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No Limits - Chris Ure
Visiting a church some years ago, I noticed that one or two of the young
people were wearing woven wrist bands containing the initials WWJD. I
later discovered that this was one of the methods they used to manage
their Christian life.
When decisions had to be made, the wrist band acted as an 'aide-memoire'
to pose the question: What would Jesus do? And often since then, I have
had to ask myself the same question.
When I sometimes feel too weary to make the effort. When I have a choice
to help or not to help. When I feel critical or impatient. When I seek
justice for wrongs done. What would Jesus do?
Well, the Bible is very clear about the character of Jesus. He preached
tolerance and forgiveness and love and justice. But for most of us, that
is far easier said than done. There is something in the human spirit that
is instinctively critical and proud. So, putting others first, loving our
neighbour and turning the other cheek does not always come naturally to
us.
For all of us, doing what is right has to be an evolving process as we
learn from the mistakes that we make along the way. Realising that perhaps
there may have been a better way, a kinder or more generous way of dealing
with the problem that we faced.
In the daily dilemmas that confront us, we can do no better than to look
to the character of Jesus. He was a man who suffered prejudice and
persecution. He was a man who knew what it was like to be hated and
vilified. And yet he was a man who placed no limits on his willingness to
give for the benefit of others.
So, whatever challenges we may have to face, one question can always guide
our judgement: What would Jesus do?
Easter Services - Rev David Mason
I wish to thank all those who cleaned and decorated the Church for Easter.
Several visitors have commented on how nice the Church looked, and how
well it is looked after. I know that a great many people contribute in
some way, and I am very grateful for the care and support that you give to
the Church.
Parish Spring - Clean Maggie Spoor
A very big thank you to everyone who took part in the Parish Spring Clean
during the last weekend of March. Both villages were involved and 25
people from Felmersham and Radwell collected around 60 bags of rubbish,
mainly from the roadsides and verges.
As in previous years the litter pick yielded the usual collection of fast
food containers, cans, bottles and car parts. On the road from Radwell
towards Milton Ernest alone the hard working volunteers collected 25 bags
of rubbish and a plastic chair. Other rubbish was cleared from Moor End
and Felmersham Road.
In Felmersham, a small army of enthusiastic litter pickers fanned out from
the meeting point at the church on the Saturday, whilst more volunteers
cleaned and swept the road along the church wall or made the coffee (for
which we were very grateful). On Sunday we were a slightly smaller, but no
less enthusiastic group. In addition, the flowerbed behind the bus shelter
was pruned and tidied.
Regardless of any ongoing problems, it's very satisfying to think we can
look forward to summer relatively litter free. Thank you all once again.
A reminder that the rural skip `bulky waste' collection will be
over the weekend of 8th and 9th May. On the 8th the time is 3-5pm; on the
9th 1-3pm. Look out for notices, which will give more details. The dates
for the collection in September are 25th 3-5pm; 26th 1-3pm.
Dawn Chorus - Walk P3
Group Remember to book your place on the Dawn Chorus Walk in order that
the P3 Group can make the necessary catering arrangements. If wet the
breakfast will be served under cover. Please join us at 4.15am on Saturday
15 May for this rare and exciting social activity! See
The Grapevine for
details.
Felmersham & Radwell Community Care - Mike Thomas
We are working together to make our community a better place, and we want
our homes to be secure and safe from burglars. The Home Watch and
Community Care have come together to share resources and expertise in Home
Security matters, to give our village a better service. We are planning to
start a HOUSE WATCH scheme for residents who are away from their homes for
any reason, so that they can enjoy `peace of mind' in their absence.
The FRCC will process the necessary application forms for each enquiry, in
conjunction with the Home Watch co-ordinator. If you are interested in
this scheme and wish for more details, please contact us on 07693 225875
and give your name and telephone number to the operator, indicating you
wish to use the HOUSE WATCH scheme, and we will arrange a convenient time
to visit you and discuss your requirements. All our Volunteers carry
identity cards, and have been checked and cleared by Criminal Records
Bureau.
The Mill Theatre, Sharnbrook - Theo Gibbs
CABARET Kander & Ebb's Smash Hit Musical: Fri. 14th - Sat. 22nd May
Tickets available now from: The Village Trader, Sharnbrook (in person)
YOUTH THEATRE SUMMER SCHOOL 2nd - 7th August for 9-18 year olds,
professional tuition, fee £100. Details from Erica Lester (781210).
COMPANION DOG SHOW Sunday 5th September, Mill Theatre Riverside Grounds.
All Welcome. Pedigree & Novelty Classes. Stalls, Refreshments, Licensed
Bar. Enquiries: Elizabeth/Theo Gibbs 781298/782377
For dates and details of workshops or auditions for THE LION IN WINTER
contact Marjory Thorburn, and for MY FAIR LADY contact Enid Cooper or
Melanie Coleman.
Sunflowers Soon to be A-beaming - Candace Rankin
We are excited to have surpassed last year's total of 34 entrants to
announce the following names of this year's 46 competitors:
Liz Conibere (on behalf of grand-daughter, Georgia), Laurie Mills; Jemma
Mariner, Ken Shrimpton, Katie Henman, Nick Henman, Chloe Doyle, Jeff
Stokley, Alan Stevens, Sally Carr, Jennie Whiteway, Truus Boyce, Mel
Gardiner, Katie Gardiner, Joyce Franklin, Freddy Stevens, Gregory Herring,
Rachel Herring, Mr & Mrs Parrot (1 entry between them), Adam and Holly
Parrot, Betty Taylor, Rebecca Hocking, Fraser Hocking, Michael Boswell,
Margaret Jones, Molly Blizzard, Pat Keeble (on behalf of Felmersham and
Radwell Brownies), Jenny Goldsworthy, Janet Cook, Sue Middlemas, Laura
Hewlett, Bianca Hewlett, Sue Whiting, Pat Jones, Geoff Hulatt, Tom Rance,
Harry Rance, Jack Rance, Mike Benson, Harrison Lovell, Di Stephenson,
Tracey Monaghan, Michael Thomas, Mary Ditmass, Constance Carter.
We know from former years that sensitivities run very high with the stress
of this event, so please do not feel slighted if your name is not at the
top of the list! This is no comment on your projected gardening skills or
success!
We are delighted to share Rebecca Hocking's charming drawing that
accompanied her entrance form. Little treasures such as these dropping
through our letterbox make this a truly worthwhile experience for Peter
and me. Any thoughts or drawings or poems that come to you leading up to
the competition would be a joy to share over the next weeks
The Extravaganza Tea, during which the judging takes place at Adina, will
be held on Sunday, 4 July, an afternoon time to be announced closer to the
event. This is several weeks earlier than last year, but many felt the
late August date did not suit the peaking point for their entrants. It is
also probable that the scarecrows may be judged from the front gardens of
those entering, as it would give a lovely flavour to the village and be
easier to work on and present. Again, more details to follow closer to the
date.
I have recently received vitriolic communication from that stalwart and
historical American group, The Daughters of the American Revolution. Their
prestigious existence is devoted to celebrating the glorious battle for
independence from the Mother Country in 1776. My "moving into enemy camp
with a flagrant disregard for your American sisters' struggles and
bravery" has not been popular. One elderly member fainted dead away when
told that I would be personally entertaining a host of British friends on
Independence Day. But I'm into flower power and love, so what the
heck.........
To date we have two very humiliating experiences to share and would like
to make a public apology. One poor soul was sent home without the seeds
enclosed in his start up pack. I think it was inhaling Jeyes Fluid all
morning scrubbing the pots that got me a little dozy headed. Apologies to
Freddy!!! We also dished out some apparently infertile seeds or compost.
After proudly crowing that Monty Don had shamed us into actively
composting, and that we had used delicious home-grown soil in your pots,
poor Janet Cook had a 0 germination rate and had to start all over again
and lose some precious growing time! We promise that the seeds were fresh
this year and the compost lovingly stewed over winter. And don't forget
that it was poor Janet last year who had one of her specimen nobbled by a
nasty snail! We know this is a fraught time and do hope you will all
encourage one another with patience and care.
Around the middle of June we will be taking mid-point measurements, so on
your marks, get set, GROW!!!!!!!!!
Bell Ringing - Colin Payne
The Market Harborough District Bell Ringers will be visiting Felmersham on
Saturday 15th May from 3.20pm until 4.00pm.
Coffee Morning - Jane Wells
The Coffee Morning for June will be held at the home of Constance Carter
on Saturday 5'h June at 10.30am. Homemade cakes, toiletries, produce and
bric-a-brac for the bring and buy stall will be greatly appreciated. All
welcome
Felmersham Web Site - Ken Shrimpton
On Thursday 22 April 2004 at 4.08pm felmersham.net notched up its 20,000th
visitor, an average of 10 visitors per day over the 5½
years it has been online. Over that period the site has expanded to
embrace many of the aspects of parish life and it has remained firmly
independent.
A recent national survey of village webmasters found that 88% of
respondents were male, and most (60%) aged 40 - 60 and nearly 20% were
over 60.
The peak year for establishing village websites was 2000 (39%), though 10%
were created between 1995 and 1997 (none earlier). The majority (87%) of
website were set up by webmasters using their own resources and skills,
and 76% used their own funds to do it.
Among the original reasons for setting up the site, the most important
were: to provide information to the village community (84%); to provide a
showcase of the village to the outside world (65%); to provide services to
the village community (53%); and to allow previous residents to stay in
touch (47%). Attracting tourists to the area was mentioned by 32%, and
allowing descendents of previous residents to trace family history by 31
%.
felmersham.net attracts many visitors from both abroad and locally but
surprisingly it is not used as a communication medium by the local
community. There are virtually no news items submitted to The Grapevine
page and very few requests to advertise events. My ear may be close to the
ground, but not that close! So come on Felmersham and Radwell, wake up and
make more use of this local resource!
Sponsored Walk - Pinchmill School Association
The children of Pinchmill Lower School and their families will be taking
part in a sponsored walk around Pinchmill Islands on the afternoon of
Saturday, 22nd May. The walk has been organised to raise money for the
School Extension Appeal. The new extension will include an art centre and
new school library and building work is expected to begin in the summer.
Anyone in Felmersham or Radwell wishing to help with the walk, as a
marshal, with sponsorship or in any other capacity, is invited to contact
Miranda Doggett (782234) or Jane Jones (823359).
Music for a Summer - Evening Pinchmill School Association
Advance notice of a rare opportunity to hear soprano Jane Emmanuel (Royal
Opera chorus) and pianist Tim Farrell perform a recital programme of
summer music in the garden of College Farm House. Bring a picnic to enjoy
during the interval, á la Glyndebourne
without the black tie! Tickets will be available later this month from
Miranda Doggett (782234) or from the School office (781371).
All proceeds to Pinchmill School Extension Appeal. In September 2004
Pinchmill Lower School celebrates its 30th anniversary so watch this space
for details of events to mark this special occasion...
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