The Loddon Valley Link Church and Village Magazine for Sherfield-on-Loddon, Stratfield Saye, Hartley Wespall with Stratfield Turgis and Bramley Issue 489 Issue May 2016 Page 1 www.Loddonvalleylink.org.uk Editorial Welcome to the May edition of the Link. Happy birthday to Her Majesty the Queen for the 21st April. If you’re having or have had an event send us the photos. This month our centre pages are all about the Proms and a performer’s Simon Boase view of one of the events. Don’t forget to vote in the police commissioner, borough and parish councillor elections th coming up on May 5 and especially if you’re in Sherfield Contents Park where the new Parish Council is coming into being. Instead of the Borough councillor update this month Church Services……….….. 4 we’ve got the thoughts of our MP in Ranil’s Ramblings Messy Church & Registers. 5 (p17). Minister’s Letter ……....…. 7 Percy’s Plant Sale ……….. 8 Have your say on the future local NHS (p19) Prayer Page……………….11 Sherfield Village Fete is fast approaching and helpers Sherfield Village Fete ...… 13 are needed, as is help in St Leonards (p23), plus all the Ranil’s Ramblings ………. 17 usual reports. If we’re missing yours then get in touch. Crime figures…………… 19 We’re trying out a newspaper style layout this month in Stratfield Saye PC ....…… 25 order to give you more content without increasing the Village Hall ………………. 26 magazine’s overall size and cost. We hope you like it but Sherfield PC …………...…29 let us know your thoughts. Proms ……………….. .30/31 SPCA ……….…………32 An interesting reminder that we’re now printing on Sherfield Park …………. 34 recycled paper. Using this rather than a non-recycled our NWR …………….………. 39 environmental impact was apparently reduced by: Beat Report ………….. 40/41 184kg of landfill Village Green …………...42 25kg CO2 and greenhouse gases Gardening Club …………48 247km travel in the average European car WI & Evergreens ………..49 5,094 litres of water New Chief Constable ……55 469kWh of energy Small Ads………….…….. 56 299kg of wood Useful Tel: Nos……………57 This month’s cover of local bluebells from Nikki Rimmer. Please keep your photos and articles coming in to:-: [email protected]. Stratfield Turgis Parish Annual General Meeting Friday 3rd June In the Cricket Pavilion on the Recreation Ground From 7:30 pm We have a guest speaker from CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) Wine and nibbles will be provided. All residents welcome Page 2 Page 3 Services Parish Registers May 2016 Baptism Sunday 1st May Easter 6 Albie James Staines 13.03.16 Sherfield 10.00am Holy Communion St Leonard’s Sherfield Amber Betty Hadley 10.04.16 Sherfield 10.00am Family Service St Mary’s Stratfield Saye* 6.30pm Holy Communion St Mary’s Hartley Wespall Wedding Thursday 5th May Ascension 10.00am Holy Communion St Leonard’s Sherfield Ashley MacNaughton & 09.04.16 Sherfield Sunday 8th May Easter 7 Katherine Miller 10.00am Morning Worship and Sunday Club St Leonard’s Sherfield Friday 13th May 4.15pm Messy Church Sherfield Community Centre Friday 13th Sunday 15th May Pentecost May 2016 10.00am Holy Communion & Sunday Club St Leonard’s Sherfield 6.30pm Evensong St Mary’s Hartley Wespall Sunday 22nd May Trinity Sunday 8.00am Holy Communion St Mary’s Hartley Wespall Theme - Our Worldwide family 10.00am Together in Worship St Leonard’s Sherfield (a service for all ages) All welcome! Lots of craft, worship and tea for the children! 4.15 Arrive, Register, prepare for Worship Sunday 29th May Trinity 1 10.00am Benefice Holy Communion St Leonard’s Sherfield 4.30 Worship followed by craft activities Sunday 5th June Trinity 2 5.15 Meal - cafe style (finish at 5.30pm) 10.00am Holy Communion St Leonard’s Sherfield It is essential that you book 10.00am Family Service St Mary’s Stratfield Saye* (and please advise of any food allergies). 6.30pm Evensong and Holy Communion St Mary’s Hartley Wespall For more information and to book, please contact : Children are welcome at all our services. Services in italics are particularly geared to children and families. Peta Alvares: [email protected] or on Facebook: messychurchsol *Drive up close to the white gates, which will open automatically . Page 4 Page 5 MINISTER’S LETTER BREACH LANE CHAPEL Dear Friends, According to Jack he went Sherfield on Loddon Following on with the ‘People who inspired ‘straight as a die’ after that but he Geoff Belsham 01256 882534 / 07519 708416 me’ series; the second person who deeply liked being a rebel. He owned a Transport is available for all events at the chapel inspired me was Jack Hebditch. He was proud rather noisy Morgan three of his name, which he claimed came from wheeler, which he delighted in parking outside Services for May ‘hedges and ditches’, though I have since the Methodist Chapel on a Sunday evening. found its origin is 7th century Anglo-Saxon and He would wait for the sermon to begin and st Sunday 1 10.30am Family Worship led by Steve Smith quite different. The point was that he was then rev the car up until the door to the chapel Friday 6th 10.30am Open Morning at the Chapel proud of his working background. Jack was a opened. He would then speed off much to the Sunday 8th 10.30am Family Worship led by Graham Locke consummate and excellent tradesman, a irritation of the steward. He once put the car Wheelwright and Joiner of the old school. I through an ornamental gate and had to make th Thursday 12 7.45pm House Group & Bible Study at 7 Pound Close, first met him properly whilst waiting for a bus a new one in his time and at his expense. Bramley on the way to the Bournemouth and Poole There were many more stories; in fact, I can’t Friday 13th 10.30am Open Morning at the Chapel College of Art. This interested him greatly and ever remember Jack running out of stories. Sunday 15th 10.30am Family Worship led by Neil Owen including what he did caught my imagination too, “So”, I said one day, “You were a real especially as I had a keen interest in furniture tearaway”. “Arr”, he replied, “I was that. That’s Holy Communion design. why I have a lot of time for young people th Friday 20 10.30am Open Morning at the Chapel I would pop into his old dusty workshop often today. It’s no good moaning when you were Saturday 21st 2.30pm Through the Roof Club led by Geoff Belsham for a chat but mostly to watch, listen and learn. like that as a nipper”. He had a point and he – “Village Walk” Even when busy he had the time and space lived by his philosophy. Sunday 22nd 10.30am Family Worship led by Alistair Sneddon for me to just ‘be’ there. I found the draw of Several times youngsters caused mischief and that environment, the tools, the bench that had damage in the estate yard. Jack simply tucked th Wednesday 25 2.30pm Midweek Fellowship led by Geoff Belsham seen better days, the smell of the wood, his thumbs behind his braces and said, “Oh Thursday 26th 10.30am “The Morning Dew” Ladies Fellowship led by Jack’s deep connection with his craft and his well, let’s have a cup of tea.” He obviously had Cora stories irresistible. But it was to be another five to inform the estate manager if the loss was years before I actually worked there. really bad but his overall attitude was more of Friday 27th 10.30am Open Morning at the Chapel When Jack took me on and agreed to train me compassion than retribution. Jack taught me th Sunday 29 10.30am CHURCH RE-OPENING Anniversary service he was well past retiring age. Only his silver to be tolerant and look at the world and people led by Rev. Richard Lane hair and weathered features betrayed this. His in particular with more understanding. I thank God for Jack and his mentoring and for the 12.30pm ANNIVERSARY MEAL strength, agility and enthusiasm seemed undimmed as of a man twenty years his junior. skills he taught me. I thank God that I was He was always careful but he was not averse able to tell him that. Finally I am thankful that St. Leonard’s Church Catholic Services to walking along the ridge of a strong roof Jack found his way back to God and died full of faith in his late nineties, having only fully The Church St Bede’s and Holy without aid to repair a single broken tile. His retired a couple of years before. As I indicated Open Days for Ghost Churches, gentle manner and his sense of humour were infectious and we laughed together every day. last time, the reason I share this is because it May are 14th, 21st Basingstoke. This was especially true when things were is so vital for every one of us to realise that we and 28th. Open Parish Office Open going wrong, when we should have been have a role in mentoring others and we are from 10am till not finished with that task until we die. Until Tues to Friday moaning. But Jack didn’t do moaning; he was 4pm then it is our call to encourage and build up 9.30 am-1.00 pm Tel.465214. an eternal optimist and I soon discovered why. In his youth Jack had been a rebel.