Great Totham Parish
Magazine sent to every home in Great Totham March 2019
Mothering Sunday Family Service 10am, Sunday 31st March 2019 St Peter’s Church Great Totham
You and your family are warmly invited to our Mothering Sunday Service. Posies of flowers will be distributed for children to give to their mothers. All are invited to bring their baptism candles to the service. Inside ThisEdition Lent Groups Shrove Tuesday Spring Equinox
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Sunday (see page 10 for details) 8am Holy Communion (Prayerbook) or Morning Prayer
10am Parish Communion or Service of the Word (with Sunday Club for children)
6pm Evensong
Choir Practice Mondays 10.30 am Senior Citizens Lunch Club Tuesdays in the Honywood Hall 11am Study & Discussion Wednesdays 10.30am at Honywood Hall
Thursday 10.30am Edward Bear Club (Toddler
Service, followed by coffee and play) Parish Contacts: Mother’s Union During the Interregnum 4th Friday of each month, 1.45pm for all church matters please Bell-ringing Practice contact: Fridays at 7.45 pm
Associate Priest Rev’d Sue Godsmark : 01621 891513 Email : [email protected]
If you are unable to contact the Associate Priest please speak to the Churchwardens
Churchwardens Isobel Doubleday : 01621 891329 Karen Tarpey : 01621 892122
Baptism Co-ordinator Janet Gleghorn : 01621 892746
Magazine: Enquiries : Helen Mutton : 01621 891067 Adverts : Pauline Stebbing : 01621 892059 Email : [email protected]
Website: www.essexinfo.net/st-peter-s-church-great-totham 3
Church News
National Marriage Week
The Service was held at St. Peter’s on Sunday 10th February led by Rev’d Sue Godsmark. The friendly ‘all inclusive’ service included an opportunity for couples to refresh their wedding vows.
A fabulous wedding cake was blessed during the service and served to all afterwards in the church extension with tea and coffee.
Christine Walker
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Church News
Messy Church
Messy Church went to Italy on Sunday, 3rd February, where we met St Frances, made pizza, ate pizza and had lots of fun.
Why not join us for our next adventure on Sunday, 3rd March 4pm - 5.30pm at St Bartholomew’s Church, Wickham Bishops.
For more information contact Sandra Smith on 01621 893153 or Isobel Doubleday on 01621 891329.
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Church News
Chelmsford Cathedral Events
Lent Groups
Wednesdays in Lent (13, 20, 27 March, 3 and 10 April): all welcome Daytime: 11 am—12.30 pm in the Johnson room. Theme: Jesus Bread of Life: An invitation to explore together the “why”, “what” and “how” of Holy Communion
Evenings: 7.30 – 9pm in the Cathedral Theme: Faith and Pilgrimage: Each evening ends with Compline (a sim- ple form of Night Prayer).
Lunchtime Concerts
The Cathedral hosts a popular series of varied lunchtime concerts, in- cluding performances from soloists and ensembles both instrumental and vocal. Admission is free, contribution towards expenses welcome. Light refreshments are available in the Cathedral from 12 noon or you are wel- come to bring your own. Concerts begin at 12.30pm.
1 March: Organ Recital David Price (Portsmouth Cathedral) 8 March: Jonas Stonkus (accordian) 15 March: Krassimira Jeliazkova-Jones (violin) 22 March: St Cedd's School 29 March: Brentwood School Big Band
For more information visit www.chelmsford.anglican.org/ and www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk/
Photographs
On many occasions, photographs are taken of adults and children for the Parish Magazine, Church Website and Church Facebook page to record the life and work of the church in Great Totham. If at any time you would prefer that a photograph was neither kept nor used, please indicate this to the photographer who will delete the image.
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Church News
Ash Wednesday
Led by Rev’d Sue Godsmark, the Ash Wednesday service this year is on 6th March, the day after Shrove Tuesday.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent and is considered a day to cleanse the soul before Lent begins. Palm crosses from the last Palm Sunday are burned and the ash is used to mark parishioners with a cross on their foreheads to symbolise repentance for sin.
The readings this year will be: • Psalm 51; • 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 20—chapter 6, verse 10 • (Gospel) Matthew chapter 6, verses 1—6 and 16—21.
Contact Rev’d Sue Godsmark or the Churchwardens for more details.
In your prayers at home this month, please include:
Our ‘Friendship Church’ - Bragernes Kirke, Drammen, Norway;
Adam, Mary, Keith, Daphne, Roger, Pat, Roger, Sylvia, Jackie, Dennis, Geoff, Laura, David, Lucy, Joe and Noah for healing and support.
Kimberly Howard
We were saddened to hear that Kimberly Howard passed away on 18th January at her home in Great Totham North after a long illness. Kimberly was an integral part of the Magazine Committee for more than five years, creating covers and a range of artwork for us each month, even when in poor health. Our thoughts and prayers are with her partner, Tony and his family, as well as her children and grandchildren in the United States.
Helen Mutton
If you are considering baptism for yourself or your children, confirmation, weddings, funeral arrangements, Holy Communion at home, or you would just like a visit, please get in touch with Rev’d Sue Godsmark or one of the Churchwardens (see page 3 for contact details).
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Church News
January Coffee Morning
Our first Coffee Morning of 2019 saw a warm welcome to all at the newly decorated Honywood Hall. Many thanks to all who contributed to this task, it looked wonderful! Although the weather had turned cold and snow was threatening on the horizon, a good crowd of people came, meeting up with local friends. Many must have been watching their weight as part of their New Year good intentions; we overheard comments such as “he isn’t allowed that; I’m trying not to eat extra”. However, for those having a sweet treat with their coffee, there was a delicious clementine cake, made with ground almonds which got many a vote. Our books also sold well this time, maybe to those intending to spend afternoons at this time of year reading and keeping warm.
We are looking forward to seeing you on Saturday, 23rd March. Come along, a warm welcome is waiting. Sheila Allen
Sunday Club
To illustrate God’s love on Sunday, 3 February, the children created a colourful, tissue-paper rainbow and surrounded it with messages of the many things that they love. Then, with as much noise as possible, they accompanied themselves singing “Jesus’ love is very wonderful” with cymbals, bells and castanets. This was to illustrate the quotation from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians that, “I am just a noisy gong and clanging cymbal if I do not have love”, whereas, if done with love, the sounds of ‘clanging cymbals’ etc becomes music, as the listening congregation were happy to endorse! Isobel Doubleday
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Church News
Mothering Sunday
You are all warmly invited to the Mothering Sunday service at St. Peter’s Church at 10am on Sunday, 31st March.
Posies of flowers will be distributed to the children to give to their mothers and we will also give thanks for our mothers, living or departed, and for our community of faith, the Church.
Although we now take the opportunity to use Mothering Sunday to give thanks for our mothers, the festival is also about giving thanks to God’s care for us through his Church.
Christine Walker
Lent Study 2019
St Peters church will be studying Lenten themes at The Honywood, Hall Road, (opposite St Peter’s Walk) every Wednesday during Lent, starting on 6th March at 10.30 am. All welcome.
For more information, contact Paul Smith: 01621-893153 [email protected]
200+ Club Draw Winners
January
1st Prize — David Marven 2nd Prize — Heather Gulliver 3rd Prize — Glynis Potter
If you would like to join the scheme, whose proceeds benefit the church, please contact Roger Allen on 892334
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Church News Services at St Peter’s Church
March
Sunday, 3rd March 8am Holy Communion Sunday next before Lent 10am Morning Service of the Word 6pm Evensong
Wednesday, 6th March 730pm Ash Wednesday Service Ash Wednesday
Sunday, 10th March 8am Morning Prayer First Sunday of Lent 10am Family Communion 6pm Evensong
Sunday, 17th March 8am Morning Prayer Second Sunday of Lent 10am Family Communion 6pm Evensong
Sunday, 24th March 8am Morning Prayer Third Sunday of Lent 10am Morning Service of the Word 6pm Evensong
Sunday, 31st March 8am Morning Prayer Fourth Sunday of Lent 10am Morning Service of the Mothering Sunday Word 6pm Evensong
British Summer Time
Remember to put your clocks and watches for- ward one hour when you go to bed on Saturday, 30th March, as British Summer Time begins on Sunday, 31st March.
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Church News OPEN GARDENS 2019
Yes - the planning is now well under way!
We are pleased to announce that some keen gardeners have agreed (and in some cases volunteered!) to open their precious plots for our Open Gardens event to be held on the weekend of the 18th/19th May 2019. Although this is earlier than usual it has been said that in fact some gardens will have more to offer the visitors than in June. Let’s hope that the weather is kind to them all, not only on the actual weekend, but in the run-up to it. At the time of writing we have been blessed with some lovely mild weather.
If you are still considering opening your garden please don’t be shy - make contact and we shall be pleased to add you to our list.
Even if you are not able to offer your garden, we also need volunteers to help with catering for light refreshments and selling programmes at the Village Hall. Again this is a chance to meet and chat with people .
Please help by contacting Daphne on 893195 or Jenny on 891164 - we shall be very pleased to hear from you.
Daphne Taplin
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Church News
Electoral Roll
Under the Church Representation Rules, we have to provide for the formation of the new Parochial Electoral Roll in every sixth year, from 2007.
Notice is hereby given that, under the Church Representation Rules, a new Church Electoral Roll is being prepared. All persons who wish to have their names entered onto the new Roll, whether their names are entered on the present Roll or not, are requested to apply for enrolment not later than 31st March 2019.
The new roll will come into operation on 6th April 2019.
Under the Church Representation Rules, any persons are entitled to have their names entered on the roll, if they:-
(i) are baptized and aged 16 or over;
(ii) have signed a form of application for enrolment; and either:
(iii) are members of the Church of England or of any Church in communion with the Church of England being resident in the parish or (not being resident in the parish) having habitually attended public worship in the parish during the six months prior to the application for enrolment; or:
(iv) are members in good standing of a Church (not in communion with the Church of England) which subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity declaring themselves to be also members of the Church of England and having habitually attended public worship in the parish during the period of six months prior to enrolment.
For further information, please contact Rev’d Sue Godsmark or one of the Churchwardens.
David Barclay Church Electoral Roll Officer
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Church News
Text for the Week: March 3rd March 10th March Many women were at the crucifixion, A voice came from heaven; “You are watching from a distance. They had my Son, whom I love; with you I am followed Jesus from Galilee to care for well pleased”. At once the spirit sent his needs. Among them were Mary Jesus out into the wilderness, and he Magdalene, Mary the mother of was in the wilderness forty days, James and Joseph, and the mother of being tempted by Satan. Zebedee’s sons. Matthew 27:55-56 Mark 1:11-13 17th March 24th March Take time today to reflect on current Love and faithfulness meet together; tensions and difficulties between righteousness and peace kiss each particular countries. Bring your other. Faithfulness springs forth from concern in prayer to God and ask that the earth, and righteousness looks he will mediate between nations and down from heaven. will settle international disputes. Isaiah 2:4 Psalm 85:10-11 31st March – Mothering Sunday Heavenly Father, we rejoice with thanks for all those who have mothered us in our lives. St. Mellitus Liturgy Bible Readings for March
3rd March Exod. 34. 29-end Sunday next before Lent 2 Cor. 3.12-4.2 (Gospel) Luke 9. 28-36
10th March Ps. 91.1-2, 9-end First Sunday of Lent Rom. 10.8-13 (Gospel) Luke 4. 1-13
17th March Ps 27 Second Sunday of Lent Phil. 3.17-4.1 (Gospel) Luke 13. 31-end
24th March Isa. 55.1-9 Third Sunday of Lent 1 Cor. 10. 1-13 (Gospel) Luke 13. 1-9
31st March 1 Sam 1. 20-end Fourth Sunday of Lent Col. 3. 12-17 Mothering Sunday (Gospel) Luke 2. 33-35 17
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Village News
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN GREAT TOTHAM
Applications are invited for a vacancy at the Willie Almshouses in School Road, Great Totham. The almshouse has a living room, bedroom, shower room and kitchen. The ‘rent’ will be £99.77 per week inclusive of water charges. Applicants should be residents of Great Totham and in need of housing. There is no age restriction. Previous applicants NEED NOT reapply for consideration. Application forms are available from the Clerk to the Charity: Michael Siggs, PO Box 993, Colchester, CO3 3TQ Tel: 01206 765138 Email: [email protected] The closing date for applications is 31 March 2019 19
Church News
May the Force be with You
Obi-wan Kenobi, the Jedi Master, instilled into the young Luke Skywalker the need to employ the power of the force only for good. It was never to be used for personal ambition or selfish reasons.
The period called Lent remembers when Jesus was driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit and to be tempted by the devil. For forty days and nights, when hungry, he was challenged to turn stones into bread to satisfy his hunger. While Jesus certainly had the power and the need to perform a miracle for himself, his motivation was to honour his Father always. The power for good, again, would have to be set against selfish need.
And so, Christians will treat Lent as an opportunity to practise acts of unselfishness and love to others in tribute to Jesus. This will sometimes take the form of acts of self denial, but also thankfulness and remembrance of all Christ has done for them.
Lent is also an important preparation for the Easter festival.
We pray that the force of God’s Holy Spirit be with you, and not just on May the 4th!
Paul Smith, St. Peter’s Church
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Church News
You are invited to
St. Peter’s Church Easter Holiday Club
for 5-11 year olds
St. Peter’s Church, Great Totham 10am—3pm Tuesday, 9th April
CRAFTS - GAMES – NATURE WALK – EASTER EGG HUNT
Please bring a packed lunch (drinks provided) a carrier bag, wellies and a coat for a walk through South Wood.
A donation of £4 towards costs would be welcomed.
Please note places are dependent on the number of helpers.
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
I/We would like to come to the Easter Holiday Club on Tuesday, 9th April at St. Peter’s Church.
NAME:______
DATE OF BIRTH:______
ADDRESS:______
______
‘PHONE NO:______
‘PHONE CONTACT NO WHILST AT CLUB:______
PARENT’S SIGNATURE:______
Can you help? *YES / NO (*Delete as applicable) *10am-12noon *12noon-3pm *both
Please return this form to the post box in the porch at the Honywood Hall, Hall Road, Great Totham by 1st April. 21
Village News
Spring Equinox
There are a number of well-known anniversaries and events that occur in March including St David’s Day (1 March) and St Patrick’s Day (17 March). However one, possibly slightly less well known event, is the Spring or Vernal Equinox.
This year, the precise date and time for the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere will be on Wednesday, 20 March at 21.58. The official definition of an equinox is when the plane of the earth’s equator passes through the centre of the sun. In other words, if you mentally draw a line extending from the equator, it will connect with the sun at the middle, ie, when the sun is directly above the equator. This happens twice a year in March and September.
So, with the sun and earth in these positions, you would think that the length of day and night would be exactly the same. In fact, the word ‘equinox’ comes from the Latin and means “equality of night and day” (and the word vernal actually means “spring”). However, this is not quite right, as the refraction of light by the earth’s atmosphere and the fact that the sun is not a single point of light but a disc when seen from earth, means that sunrise can start several minutes before the sun’s centre crosses the horizon during sunrise and vice versa during sunset.
Have you ever wondered why the date of Easter varies each year? This is all due to the Vernal Equinox. The date of Easter is calculated as the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the Vernal Equinox. Officially, the Christian Church notes the Vernal Equinox as 21 March each year, but, as we have already noted, it is actually on 20 March and has been for a number of years. The Christian Church also uses the Gregorian calendar, whereas the Eastern Orthodox Church uses the older Julian calendar. This means that there can be two Easters falling on different days. However, for each calendar, the earliest possible Easter date in any one year is 22 March and the latest is 25 April. Easter Sunday this year for us is 21 April.
The Spring Equinox is also seen as the first day of Spring and there have been several myths which have built up around the date. These include a belief that the equinox causes a massive disruption of communication satellites (not true, so if you get a dodgy signal, don’t blame the equinox). Another belief is that on the equinox, an egg can easily be balanced on
/continued on next page
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Village News
/continued from previous page its end (not advisable to try unless you’ve practised this or it could end up messy!).
To finish, there are a number of ancient traditions associated with the Spring Equinox. The coming of Spring is associated with rebirth, so one tradition is to plant seeds at the time of the Equinox. Also, eggs are connected with the Equinox. We’ve already mentioned the balancing of eggs, but druids also bury eggs in fields to invite abundance to the land. It was also traditional to celebrate the changing of the seasons by drinking dandelion and burdock, with the herbs being seen as invigorating and to wake the body up after winter. These are just some of the traditions but don’t forget you can also do a ‘spring clean’ if you’re so inclined!
Chris Bingham Forrester Park Events
Quiz Night, Friday 15TH March
Get your quiz brains ready, gather your crack team of geniuses and get yourself booked in for Forrester Park’s next Quiz Night being held on 15th March. These Quiz Nights are always fantastic fun; tickets are only £10 which includes a dinner of Chilli Con Carne (or Five Bean Chilli) before the quiz. There will be prizes for the winners so it's worth bringing your ’A’ team. If all your team have paid in advance then you get your photo quiz earlier for a head-start! Supper will be served at 6.30pm and the Quiz will begin at 7.30pm. Teams of up to 8 (fun team names encouraged). If you have any dietary requirements please let us know in advance. Call 01621 891406 to book your team in.
Mothering Sunday Lunch, 31ST March
On her special day, treat your Mother the way she deserves to be treated by indulging her in a gorgeous meal! Forrester Park’s chefs have put together a delicious gourmet menu that we know you'll love, featuring the signature Forrester Park Three Meat Carvery as well as favourites for all the family and a mouth-watering selection of starters and desserts. To top it off, each Mother will get a flower as beautiful as her! To reserve your table, just call Forrester Park on 01621 891406. Two courses £21.95 or three courses £26.95. Children's Menu available: Three Courses and a soft drink £9.95. Annie Forrester-Muir 23
Children’s Page
MOTHERING SUNDAY POEM
Mothering Sunday is a special day when we will all be good, We’ll all behave and do as we’re told, just like we know we should.
We want to thank all of our Mums, for all the work you do You care for us in every way, that’s why we all love you.
We’ll help our Mums to do their jobs all around the house. We’ll let her have a well earned rest and be as quiet as a mouse.
We’ll all take Mummy her tea in bed and cook her Sunday lunch. We’ll wash up all the dirty plates, and she’ll be pleased as punch.
We’re going to clean up all our mess and hoover and dust our room. We’ll iron all of Daddy’s shirts and Mummy will be over the moon.
All the dirt and dust will disappear and Mum will try to find it, she’ll think it’s in the hoover bag but it’s really under the carpet.
The day will soon be over now, so I’ll try not to be too formal and tomorrow when we all wake up it will all be back to normal.
Let’s get together and use this day to really show we care, as through our lives we know for sure that Mothers are always there!
“HAPPY MOTHERS DAY”
Anonymous
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Children’s Page
Grow A Grass Head Monster
You will need:
* A nylon sock or a foot from tights or a stocking * Grass seed * Sawdust * Elastic band * Old yogurt pot * Googly eyes * Paper, buttons, ribbon etc to deco- rate
Instructions:
• Fill the toe of your sock with grass seed. Top up with sawdust until you have a ball shape. Fasten tightly with the elastic band. • Decorate the yogurt pot as the body using paper, ribbon, and what- ever else you can find in your craft box! • Stand the stocking ball in the pot with the grass seed at the top. Add some eyes and any other decorative bits you like. • Keep the yogurt pot topped up with water. After a few weeks your head should grow hair!
Sourced by June Eaton
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Church News
mothers Branch Leader: union Christine Walker www.themothersunion.org 01621 892431 Branch leaders, treasurers and secretaries have been invited to afternoon tea at Guy Harlings in Chelmsford on 16th March by our Diocesan President, Judith Meaden. Then on Monday, 18th March, we have a Deanery meeting at Witham in the Church Hall. The meeting commences at 1pm, however we can take a packed lunch from 12.15pm for a time of fellowship; soup and drinks will be available.
Our March meeting will be on Friday, 22nd in the Honywood Hall at 1.45pm and you are very welcome to join us. On Friday, 29th we will be back in the Honywood to make the posies for Mothering Sunday at 1pm; drinks will be provided, but please bring a packed lunch. Christine Walker
Women’s World Day of Prayer As women across the world come together in prayer throughout the day on Friday, 1st March, may we all be ever conscious of the unity in our diversity before God. This year, the service has been prepared by the women of Slovenia with the theme ‘Come – Everything is Ready’.
These yearly services are very interesting, hearing about the conditions in their countries and you will be made very welcome at St. Nicholas Church, Spring Lodge, Witham, where the service starts at 1,30pm. Christine Walker
Beacon Hill Churches Together
The United Service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was held at the United Reformed Church on 20th January. The large congregation was warmly welcomed by the URC and the lovely service was led by Rev’d Lorna Bantock from the URC in Witham. Members from St. Peter’s, St. Bart’s and the Barn read from Deuteronomy 16, Psalm 82 and Luke 4 with members from the three churches reading the Commitment to Justice. Beautiful hymns, “Great is thy Faithfulness”, “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart”, “Make me a Channel of your Peace”, to name a few, raised the roof.
The collection from this service will go to buy “It’s your Move” books to be presented to Year 6 leavers from Great Totham Primary School in July. Light refreshments were enjoyed in the church extension after the service, giving everyone the chance to meet friends. Christine Walker 29
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Village News
Great Totham Parish Council Meeting Great Totham Village Hall, 11th February
The meeting was attended by Cllrs Mrs Adams, Atkinson, Bass, Gable, Gregan, and Mrs. Heaviside. A representative of Wickham Bishops Parish Council joined us, as did two residents, both of whom were concerned at the fencing erected at the rear entrance to the Jubilee Recreation Ground. It was explained that, since an injury had occurred, it was essential to make the area safe as quickly as possible, but that proposals for improving the entrance had been raised periodically and members were happy to consider them again in the hope of finding ‘a long term solution at a reasonable cost’. It was pleasing both residents were offering practical assistance, one with regard to anti-slip surfacing and one by disseminating the information via Totham Online.
With the warmer weather, walkers are out in force and have drawn attention to our footpaths. We are fortunate in having a most approachable and efficient PRoW officer who is currently addressing the replacement of the footpath sign by St Peter’s church and investigating the reinstatement of the path by Captains Wood.
Much of February’s meeting was concerned with ’reporting issues’ which can be rather depressing and seem a trifle petty, particularly as those responsible are few in number. Maldon District Council has recently agreed a new directive regarding the control of dogs on Council Land. The resident who persists in allowing a dog to foul Bull Green makes it difficult for members of the Parish Council, whatever their personal opinion, to argue the case for dog walking in play areas, currently a contravention of a by-law. With regard to parking, we are now pursuing a Traffic Regulation Order occasioned by those who commandeer the Walden House Road lay-by for days on end, preventing its use for short term parking and access to the shop. Notification has also been received, though unfortunately without a registration number, of a motorist who blocked a driveway when dropping children at school. These may seem minor annoyances, but such behaviour impacts on responsible residents. If you have concerns regarding anti-social behaviour and vandalism, drink or drug offences, fly tipping, graffiti or dog fouling, the Community Protection Team can be contacted on 01621 852475, 07771 935330 or [email protected]
Members of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee have continued to evaluate the results of the questionnaire and are working on a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). One concern that figured highly was the amount and speed of traffic within the village. We are attempting to get the speed indicators upgraded – indeed, working! – and have asked the Protection Team to continue to monitor motorist behaviour in Walden House
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Village News
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Road. For those who wish to walk safely along the B1022, it is hoped additional work to the walkable verge can be agreed. These things take time but, for those who have expressed concerns about traffic, may I suggest they volunteer for the Speed Watch Team. They do an excellent job and are seriously understaffed.
You are invited to ‘Coffee with Cops’ meetings which are held on the first Tuesday of the month at The Bakery, Homefield House. Witham Road CM8 3ET. If you are one of the Essex households currently without smoke alarms, please visit www.essex-fire.gov.uk. Safety checks and alarms are provided free. You may also wish to take part in the Chelmsford Park and Ride consultation at: consultations.essex.gov.uk/rci/chelmsfordparkandride/.
On a cheerful note, six young people were recently spotted having a tidy up around the Plains Road area. We hope other residents will follow their excellent example and join us for the Clean Up Day on 7th April at 2.30pm. Meeting points will, as always, be The Village Hall and The Compasses where litter pickers, sacks and high viz jackets will be available. Independent ‘pickers’ also appreciated!
The Annual Parish Assembly will take place on 11th March at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
Vicky Heaviside
Great Totham Gardening Club
We hope to see you on Monday, 4th March in the Village Hall at 7.45pm when Norman Wright will be suggesting ‘Good Days Out’ just in time for spring! The Spud Bucket Challenge will also commence, when Norman will be supplying buckets and seed potatoes for you to grow until the Autumn Show. On Saturday, 16th March, we have our Fish and Chip supper in the Village Hall, 6.30pm for 7pm. If you would like to come, please ‘phone Ken Cooper on 890818 so your meal can be ordered.
The Spring Show is fast approaching on Saturday, 6th April at 2.30pm in the Village Hall; entries close at 7pm on Thursday 4th April. These should be sent to Mr. S. Hyam, 1 Staplers Heath or Mrs. L. Warr, 28 Chapel Road. There are Divisions for Flowers, Floral Art, Amateur Photography, Cookery, Vegetables, Arts and Crafts and Children’s classes up to 14 years. Please come and view the entries if you are not exhibiting, there will be homemade refreshments throughout the afternoon and we look forward to seeing you.
Christine Walker
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Village News
Shrove Tuesday
Most people call it Pancake Day, but why do we have a day where peo- ple eat pancakes?
Pancake day is celebrated on the last Tuesday before Lent. Lent is the whole six weeks before Easter. In the old days there were many foods that Christians would not eat during Lent: foods such as meat and fish, fats (what we call lard, margarine, butter or cooking oil), eggs, and milky foods. They believed that giving up these important foods for six weeks would help then to think about all the bad things they had done and would help them to promise to live better lives. Christians would ‘shrive’ which means to say sorry for all the bad things. They believed that if they said ‘sorry’ to God, he would forgive them ‘Shrive’ is where we get the word ‘shrove’ as in ‘Shrove Tuesday’. So that no food was wasted, families would have a feast on the Tuesday before Lent, and eat up all the foods that wouldn’t last the forty days of Lent without going off. The French call the day ‘Mardi Gras’ and it means fat Tuesday’.
Pancakes were useful food that could use up all the eggs, fats and milk in the house with just the addition of flour.
Some towns hold Pancake races before people go to church on Shrove Tuesday.
Pancake races are thought to have begun in 1445. A woman had lost track of the time on Shrove Tuesday, and was busy cooking pancakes in her kitchen. Suddenly she heard the church bell ringing to call people to church The woman raced out of her house and ran all the way to church; still holding her frying pan! June Eaton
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Village News
Contacting the Police
In an emergency dial 999. For non-emergencies dial 101 extension 412335 / 01245 491491
Send non-emergency police related information/intelligence to your North Blackwater Neighbourhood Policing Team at: http://www.essex.police.uk/ or text 07624 80010
Maldon Police 0300 333 4444 or 101 Maldon District Council Offices Princes Road Monday—Thursday: 9am—5pm Maldon Friday: 8.30am—4.30pm
Great Totham Neighbourhood Watch
Visit Maldon District Neighbourhood Watch website for up to date local crime reports, non-urgent news and links to the police and national NHW websites: http://www.maldondistrictnhw.co.uk/index.htm
For Totham Hill Green, phone Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator, Ian Barratt, on 891949. Email: [email protected] For local crime reports, visit https://www.police.uk/essex/28/crime/
Wickham Bishops Flower Club
We look forward to seeing members and friends at 7.30pm in the Village Hall on Tuesday, March 26th, when Vicki Hease will be depicting ‘Treasured Moments Part 2’ in her flower arrangements.
I wonder if some of us share her treasured moments.
Don’t forget your flower of the month for our Charity competition as flowers begin to appear in our gardens again.
Christine Walker
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Village News
Great Totham Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group
We feel it is important to give you all feedback as the plan develops. In the village survey, we asked your opinion on:
“The views and green spaces are one of the most important attrac- tions of living in Great Totham”
This is what over 900 residents told us…..
According to the survey results, your most important views are: •Open views over farmland to the Blackwater; •Views from the Beacon; •Views around St Peters Church.
This information is vital if we are to develop policies that protect open spaces. Thank you for your input. Graham Thorne
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Village News
Wickham Bishops WI
We held our usual members’ meeting in preparation for an exciting year ahead celebrating our 100 years’ membership of the Women's Institute . Our "Good as New" Sale was a success, hopefully raising some very needed funds for us.
In March, our speaker will be Kate Brighton, who will be talking about, and demonstrating, "Belly Dancing for Beginners" and the competition of the month is "My Favourite Scarf".
We would like to invite new members to join our group, which is held on the last Thursday of the month at the Church Hall, St. Bartholomew's Church between 2pm - 4pm. We always welcome any visiting members and guests who come along to see if we can offer something that they are interested in.
Please don't forget our walking group; we meet on Monday morning across the road from the Village Hall at 09:30am and walk around the village and surrounding area for about an hour.
Our craft group meets at the Church Hall, 2pm - 4pm on Fridays afternoon and anything goes whether it’s sewing, knitting, cross stitch. If you come along, you will be made welcome and you never know, you may learn a new skill or inspire someone with your project.
For more information please contact me on 01621 891631.
Sharon O’Connell, Secretary
Future Events
6 April Gardening Club Spring Show Village Hall 2.30pm 28 April St. Peter’s Church Annual Meeting following the 10am Service 11 May Great Totham Primary School Sponsored Walk 15 May Christian Aid Bread and Cheese lunch at Macmurdos, corner Goat Lodge Road and Beacon Hill 12noon 18/19 May St. Peter’s Church Open Gardens 14 July Churches Together United Service Village Hall 10.30am 14 Sept Gardening Club Autumn Show Village Hall 2.30pm 22 Sept Pet’s Welcome Service St. Peter’s Church
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Where in the Parish? Spot the difference
A “then and now” picture; what is missing?
Answer on page 43.
Thanks to David Barclay for sourcing this.
June Eaton
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Domestic Specialists
Professional, Reliable & Friendly
Warren Bennett 07736 445923 01621 332492
www.wlbelectricalservices.co.uk
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CbC Village News
Come and join us for the
GREAT TOTHAM
CLEAN UP DAY
Sunday, 7th April at 2.30pm
Meet at The Village Hall, Totham South, or The Compasses, Totham North where litter pickers,
sacks and hi-viz jackets will be available.
roofed. - re being
This was/is the east end of the church roof under the lead cross before and after after and before cross lead the under roof church the of end east the was/is This
mended. was roof the since missing items the are squirrels The
Answer Parish the in Where
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Village News
News from Great Totham Primary School www.greattotham.essex.sch.uk
School News
Year 6 Ancient Greek Day Monday 14th January saw Year 6 enjoy an Ancient Greek Day. During the course of the day, the children had the pleasure of experiencing a day in the life of an ancient Athenian. The wide range of super activities consisted of: making mosaic imagery, soap carving, charm bracelet making and creating many more extraordinary artefacts, all while in fabulous costumes! At the end of the day, the children enjoyed going to the ancient Greek theatre. It was in fact just the children, fully immersed in becoming the actors. They delivered delightful productions on the stage of the school hall. Whilst watching their peers perform, Year 6 was able to enjoy some ancient Greek delicacies such as honey cake and feta cheese with olives. Of course all of this would not be possible without the amazing staff that organised and played important roles. Thank you to teachers, teaching assistants and parent helpers as well as the fabulous History Off The Page company. Written by India and Jessica — Year 6
Year 5/6 Tag Rugby Tournament - 7th February 2nd Place: On a bitterly cold and extremely windy February day, our newly formed Tag Rugby team competed in the Colchester and Blackwater School Sport Partnership tournament at Mersea Rugby Club. There were 12 teams competing - we played 5 matches, winning all but one match which placed us in the semi-finals - we played Birch who were said to be the best in the competition but remarkably we beat them in a close match. In the final we played against Kelvedon but lost 3-0 – giving us runner up position. This was such a good and unexpected result considering our team consisted of three Year 4’s in this year 5/6 tournament! One of the Mersea Rugby coaches who refereed several of our matches told Annie she was the best support player he’d seen this year including in the International matches this past weekend!
Dates for the Diary Saturday 11th May: Sponsored Walk Friday 12th July 5-8pm: Summer Fete Please contact the school office for further details
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CbC Village News
Great Totham WI At our February meeting we welcomed Marion Pettet, whose talk was entitled ‘A Peek Behind the Scenes.’ She spoke about her 16 years working with the Chelmsford Ballet Company. Although an amateur group, she told us of the importance of good staging, lighting effects and excellent costumes, all of which contributed to very professional standards in their performances.
In March we have a return visit from Eve Regelous whose topic will be ‘Everything Stops for Tea’. Visitors are welcome at our meetings, held on the second Thursday of the month at Great Totham Village Hall. Information is on the website www.greattothamwi.weebly.com or email [email protected]. Sue Pulford Great Totham Community Choir
Once again, St Peter’s Church asked the Community Choir and both the Tower and Handbell ringers to join them in the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. It was a most enjoyable event. We heard the familiar Christmas story and the congregation sang traditional carols with great enthusiasm. It was lovely to have so many people staying for refreshments, mulled wine and a good chat. If you missed it in 2018, please join us this year. You will be made very welcome.
The choir has now reconvened for the new year and is busy adding songs to the repertoire; always an eclectic mix. As you can see from the photos, we are a cheerful, friendly group with a wide age range that encourages us to sing everything from Gilbert and Sullivan to Graham Kendrick, “Sister Susie Sewing Shirts for Soldiers” to “Shotgun”!
Although we are not a church choir, we are grateful to St Peter’s for providing the venue for our rehearsals. We meet in the church extension at 7.30pm on Wednesday evening should you wish to join us! Vicky Heaviside
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Village Diary
March
1 St. David’s Day Women’s World Day of Prayer – St. Nicholas Church, Witham, 1.30pm 4 Prayer Hour 10am Honywood Hall Gardening Club 7.45pm Village Hall ‘Good Days Out’ - Norman Wright 5 Shrove Tuesday – Pancake Day 6 Ash Wednesday Service St. Peter’s Church 7.30pm 9 Coffee morning URC 10am-11.30am 10 First Sunday of Lent 14 Coffee morning Barn Church 10am-12noon WI 8pm Village Hall ‘Everything stops for Tea’ – Eve Regelous 16 Gardening Club Fish & Chip Supper 6.30pm for 7pm V/Hall 17 St, Patrick’s Day 18 MU Deanery Meeting St. Nicolas Church Hall Witham 1pm 19 PCC meeting 7.30pm Honywood Hall 22 MU meeting 1.45pm Honywood Hall 23 Coffee morning 10am-12noon Honywood Hall 26 Flower Club 7.30pm Village Hall ‘Treasured Moments Part 2’ Vicki Hease 29 MU Making posies for Mothering Sunday 1pm Honywood Hall 30 Don’t forget to put your clocks forward 1 hour tonight 31 Mothering Sunday Service St. Peter’s Church 10am Summer time begins
Rotas Church Flowers Church Cleaning 3rd March Tracy Squire Mrs Walker & Mrs Philibrown 10th March Lent - 17th March Lent Mr and Mrs Stebbing 24th March Lent - 31st March Lent Mrs Potter and Mrs Thake
Church Kitchen Cleaning March: Rita Patten
Wickham Bishops Library
Monday 2pm-6pm Wednesday 2pm-6pm Saturday 9am-1pm
Telephone: 0333 013 2706
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COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES (See page 3 for church activities) Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers www.girlguiding.org.uk Scouts, Cubs, Beavers at Prances Brenda Heal [email protected] Great Totham Cricket Club Colts Paul Marks 07709 793958 Nursery Group Village Hall Tracey Bezant 07960 947931 Edward Bear Club (Toddler Group) St Peter's Church Sue Godsmark 891513 Gardening Club Village Hall Fred Steptoe 891808 W.I. GT Evening 2nd Thurs. 8pm Village Hall Sue Pulford 892063 GT & WB last Thurs. 2pm St.B Church Hall Di Mellor 892247 St Peter's Lunch Club Tues. Honywood Hall Sheila Allen 892334 Day Centre Weds. URC Jean Johnstone 892293 Modern Sequence Dance Weds. 7.45pm Village Hall 788669 Carpet Bowls Tue & Thur 7.30pm Village Hall Jean Cloughton 892286 Tollesbury Table Tennis Club T’bury Parish Rms Paul Freeman 862510 mobile 07855 204505, email: [email protected] Maldon Croquet Club Forrester Park Jean Healey 843643 ([email protected]) Wickham Bishops Drama Club Roger Lyons www.wickhambishopsdrama.co.uk Great Totham Community Choir Colin Heaviside [email protected] 893067 Knit & Natter, Friday Mornings, Sandra Smith (Honywood Hall) 893153 USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Honywood Hall Hire Karin Mann 891215 St Peter’s Church Extension Hire Rev’d Godsmark 891513 Village Hall hire Sue Pulford 892063 URC hall hire Janet Davies 819419 St Peter’s—Interment of Ashes and Iron Crosses Chris Munton 891817 Great Totham Parish Council Clerk: Clive Potter 891474 District Councillors John Keyes 891388 David Sismey 07879 435430 County Councillor Mark Durham 01245 227249 mobile: 07850 967239 Great Totham Primary School 891091 Maldon District Council 854477 Maldon Citizens Advice Bureau 875774 Police Community Support Officer 101 NERIL information line for mental health 0845 0900 909 every day from 6pm to 2am Water 01245 491234 Electricity 0845 6014516 Drugs Helpline (free) 0800 77 66 00 Childline Helpline for children 0800 1111 (free) NSPCC 24 hr helpline for children 0800 800 500 (free) The Samaritans 08457 90 90 90 01245 357357 Disabled Information Advisory Line 01245 287177 Church of England, St. Peter’s Rev’d Sue Godsmark 891513 Totham Barn Free Evangelical Church Elder Bob Bell 893085 United Reformed Church Vacant Wickham Bishops Church Rev’d Hilary Le Sève 892867 Maldon Methodist Church Office Rev’d Clifford Newman 853423 Maldon Roman Catholic Church Parish Priest - Fr. Mark Reilly 852259 Society of Friends (Quakers) Clerk to the meeting - Sue Smith 854056 Salvation Army 853942 Christian Growth Centre (CGC), Maldon Rob & Jeannie Saggs Pastors 855855
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Great Totham Parish Magazine is published by The Parish Church to help everyone feel part of the community, recognising people's achievements and the value of community activity, and to encourage support of local businesses. Please contribute by sending us your good news, suggestions and details of any events and advertisements for the April Edition by 3rd March. Email: [email protected] Disk & Paper: 17 Goat Lodge 48 Road, Great Totham CM9 8BU. Printed by Colt Press Ltd. Witham, Essex