Parish News - February 2024 by Diligence PM Services Ltd

News

Parish

Great Maplestead, Little Maplestead, Pebmarsh and Gestingthorpe

Church and Community together

February 2024

Free

Useful Village Contacts Parish Clerks Gt Maplestead Lt Maplestead Pebmarsh Gestingthorpe

Ann Crisp Paula Sillett Kevin B Money Shelley Boydell

01787 460 216 07975 571 253 07810 781 509 07927 775 989

Village Halls Gt Maplestead Pebmarsh Gestingthorpe

Liz Newton Kelly Thompson Steve Bagby

01787 461 308 lizatlucking@hotmail.com 07919 897 592 pebmarshvillagehall@gmail.com 07840 367 182

Footpaths Gt Maplestead Lt Maplestead Pebmarsh Gestingthorpe

Steve Harris Geraldine Holloway Michael Sharp Penny Bagby

01787 462 818 01787 476 530 07725 909 986 07840 367 172

steveharris@greatmaplesteadpc.co.uk geraldineholloway2017@gmail.com michael@broomhills-farm.co.uk pbagby1@gmail.com

Gt Maplestead Task Force Playing Field Carpet Bowls Autumn Show Book Club

Dave Pike Joe Newton Janice Chaplin Carol Brownlie Alison Cantor

07885 788 855 01787 461 308 01787 469 600 01787 461 527 01787 462 537

davepike@greatmaplsteadpc.co.uk joenewton@greatmaplesteadpc.co.uk bobandjanicechaplin@btinternet.com carolbrownlie@gmail.com acantor56@outlook.com

Carol Parker Pauline Andow Sandra Beaney Pauline Andow Jim Crayston

01787 269 996 taximother@googlemail.com 01787 228 790 01787 222 220 01787 228 790 01787 222 241 jim@craystonfarms.co.uk

Nick Duncan Valerie Fullman Chris Ponty Penny Bagby

01787 313 558 01787 462 755 07494 883 632 07840 367 172 pbagby1@gmail.com 01787 236 007 angeladavis99@outlook.com 01787 460 181 jean.bowers@wea.ac.uk 01787 461 527 carolbrownlie@gmail.com

Benefice Choir Scouts Guides

Angela Davis Jean Bowers Carol Brownlie Margaret Crudgington Gill Peskett Stuart Carter Kathy Hoy

Neighbourhood Watch Gt Maplestead Lt Maplestead Gestingthorpe

Ian Johnson Bill Piper Helen Skerratt

01787 461 109 i.johnson057@btinternet.com 01787 473 933 billpiper204@gmail.com 01787 237 297 helenskerratt@gmail.com

Parish News Representatives Gt Maplestead Lt Maplestead Pebmarsh Gestingthorpe

Ann Harris Jenny Bishop Luke Brown Helen Skerratt

01787 462 818 07906 083 999 07919 375 341 01787 237 297

Pebmarsh Youth Club Ladies Club Card Making Carpet Bowls Gestingthorpe Village Amenities Tower Bell Ringing

Cricket Club Book Club All Villages Maple Leaves WEA Knitting Group Handbell Ringing

anncrisp@greatmaplesteadpc.co.uk littlemaplesteadparishclerk@gmail.com pebmarshparishclerk@gmail.com gestingthorpepc@gmail.com

01787 476 259 01787 462 786 gillpeskett43@gmail.com 01787 461 149 01787 280 200

ann66harris@gmail.com jennyarchitect@icloud.com lhwbrown@hotmail.co.uk helenskerratt@gmail.com

Editorial This edition of Parish News marks a major stage in the evolution of the magazine – the first time a print version has been produced in colour. Prompted by positive feedback on the full-colour online and Facebook versions, this significant change has already proved its worth, attracting new local advertisers keen for their businesses to be shown to best advantage. The magazine’s continuing existence however is not a given. Increased printing and production costs during 2023 meant that, towards the end of the year, its financial position was precarious. However, generous responses to requests for one-off donations from the churches, Parish Councils and individual contributors enabled the December/January double issue to go to press – our thanks to all those who donated! A newly-formed Parish News Team took active control of the magazine in December, since when strenuous efforts by members of this voluntary group have ensured that it is now in a much healthier financial position. Nonetheless, more advertising revenue is still needed in order to continue the magazine’s development and ensure its long-term future – so please mention Parish News when dealing with any of our advertisers… Part of the magazine’s development will be to recruit a new Editor to coordinate the compilation of articles and liaise with the printer for a couple of days each month; more details are in the box below. The team would like to thank Nicola Coppen for undertaking this role during the past year and take this public opportunity to wish her well for the future. Finally, please remember that Parish News is a vital community amenity, which exists to inform, entertain and be mutually beneficial for all those living and working in the four Parishes. Alongside local advertising, your contributions – for example, news from your villages and village halls, notification of upcoming events, Parish Council reports, gardening and nature notes, past memories and so on – are all essential ingredient of this mix. Please keep them coming!

Parish News – Some Changes to Note In 2024 Parish News is, for the first time, being printed in colour, for greater visual impact and increased advertiser and readership appeal. The change to colour was one of the results of a detailed review of the magazine’s finances, which also considered the amount of ‘free’ event advertising that has historically been carried. Consequently, the following minor changes have been made:  Village/Community Event Advertisements/Announcements Fundraising village events (e.g. quizzes/jumble sales/craft fairs) will in future be charged a nominal single insertion fee for either a ½-page or full-page display announcement, published in the previous month’s issue: Announcement Size ½ page Full Page

Black & White £5 £10

Colour £10 £20

As before, organisers will need to provide fully finished, in pro and print ready artwork/copy, either in jpeg or pdf form, prior to the copy deadline. Non-fundraising village event/charity announcements (e.g. Autumn Show/Foodbank/Village Hall AGMs) will still be accepted and published on request, as either displays or editorial entries, free-of-charge.

 Classified Business/Personal Advertisements – a new feature In future there will be a nominal charge for listings that promote regular business activities and events. For ease of reference and improved visibility, these will be highlighted in a new ‘Classified Listings’ section. The listings will appear in the following format: Village | Venue | Activity | When | Contact | Phone No. | E-mail/Website

The charge for inclusion in all 10 issues in 2024 is £10, or pro-rata. Classified listings for one-off events will be published and charged at 25p/word, provided copy is received by that month’s print deadline. Classified personal advertisements for residents of any of the four parishes will be accepted on a monthly basis charged at 25p per-word. Non-residents’ advertisements will be charged at the same rate but will only be accepted if space permits. Personal advertisements will not be repeated monthly unless a specific request is made before the relevant copy deadline.

 Advertorials Advertorials (i.e. sponsored editorial content) will be accepted on a month-by-month basis, if supplied as a single page of 350 words plus images: the monthly charge will be £75.

Parish News – Some More Changes to Note  Flyers/Leaflets These can be inserted in all magazines, at the discretion of Parish News: o to assist any parish residents setting up a new business. o where a failure to include a one-off advertisement or announcement in the normal way lies with Parish News. o to allow local groups/Parish Councils to distribute specific or topical information about matters of local interest or concern. Flyers/Leaflets should be supplied pre-printed in either A5 single-sheet or A4 folded 4-page leaflet form – a small donation to Parish News is requested to cover insertion in all magazines. For flyers specific to just one Parish, please arrange insertion with the local distributor. If you would like a flyer to be designed for you, please contact Parish News to discuss what is required and the origination and printing costs for this service.

Advertising/Announcements/Articles The 2024 Parish News Business Advertising Rates for the year (10 issues, pro-rated as applicable) and for monthly single issues are shown below, along with copy deadline dates for each of the remaining 9 issues.

Contacts: Advertising Editorial

Ann Harris

ann66harris@gmail.com

Parish News Team parishnewsmaplestead@gmail.com

The Parish Representatives to whom articles and event announcement submissions should be sent are listed on the Inside Front Cover.

Letter from the Reverend Beverley Vincent I wonder if you ever have trouble sleeping, I know many people do. In general, I sleep well but occasionally I have a restless night, like last night. For me, I find it is usually when God wants to speak to me, it’s pretty inconvenient but difficult to ignore! In the early hours I was pondering the Bible readings that we will hear in our churches this Sunday. My insomnia began to grow as I reflected on the story of Samuel the prophet who, when he was a boy, lived in the temple and served alongside the elderly priest Eli. One night as they settled to sleep God called Samuel’s name three times, but Samuel thought it was Eli calling, so each time he went to Eli saying, ‘here I am’. Eli eventually realised it was God calling Samuel and so Eli told Samuel next time to answer, ‘speak Lord for your servant is listening’ When God called Samuel again, he responded as Eli had told him. You can read why God called Samuel in the Old Testament, (1Samuel chapter 3 verses 1-10). Samuel goes on to be blessed by God throughout his life. The recollection of Eli and Samuel’s story prompted an ‘earworm’ – the song you can’t stop singing. For me it was ‘I the Lord of Sea and Sky’. The chorus is ‘Here I am Lord, is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me, I will hold your people in my heart’. This story and the song meant so much to me when I thought God might be calling me to ordination, even though I thought he couldn’t possibly mean me. I believe we are all called to serve in different ways but finding volunteers for roles in our communities is becoming increasingly difficult. I sit on different committees and boards and the cry is the always the same, “we don’t have enough people”. If we want our communities to thrive, we must respond by offering our gifts, talents, and time. There are roles waiting to be filled in our villages, as school governors, as treasurers to the churches, as committee members and/or editor for this magazine and hosts of other volunteering roles in the community and church. Perhaps this New Year we can all ask ourselves, ‘is it I Lord?’ What can you offer to make all our wonderful voluntary organisations function more effectively and serve the people of our community? However you hear that call, I encourage you, just as Eli did with Samuel, to listen. To listen to others, to listen to the inner voice within you and be prepared to say, ‘here I am’. Blessings,

Beverley.

Bus Consultation Decision – F315 to be Withdrawn Essex County Council’s decision, following a Public Consultation into its strategy for ‘Supported Local Bus Services 2024–2028’, is that our local F315 bus service be recommended for withdrawal, as from July. The consultation showed there was strong support by residents for local bus services and highlighted the essential role they play in people’s lives. However, in an announcement released early in January, ECC reported that, despite careful consideration being given to comments made by respondents to the survey about the adverse impacts that cessation of the F315 service would have on them and others in the community, the conclusion nonetheless was that it be withdrawn due to low use. In an attempt to mitigate these impacts, the report suggests replacing F315 with an extension of the existing DART 3 demand-responsive service, which was originally also proposed for withdrawal. ECC’s view is that this will enable bus travel in the area “to be maintained and potentially expanded” and is “considered to be the best way of ensuring the sustainability of the service”. Fortuitously, extending DART 3‘s coverage will also allow ECC to reduce this service’s current high operating costs… It is understood that DART 3 works on a telephone or e-mail booking system familiar to users of the F315 and the fares are the same. However, unlike the F315 service, there is no operating schedule – it is purely demand-responsive. Although this allows flexibility, apparently the service will not operate if there is demand from only one passenger. It is not a taxi – it requires a number of people wanting to do similar journeys at similar times. DART 3’s operating hours are 06.00-20.00 Mondays to Saturdays, so those who are regular users for work or school will hopefully still be catered for – if there is sufficient demand. This is obviously a very disappointing outcome for all four Parishes – particularly as the F315 will be one of only seven of the 150 or so rural bus services currently subsidised by ECC to be withdrawn. More detailed information on the consultation outcomes can be found at: https://cmis.essex.gov.uk/essexcmis5/Decisions/tabid/78/ctl/ViewCMIS_ DecisionDetails/mid/422/Id/9815/Default.aspx

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Gardening Corner February: the start of another gardening year and the back end of a very wet winter! Seed potatoes need to be place in a tray in a frost fee environment; this will enable them to sprout or ‘chit’. Broad beans sown before the Christmas break should now be showing their shoots just above the soil – cover them over if there is a bad period of frost forecast. Rose beds should be cleared of any fallen leaves – this will lessen the chance of black spot on this year’s growth. The spores remain on the old dead leaves, and this can reinfect your rose bushes. Cleaning round roses now can be well worth while – it will help your roses produce healthy buds and leaves. Check that garden taps in sheds and on outside walls are well insulated – there is nothing worse than a burst tap/pipe after a period of severe ice. Another tip before spring: ensure your wheelbarrow is in good order. Oil either side of the wheel housing and, if you have a pneumatic tyre, it may well benefit from some air – there is nothing worse than starting out with a barrow full of compost and finding you have a flat tyre. If you have a fishpond place an inverted plastic bottle with the cap off in the pond this will help defrost any ice. You can use hot water to melt the ice around the wedged bottle but do not try and break the ice with a hammer if there are fish in the pond – the shock waves can harm them. My plant of the month is Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’, a fragrant shrub with pink flowers and a heady scent. The flowers are born on bare wood, making the shrub a decorative addition to any garden. Green leaves follow in the spring and turn a red to copper colour in late autumn. If you grow Hydrangea ‘Annabell’ – part of the mophead group – now is the time to cut them down; this is the one member of this genus you can reduce drastically. Think about crop rotation in the vegetable garden: potatoes, brassicas and onions are a good start – move each around so you don’t grow a ‘species’ in the same place as last year. To finish this month, treat any wooden garden furniture with a recommended preservative, cleaning off any green algae first. Not only will your chairs etc. look smarter, but they will also last longer too. Take care. The Arborist.

Gardens of Easton Lodge I am writing this as volunteers work to clear the Gardens of fallen trees and boughs brought down by the torrential rains and winds at the beginning of January. Hopefully February will be seasonal with some cold weather, of course, but also with some of those lovely bright winter days on which it is a joy to be outside, seeing the early flowers emerge. Of course for us that means snowdrops, and with luck some aconites too. The snowdrops have spread hugely through the Gardens in recent years – partly because we have planted extra, but also because we have been careful to leave grass cutting till after the bulbs have replenished themselves and divided, producing extra bulbs; and after they have formed seeds, which apparently are planted unwittingly by ants carrying them into their nests! We don’t have as many aconites as we would like. Their bright yellow flowers make for such a cheery sight, often coming a bit before the snowdrops. They are native to Italy, Bulgaria, the Balkans, Turkey and Iraq. I have read they were introduced to Britain in 1596 and were first recorded as being naturalised in the wild in 1838. We have some longstanding clumps – I wonder when they were planted? But we have found it difficult to establish more. We keep trying though!! Our open days for snowdrops are on Sunday 18, Thursday 22, Sunday 25 and Thursday 29 February and we have our fingers crossed that the snowdrops will be at their best then. Gates open at 11.00 and tickets will be purchasable in advance through our website or direct through www.Trybooking.com . Snowdrops in the green will be on sale. Please note that the gardens of Warwick House are not open to visitors on the Thursdays. For more information go to our website www.eastonlodge.co.uk

Jill Goldsmith

Hedingham Heritage Society Thursday 1st February The What, Where and Why of Essex Wildflowers Chris Gibson, conservationist, author and naturalist, has made numerous radio and TV appearances and received the David Bellamy Award of the British Naturalists’ Association, recognising ‘a naturalist of distinction.’

7.30pm – Castle Hedingham Memorial Hall Thursday 7th March The Enigma of Boudicca. Andrew Summers, author and public speaker will be giving the talk.

7.30pm – Castle Hedingham Memorial Hall Annual membership for 2024 is £15. Members come free for all walks and talks : Non-Members - £5. Everybody is Welcome. Contacts: Rob: 01787 460 664 : Trudi: 01787 462 889 : Peter: 01787 469 953 E-mail: hedinghamheritage@gmail.com or visit www.hedinghamheritage.org.uk

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Great Maplestead Village Hall Events

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Great Maplestead Christmas at St Giles’ We would like to say a big thank you to everybody who helped make Christmas so very special in St Giles' Church. Everybody who helped with the decorations, the tree, the greenery displays, the nativity scenes and the candle lighting!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to each and every service, the voices that sung, the readers, the organists, the choirmaster, the list is endless. Without everybody's wonderful efforts and contributions our church would not be the warm welcoming place that it is. Thank you and please do continue to join us throughout 2024 as we journey forwards in Faith. The service timetable is displayed each month on the notice boards, also inside the Tower Room and in the Parish Magazine, and also on Maplestead Mates but if you are in any doubt please just ask one of us "when is it church?" and hopefully we should know! Denise & Paula – St Giles’ Churchwardens

Pebmarsh Church and Village Hall We had a fun Christmas at Pebmarsh Church, the school performing their nativity with very enthusiastic performances from some of the cast. The poor camels were told very clearly to wipe their feet more than once! Amongst all the fun we were very happy to welcome the children and their families to this and to their Carol Service. Our thanks go to them all as they raised £275 for the church, which will help our running costs, especially the heating. Our own Carol Concert was very well attended with 140 people, many staying for mulled wine and mince pies, made possible by the very generous support of Bob Lane. Thank you to him and the team that decorated the church and the team who helped take down all the decorations in January. We have also had a Plough Sunday service kindly hosted by the Crayston family at Hunts Hall; a tradition that, as churches, we are trying to keep alive in our rural communities. I know that I face a busy year but hopefully this will include some enjoyable fund-raising events and welcoming lots of people our church. Sarah Burgess – Churchwarden.

Village Hall Events Mondays

Dog Training Club - 17.15 - 21.00 Wendy Beard 07305 195 560

Tuesdays

Pilates and Yoga - 09.45 - 10.30 Jade Gooding https://pilatesandyogawithjade.com/ Ladies Club – 13.00 - 15.00 Every 2nd Tuesday in the Hall : Sandra Beaney Community Outreach POST OFFICE Every Tuesday in the Committee Room 14:00 - 16:00 PIZZA ON THE GREEN Every 3rd Tuesday in the Village Hall car park. 17.00 – 20.00

Wednesdays

Adult Dance Exercise Class - 19.00 - 20:00 Kim Richardson dance.kimrichardson@gmail.com

Thursdays

“Move Me” Exercise Class - 9.15 - 10.00 Jenny Jenkins jennyjenkins247@gmail.com Art Group -11.00 - 16.00 Sue Burgess 07443 537 569 Youth Club - 18.30 - 20.30 Every other week Carol Parker

Fridays

Life Drawing Art Club - 10.00 - 12.00 Glynis Hughes Dog Training Club - 19.00 - 21:30 Wendy Beard

For further information about any of our club activities or to book the Village Hall for an event/party please contact Kelly Thompson: E-mail: pebmarshvillagehall@gmail.com or Phone: 07919 897 592

Gestingthorpe Village Hall First Tuesday Book Club and Book Exchange The Gestingthorpe Book Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month in the Village Hall. Our meetings are very informal, with lots of chat, laughs, wine and nibbles. We are currently reading ’The Aerialists’ by Katie Munnick. If you would like to join us, our next meeting is Tuesday 6th February at 7.30pm The Book Exchange will be open on the 2nd and 6th February and 1st March, 10.00am to 12 noon in the Village Hall. The bookcase is located next to the big window in the small hall. Bring a book to swap or buy a book for £1. All proceeds to Village Hall funds. Contact Penny: pbagby1@gmail.com or 07840 367 172 for further details.

Village Hall Hire Costs for 2024 Period of Hire Morning to midday Afternoon: 12.00-5.00pm Evening: 5.00pm to midnight Full One Day Hire

Weekday Rate £20 £20 £20 £50

Weekend Rate £40 £40 £80 £150

Times of sessions are negotiable to fit with hirer’s requirements. Please discuss with the Bookings Secretary. The Village Hall has FREE WiFi available to all hirers. Contact: Steve Bagby 07840 367 182 or gestingthorpevillagehall@gmail.com

Gestingthorpe ‘Gathering’ Coffee Mornings While it is still cold and dark for much of the day, how about gathering in the Village Hall on cold Friday mornings and spending some time with friends, a hot drink and delicious cakes? Sounds like a good idea! Our coffee mornings during February and March will be held from 10.00am to 12 noon February : on the Fridays of 2nd and 16th March : on the Fridays of 1st, 15th and 29th Our coffee mornings are a great social event, where villagers and friends have an enjoyable fortnightly ‘catch up’ over a coffee and cake. We would love to see you and we guarantee a warm welcome. Funds raised at our coffee mornings go towards the upkeep and running of our Village Hall. If you haven’t yet been to a coffee morning, please come along. If you are in Gestingthorpe and you don’t want to walk along the roads, please give Chris or Rose a call on 01787 462 763; they will be happy to give you a lift to the Village Hall. 18

Gestingthorpe Carol Service St Mary's Gestingthorpe featured another superb service of Christmas Carols and Readings on 13th December. Opening music was provided by the handbell group led by Margaret Crudgington. The Halstead Exaltation! Choir as in previous years sang their hearts out and encouraged the rest of the congregation to try their best. Janet Benfield was on the organ and mention should also be made of the tower bell ringers before the service, led by Val Firmin, the Tower Captain. This year's readings combined passages from the Bible with other readings in poetry and prose. The candle-lit church, as always, looked enchanting and the atmosphere was enhanced by the mulled wine dispensed so cheerfully by Steph Prior and her team. The flower arrangers had also made the church look so lovely. Many thanks to all involved, including of course Rev Beverley and the 80 plus in the congregation. A splendid village occasion. Alice Nolda – Gestingthorpe Churchwarden

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Nature Corner Our neighbours first noticed we’d got turtle doves visiting the garden around 10 years ago but it took me a while to see one with my own eyes. Turtle doves are smaller than collared doves and have black and chestnut brown plumage, white tail tips and pink eye rings – they are quite striking in a subtle way. They make a very distinct purring sound and it was following that sound one day that I finally saw one in the field beside the house. I’ve seen them many times since and managed to photograph them in the back garden on the fence and in the trees. They arrive in pairs any time from May onwards, one usually a few days/ weeks behind the other, before they head off to Africa for the winter. During the few months they’re here we see them about the gardens most days – it feels very special; they have been on the UK’s red list since 1996 and huge efforts are underway to help these beautiful birds, which are still in decline. We aren’t the only ones in Pebmarsh who get to see them so, if you are lucky enough to spot them, register your sightings at BTO’s BirdTrack. The RSPB have set up Operation Turtle Dove, where they work with farmers and landowners to increase habitat for nesting and feeding, so hopefully, with some help, these vulnerable birds won’t be on the red list forever. Heidi Page – Oak Farm Pebmarsh

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The Four Parishes Benefice The Vicar: The Reverend Beverley Vincent The Rectory Church Street Great Maplestead Halstead, C09 2RG khvicar@gmail.com

07944 200 132 01787 460 273

The Churchwardens: Great Maplestead Paula Sillett 07975 571 253 Denise O’Connell 07795 170 048

sillett92@gmail.com niciedenise@gmail.com

Little Maplestead Gestingthorpe Alice Nolda Peter Nice

01787 460 126 01787 460 126

peter.427nice@btinternet.com

Pebmarsh Jim Crayston Sarah Burgess

07957 870 340 01787 269 092

jim@craystonfarms.co.uk sarahburgess@btinternet.com

Church Services in February 9.30am

Holy Communion

Great Maplestead

9.30am

Morning Prayer

Gestingthorpe

11.00am

Holy Communion

Little Maplestead

9.30am

Holy Communion

Pebmarsh

10.30am

Café Church

Great Maplestead

11.00am

Holy Communion

Gestingthorpe

Sunday 18th

10.00am

Benefice Holy Communion

Pebmarsh

Wednesday 14th

7.00pm

Ash Wednesday Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion

Little Maplestead

Wednesday 21st

10.00am

Holy Communion

Gestingthorpe

9.30am

Holy Communion

Great Maplestead

9.30am

Morning Payer

Little Maplestead

11.00am

Morning Worship

Pebmarsh

4.00pm

Compline

Gestingthorpe

Sunday 4th

Sunday 11th

Sunday 25th

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