Church Magazine June 2010
Beenham
Midgham
Woolhampton
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Dear Friends
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e have just had the general election, and have a new Prime Minister, leading a coalition government. The process seemed tortuous at the time, but now it is all sorted, and in reality, it only took a few days. We shall feel the effects of the change over the next five years. There are similarities with our situation in the benefice. We have no Rector, and it will seem like an age, whilst we go through the process of attracting and selecting a replacement. It is, however, vitally important that we attract and choose the right person for the job. Obviously, we hope it will not take too long, but it is more important that we have the right person, than we rush the selection process. The profile document, which describes the benefice, the parishes and the issues, as well as outlining what we are looking for in our new Rector, has been agreed by the parishes and the bishop. The Patrons need to rubber stamp it, and then an advertisement will be placed in the Church Times, hopefully by the end of May. Candidate selection and interviewing is then scheduled to take place in July. In the meantime, the ministry team is working overtime, to ensure that we do not suffer in the parishes from lack of attention! They will need our continued support if they are to be able to keep this up. Administration is an issue now, and will be, even when we have a new Rector. The more help we can give with the secular side of the priest’s job, the more time the priest will have to concentrate on spiritual development and pastoral issues in the benefice. In particular, we are looking for a part time, paid, administrator, and an office from which the administrator can work. Please contact Chris Newman on 0118 971 3525 if you have any suggestions. As I write, spring is here, and the mornings are bright and clear. I pray that, as we face a new era in our benefice, the positive energy created by working together to choose a new priest, will give us an equally bright and clear future. With all good wishes Simon Witcomb (Churchwarden, St Mary’s, Beenham Valence)
WEDDINGS – WHAT IS HAPPENING? oncerns have been expressed relating to the increase in the number of weddings taking place in the Benefice and the impact this has on the time that our clergy have to spend ‘away’ from their Parishes. During 2010 Rev Des Foote and Rev Elizabeth Oke, between them, are taking 23 weddings. 5 were taken by Rev Pete Steele before he retired. The remaining 38 are being taken by clergy from surrounding Parishes and retired clergy. Their help and the support of Bishop Stephen has been pivotal in accommodating these couples all of whom go out of their way to qualify to be married here. It is acknowledged that our clergy, including a new Rector, could not be expected to take anymore weddings than our Parishes would normally generate. This means that a sustainable way forward, with particular regard to the weddings at Wasing, has to be found. Bishop Stephen is talking to all the parties involved to produce an acceptable way forward. The hope is that we can continue to welcome young people seeking a marriage in church, share our faith with them over the months that they come to our Sunday services and support them as they prepare for their marriage. Cynthia Newman, Benefice Wedding Co ordinator.
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INTERREGNUM or spiritual matters, baptisms and funerals during the interregnum please contact either Des or Elizabeth. For wedding enquiries please contact Cynthia Newman (0118 971 3525) For all other matters please contact your churchwardens
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OAKS & ACORNS will be on Thursday 3rd June Meet at St Mary’s Beenham at 2.00 pm This is during half term so all parents, carers and children welcome
6th June Aldermaston Beenham Brimpton Midgham Woolhampton
SERVICES Trinity 1 10:45 Family Service 09:15 Holy Communion 1662 10:45 Holy Communion 09:15 Matins 1662 11:00 Morning Praise
13th June Aldermaston Beenham Brimpton Midgham Woolhampton
10:45 09:15 08:00 09:15 11:00
Trinity 2 Holy Communion Family Service Holy Communion 1662 Holy Communion Family Service
20th June Aldermaston Beenham Brimpton Wasing Woolhampton
10:45 09:15 10:45 18:00 11:00
Trinity 3 Morning Praise Holy Communion Family Service Evensong Holy Communion
27th June Aldermaston Beenham Midgham Wasing
08:00 09:15 09:15 10:45
Trinity 4 / St Peter Holy Communion 1662 Morning Praise Holy Communion Holy Communion
DF DF EO DF
4th July Aldermaston Beenham Brimpton Midgham Woolhampton
10:45 09:15 10:45 09:15 11:00
Trinity 5 Family Service Holy Communion 1662 Holy Communion Matins 1662 Morning Praise
DF EO EO HL MD
JM DF DF HL MD
GS DF DF Visitor DF
EO FO JM DF
WASING P ARISH CHURCH EVEN SONG SUNDAY 20TH JUNE AT 6PM To celebrate the diamond wedding anniversary of Rosemary and Angus Campbell (Everyone is welcome)
BENEFICE NEWS FROM THE REGISTERS Baptism: ‘Members of the Family 14th February Woolhampton 25th April Aldermaston 25th April Midgham
of God’ Harry James Griggs Jack Ramsden Powell Miranda Constance Tyser
Wedding 'Till death do 24th April Aldermaston 29th April Wasing 30th April Wasing 1st May
Wasing
2nd May
Wasing
Funeral 7th May
us part' Neil Phillip Steven & Adele Joanne Taylor Jordan Mark Stone & Emily Helen Marchant Austen de Orfe Bushrod & Julie Samantha Dunster Charles John Shorthouse & Lucy Ann Louise Phillips Neil Stephen Presence & Susan Wendy Dear
'I am the resurrection and the life' West Berks crematorium Roger Wellman (formally of Beenham)
BEENHAM BAND e have been expanding our repertoire into chamber music, and will be putting on our first concert at 7.30 pm on 29th June 2010, in the Old Bluecoat School in Thatcham. The performers will be clarinet, flute and recorder choirs, a saxophone quartet and brass quintet. There will be refreshments and a retiring collection. Do come if you can – the building itself is worth a visit!
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Also, this year, we shall be playing on the Rec on 16th July 2010.
WOOLHAMPTON MARKET his month’s market will be on Saturday 5th June from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the Village Hall. Your chance to have a cup of tea, put the world to rights with anyone who’ll listen and even buy something that has taken your fancy as you browse the goods on display. Be a devil, come and see what it’s all about; you’re bound to enjoy it!
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WOOLHAMPTON & MIDGHAM WI t our May meeting we discussed the WI resolution for 2010, which considers the labelling of meats and fish with the correct country of origin. Two of our members talked, one for and one against the resolution and it made for an interesting discussion. The meeting ended with cheese and wine. Our next meeting will be on June 8th and will be our annual walk followed by supper in Woolhampton Village Hall. If you would be interested in joining us please meet at the hall at 7.15 p.m.
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Woolhampton Village Hall Trustees Annual General Meeting Friday 11th June at 7.30 pm in the Hall All villagers are welcome
NATURE NOTES t is no wonder that we English have a reputation of talking about nothing but the weather! It has so much influence on the variations of our springs: a warm spell brings out the flowers and then a cold spell will hold them in abatement for a while. This year we were able to enjoy snowdrops and daffodils for longer than usual because the weather was cold, and the same thing happened to the cherry and may blossom. The birds, however, have to carry on regardless. They can’t ask their eggs not to hatch because it has turned cold and feeding them will be more difficult. Birds with small broods such as robins and blackbirds, rear two and probably three broods a year, so they are more sure that at least one will be successful. Those like the tits and wrens with large broods have to put all their eggs in one basket, literally, and so are more prone to disaster. When they do fly predators such as sparrow-hawks are looking for tasty morsels on which to feed their young, so many will not make maturity. And then there are the cats. They have to have their sport, as we do, but they seem to know when the young are about to leave the nest and are waiting in eager anticipation. I’m afraid that this time the birds have my preference. Stella Nesbit
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WELCOMING NEW RESIDENTS – REMINDER e, the clergy and congregation of St. Peter’s, believe it is very important that we welcome new residents to the village, and invite them to join our services. To help us to do this, please could you let me know when you become aware of new people moving in, with their names and addresses, and I will arrange for a welcome pack to be delivered to them. If you know the address but not their names please let me know anyway. Thank you for your help. Nick Humble. Tel: 0118-971-4035, or nick.humble@btopenworld.com. My postal address is: Beenham Lodge Cottage, Cods Hill, Beenham, RG7 5QG.
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VILLAGE HALL Art Club Baby & Toddler Fellowship group Fitness League Keep Fit (aerobic) Hall Trustees Lunch Club Market Parish Council Pilates Senior Social club Short mat bowls Stroke Care Tea dance Whist W.I Yoga
Monday Monday Monday Thursday Wednesda y Friday Wednesda y Saturday Tuesday Wednesda y Wednesda y Friday Tuesday Thursday Thursday Tuesday Monday
7th , 14th 21 st & 28th 2 pm 7th , 14th 21 st & 28th 10 am 7th 11 am 3rd, 10th , 17th , & 24th 9.45 am 2nd, 9th , 16th, 23rd & 30th 8.30 pm 11 th 7.30 pm 2nd & 23rd 12.30 pm 5th 10 am- midday 15 th 7.30 pm 2nd, 9th , 23rd & 30th 9.45 am 23 rd 2.30 pm 11 th, 18th & 25th 7.30 pm 1st, 8th, 15th , 22nd & 29th 9.45 am 3rd & 17th 2 pm 10 th & 24th 2 pm 8th 7.45 pm 7th , 14th, 21st & 28th 7.30 pm
For details on hiring the Village Hall or contacts for above groups, please phone Cathy on 9713637 or check website – www.woolhampton.org.uk
SCHOOL FETE PLANT STALL am donating plants to help raise funds for the School at their fete on July 17th . If anyone has any plants, shrubs, etc, even just one they can spare to help me out, please contact me or leave donations with Sandra at the Post Office. Cathy 0118 9713637
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BEENHAM BEENHAM CLUB Darts Knockout was held on Friday 30th April and was very well attended. After an evening packed with a high standard of darts the winners collected their prizes: Mens winner: Craig Griffiths. Runner up : Dan Woodcraft Ladies Winner : Nicole Farmer. Runner Up: Janet Larkcom Upcoming events: Darts K.O. Friday 28th May 8 pm Special World Cup Promotions - Come and support England at the Club £1 off per drink purchased when England are playing (available 30 mins before kick -off until the final whistle) PLUS a free raffle ticket per drink giving the chance of winning a £15 Beenham Club Bar voucher - 1 voucher to be won at every England match. Saturday June 12th kick-off 19:30 Friday June 18th kick-off 19:30 Wednesday June 23rd kick-off 15:00 Club open from 2 pm Members and non-members welcome. Membership is free - ask at the bar. For those that completed renewal forms your membership cards are available for collection at the bar. Check the noticeboard outside the club or keep up-to date with events by joining our group on Facebook - just search for Beenham Club
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NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH Useful numbers 999 or 112 – IMMEDIATE POLICE RESPONSE (road traffic accident, incident in progress) 08458 505 505 (ALL other reports of crime/anti-social behaviour) 0800 555111 – CRIMESTOPPERS. C a ll c e n tr e w h e r e a n o n y m o u s messages regarding any crime or intelligence information can be registered . N OT an im med iate response service. 01635 264718 Newbury Neighbourhood watch office Please report all anti-social behaviour to Rod ger Cartwright 9766010 Rodger.Cartwright@ thamesvalley.pnn .police.uk. Or to me. David Bamberger, Beenham Coordinator Tel. 0118 971 2818 Email : david.bamberger@tiscali.co.uk Mob. 07712 531340
BEENHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL Grand Opening and Summer Event 25 th June at 5 pm e would like to invite the whole village community to come and join in our summer celebration. Our new extension will be officially opened and visitors will be able to look round our school. There will be musical entertainment and a performance by school children, as well as all the usual summer event attractions such as bouncy castle, bar, burgers, tea and cakes, tombola and a wide range of high quality outside stalls. Please do come along.
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BEENHAM PCC s many of you will know, we held our Annual Parochial Church Meeting on 18th April. Copies of the Annual Report and Accounts are available in church. For your information, your PCC is as follows: Simon Witcomb and Vicky Mitra were elected as churchwardens, with Marcus Allum, Simon Chippendale, Rob Whittenbury, Margaret Wheatley, George Dunford and Rosemary Maslen elected as PCC members. The PCC is responsible for the church finances and the care and maintenance of the building. It meets every two months and is also involved in many other activities ranging from the planning o f services to the organisation of social events and fundraisers. The term of P CC membership is 3 years and new faces are always encouraged. Some of our members come on and off the PCC several times depending on work/life commitments. Something to think about for next year?
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BEENHAM WI t was almost a f u l l complement of members at our WI birthday meal this year at the Winning Hand. This now regular event is in celebration of the formation of the Beenham WI in May 1920 and a firm favourite in our calendar. Committee member Sheila Dunford has been delving a little into our past and has unearthed details of the first ever meeting of the WI in Beenham that showed a membership that consisted of “ three ladies, seven women and one school teacher”…I’ll
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leave the reader to decide on the political correctness of this list!! An enjoyable evening was had by all, catching up with friends and news whilst tucking in to food someone else had prepared – a treat indeed! Members are being encouraged, for our June competition, to use their imagination and design something ‘wild and wonderful’ in the shape of a carnival mask. The chosen winners will b e sub mitted to the W I competition tent at this year’s Royal County of Berkshire Show. Visitors are welcome at our next meeting, on 9th June 7.45 p.m., when the subject covered w ill be ‘Researching Family History’. There is a small charge of £1.50 which includes refreshments. We are keen for new members to join our WI. So ladies, if you fancy a monthly ‘night out with the girls’, to find out more about a myriad of subjects, enjoy pub lunches, outings and maybe strike up new friendships, you will be warmly welcomed. If you would like to come, just turn up, or contact our president, Carolyn Main on 9710164. Beenham WI meets on the second Wednesday of each month, at 7.45 p.m. in the Community Room. Linda Beakhouse
BEENHAM FRIENDSHIP CLUB e are hoping that Wednesday 16th June will be a sunny day when we visit Eastbourne. If you would like to join us, please contact Robin Chapman on 9713715 or Enid Newcombe on 9712411
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MIDGHAM TALLY-HO. FOX HUNTING IN MIDGHAM DURING THE 18th AND 19th CENTURIES. little known fact about Midgham is that it once had its own Hunt, which was set up in the 18th century by William Poyntz of Midgham House. A description of the daily life of Mr Poyntz during the 1780’s describes how he would Hunt most mornings, and that he kept around forty horses and ninety dogs. In 1793, William together with his friend Phillip Gill of Pitt House Ashampstead, later of Button Court Farm Midgham, added to the number of hounds by taking over the Stag-hounds which belonged to the Prince of Wales. With this acquisition William Poyntz and Phillip Gill called the enlarged Hunt, “The Yattendon and Berkshire Hunt”. It was said that William and his Hunt could ride uninterrupted from the River Thames and well into Hampshire without straying on land which wasn’t owned by a member of the Hunt. A story written in the early 19th century, recalled how Mr. Poyntz would often get as far as Overton in Hampshire. While there he would stay at one Inn but sleep at the Red Lion, (later called the Poyntz Arms) where he could keep an eye on the hounds which were kennelled there. The report also go’s on to tell us that Mr. Poyntz was helped keeping the hounds by a huntsman named John Topper, a man who liked his ale. Quite often it was said that if the hounds lost the scent of a fox, John Topper would always find the scent of an Inn, leaving the hounds to find their own way back to Midgham. By 1810, the Hunt had been taken over by William Stephen Poyntz, William’s son, who appears to have renamed it “The Midgham Hunt”. To promote it, they like many Hunts at that time had promotional horserace’s around the country, such as Abingdon racecourse in 1810, and for several years in the early 1820’s at Newmarket. Another very important part of the hunting year was its annual Hunt Ball. The Midgham Hunt Ball of 1826 must have been one which those who attended talked about for years afterwards. Two of the guests, a Mr W. of Clewer, and a Major T. (no actual names given) ended up having a Duel, after Mr W. insulted a female relative of the Major’s. On the day of the Duel, the two men met at Wingfield Plain near Windsor, where at first two shots were exchanged by each man. No one being hurt, their friends then tried to stop them, but a third shot was fired in which Mr. W. was hit in the side, thus ending the fight. Surprisingly the two men were said to have become friends after the Major’s honour and reputation had been satisfied. The eventual demise of the Midgham Hunt must have come sometime during the 1830’s, when Mr. Poyntz finally left Midgham and took up residency at Cowdary Park in Sussex. The large kennel complex which stood on the Woolhampton side of the main drive, was demolished sometime after the Estate was sold by the Poyntz family during the middle part of the 19th century. Derek Collier.
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HAWK AND CROW illiam Hawke and William Crowe are two local historic characters that could not have chosen more different careers if they tried. They both lived in the 18th century, Hawke was born in 1750 and Crowe 1745 and both were familiar with the West Berkshire area, although only William Crowe was born here in a carpenter’s cottage in Midgham. William Hawke was born in Uxbridge and swore never to knowingly rob an U xb rid ge ma n. H e b eca me a highwayman after giving up his apprenticeship as a jeweller, although maintained it was his occupation to the end. William Crowe became the Rector of Alton Barnes, Wiltshire, his fine voice and attendance at chapel gained him a place at Winchester College and later New College, Oxford. In 1782 he was presented by his college to the Rectory of Alton Barnes and in 1784 was elected Public Orator. He quickly established himself as a poet with the production of ‘Lewesdon Hill’ a poem widely appreciated and acknowledged by poets Wordsworth and Coleridge. William Hawke led a different life and a comparably shorter one by 1774 he was dead. This was not before he had fled to France and returned, then been deported to America and sold into slavery only to escape and somehow return to England travelling through Ireland and taking to the road again. One account of his final capture is that after disguising himself as a Quaker to gain the confidence of a fellow traveller and relieve him of a large sum of money. His true identity was revealed at the Old Sun Inn,
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Woolhampton, while intervening in a dispute between two locals. He was arrested by Bow Street Runner, Nicholas Bond and taken to Newgate Prison tried and hung at Tyburn in July of 1774. He wanted his epitaph to read " Farewell, vain world, I've had enough of thee," a curious remark. William Crowe lived to the age of 83, he was advised to retire to Bath for health reasons in the last 2 years and his obituary is in The Gentleman’s Magazine, Volume 145. Alex Lombardo MIDGHAM PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL PARISH MEETING he annual parish meeting held in the Village Hall on 27 April was again well attended with over 30 villagers there to hear some council news and to have the opportunity to raise any concerns. To quote our District Councillor, Irene Neill “you are my smallest parish but you get the best attendance at your village meetings”. Well done Midgham, and for me personally it was great to meet and chat with so many over a glass of wine after all the formalities. Hanslip Long, our Chairman opened the meeting, briefly touching on some of the regular parish business notably planning and snow and ice, before welcoming PC Jason Murphy from Thames Valley police Neighbourhood Team. It was great to hear that Midgham has the lowest recorded crime rate in the area, but PC Murphy reminded us to be vigilant at all times and explained how they rely on the public to be their eyes and ears and report things out of the ordinary. Alison Prudden from West Berkshire Adult & Community Learning team
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also joined the meeting to promote community learning opportunities available to Midgham. These include courses at beginner to advanced levels in a range of areas for example co m p u te r s k ills, yo g a , h is to r y, languages, gardening or indeed anything as long as there are enough people wanting to take a course. Free taster sessions, assistance in setting up and funding for courses are offered by Alison. If you are interested the Adult and Community Learning team can be contacted on 01635 519060 or Alison’s direct line is 01635 519025. The parish council continues to meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month and the minutes can be found at www.midgham.com. If there are any issues you wish to raise with the Parish Council please feel free to contact me on angela@ midghamparish.co.uk Angela Spoor Parish Clerk LONDON FOUNDLINGS & MIDGHAM (2) he infants from Thomas Coram’s Foundling Hospital, London came to Midgham under the auspices of Ann Maria Poyntz and the care of local wet nurses. They were, however, under the direct control of George Forbes, the Midgham estate steward. In September 1767, the year of a small pox epidemic in Berkshire, he wrote to the hospital, “The children under the inspection of Mrs Poyntz, Midgham, Berkshire I have returned by the bearer Elizabeth Sangwin of the nurses, vis Diana Brown, 3630, Rebecca Pine, 13045, Catherine Candour 9499. Neither of these children had the small pox” In January 1759, Forbes wrote concerning his accounts, “balanced up to 30 th
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December last past” and “ you will be pleased to observe that there is due to me £89 9s 9d as will appear by account delivered”. In September of that year,” I enclose list of things that is wanting for the Children’s use.” Mrs Poyntz wrote to the hospital on 14 th December 1751 asking that the children under her care, “might have one sur-name” so that she may know them hereafter and, “if she lives do them all service in her power”. The hospital agreed and 20 children under her supervision were given the name of Candour. One of Coram’s patrons was Hogarth, who persuaded fellow artists, Gainsborough and Reynolds to hang their works in the hospital. This was a rare opportunity for artists, in the days when there were no public display areas for such paintings. Here they would be viewed by wealthy patrons of the hospital and, possibly, purchased. George Forbes and Samuel W ills, chapel wardens, charged with the distribution of Jeyes charity monies to the deserving of M idgham, were accused of embezzling said funds. John Trigg
GENERAL INTEREST Unlock London Walk 2010 he aims of the Unlock London Walk are to raise money for Unlock’s work in deprived urban areas across the UK, to raise awareness of the issues of exclusion that Unlock exists to address, to showcase the ministry of churches in urban areas and to encourage churches in more affluent parts of the country to support the work of their fellow Christians in the inner city. On Saturday 24th April I met John and Katrina Alderton at Theale Station. The weather was quite cold, but was showing promise for being good walking weather! We caught the train to London, then the underground to Bromley by Bow Station so we could undertake the Unlock sponsored walk round London. Following our map we arrived at the first church, Bromley by Bow United Reform Church, to start our sponsored walk. The walk took us through Stratford and Newham, going past the Olympic main stadium and all the infra-structure that was being built, through a street market and along a road where every other shop sold saris and there was a wonderful smell of spices. We visited various churches on the way round, seven in all. By the end of the day we had walked over 9 miles, answered a quiz on the way round and enjoyed each other’s company. Through our efforts we have raised over £360 – thanks to all those who sponsored us. Next year the walk will be on 16th April 2011 – put the date in your diary, it is a very enjoyable day out in London, so why not join us next year .Margaret Davison
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CHAPEL ROW COMMUNITY SERVICE GROUP All are welcome at the A.G.M. on the 10th June at 8 p.m. at Douai Abbey when we will celebrate our 30th anniversary. The guest speaker is from Priors Court School, Hermitage, a specialist school for pupils with autism spectrum disorder and learning difficulties.
Calling all business women, new and experienced he Newbury branch of the networking organisation Ladies Who Latte is issuing an open invitation to women in the area to attend its June meeting. Taking place on Thursday June 24th at the Carnarvon Arms, Highclere, starting at 10 am, this will be an open meeting where anyone interested in either promoting their business, learning more about the business opportunities that exist locally or even considering setting up a similar business support group in their own village can come along and meet like minded individuals. The Group offers a friendly and understanding forum for women to discuss and obtain valuable advice on the challenges they are facing within their businesses, whilst also offering the opportunity to build new relationships that may lead to other commercial opportunities. Anyone interested in coming along to the June meeting or finding out more about Ladies Who Latte should contact Fiona Grindrod, Director of Just Wills Ridgeway on tel 01635 31540 or email: fiona@justwillsridgeway.co.uk
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FACTS have recently been up at Loughborough University for an exercise seminar and I picked up a few interesting facts that I thought I would share with you. In order for us in the 21st Century to equal the self-propelled movement (walking or cycling) of Mr & Mrs Average in the nineteen sixties we need to move a marathon a week – that’s over 26 miles -. If we were to do this, instances of obesity and its ancillary problems would virtually disappear. The average home in 1970 was heated to 13 degrees Celsius. The average home is now heated to 18 degrees Celsius. The warmer you are the fewer calories you need to keep warm. Therefore we need 300 calories a day less. We are of course, all eating far more than we did in 1970. Conversely, the Americans who use a lot of air conditioning units, are falsely lowering their body temperatures encouraging them to eat more. They are already seriously overeating! We did not have an obesity problem before Government Nutritional Guidelines were brought in. As a nation we are in fact, just about hitting the Government Nutritional Guidelines. However the statistics are g a th e r e d u s in g o n l y t h e m e a ls consumed within the home. This of course, was appropriate in the early eighties when these guidelines were set up. Nowadays, we eat about half the amount of meals in the home. Consider then how many more calories we are eating if the true figure were available. The scientists involved in determining nutritio nal guid elines agree that nutritional advice alone will not lower obesity rates. Exercise plays a key role
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in achieving a healthy lifestyle. The only good news is that the statistics for childhood obesity are leveling off. Someho w I found these facts encouraging as they underline the work I am trying to achieve. Eat healthy food and take exercise to encourage a healthy lifestyle that will look after you for the whole of your life! Theresa Wright 0118 9710255 www.theresamwright.com Cre8-it 2010 Cre8-it is the fun packed summer holiday club run by the John Simonds Trust for 8-12 year olds at Rushall Manor Farm, Bradfield The thatched barn makes a fantastic setting for action-packed days filled with art & crafts, and outdoor activities like pond-dipping, shelter building and field games. Each week is threaded with a Christian theme and rounded off with a BBQ and exhibition. It is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends outside in the sun. A team of experienced staff are ready to help and care for your children and eagerly await your application form. The holiday club will run for 3 consecutive weeks
Starting 2nd August 2010. For application form ring 0118 974 4547 or download from
www.rushallfarm.org.uk/cre8-
MOBILE LIBRARY THE BEENHAM SURGERY RUN Sponsored by Beenham Parish Council Takes patients f rom Beenham to Chapel Row Surgery on Monday and Friday mornings Please make requests for this service to the Chapel Row Surgery The volunteer drivers also collect and deliver prescriptions to Beenham
CHAPEL ROW COMMUNITY SERVICE GROUP Beenham-Midgham-Woolhampton For details of services provided, requests and offers to help ring: 0118 9713334 (Mrs Cardy) between 9.30 and 11.30 am, Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Woolhampton Surgery Run: Tuesdays—pick up points: 9.30 am Watermill Court & The Angel
Articles may be sent by e-mail Please send Word attachments in Times New Roman size 11 font with no formatting (i.e. tabs bullets etc) to sarah.henderson@lineone.net & cfc.midghamgreen@virgin.net
Beenham: Friday The Strouds Stoneyfields The Warings
June 11th 1.30-155 2.00-2.45 2.50- 3.30
Woolhampton: Thursday The Angel Watermill Ct
June 10th 10.55-11.25 11.30-12.20
Aldermaston: Wednesdays Wharfside Mallard Way
June 2nd & 23rd 2.30-3.00 3.05-4.00
Midgham: Tuesday June 15th Goddard's Drive 9.30-9.50 Douai 10.00-10.45 COPY TO Beenham Joyce Watson 9713579 Rosemary Maslen 9713824 chrisandrosemary@bravo7.plus.com Midgham Sarah Henderson
9713956
Woolha mpton John Raban
9713374
MAGAZINE DEADLINE WEDNESDAY June 16th
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The benefice of Woolhampton and Aldermaston For spiritual matters, baptisms and funerals during the interregnum please contact either Des or Elizabeth. For wedding enquiries please contact Cynthia Newman (0118 971 3525) For all other matters please contact your churchwardens Details of Services and Festivals appear each month on page three. NSM Assistant Curate The Rev’d Elizabeth Oke Tel: 9332829 e-mail oke.em@ virgin.net House for Duty Priest The Rev’d Des Foote Tel : 9712186. e-mail desfoote@dsl.pipex.com Readers Mr Hanslip Long 9713310 hanslip.long@btinternet.com Margaret Davison 9712810 Email: margaret@cheese.org Janice Macdonald 9813590 Email: macdonalds88@hotmail.co.uk St Mary’s Beenham Valence Churchwardens: Mr S Witcomb, Hillside Cottage, Beenham 9712210 Mrs V Mitra: The Forge House, Beenham 9713434 Treasurer: Mr S Chippendale 9712621 Secretary: Mrs R Maslen 9713824 Flowers: Mrs S Barham 9712885 Organist: Mr T Cooke 01635 861759 St Matthew’s Midgham Churchwardens: Mr J Goddard, The Croft, Cox’s Lane 01635 868798 Mrs S Henderson, 14 Hatch Close, Chapel Row 9713956 Treasurer: Mr M Richardson 9710016 Secretary: Mrs S Henderson 9713956 Flowers: Mrs S Evans 9713364 St Peter’s Woolhampton Churchwardens: Mrs S Nesbit 5, Orchard Close 9713140 Mr C Davison, 3, Angel Mead 9712810 Treasurer: Mr D Nicholls 01635 874088 Secretary: Mrs G Sitch 9713172
Flowers: Mrs S. Nesbit
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Church Magazine June 2010
Beenham
Midgham
Woolhampton
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Dear Friends
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e have just had the general election, and have a new Prime Minister, leading a coalition government. The process seemed tortuous at the time, but now it is all sorted, and in reality, it only took a few days. We shall feel the effects of the change over the next five years. There are similarities with our situation in the benefice. We have no Rector, and it will seem like an age, whilst we go through the process of attracting and selecting a replacement. It is, however, vitally important that we attract and choose the right person for the job. Obviously, we hope it will not take too long, but it is more important that we have the right person, than we rush the selection process. The profile document, which describes the benefice, the parishes and the issues, as well as outlining what we are looking for in our new Rector, has been agreed by the parishes and the bishop. The Patrons need to rubber stamp it, and then an advertisement will be placed in the Church Times, hopefully by the end of May. Candidate selection and interviewing is then scheduled to take place in July. In the meantime, the ministry team is working overtime, to ensure that we do not suffer in the parishes from lack of attention! They will need our continued support if they are to be able to keep this up. Administration is an issue now, and will be, even when we have a new Rector. The more help we can give with the secular side of the priest’s job, the more time the priest will have to concentrate on spiritual development and pastoral issues in the benefice. In particular, we are looking for a part time, paid, administrator, and an office from which the administrator can work. Please contact Chris Newman on 0118 971 3525 if you have any suggestions. As I write, spring is here, and the mornings are bright and clear. I pray that, as we face a new era in our benefice, the positive energy created by working together to choose a new priest, will give us an equally bright and clear future. With all good wishes Simon Witcomb (Churchwarden, St Mary’s, Beenham Valence)
WEDDINGS – WHAT IS HAPPENING? oncerns have been expressed relating to the increase in the number of weddings taking place in the Benefice and the impact this has on the time that our clergy have to spend ‘away’ from their Parishes. During 2010 Rev Des Foote and Rev Elizabeth Oke, between them, are taking 23 weddings. 5 were taken by Rev Pete Steele before he retired. The remaining 38 are being taken by clergy from surrounding Parishes and retired clergy. Their help and the support of Bishop Stephen has been pivotal in accommodating these couples all of whom go out of their way to qualify to be married here. It is acknowledged that our clergy, including a new Rector, could not be expected to take anymore weddings than our Parishes would normally generate. This means that a sustainable way forward, with particular regard to the weddings at Wasing, has to be found. Bishop Stephen is talking to all the parties involved to produce an acceptable way forward. The hope is that we can continue to welcome young people seeking a marriage in church, share our faith with them over the months that they come to our Sunday services and support them as they prepare for their marriage. Cynthia Newman, Benefice Wedding Co ordinator.
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INTERREGNUM or spiritual matters, baptisms and funerals during the interregnum please contact either Des or Elizabeth. For wedding enquiries please contact Cynthia Newman (0118 971 3525) For all other matters please contact your churchwardens
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OAKS & ACORNS will be on Thursday 3rd June Meet at St Mary’s Beenham at 2.00 pm This is during half term so all parents, carers and children welcome
6th June Aldermaston Beenham Brimpton Midgham Woolhampton
SERVICES Trinity 1 10:45 Family Service 09:15 Holy Communion 1662 10:45 Holy Communion 09:15 Matins 1662 11:00 Morning Praise
13th June Aldermaston Beenham Brimpton Midgham Woolhampton
10:45 09:15 08:00 09:15 11:00
Trinity 2 Holy Communion Family Service Holy Communion 1662 Holy Communion Family Service
20th June Aldermaston Beenham Brimpton Wasing Woolhampton
10:45 09:15 10:45 18:00 11:00
Trinity 3 Morning Praise Holy Communion Family Service Evensong Holy Communion
27th June Aldermaston Beenham Midgham Wasing
08:00 09:15 09:15 10:45
Trinity 4 / St Peter Holy Communion 1662 Morning Praise Holy Communion Holy Communion
DF DF EO DF
4th July Aldermaston Beenham Brimpton Midgham Woolhampton
10:45 09:15 10:45 09:15 11:00
Trinity 5 Family Service Holy Communion 1662 Holy Communion Matins 1662 Morning Praise
DF EO EO HL MD
JM DF DF HL MD
GS DF DF Visitor DF
EO FO JM DF
WASING P ARISH CHURCH EVEN SONG SUNDAY 20TH JUNE AT 6PM To celebrate the diamond wedding anniversary of Rosemary and Angus Campbell (Everyone is welcome)
BENEFICE NEWS FROM THE REGISTERS Baptism: ‘Members of the Family 14th February Woolhampton 25th April Aldermaston 25th April Midgham
of God’ Harry James Griggs Jack Ramsden Powell Miranda Constance Tyser
Wedding 'Till death do 24th April Aldermaston 29th April Wasing 30th April Wasing 1st May
Wasing
2nd May
Wasing
Funeral 7th May
us part' Neil Phillip Steven & Adele Joanne Taylor Jordan Mark Stone & Emily Helen Marchant Austen de Orfe Bushrod & Julie Samantha Dunster Charles John Shorthouse & Lucy Ann Louise Phillips Neil Stephen Presence & Susan Wendy Dear
'I am the resurrection and the life' West Berks crematorium Roger Wellman (formally of Beenham)
BEENHAM BAND e have been expanding our repertoire into chamber music, and will be putting on our first concert at 7.30 pm on 29th June 2010, in the Old Bluecoat School in Thatcham. The performers will be clarinet, flute and recorder choirs, a saxophone quartet and brass quintet. There will be refreshments and a retiring collection. Do come if you can – the building itself is worth a visit!
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Also, this year, we shall be playing on the Rec on 16th July 2010.
WOOLHAMPTON MARKET his month’s market will be on Saturday 5th June from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the Village Hall. Your chance to have a cup of tea, put the world to rights with anyone who’ll listen and even buy something that has taken your fancy as you browse the goods on display. Be a devil, come and see what it’s all about; you’re bound to enjoy it!
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WOOLHAMPTON & MIDGHAM WI t our May meeting we discussed the WI resolution for 2010, which considers the labelling of meats and fish with the correct country of origin. Two of our members talked, one for and one against the resolution and it made for an interesting discussion. The meeting ended with cheese and wine. Our next meeting will be on June 8th and will be our annual walk followed by supper in Woolhampton Village Hall. If you would be interested in joining us please meet at the hall at 7.15 p.m.
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Woolhampton Village Hall Trustees Annual General Meeting Friday 11th June at 7.30 pm in the Hall All villagers are welcome
NATURE NOTES t is no wonder that we English have a reputation of talking about nothing but the weather! It has so much influence on the variations of our springs: a warm spell brings out the flowers and then a cold spell will hold them in abatement for a while. This year we were able to enjoy snowdrops and daffodils for longer than usual because the weather was cold, and the same thing happened to the cherry and may blossom. The birds, however, have to carry on regardless. They can’t ask their eggs not to hatch because it has turned cold and feeding them will be more difficult. Birds with small broods such as robins and blackbirds, rear two and probably three broods a year, so they are more sure that at least one will be successful. Those like the tits and wrens with large broods have to put all their eggs in one basket, literally, and so are more prone to disaster. When they do fly predators such as sparrow-hawks are looking for tasty morsels on which to feed their young, so many will not make maturity. And then there are the cats. They have to have their sport, as we do, but they seem to know when the young are about to leave the nest and are waiting in eager anticipation. I’m afraid that this time the birds have my preference. Stella Nesbit
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WELCOMING NEW RESIDENTS – REMINDER e, the clergy and congregation of St. Peter’s, believe it is very important that we welcome new residents to the village, and invite them to join our services. To help us to do this, please could you let me know when you become aware of new people moving in, with their names and addresses, and I will arrange for a welcome pack to be delivered to them. If you know the address but not their names please let me know anyway. Thank you for your help. Nick Humble. Tel: 0118-971-4035, or nick.humble@btopenworld.com. My postal address is: Beenham Lodge Cottage, Cods Hill, Beenham, RG7 5QG.
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VILLAGE HALL Art Club Baby & Toddler Fellowship group Fitness League Keep Fit (aerobic) Hall Trustees Lunch Club Market Parish Council Pilates Senior Social club Short mat bowls Stroke Care Tea dance Whist W.I Yoga
Monday Monday Monday Thursday Wednesda y Friday Wednesda y Saturday Tuesday Wednesda y Wednesda y Friday Tuesday Thursday Thursday Tuesday Monday
7th , 14th 21 st & 28th 2 pm 7th , 14th 21 st & 28th 10 am 7th 11 am 3rd, 10th , 17th , & 24th 9.45 am 2nd, 9th , 16th, 23rd & 30th 8.30 pm 11 th 7.30 pm 2nd & 23rd 12.30 pm 5th 10 am- midday 15 th 7.30 pm 2nd, 9th , 23rd & 30th 9.45 am 23 rd 2.30 pm 11 th, 18th & 25th 7.30 pm 1st, 8th, 15th , 22nd & 29th 9.45 am 3rd & 17th 2 pm 10 th & 24th 2 pm 8th 7.45 pm 7th , 14th, 21st & 28th 7.30 pm
For details on hiring the Village Hall or contacts for above groups, please phone Cathy on 9713637 or check website – www.woolhampton.org.uk
SCHOOL FETE PLANT STALL am donating plants to help raise funds for the School at their fete on July 17th . If anyone has any plants, shrubs, etc, even just one they can spare to help me out, please contact me or leave donations with Sandra at the Post Office. Cathy 0118 9713637
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BEENHAM BEENHAM CLUB Darts Knockout was held on Friday 30th April and was very well attended. After an evening packed with a high standard of darts the winners collected their prizes: Mens winner: Craig Griffiths. Runner up : Dan Woodcraft Ladies Winner : Nicole Farmer. Runner Up: Janet Larkcom Upcoming events: Darts K.O. Friday 28th May 8 pm Special World Cup Promotions - Come and support England at the Club £1 off per drink purchased when England are playing (available 30 mins before kick -off until the final whistle) PLUS a free raffle ticket per drink giving the chance of winning a £15 Beenham Club Bar voucher - 1 voucher to be won at every England match. Saturday June 12th kick-off 19:30 Friday June 18th kick-off 19:30 Wednesday June 23rd kick-off 15:00 Club open from 2 pm Members and non-members welcome. Membership is free - ask at the bar. For those that completed renewal forms your membership cards are available for collection at the bar. Check the noticeboard outside the club or keep up-to date with events by joining our group on Facebook - just search for Beenham Club
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NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH Useful numbers 999 or 112 – IMMEDIATE POLICE RESPONSE (road traffic accident, incident in progress) 08458 505 505 (ALL other reports of crime/anti-social behaviour) 0800 555111 – CRIMESTOPPERS. C a ll c e n tr e w h e r e a n o n y m o u s messages regarding any crime or intelligence information can be registered . N OT an im med iate response service. 01635 264718 Newbury Neighbourhood watch office Please report all anti-social behaviour to Rod ger Cartwright 9766010 Rodger.Cartwright@ thamesvalley.pnn .police.uk. Or to me. David Bamberger, Beenham Coordinator Tel. 0118 971 2818 Email : david.bamberger@tiscali.co.uk Mob. 07712 531340
BEENHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL Grand Opening and Summer Event 25 th June at 5 pm e would like to invite the whole village community to come and join in our summer celebration. Our new extension will be officially opened and visitors will be able to look round our school. There will be musical entertainment and a performance by school children, as well as all the usual summer event attractions such as bouncy castle, bar, burgers, tea and cakes, tombola and a wide range of high quality outside stalls. Please do come along.
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BEENHAM PCC s many of you will know, we held our Annual Parochial Church Meeting on 18th April. Copies of the Annual Report and Accounts are available in church. For your information, your PCC is as follows: Simon Witcomb and Vicky Mitra were elected as churchwardens, with Marcus Allum, Simon Chippendale, Rob Whittenbury, Margaret Wheatley, George Dunford and Rosemary Maslen elected as PCC members. The PCC is responsible for the church finances and the care and maintenance of the building. It meets every two months and is also involved in many other activities ranging from the planning o f services to the organisation of social events and fundraisers. The term of P CC membership is 3 years and new faces are always encouraged. Some of our members come on and off the PCC several times depending on work/life commitments. Something to think about for next year?
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BEENHAM WI t was almost a f u l l complement of members at our WI birthday meal this year at the Winning Hand. This now regular event is in celebration of the formation of the Beenham WI in May 1920 and a firm favourite in our calendar. Committee member Sheila Dunford has been delving a little into our past and has unearthed details of the first ever meeting of the WI in Beenham that showed a membership that consisted of “ three ladies, seven women and one school teacher”…I’ll
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leave the reader to decide on the political correctness of this list!! An enjoyable evening was had by all, catching up with friends and news whilst tucking in to food someone else had prepared – a treat indeed! Members are being encouraged, for our June competition, to use their imagination and design something ‘wild and wonderful’ in the shape of a carnival mask. The chosen winners will b e sub mitted to the W I competition tent at this year’s Royal County of Berkshire Show. Visitors are welcome at our next meeting, on 9th June 7.45 p.m., when the subject covered w ill be ‘Researching Family History’. There is a small charge of £1.50 which includes refreshments. We are keen for new members to join our WI. So ladies, if you fancy a monthly ‘night out with the girls’, to find out more about a myriad of subjects, enjoy pub lunches, outings and maybe strike up new friendships, you will be warmly welcomed. If you would like to come, just turn up, or contact our president, Carolyn Main on 9710164. Beenham WI meets on the second Wednesday of each month, at 7.45 p.m. in the Community Room. Linda Beakhouse
BEENHAM FRIENDSHIP CLUB e are hoping that Wednesday 16th June will be a sunny day when we visit Eastbourne. If you would like to join us, please contact Robin Chapman on 9713715 or Enid Newcombe on 9712411
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MIDGHAM TALLY-HO. FOX HUNTING IN MIDGHAM DURING THE 18th AND 19th CENTURIES. little known fact about Midgham is that it once had its own Hunt, which was set up in the 18th century by William Poyntz of Midgham House. A description of the daily life of Mr Poyntz during the 1780’s describes how he would Hunt most mornings, and that he kept around forty horses and ninety dogs. In 1793, William together with his friend Phillip Gill of Pitt House Ashampstead, later of Button Court Farm Midgham, added to the number of hounds by taking over the Stag-hounds which belonged to the Prince of Wales. With this acquisition William Poyntz and Phillip Gill called the enlarged Hunt, “The Yattendon and Berkshire Hunt”. It was said that William and his Hunt could ride uninterrupted from the River Thames and well into Hampshire without straying on land which wasn’t owned by a member of the Hunt. A story written in the early 19th century, recalled how Mr. Poyntz would often get as far as Overton in Hampshire. While there he would stay at one Inn but sleep at the Red Lion, (later called the Poyntz Arms) where he could keep an eye on the hounds which were kennelled there. The report also go’s on to tell us that Mr. Poyntz was helped keeping the hounds by a huntsman named John Topper, a man who liked his ale. Quite often it was said that if the hounds lost the scent of a fox, John Topper would always find the scent of an Inn, leaving the hounds to find their own way back to Midgham. By 1810, the Hunt had been taken over by William Stephen Poyntz, William’s son, who appears to have renamed it “The Midgham Hunt”. To promote it, they like many Hunts at that time had promotional horserace’s around the country, such as Abingdon racecourse in 1810, and for several years in the early 1820’s at Newmarket. Another very important part of the hunting year was its annual Hunt Ball. The Midgham Hunt Ball of 1826 must have been one which those who attended talked about for years afterwards. Two of the guests, a Mr W. of Clewer, and a Major T. (no actual names given) ended up having a Duel, after Mr W. insulted a female relative of the Major’s. On the day of the Duel, the two men met at Wingfield Plain near Windsor, where at first two shots were exchanged by each man. No one being hurt, their friends then tried to stop them, but a third shot was fired in which Mr. W. was hit in the side, thus ending the fight. Surprisingly the two men were said to have become friends after the Major’s honour and reputation had been satisfied. The eventual demise of the Midgham Hunt must have come sometime during the 1830’s, when Mr. Poyntz finally left Midgham and took up residency at Cowdary Park in Sussex. The large kennel complex which stood on the Woolhampton side of the main drive, was demolished sometime after the Estate was sold by the Poyntz family during the middle part of the 19th century. Derek Collier.
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HAWK AND CROW illiam Hawke and William Crowe are two local historic characters that could not have chosen more different careers if they tried. They both lived in the 18th century, Hawke was born in 1750 and Crowe 1745 and both were familiar with the West Berkshire area, although only William Crowe was born here in a carpenter’s cottage in Midgham. William Hawke was born in Uxbridge and swore never to knowingly rob an U xb rid ge ma n. H e b eca me a highwayman after giving up his apprenticeship as a jeweller, although maintained it was his occupation to the end. William Crowe became the Rector of Alton Barnes, Wiltshire, his fine voice and attendance at chapel gained him a place at Winchester College and later New College, Oxford. In 1782 he was presented by his college to the Rectory of Alton Barnes and in 1784 was elected Public Orator. He quickly established himself as a poet with the production of ‘Lewesdon Hill’ a poem widely appreciated and acknowledged by poets Wordsworth and Coleridge. William Hawke led a different life and a comparably shorter one by 1774 he was dead. This was not before he had fled to France and returned, then been deported to America and sold into slavery only to escape and somehow return to England travelling through Ireland and taking to the road again. One account of his final capture is that after disguising himself as a Quaker to gain the confidence of a fellow traveller and relieve him of a large sum of money. His true identity was revealed at the Old Sun Inn,
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Woolhampton, while intervening in a dispute between two locals. He was arrested by Bow Street Runner, Nicholas Bond and taken to Newgate Prison tried and hung at Tyburn in July of 1774. He wanted his epitaph to read " Farewell, vain world, I've had enough of thee," a curious remark. William Crowe lived to the age of 83, he was advised to retire to Bath for health reasons in the last 2 years and his obituary is in The Gentleman’s Magazine, Volume 145. Alex Lombardo MIDGHAM PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL PARISH MEETING he annual parish meeting held in the Village Hall on 27 April was again well attended with over 30 villagers there to hear some council news and to have the opportunity to raise any concerns. To quote our District Councillor, Irene Neill “you are my smallest parish but you get the best attendance at your village meetings”. Well done Midgham, and for me personally it was great to meet and chat with so many over a glass of wine after all the formalities. Hanslip Long, our Chairman opened the meeting, briefly touching on some of the regular parish business notably planning and snow and ice, before welcoming PC Jason Murphy from Thames Valley police Neighbourhood Team. It was great to hear that Midgham has the lowest recorded crime rate in the area, but PC Murphy reminded us to be vigilant at all times and explained how they rely on the public to be their eyes and ears and report things out of the ordinary. Alison Prudden from West Berkshire Adult & Community Learning team
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also joined the meeting to promote community learning opportunities available to Midgham. These include courses at beginner to advanced levels in a range of areas for example co m p u te r s k ills, yo g a , h is to r y, languages, gardening or indeed anything as long as there are enough people wanting to take a course. Free taster sessions, assistance in setting up and funding for courses are offered by Alison. If you are interested the Adult and Community Learning team can be contacted on 01635 519060 or Alison’s direct line is 01635 519025. The parish council continues to meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month and the minutes can be found at www.midgham.com. If there are any issues you wish to raise with the Parish Council please feel free to contact me on angela@ midghamparish.co.uk Angela Spoor Parish Clerk LONDON FOUNDLINGS & MIDGHAM (2) he infants from Thomas Coram’s Foundling Hospital, London came to Midgham under the auspices of Ann Maria Poyntz and the care of local wet nurses. They were, however, under the direct control of George Forbes, the Midgham estate steward. In September 1767, the year of a small pox epidemic in Berkshire, he wrote to the hospital, “The children under the inspection of Mrs Poyntz, Midgham, Berkshire I have returned by the bearer Elizabeth Sangwin of the nurses, vis Diana Brown, 3630, Rebecca Pine, 13045, Catherine Candour 9499. Neither of these children had the small pox” In January 1759, Forbes wrote concerning his accounts, “balanced up to 30 th
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December last past” and “ you will be pleased to observe that there is due to me £89 9s 9d as will appear by account delivered”. In September of that year,” I enclose list of things that is wanting for the Children’s use.” Mrs Poyntz wrote to the hospital on 14 th December 1751 asking that the children under her care, “might have one sur-name” so that she may know them hereafter and, “if she lives do them all service in her power”. The hospital agreed and 20 children under her supervision were given the name of Candour. One of Coram’s patrons was Hogarth, who persuaded fellow artists, Gainsborough and Reynolds to hang their works in the hospital. This was a rare opportunity for artists, in the days when there were no public display areas for such paintings. Here they would be viewed by wealthy patrons of the hospital and, possibly, purchased. George Forbes and Samuel W ills, chapel wardens, charged with the distribution of Jeyes charity monies to the deserving of M idgham, were accused of embezzling said funds. John Trigg
GENERAL INTEREST Unlock London Walk 2010 he aims of the Unlock London Walk are to raise money for Unlock’s work in deprived urban areas across the UK, to raise awareness of the issues of exclusion that Unlock exists to address, to showcase the ministry of churches in urban areas and to encourage churches in more affluent parts of the country to support the work of their fellow Christians in the inner city. On Saturday 24th April I met John and Katrina Alderton at Theale Station. The weather was quite cold, but was showing promise for being good walking weather! We caught the train to London, then the underground to Bromley by Bow Station so we could undertake the Unlock sponsored walk round London. Following our map we arrived at the first church, Bromley by Bow United Reform Church, to start our sponsored walk. The walk took us through Stratford and Newham, going past the Olympic main stadium and all the infra-structure that was being built, through a street market and along a road where every other shop sold saris and there was a wonderful smell of spices. We visited various churches on the way round, seven in all. By the end of the day we had walked over 9 miles, answered a quiz on the way round and enjoyed each other’s company. Through our efforts we have raised over £360 – thanks to all those who sponsored us. Next year the walk will be on 16th April 2011 – put the date in your diary, it is a very enjoyable day out in London, so why not join us next year .Margaret Davison
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CHAPEL ROW COMMUNITY SERVICE GROUP All are welcome at the A.G.M. on the 10th June at 8 p.m. at Douai Abbey when we will celebrate our 30th anniversary. The guest speaker is from Priors Court School, Hermitage, a specialist school for pupils with autism spectrum disorder and learning difficulties.
Calling all business women, new and experienced he Newbury branch of the networking organisation Ladies Who Latte is issuing an open invitation to women in the area to attend its June meeting. Taking place on Thursday June 24th at the Carnarvon Arms, Highclere, starting at 10 am, this will be an open meeting where anyone interested in either promoting their business, learning more about the business opportunities that exist locally or even considering setting up a similar business support group in their own village can come along and meet like minded individuals. The Group offers a friendly and understanding forum for women to discuss and obtain valuable advice on the challenges they are facing within their businesses, whilst also offering the opportunity to build new relationships that may lead to other commercial opportunities. Anyone interested in coming along to the June meeting or finding out more about Ladies Who Latte should contact Fiona Grindrod, Director of Just Wills Ridgeway on tel 01635 31540 or email: fiona@justwillsridgeway.co.uk
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FACTS have recently been up at Loughborough University for an exercise seminar and I picked up a few interesting facts that I thought I would share with you. In order for us in the 21st Century to equal the self-propelled movement (walking or cycling) of Mr & Mrs Average in the nineteen sixties we need to move a marathon a week – that’s over 26 miles -. If we were to do this, instances of obesity and its ancillary problems would virtually disappear. The average home in 1970 was heated to 13 degrees Celsius. The average home is now heated to 18 degrees Celsius. The warmer you are the fewer calories you need to keep warm. Therefore we need 300 calories a day less. We are of course, all eating far more than we did in 1970. Conversely, the Americans who use a lot of air conditioning units, are falsely lowering their body temperatures encouraging them to eat more. They are already seriously overeating! We did not have an obesity problem before Government Nutritional Guidelines were brought in. As a nation we are in fact, just about hitting the Government Nutritional Guidelines. However the statistics are g a th e r e d u s in g o n l y t h e m e a ls consumed within the home. This of course, was appropriate in the early eighties when these guidelines were set up. Nowadays, we eat about half the amount of meals in the home. Consider then how many more calories we are eating if the true figure were available. The scientists involved in determining nutritio nal guid elines agree that nutritional advice alone will not lower obesity rates. Exercise plays a key role
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in achieving a healthy lifestyle. The only good news is that the statistics for childhood obesity are leveling off. Someho w I found these facts encouraging as they underline the work I am trying to achieve. Eat healthy food and take exercise to encourage a healthy lifestyle that will look after you for the whole of your life! Theresa Wright 0118 9710255 www.theresamwright.com Cre8-it 2010 Cre8-it is the fun packed summer holiday club run by the John Simonds Trust for 8-12 year olds at Rushall Manor Farm, Bradfield The thatched barn makes a fantastic setting for action-packed days filled with art & crafts, and outdoor activities like pond-dipping, shelter building and field games. Each week is threaded with a Christian theme and rounded off with a BBQ and exhibition. It is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends outside in the sun. A team of experienced staff are ready to help and care for your children and eagerly await your application form. The holiday club will run for 3 consecutive weeks
Starting 2nd August 2010. For application form ring 0118 974 4547 or download from
www.rushallfarm.org.uk/cre8-
MOBILE LIBRARY THE BEENHAM SURGERY RUN Sponsored by Beenham Parish Council Takes patients f rom Beenham to Chapel Row Surgery on Monday and Friday mornings Please make requests for this service to the Chapel Row Surgery The volunteer drivers also collect and deliver prescriptions to Beenham
CHAPEL ROW COMMUNITY SERVICE GROUP Beenham-Midgham-Woolhampton For details of services provided, requests and offers to help ring: 0118 9713334 (Mrs Cardy) between 9.30 and 11.30 am, Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Woolhampton Surgery Run: Tuesdays—pick up points: 9.30 am Watermill Court & The Angel
Articles may be sent by e-mail Please send Word attachments in Times New Roman size 11 font with no formatting (i.e. tabs bullets etc) to sarah.henderson@lineone.net & cfc.midghamgreen@virgin.net
Beenham: Friday The Strouds Stoneyfields The Warings
June 11th 1.30-155 2.00-2.45 2.50- 3.30
Woolhampton: Thursday The Angel Watermill Ct
June 10th 10.55-11.25 11.30-12.20
Aldermaston: Wednesdays Wharfside Mallard Way
June 2nd & 23rd 2.30-3.00 3.05-4.00
Midgham: Tuesday June 15th Goddard's Drive 9.30-9.50 Douai 10.00-10.45 COPY TO Beenham Joyce Watson 9713579 Rosemary Maslen 9713824 chrisandrosemary@bravo7.plus.com Midgham Sarah Henderson
9713956
Woolha mpton John Raban
9713374
MAGAZINE DEADLINE WEDNESDAY June 16th
FOCUS
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PLUMBING PROPERTY REPAIRS LANDSCAPING.
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ADVANCED CITY AND GUILDS QUALIFIED
FOR A PROMPT RELIABLE CHRISTIAN SERVICE
PLEASE CALL IAN ON 01635-826918, FIELD AND PADDOCK MAINTENANC E Harrowing, Rolling, Rotovating, Topping, Spraying, Fertilising, Re-Seeding, Wild Flower Planting Telephone Jim on 01491 671760 Mobile 07833 131068 Over 30 years experience
Double Dawes Fencing & GARDEN MAINTENANCE 1 Hall Place Cottage, Clay Hill Lane Beenham, RG7 5PL Phone 0118 9712115 Mobile (Andrew) 07768 884 715 Mobile (Mandy) 07764 794 429 GARDEN MAINTENANCE FENCING LAWN MOWING TREE TOPPING HEDGE CUTTING PATIOS DRIVES GARDEN PONDS ETC
OR MOB 07789747042 PESTS’END RODENT CONTROL
Rats Mice Moles Rabbits Squirrels Andrew Dawes 1 Hall Place Cottage Clay Hill Lane Beenham Reading RG7 5PL Home 0118 9712115 Mobile 07768884715
LOGS FOR SALE All Seasoned. By Bag or Loose load Call 0118 9700765 or 07904 440468
The benefice of Woolhampton and Aldermaston For spiritual matters, baptisms and funerals during the interregnum please contact either Des or Elizabeth. For wedding enquiries please contact Cynthia Newman (0118 971 3525) For all other matters please contact your churchwardens Details of Services and Festivals appear each month on page three. NSM Assistant Curate The Rev’d Elizabeth Oke Tel: 9332829 e-mail oke.em@ virgin.net House for Duty Priest The Rev’d Des Foote Tel : 9712186. e-mail desfoote@dsl.pipex.com Readers Mr Hanslip Long 9713310 hanslip.long@btinternet.com Margaret Davison 9712810 Email: margaret@cheese.org Janice Macdonald 9813590 Email: macdonalds88@hotmail.co.uk St Mary’s Beenham Valence Churchwardens: Mr S Witcomb, Hillside Cottage, Beenham 9712210 Mrs V Mitra: The Forge House, Beenham 9713434 Treasurer: Mr S Chippendale 9712621 Secretary: Mrs R Maslen 9713824 Flowers: Mrs S Barham 9712885 Organist: Mr T Cooke 01635 861759 St Matthew’s Midgham Churchwardens: Mr J Goddard, The Croft, Cox’s Lane 01635 868798 Mrs S Henderson, 14 Hatch Close, Chapel Row 9713956 Treasurer: Mr M Richardson 9710016 Secretary: Mrs S Henderson 9713956 Flowers: Mrs S Evans 9713364 St Peter’s Woolhampton Churchwardens: Mrs S Nesbit 5, Orchard Close 9713140 Mr C Davison, 3, Angel Mead 9712810 Treasurer: Mr D Nicholls 01635 874088 Secretary: Mrs G Sitch 9713172
Flowers: Mrs S. Nesbit
9713140 NOT FEELING 100%?
Complementary therapies help ease: headaches, backache, stiff neck, digestive problems, poor sleep, stress and anxiety Therapies offered: full body massage, Indian head massage, pregnancy and labour massage, reflexology, reiki Have a treatment in the comfort of your own home or at my base in Woolhampton Please Contact Margaret Hall 07702 028742 or margaret_e_hall@hotmail.com for more information and to discuss your requirements Gift Vouchers available Registered with the General Regulatory Council for Complementary Therapies: Register Number 642132 See www.GRCCT.org
SUN GARAGE (Barber &Reynolds) MOT Testing & Service Centre Repairs Family Run Business Established for over 60 years 0118 971 3237 Bath Road, Woolhampton Reading RG7 5RH
KEITH BRYANT CARPENTRY
Over 30 years experience in carpentry and joinery work in the Reading area FREE QUOTES GIVEN TEL: 0118 9713568 Mob: 07866 862609 11 Back Lane, Beenham, Reading
Life and Property Care Limited Heating Installation, Servicing and Breakdown for Oil, LPG Mains Gas and Solid Fuel Commercial Work and General Plumbing Gas Safe & Institute of Plumbing and Heating registered Tel 0118 9712954 Freefone 0800 328 2867 ema il: lpc.ltd@btco nne ct.com website: www.life and pro pertycare.co.uk Ace Property House Maintenance Decorating Painting Internal and External Bathrooms Complete refits shower pumps tiling Plumbing Sinks mixers Radiators hot water cylinders Electrical Lighting extra sockets Immersions faulty rings Carpentry Floors laid Doors hung Stud work created Plastering Dry lining new ceilings wall & ceiling skims All House Maintenance Repairs undertaken
Paul H Morris New Hope Beenham Reading RG7 5NN
Web.Ace-Property.co.uk Email APHM@BTinternet.com Mob: 077522 85222 LL: 0118 9710579
Positivesolutions Altogetherindividual
No time for housework? We’ll clean your home to the highest standard! ü Friendly, fully trained team ü Flexible cleaning services (weekly, fortnightly, monthly)
ü S pring cleaning, one-off blitz ü All cleaning products & equipment provided ü Your clean is guaranteed Call
01635 873911
for a F REE estimate
myhome Ta king c are of your chores
þMORGAGES þPENSIONS þ INVESTMENT þ PROTECTION
For a caring, personal, professional service contact SIMON HANNAM Tel: 01635-273283 mob :07831 143330 Email:simonhannam@ thinkpositive.c o.uk 58 , THE BROADWAY, THATCHAM, BERKS, RG19 3HP
Simon Hannam an IFA partner with Positive Solutions which is
Newbury.clean@myhome.com
PIKE BROS Joinery and Cabinet Design PURPOSE MADE JOINERY IN SOFT AND HARD WOOD HANDMADE Kitchens Windows Doors Fitted and Freestanding Furniture Wood turning 32 Bath Road, Midgham Tel: 9712664
A safe pair of hands at a difficult time – we specialise in post-funeral receptions
The Positive Reception Company • In your own home or a hired venue • Flexible numbers easily catered for • From tea and coffee to a buffet lunch • Crockery and glassware included We think of everything so you don’t have to Andrea Cook 01635 280543 other occasions also catered for www.thep ositivereceptio ncomp any.co.uk
PAUL.S.WALDEN Painter & Decorator For all your painting and decorating requirements
City & Guilds Qualified Interior & Exterior 25 Years Experience All Work Guaranteed Tel No: 07802 578934
Fiona Kirby Interiors ( City & Guilds Qualified) Soft Furnishings (curtains, blinds, loose covers) Upholstery. Design. Tel: 0118 9712972