ago, a local undertaker changed premises to some immediately opposite and its signboard announced: "We're now on the other side".
Is this the ultimate privatisation? ************** PURLEY PARISH NEWS
EDITOR:Pauline Manning, 5 Oak Tree Walk, Purley on Thames. Tel: 429630 ADVERTISING:Claire Pearson, `Letgable', Purley Village. Tel: 843070 CIRCULATION:Les Jamieson, 58a Wintringham Way, Purley on Thames. Tel: 412342
I welcome contributions from anyone to this magazine, particularly on local issues and events. Please note, however, I reserve the right to edit contributions to suit space availability. Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or the P.C.C. of St. Mary's Church, Purley on Thames - sponsors of Purley Parish News.
This magazine is published on the first Saturday of each month (except August) and the subscription Price is £3.00 for eleven issues. If you are new to the area and would like to subscribe to Purley Parish News, please contact the Circulation Manager, Les Jamieson, on 412342.
This month's magazine is published on Saturday, 6th September. All copy for the October issue must reach me by 15th September and the magazine will be published on Saturday, 4th October. Editor
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