Living Villages March 2014 Stibbington, Sutton, Wansford, Water Newton & Thornhaugh S K CONTRACTS Award Winning Builders & Carpenters Winner LABC 2009 Awards Family run business offering high quality workmanship and customer satisfaction with over 33 years of experience. • New House Builds • Commercial Conversions • Domestic Extensions • Loft Conversions • Stone Property Renovations • On Site Joinery • Orangeries • Conservatories 6 Old North Road, Wansford, Peterborough PE8 6LB Tel: 07970 700767 [email protected] www.skbuildersandcarpenters.co.uk 2 EDITORIAL CONTENTS Flooding seems to have dominated the news from Christmas through to mid-February, and the after- Contacts . 4 effects will continue to dominate many lives for many Worship lists . 5 months to come. Although in our area we have Reflections . 7 escaped the worst, the Nene’s floodplain has been inundated. Brian Gibson’s photo on the front cover News reports: was taken from Wansford bridge, looking downstream at the flooded gardens which are no longer Friends of churches: “riverside”. David Stuart-Mogg’s fascinating article Wansford & on pages 20 and 21 recalls serious flooding incidents Thornhaugh . 9, 11 in the local area in times past. Water Newton . 9 Stibbington . 13 This month we say a big “thank you” to young Horticultural . 15 blogger, Marcus Arnold who has decided to retire at WI . 16 the ripe old age of 14. Marcus has been a regular Communicare . 18 contributor to our younger readers’ page for almost Christie Hall . 18 four years—quite an achievement! Ten year old Karina has recently begun contributing regularly, but Parish Councils: we would welcome contributions from other young people too. Anyone interested should ask a parent or Wansford . 23 guardian to contact me or any other member of the editorial team. Special features: 50 at 50 . 18 Whilst I have now managed to overcome many of the Local History . 20, 21 technical problems I was grappling with last month, Pharmacies . 25 there remain a few issues with my new technology Health & Fitness . 27 that are presenting challenges: some of the text and Nature Notes . 29 images in this magazine may not be as sharp as they In memoriam . 31 should be, for which I apologise; and my reminder Younger readers . 32 message to regular contributors remained stuck in Stibbington Quiz . 35 my outbox, so congratulations are due to all who sent Ladies lunch club. 35 their contribution by copy deadline! I hope to resolve Letters to the Editor these remaining issues by next month. 36, 37 Rosie McDonnell Diary Dates . 38 Editorial team For contact details see p 4 Regular features writers: Editor: Rosie McDonnell Reflections: Canon William Burke Advertising manager:Carole Whincup Rev Michael Matthews Distribution manager: Rod Sortwell Local History: David Stuart-Mogg Reporter: Martin Lewis Nature Notes: Graham Blagden Photographer: Charles Brown Health & Fitness: Dan Whiter Printing and collation: PPS/ Print Younger Readers: Karina Chappell Read your magazine on-line at www.livingvillagesmagazine.co.uk 3 DIRECTORY OF CONTACTS @ Living Villages Editorial Team Editor Rosie McDonnell 01780 783639 [email protected] Advertising Manager Carole Whincup 01780 783055 [email protected] Distribution Manager Rod Sortwell 01780 783403 [email protected] Reporter Martin Lewis 01780 783668 [email protected] Website: www.livingvillagesmagazine.co.uk Parish Councils Sutton Peter Lee (Vice Chair) 01780 782703 Wansford Wendy Grey (Clerk) 01778 441312 Sibson-cum-Stibbington Wendy Grey (Clerk) 01778 441312 Thornhaugh Deirdre McCumiskey (Clerk) 01780 782668 Water Newton (Parish Meeting) Tony Capon (Chairman) 01733 237500 Churches Ministers: Thornhaugh & Wansford Rev Michael Matthews 01780 782271 [email protected] Stibbington & Water Newton Canon William Burke 01733 380244 [email protected] or Parish Office, [email protected] Churchwardens: St Andrew’s Thornhaugh: Stuart Foreman 01780 783220 Liz Kemp 01780 782333 St Mary’s Wansford: Paul Tate 01780 782965 Alan Jones 01780 783205 St John the Baptist, Stibbington Richard Winfrey 01780 782431 Carol Lindsay Friends: St Mary’s & St Andrew’s Dora Baker 01780 782519 St John the Baptist Helen Facer 01780 782932 St Remigius Water Newton Tony Capon 01733 237500 Other useful contacts Neighbourhood Policing 101 Horticultural Society 01780 782446 Wansford Surgery 01780 782342 Royal British Legion 01780 782200 (Out of hours 01733 293838) Stibbington & Wansford WI .. 782510 Wansford Pharmacy 01780 781616 Communicare 01780 470437 H’don District Council 01480 388388 P’boro City Council 01733 747474 4 St Andrew’s, Thornhaugh St Mary’s, Wansford WORSHIP MARCH 2014 Date Time Location Service 2 Mar 9.30 am St Andrew’s, Thornhaugh Parish Communion 10.15 am St. Kyneburgha, Castor Holy Communion 4.00 pm St. Mary’s Wansford Family Service: Leaves of life 5 Mar 7.00 am & St. Kyneburgha, Castor Ash Wednesday 10.00 am Holy Communion 10.00 am St Mary’s, Wansford Communion with ashes 7.30 pm Nassington Benefice service with distribution of ashes 9 Mar 9.00 am St. John the Baptist, Morning Worship Lent 1 Stibbington 9.30 am St Mary’s, Wansford Parish Communion with choir 16 Mar 9.30 am St Andrew’s, Thornhaugh Morning Prayer Lent 2 with hymns 10.15 am St. Kyneburgha, Castor Holy Communion 23 Mar 9.00 am St. John the Baptist, Holy Communion Lent 3 Stibbington 9.30 am St Mary’s, Wansford Morning Prayer 30 Mar 9.30 am St Mary’s, Wansford Mothering Sunday Morning Prayer 10.15 am St John the Baptist, Stibbington Holy communion 6.00 pm St Remigius, Mothering Sunday Service Water Newton Every Monday, 3pm Wansford — Afternoon Prayer Wednesday Morning Prayer during Lent – March 12, 19 and 26 and April 2 and 9 – will be at 11.30am St Remigius, St John the Baptist, Water Newton 5 GRIFFIN WANSFORD Solid Fuel Merchant COMMUNITY HALL Peterborough Road, Wansford Supplier of Pre Packs Coal Bunkers Charcoal Compost This hall accommodates parties of up to Flo Gas Logs & Sticks Salt 36 people seated. Ideal for Meetings, Coal Yard Office Workshops, Aerobics etc Station Road 12 Church Hill Nassington Castor GREAT VALUE AT ONLY £4 per hour 01780 782540 01733 380470 FOR BOOKINGS TELEPHONE John Stannage 07879 485330 GOOD NEWS VAN New to the area: Free Lending Library of PAINTER and DECORATOR Christian Books, Videos, CDs 40 years experience 2nd Monday of every month Reasonable rates excluding January Free estimate 17 Russell Hill, Thornhaugh 2.30 to 4.00pm Call Jo on 07880907068 6 REFLECTIONS By Canon William Burke A BROAD CHURCH The Church of England has again revisited the matter of women Bishops and it now looks as though that they have agreed proposals that will allow women to be consecrated as Bishops, yet allow space for those who struggle with the idea for whatever reason, ( theological, or with regard to its effect on the unity of the church). The Bishops have also revisited the matter of homosexuality and ordination and have in effect reserved judgement on the matter—loving disagreement - at least that I think is the principle as I understand it. There is an acceptance by the bishops that there is a wide range of views. Most people in the parish will be aware that we have here always blessed homosexual couples in committed relationships and will continue to do so while the discussion continues. I am convinced in my own heart not only is this right and sound theologically but that it is a decision in the next few years that the Church of England will formally endorse as appropriate. The science is quite clear that sexual orientation is decided before birth and that we have as much control over that as we have over our skin colour, the colour of our eyes, or gender etc. We are all made in the image and likeness of God. The decisive argument for me is what Jesus says in his mission statement as he starts his public ministry in Nazareth which we can read about in Luke’s Gospel (4:16-20) Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. If we, the church are to reflect Jesus’ mission statement we should be bearers of good news that sets people free and should not be oppressing them be they men, women or children of every type. I realize not everyone will agree with me and that is fine but I am more than happy to discuss it with anybody, 7 8 FRIENDS OF ST. MARY’S AND ST. ANDREW’S This year’s FRUGAL LUNCHES DURING LENT are starting on Wednesday, March 12th at 12.15 in the Christie Hall, Wansford. They will take place every Wednes- day during Lent for 5 weeks and will be preceded by a service at St.