The Loddon Valley Link Church and Community Magazine Issue 534 June 2020 Available online and for collection from : Church End Telephone Box Sherfield Park Shop Sherfield Park Community Centre (in the covered bin outside) Shop in Sherfield Turgis Green Service Station Stratfield Saye Telephone Box The Iron Duke Stratfield Saye Wellington farm shop Telephone box opposite House 28 Hartley Wespall Church Porch Page 1 Minister’s Letter Editorial ear Friends “Could we use this different time in Welcome to the June edition of the Loddon Valley As ever we ask you to keep your Link. I hope you are finding it informative and pictures coming, particularly for the D I hope you are all well and able to connect lockdown to listen to the powerful interesting during the lockdown, which as I write cover. We will be running the with those around you through neighbours and voice of disabled people which so is still largely in place although it is beginning to Loddon Valley Link Photo various outlets in the communities. I have been many of us have drowned out with ease. Competition as usual (see p. 21). So Jane Abrams extremely impressed by the way in which people the constant busyness and activities don’t forget your mobile (or other have come together to effectively transform a very that so many take for granted? Stephen writes in his letter on the opposite page camera) when you go out for your exercise! If you difficult situation. Very kind volunteers have “Many of us living with disabilities have gained a about the experience of disabled people for whom would like to support the Loddon Valley Link you undertaken tasks to make sure that those who are unique perspective on life. My personal experience the isolation of the lockdown is nothing new. I can do this at: vulnerable are shielded and that the physical and has involved me humbling myself to be dependent was recently alerted by a Facebook friend to www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/loddonvalleylink/. material needs of many are met in some way. It is on others. Some of you might relate to this at the another article on this topic. The writer is involved all truly amazing. If you haven’t been able to moment, as you wait for your online food delivery, in persuading businesses to make adjustments to Contents connect in any way, please do feel free to email me for example. their workplace so that physical impairments are Minister’s Letter 2 no longer disabling for their employees. She says Church Services 4 and I will see what I can do to help. “One of the things it’s important to remember is that because of the lockdown we are all now Baptist Chapel 4 As I consider the spirit of co-operation and that this is not necessarily a time when we should disabled, and that this can be related to specific Sherfield Park Parish Council 6 service, which has grown within the communities, be worrying about how to get the best out of Prayers for May 8 permanent disabilities - so for example the I have found myself pondering on the question, lockdown, which is something that I have heard Lil Pankhurst 8 frustrations of video calls, in which it is hard to what will happen when all this is over? Will we often – “I need a project, I need to do something, COVID-19 Information and Support 8 read body language or know when to speak is are Sherfield Flower and Produce Show 11 return to ‘normal’ or will we build on what we I need to work, I need to achieve”. Although similar problems to those experienced by autistic Geraniums for Sale 11 have begun? Coincidently I read an routine and keeping busy has its place at this people. (If you want to read this article you can Sherfield Village Hall Matters 12 article that addresses one of the issues time, I think it is important to remember Sherfield Park Community Centre 13 Taking a find it by going to www.forbes.com and searching and I have included it below. that your worth is not based on what you Local Volunteer Groups and Contacts 15 Step Back ‘we have been disabled’.) Sherfield on Loddon Parish Council 15 ‘For Many People With Disabilities, achieve, or how busy you are. This is Sherfield Park Matters 16 Despite the present circumstances we celebrated Isolation Is Nothing New something I have learnt during recovery Ranil Writes 20 from 28 surgeries, especially my hand surgeries, VE Day in style, with lots of colourful bunting and Stratfield Turgis Forge 21 Wheelchair user Fiona Gosden says the current where my body hasn’t been able to keep up with socially distanced tea parties. You can see some of Loddon Valley Link Photo Competition 21 universal experience in lockdown is what disabled what my mind wants to tick off. the many pictures on pp. 26-27. The lovely cake VE Day in Sherfield 26 people have always known. on the cover was made by Natalie Larner, who Churchill's Favourites Cake 28 “Despite the financial hardships and other Winston Churchill’s Favourite Cake 28 also took the picture. See p. 28 for the interesting “I’m a wheelchair user and am currently challenges at this time, people are enjoying the Local Shops Providing a Delivery Service 28 history of this cake. If you have any recipes, book A Wartime Childhood in Sherfield (2) 30 undergoing treatment which compromises my opportunity to slow down, enjoy nature and take a reviews or anything else to help us while away the Basingstoke Deane Rotary 33 immune system, so I fall into the “shielding” step back from the rat race – and this is more time do send them to the Editor. Kids’ Quizes 38 category. This means that I’m advised to strictly important than we might realise.” ’ NWR 40 stay at home and not even go outside once a day. On p. 30 we have the second part of our series on Puzzle Page 42 Reprinted with permission from Premier Woman I live in an accessible flat without a garden so it a childhood spent in wartime Sherfield on Crime Update 43 Alive magazine, copyright Premier Christian Puzzle Solutions 44 has been a test of my patience! Loddon, which is appropriate to this time of VE Communications Ltd 2020, all rights reserved. Advertisers' Index 47 Day commemoration. “Having said that, this ‘new normal’ that is being womanalive.co.uk Benefice Contact Information 48 talked about is not too far from my reality. The The usual puzzles are on p. 42 but this month on Useful Telephone Nos. 49 Hopefully we will end up with a much more Answers to Kids’ Quizes 50 isolation people are currently experiencing is the p. 38 there is also a general knowledge quiz for integrated society. In the way that our busyness Small Ads 50 norm of many disabled people – having children. opportunities, choices and momentum taken away and preoccupation with our own lives shaped who and being forced to work from home. Lockdown we were, it would be a blessing if our current is giving people a new insight into the lifestyle of a situation was shaping who we will be, in terms of The Loddon Valley Link is compiled and edited entirely by volunteers who live in the local community and take disabled person. community growth and cohesion, sharing and part in its activities. It is normally hand distributed by volunteer neighbours to over 2,000 houses across the love. parishes of Sherfield on Loddon, Sherfield Park, Stratfield Saye, Hartley Wespall and Stratfield Turgis. It is “I hope that this period of lockdown will give available online at loddonvalleylink.org.uk. We return any profits to the community in the form of grants, which Every blessing to you all enough insight for all of us to understand what amounted to nearly £3,000 last year. Stephen daily life often looks like for those with disabilities, Please note: the Loddon Valley Link aims to provide accurate information but the Management Committee cannot accept any liability in respect and to consider helping to remove social barriers – 07943 014277 Email: [email protected] of errors or omissions. Any opinions expressed in articles are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Loddon Valley Link in churches/church activities (and community (Day off Tuesday) Management Committee. The Committee cannot be held responsible for the reliability or quality of any goods, work or services in this publication or on our website. The Editor's decision as to the inclusion and content of articles is final. If inaccurate, misleading or otherwise activities) – which often exclude them. inappropriate information is brought to our attention, we will make every reasonable effort to correct or remove it as soon as possible. Page 2 Page 3 Church Services Diocese Update e have now enjoyed several online services attending church for those who W at St Leonard’s, and as it is not possible to for whatever reason are unable to be in the church building at present these services attend church in person. Thanks Following the government’s recovery strategy announcement Even when churches can be reopened they, like are proving to be an excellent to Stephen, Richard, Karen and the Diocese of Winchester has provided the following update other buildings open to the public, will still need opportunity for Christian all others involved in leading the regarding church services. to meet the necessary health guidelines and it is worship, prayer and services, also Mark and Julie ...Step Three of the published roadmap, which envisaged by the Government that not everywhere fellowship.