Vol 30 No 8 August 2019 HATS ON FOR A TRUE GENT We did it! In last month’s Woodcote Correspondent I invited the interval between innings, a children’s match the whole village to join the picnic and over 200 attracted over fifty youngsters who we hope will one accepted the invitation! It was an unforgettable day day form the basis of the Woodcote Cricket Club! and a real village event. Not a detail was spared as The £1000 grant we received from the English families arrived on the Green to pay tribute to, and Cricket Board, as part of the Cricket World Cup celebrate the life of former Cricket Club President, Sponsorship, was put to Pete Aldridge. excellent use as our ‘state-of- The Red Lion captain, Neil the-art’ barbecue. It was McDougall, paid a unique manned by Ryan Van and fitting tribute to his great Heerden, Simon Fuller and friend by kitting out his Ken Groom who produced whole team in striking mouth-watering burgers and Panama hats; a Pete Aldridge hot dogs throughout the trademark when watching afternoon,. The ‘streaker’ was cricket! not pre-arranged, but it’s happened before at cricket The day opened with both and everyone seemed to be teams lining up for a amused! minute’s applause for Pete and then the game At the end of the match, the commenced. The glorious Pete Aldridge Trophy was weather provided extra Fine shot by Connor Mattimore presented to the winning encouragement as more and more families flocked to captain, Neil McDougall and Neil, a great Cricket the Green to join in the fun. Not surprisingly, there Club supporter, was named player-of-the-match, for was a large Aldridge family contingent led by Jonny a fine performance as wicket keeper for the Red Lion. and his three sisters, Chris, Sue and Sarah and the Of course, a lot of organisation had preceded the WADS were also there in force in recognition of Pete event and we are particularly grateful to James and Joy’s many years of service to the society. Worsfold who not only captained and selected the Woodcote team, but carried out most of the catering The cricket was entertaining throughout with some arrangements. Thanks are due too to Mark and good individual performances. Woodcote posted what Dennis Pearson for the loan of a freezer and for looked like a winning total of 163, but the Red Lion providing transport. (Continued on Page 2) finished as winners with only three balls to spare. In COMMENT FROM THE VICARAGE SERVICES at ST LEONARD’S in I’ve noticed that when speaking in church or perhaps AUGUST leading some prayers I find myself referring to the 4th August (Trinity 7) ‘interesting’ or ‘challenging’ times in which we live. As I’ve noticed this, I’ve begun to wonder what I mean; 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion what is it that I’m getting at? The task of the 9.45 a.m Parish Communion preacher is to make connections between what is 11th August (Trinity 8) happening for people in the here and now with what the scriptures or the Christian tradition have to offer, 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion and so inevitably one is always trying to pick up on 9.45 a.m Worshipping Together the mood of the people both nationally and more locally. 18th August (Trinity 9) 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion Well, I know that I am referring to the anxieties and uncertainties that assail us. The ‘fake news’ for 9.45 a.m The Open Door Service instance, that is not news at all but simply lies that 25th August (Trinity 10) seek to mislead us. There’s interference from foreign 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion governments in our national affairs, there’s the rise of ‘populism (a misnomer surely?). There’s the 9.45 a.m Parish Communion increase in hate crime, racism and homophobia, Blessings, Linda young people caught up in knife and gun crime and Revd. Linda Smith, Tel. 01491 680979 drug running. There’s the realisation that what were Email: [email protected] once considered essential services like the care of the elderly, support for families and young children and timely hospital appointments, are no longer as TEA AT MOWFORTH HOUSE available or accessible as they were. We see school budgets under intense strain, and we are waking up hosted by St Leonards to the threat to the planet from our misuse of Please come and join us for an enjoyable afternoon in resources. Sadly, the list could go on. the grounds of Mowforth House on Sunday the 11th But as someone who is trying to articulate the of August at 2pm for a tea party and help raise funds feelings of many and not just my own then I’m also for St Leonards. Tickets are priced at £10 each and aware that my perception of the world is inevitably this includes a glass of fizz, sandwiches, cakes, skewed by my background and experience. I’m trying scones and tea. A chance for you to enjoy the to avoid the political categories of left or right, liberal summer sun and dig out a summer frock! Hopefully or conservative, but my own history of public sector a good day will be had all round. work in nursing, school, voluntary service and now If you are interested in coming, please contact Gill the church must influence my perspective. My point Sykes 684257. is, how do we situate ourselves in these interesting and challenging times? Because it’s really beginning to matter. Do we choose sides? Do we become more, or less, political and engaged in what is going on HATS ON FOR A TRUE GENT around us? How informed are we when we make (continued from front page) these judgements? Is much of what we believe and It is gratifying to report that we have received so act upon based on current, reliable information, or many kind messages thanking us for the day. Most on the received wisdom of the past, or the shock importantly, the Aldridge family expressed their factor of the latest headlines that awakens our fears? delight saying, ‘Pete would have loved it!’ As I said There’s lots of questions there; questions that I’m over the PA at the end, there were lots of winners: asking myself as I write, and they seem to be getting this wonderful village and its people; the game of more difficult to answer as old certainties fall away. cricket, Woodcote Cricket Club and the whole of the But if I accept that my view is inevitably partisan Aldridge family. As ever, the Red Lion played its part then openness to conversation with people with with cooling drinks on a hot afternoon. And, I’m different views to my own, or with those I struggle to pleased to say, the Woodcote Correspondent was understand and be with seems to be important. I indeed there to report it!!! need to check out if my belief about someone or some event, is based in any kind of truth, or in my PS. Our new cricket expert David Sutton (read his assumptions, my prejudice, my bias. Because it article in the July Correspondent) was also there to seems to me that what I think, what you think, really cast a knowing eye over the proceedings! matters now as we no longer want to trust government and institutions to think and act for us. Sam Peates Proud Chairman of Woodcote CC So, I wonder if it’s not such a bad thing that I find myself living with questions and a little more Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of vulnerability. Maybe it’s ok to not be certain, to not information printed in this paper, the Editor and have all the answers. But at the same time, don’t we Committee cannot accept responsibility for the contents all need to take responsibility for caring enough to of advertisements or any errors that may occur. Opinions ask the questions? expressed are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or Committee. 2 A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR PUBLISHER INFORMATION I am delighted to have taken over Editor: Yvette Decmar [via email] the role of Editor this month. I have lived in a neighbouring Articles for inclusion: to the editor by email to: village for nearly nine years now [email protected] — to be received by 12th of and both my children have the preceding month. benefitted from a fantastic Advertisers: To place an advertisement, please education at Langtree School. email [email protected] for details of prices and As you all know, the Woodcote Correspondent has how to produce your ad in our house style. The been a part of Woodcote life – as well as its deadline for payment and your finished advert is the surrounds – for many years now. Whilst many of us 12th of the preceding month. rely heavily on technology these days for news and Small Ads and Announcements: £5 for three lines. events updates, there is equally much comfort to be drawn from having a tangible source of information Photographs: Photos should be unedited and as at our fingertips – in the form of a book, for instance, high a resolution as possible (at least 500kB). 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