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To Be A Pilgrim - Rev David G Mason
This is a time of the year when travel is on much of our minds. By the
time this is published many of you will have returned from holidays, many
of you will have travelled far. John Bunyan lived worked and preached in
this part of the world, and he is chiefly remembered for his book, `A
Pilgrim's Progress'. It is a book worth reading, even so long after' it
was written. The Book describes the journey of Christian as he travels on
his journey through life seeking the Promised Land. It is an allegory of
the Christian life, depicting life as a journey in which there are
successes and failures, temptations some of which are resisted and some
succumbed to, a journey in which Christian reaches the Promised Land. At
this time of the world when so many people travel with varying degrees of
difficulty we are reminded of Bunyan's great story.
This is also a time of year when many people face changes in their lives.
It is the time for starting school or a new school, a new class, going to
college or university. For many it is also the time when the fruits of
their labours become known, a time for receiving important examination
results. It is a time for recognizing that the journey through life
continues, even though its direction may change in unexpected and
sometimes unwanted ways. It is important, particularly for those whose
life journey takes an unwanted and unexpected turn not to lose heart, but
to meet the new challenges with determination and hope. Often it is only
in retrospect that we can see and understand that what seemed a disaster
at the time is in fact giving that life a change in direction with a very
positive outcome. Keep before you the example of Christian in `A Pilgrim's
Progress' who from time to time met disasters on the journey, but through
faith completed the journey successfully.
Bishop of St Albans Harvest for the Hungry Appeal.
This year the Harvest appeal is in support of St Francis Hospital in rural
Zambia, and other international vital development work. The Hospital is
working to educate and raise awareness to stop the spread of AIDS as well
as providing care and treatment to those who are infected. The appeal will
also be supporting the work of Christian Aid and the World Development
Movement.
Harvest Festival - Rev David Mason
This year the Archdeacon of Bedford will be preaching at our morning
service on Td October, which I hope will be very well supported.
In the evening will be holding a service of praise and thanks for the
harvest, after which the produce will be converted cash in the usual way.
The proceeds will be donated to the Bishop's Harvest for the Hungry
Appeal.
Traidcraft - Rev David Mason
At the October Coffee Morning a local representative of Traidcraft will be
bringing a selection of the goods they have for sale. The aim of the
Traidcraft organisation is to fight poverty through trade by selling
fairly traded products, building better businesses, raising funds and
awareness, and by developing social accounts. As well as items to sell the
representative will have information about Traidcraft and its work.
Historic Churches Trust Sponsored Cycle Ride - Stephen Hill
The annual sponsored cycle ride and walk organised by Beds and Herts
Historic Churches Trust takes place on 11 th September. Cyclists choose
their own route visiting local churches, so you can make the ride as long
or as short as you like. Sponsorship proceeds are divided equally between
the Trust and the church of the rider's choice. This is an opportunity to
exercise yourself and your bike while contributing to St Mary's
restoration fund. Contact me on 781064 if you would like a sponsorship
form or for further details, or if you would like to man the checkpoint at
St Mary's for an hour to sign through visiting cyclists.
Coffee Morning - Jane Wells The Coffee Morning for September in aid
of the Church Heating Fund will be held at the home of Ruth Coxon on
Saturday 4th September at 10.30am. If it is inclement weather the coffee
morning will be held instead at Riverside House. Home made cakes,
toiletries, produce and bric-a-brac for the bring and buy stall will be
greatly appreciated. All are welcome ,
The October Coffee Morning will be on Saturday 2nd October at a venue to
be announced at the September coffee morning.
What future rural Bedfordshire?
Bedfordshire Rural Affairs Forum (BRAF) is holding its first county
conference on 5 October 2004 at Shuttleworth College. This free one-day
event will be an opportunity for you to debate the key challenges facing
rural Bedfordshire, influence the rural policy agenda, and meet grant
funders and service providers. The conference will be of interest to
parish councils, community groups, the voluntary sector, local
authorities, service providers, businesses, and anyone working or living
in rural Bedfordshire who wants to see our rural areas prosper. For more
information or to request a registration form, please contact Jane
Markham, BRAF Coordinator on 01525 878149 or email lanem _bedsrcc.orq.uk.
NSPCC - Gillian Rose
The local branch of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Children would welcome help and support from the people of Felmersham and
Radwell. If you feel able to help in any way to raise funds please contact
me on 218024.
Afternoon Club - Celia Hulatt
As part of the new village initiative it is proposed to start an over-60s
afternoon club in October. At the moment the organisers are considering
holding meetings in the village hall committee room on the second Thursday
of each month from 3pm to 5pm. There will be transport available if
required.
Any other suggestions will be welcomed. Anyone -interested in the scheme
should contact me on 781082 or Jo Morris on 781430
Vaccine Clinics Sharnbrook Surgery
For those patients registered with Sharnbrook Surgery the following
vaccinations will be available during the week of 4tn-8tn October from 2pm
to 3pm
Flu for those aged 65 years and over, and those 'at risk' Pneumonia for
those aged 55 years and over, and those'at risk' No appointment is needed.
Tastes of Bedfordshire Recipe Competition
Can you create a new Bedfordshire speciality? You may have heard of a
"Bedfordshire clanger" -a traditional Bedfordshire pasty with pork at one
end and jam or apple at the other. A new competition is currently
searching for some great new recipes. These can be variations on the
traditional or completely new creations. Recipes should feature as many
Bedfordshire produced ingredients as possible - and we don't just produce
Brussels sprouts! Foods from Bedfordshire include: buffalo mozzarella
cheese, Bromham Mill flour and Stagsden free -range turkeys, (More listed
at www.bigbarn.co.uk or in the Tastes of Beds Directory for a copy call
01234 228739)
If you have a story behind the recipe - such as a bit of Bedfordshire
history or a family tale - then even better. For an entry form and further
details of the competition and fabulous prizes then e-mail
antCcDbigbarn.co.uk or phone 01234 871005. Deadline for entries is the 6th
November 2004
Does your Group need Transport?
Sue Keen Bedfordshire Community Transport Brokerage is a partnership
between groups or organisations owning minibuses and groups who need
transport. The Brokerage ensures that safe, legal, accessible and,
importantly, more affordable minibuses are widely available to benefit the
whole community. If groups or organisations would like to benefit from
this initiative or perhaps just want more information, please get in
touch. Please contact Beni Wright at: Beds Rural Communities Charity on
01234 838 771 ext 106
Parish Plan Update - Carol Stork
On the 11th August, the Parish Plan Steering Committee met to review
progress to-date and a draft action plan for the coming months. Look out
for a summary of all the consultation undertaken so far in a future issue
of the Ouse News, together with further ideas on how you can get involved
and make your feelings known. Your responses will inform the compilation
of a comprehensive questionnaire, which will be circulated to all parish
households in early 2005.
Sheltering from the "summer rain" at the Parish Plan stall at the Village
Fair in July, many parishioners took the opportunity to jot down their
views and post them in the suggestion box. Using the 5 Parish Plan
headings, their comments are summarised as follows:
Social and Community
• Somewhere for older children to gather
• Get teenagers involved in and responsible for their environment
• That the cricket field be a place for a new village hall and playing
field
Services
• New road sign for Marriott's Close
• Ensure that Village Hall/School Heads of Agreement are adhered to for
the benefit of all villagers
• Recycling centre - especially bottles
• Graffiti removal
Economics
• Support activities and amenities, such as the pubs, in both villages •
Keep the pubs in both villages Land and Environment
• Invest in turning the Felmersham village green into something that we
can all be proud of .
• Christmas lights to be placed in village green trees and/or church trees
(This idea was also supported by the WI at their meeting in July.)
Marjorie Pipe will proposed the idea to the Parish
Council.
Leisure
• Enlarge playing field facilities for youngsters
• Provide proper sports field and cricket pitch around village
hall/school.
• New goal posts on the playing field
Please contact any Committee member (details on the village website) for
further information or with any queries on the Parish Plan Project.
Save the Children Fund - Jacky Phipps
Yes, it's that time of year again. During September, a Save the Children
Christmas catalogue will be dropping through your letterbox and I am
intending to have another 'open house' on 16th and 17th October for the
sale of cards and gifts. More details will appear in the next issue.
Even if you aren't able to come to the open weekend, you can order through
me at any time between now and the end of November and save postage. Just
let me have your order form, a cheque and your phone number and I will
contact you as soon as the goods arrive. Support from the village was very
generous last year - the Branch's Christmas trading raised over £4,000, a
significant proportion of which came from Felmersham - and I hope that we
can raise even more this year for this excellent cause.
Felmersham Yoga Club - Hilary Foot Unfortunately, there will be NO
Autumn sessions this year, due to the short notice unavailability of our
instructor.
I am sorry to disappoint you, but we hope to resume classes in March 2005
and look forward to seeing you all then.
Pinchmill Pre-School Portacabin Appeal Christine Callaghan Thanks to the
sterling work of our volunteers the building work is progressing rapidly
and we are very hopeful that the premises will be `habitable' by December
or shortly thereafter. We have had a further successful grant application
securing £5000 from the Lottery Awards for All which means we have now
raised 75% of the total costs through grants, fundraising and in kind
donations.
The project is now really gaining momentum and I would like to thank
everyone who has donated money or been involved with the building work so
far for their kind generosity. Having our own dedicated building will
undoubtedly enhance the education of the local children for many years to
come and secure the future of the pre-school.
We do still need help, so if you are able to help by donating building
materials, money or professional labour please contact me on 781173.
Felmersham Quilters - Janet Cook Something new! If you thought
patchwork was hexagons of old dress fabrics, let me show you it's notl
Come and immerse yourself in colour, pattern, tea, coffee, biscuits and
history while we set up this new village group on Thursday 22 September at
8 pm in the Village Hall.
Everything you need to get you started will be available at this first
meeting. Topics for discussion will include the name of the group and the
best time to hold its meetings. You'll get tuition free from a twice
National Champion! And it's not competitive like the sunflower challenge!
(Do I detect sour grapes because my sunflowers peaked too late? Peak is
the right word - the Civil Aviation Authority is getting worried about the
danger to aircraft.)
16:30 10/09/2004
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