2 Middle Farm, Manston, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1EX www.beehiveselfstorage.co.uk Farm Fresh Milk, Pasteurised and unpasteurised. CLEAN & DRY, SAFE & SECURE 24/7 CCTV & MONITORED ALARMS We are Open 7 days a week 7am-7pm MODERN & PURPOSE BUILT EASY ACCESS WITH NO HIDDEN CHARGES CHOICE OF SIZES TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS Contact us on 01258 472425 / 07850389294 Moving House? We sell boxes, tissue paper, DAZZLE bubble wrap and furniture covers. WINDOW CLEANING [email protected] Conservatories, fascias, soffits & Call 01258 861100 gutter cleans. Gutters cleared Gold Hill Business Park Contact Darren on 077883 76752 Child Okeford – DT11 8HF Or [email protected] Paul Corbett “Your Local Handyman” Any job considered Telephone: Guttering (cleared or replaced) 07960 712778 •UPVC fascias and soffits •Patios 01258 860804 •Fencing •Property maintenance •Small building works •Repointing Ham Down Woodland Burial Ground A beautiful and peaceful place to be laid to rest Greenhaven overlooking Hambledon Hill LANDSCAPES Bere Marsh Farm, Shillingstone, Blandford, Dorset Tel: 01258 860284 “Professional quality landscaping for all budgets” email: [email protected] www.hamdown-greenburial.co.uk Dave Bennett ALEC ANGELL Tel: 01258 861490 PAINTER & DECORATOR EXTERIOR and INTERIOR Garden Design : Walling : Decking Work done with Care and Pride Paving :Planting : Lighting : Irrigation Estimates free Advice and Consultation Contact 01258-860812 or 0788 1911434 www.greenhavenlandscapes.co.uk 3 REMEMBER JESUS THIS CHRISTMAS! Christmas is nearly upon us. Presents to be bought, trees to be decorated, meals to be prepared, decorations hung, cards to be sent, stockings to be filled, children to be amused, relatives to be appeased. It is a time for family, giving, for coming together and, even though busy and sometimes stressful it is by and large a joyful and happy time for most although not all. We are encouraged to embrace the 'Christmas Spirit'- to be joyful, charitable, generous, kind, and forgiving, setting aside self-interest and past wrongs and show the better part of who we are, or at least who we would like to be (even if frankly we don't always feel like it) - emulating the qualities of Jesus whose birthday we celebrate – and isn't that the most wonderful thing? In fact, so wonderful that even in today's modern secular society where the acceptance of Jesus Christ as 'Emmanuel' (meaning God with us) may be misunderstood, ignored, paid lip service to, or in some cases actively denied we are all at least able to celebrate the attributes of Jesus in the 'Spirit of Christmas'. Yet to celebrate the spirit of Christmas but ignore the real meaning of Jesus' birth and God coming into our world to bring us back to Him is to miss the point by a very long mile. Namely that 'God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life' (John Ch. 3 v 16). That means you… Now, we may have all manner of presents this Christmas, but I am sure you will agree that nothing can ever come close to this the greatest gift of all – eternal life for all those who believe in Jesus! Now, I don't know about you, but that seems like a gift worth grabbing with both hands and telling people about. In this busy time let's all take time out to thank Him for this most precious and irreplaceable gift and share it with others. And, if you are alone or feeling lonely this Christmas remember you are never alone. Jesus is with you wherever you are or whatever situation you find yourself in and he wants to give you this great gift, on this His birthday - Happy Christmas! Steven Vestbirk Ch ild Ok efo rd P o s a d a Once again we are asking local families to host Mary and Joseph for a night in the run up to Christmas. This reminds us of the journey they had to take to Bethlehem. The figures are presented in Holy Rood Church at our Crib service on Christmas Eve. You will receive a box containing the story of Christmas, a short prayer sheet, instructions on who to take the box to next, and of course the figures of Mary and Joseph with a candle to light. If you would like to host Mary and joseph for the night please send your name, address and telephone number to [email protected] 4 REVERSE ADVENT CALENDAR Once again this years the churches across the benefice will be running a reverse advent calendar through December. Please put items for the foodbank in Blandford into the boxes/bags for life you’ll find in church. Christmas items can go into days 1- 10. Many thanks, Rev Lydia 5 CHRISTMAS INVITATION Child Okeford Carol Service - 15th December at 6.30pm Crib Service - Christmas Eve at 6pm Christmas Holy Communion - Christmas Day at 10.30am Manston Carol Service - 15th December at 5pm Hammoon Carol Service - 22nd December at 6.30pm 6 7 PURPOSE MADE JOINERY Hopefield' Doors, Windows, Wardrobes, Kitchens etc The Hollow NIGEL BASTABLE LTD Child Okeford Quality Carpentry & Joinery Tel: 01258-860459 Property Alterations and Repairs www.nigelbastable.co.uk www.rjclocks.co.uk Antique clock restoration All manner of restoration work undertaken From clocks, music boxes, barometers, small items of furniture to scientific instruments. Everything from mechanical to case work. All work guaranteed for12 months Robert Jones, Sturminster Newton, Dorset Telephone: 01258 817 111 Mobile: 07760 385 161 Email: [email protected] Manor Barn, Child Okeford, DT11 8EF Tel: 01258-860638 [email protected] www.manorbarnbedandbreakfast.co.uk Cari and Peter Sorby Five Star luxury accommodation at the foot of Hambledon Hill. Easy access. Two ensuite ground floor bedrooms with private sitting room. CHILD OKEFORD VILLAGE HALL Central village venue for all occasions Richard Rowe including parties, weddings, christenings, PICTURE FRAMING social events and meetings. Excellent advice and Expert framing The current regular users are: Badminton. Oils, water colours, prints, photographs etc Table Tennis. Short Mat Bowls. Wives’ Group. Gardening Club. Art Group. Flower Gilding, wash line mounts, dry mounting Arranging Club. Lunch Club. Restoration of oils, water colours & prints For further information please contact Can collect and deliver Sandra Abbott 01258 861802 Tel. 07968 235566 [email protected] Unit 3, Vale Farm, West Orchard, SP7 0LJ www.childokeford.org 8 YOUR CHURCH The usual Remembrance Sunday Service was held, commencing at the Cross for the 11.00 silence. We then gathered in the church for the service which was very well attended and conducted by our Rector, Lydia. The weather was, once again, kind and dry. We have finally completed all the outstanding work for the church, our last project being the overhaul, repair and rehanging of the newly painted and gilded dial so hopefully that's it for a while. The scaffolding has been taken down so all is back to normal. Watch this space for further updates on the churchyard from Simon. We held another "Just as I Am" service in the Shillingstone Church Centre at the beginning of the month. This is always a really lovely occasion, a very simple service with familiar hymns and readings and afternoon tea with cake to round it off. There will be no coffee morning in December but we will have a presence at the Village Hall Christmas Coffee Morning on 7th December selling cakes and preserves so do come along and see what we have to offer. We at St Nicholas make very good cakes!!!! The next coffee morning will be in church on Saturday 18th January 2020. This is a quiet time before all the Christmas Activities. We will once again be placing our "Advent Calendar Alternative" in church as we did last year, hoping that the boxes will be filled with yummy things to eat for the Blandford Food Bank. People were very generous last year so we hope that that generosity will be repeated this year. Both your Church Wardens would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and we look forward to seeing you at one or other of our Christmas Services. DO YOU ENJOY A GOOD TRADITIONAL SUNDAY ROAST DINNER? Do you usually eat alone on a Sunday? If so, I have the answer! From 12th January (and from then on once a month) I will be a hosting a home cooked Sunday roast lunch at the Shillingstone Church Centre at 2pm A two course Sunday roast will be served with tea and coffee afterwards. It will be a wonderful opportunity to share food, company and chat with others. The cost will be £6.00 per person. To book please contact Revd Karen 01258 861051 to book a place. Please do let me know if you have any food allergies. I look forward to seeing you there. Many thanks Revd Karen BELL ALERT ! 6 December – 1000 visiting band from the Ladies Guild 8 December – 1145 Quarter Peal attempt to mark our Patronal Festival 17 December – Quarter Peal attempt by a band from Hampreston 9 CHURCH CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER SIDESMEN READER SUNDAY 1st DECEMBER – FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 9.00am Holy Communion – Shillingstone (Rev K Wilson) (Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-end; Matthew 24:36-44) 10.00am Patronal Communion – Okeford Fitzpaine (Rev L Cook) (Isaiah 52:7-10; Romans 10:12-18; Matthew 4:18-22) 10.30am Matins – Child Okeford (Mr M Riley) (Mrs D Bucknall Ms C Angelucci (Psalm 122; Isaiah 2:1-5; Matthew 24:36-44) (Mr M Lewis Intercessor: Mr M Lewis 6.00pm Mighty Okes – Shillingstone Church Centre Wednesday 4th December: 10.30am Holy Communion – Millbrook House SUNDAY 8th DECEMBER – SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 9.00am Holy Communion – Hammoon (Rev L Cook) (Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12) 10.00am Holy Communion–