The Parish News March 2019

Wormleighton * Priors Marston * Priors Hardwick PRIORS HARDWICK WITH PRIORS MARSTON AND WORMLEIGHTON

part of The Bridges Group of Parishes www.thebridgesgroup.org.uk PRIEST-IN-CHARGE: Rev. Gillian Roberts 01926 815831 [email protected] Sycamore Lodge, Church Street, Stockton, CV47 8JG ASSOCIATE MINISTERS: Rev. Carol Newborn 02476 503707 [email protected] Rev. Celia Parkes 07842 151387 [email protected] GROUP ADMINISTRATOR: Susan Holloway 01926 812383 [email protected] LAY READER: Mr Peter Jackson 01327 260169 CHURCHWARDENS: St. Leonard, Priors Marston - Mr. Malcolm Monkhouse 01327 260915 St. Peter, Wormleighton - Mr. Jeremy Wheeler 01327 264330

PARISH COUNCIL: http://www.priorsmarston.org/parish-council/

THE PRIORS HALL: Barbara Harvey 01327 260709 [email protected] (Bookings)

PRIORS SCHOOL: http://www.thepriorsschool.co.uk/

ST.LAWRENCE SCHOOL: http://www.stlawrenceprimaryschool.co.uk/

WOMENS INSTITUTE: Jane Cowan 07979 550202 Fiona Spencer 01327 263423

FILM NIGHT: Lee Robinson 01327 263268 [email protected]

SPORTS CLUB: Simon Brown, 07722 797735 [email protected]

TENNIS CLUB: [email protected]

CRICKET: Alan Evans 07764 627030 ______PARISH NEWS: Helen Menezes 01327 261222 [email protected] Hillside House, Keys Lane, Priors Marston, Southam, CV47 7SA. Deadline for contributions, 15th of the month. Preferred format – A4 Word or JPEG (not PDF)

ADVANCE NOTICE -PLANT SALE MAY 4TH There will be a Plant Sale at the Priors Hall on Saturday May 4th from 10am to 12 noon in aid of St. Leonard's Church. If you have any plants to spare please save them for us. More details in next month's magazine.

PARISH NEWS CONTRIBUTIONS

Dear Reader, It’s the time of year when those little brown envelopes appear in the magazine, asking you if you would kindly contribute to the cost of producing the monthly Parish News. Volunteers write, edit, and deliver the magazine. Roughly half the income is derived through advertising, but we still need to cover the cost of paper and printing. If you can contribute, please return your donation to your distributor, to any of the people named in the box on page 2 of this issue or to Maxine Harris at Priors Hall Post Office. If you prefer to contribute by bank transfer, the details are as follows. Account name: Priors Marston PCC, Sort code 40- 42-15, Ac. No.90674222. Please reference your donation as ‘Parish News.’

LETTER FROM REV. CAROL NEWBORN As I was reflecting on the challenges of last Winter and the difficulty of driving from Coventry to the Bridges group, through thick snow, in the hope of arriving in time to take the Church Service, I remembered the need to set out very early to ensure a safe arrival. My greatest challenge, having arrived at Napton, with deep snow around and a steep hill to climb, was getting to the top in one piece and hoping that the downhill journey home would be as easy. This year it has been so different. No bad weather to hinder progress, clear roads with no risk of ending up in a ditch on the way, sun shining brightly and a joyous start to the day, what more can we ask for? Life can bring many challenges along the way and there are times when we can get inundated with demands which we are unsure how to deal with. Recently I have been to seven Funerals of friends in Coventry. Some have been well-attended, some not so. Some have died as a result of a long life, lived well, whilst some have battled for a long time against cruel debilitating pain and anguish. Yet their funeral service was a celebration of life well lived. Whilst working in the Bridges group, I still manage to make time for those I have known for many years and I hope to continue in doing so. We each have different skills and abilities and gifts to offer for those in need. God has called each of us to use them, not to hide them away, but to care for those around us and to share the love that we have been given. I'm sure that many of you have gifts and specialities that you share with friends and people in need. These gifts can be used to encourage people who are perhaps struggling, to show them that you care and that they are not alone and that you are there for them. I don't believe in New Year Resolutions but I do believe in the use of New Year Revolutions, to change lives, to bring hope instead of despair, joy instead of grief and light instead of darkness. Look around, what need do you see, how can you make a difference in someone's life, what can you offer, what should you offer? So let us open our eyes to the needs around us and respond as we are moved and in all things give God the glory and not claim it as our own. May peace and joy go with you, now and always. Carol

EXPLORERS IN NARNIA As a child did you ever go rummaging in a big old wardrobe? Maybe you wondered what lay forgotten behind the musty coats and the boxes. If you did, you may sympathise with Lucy, one of the characters in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. During the war, Lucy, along with her three siblings, Peter, Susan and Edmund, are sent to a country house, far removed from London in the blitz. As she explores the house, she comes across a wardrobe. As she steps inside, she finds herself transported into the magical kingdom of Narnia. This term, our Explorers Club - for children aged 7-11 - is delving deep into Narnia. If you’re not familiar with the story, Narnia is a kingdom created by the lion, Aslan. But the evil White Witch has enchanted the kingdom, so that it’s always winter, but never Christmas. In Narnia, the children meet Mr and Mrs Beaver, who tell them of the ancient prophecy that says the spell will be broken and the Witch's tyranny will end when "two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve" sit on the four thrones of Cair Paravel, and Narnia's true ruler, the great lion Aslan, returns. Edmund is tempted to betray his family by his greed for Turkish delight and becomes imprisoned by the White Witch. Aslan rescues Edmund from the Witch’s clutches, but the Witch taunts the lion as she reminds him of the “Deep Magic” that was put into the world “at the very beginning.” Under this Deep Magic, every traitor belongs to the White Witch. So Edmund, the traitor, is hers to kill. Aslan cannot deny the power of this Deep Magic, but he makes a deal with the White Witch, allowing her to kill him in Edmund’s place. Throughout the story, we see the parallels with God’s big story. He created a perfect world which was spoiled by sin and death. We are tempted on every side by God’s enemy, Satan the deceiver. Even though we turn our backs on our creator he loves us and dies for us so we can be forgiven and live with Him eternally. Just as Aslan returns to life after death so did Christ, proving he has the victory over sin and death. If you have children between 7 and 11 years of age, do get them to come and join us at the Priors Hall: Thursdays 7th, 21st of March and 4th April 18:00 -19:30.

Email me, [email protected] for more information. 5

ST. LEONARDS CHURCH TOWER AND HIGH LEVEL REPAIRS – UPDATE You may have seen that the leaning weathervane is no longer visible. It came down in strong winds over the Christmas period, because the support pole has rotted away over many years. The vane itself has been retained. The flag pole is also in very poor condition and water is getting in through the roof. Repairs to these, the tower roof, the parapets, louvre tracery, and other high level stonework, are budgeted to cost nearly £1/4 million. All of this has to be raised locally and through an extremely long grant funding process that takes about 3 years to bring to fruition. It also requires a substantial local input of funds. The money given and raised so far is just under £30k (about 1/8th of the total cost of the repairs). Given these facts, the PCC is arranging low cost temporary repairs to the tower roof to stop water getting in and onto the woodwork supporting the bells; and, having taken professional advice, is also looking into temporary repairs to the parapets and tracery to retard movement and hence improve safety. Please do get in touch if you would like to find out more or wish to help with the restoration of the village church. Malcolm Monkhouse Warden

CHURCH BREAKFAST

There will be no breakfast in March See April Magazine for details of April’s breakfast.

Everybody will be very welcome! 6

ST. LEONARD'S CHURCH SPRING CLEAN.

Thank you to all who spent time cleaning the Church throughout the year. Visitors comment on how beautifully the Church is kept. A new cleaning Rota is being prepared and if you would like your name added to the existing list please let me know. If you prefer, come and join the Spring Clean on Saturday 30th March, anytime between 9.30 and 12.00. Refreshments supplied and an opportunity to climb the steps in the tower to see the clock workings. Kate Morgan, 260617 [email protected]

The Bridges Group of Parishes Notices – March 2019 Programme for Children and Youth

The Lighthouse Club: Years 3-5 @ Napton Village Hall from 6.15 – 7.30pm Friday: 1st, 15th & 29th March Contact Julia Boby 01926 811476

ConneXions: Year 6+ @ Napton Village Hall from 6.15 – 7.30pm Friday: 1st, 15th & 29th March Contact Julia Boby 01926 811476

Explorer Club: Years 3-6 @ The Priors Hall from 6.00pm – 7.30pm Thursdays: 1st & 21st March Contact Suzanne Derbyshire 01926 817921

Fun Squad: Years 7-9 @ The Priors Hall from 7.00 – 8.00pm Thursdays: 14th & 28th March Contact Annette Hone 01327 220440

Create & Play: pre-school ages @ Stockton Church from 9.30-11.00am Tuesdays Contact Deborah Dutton 01926 819016

Mid-week programme for Adults - Home Bible Study Groups The following groups meet for Bible study and fellowship. If you would like to join, please contact the Vicar or a Group leader: Every Wednesday at 8.00pm at Stockton Gillian [01926 815831]

1st & 3rd Thursday at 2.30pm at Stockton Jan [01926 817991] Every Thursday at 8.00pm - location varies Julia [01926 811476] Every Tuesday (except 1st) at 7.30pm at Napton Angie [01926 812225] Choir / Music / Singing Groups Priors Marston Bells please contact: Don Kirk [01327 261729] Napton music & singing group contact: Sue English [07891 043007]

Baptism enquiries and preparation To arrange for or to find out more about a service of Thanksgiving or Baptism, then please phone 01926 812383 for details or email: [email protected] Knit & Natter Tea and chat while knitting (or learning new skills) every Monday at 2.00pm in Stockton Church

ST. LEONARD’S CHURCH, PRIORS MARSTON

Flower Rota 3rd March Sara Wilkins Cleaning Rota 3rd March Pauline and Bryan Gilmour 10th March Anna and Robert Holland 17th March Diane Burton 24th March Dot and Pete Brown 30th March Joint Spring Clean

If you would like to join the Priors Marston Rota, please contact Kate Morgan, 260617

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, PRIORS HARDWICK Cleaning/Flower Rota 3rd March Gillian Kinnear 10th/17th March Anna Ellis 24th/31st March Sylvia Sutherland

The Bridges Group of Parishes Church services for March 2019

6th March 31st March 3rd March 10th March 17th March 24th March Ash Mothering 1st before Lent Lent 1 Lent 2 Lent 3 Wednesday Sunday 9.00am 5.00pm 9.00am Priors BCP - Evensong BCP - Hardwick Communion Communion 9.00am 10.30am Wormleighton - - BCP - Morning Communion Worship 9.00am Lower - - - - BCP Shuckburgh Communion 10.30am 10.30am 10.30am Napton CW - Morning CW - Communion Worship Communion 10.30am 10.30am 10.30am 10.30am Stockton Morning - Methodist Messy CW Worship Communion Church Communion 10.30am 7.30pm 10.30am 10.30am 10.30am 10.30am Priors Morning Holy CW Morning CW The Marston Worship Communion Communion Worship Communion Gathering

1st March – World Day of Prayer at Priors Hardwick at 10.30am

THE BRIDGES GROUP OF PARISHES NOTICE OF ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETINGS

The Annual Parochial Church Meetings for 2019 will be held as follows:

Priors Marston Wed 13th March 7.30pm* St Leonard’s Church *Preceded by puddings & coffee in church at 7.00pm

Stockton Sun 24th March 11.45am St Michael Church

Napton Sun 7th April 11.45am St Lawrence’s Church

Wormleighton Thu 11th April 7.30pm The Estate House

Priors Hardwick Mon 29th April 7.00pm Pingle House

Lower Shuckburgh Tue 30th April 7.00pm St John the Baptist Church

These meetings are:  for the election of representatives of the laity to the PCC  for the appointment of Sidesmen and the Independent Examiner  for the consideration of: (a) a report on changes in the electoral roll since the last APCM; (b) a report of the proceedings of the PCC and activities of the parish; (c) the Financial Statements of the PCC for the year ending 31st December 2018, having been independently examined; (d) a report on the fabric, goods and ornaments of the church; (e) a report in relation to safeguarding; (f) a report on the proceedings of the Deanery Synod;  and other matters of parochial or general Church interest.

Only those persons whose names appear on the church electoral roll of the parish are entitled to vote at the APCM.

Each APCM will be preceded by the Annual Vestry meeting for the election of churchwardens. Anyone whose name appears on the church electoral roll of the parish or the register of local government electors may vote.

Each APCM will be followed by the first meeting of the newly elected PCC.

ST PETER’S WORMLEIGHTON Choral Evensong with Christchurch Oxford Choir and visit of Bishop Christopher of Coventry At the time of writing, our PCC members are preparing for this Saturday’s Choral Evensong, which will be an important event for our small community as it is the culmination of 5 years work. It is always a source of joy and wonder, when I see the astonishing willingness that certain - by no means youthful - people always show in giving their time to organising events like this, in addition to our normal twice a month services. We hope for a good attendance from the local community and the many friends of our church. The success of this event, as it’s a project-related commitment, will be to some extent a measure by which our overall achievements are judged. Christian faith and changing attitudes towards religion: To my mind, there is little doubt that there must be something wrong with the way the C of E is still communicating with its target audience, now that churchgoing is no longer the virtually compulsory social activity it was and despite the dedication to it of our Queen, as its Titular Head. In 2019, active participation in Christian worship plays a miniscule part in the lives of most people here in UK, although this is by no means the case in many other parts of the world. But here, if we wish to attract people to become involved in church activities, we are unlikely to succeed if we immediately try to indoctrinate likely helpers into subscribing, say, to Christianity’s concept of eternal life after death. The seeds of this kind of initial, intellectual approach will almost certainly fall on stony ground and only increase potential members’ doubts and/or even encourage their disbelief. The Church has to be recognised, first and foremost, as the body that makes its often small parishes better places in which to live. Due to nearly always having expensive old buildings to maintain, which require large amounts of funding, we have all too frequently to seek funding because our churches are a major part of the local heritage. As Christians, we also have a duty to help others, to support “those in trouble, sorrow need and sickness or any other adversity” as the Book of Prayer tells us. This means creating a more caring local community. If we uphold and work within these principles, then our membership will grow as sure as night follows day. Faith healing: Despite all of the above, mysticism also seemingly has a role in the fabric of our beliefs, as I can recount from a personal experience. When living in Cheshire in the 1980's, I had a painful medical condition called a “frozen shoulder”, which had persisted for a number of weeks and nothing that the medical profession could offer at that time - such as ultra-sonic treatment, etc. - could seemingly cure it. In desperation, and upon recommendation by a friend, I went to visit a lady in Buxton in Derbyshire, who was a Faith Healer. This quite elderly person did nothing more than put her hands on my shoulder - no massaging, manipulation, oil or cream, no candles or incense - and I just instantly felt an amazing generation of heat coming from her hands onto my shoulder, followed by instant relief. How scientifically she did this, I have no idea and she made no charge for this amazing cure, although I did give money for it to a charity. She told me that the healing process was extremely exhausting for her and that she could only perform such things a couple of times per day. That she was a Christian and believed that her powers were God-given was undeniable, but how she did it was and remains for me a wonderful and total mystery. St Peter’s Annual Parochial Church Meeting: This will take place on April 11th at 19:30 at The Estate House in Wormleighton. We are looking for new members to join our Electoral Roll and to come onto our PCC. We will also be seeking a new Treasurer to replace Mr Ian Maclellan and I 10

would also like to relinquish my dual roles of Churchwarden and PCC Secretary, if anyone will volunteer to take on these tasks. My capabilities are seemingly reducing with the passing of time and the limitations imposed by domestic care commitments, in addition to my work as a translator, to which I have to give more attention. Maybe there is someone waiting in the wings - who knows? Jeremy Wheeler, Churchwarden & PCC Secretary, St Peter’s Wormleighton. Tel. 01327 264330 e-mail: [email protected]

STOP PRESS Post Script Saturday’s Choral Evensong and the blessing of our new facilities by the Right Rev. Dr Christopher Cocksworth, our Diocesan Bishop of Coventry, was a truly magical culmination of the considerable efforts put in over the last 5 years by a good number of people, who love our ancient, somewhat plain but very special medieval church. The 17-strong Cathedral Singers from Christ Church, Oxford provided an unparalleled musical feast of mostly 16th & 17th Century chants and anthems singing from the Chancel. The perfect acoustics of our building seemed so appropriate for music of such nature and showed that modern audio equipment, as found in so many churches, is not really needed in St Peters. Great to see so many friends there who filled the church, especially two of our former vicars in Rev Geoff Morris and his wife Ann from Warwick and Michael Greig, who came over from Buckingham. Perhaps the most astonishing thing was to see the Choir Master James Potter sight reading the final Voluntary in B Flat by Battishill, written in the 18th Century, from his mobile phone held in front of him by one of the Choristers. Our little electronic organ has never had such a pounding, but stood up to it manfully. The 21st Century has even reached Wormleighton it seems. Many stayed on to enjoy the wonderful delicacies provided by our ladies and a few glasses of Champagne.

Film Night at The Priors Hall

Friday 22 March

First Man

Doors Open at 7:00pm Film starts at 7:30pm

Year of Release: 2018 Certificate PG 13 Running Time: 2hrs 20mins

The riveting story of NASA’s ambition to land a man on the moon. Focusing on Neil Armstrong in the years 1961-1969, this visceral first-person account explores the sacrifices and costs to Armstrong and to the nation of one of the most dangerous missions in history.

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Corey Stoll, Ciarán Hinds, Jason Clarke & Kyle Chandler

Free tea, coffee & biscuits will be served during the interval, but feel free to bring your own refreshments and a cushion for a more comfortable viewing experience!

There is no charge for admission, but we will be very grateful for all donations to Village Hall funds placed in our collection box!

If you have any questions or wish to join our mailing list, Contact The Priors Cinema Team at: [email protected] You can also call Lee Robinson Tel: 01327 263268

ST MARY’S, PRIORS HARDWICK Be careful what you wish for - that particular adage may well come to haunt us at the end of this month as we cease to be full Europeans and pull up our metaphorical drawbridge on our continental neighbours - or maybe we won’t! Even as I write this, it is totally undetermined whether the UK will be leaving the EU on good terms (a Good Deal) or will just drop everything and walk out (No Deal), or something else entirely. Our politicians effectively agreed to a hard Brexit when they voted 2 years ago to confirm leaving without having anything organised (or even in mind) to replace the millions of standards and arrangements that are in place. Whichever way the situation pans out, it will be an uphill struggle for quite a few years before the repercussions will have worked through the system and the wisdom, or folly, of the Referendum vote has become clear. It will be our youngsters who will have to live with the longer-term consequences. I wonder how they will remember us? Yet, while the political world is in turmoil, there are still areas of life that provide stability. Christians can read in the Bible (in St Paul’s letter to the Hebrews): Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. This understanding helps us view life from a different perspective. It most certainly does not mean that life is always hunky-dory, but we do believe that the ideas that guided our forefathers for centuries are still applicable today. Working out how they affect us and how we live up to them in the 21st century - that’s another matter entirely. Our churches are a focus for many who share this belief, and they build up traditions and practices over time to structure the outworking of that. These are sometimes slow to change, but we might find that is not always such a bad thing. At St Mary’s, and at most other structured churches, we hold an annual meeting to report back to the members and wider community what we have been up to for the last year and where we see ourselves going in the future, as far as is sensible to opine. Our Annual Meeting this year will be held on 29th April, a bit of a way ahead, but if you want to be part of the voting membership you will need to sign up to the “Electoral Roll” before about mid-March, even if you were on the list before - rules! Meanwhile, our services continue at 9am on the 1st & 3rd Sundays, and at 5pm for Evensong on the 2nd Sunday. Alan Hone Priors Hardwick PCC – 01327 220440 – [email protected]

Priors Hardwick We will be holding our World Famous biennial Church Fête again this spring - with opportunities for all the family to have fun & get involved - (details to follow shortly, but) Please SAVE the date: MONDAY, 27th MAY

Spring Bank Holiday

The Priors Education Trust (PET) is a registered Charity formed to generally enhance education for the public benefit with The Priors School named as specific beneficiary. PET is responsible for the overall operation of The Priors Nursery and the FOPS Charity Shop as well as engaging in fundraising activities. PET is entirely independent of The Priors School, but works closely with it to enhance the curriculum and provide equipment for the Nursery and the School. As a registered charity, we were able to successfully apply to Warwickshire County Council for two laptops. These had been delivered to Mrs Spencer for use in the Priors Nursery. PET has contributed £2000 towards new laptops to be used by pupils in the Priors School. Additionally PET has contributed £900 to purchase outdoor play equipment requested for Miss Dyke’s Class 1. PET has been working with The FOPS Shop landlord and Daventry District Council to access a grant to renovate the shop front as part of a council initiative to enhance the High Street. The FOPS Shop will remain open whilst the work is carried out. Donations of coats, boots and toys in good condition are always welcome. The FOPS Shop drop-off box at School is collected every week, or call Pete Brown on 260281 to collect larger donations. We now have over 100 Gift Aid donors registered with The FOPS Shop. To become a donor, we just need a form to be completed with your name, address and a tick in the box to say you are a UK Book Keeper Required taxpayer. Most items for sale in the FOPS A volunteer book keeper is sought to Shop are from Gift Aid donors. assist the Priors Education Trust. One to The Priors Education Trust – Trustees/Directors Jane Richards, two hours a week at any time to suit Chairman: 262788 David Adams 262626 Pete Brown: 260281 Micky yourself. Knowledge of Sage would be Broadhurst: 262181 Rebecca Phipps: 07917 417914 Caroline Wilson: 264289 Dot Brown, Treasurer: 260281 useful, but not essential. Full support www.priorseducationtrust.org.uk Registered Charity, No1145955 and guidance available. Registered Company No 07747639 The Priors Education Trust is a registered Charity formed to generally enhance [email protected] education for the public benefit with The Priors School named as specific beneficiary. PET runs the Priors Nursery and FOPS Charity Shop and also engages in fundraising http://www.priorseducationtrust.org.uk activities in which it is joined by the Friends of Priors School (FOPS) PET is entirely independent of The Priors School, but works closely with it to enhance the curriculum and provide equipment.

PARISH NEWS PDF You can read the Parish News in PDF format (pictures in colour and A4 page size), by sending a request to the editor – [email protected]. You can also read the latest edition on the Priors Marston Parish Council website http://www.priorsmarston.org.

* * * * * * * * DIGITAL WORLD https://lifeintheuktestweb.co.uk/ A free website with lots of practice tests for people practising for the ‘Life in the UK’ test to become British citizens. Also interesting for anyone interested in the history and development of the British Isles. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/ There are lots of free, online Open University courses available on this site. https://artsandculture.google.com/ Beautiful pictures and information about all kinds of culture. Look for something you already love, or broaden your horizons.

* * * * * * * *

PRIORS MARSTON PARISH COUNCIL If you have any matters you wish to raise, please contact Emma Hooker the Parish Clerk, [email protected]/ telephone: 01327 263788. Website is http://www.priorsmarston.org PRIORS HARDWICK WEBSITE You can keep up-to-date with what’s going on in and around Priors Hardwick here:- http://www.priorshardwick.org.uk WORMLEIGHTON CHURCH WEBSITE https://stpeterschurchwormleightonblog.wordpress.com/tag/wormleighton/

PRIORS HALL AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING 7 DAYS A WEEK, DAYTIME AND EVENINGS, SUBJECT TO OTHER BOOKINGS.

Contact Barbara Harvey on 01327 260709, [email protected], to book, or for more information. Booking forms are available on the noticeboard in the hall.

General rate: £15.00 per hour. Village rate: £10.00 per hour. Special rates available for local/regular users.

Badminton, darts, short mat bowls and table tennis equipment are available for use, and the Village Hall Committee is always pleased to hear from people with ideas for new activities and events.

Current regular activities are as follows:-

Monday Table Tennis, 6.00-7.00 pm All welcome Tuesday Post Office, Lacey’s, Pilates Wednesday Play Group (am), Home Education Social Group (pm), Lacey’s, W.I Meeting (monthly) Thursday Post Office, Fun Club/Explorer Club (term-time), Lacey’s Friday Film Night (monthly Sept - May), Lacey’s Saturday Lacey’s

Lacey’s His and Hers Hairdressing: From Tuesday to Saturday, by appointment, you can have your hair done, next to the post office. The contact numbers are 01327 263330 and 07733 102564.

Post Office opening hours: 10 am-1.00 pm, 2.00 pm-4.00 pm, Tuesday and Thursday. Tel: 01327 261743. Copies of the Village Directory are available from the Post Office for a donation of £3.

Available at the Post Office. Price £5. Pilates: Pilates Class, Tuesdays at 9.30 am. A friendly, therapeutic and gentle exercise class, with an experienced, fully-qualified instructor. Beginners welcome. Please contact Steph on 07766 104411 or [email protected] Home Education Group meets on Wednesdays, 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm. £3.00 per session. Please contact Samantha on 01327 264599 for further information.

TEA ON THE FOURTH THURSDAY TEA – 4TH THURSDAY There will be no tea party in March but we look forward to resuming our normal routine in April.

VILLAGE DIRECTORY Copies of the latest directory (October 2017) can be obtained from: Mrs. Dot Brown and the Post Office in Priors Marston and from Mrs. Margaret Clarke in Priors Hardwick for a minimum donation of £3

PRIORS HARDWICK VILLAGE MEETING The next meeting will be on Thursday 25th April at 7.30pm in the Church

SALVATION ARMY FOOD BANK Non-perishable items may be left in the telephone box, in Priors Hardwick. This is emptied regularly and gifts are taken to Banbury weekly. We are most grateful for the generous donations received so far this year.

MOBILE LIBRARY The Library will continue its regular routine in March. It will call at Priors Hardwick, outside the church, on Wednesday 13th March

from 11.05 until 11.25am.

USED STAMPS AND POSTCARDS (USED OR UNUSED) For stamps, there are boxes in the Church at Priors Marston and in the telephone box at Priors Hardwick. These are sorted and used to raise funds for The Leprosy Mission At Priors Hardwick, the small box in the telephone box also welcomes postcards, which are used to raise funds for the Mission Aviation Fellowship

The Windmill Singers present ‘Music for a Palm Sunday Evening’ featuring Psalm 50 (Miserere mei Deus) & Olivet to Calvary with Mercedes Hyland (Soprano) Robert Forbes (Tenor) David Borsada (Bass-baritone) Tim Campain (Organ) Gerard Hyland (Conductor) at The Church of St Mary, Priors Hardwick Sunday 14 April at 7pm

Retiring Collection in aid of church funds

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2019

FRIDAY 1ST MARCH 10.30am

The Church of St Mary, Priors Hardwick

THEME Come, Everything is Ready.

A service of hymns and readings with time for reflection relating to the theme, followed by refreshments.

These services, which take place worldwide every year on the first Friday in March, are organised by Christian women from around the world. The first service begins as the sun rises over Samoa and ends some 38 hours later, back in the Pacific, as the sun sets over American Samoa. This year’s service has been compiled by Christian women of Slovenia. It includes interesting information about the history, geography and way of life in Slovenia.

Previously named ‘Women’s World Day of Prayer’, these services are definitely NOT for women alone. People from all six parishes in The Bridges Group will be taking part, and everyone is very warmly invited to attend.

More information can be found at http://www.worlddayofprayer.net

PRIORS MARSTON & HARDWICK WI Wednesday 20th March 2019

7.30pm at The Priors Hall

Speaker : Lucy Morgan

My Journey through the Travel Industry

Lucy will be telling us about her career in the travel industry

At our January meeting, Diane Vernon told us about her career change from Midwifery into the world of Glass Art. After many years as a midwife, Diane attended a day course in Stained Glass Art and has been hooked ever since. While still continuing to be a midwife, Diane ran a shop selling the glass art she had been making, but in the end, she decided to retire from the NHS and continue full time with her art - a great loss to midwifery, but her art work is beautiful. Diane was a great speaker with an infectious attitude to life and proving it is never too late to change direction.

Visitors are always very welcome.

Contact: Jane Cowen 07979 550202 Fiona Spencer 01327 263423

The Priors School March 2019

We have come to the end of another half term. This is always a tough half term for the children, as we have lots of dark starts and finishes and many wet days. We always look forward to the second half term of spring. The weather begins to improve, and the school becomes more colourful. Definitely keep an eye on the wild garden over the next couple of months, as we have sewn many wild meadow seeds which all should come through and make the front of the school even more beautiful.

Priors Education Trust (PET) As you all know, The Priors Education Trust are a charity who run our school nursery and raise money which the school can apply for to enhance our curriculum offer. PET runs a charity shop in Daventry called the FOPS Shop and would like any donations of items that can be sold in this shop. We have a plastic box next to gate in the Wild Garden where you can put your donations, and these are collected on a regular basis.

We would like to say thank you to PET for two recent donations. PET have contributed £2000 towards some new laptops for the children to use and £900 to Class 1 to create an outdoor learning space. We are very grateful for this support.

If you would like to find out more information, visit their website at: https://priorseducationtrust.org.uk/

Exciting opportunities School Lottery We have arranged for a number of visitors and workshops to come to our school in the next few The Priors School Parents’ Association have signed months, which the children will get very excited us up to a service called “Your School Lottery”. This about. runs as a weekly lottery with tickets costing £1 each. There is a guaranteed prize for our parents, with a We have an author, Cat Wetherill, coming to visit potential prize of £25,000 every week. You can find us on Monday 11th March to run workshops with more details at all the classes. We cannot wait to see the work https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school that the children will produce.

/priors-school to start supporting our school, and After an amazing workshop last year, we have hopefully win some money! invited Urban Strides to run a street dance workshop with all children on Friday 17th May.

We will also have an Olympic athlete visit us in

June. This will be a sponsored event and more information will be shared closer to the time.

Sporting Superstars We would like to say a massive well done to all of the children who took part in a cold and wet cross- country competition on Saturday 9th February. We would particularly like to say well done to Thomas W and Austin W for coming in the top six of their respective races and earning a certificate. We are proud of you!

The Parents’ Association The Parents’ Association have been working non-stop recently. They have organised a successful movie night and sold valentines sweets on the playground. They also have other events lined up, such as the Easter Disco and the Fashion Show. Please check out their Facebook page for continued updates.

The PA are also working hard to find companies to donate tablet computers to the school. If you know of any companies who would be willing to donate a tablet to use, please do speak to a member of the PA.

If you can help the PA in any way, please do approach a member of the committee, who would be more than willing to give you some extra information.

Events across the Bridges Group of Churches for Lent Everyone is very welcome to come along to join in this very special season. Stockton Church invites you to join us for a Pancake Party on Tuesday 5th March in Stockton Church From 4.00pm until 6.00pm. Lent lunches from 12 noon on: 13th March in Napton Village Hall 20th March in Stockton Church 27th March in Napton Village Hall 3rd April in Stockton Church 10th April in Napton Village Hall 17th April in Stockton Church

There will be an Ash Wednesday service of Holy Communion on 6th March at 7.30pm in St. Leonard’s Church in Priors Marston.

Lent Study course We will be holding a session each week throughout Lent, starting on Tuesday 12th March and on the following four Wednesdays, from

7.15pm until 9.00pm in Stockton Church.

St Lawrence CE (VA) Primary School. Napton 01926 812447 www.stlawrenceprimaryschool.co.uk

Big themes of the spring term have included Europe, the United Kingdom, Technology and Online Safety. It is also the time where lessons across the curriculum are inspected and we welcome outside experts to give an external perspective. This year we welcomed a team of inspectors from Warwickshire SACRE (the body who oversees the teaching of RE across all schools – church and non-church). I am delighted to report that all lessons and evidence collected from children’s books indicated that provision was consistently much better than good. I would agree from the dozen of lessons that I’ve seen: maths, phonics, writing, reading, geography, science, PE, RE, art, music, PSHE and interventions. It has been lovely to see the individuality and unique talents of children and staff coming together to achieve great learning. It is very much in tune with what the school has adopted as its Vision statement: “A happy church school that nurtures the unique talents of individuals and brings them together so that they will ‘soar on wings like eagles.’ ” (The last line is taken from Isaiah 40:31). All children in Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6) are currently undertaking their individual studies of a European Country. A whole-school European Day is being held in school with our youngest celebrating all the different faces of what it means to be British. Technology took centre stage with everyone in Years 5 and 6 grasping the opportunities to invent and create a full range of playground rides using KNEX. The quality of what was built was terrific, with winning teams in both classes. I think that all were however enthralled by James D in Year 6 who has gone many steps further - designing and building a digger complete with hydraulics, working caterpillars and a gearing system that means that it can lift decent weights: I think we’ve discovered a key engineer of the future! For so many, being online is quite simply an essential part of everyday life. However with such huge benefits come some equally high risks: our online presence is something to really think about. For children and families, the importance of online safety cannot be over-emphasised. The following website is a great source of information including the use of parental controls suitable for 0 to 14 plus year olds. From my own experience, getting a grip on online presence from an early age and then relaxing it as the children get older is far more effective (and easy to manage) than discovering there is a problem and then trying to deal with it! www.internetmatters.org is a great place to check out. In other news:

 Chris Round from Warwickshire County Council has reached his conclusion and acted to help improve road safety around the school. I really hope that a difference is made.  The Harp lessons are going down really well in Year 4. So many children are currently preparing for their Spring Music Exams.  It has been a delight to host the Napton Knitting group in school. We all look forward to their nifty needles working away again for the first Monday of every month.

 We’ve enjoyed a much better start to the football season than this time last year but are very hopeful of competitive games and victories in the hosts of matches to come. The matches between Bishops and ourselves was especially competitive with goals galore!  Our netballers are continuing with their successes, with quite a triumphant win recently when the team took complete control at the game. More matches are planned before the area tournament.  The playground improvements paid for jointly by AC Lloyd and our PTA are due to start this Easter ready for the Summer Term. We have been delighted to welcome a few new families to our school, including into Little Lawrences in the last few weeks. Please be assured that with the exception of one year group, the school is NOT full. Indeed, if you have missed the deadline for registering your child for the Reception Class in 2019 or indeed are looking to change your mind, please don’t worry. Places are available. Please contact the school office if we can help in anyway. John Brine, Head Teacher

PRIORS SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB THE Club’s Snowball Lottery prize of £600.00 was won by Clare Bratchie on Sunday February 10th and, as a result, the snowball starts again with the prize returning to £250.00. Below is a list of numbers drawn since the last edition of the Parish News. Date Numbers Drawn From 20 January 4 5 8 10 11 12 27 January 2 3 7 8 11 12 3 February 2 3 5 9 10 12 10 February 2 4 9 10 12 12 Remember; you must be in it to win it! Football Both teams are doing well this season. The first team are still in contention in several cups as well as doing well in the league, whilst the reserves are still in contention for promotion from their league. Games kick off at 2.00pm every Saturday and the main contact is Kieran Reading [email protected]. Social Membership Social membership to the Club is available at £5.00 per household and this allows members to be served alcohol (over 18s only). It also enables members to hire the Club’s facilities at very competitive rates - membership is available to all residents of the parish. If you would like to join the Club as a social member please send an email to [email protected]. Tennis Please see the section’s own entry for up to date information about the section, their email address is [email protected]. Dog Walkers If you do walk your dog on the grounds, we would ask that you make sure that you clean up after it (bagged poo in the grey bins only please), as expecting footballers to have to clean up dog mess on the pitch before a game is a little out of order.

Dog Shows During the spring and summer, the Club will be hosting a number of dog shows and breed club social events. All the fun dog shows* are open to any dog, be it pedigree, cross breed or mongrel, so why not bring your dog down to strut its stuff at one or more of them? Entries for the dog shows start at 9.30. The first class will take place at 10.30, and novelty classes will be no earlier than 12.30. March 31st Fun Dog Show* April 28th Fun Dog Show* May 12th Bernese Mountain Dog Club of GB Garden Party June 15th & 16th Finnish Lapphund Fun Weekend June 16th Fun Dog Show* July 13th & 14th Schipperke Schipnic & Fun Weekend August 25th Fun Dog Show* October 1st Bernese Mountain Dog Club of GB Garden Party October 27th Fun Dog Show*

Colin Thompson Memorial Quiz The Club’s annual village quiz will take place on Friday March 29th with the first round of questions at 19.30. The questions will be set and asked by last year’s winners “Team Help” Entry is £10.00 per team (maximum 5 members per team) and will include half time refreshments, the bar will also be open. Please email [email protected] to register your team and to tell us if it has any vegetarian members in it. The quiz winners get the honour of being next year’s quizmasters, a prize donated by The Hollybush & a trophy to keep for the year.

PRIORS TENNIS CLUB NEWS AND EVENTS Priors Tennis Club is located on Byfield Road at the entrance to the Sports and Social Club. New members are always welcome – please visit https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/priorstennis or email us on [email protected] for information on membership packages and prices. CALLING ALL CURRENT MEMBERS – your club needs YOU! We will be holding our Tennis Club AGM on Wed 27th February at 8pm at Priors Sports Club. We’ve got some great new plans to share with you, including a new coaching program. This is your chance to come along and have a say in how you want the club to be - we’re here for our members, so tell us what you want! Do come along - look forward to seeing you there. REGULAR EVENTS FOR MEMBERS:  Club Night – Tues 6:30pm till late.  Sunday Service – Club session on Sunday mornings, 10:30-12:30. All members welcome. Come along, have a hit, and meet other members. NEW SEASON ABOUT TO START: New membership packages will be available on https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/priorstennis from 1st April, when our membership year begins. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/priorstennis/

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GARDEN JOTTINGS FROM BRIDGE NURSERY Your local Hardy Plant Specialists

More good news. There is a company called Higgledy Garden which sells flower seeds online. The man who runs it wants some space to grow some flowers to promote his business. We have plenty of spare ground. He is excellent at marketing on social media, so we might just get some spin-off from this joint venture. It will certainly look colourful, there will be cut flowers for sale and the bees and butterflies will love it.

March can be a busy time if we have some decent weather:

 Sow annual flower seeds (buy from Higgledy Garden) in cell trays  Prune roses  Sow sweet peas if you didn't last autumn  Plant onion sets  Sow spring onions, peas, parsnips  Continue to plant perennials and shrubs if it's not too wet  Divide some of the larger clumps of perennials and replant  If you forgot to cut back your late summer flowering clematis in February you can still do it this month. The same is true of most of the ornamental grasses  Check larger trees and shrubs in case there was any wind damage and cut out any damaged branches

Hopefully you will get much satisfaction from ticking things off the list!

Christine Dakin, Bridge Nursery, Tomlow Road, Napton, www.bridge-nursery.co.uk ¼ mile from Crossroads Garage – look for our Tourist Sign

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WEATHER JOTTINGS JANUARY 2019

We were thinking that January 2019 was cold, but I’ve just looked back to 2009 to find that it was much colder. There were frosts every day for the first 11 days and on many of those days the temperature did not reach 0℃ all day. On 6th, the sea froze at Sandbanks and that night the temperature fell to -12℃ at Benson in Oxfordshire! This year, the temperature rose above freezing on every day of the month and the lowest night temperature around here was just about -6℃. The outstanding feature of the January weather this year, was the lack of rainfall - only 21mm, as opposed to just over 200mm in 2014. The average for January here, since 1998, is just over 60mm. The first 15 days of the month were dry but many were cloudy; the only variations being between light and heavy cloud cover. The temperatures were ‘normal’ - ranging between 5℃ and 10℃ and there were frosts on just 4 of those days.

The first rain of the month came on Wednesday 16th, when the temperature rose to 10℃, but then fell rapidly during the night to give a daytime high of just 2℃ on Thursday 17th. The rain which had begun light on 16th turned to snow overnight and produced a brief very heavy (and unexpected) shower just before 7.00am. From then on, the daytime temperature remained in single figures, apart from Friday 25th, when it rose to 11℃ with good cloud cover all day. During that second half of the month, we had frosts on ten mornings. There was more snow on Tuesday 22nd, which soon thawed but more overnight into Wednesday 23rd. On Friday 25th, the temperature rose to 11℃ and Saturday 26th was also fine with 9℃. We had more snow on Tuesday 29th, but the snow we’d been expecting on Thursday 31st didn’t arrive until the early hours of the next month! The other feature of January 2019 was the on the morning of 21st - the super- blood-wolf-moon. This was a combination of the full moon at this time of January, generally referred to as the ‘wolf’ moon, and the total eclipse of the moon giving it a glowing orange/red colour. The total eclipse occurred at 5.00am and, with only light cloud cover, it was visible here. Margaret Clarke

January Rainfall 250

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Rainfall 100

0 Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan 13 Jan-14 Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Jan-18 Jan-19 Year

ADVERTS IN THE PARISH NEWS: One off/Regular ads (10 issues) £48/£240 per full page £24/£120per half page £16/£80per third page £12/£60per quarter page 32 £8/£40 per sixth page

Napton Village Stores, Post Office and Café. We are open 7 days a week Mon- Fri 7am-7pm Sat 8am-6pm Sun 8am-12midday, Bank Holidays, 8am-2pm

32, Warwick Road Upper Boddington, NN11 6DH Tel: 01327 260364 www.ploughinnboddington.co.uk email: [email protected] Traditional village pub with accommodation, serving great beers and good food all with a warm welcome! Now open for lunch daily

Open 7 days a week Monday – Saturday: Bar open 12.00pm – 2.30pm then from 5.00pm Lunch from 12.00pm – 2.00pm Dinner from 6.00pm – 9.00pm Sunday: Bar open 12.00pm Sunday Lunch from 12.00pm – 6.00pm

W.GOODWIN & SONS PETE BROWN Funeral Directors Supplier of:-

Est. 1895 Milk and EggsDelivered to 38, Coventry Street, Southam your door Warks, CV47 0EP -----ooOoo-----

Seasonal Lawn Mowing Tel: 01926 812445 -----ooOoo----- Email: [email protected] Betweenways, Hardwick Road, Priors Marston Private Chapels of Rest Monumental Service provided Tel: 01327 260281 Email: [email protected]

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