Febuary 2021 The Parish Magazine

The Parish Church of All Saints Rotherfield Peppard

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Contacting the clergy or churchwardens

Rector

The Revd James Stickings

Please do not contact at present thankyou

Associate Priests

The Revd Shelia Walker Telephone 0118 972 4861 Email [email protected]

Churchwardens

Kathie Anderson Telephone 0118 972 2694

Email [email protected]

Valentine de Haan Telephone 0118 972 3806

Email [email protected]

Organist and Director of Music

David Butler Telephone 0118 972 4065

Email [email protected]

Junior Choir Mistress

Rebecca Bell Telephone 0118 972 2967

Email [email protected]

Flower arranging

Ann Butler-Smith Telephone 0118 972 1871

All Saints' Church website: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/5977/ (Please do not use the website called "allsaintspeppard.org.uk", even though it appears under Google search. This is not the church website and we are taking steps to having it removed)

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The Parish Magazine

In this month’s magazine Contact page 2 Contents page 3 Shelia Walker’s letter 4 Guest editors page 5 Parish Register 6 Poets of February 6/7/8 Changes Royal school of choir music 8/9 Mature look at Valentine’s day 10

Word search 1112 Russian renaissance 13/14

February a small month 15 Valaries corner 17 Advertisement 18/19 Service rotas rear cover

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Shelia’s letter

Dear All, The one thing many of us have still been able to do during the pandemic - and for which we’re eternally grateful - is WALK ! And that can be so therapeutic, not just physically but spiritually. Jesus and his disciples did a lot of it (OK, pre - internal combustion engine: but maybe that’s why he came at that time ?! ) * We are taken be- yond the closed environment where we may feel we have a measure of control and re- minded of the wider world of nature, which awakens our wonder and reminds us of our dependence on God. * The very rhythm of walking helps to remind us of the faithful- ness of God and the ultimate order and purpose of creation; it opens the way for peace and perspective. * It removes distractions (we have to leave our mobile at home, of course) and enables that still, small voice to be heard. * On a good day, we’ll find snowdrops / deer / woodpeckers / blackberries and a myriad other divine encoun- ters to fuel our praises. Recently I was sent a beautiful photograph of All Saints at sun- rise on Christmas morning, taken by an early-: an inspiration to seek out and treasure those echoes of God: sun breaking through cloud, as it surely will. May we know God’s grace sufficient for all our need, Every blessing, Sheila

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Guest editors page. Hello Once again I fill the guest editors page and I highly recommend this months contributions. It has been a busy month having a PCC meeting conducted via zoom which brought home some difficult times ahead of us as a Parish. Isobel Brooker has retired from the PCC and has handed over her responsibilities for health and safety which I have taken on until some one steps up to the plate. Rebecca Bell is approaching one of the parents from the junior choir to fill Isobel's place on the PCC. Sue and Nick Launders have informed us that they intend to move out of the village and as of April Sue will not be able to fill the finance officers duties. Their wisdom and presence will sadly be missed , I for one have been extremely grateful for Sue’s work on the church accounts. They say these things come in threes and unfortunately in our case it is true as Kathy Anderson has let it be known she will not be standing again as Church warden. I shall miss her knowledge and recollection of events in the Parish. These posts will need filling by April if not you will be down to one church warden and maybe sharing or paying for a finance officer with the other half of the benefice. I realize now that we are an elderly congregation and it is hard to find people willing and able to fill these slots which set us another task if we are to move ahead. As a body we need to encourage new members to our congregation in order that we survive as a community, last year some one said to me that Christianity is only appreciated by the elderly which I found rather depressing. Our contacts with the school and the junior choir certainly prove that not to be the case and may be we should be more out going in encouraging these groups into the fold. Enough of my ramblings ! Shelia has provided a letter on the subject of WALK! , with a picture of the Church on Christmas morning. Keith has done the church registry and provided an article on the February poets. I would have written their names but I can’t join the letters together as done for Anglo Saxon names on my computer. Keith also informs us of the changes taking place in the Royal school of Church music in Oxfordshire. There is an article on taking a mature look at Valentine’s day by the Rev Peter Crumpler, obtained through the Parish Pump. A word search puzzle is also included from the Parish Pump followed by an article from Ian Herriot on his trip to Russia in 1993 as an engineer. The blessing by the local priest on a control room for a nuclear power station may have prevented an- other Chernobyl, who knows. There is a page dedicated to gardening in February and Valarie’s corner is about Bells not the ones down Blount’s court Road. I thank all who have contributed to this months magazine and it is amazing to think of all the stories that hide behind our village doors. If you have any interesting anecdotes please email them to me and I shall include them in next months magazine. Anyone interested in filling the soon to vacated posts also contact me at [email protected]

6 Parish Registers

21 December 2020 to 20 January 2021

No entries

Cædmon and George Herbert – poets of February

It so happens that these two men, both great influences on the content of Christian worship, are celebrated in the month of February. Cædmon is remembered by the Church on 11 February and George Herbert on 27 February

The monument to Cædmon overlooking Whitby, North Yorkshire.

The text reads: To the glory of God and in memory of Cædmon, the father of English sacred song. Fell asleep hard by 680.

One of two candidates for the earliest surviving copy of Cædmon's Hymn is found in "The Moore Bede" (c. 737) which is held by Cambridge University Library. The other candidate is St. Petersburg, National Library of Russia. A modern translation reads: Now [we] must honour of heaven the might of the architect, and his purpose the work of the father of glory — as he the beginning of wonders established, the eternal lord, He first created for the children of men heaven as a roof, the holy creator 7 Then the middle earth, the guardian of mankind the eternal lord, afterwards appointed the lands for men, the Lord almighty. As is almost always the case, what we know of Anglo-Saxon personalities is due to the Venerable Bede. Cædmon was a herdsman of Whitby. As an adult he suddenly discovered the gift for song and poetry one evening. Upon waking the next morning, Cædmon remembered everything that he had sung and added additional lines to his poem. He told his foreman about his dream and gift and was taken immediately to see the abbess, believed to be St Hilda of Whitby. The abbess and her counsellors asked Cædmon about his vision and, satisfied that it was a gift from God, gave him a new commission, this time for a poem based on "a passage of sacred history or doctrine", by way of a test. When Cædmon returned the next morning with the requested poem, he was invited to take monastic vows. He was taught sacred history and doctrine which, after a night of thought, Bede records, Cædmon would turn into the most beautiful verse. According to Bede, Cædmon was responsible for a large number of splendid vernacular poetic texts on a variety of Christian topics. After a long and zealously pious life, Cædmon died like a saint in 680.

George Herbert, priest and poet (1593 – 1633).

The words of Let all the world in every corner sing, Teach me, my God and King, King of Glory, King of Peace and The God of love my shepherd is were all written by George Herbert in the last few years of his life. All four hymns are to be found in the current Ancient & Modern and probably in all previous editions. Their influence and relevance continues to be enormous. It was not until the age of 36 and after considerable soul searching, that Herbert resolved his innermost doubts. He gave up any aspirations to public life, embraced the priesthood and accepted the living of the small, insignificant parish of Fuggleston-cum- Bemerton, near in Wiltshire. Here he found inner peace at last, serving God and the local community, and here his poetic talent was able to flourish. Sadly, this tranquillity lasted for only three years, brought to an end by his early death just short of his 40th birthday.

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The west window of Bemerton St Andrew. George Herbert is on the right and his friend Nicholas Ferrar on the left Herbert was born at Montgomery Castle, Wales on 3 April, 1593. Educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge, he was elected university orator in 1620. Prior to his brief incumbency of Bemerton, it was thought that he would rise to a high position of state. He resigned as orator in 1627 and was ordained, becoming friends with Nicholas Ferrar who published his manuscript poems posthumously with the title The Temple. Many of Herbert’s poems have inspired composers in the 20th and 21st centuries. Musicians include Judith Bingham, Benjamin Britten, Barry Ferguson, Patrick Hadley, William Harris, Grayston Ives, William Walton, Ralph Vaughan Williams, as well as David Halls, the present Organist and Director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral. George Herbert married Jane Danvers in 1629 and died at Bemerton on 1 March 1633. Born in Wales, he died on St David’s Day. Keith Atkinson

Royal School of Church Music – changes in Oxfordshire

All Saints’ Church affiliated to the RSCM in 1977. Among my earliest memories of that time were the annual Choirs’ Festivals which were held in the Chapel of Keble College. George Guest (St John’s College, Cambridge) ensured that the boys knew the result of the FA Cup Final. Richard Seal (Salisbury Cathedral) had chosen the hymn All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name. During rehearsal, he asked the children if they knew what wormwood was. After a brief silence, up spoke Sibella Bonham Carter with her answer – Artemisia absinthium. RSCM membership has provided many benefits in the intervening years. The purchase of music, including a 25 per cent discount on music actually published by RSCM; the Voice for Life scheme which can lead to examinations for Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards; membership of training choirs (currently Voices South, Voices West and the Residentiary Choir) with services in cathedrals; and the annual residential Bath

Course for children, attended by several of our young choristers over the years. 9

RSCM activity which is of benefit to most churches and their singers is provided at a local level. RSCM Oxfordshire has been very unusual in organising the Three Day Course for Children at Eastertide and equally rare in providing bursaries to outstanding boys and girls to enable attendance at the Bath Course. In addition to providing the annual Festivals, recent years have seen the successful introduction of an Epiphany Festival at Christ Church Cathedral in conjunction with the cathedral choir. Other successful events have included workshops on newly published anthem collections; observation of choir rehearsals at Christ Church Cathedral, New College and Magdalen College; bring and sing works including The Crucifixion (Stainer) and Requiem (Mozart); and the outstandingly enjoyable series of peripatetic Evensong services, either by coach in rural parishes or on foot between nearby college chapels. In the years since 1977, there have been only minor changes in the administration of local committees. For the majority of the time, separate District Committees managed the affairs of RSCM Berkshire, RSCM Buckinghamshire and RSCM Oxfordshire. Representatives of those committees met once a year under the chairmanship of Professor Edward Higginbotham (New College). The three District Committees became three Area Committees relatively recently in a move which seems to have been a tidying up exercise as they were the only District Committees in existence. However, the need for three simply reflected the size of the Diocese of Oxford which has more parishes (624) and more churches (847) than any other English diocese. The RSCM Oxfordshire committee of 12 members has met four times a year. That number of members has been necessary to maintain possibly the most active and financially successful programme of any English RSCM Area. Changes now being implemented involve alignment with Church of England dioceses and significantly include: (1). RSCM Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Areas united into a single RSCM Oxon, Bucks & Berks Area. (2). RSCM Ripon, RSCM Bradford and RSCM Wakefield united into a single RSCM Leeds Area [462 parishes with 656 churches]. (3). RSCM Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Areas united into a single RSCM Portsmouth & Isle of Wight Area [only 142 parishes with financially successful programme of any English RSCM Area. . Changes now being implemented involve alignment with Church of England dioceses and significantly include: (1). RSCM Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Areas united into a single RSCM Oxon, Bucks & Berks Area. (2). RSCM Ripon, RSCM Bradford and RSCM Wakefield united into a single RSCM Leeds Area [462 parishes with 656 churches]. (3). RSCM Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Areas united into a single RSCM Portsmouth & Isle of Wight Area [only 142 parishes with 173 churches]. Other RSCM Areas maintain their current status (e.g. RSCM Lincoln Area covers Lincoln Diocese [515 parishes with 640 churches]). The new Areas will each have a committee of nine members, meaning that the new committee which covers this Area (and diocese) will have to do the work of three committees and with markedly fewer members. There is the implied assumption that volunteers will be recruited to help organise a specific event. The old RSCM Oxfordshire Area committee was disbanded on 31 December 2020 and a new RSCM Oxon, Bucks & Berks Area committee will assume responsibility on 1 April 2021. Keith Atkinson

10 Editor: The Revd Peter Crumpler, a Church of England priest in St Albans, Herts, and a former communications director for the CofE, considers romantic love. Taking a mature look at Valentine’s Day You do not see many Zimmer frames, wheelchairs or hearing aids on Valentine’s Day cards. They mostly seem to be full of young love, hearts and roses.

Young love is wonderful and beautiful, full of optimism, and plans and hopes for the fu- ture.

But love in later life is precious too. It is a love that has been forged through years of shared experiences and joy, maybe raising children together, perhaps enjoying grand- children.

It’s a love that’s stood the test of time, and deeper, much deeper, than any shop-bought Valentine’s Day card can describe.

That long-term love can also be shown by the devoted wife or husband who visits their spouse in a care home each day, gently talking with them when they are, perhaps, deep into dementia. Or sitting for long hours by a hospital bed. Or dutifully caring for them at home. Love is a marathon, not a sprint. It starts with white lace and promises and grows over the years. Mature love is about the commitment that spans decades and is seldom shown on the cards on sale in the High Street this Valentine’s Day. As a priest, when I marry a couple and take them through their wedding vows, I hear them make their lifelong commitment “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sick- ness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part…” It’s so wonderful to see the bride and groom smiling, and enjoying this precious moment, making vows that will, hopefully, span the rest of their lives. I love taking weddings - it’s an immense privilege to be part of a couple’s special day. And I find myself pondering what the future will hold for them. I wonder what shape that lifelong commitment will take, as I pray a blessing on their marriage. How much wealth or poverty will come their way? Will it be sickness or health that will accompany them through the years? How will they support each other as the years go by? Love is patient. Love is kind.’ These are familiar words from the popular wedding reading in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. That patience, that kindness are qualities that can de- velop over years of marriage. Just how much patience will be needed in the years ahead cannot usually be known on the wedding day. so, this year, as I look at the rows of red or pink Valentine’s Day cards on sale in the shops, I shall look out for cards that have a deeper message.

11 I shall seek out cards that celebrate long-term love. Cards that say something about the joys and challenges of growing older together. Cards that go beyond hearts and roses to the deeper love that transcends love’s first blossoming. I just hope I can find some… Cards that go beyond hearts and roses to the deeper love that transcends love’s first blossoming. I just hope I can find some…

Wordsearch for February February opens with Candlemas – the naming of Jesus in the temple. Simeon and Anna praised God to see the promised Messiah, sent by a loving God to save his people. February also celebrates the love between a man and woman: Valentine cards and ro- mance abound. ‘Love’ as in social compassion is also remembered: Fair Trade fortnight, Holocaust Memorial Day, World Leprosy Day, and National Nest Box Week.... Love is truly needed by everyone! naming Christ Candlemas Simeon Anna temple love Valentine romance Matthias Fairtrade Fortnight coffee bananas chocolate justice poverty nest box marriage wedding Holocaust leprosy

Oxford idiosyncrasies. When doing my service with Thames valley police one of the orders for a public event contained the following words. “Start of this operation is 6 pm Oxford time”. Actual time was 6.05 pm and this conundrum is due to the fact clocks were not standardise in the 16th century. This may explain why some of our Oxford brethren are some times a little late.

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. Russian Renaissance “ In the harsh winter of 1993, somewhat against my better judgement, I found myself winging my way to St Petersburg not long after the collapse of the USSR in 1991. This

was a politically shaky time as Boris Yeltsin was having a standoff with the Duma [parliament] and tanks were on the streets of Moscow. My apprehension was increased by the fact that I was flying Aeroflot in a rather elderly Ilyushin-62 [a VC-10 copy] with numerous obvious wing repairs. Internally it was trimmed in Formica in a fetching shade of brown and staffed with robust stewardesses with whom one would not choose to argue. [By comparison, the return trip, also with Aeroflot, was in the latest Airbus A-300 with a young, attractive and courteous flight crew; presumably the training pack- age had been included with the aircraft purchase]. On our approach to the airport it was clear that the runway was in very poor condition as a result of years of neglect. Fortunately, the pilot aimed for the three black tyre streaks in the middle of the runway and we reached the terminal without breaking the undercarriage in a pothole.

My apprehension increased as we reached immigration as my briefcase contained a miniature Sony short-wave radio – an obvious target for a nosey official. I had decided

to keep in touch with the news via the BBC World Service in case an early return seemed advisable. I need not have worried as my travelling companion was an East German who had worked on the Russian nuclear station at Griefswald. He was well-versed in dealing with soviet officialdom and we sailed through with barely a nod. The “official car” to take us to the closed city of Sosnovy Bor, some 50 miles west on the Gulf of Finland, was a much welded crew bus smelling strongly of diesel. The journey proved exciting as the driver engaged in a continuous slalom in the snow to avoid the potholes. Sosnovy Bor was a secure, gated city on the Gulf of Finland in which was

located the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant (LNPP) plus many prototype reactors, including submarine units, and much defence-related industry. We were accommodated in the “Guest House”, virtually identical to the ex RAF mess that I had lived in many years earlier at Harwell and to a similar institution that I had encountered in Peking. These places are the same the world over, rather like American chain hotels! The welcome dinner was surprisingly good. It was hosted by the station director who apparently had both a senior military rank and a professorship at the local technical university as well as a great capacity for vodka. All 14 guests were expected to propose a toast along the lines of “eternal friendship and co-operation” - I quickly learned to pace myself. The purpose of the visit was to negotiate a number of safety improvements to be financed by EBRD to mitigate the risks of operation of the reactors for a few more years. Closure was out of the question as the loss of 4,000 MW of generating capacity at this station alone could not be tolerated. This was a particularly important activity as LNPP comprised the first four units of the RBMK design, a later version of which had catastro- phically failed at Chernobyl.

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The negotiations proved particularly lengthy and arduous and I soon felt that the most common Russian word was “nyet”. To their credit the Russians recognised the severe shortcomings of the station and would willingly have settled for a complete rebuild. However, the budget was limited, not least because it was funded by western taxpay- ers. Whilst they were keen on hardware improvements, the virtues of funding im- proved safety culture and regulation were more difficult to negotiate. In the end we found a sufficient degree of agreement to begin a project, much more was to follow later. During negotiation the conference room was routinely served with refreshments, engineering drawings and other data by a procession of Russian ladies with red hair and stage make-up. What was more surprising was that most were wearing a gold crucifix. It seemed remarkable that there should be such an open display of Christian belief so soon after several decades of persecution and repression of the church. The visit concluded with a plant tour that ended in the control room, which had a splen- did icon above the main instrument panel. On querying this unusual addition I was told that the operators had so little faith in the plant that they had to put their trust in God. The local Russian Orthodox bishop had blessed the plant and donated the icon, another amazing display of the revival of faith.

The return journey from such a trip would normally have been preoccupied with the technical problems I had just encountered and on how to formulate a suitable project proposal. On this occasion, however, my reflections were on the surprising resurgence of Christianity in such an obvious and public fashion and in so short a time. I was left wondering what sort of shake-up our western churches need to have to experience such a revival. The Russian Orthodox Church greatly benefitted from the era of Glas- nost and Perestroika and has generally blossomed since 1990. Nevertheless, it is still regarded as an adjunct of the state and its adherents have to exercise caution.

Ian Heriot

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was established in the image of the World Bank to financially assist the newly independent countries of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe to upgrade their industries and infrastructure to 20th century standards. An important element of this work was the Nuclear Safety Account to help upgrade some of the more risky nuclear facilities.

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February a small month.

None the less a very busy month in the garden with hard work with little to see for your work at the beginning. Here are a few tips to help you along. Make a seed box by cutting out the front of a large cardboard box . Paint the inside white to form a reflector and then line the base with foil . Be careful not to expose to direct sun light as this can scorch tender seedlings. Also remember to cover over on cold nights. Pampering your seedlings now will pay dividends later on in the year. Prune your roses by first removing dead and damaged wood, weak shoots and stems that cross the centre . Continue pruning bushy roses by shortening the strong stems by at least half. Always make a sloping cut just above a bud. Plant Shallots, It is almost possible to have onions and shallots all year round, varieties all have their own strengths . I remember planting Giant Yellow and Giant Red when I was a child and was told by the farm foreman that they should be planted on the shortest day of the year and harvested on the longest day. More modern varieties would bolt if planted so early and the second half of February is early enough. The ground needs to be well dug and fed with organic fertilizer . Never push the bulbs down, you could damage the root plates which could push the sets out later on. Use a trowel or dibber and place gently, remove any dead brown skin from the sets.. Prune late flowering shrubs such as Buddleias and hardy Fuchsias, be brave with the secateurs you rarely do any damage and the time frame for this exercise last up to the end of March. Most shrubs can be cut back really hard to about three buds on last years growth. This is a good time of year to start your tomato seedlings and quantity is not always the answer, rather quality . Sow seeds in a gentle heat and transplant to 4 inch pots when they have a full pair of seed leaves.. They will be ready for planting in a green house in early April Forcing Rhubarb, first feed a strong crown with organic fertilizer or compost. Then cover with dustbin , large bucket or best of all a clay rhubarb forcer. Check the sticks regularly and within six or seven weeks you will be harvesting the tenderest and tastiest sticks. Remember to rest the forced crown the following year. It is a good time to plant raspberry bushes and once done cut the stems down to six inches above the ground. These plants will give you a good crop the following year.. By now it is the 28th of February and you should be preparing for the busier month of March

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Peppard Relief in Need

Your local safety net for helping people who are falling on hard times. If you know someone who Who might need a little financial help (or you need help yourself) Please let us know. Your call will be delt with in total confidence Please telephone: Valentine de Haan 01189723806 Or Sue Nickson 01189724520

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Valarie’s corner

Summoned By Bells. This is the title of John Betjeman’s wonderful autobiography, in verse of course. I grew up in Shiplake whose church is blessed with 8 bells. Every Tuesday evening at 8 would be bell practice, and it still was, until recently. As a child, after being read to by my father, I was lulled to safe by their comfort. Later, whether out riding or on the river, one could still enjoy them. This made me think of the importance of rhythm in our lives. Those bells reassured us, drew us together, reminding us of all our forebears, whose lives were punctuated by them . My mother loved to tell us that Tennyson married the Vicar’s niece, Emily Sellwood, in Shiplake Church ,and was inspired by its bells to write Ring Our Wild Bells in memory of his beloved friend, Arthur Hallam. Then my father remembered playing with the young Tennyson grandchildren at Shiplake Rise, including one called Hallam, thus making the great poet feel close to us. We loved HIS Brook in Shiplake “I come from haunts of coot and hern”. Much of the superb Forsyth Saga was filmed in Shiplake, The Old Vicarage being Robin Hill. Kenneth More , lived in the village and starred as Young Jolyonn .The director was so delighted with the church bells that he arranged for them to be in- stalled in the BBC stores, so ,whenever bells were needed on the wireless , they were the ones played. I still recognize them sometimes in The Archers When they were refurbished my nephew was the only person who could arrange to move them with his tractor and forklift. In 1955 the arrival of the wondrous Salk Vaccine against polio was greeted by church bells ringing across our land. “Ring out the old, Ring in the new…….. Ring out the darkness of the land ;Ring in The Christ that is to be”

18 Goods and Services Directory Home and car services All the basics for your Home 0118 972 3004 or 07794464273 Do you have jobs around the home which you cannot do, you do not want to do, or you do not have the time to do? I’m your man. Mr FIX-it Handyman services. Beacon Flooring 01491 454 095 Our family run business offers a friendly, polite, professional service: our Goring showroom caters for all flooring needs, including carpet, wood, vinyl and Karndean: we also provide a mobile service, bringing samples to your door. Free estimates, free fitting on carpets over £150, stair charge may apply. Contact us by phone or at www.beaconflooring.co.uk Compass Electrical 0118 972 3972 or 07737 413314 All domestic/commercial. Internal & external. ELECSA registered and approved. Local and reliable. Please call for a free quotation Computer problems 01491 680036 ([email protected]) PC outdated, misbehaving, virus infected? Fault diagnosis, maintenance and upgrades, networking, broadband, data recovery & migration , virus cleaning, website development and hosting, mobile phone boosting and much more. Phone Robin, Henry or Angus Piercey at Influential Computers. Eldon Tree Surgery (Ian Hogg) 0771 416 5840 Comprehensive and professional tree surgery and woodland management. Fully qualified, professional team .£2M insurance ; free quotations, trees inspection; 18 years of experience. T C Fuller Plumbing and Heating 0118 9724097 or 07800 914880 All aspects, installations, maintenance , service and repair. Free estimates . No call out charge. Design, supply and installation -gas heating, bath/shower rooms and plumbing refurbishments . Minor repairs and small jobs Glazing/Glass supply 01491 629 901 Henley glazing & window centre Ltd, Manor Farm, Peppard. Broken window replacement , glass cut to size. Mirrors, table tops and replacement windows. Mike Farina Auto Services 0118 972 4036 Servicing of all makes and Models. Tyres, diagnostics , MOT’s ,brakes, batteries and exhausts. 21 Sedgewell Road, Sonning common. Milo Technical Support 0118 972 4905( [email protected]) We fix any computer problem, software or hardware, on a no fix, no fee basis. Over 500 happy customers in Sonning Common and Peppard. Painter & decorator: P J Shackleford 01491 628564 Local painter and decorator (domestic) interior and exterior , small jobs welcomed, free estimates, established in 1985. Call Paul. Peppard Building supplies 0118 972 2028 Local delivery of all your building and landscaping needs, paving, topsoil, bark and much, much more. Bishopsland Farm, Peppard Road, Dunsden, Reading. RG4 9NR

19 S H Décor Ltd 01865 400208 Specialists in all aspects of interior and exterior decorating. Domestic/commercial. A local, family run business. Fully insured/City and Guilds QualifiedWww. Spruce Maintenance service 0118 972 4560 Decorating inside and out, including wallpapering, quality gloss work from joinery to kitchen doors. Floor and wall tilling, carpentry Inc door hanging/easing. Repairs to broken furniture and kitchen cabinets. Polishing. Please contact Rob Smith. K. Lock 0118 9429138 mobile 07860 286411 Your chimney needs you! Brush and vacuum sweep, wood and solid fuel stove installation .Clean reliable chimney sweep established 1949 Wee-Cott Seating 0118 972 4560 (incl fax) Chair caning, upholstery, loose covers, curtains and blinds, replacement cushions, furniture repairs and French polishing. For further details please contact Lizanne Smith. Entertainment Hobbs of Henley Ltd—The best in boating since 1870 01491 572035 River trips, holiday and day boat hire, passenger vessel charter for parties, Moorings, storage and repairs. www.hobbsofhenley.com Rotherfield Peppard War Memorial Hall 0118 972 4751 Available for bookings. Good car parking and hiring rates. For details and further information, please contact the Booking Manager The Pet Barn 0118 9242747 Here to help with any and all your pets’ needs. New is our K9000 self service dog wash; no need to book, just turn up! Come and visit us, plenty of parking and friendly service. Blounts Court Road, Sonning Common (top of Gravel Hill) Other services Bishopswood Day Nursery and Pre-School 0118 972 2196 Situated in Gallowstree Common we provide morning, afternoon, or all day care for children aged six weeks to five years. Happy, caring and stimulating environment. Ofsted approved, grant aided places available. Please contact us for information. Gardiner’s Nursing and Homecare 0118 334 7474 Since 1968, Gardiner’s have provided reliable and dedicated care workers to help clients to continue living in the comfort and familiarity of their own home. Www.gardinersnursing.co.uk Kathryn Fell Photography 07958 371770 Specialising in family portraits. In your home or location such as woodland . Weddings, christenings, pets, food and packshots. www. Kathrynfellphotography.co.uk Tomalin & Son Funeral Director and Monumental Mason 01491 573 370 Based in Henley-on-Thames, we are a local family run independent funeral director committed to pro- viding the highest standard of care and attention to each family. 24 hour availability every day. Golden charter pre paid funeral plans available

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Grand parents advice

1) life is simpler when you plough around the stump 2) Words that soak into your ears are whispered not yelled 3) Meanness dose not happen overnight 4) Don’t sell your mule to buy a plough 5) Don’t corner something meaner than you 6) The best sermons are lived, not preached 7) Most of the stuff people worry about never happens 8) Don’t judge people by their relatives 9) Letting a cat out of a bag is a lot easier than putting one back in 10) Don’t interfere with something that isn't bothering you none 11)Always drink upstream from the herd 12)Never miss a good chance to shut up 13) You were give two eyes and ears and only one mouth, which indicates it is more important to look and listen rather than talk