LIDBA LIPHOOK BIKE RIDE Jeremy Dawes is riding the 25-mile Bike Ride in support of St. Luke’s Milland on 12th June. He’s looking for sponsors and if you could help please call John Dawes, on 01428 289461 . Thank you very much
MILLAND EVANGELICAL CHURCH Iping Road Ladies meeting 2nd Tuesday of each month from 2.15 - 3.30 pm
Tuesday 14th June the speaker will be Mrs Kay Swindell who will tell us about the work and experiences she had during her weeks in France amongst the notorious migrant camps. A step further to our gathering of aid for Syria and Iran this winter. All welcome, please come. Refreshments Contact Olive Fleming 741303 for more information
ADVANCE NOTICE
4 SEPTEMBER A repeat of our very successful BBQ St Luke’s Church LINCH MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE DATE FREE!!! More details to follow
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From the Rector… The Secret Ceremony This year has been dominated by Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th Birthday, we had our wonderful celebration in Milland on 21st April, when we lit the beacon, raised a glass or two and sang some of our favourite patriotic songs dressed in our red white and blue. Whether one is a royalist or not no one can deny that Her Majesty has spent a lifetime devotedly serving her people. However, she has not only served her people but she has served her God. Many of us have seen the book which has been published as a tribute for Her Majesty’s 90th year. It is entitled The Servant Queen and the King she serves. It shows a life of commitment to God and she says I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God…I draw strength from the message of hope in the Christian gospel. Even someone as powerful as the Queen knows that it is God who is all powerful and that it is only through God’s strength that she can cope with the immensity of her calling. At her coronation, there was only one moment in the ceremony that was not televised. It was considered too sacred to show. This was the time when she was anointed. As Handel’s Zadok the Priest was sung, the symbols of the Queen’s status were removed – the crimson velvet robe, the diamond diadem, and the coronation necklace. She is left dressed in a simple white dress. The Archbishop anoints her with holy oil and pours it on her hands, her chest and her head to show that she is being set apart to serve and to love her people in all her actions, with all her heart and mind. In that commitment, she follows the example of Christ who was also anointed, and set apart not to be served but to serve and in his case, to sacrifice his life so we can have life that lasts forever. At 3pm on June 11th we are having Hymns and Pimms on the Rectory lawn, please join us to raise a glass yet again to Her Majesty and to sing some of our favourite hymns. This is the prelude to the Street Party on 12th June. The Queen is an inspiration to us all, and God is her inspiration. She knows whose servant she is and what the Lord requires of her, and the Lord requires of us the same. “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Amen.
DIARY DATES JUNE June
5
RURAL FAIR Baptism for Scarlet Milland 8 Chapter Easebourne 11 11am Tuxlith Mtg 11.30am Blessing for David and Brittany Grocott Linch Thanksgiving for Lea and Lorraine’s 40th Ruby Anniversary Linch 3pm Hymns and Pimms Rectory Lawn 12 1pm Village Celebrations for HMQs birthday 18/19 The Annual Art and Craft Exhibition Tuxlith 22 10am George Street Trust Meeting The Spinney, Hillbrow
Beware of leptospirosis It’s summer, and many of us are out and about. Take care when touching anything wet outside, or when touching soil. Leptospirosis is a deadly disease which is spread through the urine of rats, and it can be caught by humans and unvaccinated dogs when the bacteria, found in soil or water, gets into the mouth, eyes or any small break in the skin. The wetter the summer, the greater the danger.
From the St Luke’s Milland Church Wardens On the 17th April at Milland APCM I was voted in as the new Churchwarden - I suspect (and hope) much to Michael's relief. He has battled on valiantly as the sole Churchwarden to which we all owe him a great debt of gratitude. I hope over the next year to encourage our two churches to come together, both in worship and socially, we have such an amazing leader in Trish, it would be great to combine our talents with her leadership. Many thanks to all who have offered me such valuable help and advice, please carry on doing so while I 'learn on the job'. I will try to live up to Michael's standards, not an easy act to follow, but I will do my very best." Lynne C. It's great to be able at last to put this heading in the plural, because by the time you read this we will have both been licensed by Archdeacon Fiona at Easebourne on 24th May so please wish us well. There has not been much in the church last month other than our normal services, except for another successful Messy Church on May 20th, but at the PCC meeting on 16th May we received a report on the church fabric which does not make happy reading. You will all be aware that the Memorial Garden has been virtually sealed off for several weeks, but unfortunately there was a further fall last week of small pieces of masonry in the same area, which suggests that the necessary repairs will be more extensive and expensive than was originally anticipated. This is a real "chicken and egg" situation as we shall have to spend a large amount on scaffolding in order to assess what is required to be done. Sadly, our church has reached an age when it is beginning to deteriorate, but it will be a few weeks before we can put forward a time table for the work, and let contracts etc. We are unlikely to be able to afford to do everything at once, however. The first priority will be to deal with the roof above the Memorial Garden, and we are glad to say that the temporary platform should now be in place, so that people can enter safely and the ghastly red tape has been removed Lynne & Michael
Life in the Circus A couple who worked at the circus wanted to adopt a child. Social workers had doubts about their suitability, but the couple produced photos of their large motor-home, which was equipped with a beautiful nursery. As for education, not only was there a nanny, but also a fulltime tutor to teach the child all the usual subjects along with French, Mandarin and computer skills. Finally, the social workers were satisfied, and had only one last question. "What age child are you hoping to adopt?" "Oh, we don’t mind at all,” the couple assured them. “As long as he fits in the cannon."
St. Luke’s Milland Jottings from the P.C.C. meeting on 16th May.
The meeting started with Anne Alderman and Bob Ireland being elected as Hon Treasurer and Hon PCC Secretary respectively. Michael Cartwright welcomed Lynne Collard as the new (second) Churchwarden. Sheila Pim confirmed that she had received some very positive feedback about the magazine with the new subscriptions, this included a letter from the Dunhams now happily settled in their new house in East Grinstead. Trish also had received very good feedback about the afternoon Good Friday Service at Milland, this will be repeated in 2017. Sam Pope had provided a Churchyard Report including a number of ‘Suggested Improvements’ which were discussed. There was also extensive discussion regarding the current issues with the church fabric, which are described in a separate article in this magazine. Bob Ireland confirmed that he has requested quotations for the installation of a sound/amplification system, and is waiting for suppliers to respond and visit the church to scope out the requirements. Sheila Pim reported on the OFSTED inspection at Rake School in April which had just been received, classifying the school as “Good”, which is an excellent result. There were only two negative comments, one regarding the teaching of phonics, which has been addressed, and one about unauthorised absences, an issue recently of national public interest. The PCC asked Sheila to convey congratulations to the Headmaster and staff on this excellent outcome. ( See News from Rake School elsewhere in this magazine). Sheila also confirmed that the School Leavers Service would be on Thursday 21st July; and leavers will each be given a Bible from the church. The PCC reviewed events which the parish and benefice are involved: Rural Fair/ Sunday 5th June: The theme for the Church presence at the Milland Rural Fair on 5th June would be to show what the Churches in Milland and Linch offer to the local communities, especially for children, also a cake stall would be there, as usual; a list for cake contributions is in the church; Janet Werner had provided a summary of the administration and organisation. Lynne Collard raised the issue of provision of St Lukes Milland bags, tea-towels and mouse mats, to be offered for donations, JSD’s son Jeremy is riding in the LIBDA Bike Ride, sponsorship is progressing with forms being circulated, £2-300 has been committed so far. Tuxlith Art Festival: Janet Werner is organising activities around the Festival (18th-19th June 2016) on a benefice basis, Milland church will be well-decorated and volunteers to man stalls are requested for the plant and bric-a-brac stalls. Sheila Pim reported that Rake School will be converting the church window opposite the South door into a decorated ‘stained glass’ window with cellophane.
St Lukes Milland Church Fabric: In the last few months Milland church has experienced some problems with the roof tiles disintegrating, which has resulted in the tape and notices that you will have seen around the Memorial Garden at the side of the church. At our recent PCC meeting John Dawes reported, on behalf of the Church Fabric Committee, on the Coping Stone (ridge tiles) Delamination and the current position, following recent further falls of masonry. The PCC agreed to the erection of scaffolding with protective planking over the Memorial Garden, whilst the situation was reviewed. This will be done in June and the costs will be £850 for an initial 12 weeks, if an extension period is required it would be at a cost of £42.50 per month. This would provide protection for the area over and around the Memorial Garden and allow the current tapes etc. to be removed. A further initial estimate of costs for the scaffolding and repairs to the Coping Stones at both the East and West ends of the roof has been supplied being £25,000; however it is difficult to provide a detailed cost until the areas of concern can be inspected in more detail. The PCC would ask for peoples’ understanding AND CARE when around the church as the combination of a wet/cold winter and now the air temperature rising is likely to result in further bits of ridge tile and plaster falling. The other repair work being managed by the St Luke’sMilland Fabric Committee is the repair to the windows at the west end of the nave/tower, which have corroded, plus 4 new windows in the South Porch where the present glass is cracked or bowed and needs renewal. We have a quotation of £8,000 for this work, but the project is on hold whilst the coping tile issue is addressed. Lastly we need to waterproof the inside of the bell tower and to repair/replace the door and frame at the top of the tower as the wood is rotten. The church Fabric Committee estimate a cost of £1,500 for this work and the PCC have agreed that this work should proceed. As people will have seen in the accounts presented at May’s APCM (copies available at the back of the church) we currently have £25,900 in the Church Fabric Fund and a further £11,263 a donated ‘Rainy day Fund’ which could be allocated to the fabric work required, but would leave the church with little reserve should any further major works be required on the church building or roof and, of course, the PCC is exploring grants which can be applied for, recognising that the church building (and roof) is now 140 years old and has survived to date with minimal repair and maintenance required, thus we may expect to incur more such expense over the coming years. If anyone would like more information on this situation please get in touch with one of the Churchwardens, Bob Ireland or John Dawes.
From the St Luke’s Linch Church Wardens Last June, we wrote the following: "Our first task is to thank you all for your very kind welcome to us as Churchwardens for this session. We're hoping that this is heartfelt and is not a 'Thank goodness I've managed to avoid that for another year' reaction! We are also most grateful to all of you who supported us on the 12th May at the Archdeacon's Visitation. It was so kind of you to spare the time. This was a very informative, if scary, meeting in Easebourne Church where we were given our instructions and sent on our way. We will now aim to follow the lead of David and Janet and hope to do at least half as well as they have done. With God's help and that of our dynamic and committed Rector, not forgetting the wonderful 'team' at St Luke's, Linch, all should be well." And it has been 'well' and with that help we have completed the year (which is what we thought we had let ourselves in for). However, following a further Visitation by Archdeacon Fiona at St Mary's, Easebourne on the 24th May (thanks again for your support on that day), we have committed ourselves to be your Churchwardens for a further twelve months. 2015-2016 was certainly eventful and in month of June we look forward to the s this Rural Fair (5th) Her Majesty the Queen's Print Centre birthday celebrations, Hymns & Pimms For All Your Printing & Copying Needs (11th) (both of which are of course Benefice events with our friends at St Quality Printing Service Luke's, Milland) and, as advertised Colour / Black Copying elsewhere in this magazine, joining said Design Service friends at Milland for the Tuxlith Art Digital Printing Exhibition (18th and 19th). All of these are of course add-ons to the prime church Plan Copying & Printing < A0 events which are the Sunday services and Canon Office Stationery Copy the Wednesday Eucharist. Centre Ink Cartridges On a more practical front, a Linch churchyard clear-up took place on Saturday E-Mail: office@blackwellpress.co.uk 28th May and the wall at Iping Marsh has been beautifully restored by Rob Warren and his son. EST. 1979
36 Newtown Road, Liphook, Hants. GU30 7DX
Carol and David
Notes from the Linch APCM The two churchwardens, Carol Stacey and David Alderman, were re-elected for a further year. Joe Gallagher reported that there are now 83 on the electoral roll, one more than in 2015. The churchwardens thanked the many in the parish – too many to name individuals - who help in a wide variety of ways. New this year was Rev’d Trish’s Messy Church initiative which involves children and parents outside the formal church service environment. We also appreciated the contemplative Taizé services. The parish had welcomed Bishop Martin, helped light the Pentecostal beacon, and joined with Milland in several Benefice services. There had been celebrations, social and fundraising events including the biennial fete and annual Christmas Party. Lent Lunches were hosted in the Benefice and raised funds towards the Diocesan appeal to support Christians in the Holy Land. The Rector led a Lent Course the tempting theme of which was based on the film Chocolat. Lea Grocott continued to look after the fabric of the church and does a huge amount. The cesspit installed in connection with the construction of the Bettesworth Room had proved an ongoing headache and taken a great deal of Lea’s time in negotiating with the builders. When not dealing with overflows Lea had also submitted a faculty application for repair of the church’s south and west windows: work which it is hoped will be carried out in 2016/17. The problem of damp in the vestry wall was finally resolved by the addition of external tiling. The installation of a new gate post enabled the churchyard gates to hang properly. Woodworm has been found in chairs and is to be treated. Following the attempted theft of coping stones from the Iping Marsh churchyard wall, our insurers agreed to pay for the repairs. The churchwardens expressed their own and the PCC’s thanks to Lea for his quite exceptional efforts. Anne Alderman presented her Treasurer’s Report and the accounts for 2015. Receipts exceeded payments by £4,655, a welcome improvement on the budgeted deficit of £3,006. Receipts into the unrestricted general fund were higher than in 2014 thanks to planned giving, fundraising events and some generous donations. There were also grants and donations directed specifically to the restricted fabric fund, which will help to finance the window restoration and other quinquennial works. The best news was that we now have sufficient funds to cover the final loan repayments on the Bettesworth Room. In her budget for the coming year Anne anticipates a deficit of some £2,800 but there are several imponderables in the calculations and as last year proved, things can change. Trish expressed huge thanks to Anne on behalf of the parish for her fantastic
management of our finances. In her own Rector’s Report, Trish added her own thanks to the many who do so much in the parish; in particular she thanked Nicky Fairhurst who was relinquishing responsibility for the flower arranging after several years. She was delighted that the Bettesworth Room is paid for and is so well used. Trish emphasised that the church is a charity and to fulfil that role we need to reach out to the wider community. She was pleased that in this Year of Mercy the Benefice had recently responded magnificently to the appeal for clothing and other supplies for those in need in Syria and Iraq. She acknowledged that our own finances were good but stressed that we shouldn’t be complacent. Members of the PCC retiring this year were Olive Fleming, Pam Way, Mary Turton and Mu Bullingham, all of whom were thanked for their service. Two new PCC members were elected: Janet Werner and Tricia Macgeorge. More detail on the above, and reports on the Deanery Synod and Tuesday and Sunday Clubs, were in the written report distributed at the APCM (copies of which are still available if you’re short of bedtime reading).
Pentecost in the Benefice As the birthday of the church, Pentecost is a great time for celebration and the children of the Benefice have entered into the spirit of this in their usual exuberant way! On Pentecost Sunday, nine children, including two ‘babes in arms’, arrived at Sunday Club in Linch to hear how, with a r ushing wind and tongues of flame, the Holy Spirit came to those first disciples. The children loved waving their tambourines to make the noise of the wind. After the singing of choruses (with actions) and prayers, it was time for craft. First the children tied knots in some lengths of cord to represent five people that they would like to tell about Jesus, just as those early disciples had done. They then constructed headbands with tongues of flame made from cardboard and beautifully coloured in red, orange and yellow. Fortunately they had just finished when they were invited to join the congregation to receive a blessing and tell everyone what they had been doing. They found that many of the congregation, like them, were wearing something red – the colour of the day. One lady in the choir had a particularly fetching red hat! The service ended with some joyous singing with the children leading from the front with lots of musical instruments and bubbles being blown. A few days later it was the turn of Messy Church at Milland to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. About thirty children, adults and helpers gathered for a fun afternoon of craft, worship and refreshments. The coming of the Holy Spirit in the wind was represented by making kites and decorating windmills – beautifully put together by Mary Turton from bright red and orange card. There were more flame headbands and of course, as it was a birthday, there were birthday cards to make and birthday cakes to decorate complete with candles. Finally the children wrote prayers on paper planes. Once everyone had finished, it was time for worship. There was lots of singing, including ‘Happy Birthday’ to the church when the candles on the cakes were lit and blown out. The children threw their prayer planes up in the air – some flew better than others – and then picked up the one that landed closest to them. They then read out the prayers altogether! It was a large jumble of noise; just like on that first Pentecost. After the final ‘Messy’ blessing, the children piled outside for a well earned tea including a lovely chocolate cake made by Betty Way. If this all sounds like fun, look out for notices of future Messy Churches. Sunday Club generally meets on the third Sunday of the month in the Bettesworth Room at Linch at 09.30. Please contact me or Rev Trish if you would like further information. Anne Alderman 01428 741397
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NEWS FROM RAKE SCHOOL At its Ofsted inspection in January 2012 the school was judged to be 'good' and following the latest inspection in April it 'continues to be good'. This is particularly pleasing as the inspection structure has changed enormously and many schools have found it difficult to attain or retain a 'good' judgment. Congratulations to Mr Bertwistle, his hard-working staff, the governors, pupils, parents and volunteer helpers, all of whom make the school so special and successful! The Friends of Rake School Association (FoRSA) will be holding their Summer Fair - 'Party on the Playground' - on Friday 17 June from 3.30pm until 8.00pm to which everyone is warmly invited. Do come - there will be lots to see and lots to do
EXHIBITION OF ARTS AND CRAFTS plus a Plant and Produce stall at TUXLITH CHAPEL (behind St Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Milland on B2070) SATURDAY 18 and SUNDAY 19 JUNE 10amâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;4pm All are welcome! Paintings, pottery, photographs, glass, jewellery and gifts for sale
Organised by the Friends of Tuxlith Chapel in aid of the continuing maintenance and preservation of the Chapel. If you would like to exhibit, please contact Jean Mallows (01730 263116, Jean-Mallows@realemail.co.uk). Setting up of exhibits on Friday 20 June.
ST NICOLAS CHURCH MORETON IN DORSET The Forgiveness Window I wonder how many of you saw the programme on Good Friday, presented by a young lady vicar, about the Crucifixion, taken from the point of view of Judas Iscariot. Towards the end she took us to the lovely little church of St Nicolas in the tiny village of Moreton, probably better know for the burial place of T E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) and some of you may have visited the village to see that monument. This little church, about half the size of Linch, was badly bombed during the Second World War and after it had been rebuilt the architect suggested that Laurence Whistler be commissioned to create a series of engraved windows to replace those lost. Over the years this was completed and in the early ‘80s he offered to engrave a 13th window dedicated to Judas Iscariot. This was rejected, with horror, by the PCC and villagers and so, on completion, the window was kept at several museums, on display but always with the proviso that, should Moreton change its mind, it would be installed in the Church for which it was originally intended. The installation finally took place in 2014, 30 years after it was finished. The window can only be viewed from the outside as it is backed by an interior memorial stone but it shows Judas at his point of death, having regretted his actions, hanging from a tree with his arm by his side and his palm open. From his hand falls the 30 pieces of silver and as they touch the ground they turn into flowers. Whistler called it the Forgiveness Window. The presenter of the programme felt that it was at this point that God forgave Judas. It is a very poignant and thought provoking piece of work. So, if you are going down to the West Country via the A35 take an hour to turn off at Tolpuddle and follow the route to Affpuddle and then Moreton to see this amazing little Church. It is truly beautiful, thought to be the only Church in the country with entirely engraved windows. You can see it on the web site but that is nothing compared to actually seeing it for real. Mu Bullingham
MAGAZINE DEADLINE 20th June 2016 All copy please to stlukesbenefice@aol.com contact Alison Ireland on 01428 713392 The magazine will be in the Church on the first Sunday of the month.
St Luke’s Milland 200 Club This month’s winners
1st Sheila Pim 2nd Bob Ireland 3rd Ken Negus Please contact Julian Wells if you would like to join the 200 club.
We are very grateful to Margaret Young who belongs to a Flash Fiction Group. This entails writing stories of 300 words. It means that every word must be carefully chosen and even the title carries a bit of the story.
All Change
The crush is terrific for the time of day and Mrs Bradshaw is halfblocking Virgin Trains' ticket-seller Geoff's view across the ticket hall of his long-time crush, Linda Holt, who, all tight suit, high heels and American Tan tights, is pressing back into a Cancer Research poster, warming cold hands on her coffee shop purchase. Mrs Bradshaw, unfamiliar with Coffee to Go, supports Cancer Research. Geoff wielding his portable ticket machine is attempting to shorten the queue, one raised eyebrow in a deadpan face wordlessly asking “Where to?” He'd rather Linda hadn't seen him in his new, regulation, red mac. Once, just in Mrs Bradshaw's earshot, siezing his opportunity over return tickets to Warrington, Geoff had revealed to Linda, sotto voce, that he was once a DJ in Blackpool. It had got him nowhere. Mrs Bradshaw believes a Samaritan saved Geoff from both Lancashire and himself and it is his likeness on its emotive poster on Platform 1. Finding, and mistaking, the object of Geoff's intermittent, forlorn gaze, Mrs Bradshaw sighs because she cannot pass a collecting tin. How can she who, having spent hours being ignored in Sainsburys' draughty doorway, knows what its like collecting? She rummages through her cross-body bag, her purse buried beneath 'Teddies for Trauma' knitting wool and sundry raffle tickets and bustles from the queue. Geoff watches the retreating tweed coat with sudden and, rare for him, eager anticipation. He is rewarded when Linda's glossy lips widen into an O and her carefully drawn eyebrows ascend her forehead. A hitherto invisible woman is attempting to push coins into the top of Linda's “Skinny Flat White”. “My Coffee, my coffee!” trills Linda and in that moment, as Moira Bradshaw laughs uproariously at her mistake, Linda, beginning to laugh too, looks up to see Geoff's agreeably transformed face, smiling broadly at her. Stimulus from V. Woolfe's 'Mrs Dalloway': “The crush is terrific for the time of day.”
Reverend Henry Billinghurst 1852 – 1912
When you walk through the gates at Linch church and pause to look at the graves, the one most likely to capture your attention will be the grave of Reverend Henry Godwin Billinghurst and his young son, Henry Thornton Billinghurst. Just in case it doesn’t, it has a granite border and cross and is square to the east window. A large brass memorial inside St Luke’s commemorates Henry. It has the biblical quotation “He being dead yet speaketh” Hebrews 11. 4 (the last five words of the verse). The memorial has a border of intertwining ivy leaves and the Victorian meanings attached to the ivy and its flowers are friendship and affection as well as wedded love and fidelity. Some sources state that it represents eternal life. We, of course, don’t know the words that Henry spoke but if we look around the church we can appreciate his legacy. Henry became the Rector of Linch in 1883 and during his time more changes were made than at any other time until the Bettesworth room almost 100 years later. In 1886 the parish boundaries were changed requiring an Order of the Privy Council. In effect Linch acquired Redford (formerly in Woolbeding), and
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parts of Stedham. After this major change in the parish boundaries the Church itself was enlarged with a new porch (1886) and a larger chancel (1886), and in 1897 with the south east chapel and organ chamber. It was at this time, that the door from the church into the 1870 vestry (just behind Revd Trish’s seat) was blocked up. In 1898 the parishioners paid for the stained glass in the east window. Henry also found time to lobby for a new Rectory, now the Old Rectory, costing £2,250. The new Rectory and the installation of the organ marked the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. What an energetic priest. So what about Henry the man? We know from Census records that he was the son of a doctor and was born in Islington in 1852. His education was no doubt conventional and Kelly’s Directory from 1909 entry had him at St John’s College Cambridge. Two years after arriving at Linch he married Katherine Louisa Thornton in Newton Abbbot, Devon. He was 33 and Katherine 21. They had three children, Violet born 1887, Kathleen in 1889 and Henry Thornton in 1901. Young Henry died in 1914 aged just 13. It is impossible to know but one wonders if he suffered ill health from an early age, as in the 1911 census he was still being educated at home. After her husband’s death in 1912, Katherine returned to her native Devon where young Henry died but was returned to lie with his father. Katherine was to outlive her husband by forty eight years dying at Kerrier in Cornwall in 1960 when she was 96. One suspects that the grave at Linch was intended to include her as well but, clearly, she was buried in Cornwall. Of their daughters, Kathleen has been almost impossible to trace but Violet Grace married Sir Bernard Bourdillian in Bombay in 1909. Sir Bernard had a long and distinguished career including being appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Uganda in 1932 and Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria in 1935, holding this post until he retired in 1943. His papers are held in the Bodleian Library and in 1935 Violet was described as “the perfect Governor’s wife” Janet Werner
Hymns & Pimms On the Rectory Lawn Saturday 11 June 3pm, to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabethâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 90th Birthday th
Come and raise a glass or two to celebrate Her Majestyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Birthday and sing some favourite hymns. Bring a picnic blanket, and, if you wish, bring a picnic. All are welcome
Petroc – the founder of Padstow If you are going to Cornwall this summer in search of peace and quiet, Petroc is the saint for you. Especially if you find Padstow a bit too crowded for your liking! He would have sympathised. This 6th century abbot is Cornwall’s most famous saint. Petroc set sail from South Wales, landed at Haylemouth, and founded a monastery at Lanwethinoc – now called Padstow, after him (Petroc’s Stow). Padstow must have been popular even in those days, because about 30 years later Petroc, in search of some peace and quiet, moved on to build another monastery at Little Petherick (Nanceventon). Here he must have decided to try some 6th century equivalent of ‘Fresh Expressions’, because he engaged with his local community by building a mill and a chapel. In time, Petroc began feeling crowded again. So he tramped off to the remote wilds of Bodmin Moor, where he lived as a hermit – until some 12 monks turned up to join him. Firmly, Petroc kept them all housed in a monastery on a hilltop, while he enjoyed his private space in a cell by the river. But even here Petroc was not alone. One day a terrified stag came rushing through the woods, pursued by the hunt. Petroc flung open the door of his cell, and the panting animal took refuge. When the huntsmen arrived on the scene, they did not dare to argue with the famous holy man, and went their way. The stag’s gratitude made him tame, and Petroc would come to be portrayed with a stag as his special emblem. Petroc was buried in the monastery in Padstow but in c.1000 his shrine and relics, including his staff and bell, were transferred to Bodmin. Here they have stayed ever since, except for a short, unplanned trip to Brittany in 1177, when they were stolen and carted off by a naughty Canon of the Church. Henry II intervened, and everything but a rib of Petroc was eventually returned.
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The Rev Canon David Winter considers the Queen’s life
The Way I See It: Our SERVANT QUEEN The whole country will this month be celebrating the Queen’s 90th birthday. She has splendidly fulfilled the promise made on the day when her father, King George VI, died and she came to the throne at the age of 27. On that day she dedicated ‘the rest of my life, whether it be long or short’ to the service of the nation and the Commonwealth. She has certainly proved that she meant what she said. Hers is already the longest reign of any British monarch. Those years have seen huge changes in the world: the end of apartheid in South Africa, the transition of scores of countries to independence within the Commonwealth, the advent of space exploration and men on the moon, the arrival of the computer and the internet, social media, Twitter and so on. Through it all she has remained a calm, reassuring figure, head of state to 12 different prime ministers and leader of a resilient and growing Commonwealth of Nations. The Queen has quietly moved with the times. Her rather tortured ‘royal’ accent of the forties and fifties has broadened into a quietly spoken Received English. Uneasy about it at first, she has made herself an effective performer on television. And through it all she has openly acknowledged that her own Christian faith is the bedrock of all that she is and has done. In recent years she has been more willing to talk about that faith, notably in her Christmas messages. To mark her 90th birthday, the Bible Society has published an attractive illustrated book The Servant Queen, setting out largely in her own words the essential heart of that faith. The Queen herself has written a Foreword. The aim of the publishers is that the book should be widely distributed, so that people up and down her kingdom can share her evident enjoyment of a committed Christian faith. It’s subtitle is ‘And the King she serves ‘. As advertisers say, ‘every home should have one’. The Servant Queen is available from the Bible Society in packs of ten for £10, or singly. Go to: https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/landing/servantqueen/
www.stlukesbenefice.co.uk The new Benefice website goes live from June 1st.
The website will provide information about both churches, services and events, a Benefice diary and all of the information that was previously shown on A Church Near You website. We shall be adding information, pictures and news items over the coming months. Please go onto the site as visitors improve our Google search ranking. Constructive feedback is also appreciated. Please let Trish, a churchwarden or Bob Ireland know what you would like added.
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M D Woodger Oil Fired Boiler Maintenance (Servicing, Commissioning, Repairs) OFTEC Registered Primrose Patch, Primrose Lane, Rake GU33 7HG Telephone 01730 894211 Mobile: 07795 831589
Thought for the Month
by William Alcock
The Church - It’s Relevance Nowadays most of us would probably agree that we live in a very busy world a world where, among many other developments, the computer with its instant communications has made life much more intensive. This clearly affects people of all ages - children at school; people of working age; and those of us in retirement. In this situation things like religion, prayer and faith (let alone theology) seem to have lost their relevance to everyday life. As a result religious belief, not least Christianity, has been pushed close to the margin of our national life apart from special celebratory or Royal occasions. Indeed it has become regarded as a purely private matter. No doubt this is one of the reasons why, very recently, the Archbishops have made a call to Christians to pray for renewal and revival. It could certainly be said that over the past years our society has become very “secular” that is much less religious, and has by and large rejected the idea of God, and of a universal moral basis to social life. Indeed, in some ways it has pushed on further, calling into question older notions of “right and wrong”; and, judging by contemporary thinking even the basic fact of male and female (let minor exceptional circumstances pass. As a result, historically long accepted norms now seem to be becoming regarded as restrictive rules which impede the individual from realising their own freedom for their self-fulfilment. In such a situation we may reasonably ask ourselves the basic question “What is life all about?” Where does Christianity come in? It is at this point that our parish churches come into the picture, for they represent the continuing presence of the Christian faith in our national life. They are still there and in the busy turmoil of our lives they remain as places of calm and quiet, where if we wish, we can turn aside for the moment to stop and reflect. And if we do so, out as it were of the earthquake, wind, and fire of everyday life, we may sense God’s still small voice reminding us that Christ is risen, and we have hope for a future that far transcends the limited self-fulfilment offered by contemporary thought. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength). (Isaiah 40.31)
Wednesday Eucharist 8.45am Bettesworth Room This takes place on most Wednesdays. Please check the weekly pew sheet for the latest details
Sussex Day Celebration Walk Thursday 16 June Tillington to Midhurst via the Midhurst Way (6 miles) Leaving The Horse Guards Inn, Tillington GU28 9AF at 9.30am, the Midhurst Way goes via the Lodsworth Larder (cake & loo stop), the lovely Lime Tree Avenue of 70 trees, the Queen Elizabeth Oak (‘old when Queen Elizabeth I saw it’), Cowdray Golf Club, and lunch at the award-winning Cowdray Farm Shop Cafe. Return by bus (15 min. journey) to Tillington every hour. Bring Bus Pass or cash. No booking necessary; just come along. Not suitable for beginners. More info from Geraldgreshamcooke@gmail.com 01798 342151 (Gerald is a qualified HeartSmart Walk Leader)
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Antique Restoration The Old Milking Parlour Mellow Farm Heath Hill Dockenfield, Farnham Surrey. GU10 4HH 01428 712886
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Pentecost Service at Linch (See article in the magazine)
David Alderman, Carol Stacey, Archdeacon Fiona, Lynne Collard and Michael Cartwright (see Churchwardens reports} Another hugely successful
Benefice Messy Church hosted at St Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Milland (below)