Focal Point, January 2015 LOCAL COMPUTER REPAIR SERVICE Computer problems sorted! Viruses and spyware removed Slow computers speeded up! RAM fitted. Graphics cards upgraded Tuition for the over 50s Please phone Ged for rapid, personal attention 01225 819815 or 07766704423 Email us at [email protected] Website www.bathpcsolutions.co.uk 1 Focal Point, March 2016 Hanney Welding Limited For all your Welding and Fabrication requirements Eastover Works, Golden Valley Lane Tel: 0117 9322647 Email: [email protected] 2 Focal Point, March 2016 3 Focal Point, March 2016 4 Focal Point, March 2016 Problems or need advice with your PC? Affordable, professional and personal service for small businesses and individuals Technical support ~ Installation and set-up ~ Virus removal ~ PC optimisation ~ Advice on buying the right equipment and software ~ Tuition ~ Repairs Call David Harris on 07974 286314 or email: [email protected] *Special rates for seniors* 5 Focal Point, March 2016 6 Focal Point, March 2016 7 Focal Point, March 2016 Oldland Common Post Office & Mace 171-173 High Street Tel: 0117 932 3159 New improved store & Post Office Now open from 7am, seven days a week NEWSPAPERS, GROCERIES, PHOTOCOPYING, CARDS & STATIONERY, AS WELL AS NEW-STYLE MAIN POST OFFICE, ALSO DRY CLEANING SERVICE, OFF LICENCE, SCRATCHCARDS FREE-TO-USE ATM (24 HOURS) 8 Focal Point, March 2016 From the editor ow I enjoyed the Bitton Loves Music event at St Mary’s last month (see our cover picture). H The lively Ukulele Orchestra of Great Bitton got proceedings under way and then the Rev Jeremy Andrew - aka The Singing Vicar - accompanied himself on the piano for three Becky Feather songs, including a lovely rendition of a favourite of mine, Hallelujah. Bitton Community Choir and the South Gloucestershire Carers’ Choir then entertained us and after the interval choirmaster Douglas Watts sang three beautiful solos. Then it was the turn of oboist Jon Booth and pianist Mark Leitch, who play in chamber groups together, and finally the Jazzbeanz took to the stage. Jacqui Sayers, from the Bitton Broads, joined them for the final number, Hit The Road Jack, as did Bel Mooney, who was introducing the acts. All that jazz had some concert-goers dancing in the aisle! The concert was free, with donations invited towards church restoration funds, and almost £1,000 was raised! Well done to everyone involved. There’s another concert at St Mary’s to look forward to this month - see page 15. Inside there’s a tribute to Margaret Wilcox, whose funeral was held last month, and who will be much missed. We also have details of all the Easter services and events around the parish this month, including news of how Avon Valley Railway is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the last passenger trains on the Midland line (page 28). Happy Easter! Becky Feather 0117 932 5037 [email protected] www.stmarysbitton.org.uk 9 Focal Point, March 2016 Churches and services UPTON CHEYNEY URC Elder: Muriel Williams 0117 961 6843 Minister: Meryl White 0775 914 6645 Sunday services are at 3pm March 6 Mother’s Day service led by Meryl White March 13 Service led by Steve Pigeon March 20 Palm Sunday service led by Tom Peryer March 27 Easter service led by Meryl White Lent discussion groups take place on Monday 7th & Monday 14th at 2pm. Laughs & Crafts is on Wednesday 16th at 7pm. Our coffee afternoon is on Tuesday 22nd at 2pm. ST MARY’S CHURCH Vicar: Rev Jeremy Andrew The Vicarage Warmley 0117 967 2724 Ordained minister: Rev Richard Humphrey Splinters Kenilworth Drive Willsbridge 0117 949 0502 10 Focal Point, March 2016 Lay ministers: Churchwardens: Ken Gibson, 8 Church Road, Barbara Merritt, Bitton 32 Bath Road, Bitton 0117 932 2122 0117 932 3926 David Bailey, Westover, Bath Jacqui Harris, Road, Bitton 29 St Anne's Drive, Wick 0117 932 8949 0117 937 4706 Message from the minister o nothing - and change the world. OK, OK, that just does not sound right, does it? It can’t be right to D do nothing, can it? Our culture and society put a lot of emphasis on ‘doing’ on being ‘hard working’. The ‘protestant work ethic’ is deeply embedded into our way of life. Down on Colston Avenue is a statue to Edmund Burke. He was a highly regarded statesman, philosopher and MP for Meryl White Bristol from 1774 to 1780. On his statue is his widely attributed quote: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” However, there seems to be a trend towards stopping and doing nothing. There are even classes on how to do nothing properly. For example, classes on mindfulness are on the increase. The practise of mindfulness is about stopping and focusing on the present moment. It is being used in a whole variety of settings such as health, business and education to promote wellbeing. The claim is that it can help any of us enjoy a more wakeful, healthier, happier life. If doing nothing is so productive, is it really doing nothing? Surely when we are doing nothing, something is happening! 11 Focal Point, March 2016 Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Reading, has written a book entitled Do Nothing to Change Your Life. In it he qualifies that he is not “advocating laziness” but rather celebrating what happens when we dare to stop and reconnect with the hiddenness inside ourselves where rest and play issues forth in all sorts of wild, unexpected and creative ways. I was wondering what Jesus was doing when he was in the wilderness for 40 days and nights; no carpentry, no attending synagogue, no meeting with people, no activities are recorded. But it is clear that this time out was preparation for what was to come. His responses to the temptations facing him show clarity of identity, vision and purpose. Only after that did Jesus move on into his mission. His mission shook and changed the world. Perhaps this Lent we can find space to do nothing, to create space to help us enjoy a more wakeful, healthier and happier life, to reconnect with the hiddenness inside ourselves. Who knows what clarity of identity, vision and purpose that may bring? Who knows how that may change our world? Rev Meryl White Upton Cheyney Chapel Janet & Jean’s Flower Arranging Club St Mary’s Church Hall Tuesday 8th March at 2pm We will be making a crescent design. You will need a 12in dish, some oasis, about a dozen flowers (roses or carnations, not too large) and some greenery with some long pieces to shape the crescent. The cost is £2.50, to include tea and biscuits. All welcome. Contact Janet on 932 4728 or Jean on 932 2050 12 Focal Point, March 2016 Services at St Mary’s in March Sunday, March 6 10.30am: Family Communion Mothering Sunday Sunday, March 13 8am: Holy Communion 10.30am: Morning Worship. followed by lunch at The Old Crown, Kelston Sunday, March 20 10.15am: Procession led by a Palm Sunday donkey followed by Family Parade Service. Meet at the church hall Thursday, March 24 7.30pm: Communion of the Maundy Thursday Last Supper in the Church Hall, followed by a Vigil in St Mary’s Friday, March 25 2pm: Service of meditation Good Friday Sunday, March 27 8am: Holy Communion Easter Sunday 9.30am: Family Café Church followed by an Easter egg hunt 10.45am: Easter Eucharist 13 Focal Point, March 2016 St Mary’s Matters The Jazzbeanz performing at the concert hank you to everyone who organised and supported the Bitton Loves Music event. It was such an enjoyable and successful evening. It is amazing to think of such a wealth of talent in our small village! The money raised, T£940, will go into the restoration fund. As we write this, we are looking forward to another community event on 17th February with Bel Mooney due to speak about her new book - a sell-out event. During Lent, we will be collecting for WaterAid, one of the charities St Mary's supports. Keep a jar, put any loose change in it and bring it back for Easter. We have WaterAid labels in the back of church and there is a large jar for anyone to contribute as they pass by. Mothering Sunday is 6th March. We hope you will join us for a Family Communion service, with a distribution of flowers. After Easter Sunday on 27th March, the church will be open again for the summer, quiet reflection or just to explore and 14 Focal Point, March 2016 enjoy. Pete Midgley organises the rota of key holders, and if you would like to help then please call 932 6898. Our new Family Café Church falls on Easter Sunday, so there will be three services that morning - at 8am, 9.30am and 10.45am. The Easter Egg hunt will take place at the end of café church, just before the next service, so no one misses out! Easter is the great Christian festival. It is the proclamation of Christ's triumph over death. We are fortunate to have a beautiful place to celebrate this joyful time. Happy Easter! Barbara Merritt & Jacqui Harris, churchwardens Look out for a review of Bel’s talk in next month’s magazine St Mary’s Church, Bitton Saturday 19th March Music & readings for Passiontide & Easter with The Ammonites directed by Julian Hannam & Canon George Mitchell Retiring collection for St Mary’s Refreshments available 15 Focal Point, March 2016 Decorating St Mary’s this Easter Last year we asked that you bring pots/jam jars, etc.