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November - A time to Remember - Rev David Mason
I am writing this in October, when we have been enjoying unseasonable
pleasant weather, with plenty of sunshine. Only the darkening nights
remind us how far into autumn we are. We are only a short time away from
Remembrance Sunday. This year the horrors of war have been only too
evident as our country has again been involved in war, and we have seen
the horrors that accompany conflict. Families in all the countries
involved have experienced the loss or serious injury of loved ones, and
many people are still questioning the decision to go to war.
There may be times when it is necessary to fight to preserve the freedoms
that we know and cherish, but surely this should only be as a last resort.
We need to be sure that all other methods of resolving conflict have been
explored to the uttermost before the ultimate action of going to war is
taken. It is important that we observe Remembrance Sunday seriously, and
consider again the costs of war in terms of the suffering inflicted on all
those involved, and the debt that we owe to those who have suffered and
died on our behalf. Surely their sacrifice must make us more determined
than ever to seek other ways of resolving conflicts. The United Nations
must be made a truly effective organization which can be trusted by all
nations, and which is a forum in which differences between nations and
peoples can be addressed without the need to resort to armed struggle.
In November we move into the season of Advent, a time of penitence in
preparation for the coming of our Lord. Let us make Advent this year a
time when we learn again about the way that God intended all people to
live together in peace, love and harmony. Let each of us consider how we
have failed to live up to that intention in our own lives, and how we can
change our lives to be in harmony with God's way. Then we may be able to
work to bring God's way to this troubled world.
Hampers & Champers Christmas Dance - Linda Rance
Pinchmill Pre School will be hosting the Annual Hampers & Champers
Christmas Dance 2003, although it will be a less formal affair than the
Christmas Ball last year! Arrangements are still being finalised and we
hope to issue posters in the very near future. Watch this space and make a
note in your diary for Saturday 13th December.
Coffee Morning - Jane Wells
The Coffee Morning for December, in aid of the Church Heating Fund will be
held at the home of Mo and Kanzy Zaki, on Saturday 6 December at
10.30am. Home made cakes, toiletries, produce and bric-a-brac for the
bring and buy stall will be greatly appreciated. All welcome.
Save the Children Fund - Jacky Phipps
Many thanks to all who so generously supported the open weekend on 11th &
12th October. We raised almost £900 and the total is increasing daily as
orders continue to come in - a magnificent result. If you missed the
event, it is not too late - I shall be taking orders until 11th November
and will have cards and wrapping paper in stock until Christmas. Ring me
on 781789, or drop your order and cheque through the letterbox with your
phone number and I will call you when the goods arrive.
WI - May Mills
There is an abundance of life in a churchyard if you only care to look.
Ann Doody looked, and discovered that churches and churchyards have become
sanctuaries for disappearing wildlife. She spent three years travelling
the length and breadth of the country with her camera, and the results
were some stunning and unexpected photographs of the wildlife to be found
in God's Acre. We were taken through the seasons - a carpet of butter
snowdrops; meadowland celandines; a sea of bluebells; masses of cowslips
and ox-eye daisies; splashes of poppies and foxgloves; autumn crocus and
wild cyclamen under the yew trees. Damp darkness is the ideal habitat for
the toad, the badger loves bluebell bulbs, the blue butterfly is attracted
to holly trees and the orange-tip butterfly to the hawthorn. Mistletoe
trees are on the increase thanks to the mistle thrush and rooks nest in
tall churchyard trees. What with rabbits, goats, owls, bats, pigeons and
robins, the epitaph 'Rest in Peace' seems rather inappropriate!
Pinchmill Pre-School November Update - Lisa
Parrish
On Saturday 25th November, we took delivery of the Portakabin which is now
situated adjacent to the school behind the fence. It took five men and a
very large crane six hours to ease the 5 piece sectional building into
position. Many thanks to Laign O'Rourke and NMT Limited for donating,
transporting and erecting the building. The project is now under way and
we are delighted to see all of our efforts being rewarded.
Pre-School Ladies Night and Courtyard Sale - Linda
Rance
We would like to thank everyone who helped and came along to our two
fundraising events in October. Firstly, our Ladies Night held in 3rd
October, hosted by Virgin Cosmetics raised £280 and we have secured £100
worth of raffle prizes. Secondly, the Courtyard Sale in Felmersham raised
over £250
The money raised will go into the new building project - we are expecting
delivery of the building during the October half term.
Wanted a Midday Supervisor at Pinchmill School
for 1.5 hours per day, Monday - Friday. Please contact Mrs G Peck for
further details and application form.
Night Blight: Light Pollution - CPRE
CPRE Bedfordshire and the Bedford Astronomical Society are holding a
meeting on the growing problem of light pollution; the careless,
inconsiderate or wasteful use of exterior lighting which is what causes
pollution by light and deprives us of the opportunity to enjoy the night
sky and the magic of total darkness in the countryside. The meeting will
be held at 7.45pm on Wednesday 12th November at Bedford School, Erskine
May Hall, Burnaby Road (De Parys Avenue).
CPRE and the British Astronomical Association launched a campaign in May
to look at all aspects of light pollution. The campaign has also coincided
with the enquiry by the Select Committee on Science and Technology, Light
Pollution and Astronomy, whose report was published recently.
The increased use of electric lighting both in urban as well as rural
areas is a subject of interest and concern to many groups and individuals
especially in villages and the open countryside. The speakers for the
evening include representatives from CPRE and the BAS, the Highways
Agency, the County Council, Bedford Borough and the Police Crime
Prevention Unit.
Sharnbrook Surgery - Dr. Hedges, Dr. Howes & Dr.
Rochford
Sharnbrook Practice is a member of the 'Beddoc' out of hours GP's
Cooperative. From November 1st 2003, Beddoc will be able to cover all the
urgent needs of the patients of member practices on Saturday mornings. The
Sharnbrook doctors will take part in the rota providing this care.
We propose to close the Sharnbrook surgery on Saturday mornings from the
1st December 2003. The reason for the delay is to allow a month for the
new Beddoc arrangements to settle down. After this date we will be asking
patients with urgent medical problems on Saturday mornings, to telephone
781449. This will result in both reception and dispensary being closed as
well.
This emergency number will connect you to NHS Direct, who will take your
details and transmit them to Beddoc. NHS Direct will give you the
appropriate medical advice, or tell you where to attend.
The opening hours of the surgery on weekdays will remain 8:30-18:30, the
dispensary will be open from 8:30 am too for the collection of
prescriptions.
Recycling = Cash - Sue Norman
Come along to Biddenham Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 25th November
and find out how to turn waste paper into cash to benefit your village
hall. David Osborne of Biddenham Village Hall committee will give a
presentation on how they do it so successfully. We will also have a look
at their storage arrangements. There will be a charge of £10 for non BRCC
members
For further information or to book a place please contact: Sue Norman,
Field Officer on 838771 ext 104 or email
suen@bedsrcc.org.uk
Goodwill Children's Homes Present Appeal -
Rosalind Templeman
Once again I am asking if you would be willing to donate a small gift for
a child at the Bapatla home in India. For new readers, this is one of
seven homes run by a small charity, Goodwill Children's Homes, in Andhra
Pradesh. The children, aged between 5 and 16, are orphaned or come from
very poor families; many have been abandoned. Goodwill cares for them,
feeds, clothes and and educates them. The children have very few
possessions but they are all happy and grateful for the smallest gifts.
Our presents last year were very much appreciated, and every child in the
Bapatla home received something.
Gifts such as paper, pencils, crayons, chalk, very small toys, inflatable
balls etc are particularly suitable, also socks, T-shirts, hair
accessories etc - in other words very small, light items suitable for
sending by airmail. (For security reasons we cannot send anything sharp
nor anything made predominantly of metal or glass.)
I am hoping to get some photographs of the children for the display board,
and might possibly be visiting Bapatla sometime in the New Year. If so, I
will write an update in the spring to let you know how the children are
getting on.
We will be collecting gifts at the Carol Service on 14th December, and
will send them off directly by air. They can be wrapped or unwrapped as
you wish. Monetary donations are also extremely welcome. If you would like
to sponsor a child or learn more about this charity, I can give you the
contact details.
The children are always so delighted to receive their gifts from
Felmersham: the house-parents say how excited they are when the boxes
arrive.
Christmas Toy & Craft Fair Pinchmill School
Association
This annual event just gets better and better! This year we are extending
the craft and gifts side, with plenty of opportunity to find Christmas
decorations, wrapping, cards and presents for family and friends. We will
also be offering tea and mince pies, a Christmas raffle, cake stall; lucky
dip and a soft toy tombola for the children. Friends, neighbours and
family are all welcome so come along to Pinchmill School on Friday 5th
December, 3.30pm onwards, and make this fun event a really good
fund-raiser too.
19th Century Photographs of Bedford - Helen
Dawkins The collection of old (c1900) photographs of Bedford and
surrounding villages has been extended this year to approximately 150
different views, all hand printed photographs and sepia toned.
These will be available at the Victorian Fayre in Bedford, 5th - 7th
December. Just give me a call on 217263 to arrange a visit or get a
full list of pictures. Also, if you have a Christmas Fair of your own and
would like a supply of the photographs to sell on commission give me a
call - as soon as possible, so that I can ensure I have a good supply
printed for you. Looking forward to seeing you. |
