Services at the date of this magazine going to press; otherwise please contact a church warden (contact details page 3)

St George, Fordington, Dorchester, DT1 1LB St Simon & St Jude, Winterborne Monkton, DT2 9PT 1st and 3rd Sunday; 8am BCP Communion Rogation Sunday 2 May at 11.15am (Including Farm Tour) Each Sunday 9.45am CW Communion The church will be open for private prayer every Saturday Track and Trace contact details taken at entrance and Sunday 10am-4pm Wednesday; Church will be open 8.30am to 4pm for private prayer and reflection T H E W I N T E R B O U R N E S St Mary the Virgin, Dorchester, DT1 2HL St Martin, Winterborne St Martin, DT2 9JR Holy Eucharist every Sunday at 9.45am. Please book your 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th Sundays – 11am – CW Communion seat by emailing Trudy on [email protected] St Mary, Winterbourne Abbas, DT2 9LP Wednesday midweek Eucharist 9.30am 1st and 3rd Sundays – 10am – CW Communion Contemplative prayer group meets on Wednesday 5pm. St Michael, Winterbourne Steepleton, DT2 9LG St Peter, Dorchester, DT1 1XA 2nd Sunday – 11am – CW Communion’ Sunday – Eucharist, at 9am and 10.30am St Thomas a Beckett, Compton Valence, DT2 9ER Thursday – Eucharist 10am 2nd Sunday – 9.30am – CW Communion Monday and Thursday – Morning Prayer 9.15am We will continue to be open for personal prayer from There is a 30-minute Zoom Service on the 1st, 3rd and 5th 10am to 4pm each day Sundays at 10am; please contact the Revd Jean Saddington (01305 889992) if you would like to join. St Andrew, West Stafford, DT2 8AB There are currently no evening services. 1st and 3rd Sunday – Matins 11.15am 2nd and 4th Sunday – Eucharist 11.15am Please book your seat by telephoning a Churchwarden – Open for Private Prayer on Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm. their numbers are listed opposite.

The Benefice Network

Office Secretary St Andrew June Jenkins 250719 St Mary [email protected] Verger Cynthia Fry 573076 Organist Benefice Website Organist Geoff Greenhough 267723 Flowers Jill Shepherd 264222 www.dorchesteranglican.info - Flowers Margaret Morrissey 250366 Church Committee Secretary Felicity Murray [email protected] Church Committee Secretary Treasurer Kaye Kerridge 268641 Dorchester PCC Secretary Janet Cooper Robert Potter 262041 Envelopes Kaye Kerridge 268641 260259 [email protected] Treasurer John Heath 07802 527757 Electoral Roll Jill Shepherd 264222 Dorchester PCC Treasurer Envelopes Beryl Shuttleworth 266616 Electoral Roll Trudy Tabone 246126 Magazine Editor Servers Peter Vojak 265994 St Simon & St Jude Margaret Morrissey 250366 Organist Duncan Honeybourne 761881 Safeguarding Peter Vojak 265994 [email protected] Flowers Rota of PCC members Social Groups Magazine Advertising Church Committee Secretary c/o Margaret Morrissey 250366 Olive Branch Joyce Potter 262041 Wendy Grassby 263762 [email protected] Monday Club Rosemary Bassett 262615 Treasurer Hilary Hoskin 251085 Email [email protected] and Hall Bookings Electoral Roll Wendy Frost 889510 your message will be sent to someone from John Williams [email protected] Safeguarding Peter Vojak 265994 the Magazine, Pews News, the Parish Magazine Circulation Cynthia Fry office or the Team Website. Benefice House/Prayer Groups St Peter St George Friday Prayer Group Meets at St Peter’s Verger Val Potter 264416 Verger Tony Archer 07484 257612 Friday 10.30am Penny Blaby 753556 Organist Organist Dorcas MU Bible Study Group Meets on Bellringers Will Haydock 07976 276066 Weds 10am Janet Cooper 260259 St George’s Dragons Maggie Carter 266072 St Peter’s MU Penny Blaby 753556 Bellringers Tony Spiller 262442 Flowers Kate Chapman 756069 and Rosalind Thorpe 259659 Emmaus House Group Meets on 3rd Flowers Helen Pickard Church Committee Secretary Monday of the month. Church Committee Secretary Christian Meditation Group Cheryl Taylor 269564 Christine Buffrey, 778765. Treasurer David Elliott 259236 Wednesdays, 5pm at St. Mary’s. Treasurer Michael Neely 262869 Rosemary Bassett 262615 Envelopes David Elliott 259236 Envelopes Home Bible Study Group Monday 7.30pm Electoral Roll Dorothy Maggs 262436 Electoral Roll Jim Mclean 260126 30 Grosvenor Rd Celia Robertson 257621 Social Events Maggie Carter 266072 Social Events Rosalind Thorpe 259659 Brownies Becki Munro 457181 Servers Safeguarding Jane Pryce 269937 Rangers Lisa Upward 265574 Safeguarding Hall Bookings Pat Davies 267745 Hall Bookings [email protected] Please check if the above groups are Magazine Circulation Val Scriven Magazine Circulation Mark Dyer meeting during Covid 19

2 Archdeacon of Sherborne Rev Penny Sayer

The Team or the past year I have been working with a wide variety of Team Rector FDorset organisations, hosted by Revd Keith Magee with responsibility for St Peter’s Dorset Council, who have joined and St Simon & St Jude together to help the county through the 07766 645135 covid pandemic. Originally named Team Vicars Community Shield it has now become Revd Cora Yarrien Community Recovery. There has been with responsibilty for St George and St Andrew one oversight group which met daily at 01305 262421 the start but now meets fortnightly and St Mary’s a variety of sub-groups (I joined Volunteers, Food and Medicine, Vacant contact church wardens and Mental Health sub-groups as well as the oversight group). St Simon & St Jude Vacant contact church wardens I cannot speak too highly of the sheer hard work put in by people Revd Jean Saddington from a wide variety of statutory and volunteer groups. From the with responsibility for start good, joined up thinking has been key. Dorset Council The Winterbournes & Compton Valence 01305 889992 seconded many of their staff to work on the project, and they have worked in very close partnership with Dorset NHS, Volunteer Associate Clergy Revd Joanna Lacy-Smith Centre Dorset, Help and Kindness, and other volunteer 01305 889476 organisations. Licensed Lay Ministers The huge effort started by making sure that all those shielding David Bowen 01305 263584 had access to food and medicine. Vulnerable residents quickly Allen Knott 01305 267217 became Valuable Residents. Volunteers have delivered food parcels, Caroline McMeiken 07555 967387 Robert Potter 01305 262041 manned food banks, delivered medicine, walked dogs, befriended Churchwardens the lonely and stewarded vaccination centre queues. St George It has been heartening to see how our churches have worked so Caroline Taylor 01305 269564 hard to support these efforts. Existing and new food banks have vacant St Mary the Virgin adapted to pandemic times in the way they operate. Neighbours Trudy Tabone 01305 246126 have been looked out for and many church folk have volunteered. Ellie Stephens 01305 263391 So I’d like to take this opportunity of saying a huge thank you to St Peter Val Potter 01305 264416 all the unsung heroes. Helen Lange 01305 561410 Going forward, there is a determination to build on all the good St Andrew work that has been done through the last year, particularly keeping vacant St Simon & St Jude the partnership between the statutory and voluntary sectors going. Charles Norman 01305 262719 The aspiration going forward is to help people who have needed Judy Norman 01305 262719 support to become more self sufficient. To that end, in addition to St Martin Dick Corbett-Winder 01305 889410 food banks, new community fridges and community pantries have St Mary sprung up. We hope that all the neighbourliness and good will that Joy Parsons 01305 889611 has been shown will continue and that Dorset will be an even St Michael Ellie Sturrock 07980 089470 lovelier place in which to live and work. Roddy Kilpatrick 01305 889238 St Thomas Peter Steel 01308 482782 Jeremy Russell 01308 482227 Chaplaincy at Dorset County Hospital Reverend Ron Martin (CofE) Dorchester Benefice Magazine Please submit copy for the June issue Lead Hospital Chaplain Editor: Margaret Morrissey OBE by 17th May at the latest. email [email protected] 9 Hessary St., Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3SF All new articles please submit by Revd Jean Saddington (CofE) Chaplain [email protected] 01305 250366 14th May or give notice of intention to the [email protected] Advertising Manager: Editor at [email protected] Father Barry Hallett (RC) Chaplain [email protected] Contactable via Ron Printed by Sherrens of Weymouth

3 How long, O Lord?

ow long until life gets really back to normal, be travailed, thou shalt and the pandemic is brought under control? not be diseased’; but He HYou’re in good company if you feel like asking said, ‘Thou shalt not be God. This past year has taken its toll on our overcome.’” relationships, our economy and on our collective That is a promise that mental health. we can hang on to: all ‘How long, O Lord?’ is a question that has been shall be well in the end; commonly asked by the Bible’s poets, as well as many but it is also necessary to saints down the centuries. add: if it is not well with Mother Julian of Norwich, whose feast day we you today, then it is not remember this month, asked the question back in the yet the end. 14th century. She was no stranger to pandemics This is a perspective on herself, having suffered from the plague in 1372. life that is full of faith, of After much prayer and meditation, she was given an hope, of trust in the Mother Julian of Norwich answer that has echoed down the centuries. In her goodness and victory of ‘Revelations of Divine Love’ she wrote that God had God. The psalms are full revealed to her that: “All shall be well, and all shall of it and always trust in God for the final outcome. be well and all manner of things shall be well.” “He We can have this perspective, too, and perhaps said not ‘Thou shalt not be tempested, thou shalt not share it with our neighbours.

2nd May – Athanasius, the theologian who gave us the Nicene Creed

his is the name behind the Athanasian Creed. was safeguarded in the words, ‘eternally begotten of Athanasius (296-373) was born into a prosperous the Father, God from God, light from light, true God Tfamily in Alexandria in Egypt, studied in the from true God, begotten, not made, of one substance Christian school there and entered the ministry. He with the Father.’ was twenty-nine years old when he accompanied When Bishop Alexander died in 328 Athanasius Alexander, the bishop of Alexandria, to the Church’s succeeded him as Bishop by popular demand. For the first ecumenical Council, at Nicaea in 325. next 45 years Athanasius’ devotion, scholarship, and Athanasius could not take part in the Council’s forceful leadership established the Nicene Creed in the debates because he was a deacon and not a bishop but Christian Church. His enemies, both in Church and Alexander consulted him on the meaning of biblical state, conspired against him, and he was exiled five texts and theological distinctions. With Emperor times from the See of Alexandria and spent a total of Constantine sitting as President, 300 bishops argued 17 years in flight and hiding. It was his about the Person of Christ. How is He the Son of God? uncompromising stand for Nicene theology that gave Is He God or man or both together? Did He exist rise to the familiar saying, Athanasius contra mundum, before He was born? When we worship Him, does that ‘Athanasius against the world’. mean that we are worshipping two Gods? Athanasius’ name will always be linked with the The young Athanasius saw that some bishops triumph of New Testament Christology over every form wanted to impose the teaching of Arius on the of reductionism. The most significant of his many Church. Arius was a popular preacher in Alexandria writings was his great study on the person and work of who taught that Christ was not eternal but was a Christ; ‘On the Incarnation of the Word of God’, ‘Saviour’ created by the Father. Athanasius worked written before he was 30 years old. The whole Church with his bishop, Alexander, in framing what became of Christ is always in need of bishops, leaders and known as the Nicene Creed. Our Lord’s full divinity theologians in the mould of Athanasius.

4 Millions join worship online during the pandemic

he Church of England’s national online services especially welcomed by those without internet access. alone have attracted more than 3.7 million views The line has received over 400,000 calls and played five Tsince the first restrictions on gatherings for public million minutes since it was launched in April last year. worship to limit the spread of Covid-19 were introduced. The need to find new ways of meeting for worship amid Clips and content from the services have been seen 40 lockdowns and local restrictions has also helped the million times on social media channels. The Church of wider public engage with a broad range of Anglican England’s prayer and discipleship apps – through which traditions. For example, Book of Common Prayer people can join in ancient services of morning and services have seen a large increase in people attending as evening prayer from wherever they are – have been a result of being available online. Amaris Cole, the accessed eight million times, up 50 per cent on the Church of England’s Head of Digital, said: “The last year previous year. The figures for the online services are has shown the incredible creativity of our local churches, thought to be just the tip of the iceberg, as churches’ which have worked quickly to engage with their response to the pandemic triggered a major change in communities, despite restrictions”. the way Christians worship and reach out to their To support this, we’ve continued our digital training neighbours. for local churches to use digital platforms, with more At least 20,000 services and other online events are than 7,000 attendees attending webinars to learn skills now listed on the Church of England’s ‘church-finder’ such as how to live stream, how to turn their sermons website AChurchNearYou. 15 months ago, there were into podcasts or use Facebook groups for their Bible none. A special hymn download service, designed for studies. “It’s been incredible to hear the stories of those local churches to use as part of online worship, has seen being reached through these online services.” more than a million downloads. As churches look ahead, “With the national weekly services shared on our many are assessing how to incorporate the lessons of the Facebook page and YouTube channel, we’ve been able to last year into their regular patterns of worship and connect with people who may have never engaged with outreach after the pandemic. church services before and have seen communities form The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: in the comments while these services are streaming on a “The last year has been a time of loss, separation and Sunday morning. pain for everyone. Not always being able to meet together “They regularly share prayer requests, ask questions for prayer and worship has made that even more difficult about the Christian faith and offer to support others and I long for the day when we can gather together online. With services being led by bishops, chaplains, before God’s face”. Yet amid all of this, God has been vicars and lay people, featuring classic hymns or worship with us and has done something new which we could not bands, readings from television presenters and children have imagined a year ago. We have sung the Lord’s song from our primary schools, the diversity of the Church of in a virtual foreign land. As we look and plan ahead it’s England has been showcased through our national social not a question of either online worship or meeting in- media channels and we’ve ensured corporate worship is person, but of how we will be shaped by the experience accessible wherever people may be.” and commitments of the last year, to try new things, to The prayer apps include the Church of England’s value the things we perhaps took for granted before, and Daily Prayer app, offering traditional services of Morning, to reach out to more people with the invitation to Evening and Night Prayer, which was accessed 4.4 participate in the good news of Jesus Christ.” million times, a rise of 55 per cent. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell said: “I The Lectionary app, which includes the calendar, think there has been a digital coming of age. Of course readings and prayer for the Church’s year, was accessed we long to meet in person, but online services can be 1.7million times, up 21 per cent. very beautiful. People of different ages, from different Meanwhile the Church of England campaign app parts of the country or even the world, families sitting which provides reflections for current #LiveLent together, people watching whilst having a cup of coffee campaign and the Comfort and Joy campaign during are all coming together to worship online in ways that we Advent and Christmas was accessed 700,000 times, an just couldn’t have imagined a year ago.” increase of nine per cent. Many of those attending online services were Other apps include Time to Pray, which offers simple worshipping for the first time. A survey of some of the Daytime and Night Prayer services with audio, and online congregation found 19.7% of people asked were Reflections for Daily Prayer, offering daily Bible reflections, engaging with the Church of England for the first time. were each accessed 400,000 times; Sunday Worship which These national services have also been made available had 240,000 opens, and the Reflections on the Psalms and on the DailyHOPE line, a free phoneline that has been Daily Prayer for Thy Kingdom Come with 160,000 together.

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6 St George’s Church Church Correspondent Caroline Taylor

Details of Services and church opening times are on page 2 – this information is updated each Friday on http://www.dorchesteranglican.info/pews-news

The End of an Era learn the organ. The foresight of having an assistant was proved useful when she was asked, at short notice, to Palm Sunday is an important day in the Christian step in and play one Sunday morning. The ‘flu was calendar for any church, but this year at St George’s it doing the rounds and Mr Barber had been struck down held more significance than usual. It was the day on by it. After only a relatively short time learning to play, which our long standing and much appreciated organist Evelyn suddenly had to take over for three weeks. After Evelyn Kingman retired. After at least 70 years of being an assistant organist for fourteen years Evelyn was playing for services, weddings and funerals with what surprised with the offer of the post as organist and must be thousands of hours at the organ, her choir mistress. At this time it was almost unheard of for retirement is certainly the position to be well-earned. Her playing given to a woman and has helped people find as such Evelyn was peace in prayer and breaking new ground worship, as well as lifting in Dorchester. the spirits on darker days. It is certainly worth Having dedicated so remembering that much of her life to the while the congregation church Evelyn has seen are wrapped up snugly many changes here. She in coats, hats and served under the particularly gloves leadership of seven there is no such different vicars so Evelyn warmth available to has observed varying the organist while approaches to worship as playing in a robe. well as the day to day Particularly during the running of the church, last few chilly months, and yet she has managed where we have all been to provide a thread of subjected to increased continuity. amounts of fresh air in Speaking to Evelyn church, Evelyn found often brings to light it rather more difficult interesting memories of both the church and the to keep the vital hands and feet warm. surrounding area. In earlier days the choir had a As spring now unfolds St George’s faces the soprano section of young boys sometimes making challenge of finding others to aid the work of the mischief. It sounds as though St George’s was a leading church by playing its organ. Filling Evelyn’s shoes will light in the area for music. Even further back, Evelyn no doubt be a daunting task. Without the responsibility has reminisced about the days when the choir used to of performing, week in week out, we all hope that sing in West Gallery, with her own family members Evelyn can still enjoy Sunday mornings and maybe find being a part of that tradition. Later the gallery became them more relaxing. Caroline Taylor the vestry for the choir. Climbing that steep and narrow staircase wearing robes must have been a bit of a Editors comments: I know I speak for my fellow challenge first thing on a Sunday morning, especially warden when I say during my almost 10 years as for any ladies in high heeled shoes! warden at St George’s it was a great pleasure to work Coming from a churchgoing and musical family with Evelyn not just for Sunday services but for Evelyn had already been invited by the organist weddings and funerals. Ronald Pope to join the choir as a soprano. When the We were all safe in her hands with her calm and next organist George Barber heard that Evelyn could her knowledge it was a a great partnership thank also play piano, as well as sight read, he invited her to you Evelyn. Margaret Morrissey

7 23rd May – Whitsun is now called ‘Pentecost’ Canon David Winter

e used to call it Whitsun – ‘White Sunday’ earlier title ‘Holy Ghost’. The spirit is not spiritually a because long ago children marched to ‘ghost’ but a precious gift. Wchurch in white on that day. No processions nowadays, and we have even changed its name. It is Editors comment now ‘Pentecost’, which is more accurate but needs I am sure I cannot be the only one who had a new explaining. dress for Whitsunday. In those long ago days a new Pentecost marks a vital event in Christian history. It dress was very, very special. I only had one because my is celebrated 50 days after Easter. The year Jesus was Mother was a dressmaker but I crucified (which took place at the Passover), the was so proud to wear it to remnant of His followers, just 120 of them, were church, it was a very special together in an upper room in Jerusalem. They were Sunday. afraid to show their faces in case the authorities Pieces like this by Canon arrested them, but on the day of Passover they had an Winter do make you stop and amazing collective experience. think what a very different They described it in terms of wind and fire, a great world my age group were surge of spiritual energy and confidence. Afraid no brought up in. Post second longer, they burst out on to the streets where crowds world war our needs were were gathering for the festival, led by Peter they began many so we appreciated the to tell them about Jesus and His resurrection. As they little we had. Our priority was did so, although many of the people in the crowd to eat and have any clothes to wear which were new. were foreigners who spoke other languages, everyone Now in Covid times the young are ready to march the heard them in their own tongue. Peter told them that streets protesting about everything that does not go what they were seeing was the fulfilment of an old their way or that does not please them. I am sure each prophecy when God would pour out His Spirit on the generation has said the same about changes in human race, men and women, young and old. expectations and will in the future. I think it is sad As a result of His words and the extraordinary we have, and I am as guilty as anyone, given our spectacle, 3000 people believed and were baptised in children and grandchildren so much to compensate the name of Jesus. They were the nucleus of what in for what we missed. Sadly so many of them feel “it is 100 years would be a Church that would turn history their right” if they cannot have everything they desire. upside down. For Christians Pentecost is in effect the I fear they have a hard road ahead. I accept not all are birthday of the Church. the same, but even if they are not, a couple of years Many people find the whole idea of the Holy Spirit in our universities and they will have been persuaded mysterious and elusive. It was not helped by the to think this way.

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8 Celebrating our God who is Three Persons 30th May Trinity Sunday:

rying to explain the doctrine of the Trinity has Isaiah 45:22: ‘Turn to me and be saved… for I am God, kept many a theologian busy down the and there is no other.’ Tcenturies. One helpful picture is to imagine the Genesis 1:1-2: ‘In the beginning God created…. and the sun shining in the sky. The sun itself – way out there Spirit of God was hovering…’ in space, and unapproachable in its fiery majesty – is Judges 14:6: ‘The Spirit of the Lord came upon him in the Father. The light that flows from it, which gives us power…’ life and illuminates all our lives, is the Son. The heat that flows from it, and which gives us all the energy John 1:1-3: ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the to move and grow, is the Holy Spirit. You cannot have Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was the sun without its light and its heat. The light and with God in the beginning. Through Him all things the heat are from the sun, are of the sun, and yet are were made; without Him nothing was made that has also distinct in themselves, with their own roles to been made.’ play. Luke 24:49: actually manages to squeeze the whole The Bible makes clear that God is One God, who is Trinity into one sentence. Jesus tells His disciples: ‘I disclosed in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ) am going to send you what my Father has promised; and Holy Spirit. but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power (the Holy Spirit) from on high.’ For example: In other words, the sun eternally gives off light and Deuteronomy 6:4: ‘Hear O Israel, The Lord our God, the heat, and whenever we turn to its brilliant light, we find Lord is one.’ that the warmth and life there as well.

All in the month of May

200 years ago, on 5th May 1821 Napoleon Also 80 years ago, on 10th May 1941 the Lugano, Switzerland. It was won by Bonaparte, Emperor of France (1804 – 1815) last major attack on London during the Switzerland. died of stomach cancer. He was in exile on the Blitz caused heavy damage to many 60 years ago, on 1st May 1961 betting away island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic, important buildings, including the Houses of from racecourses was legalised in the UK aged 51. Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St James and the first betting shops opened. Palace and Lambeth Palace, several railway 175 years ago, on 30th May 1846 Peter Carl Also 60 years ago, on 28th May 1961 stations and hospitals, the British Museum Fabergé was born. This Russian goldsmith and Amnesty International was founded in jeweller was best known for his fabulously and the Old Bailey. More than 1,300 London. decorated Fabergé eggs. people were killed on one night. At one 40 years ago, on 13th May 1981 Pope John 100 years ago, on 3rd May 1921 Ireland was point during the Blitz, London was bombed for 57 nights in a row. Paul II was shot and seriously wounded by divided into Northern Ireland and Southern a Turkish gunman in an assassination Ireland (now known as the Republic of 70 years ago, on 3rd May 1951 the Festival attempt in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City. Ireland). of Britain and the Royal Festival Hall in 30 years ago, on 16th May 1991 Queen London were opened. The aim of the Also 100 years ago, on 15th May, the British Elizabeth II became the first British Festival was to lift the nation’s spirits by Legion was founded. monarch to address the US Congress. celebrating British industry, arts and 90 years ago, on 1st May 1931 the Empire State science. 20 years ago, on 7th May 2001 Great Train Building in New York City was officially Robber Ronnie Biggs returned to the UK Also 70 years ago, on 9th May 1951 the opened. from Brazil where he had lived as a 80 years ago, on 1st-7th May 1941 the German Lake District National Park was established. fugitive for 36 years. He was immediately Blitz on Liverpool left nearly 3,000 dead and It was Britain’s second national park. arrested and sent to prison to complete 70,000 homeless. Liverpool was the second 65 years ago, on 24th May 1956 the first his sentence. Released on compassionate most heavily targeted British city, after London. Eurovision Song Contest was held in grounds in 2009, he died in 2013.

“True religion... is giving and finding one's happiness by bringing happiness into the lives of others.” – William J. H. Boetcker

9 I Believe Revd Richard Betts

vor Gurney was born in the lovely old Roman city These notes are brief. For a much fuller account see of Gloucester on 28 August 1890. There was an The Ordeal of Ivor Gurney by the composer and author Iolder sister Winifred and later a younger brother Michael Hurd, published by Faber and Faber. The Ronald. From a very early age Ivor never fitted in with poems below are among those selected by PJ Cavanagh his family and many years later friends from school in his Collected Poems of Ivor Gurney, published by days said he had often lived in a world of his own, Oxford University Press. That Gurney is often though he had a mischievous sense of humour, a remembered more for his guiltless charm and excelled at sport. The Reverend musical compositions than Alfred Cheesman was the first of several substitute for his poetry of itself says parents to whom Gurney attached himself, the parish a great deal about his priest befriending him and preparing him for musical genius. confirmation. A musician, Margaret Hunt, was a substitute mother to whom Gurney could pour out his Song heart and share his dreams. At a young age he wrote Only the wanderer music which she played on her violin. Perhaps he Knows England’s graces, drew inspiration too from the long, solitary walks he Or can anew see clear took, driving himself relentlessly, sometimes sleeping Familiar faces. out all night under the stars. And who loves joy as he Ivor Gurney enrolled with the Royal School of Music That dwells in shadows? in 1911. Dr. Herbert Howells said of him that “he had Do not forget me quite, an astonishing creative pride. He was a most lovable O Severn meadows. egoist”. Sir Charles Stanford remembered him as having had more natural talent than Vaughan Williams, but Praise added that Gurney was the least teachable of all his students. At age 23 however he began to show signs of O friends of mine, if men mock at my name, emotional and physical instability. A friend said that “I Say “Children loved him.” have seen him in so many moods and the joy of life and Since by that word you will have removed him creation is so marked, but the reaction goes deeper than From any bitter shame. with anyone else I have seen”. No doubt the talent and the instability were reciprocal. There Was Such Beauty The army was to be another surrogate parent; There was such beauty in the dappled valley Gurney enrolled in the 2nd/5th Gloucesters in 1915. As hurt the sight, as stabbed the heart to tears. Like so many other poets of his generation his The gathered loveliness of all the years exquisite sensibility was to be deepened further by the Hovered thereover, it seemed, eternally things he witnessed. He was to write of the wonderful Set for men’s joy. Town, tower, trees, river friendship of Welsh soldiers, his own non-negotiable Under a royal azure sky for ever unwillingness to be a hero and the death of fellow Up-piled with snowy towering bulks of cloud: poet Edward Thomas at Arras. Gurney may also have A herald-day of spring more wonderful witnessed the “miracle” in the bombed out town of Than her true own. Trumpets cried aloud Albert, where a famous statue of Virgin and Child In sky, earth, blood; no beast, no clod so dull resolutely refused to fall, leaning perilously from the But the power felt of the day, and of the giver shattered tower of its basilica. Was glad for life, humble at once and proud. God sometimes was not an answer for Gurney so Kyrie Eleison, and Gloria, much as a bitter and ironic question. “The contrast Credo, Jubilate, Magnificat: between the magnificent behaviour of Man and the The whole world gathered strength to praise the day. apparent callousness of God is most striking and were it for no other reason than that of having The Escape accompanied good men, one could face God with I believe in the increasing of life: whatever (almost) a slightly cynical but interested expectation. Leads to the seeing of small trifles, His debt to Europe, to the World, is very great.” Real, beautiful, is good; and an act never Ivor Gurney was sent home to England after being Is worthier than in freeing spirit that stifles gassed. His war had ended but his ordeal had not. His Under ingratitude’s weight, nor is anything done mental health collapsed completely in 1922 and he Wiselier than the moving or breaking to sight spent the last 15 years of his life in an asylum, far Of a thing hidden under by custom – revealed, from his beloved Gloucester and Cotswolds, which he Fulfilled, used (sound-fashioned) any way out to delight: never saw again. Trefoil – hedge sparrow – the stars on the edge at night.

10 St James the Least of All The Rev Dr Gary Bowness continues his tongue-in-cheek letters from ‘Uncle Eustace’…On the best way to run a church council meeting.

The Rectory St. James the Least more inappropriate name one cannot imagine – are the My dear Nephew Darren shortest, since we are always promised wine once the meeting is over. It is remarkable how unanimity is Thank you for inviting me to speak at your church achieved on every subject within minutes, and nothing council yesterday. I began to suspect that my theme of appears under “any other business”. why Eusebius’s dislike of Sabellianism led to his condemnation at the Council of Antioch in 324 was a Mrs Eddington never troubles us with minutes, little misjudged, when the only question I was asked largely because she can rarely read the notes she takes. after my lecture was if Eusebius was on Facebook. She just shares with us whatever she can decipher at our next meeting. Last month she accidentally brought I never realised how much technology is needed her shopping list instead and so read that out. There these days just to discuss church matters. It seemed that followed a lively discussion on whether carrots from our everyone had brought their laptop, so they could refer local shop were better than those at the supermarket. to all the diocesan briefing documents and reports that When it was found out she intended to use them in a you mentioned. I’ve been in the diocese 40 years and venison casserole, endless recipes were keenly debated. have never heard of most of those papers, but then I find it too easy to delete the diocesan mailings, unread, We always leave our church meetings well fed, up to with a click of my mouse. date with village gossip and totally untroubled by any church council business. The lack of any minutes Our church meetings are far more traditional. Since ensures that I can then make all the decisions myself, the church floor seems to have been carved out of between meetings. I think you will find our system has permafrost, our meetings circulate round members’ much to be commended. houses. This introduces a nice element of competition, as each host tries to outdo the previous one in the Your loving uncle, baking of cakes. Meetings at Colonel Drinkwater’s – a Eustace

Across 1 Sense of right and wrong (1 Corinthians 8:7) (10) 7 Coming (John 11:17) (7) 8 ‘All I have is — , and all you have is mine’ (John 17:10) (5) May Crossword 10 Smarten (Acts 9:34) (4) 11 Hold back (Job 9:13) (8) 13 Member of the Society of Friends (6) 15 At ague (anag.) (6) 17 Citizen of the Greek capital (8) 18 So be it (Galatians 6:18) (4) 21 Twentieth-century poet and dramatist who wrote Murder in the Cathedral, T.S. — (5) 22 Empowers (Philippians 3:21) (7) 23 Imposing (1 Samuel 9:2) (10) Down 1 Healed (Luke 7:21) (5) 2 Central space in a church (4) 3 Co-founder of Spring Harvest and General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance 1983–97, Clive — (6) 4 Moses killed one when he saw him beating a Hebrew labourer (Exodus 2:12) (8) 5 Bravery (Acts 4:13) (7) 6 It interrupted Paul and Silas singing hymns in a Philippian jail (Acts 16:26) (10) 9 Transgression (Psalm 36:1) (10) 12 Irish province in which Dublin is situated (8) 14 Same hit (anag.) (7) 16 ‘The Spirit of God was hovering over the — ’ (Genesis 1:2) (6) 19 Author of the immortal stories of Winnie the Pooh, A.A. — (5) 20 Cab (4)

11 12 Fordington Vicarage Information board Mark Chutter

n information board about Fordington Vicarage has now been installed in Salisbury Field, it will Abe officially unveiled during the International Thomas Hardy Conference in July. The board was Text and pictures below are taken from the Information Board prepared by a co-operation between Dorchester Heritage Committee, Dorchester Town Council and Dorset County Museum.

t. Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, was given Salisbury Field by his royal uncle, William the SConqueror, in the 11th century. Fordington vicarage was built in 1222 and demolished in 1971 to make way for social housing. From 1829 to 1880 the Moule family lived here. Henry Moule was vicar of Fordington for over 50 years. He and his wife Mary nursed the poor during the cholera outbreaks in 1854 and 1855. The vicar invented a dry earth closet to help improve sanitation, which became famous all over the world. Their eight sons were brilliant scholars; H. J. became Curator of the Dorset County Museum and an accomplished painter. The house, which was surrounded by copper beeches and sycamore trees, had strong literary connections. William Barnes gave poetry readings and fellow poet and novelist, Thomas Hardy, was a frequent visitor. It became a home of Christian education and scholarship and was fondly remembered by those who wrote about it. In 1912 the O’Rourke family moved to the house. May O’Rourke often picked flowers from the garden to place on the Moule family graves in Fordington Churchyard. She became secretary to Thomas Hardy at Max Gate and typed the dramatised version of ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’. From 1942 the house was an idyllic home to the Damon family for nearly 30 years. Faith Irene Damon, affectionately known as Dolly, with the O’Rourke sisters, fought hard to prevent the demolition of the house in 1971. Dolly was the last resident to leave the ancient building. She passed away at the age of 93 in August 2017 and a dedication to her is on the bench next to this board.

13 Part of the furniture Katharine Marr

omeone asked me recently if I’d grown up in this with and then sadly missed. However, if we aren’t house. My reply was ‘no’ but I’ve grown up with careful, people can become part of the furniture, as it Sthe furniture for I am living in the family home. were. I can remember, as a child, old Mrs W…. – at Some of the furniture was bespoke when my parents least I thought she was old – who always sat in the same married so is now 95 years old. The piano, in figured seat. In our present congregation some are old, regular walnut with a candlestick, is much older – free to a members, some are newer. Some of the former may be good home. There is the music my mother sang with regarded by others as part of the furniture, having been the choral society and my father’s organ music. Over regular members for many years. the years they have been added to by purchases and I know the furniture in my house but I haven’t read inheritance – nothing valuable! all the books; likewise I know about some of the things The church, too, has furniture which has been there and people in St Mary’s and their comings and goings, for many years though I am glad the hard chairs were but people are not part of the furniture however old replaced with the soft-seated ones. There are other they are. They are all living people with a contribution things too which have been put into store in recent to make to the service, to discussion and in general years. Churches benefit from legacy money which, if conversation. Just because the elderly can’t stand please well spent, can enhance the building. consider when coffee time comes back to church, we People, too, come and go. I expect most of us can have to sit so please come and sit with us and, if you are remember people from the past in our own families and new, get to know us. We are part of the living church, in the church family who we have met, enjoyed being not part of the furniture.

14 St Mary the Virgin Church Correspondent Robert Potter

Details of Services and church opening times are on page 2 – this information is updated each Friday on http://www.dorchesteranglican.info/pews-news

Future services at St Mary’s during May, June or July this year and of course that means yet again we shall have to abandon our popular There will be no 8am Sunday Eucharists at the summer Cream Tea outing. moment, please see pews news for further details. At the moment we are hoping to be able to meet Sunday May 2nd – Easter 5 – 9.45am Holy Eucharist again in September this year, but to enable us to try to Sunday May 9th – Easter 6 – 9.45am Holy Eucharist make plans, we ask all of you, our valued members, to Thursday May 13th – Ascension Day – 7pm Holy let us know your feelings about the future of the Club. Eucharist Will you be continuing to support us if we are able to Sunday May 16th – Easter 7 – 9.45am Holy Eucharist reopen in the Autumn, by attending our meetings? The existence of our much loved Club is currently uncertain Sunday 23rd May – Pentecost – 9.45am Holy Eucharist and your answer will enable us to decide our future. Sunday 30th May – Trinity Sunday – 9.45am Holy Once we know your collective wishes, we will then Eucharist when Canon Harold Stephens (previous make such plans as might be necessary. Rector of the Benefice), will preside and preach. We Please reply to Jill, either by phone, email or letter, or originally had Harold booked in last year but had to in person on Sundays at St Mary’s church. With great postpone his visit due to Covid. We hope to welcome sadness but strong hopes for a renewed future. Harold and Carol this time. Jill Minchin 01305 263757, email [email protected] The Wednesday Eucharists at 9.30am will now resume and our Contemplative Prayer group will be meeting in The Road to Emmaus and Beyond the Blessed Sacrament Chapel each Wednesday at 5pm. by Denis McBride C.Ss.R – Redemptorist publication. A Suggested book for the Journey from Easter to Pentecost. Contemplative Prayer “The story of Emmaus is the beginning of that journey An invitation to ‘come and be’ with others in the to mission. When we gather to celebrate the Eucharist stillness, silence and simplicity of contemplative prayer. we too listen to the word of God and break bread Our busy lives with its constant activities and demands together. Jesus comes among us not as a stranger; often leaves us longing for a breathing space, for a little rather, he comes to us in word and sacrament to give us time to ourselves, where we can touch and be aware of a new hope to face the future with faith in him. Our own deeper self which brings some balance and harmony to stories may not sound very different from the two our lives and a greater awareness of the Spirit who lives forlorn disciples on the road to Emmaus: we too may be in our hearts through love. To live more deeply out of covered in disappointment; we too may have a past that this reality, we need stillness and silence allowing us to bewilders and hurts us, but we are invited to tell our be attentive to the many changes that flow through our stories to the Lord, to listen to him as he speaks his lives, mindful of the divine presence at the centre of word, to recognise him in the breaking of the bread and our being. Our practice of contemplative prayer become one with him in communion. Only with him gradually helps us to respond to our everyday lives with can we look with understanding at the past and with greater calmness, insight and understanding. We meet hope look to the future. Only in his name can we share every Wednesday at 5pm in the Chapel in St Mary’s the good news with others. Only with him and the gift Church, Edward Rd, Dorchester – do come and join us of the Spirit can we move from Eucharist to mission.” for 20 minutes of silence. Rosemary Bassett Rosemary Bassett The Monday Club – the way forward? May Sanctuary Lamp candles given by Janet Cooper in memory of her sister Val. Due to the continuing uncertain situation regarding Diana Barber in memory of her husband Colin on his birthday. COVID and personal safety, both of our members and Sue Allen for her husband Richard. of our speakers, we have decided to review all meetings Trudy Tabone for her father Ernest Dessin. Janet Comley in memory of her mother Elizabeth Berrie. of the Monday Club. Cynthia Fry in thanksgiving for her grandson Brendon. We regret, therefore, that we shall not be meeting Brian Woodsford in memory of his mother Winnie.

When what we look for does not come to pass God finds a way for what none foresaw – Euripides

15 The Maypole and gingham school dresses Linda Purr

ay is my debut to the Parish Magazine, I out the nest. The cuckoo migrates from Europe and immediately thought of my childhood. In May Asia to the UK, arriving around March. Already in May Mwe were generally turned out in ankle socks, the migrant swallows have arrived and are most and pretty gingham school dresses replaced the drab welcome. grey winter skirt and woollen tights. This time last year we were all coming to terms with The nature shelf at school began to fill with little the pandemic, I was struggling, and doubtless not the pots of wild flowers. The free school milk was moved only one. My daughter’s birthday is in May and l could into the basement to keep it cool. I can remember not see her except on Zoom. It was all ‘Zoom and we had a picture of the Queen on one wall and a Gloom’. I was reading the Diary of Anne Frank picture of Jesus the Light of the World on the and a sentence made me appreciate what I had, wall facing St Mary the Virgin Church next not what I had not ‘The best remedy for those who door. St Mary’s is a beautiful Anglican are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, Church, I often sat in front of one stained somewhere where they can be quite alone with glass window which depicted Jesus as a the heavens, nature and God’. Actually the blonde haired man, which was slightly one thing Anne was unable to do... confusing as traditionally he is dark The weather was decent, I had a haired, bearded and olive skinned. bank of brambles and nettles that In May the maypole came out had needed tacking for years. I set of storage and we danced round to work ignoring the stings and it in the playground, practising bites, determined to tame the for the village event on the bank ‘nature reserve’. At one holiday. Larger boys would sit on point I dug up an old fire the base of the wooden structure extinguisher which initially to steady it and we would dance I thought may be a WW2 round, weaving the ribbons as we mortar!!! Once raked out and went, it was truly joyful. cleared some burrowing bees The Puritans were outraged at made it their home for a few the immorality that often weeks and were delightful company, accompanied Maypole dancing they also further improved the (and drinking etc). Parliament soil. banned maypoles altogether in 1644. This spring I was truly rewarded When Charles II was restored to the by my toil, by a fabulous carpet of snowdrops, crocuses throne a few years later people all over the and celandine, spring flowers in abundance. Under the country put up maypoles as a celebration and a sign darkness for almost 10 years they finally got the light of loyalty to the crown. Indeed the maypole was seen they needed to bloom, amazing. as an anti-Christian symbol for a time, right up to the Light is mentioned in the Bible right from the end of the 19th century. As a small child for me the creation in Genesis. Jesus said ‘I am the light of the World Maypole was just a dancing with pretty ribbons and whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have decorated straw bonnets. the light of life’. The other thing I love about May is hearing a cuckoo In spite of the powers of darkness which have in the (in May he sings all day) though the cuckoo is not last year covered our lives – God’s light’ (just as in always welcome. They lay their egg in another bird’s Genesis) has been made to shine in our hearts – are nest, then the young cuckoo pushes the rightful chicks you therefore ready to shine as God intended?

“That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong” – William J. H. Boetcker

16 Research finds – Majority of mourners during pandemic unable to say goodbye properly

ore than half of young adults have lost last year, compared to 7% of the older age group. someone close to them over the past year, with The online survey of more than 2,000 adults showed Mthis age group most active in helping to that nearly three quarters of people – more than seven comfort the bereaved and organise funerals, according in 10 – who wanted to attend a funeral over the past to new research by the Church of England on the year were unable to do so because of the pandemic. impact of the pandemic. People aged between 18 and The vast majority of mourners, 89%, said that people 29 years old have been worst affected by bereavement had not been able to say goodbye properly to those who since the first lockdown last year. 51% report they have have died, while a similar proportion, 84%, said that lost someone close to them, compared to 31% of people people had not been able to fulfil the funeral wishes of aged 60 or above, a survey commissioned by the the person who died. Overall four in 10 people said Church of England has shown. they had lost someone close to them since March 2020 In spite of this, the majority of 18 to 29 year olds, from any cause, including Covid-19. 54%, reported that they had been active in helping The majority of those surveyed said they believed the others cope with bereavement, compared to 26% of Church of England should provide both outdoor and people aged 60 or above. More than a quarter of young indoor spaces for quiet reflection and prayer for those adults said they had helped organise a funeral in the coping with death, dying and grief.

VaccinAid campaign to ‘Give the World a Shot’ to help defeat Covid-19

he Church of England is supporting the Local churches are being encouraged to join the ‘VaccinAid’ campaign which aims to help fund campaign, with resources available to download for Tthe biggest vaccination drive in history. free on the AChurchNearYou.com Resource Hub to Led by UNICEF UK, with the online fundraising share on social media, newsletters or notice boards. platform Crowdfunder, the campaign offers people a The recently launched campaign has been practical way to give thanks for their Covid-19 developed in just a few weeks following a meeting vaccination, by making a voluntary convened by Archbishop Justin with donation to help pay for jabs for faith leaders, Government and others around the world. NGOs to discuss how people in the It aims to help fund almost two UK could do something practical in billion Covid-19 vaccines for health response to the real sense of workers and the most high-risk and gratitude they have felt as they and vulnerable people on our planet. The their loved-ones receive their money raised will also help UNICEF vaccines. provide tests and treatments to people Archbishop Justin said: “The in 190 countries around the world Covid-19 crisis has had a profound through the global COVAX initiative. impact on people here and around The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is the world, but vaccines offer the hope of a brighter encouraging people and congregations both to donate, future. I’m delighted that churches and other faith and also to spread the word in their community, as a groups in the UK are supporting the VaccinAid practical demonstration of Jesus’s command to love campaign. our neighbour. “There is no better way to show our deep gratitude VaccinAid is being supported by other faith groups, for the gifts of science and medicine than making sure businesses, celebrities and the NHS. Using the vulnerable people around the world are also given a Crowdfunder platform, individual donations can be shot.” given, or communities – including parishes – can sign- For more information on the campaign go to up to fundraise together. www.vaccinaid.org to donate or begin fundraising.

17 Places of Pilgrimage (Dorset) Tolpuddle St John’s DT2 7EW and Turner’s Puddle/Throop DT2 7HY

Jane Pridmore

s the weather improves into late spring and early summer our Pilgrimage this month enables the Acabin fevered reader to get out into the local area and explore the beautiful countryside and villages by the River Piddle. Location: Martyr’s tree,Tolpuddle The venue can be reached easily from Dorchester via A35 towards Bere Regis. Turn off onto B3390 and house here by King Edward I. The church of Holy follow signs to Tolpuddle which takes you into the Trinity is built of flint and limestone rubble and most village although many local people admit to never of the building dates from c 1500. It was restored in the having visited at all. Most people visit Tolpuddle for its eighteenth century having been blown down in 1758 in links to the 19th century union activists known as the a storm. The church porch has a segmental arched Tolpuddle Martyrs. They were a group of six farm doorway and parapet to gable. workers who tried to create a trade union to help bring The East window has Perpendicular tracery with about better wages and working conditions. As a result ogee-arched lights. The tower contains two bells – one they were transported abroad to penal colonies in medieval and one C17. It was deconsecrated in April Australia. The tree where the Martyr’s met is just 1974. The font now resides in the church at Affpuddle. outside the churchyard on the main road of the village. When leaving Throop by car you pass through the pretty village of Briantspuddle (DT2 7HT) which What to look for: measures 737 metres long. The church of St John’s is a 12th century building, enlarged in the 13th and 14th centuries. It was restored Other places to visit: in 1855 by T H Wyatt and the most interesting feature There are various footpaths in Tolpuddle including a inside is a 12th century Purbeck marble effigy of Philip pleasant 4 mile walk to and from the tranquil village of the priest with an unusual inscription running round Throop Hollow. Turn right out of the church at the outside of the grave slab reading SI QUIS AMAT XPM Tolpuddle and walk through the village* until you reach QUI SARCOPHAGUM VIDET ISTUM DICAT PRESBITERO a footpath on the right hand side at the end of speed REQUIEN DA CHRISTE PHILIPPO (If any lover of Christ limit signs. Follow this path (flat easy walking) down should see this tombstone, let him say ‘Grant rest, O the field and turn left at the bottom. Follow this until Christ, to Philip the priest’). In the north aisle is a 12th you reach the road, taking a left along the roadside and century doorway, now blocked up. In the north crossing to the signpost opposite (80m). Going over the transept is a squint, also blocked and a 13th century style take the path through a field, small wood and then piscine. The church yard is full of old gravestones, the a larger field running past the river. With a large white earliest commemorating Sarah Hope (1669). Just west is house on the left, cross the roadway where the footpath the grave of James Hammett (1811-1891) the only becomes a bridleway. Keep following this until you see a Tolpuddle Martyr to return to the village and live after signpost on the left marked Throop (the second transportation. footpath off). This takes you by the river and into the The Museum at the far end of the village is free (has village. (This is the optional Throop parking point and the toilets) and offers the visitor much in the way of the start of the Throop to Turners Puddle walk). On reaching history of events when it re-opens. the roadway of the village turn left and immediately Throop Hollow has riverside walks (River Piddle) and down the ‘No Through Road’ track marked for cycles, can be reached by car or a 2 mile walk from Tolpuddle horses and walkers! This goes over two bridges to a (see below). farm. Turn left and on the right is the little church of There is roadside parking where the road bends at Turners Puddle. To continue the walk keep going along DT2 7JD. A circular walk (approx. ¾mile) from the the bridleway and after passing the Throop turning on village centre of Throop takes you across a series of the left, retrace your steps back to Tolpuddle where fords and footbridges (see optional start point in the The Martyr Inn (DT2 7ES phone 01305 848249) is walk below) and passes the now redundant picturesque recommended for refreshment. church (Holy Trinity) at Turner’s Puddle (DT2 7JA). *You pass a little riverside park and an interesting This settlement, referred to as Toner’s Puddle in old Methodist Chapel on the right whilst walking through books, is small. Sir Henry Toner was given the manor Tolpuddle.

18 Emails - a blessing or a problem? David Pickup, a solicitor, considers the challenge of dealing with emails.

ith the tongue we praise our Lord and recorded so you can see the chain of who said what Father, and with it we curse human beings, and when. Emails are quick and free. Wwho have been made in God’s likeness. Out Emails can, however, easily be harmful. You can of the same mouth come praise and cursing. accidentally send a personal or private message to the Mybrothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3 v 9-10) wrong person or even worse copy it to lots of people. It I wonder what St James would say about emails! He is also difficult to judge the tone of an email, whether it had plenty to say about how what we say can cause is light-hearted or serious, cross or joyful. When on the lots of damage. He wrote that the tongue is like a telephone or speaking face to face it is easier to tell spark which starts a forest fire. It is easy to say a whether the speaker is feeling angry or light-hearted. thoughtless thing or inadvertently spread gossip or Sometimes we need a break. Emails are good but speculation. many people find you can never get away from them Emails are a great way of communicating. You can and constantly check for business messages while at send a message to someone in the same parish or home or on leave. Perhaps we should not send emails across the world almost instantly. Lawyers always ask, to the vicar on a Sunday night while she is watching “have you got evidence in writing?” Telephone calls or Strictly. Some discussions are better face to face and face to face conservations are still evidence but it is always double check who you are sending it to or difficult to prove what was said. Conversations are copying to.

never been a better time for children Brendan Booth, County and young adults to enjoy the Commissioner said: “Over the past DID YOU wonders of the wilderness while 12 months we’ve been running great making friends, learning new skills online competitions, events and and doing something extraordinary. home camps, but it’s now time to get KNOW? Dorset Scouts is also looking for out and live our best lives, safely. volunteers to take part in its flexible, That’s why we’ve fully reopened award-winning training scheme and across Dorset and are planning an Dorset Scouts Ready to be at the heart of the action. The action-packed summer of outdoor scheme, designed to support adult events for boys, girls and young Make Summer volunteers, has already helped over adults to get them playing, having Unforgettable 2,000 men and women take up a fun and making friends. With so variety of roles while enjoying the many groups, one is bound to be on Dorset Scouts is delighted to be excitement of Scouting. For more your doorstep.” getting its 6,500 Scouts out and information, visit: https://www. For more information on joining active again and is inviting new boys, dorsetscouts.org.uk/volunteer-do-this. visit: www.dorsetscouts.org.uk girls, young adults and volunteers to join in the fun and make summer unmissable. In the county where Scouting was born, Dorset Scouts has now fully and safely reopened all 100 groups throughout Dorset and is restarting all its beloved and exciting outdoor activities including archery, camping, climbing, dinghy sailing, paddle boarding, cooking, hiking, walking, camping, abseiling, cycling, kayaking and much, much more. With Beavers, open to children as young as six, and Cubs (8 – 10½), Scouts (10½ – 14), Explorers (14 – 18) and Network Scouts (18 – 25) there’s Dorset Scouts going wild with exhilarating activities planned for all ages

19 THE CLOCK WORK SHOP DORSET

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20 St Peter’s Church High West Street, Dorchester

Church Correspondent: Jill Bryant

Details of Services and church opening times are on page 2 – this information is updated each Friday on http://www.dorchesteranglican.info/pews-news

Sunday Services – 9am and 10.30am Eucharist pipework. The attached uplighters will also need to be Thursday morning – 10am Eucharist replaced. Monday & Thursday mornings 9.15am Morning prayer We also discussed the issue of access to the church No need to book for any of the above services from High West Street through the south door, the Theology Group and Time to Mourn are installation of a new sound system, the provision of a currently suspended. new altar to be sited at the front of the chancel, replacing the current choir stalls, addressing access issues within St Peter's will continue to be open for personal prayer the church and addressing access to the church hall as from 10am – 4pm each day. well as re-modelling its interior hall layout. The Benefice Prayer group is not meeting in person All of these issues are still at the exploratory stage. because of the regulations but members are still praying Over the coming months we will be meeting with the in their own homes on Friday mornings. Please contact relevant experts to see what is possible and what the Penny Blaby if you or anyone you know needs prayer and projected costs might be. When the plans for re-ordering she will pass the requests on. [email protected] or become clearer and more developed we will seek to keep 01305 753566. the congregation involved. As we move forward, please pray for wisdom and Easter at St Peter’s guidance for all those who will be involved in the process of re-ordering and that as our buildings change and It was lovely to have such good attendances at our Easter develop physically, so we may also change and develop services and a joy to see so many people who have not spiritually. Keith Magee lately felt able to attend because of Covid. We resumed Eucharistic services. The Church looked beautiful and thanks go to the flower arranging team for their hard Marion Tait work. Thanks also to our organists and to Kevin who Readers will be sad to sang for us on Easter Sunday morning. Things are not hear that Marion Tait back to normal yet but we’re getting there! passed peacefully away in Dorset County Hospital Prince Philip on 27th March. Marion was an enthusiastic Following the announcement of the death of the Duke member of St Peter’s of Edinburgh a Book of Remembrance was started in Choir; she was also St Peter’s Church and many people have taken the Secretary of the William opportunity to write in it and light a candle. Barnes Society and a volunteer at the County Museum among other things. AGM She has been ill for a few years but we kept in touch At our AGM Val Potter was re-elected as Church with her and I know she was always pleased to hear Warden. Judy Cowling stood down and she was thanked about what was happening. Her great wish was to come for her work over the past difficult year. Helen Lange was back and sing in the choir but sadly that was not to be. elected and welcomed as our new Church Warden. Covid restrictions mean her funeral is limited to close family and friends and she will be laid to rest in Higher Ground Meadow Natural Burial Site in a service in the Church Committee William Barnes tradition followed by a socially At our recent Church Committee Meeting a paper was distanced procession to the graveside following presented which outlined our plans for the reordering of Tim Laycock playing Linden Lea. We send love and our church buildings. The catalyst for this is the need to condolences to her husband John. RIP Marion and replace our church heating system. This will lead to the thank you for your enthusiasm and all the good you removal of the pews in order to fit new radiators and did for the town of Dorchester.

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22 Wake My wife replied with ominous calm: “What’s keeping Shortly after my father passed me? I’ll tell you what’s keeping me. The police are here. TIME They think I’ve stolen our car.” away, one of my daughters Jewish friends approached her Yorkshire Humour FOR A with a question, “Kate” he said, “I have never attended a The works boss “Young Mr Peter”, had to tell old Joe it Catholic wake before. What is was time for him to retire after 60 years with the firm. SMILE the significance of the The old man was indignant. daughter not wearing shoes”. “So it’s come to this as it I’m not wanted any longer! Kate replied softly that her Ah worked for thi Dad, thi grandad and his Dad before Mums feet hurt. him. Ah tell thi what lad, if I had known this job weren’t going to be permanent, Ah’d never have taken Bank it on.” A woman telephoned her bank and spoke to the accountant Music to his ears who looked after her holdings. A month after Donald McDonald started at Harvard I want to make some changes his Mother called him from Scotland “and how are she said. the American students”, she asked. The Accountant asked for more details, are you They are so noisy he complained, one neighbour interested in conversion or redemption, he asked endlessly bang his head against the wall, whilst Good heavens came the reply I must have got the another screams all night. How do you put up with it? wrong number I wanted the Bank of England not the “I just ignore them and keep playing my bagpipes.” Church of England. Zoom What did I do with the car? A teacher gave her young class a lesson on Zoom. It As I left a meeting at our church, I could not find my was about the magnet, and what it does. The next day car keys. They were not in my pockets. They were not in in a short test, she included this question: “My full the church. Then I thought – I’ve left them in the car! name has six letters. The first one is M. I am strong As I burst through the doors of the church, my heart and attractive. I pick up lots of things. What am I?” sank: the church car park was empty. When the answers were sent in, the teacher was With a heavy heart I called the police, confessed that astonished to find that more than half her students I had left my keys in the car and that it had been had answered the question with the word: “Mother”. stolen. Then I made the really difficult call: “Darling,” I began (I always call her ‘darling’ at moments like this). Multiply “Darling, I have left my keys in the car, and it has been Noah opened up the ark and let all the animals out, stolen." telling them to “Go forth and multiply!” He began to There was a little gasp. “You did not have the car. I close the great doors of the ark when he noticed that dropped you off. Remember?” there were two snakes still sitting in a dark corner. My heart sang as relief flooded through me. “Of Concerned, he said to them: “Didn’t you hear me? You course! Thank God! Well, come get me quick – I am can go now. Go forth and multiply.” already running late...... what is keeping you?” “We can’t,” said the snakes sadly. “We’re adders.”

Plant Sale DID YOU KNOW? Following on from the hugely successful marmalade venture to raise funds for The Children's Extacts from 1357 Vicar of Fordington fined for Society, there will be a plant sale The Court Rolls striking Alice Coude. on Thursday 6 May 10am to 3pm 1358 Christan Vele a leper. She is at 8 Grosvenor Road, DT1 2BB, 1377 AD to be removed from West Tithing the home of Jane Culliford. before next court. Please could you think about 1338 The Reeve purchased for 12d 1383 Robert Snote stole 30 sheep. either donating or purchasing the chattels of felon John Draudle He was hung. plants, seedlings etc. who was hung. In 1377 a swarm of bees were worth 12d, I am very happy to coordinate 1352 Vicar of Stinsford caught an oak tree 9d and a human life collection/delivery if required. poaching but fled. almost nothing. Rita Kennett, tel 265432.

23 Sunday 2 May at 11.15am St Simon & St Jude ROGATION (Including Farm Tour) Charles Norman and Judy Norman Church Wardens Every Saturday and Sunday Church Open 10am – 4pm

The Great Green Wall of Africa Mary Foskett

recently joined a webinar where a journalist was radicalisation and also migration on a large scale as talking about the African Great Green Wall the capacity to feed and provide water for their IInitiative to go from Senegal on the Atlantic to populations and the means of earning a living have Eritrea on the Red Sea. It was proposed in 2007 by dwindled due to environmental degradation. Lake 7 countries and now is supported by more; Burkina Chad on which many people depended for their Faso, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, livelihood has shrunk by 90% and it has been Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan and Chad and estimated that 16 million will leave by 2050. The endorsed by the African Union. The plan is to plant global impact of climate change to health has now an 8,000 kilometre long band of trees 15 kilometres been amplified by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, a wide right across the continent of Africa in the Sahara start has been made and a film showed massive tree – Sahel region by 2030 in order to stop further planting schemes leading to better water management desertification in this area which is most vulnerable to and food growing. Only about 15% of the plan has climate change. These countries are faced by political been completed in a decade so there is a long way to unrest, terrorism and corruption e.g. the kidnapping go, but many communities have already benefitted and of children from schools by Boko Haram in Nigeria, have a local, sustainable water supply and grow their own food. In contrast to the disruption of lives in Africa, due to the environmental emergency, the situation we in the UK experience is less severe although tragedy to people who lose their homes and means of livelihood. One member of the audience asked how we could help the Great Green Wall Initiative and the answer was to do everything we can to lower our own personal carbon dioxide emissions by using less fossil fuel and plastic, buying sustainable products and conserving water. However, globally there are hard decisions to be made if this planet is to continue to support the generations to come. The UK is hosting the COP 26* conference in Glasgow this year in General Gardening services, including November and this will be the opportunity to get planning, planting and maintenance everyone to commit to more stringent goals for reducing the use of fossil fuels and thinking globally not just nationally. Specialising in Wild-Flower areas, meadow To be a credible host, the UK needs to be seen to making and wild-life friendly gardening be committed to the reduction in the use of fossil fuels and the development of renewable energy. So, RHS qualified and Professionally Insured the plans for a new coal mine in Cumbria, which the government is allowing to be a local decision, are now to be subject to a national inquiry starting in September. Let us hope that acceptable practical Email: alternative ways to support that community will be presented and commitment to reducing global [email protected] warming becomes fundamental to governmental energy policy, not just to avoid embarrassment. Call: Peter Vojak on 07748 616979 *COP 26 is the 26th annual UN climate conference and is part of the UN’s climate change treaty. COP means ‘conference of parties’ of which there are 197.

24 St Andrew’s Church West Stafford

Church Correspondent: Linda Purr

Details of Services and church opening times are on page 2 – this information is updated each Friday on http://www.dorchesteranglican.info/pews-news

Services disciples ‘shielding’ themselves and like us ‘locked down’ doubtless overcome with grief and loss. We return to our normal pattern of services This Easter we welcomed our new Vicar Cora to the 1st and 3rd Sunday – Matins Easter service, albeit the ‘new normal’ (currently no 2nd and 4th Sunday – Eucharist singing, sharing of the common cup, or shaking of The church is open for Private Prayer on Wednesdays hands for the Peace). In comparison the ‘new normal’ from 10am to 4pm for Christ’s disciples was to go alone and minister the word of God, without Jesus physically leading them. Inspiration Easter is one of the most important dates in the I did not have to look further than the Church Porch Church calendar, we celebrate ‘Eastertide’ until for inspiration to begin writing, the beautiful wisteria Pentecost Sunday (long after the chocolate eggs have will be flowering soon. Kaye kindly shared with me been eaten). During this time we will continue to her wedding photo from 1970 and the wisteria was display our new banner proclaiming ‘He is Risen’. not in this photo. However it appeared in a further photo taken in 1976 (it in its infancy). We Prince Philip ‘guestimated’ it may have been planted circa 1974, does anyone recall who planted it? The wisteria In union, our thoughts and prayers have been with (somewhat appropriately) is a symbolic representation Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family of beauty, fertility, love, creative expansion, long life following the death of His Royal Highness Prince and immortality, grace, bliss, honour, patience, Philip. Cora is organising a book of condolence for endurance, longevity, exploration, releasing burdens, St Andrews, where tributes and messages may be left victory over hardships. Its appearance also gives the over the next few weeks. impression of harmony and peace to the onlooker. It certainly enhances the entrance to St Andrew’s. Coffee and Chat Morning St Andrew’s held a ZOOM Coffee and Chat, which was Noticeboard well attended. We all look forward towards such times The Church Committee are thrilled that St Andrew's when we can socialise in person, therefore we discussed now has a new wooden noticeboard. Initially the the Harvest Festival lunch and talked of remembering Committee had discussed having the existing and celebrating the life of our friend, organist and noticeboard repaired because it had been made by the talented artist, Gerry Sweetman later this year. village carpenter (Reg Galpin). Reg and his wife Molly had been stalwart villagers involved in many aspects of Mayday the community. After their deaths a brass plaque was placed on a wall in the Village Hall attesting to this. As a final word on MAY, the distress signal ‘MAY DAY (Molly passed away in 2003 and Reg in 2008). However, MAY DAY’ has no significance to the month of May the Committee decided to accept a quote from the whatsoever, the code was invented in 1923 by an airport Men’s Shed for a new one because it was little more radio officer (Frederick Mockford) hoping it would be than the price of mending the old one. Thank you easily remembered by pilots and ground crew, it was Janet for your involvement in procuring this much also thought to sound like ‘m’aider’ (shortened version needed noticeboard. of the French term ‘come to my aid’). It was erected during Holy Week – just in time for When you cannot understand, or solve a crisis, big or our new vicar Revd Cora’s first service at St Andrew’s small in your own lives, and are at the point of sending on Easter Sunday. a MAYDAY call, our best defence is to have faith. Proverbs 3:5-6 is a very simple couple of sentences to hold in your heart Easter Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your Last Year we were unable to have an Easter service due own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he to the first lockdown. The first Easter also saw the will direct your path.

25 Management Needed Committee members for Dorchester’s FoodBank

Dorchester’s FoodBank is constituted as a work of the Churches in Dorchester and currently operates out of The Dorford Centre. It has been a vital resource for people facing hardship during the COVID pandemic and provided 1,500 parcels of food in 2020. Its referral and delivery systems adapted rapidly during this period but those responsible for its organisation perceive a need for further development with the aim of it becoming a separate charity. We are looking for one or two suitably experienced people from Dorchester’s Churches to join the current Book a Free consultation and hearing test Management Committee. today. Simply call our Practice Manager Further information is available from Rosemary Hardwicke and [email protected] Viki Kirkman on 01305 260153 Job Specification Essential 1. Resident in Dorchester or its environs 2. A sense of calling towards this work of the churches in Dorchester 3. Honesty, integrity and an ability to work well with others in a voluntary capacity 4. Computer literacy and confidence in using on-line resources Desirable 1. Experience in the running of a charity 2. Knowledge of local statutory services and voluntary bodies 3. Availability to volunteer at the FoodBank and assist the General Manager when necessary

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26 God in the Sciences Dr Ruth M Bancewicz, who is Church Engagement Director at The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion in Cambridge

Finding Expression – and God’s man’s suffering as he loses his children, property and health in quick succession. Lamentations is also one Response – in Lament long outpouring of sadness at what happened to Israel he question of suffering comes up regularly in under the Babylonians. Some of the prophets, especially discussions about science and faith. I once visited Jeremiah, also express their pain at these sorts of events Ta school to speak to some of the older teenagers. – which reflect something of God’s own feelings at the One of the pupils had sadly passed away from cancer a suffering of His people. few weeks before and his classmates asked, “How God Most of these biblical authors would have had could let this happen?” Of course, these young people’s access to Scriptures that encouraged them to turn to questions about where God was in this situation were God whatever the circumstances. Emboldened by their important, but the chaplain also gently reminded the knowledge of His character and promises, these class that their friend’s family were Christians, and that divinely inspired writers even express their anger to they were finding their experience of loss had brought God about the things He lets happen, or complain them even closer to God than before. that He seems to act unfairly or ignore them in their One way that grief can bring us near to God is when plight. Not only do these people let out all their we share it with Him, telling Him exactly how we feel. feelings without fear of reprisal, but they also clearly The biblical writers had no scruples about expressing expect a helpful answer. Some record a resolution to themselves to God, giving vent to emotions we often their troubles – often simply because God speaks to hold back in a church context. As my colleague Roger and comforts them, enabling them to keep going. Abbott has written in his book on ‘Unanswered’ Prayer, The biblical writers demonstrated that God can “Let us not confuse reverence with spiritual handle pretty much anything – anger, blame, prudishness. Perhaps honesty, the way it feels, is bitterness – if we are actively looking to Him for help. precisely what God is waiting to hear from us”. As Pete Greig of the 24-7 prayer movement has About one third of the Psalms express some form of written, “pain that is not expressed can never be grief. The book of Job is a series of responses to one transformed”.

Philip, the apostle with common sense

s there someone in church whom you of the 5,000 it was he who pointed out that respect for their spirituality and without divine help, even 200 pennyworth Icommon sense combined? Someone of bread wasn’t going to feed that crowd. He you feel easy about approaching to ask was the one whom the Greeks approached questions? That person’s patron saint when they wanted to ask Jesus to show them should be Philip. the Father, but didn’t quite have the nerve Philip came from Bethsaida and was a to approach Jesus directly. People had disciple of Jesus from early on. He knew confidence in Philip’s spirituality, common how to lead others to Jesus; he brought sense and kindliness. Such a person is a gift Nathanael (or Bartholomew) to Him in a to any church! In art, the Apostle Philip has calm, kindly way. He knew how to do been represented either with a cross, or with some financial forecasting: at the feeding loaves of bread.

It is still one of the tragedies of human history that the ‘children of darkness’ are frequently more determined and zealous than the ‘children of light’. Martin Luther King

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28 Wellness at Sea Circle of Care Brian Parkhurst

he second Sunday in July will soon be upon us. for some seafarers to become able to give assistance to This will be Sea Sunday for 2021. Just after Sea sufferers. TSunday last year Robert Potter wrote about the We can help too by providing finance for the many problems faced by sailors for reasons connected Seafarers’ Society. A gift of £50 will enable training to with their existence on the seas. Now we are told be given to fellow sailors to help those who are unwell about the additional health issues faced by some in this way. Lesser amounts are welcome of course. seafarers as they earn their living. http://www.sailors-society.org has more information. How often have we considered the mental health of You can also write to Seafarer House 74 St Annes seafarers? Yet this has become a disturbing element of Road, Woolston, Southampton SO19 9FF. life at sea, especially for those sailors required to stay on board ships which are temporarily not required to sail due to reduced commerce. We have recently heard about the sailor required to stay on board his moored ship for four years! How many of us could face that with equanimity? Many of the seafarers with mental illness are subject to additional stresses due to being on board moored ships for months at a time. It’s not just the cruise liners we see in Weymouth Bay that are parked off- shore but, for example, the hundreds of oil tankers world-wide full of fuel waiting for the economic picture to return to normal which Robert mentioned last summer in his article. It has become so serious that the Sailors’ Society has started a unique Wellness at Sea Circle of Care to give care to sailors showing signs of distress due to mental illness. Wellness at Sea can provide training

but did you think of seafarers in your list of essential Essential Workers workers? Life for them has been more difficult than usual. The physical dangers, the vagaries of extreme Robert Potter weather and the isolation continue unchanged but during the pandemic there have been additional uring the long months that we have all been in difficulties to live with. You have seen cruise ships in some kind of isolation, the strictness of which Weymouth Bay but all round the world there have been Dwas dependent on all kinds of medical (and still are) hundreds of ships similarly ‘resting’ often conditions, we have probably taken for granted that in with crews unable to move because of travel restrictions. many ways life has gone on as before. The police, fire and Countless seafarers who are vital to maintaining supply ambulance services and of course the hospitals have been chains remain stranded at sea for months beyond their staffed, gas, electricity and water have always been there, contracted time. Even if a ship is in a port the crew is the supermarket delivery has arrived, the rubbish has unable to go ashore because of Covid regulations and been collected and so on. Many men and women have increased port security. During this time the Mission to continued to work providing essential services (and Seafarers chaplains have worked constantly to offer schools have been open for the children of those practical and spiritual support. Please remember the workers). It is right that at times like this we think of all Mission staff and the seafarers in your prayers and

the people we depend on and generally take for granted, continue to add coins to your collecting boxes.

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Churches Together in England world are having to cope with the additional problem of Covid for which they are least equipped. Presidents mourn the death Please contact [email protected] for details about of Prince Philip giving and claiming gift aid if you would like to give but are unable to do so at church services . We have Following the death of His Royal Highness The Prince postponed the annual Christian Aid market and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, churches throughout ecumenical service until later in the year (probably the England will want to pray for the Royal Family, most weekend of October 16-17) Tony Boyden Chairman. especially Her Majesty The Queen. We give thanks to God for the life of service offered by Prince Philip to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, his Walk to the River Jordan championing of causes that now seem vital to our The long established annual event of the Christian Aid world, his many years of marriage to Her Majesty and sponsored walk to the River Jordan will take place again the selfless support he gave to her. this year on Saturday, May 15th. Everyone is welcome “It is with deep sadness that we mourn the death of His on this wonderful walk from Dorchester to the small Royal Highness The Prince Philip and offer our prayers for stream (the Jordan) that emerges in the Haven holiday Her Majesty The Queen and every member of the Royal camp in Weymouth. For details please contact Family. May their faith in Christ, who is the resurrection Tony Boyden on [email protected]. and the life, be their strength in this loss.” Why not ask to be sponsored for a 100,000, 200,000 The six Presidents of Churches Together in England or 300,000 Step Challenge for May or cover a virtual are: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, distance, say Dorchester to London, by the miles Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols, covered in May if you are unable to make the sponsored The Free Churches Moderator Revd Dr Hugh Osgood, walk? Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London Archbishop Angaelos, (for the Orthodox Churches) Redeemed Christian Church of God Pastor Agu Irukwu, (for the Quiet Space Pentecostal Churches). The Fourth Presidency Group We were delighted to welcome Linda Kiss as our new comprises Lutheran, Quaker and The Church of garden co-ordinator. She has already received some Scotland (English Presbytery) Churches. donated plants to fill some gaps in the beds and enlisted the support of a volunteer to remove the dead Christian Aid Week May 10-16 tree from the corner. Anyone interested in helping in the garden please contact me on [email protected] The current national restrictions have had an impact or 01305 2644156 and I will put you in touch with Linda. on what we can offer this year during Christian Aid Our groups are gradually resuming their activities as Week. House collections will not take place. They the rules allow and in May the Family Church will be pose a real health risk to collectors and might also using the room to record the music for their services. generate adverse opinion in the community. A street collection will take place, organised in line with Covid restrictions, on Friday, May 14th. Please contact Chaplaincy Tony Boyden if you could help with this on It was good to go shopping again! Non-essential shops [email protected]. re-opened on 12th April with all the necessary COVID The only other way in which we can collect is measures in place and the chaplains resumed their through envelopes at church services on May 9th and rounds in the same week. There were smiles and May 16th. It is vital that we get as good a response as encouragement for our local shop staff as they have possible. It is ironic that we are finding it more difficult worked so hard to welcome customers back. Please to raise funds at a time when the poorest nations in the support your local shops if you can.

“The individual activity of one man with backbone will do more than a thousand men with a mere wishbone.”

31 32 Thoughts and Smiles from the Editor

e all guessed the Duke was quite ill seeing flashes past the window chasing something, they have a him as he left the hospital recently but one is wood at the end of the garden with deer. He shoots out Wnever really prepared for a loved one dying. of his seat to stop any tragedy completely forgetting that My prayers are with the Queen and her family in their although he looked smart on screen he had pyjama loss. Prince Philip was President of The National bottoms on and flip-flops. At this point the meeting Confederation of PTAs who I was National President erupted into hysteria as this mad Englishman half- and then press officer for before I retired. On our 50th dressed dashed out of the office door. He does still have Anniversary in 2006 he hosted a reception for us in the a job I think but the instructions are to close the dog in Palace. His commitment to supporting parents and the house during a meeting as it took some time to children was amazing. I also remember at a Palace compose the meeting and restore normality. Garden Party for the RSA he came over to our group I am very privileged to be part of the SEE committee and commented on my hat “your husband has bought whose job it is to write a profile for the next Bishop of you a beautiful hat”, he said. I did explain I worked and Salisbury. It has made the old grey cells learn to tick bought it myself which really amused him, he was heard again after a year of lockdown and introduced me to to mutter to the effect “modern women”. He never many people over the Diocese who I would probably failed with a comment or to make you feel at ease and never have met, also to get to know our new friends in amused. RIP Sir – God bless you. the Diocese from Jersey and Guernsey. The committee For anyone wishing to leave a message of condolence is led by the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral The Very which will be seen by the Royal Family follow this link Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, a very patient and https://www.royal.uk/commemoration-and-condolence-0 understanding man. It is tinged with some sadness as it There are lighter moments of the week and means we are losing our beloved Bishop Nick. Whilst Lockdown. My beloved son who lives in Kent runs his wishing him a very long and happy retirement he will own IT virus protection company, recently he began a be hugely missed. I have worked over many years with a contract for one the world’s largest banks. All very selection of Bishops from Southwell to Southwark to professional, he has a log cabin office in his garden and Salisbury, all very worthy men but some more distant all mod cons in there. All built to impress. than others. Bishop Nick is rather in the mould of the He was a different and an adorable but challenging late Duke, always a word to make one feel at ease and child. He nearly drove me to lose my hair before he he has a rather wicked sense of humour. As I believe I grew up. As a small boy he dismantled every piece of have said before his comment on the first Bishops equipment we had and could never fit it back together, Council on Zoom was “This is a great day I can finally pruned my cherished spider plant being Mr Smith. For mute Margaret”. Many of you will remember the time the older ones amongst us you will remember Mr Smith he visited St Mary’s for Remembrance Day, a very Indoor Garden in the 70’s. He did countless more special service for the Benefice. things, once left the iron on a carpet, the carpet came I thought it good we were all asked what we should away with the iron just before it burnt; having watched be seeking in a new Bishop and replies came back from me ironing waited till I left the kitchen and went into all over the Diocese “prayer full and Holy” well I the dining room and shut the door to do the same but thought was a given for a Bishop but there you are, I minus the ironing board (aged about 4), only detected have no doubt the person will be all of those and more. when it started to smell. Most dangerous of all he took Hoping as I write this that by the time it comes to the scissors to his bedroom and nearly scalped himself you it brings some warm late Spring weather, bit like after watching me have a hair cut. turkeys voting for Christmas as the endless work on Well nothing changes even though he is married with bedding plants and watering begins but like all hard two children but madness still reign at times. He is self- work be it manual or spiritual the harder you work the employed, his latest contract entails numerous Zoom more fruitful the end result. meetings with banks and building societies across the I leave you with this thought from St Augustine world. So looking all very smart shirt, tie and jacket, all Trust the past to God’s Mercy, the present to God’s love good he begins a meeting. All was well until the dog and the future to God’s providence.

Cats and dogs – Behind every cat that crosses the street, there is a dog saying, “Go ahead, you can make it.” Dogs believe they are human. Cats believe they are God. The only domestic animal not mentioned in the Bible is the cat.

33 Bookworm Jean Lang

English detective records the events leading to his parents disappearance in Shanghai. With “Never let me go” (2005) Kasuo Ishiguro leapt into the future with a narrator who is in a society where she has been raised as a clone to provide spare parts for others and where Ishiguro addresses questions around what it is to be normal and how that is defined. His last novel The Buried Giant (2015) was set in a seemingly fantastic world where a medieval quest is taking place but which is really about the place of memory and whether we really wish to know what we have forgotten. Now with “Klara and The Sun” his 8th novel we are in the future again and the first person narrator is an Artificial Friend (AF) who the reader follows as she, A strange intelligence Klara, is purchased to befriend the fragile teenager Josie. Ishiguro explores what it means to be not quite hat elevates someone who writes a readable human and therefore what it is to be human. Josie and novel to the level of a great writer. It is easy her family are in America but Ishiguro leaves it to the Wto pick out those from the past – distance reader to gradually understand the nature of the future allows us to designate the classic – novels by that Josie and Klara inhabit. Klara is the narrator so we Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Zola, Stendhal, only see the world as she sees and understands it – and Dostoevsky, Tolstoy. Would Trollope, Thackery, Balzac, in the same way that Klara’s actual sight and emotional Scott rank in the first category or not? Once we get intelligence is limited so is the readers. As she learns more up to date it gets more difficult – how is Aldous more about the human species so she takes on more of Huxley rated now, what about E M Forster, Henry its behaviours whilst still finding some of its responses James, Edith Wharton? It becomes almost impossible difficult to process – how is it possible to cry but be if a writer is alive . happy for instance. This is a book about what it means To my mind Kasuo Ishiguro may become a classic to be human. It is an optimistic novel but it challenges novelist whose books will continue to be read into the the reader to consider whether there is such a thing as a next century. He has the ability to describe entirely soul or whether that is a nonsense hangover from a different worlds and to create believable characters more superstitious age. Ishiguro’s novels have always from within. All his novels save for the Buried Giant made clear that in his view the most difficult thing (2015) are written in the first person and are very about being a member of a society is looking at and different. His first two published novels drew on his understanding what is around one, but that as humans Japanese heritage – “A Pale view of the Hills” and “An we have a moral imperative to do so and not to look Artist of the Floating World”. His third “The Remains away. This is not one of his best novels but as with his of the Day” (1989) is set in the world of a butler in seven previous it is well worth reading and pondering. 1956 England, followed by “The Unconsoled” (1995) “Klara and The Sun” in which a famous pianist arrives in a European city to perform in a concert which never takes place, then By Kasuo Ishiguro “When we were orphans” (2000) where a celebrated Published by Faber & Faber

Please submit copy for the June issue by 17th May at the latest to the Editor at [email protected]

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