Focal Point - April 2009

FOCAL POINT                           Issue No. 341

April 2009

 

       

Ed's Comments

        We know that spring is here as Pat Finn is off and running again with his Sunflowers. It was lovely to see in last months issue how the School felt about this competition, as it recognised Pat's contribution  by selecting the picture of a sunflower as the school logo.

Pat should also be recognised for the hours of work he is putting into the village scrap book, as it appears he is singlehandedly continuing to enlighten us on aspects of our village history. His latest offering being information on the various memorials in All Saints Church. Details can be seen on our village website.

On behalf of everyone present and future, thank you Pat.

 Spring of course officially started on the day of the Vernal Equinox on the 20/21st March and Summer begins on the day of the Summer Solstice which is June 21st. Depending on certain views, Midsummers day is given as being around the same time or three days later on the 24th June. So that would make summer lasting about 6 days maximum. About right then!!!

 It was mentioned to me recently that someone in Winthorpe, who lived alone and had done for many years, was unaware that by living alone there was a 25% reduction in their council tax. In the event that there might be others; if they ring Newark and Sherwood district council on 01636 655386, I understand that they can certainly claim for last year's overpayment.

 Smile
A lady taught for 11 years at a day-care centre. One afternoon she was trying to show a young boy how to zip up his coat. "The secret," she said, "is to get this piece of the zipper to fit in the other side before you try to zip it up."
After struggling with the zipper for several minutes, the boy sighed and said, "Why does it have to be a secret?"

 

Cliff Newbold

Closing date for the May issue is 20th April.

 

 

COMMUNITY CENTRE

LUNCH CLUB

The next Lunch will be at 12.30pm on Monday, 6th April at the Community Centre. The menu will be:

Chicken stuffed with Sausage meat

or

Vegetable Lasagne

with

Roast Potatoes, Carrot & Swede Mash and Peas

-x-

Continental Rhubarb & Strawberry Tart with Ice Cream

£7 including a glass of wine. Please phone Jean and Peter Foden (704241) not later than Thursday, 2nd April to book your place and give your choice of menu.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Our AGM will be held at 7.30pm on Monday, 27th April at the Community Centre. Please come along to hear what has happened in the last twelve months and to make any suggestions about the operation of the Centre. New ideas are always welcome. There are vacancies for two Trustees. If anyone is interested in finding out what this involves please contact me or Peter Foden.

Frances Kelly, Chairman

 

Light hearted refreshment....

 

  • A diet is a weigh of life.
  • It's not the minutes spent at the table that put on weight, it's the seconds.
  • Sweets are the destiny that shapes our ends.
  • A diet is when you have to go to some length to change your width
  • The best way to lose weight is by skipping ... snacks and desert.
  • Most people gain weight by having intimate dinners for two...alone.

Stressed: The word "stressed" makes perfect sense when you realize that it is "desserts" spelled backwards.

 Ed

 

 

Garden Club

 

Alan Bowker began his illustrated talk by defining the major differences between Italian and English gardens, namely the symmetrical and architectural form of the Italian gardens combined with a distinct lack of trees and flowers.

 The three gardens described were all created by wealthy ‘English' families in the last century.  The first was created in Taormina, Sicily, with views towards Mount Etna.  This was the work of Florence Trevelyan Cacciola whose family also had estates in Northumberland where their Wallington house and gardens is in the care of the National Trust.  Among the numerous plants and trees we saw were fantastic bougainvilleas and the cocks comb tree.

 The second garden was begun in the 1930's by Capt. Neil Boyd McEachan, a member of a wealthy family of landowners in Galway.  The Villa Taranto borders Lake Maggiore.  A large expanse of lotus plants was especially mentioned.  McEachan is buried in a chapel in the garden.

 Finally, on the island of Ischia is La Mortella, created in the 1950's from a granary and quarry bought by William Walton and his Argentinian wife Susana.  The designer was Russel Pope.  The composer included a studio for musicians.  He especially encouraged young talent, a tradition continued to this day.   

We saw water hyacinth, pygmy palms, jacaranda and kumquat amongst others.  Sir William's ashes are interred in the garden at a spot chosen by him with views out over the bay.

 Our next meeting is on April 15th when it is our A.G.M. and plant sale. 

If you have any surplus plants please bring them along and help boost the club's finances.

 

Ian Wilson 

  

 

 

WINTHORPE & DISTRICT WI REPORT

 

This was our Annual General Meeting.

Mrs. Sylvia Lloyd welcomed members and apologies were given for those who were absent.

Mrs. Brenda Tinsley read the minutes and these were approved and signed.

Eight members had attended the County lunch which was held at the Town Hall ballroom.

Replies were received from other Institutes in our group for the invitations to our birthday party in April, which will be held in the Community centre.

Mrs. Viv Clarkson gave details of the arrangements for a trip to the Atrium in Newark for ten-pin bowling on March 19th

This year our Fleet Group meeting will be held in the Community centre in Winthorpe as we are the Hostesses. Matters of catering were discussed.

Several members expressed interest in Tai-chi at Ollerton and croquet at Southwell, organized by County.

Mrs. Stella Hopewell had arranged a walk for Thursday April 16th., meet at the Nelson 6 p.m.

 

The overall winner of the competitions for the year was Mrs. Pat Nelson, she was presented with the Competition cup and a present. Second and third were Mesdames B.Finn and D.Marshall.

 

This closed our monthly meeting and Mrs. Lloyd now opened the Annual General meeting.

 Mrs. Tinsley read the minutes of the last A.G.M. and these were approved and signed.

The financial statement was read, each member having received a copy to peruse. There were no questions from members, so these were approved.

The treasurer thanked Mr. Eric Dickinson, the auditor, through his wife, Mrs. Rose Dickinson, who was present at the meeting.

Mrs. Tinsley gave a report of the Institute's activities for the year. These included the Resolution meeting when members voted on the resolutions to be presented at the Federation's A.G.M., memories from the various parishes which Canon Haydock had lived in, the Body shop collection, children in Kenya and ideas for Christmas decorating.

There had been a presentation of our own handicrafts, a beetle drive, Christmas and Birthday parties and a strawberry fair and cheese and wine evening. In December we held a Carol concert in the Village church.

All in all a good year.

 Mrs. Lloyd presented the President's address where she thanked all the committee members for their good work throughout the year. Mrs. Tinsley the secretary, Mrs. Marshall treasurer and reports, Mrs. Clarkson for helping with bowling trips, Mrs. Finn for the programme, Mrs. Nelson for the competitions, Mrs. Palmer for the computer data, Mrs. Richardson for help with catering, Mrs. Wiseman for birthday cards. All of these jobs plus helping with the Festival stalls and parties.

Then came the business of electing a new President, as Mrs. Lloyd had expressed a wish to step down this year. Names were put forward and Mrs. Pat Nelson was declared as the new President.

This concluded the business of the evening.

Our next meeting is the Birthday party which is at the Community Centre on April 9th at 7.30pm

 

Daphne Marshall

 

 

 

 TUESDAY CLUB

 

Meetings  in April will be in the Village Hall as usual.

 Tuesday, 14th April. Morning coffee. 10.30am.

 Tuesday, 28th April. 2.30pm. Slide show -"The Lake District".

Although a bit after Easter, the raffle will have an Easter theme!

 

On Tuesday, 9th June we hope to have an outing to Rutland Water which will include a cruise on the "Rutland Belle". If you are interested in coming on this trip please could you let me know as the cruise has to be booked in advance.

The cost including the cruise will be £15.

 Non-members welcome.

 

Jean Foden,

 

 

 

Winthorpe Whist Drive

 
Another successful Whist Drive was held in February with 10 members attending.  Joan Frew was again wearing the trousers as the winning gent and with the highest score of the evening, followed by Norman Rossiter.   Pat Underwood was the winning lady followed by myself.  The highly sought after booby prizes went to Stella Hopewell and Kath Harvey. 

The last Whist Drive of the season was held on 26th March.  It has been decided not to hold one in April, due to holidays etc. 

We have raised about £120 which will be donated to the Village Hall funds.  Thank you to everyone who has attended this season and for making these evenings so much fun.  We look forward to welcoming new members in the autumn, even if you have never played before. 

 

Happy holidays.

Fiona Wright

 

 

GIANT SUNFLOWER COMPETITION

 

April is usually the month when children get ready to enter the Giant Sunflower Competition by the sowing of their seeds.

 

Competitors must be:

  • Children who live in Winthorpe, Langford or Holme and are born after the 1st of September 1997.
  • All pupils who attend Winthorpe Primary School, including those who may live outside any of the three villages.
  • The school's teaching staff is warmly welcomed to join in the fun.

 Although the village residents are not eligible to join in the competition it would be nice if they could also grow a sunflower. Just imagine walking around the village and seeing giant yellow daisies smiling at you in every garden. What a way to cheer people up.

 The competition will start on Easter Sunday, 12th April, when the children will sow their seeds.

The competition will end on Sunday, 6th September, when the children will telephone me with their results.

Each pupil at school will receive a packet of sunflower seeds on Thursday 2nd April.

If you wish to buy your own seeds, you will require SUNFLOWER GIANT SINGLE, which can be obtained from Wilkinson's. Each packet costs 50p and has 75 seeds.  

 Planting.

Fill your 9cm plastic plant pots with potting compost. Make a hole with your finger about 2cm deep into each pot. Push one seed into the hole, cover with compost and water. Place on the kitchen windowsill. Watch  for the seeds germinating. This takes about 7 to 10 days.

 

Pat Finn.

 

 WINTHORPE CRICKET CLUB                                             

It's been a while since contributing to the Focal Point however Spring is in the offing and I feel galvanised to put metaphorical pen to paper.  Talking of Spring it's that time of year when all young men's (and women's) fancy turns to cricket. Yes the new season is rapidly approaching with the first game being 26th April away at Nettleham followed by the first home game on the 10th May against Owmby. 

The usual trials and tribulations are on the horizon for the forthcoming season which can pretty much be summed up as follows:

 Members/Players:  we desperately need new members and players to swell numbers on the field and on the committee.  Last season the Club had issues regarding fielding the regulation XI on a week in week out basis, in fact having to scratch 2 fixtures due to lack of numbers.  We can't let that happen this season so please if you would like to help out on the playing side please get in touch.  It doesn't matter what standard you are please come along and help and no need to worry about equipment as we have Club bats, pads, gloves etc.  I know we have made such appeals in the past for players but this season I fear the situation only becoming more difficult unless we get one or two more players along to ease the burden.  Please get in touch no matter what you availability is, every week or occasional we would like to hear from you.  We now have a wonderful facility and the venue is second to none, what an idyllic way to spend a Sunday.

 Nets: Pre-season net practice has now commenced.  Sessions are held on Sunday mornings from 11:00 to 12:00 at the Magnus School (Other than Sunday 29th) and will run up to the start of the season.  Again please come along and give it a go we have all the necessary equipment so all you need to bring is yourself.  The net sessions are the ideal way of you getting back into practice or even trying it to see if you would like to take cricket up for the forthcoming season.  Again the more the merrier as it can be tiring bowling over after over when you have limited numbers.

 Groundsman:  We have the added problem this year of being "groundsmanless".  We have tried in the past to fill the position of either a voluntary or remuneration basis and generally failed.  Without the preparation of a pitch we are unable to play irrespective of numbers or anything else for that matter.  Unlike previous years we have the benefit of owning all the equipment required to prepare the pitch and have a small number of volunteers prepared to help out but not enough.  If you or you know of someone who would be prepared to help out for a couple of hours a week please get in touch - the more the merrier. 

 Bonus Ball:  A big thank you for your continued support with the Bonus Ball it is much appreciated.  We have managed to find a couple of willing (?) volunteers to take over from Mike and Duncan who have don a sterling job in the past - I only hope that the new incumbents can get to the Nelson as often as they did!  The draw is still very active so please if you are in the Lord Nelson and fancy a flutter please have a go.  Just have a word with the bar staff who will be happy to assist - it's all in a good cause; you may even wish to consider taking out a regular number every week.

 

Don't forget if you would like to find out more about the Club please take a look at the Cricket Club webpage on the Village website and also take a look at our own website on www.winthorpecc.co.uk which has now been bought up to date.  

 

Contact Details

Should you wish to contact the Club please call any of the following or alternatively there is a "Contact the Club" facility on the website.

 

Andy Fereday - 678622          Ashley Locke - 703988

Peter Bateson - 704787           Simon Potter - 612968

 

Too many local village cricket teams have been forced to fold in recent years with little or no hope of them being resurrected in the near or distant future.  The Cricket Club is primarily run for the benefit of the village and people who live here.  Please if you can, try to become involved as we need more players and members from the village to ensure continuity and future existence.  Winthorpe Cricket Club's history stretches back to 1887 which in that same year saw Daimler unveil his first car, Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show open in London; Hibs beat Preston North End to become World Club Champions.; it also saw the birth of Fatty Arbuckle and Boris Karloff American and British film actors, respectively and also the death of Doc Holliday the famous gambler and gunfighter.  Locally the King's Sconce which had been built along with the Queen's Sconce in 1644 was demolished in 1887.

 

Please help Winthorpe Cricket Club survive for the next hundred years.

 

Andrew Fereday

 

     

 Reminder...

 

WINTHORPE TENNIS CLUB

invite you to their AGM

 

 7.30 pm - Friday 3 April - Meeting Room

         Winthorpe Community Centre

We would welcome some fresh blood to join the Committee so if you are interested please come along

 

Maureen Smith - 01636 701205  Tennis Club Secretary

 

 

                               

  WINTHORPE & LANGFORD    NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME

                    

DISTRACTION THEFTS

Again the Police have issued warnings about thefts carried out by bogus representatives of organizations. These often involve people pretending to be Gas/Electricity/Water companies or similar needing to check something or other in the house. Once inside they can take money and items without being observed. They may well offer some form of identity but this may be bogus. Do not ring the phone number they give you to check, this too may be false.

 

If such people call without you previously being advised do not let them in. Either phone the relevant company using the number in the phone book or, better still, tell them to go away and write to you.

 

It is sad to have to say it but do be suspicious. The situation is likely to get worse with the recession.

 

Peter Foden, Central Co-ordinator

             

 

 WINTHORPE VILLAGE TIGER TOTS

 OPEN EVERY FRIDAY  9.30am - 11.00am

 

           We cater for babies through to 5 year olds.

                            1st time entry free!

           Entry fee: £1.50 (+ 50p each additional child)

         Tea or coffee and juice with a biscuit are served at each session.

             Different craft activity each week.

                       Come and join us at:

Winthorpe Community Centre, Woodlands, Winthorpe

If you have any questions please contact Sonya Pepper 07846 138122

 

 

Church Notices

 

Welcome to Spring!

 April 5th is Palm Sunday the start of Holy Week .As we do not have a service on that Sunday David is kindly blessing some Palm crosses for us at the Collingham service. These will be brought to Winthorpe and will be available in the Post Office for anyone in the village who would like one. I was always taught that to really appreciate and understand the wonder of Easter Day one should attend part of the three hours of the suffering by Our Lord on Good Friday. In Winthorpe Church from 2pm to 3pm there will be the Last Hour service of devotion.

 

FLOWER LADIES PLEASE NOTE the church will not be available for decoration until after 3.15pm on Good Friday.

On Saturday evening at 7pm there will be the usual service of light which some people find very helpful and a suitable preparation for Easter Day.

On Sunday 26th April at Evensong we will welcome the East Trent Choir (Benefice choir)

You may have seen in the press that there is a move to close some churches in the Diocese. At our Annual General meeting in March Revd David Milner expressed his anxiety that to remain open the church must be seen to be involved in the Community. In recent years we have tried very hard to do this and this year will be no exception. The PCC are arranging a number of events which hopefully you will support.

 

SOME DATES FOR YOUR DIARY...

 

Saturday 13th June - Venue Mrs Margaret Thornhill's garden - Barbecue with wine etc.

Sunday 19th July (Gala Weekend) -Village Songs of Praise (requests to Alan 702104) followed by wine & nibbles.

Friday 25th September (by popular request) - Concert by the Collingham Singers .in Winthorpe Church

Friday 16th October - Venue Community Centre - Harvest Supper.

Any other ideas will be most welcome.

 

If anyone wishes to mark an anniversary by placing flowers on the Altar on a particular Sunday, would you please contact Alan on 702104 to make arrangements by the Friday before.

At this time our sympathies are with Wanda Payne & family who are mourning the death of her Mother and also the families of Joe Hallam.

We also remember the sick, especially Nan Jackson who is in Red Rose Nursing Home at Farndon. She is very poorly but comfortable.

We are pleased to hear that John Craven is now out of hospital and recovering.

 

From the registers

R.I.P Peter John Milroy- Interment of ashes (6th March)

R.I.P Anna Fyfe Sleith. (Funeral on 6th March)

 

Brass Cleaners

Mr & Mrs D Taylor

 

Church Bells :- They will ring for practices on Thursday evenings from

7 pm until 9pm and possibly for the following:-

April 12th - EASTER DAY 10.l5am -  Holy Communion service.

April 19th 10.l5am - Family Service.

April 26th 6pm - Evensong

 

Alan Stone

Up-to-date notices of our church services and those of the other church services in the Benefice are displayed outside the church.

 

 

ALL SAINTS CHURCH

 

Flower Ladies Easter Arrangements

 Once again the time of the year has arrived for you to work your magic and create your wonderful arrangements.

The church will be open on the 10th April ‘Good Friday,' from 3.15pm, in order that you are able to transform the Church.

If for some reason you are unable to decorate your spot please give me a ring on 703271 and let me know.

Thank you everyone in anticipation

 

Sylvia A Llovd

 

Thank You

Thank you for all of your good wishes cards and offers of help. John is now out of hospital and is doing well.

  Bless you all

Audrey Craven

 

A Poem from another of my favourite poets.....Ed

 

The House of Life

 
All wondering, and eager-eyed, within her portico
I made my plea to Hostess Life, one morning long ago.
"Pray show me this great house of thine, nor close a single door;
But let me wander where I will, and climb from floor to floor!
For many rooms, and curious things, and treasures great and small
Within your spacious mansion lie, and I would see them all."
 
Then Hostess Life turned silently, her searching gaze on me,
And with no word, she reached her hand, and offered up the key.
It opened first the door of Hope, and long I lingered there,
Until I spied the room of Dreams, just higher by a stair.
And then a door whereon the one word "Happiness" was writ;
But when I tried the little key I could not make it fit.
It turned the lock of Pleasure's room, where first all seemed so bright-
But after I had stayed awhile it somehow lost its light.
 
And wandering down a lonely hall, I came upon a room
Marked "Duty," and I entered it-to lose myself in gloom.
Along the shadowy halls I groped my weary way about,
And found that from dull Duty's room, a door of Toil led out.
It led out to another door, whereon a crimson stain
Made sullenly against the dark these words:  "The Room of Pain."
 
But oh the light, the light, the light, that spilled down from above
And upward wound, the stairs of Faith, right to the Tower of Love!
And when I came forth from that place, I tried the little key-
And lo! the door of Happiness swung open, wide and free.

 

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

 

  

 SERVICES FOR APRIL

 

                        Sunday 5th  Palm Sunday

                                                NO SERVICE IN WINTHORPE

                        9am                  Holy Communion, Holme.

 

            Good Friday 10th

            2pm - 3pm                   The last hour devotion, Winthorpe

 

            Saturday 11th

            7pm                             Lighting of Pascal candleand renewal of  Baptismal vows. Winthorpe

 

            Sunday 12th  Easter Day

            8.45am                         Presentation of the light, Langford.

            9am                              Holy Communion, Holme.

            10.15am                       Holy Communion, Winthorpe.

 

            Thursday 16th

            10am                            Holy Communion, Winthorpe.

 

            Sunday 19th Easter 2

            9am                              Holy Communion, Langford.

            10.15am                       Family Service, Winthorpe.

 

            Sunday 26th  Easter 3

            6pm                             Evensong with Benifice Choir, Winthorpe.

 

              ALL ARE WELCOME

                      

                       

      CHURCH CLEANING VOLUNTEERS

                        APRIL                                              MAY

         10th  Miss Applewhite                         8th  Mrs Finn, Mrs Nelson

24th Mrs Young, Mrs Lloyd.         22nd  Mrs Stone, Mr  McClymont

 

 

Rector

 

Dear All,

 

Have you ever been an April fool?

I have, and as I recall it wasn't particularly pleasant. Practical jokes however innocent, and they seldom are, can be hilarious for the joke layer and the often colluding audience, but the fooled person left humiliated with running cold custard over face and body or left without clothes will think otherwise.

The sad truth is that I have in times past been part of the hugely

amused and colluding audience.

What one person finds amusing, funny and hilarious will be found by

another to be in bad taste and ill mannered. Yet how often do we say in

our peer group that we aren't amused or that we don't want to join in

the game?

 

A truth is that however much we see ourselves as fiercely individual,

holding our own ground, being faithful to our own principles, too often

we remain silent and although feeling inwardly wretched feel disabled

from actually speaking out.

Equally valid there is another truth that compels the most well

intentioned to speak out endlessly, serving only to confirm to whom ever

may be listening that the speaker needs to stop and never speak again!

 

These two extreme examples of human behaviour will be replicated across

our community, indeed in every community, country and continent. Drawing from a science fiction theme, we are not alone!

These days our secular world is largely unaware of the power and liberation of the faith journey.

 

One of the things that continues to inspire me about Jesus was his

ability to balance when to speak and when to remain silent. After any

major event, an example would be the feeding of the 5000, he went away

to be quiet and reflect, before launching out on another adventure.

Thinking and reflecting are as important as ‘doing'. So much of our

society is about actions and outcomes. The point is so often missed that

without spaces, and thinking spaces our aspirations and right ambitions

will be inhibited. Like assembling a DIY kit, whether a piece of

furniture or electrical equipment, reading the instructions, checking

that the parts are present and marked, make assembly easier. Life is

very similar. Taking action is right but when the pieces are gathered.

 

Here is a question as we prepare for Easter.:-

 

  • Where are the spaces in your life?
  • How can you create and protect them?
  • What would you have to put in place to achieve these goals?

 

Easter is a time of fun for the family. Easter is also about new beginnings.

During the coming weeks we will all have much to think about - work,

family and friends.

 

 From Winthorpe to Thorney and the 14 villages within the group along

the A1133 there is the murmur of change.

 As Priest in Charge to our extensive group of churches it will be my privilege to enable and lead.

As I suggested earlier even once the parts of the group are gathered

there will be much work to enable the whole group to function and flourish.

At the Rectory my administrator Marion Collins and I manage the rotas,

plan and deal with the correspondence and somehow fit most meetings and

visits into my diary, a truly daunting schedule at times.

 

I ask for your prayers for all those who are involved with our churches,

bell-ringers, musicians, wardens, secretaries and treasurers.

Importantly I extend my thanks to everyone who comes to church, and is

in any way part of our wider church community.

Easter is approaching, in the time remaining I encourage you to consider the questions that I have raised and think through your own responses.

 

Yours in Christ,

David

   

 

  APRIL CALENDAR

 

Thursday 2nd               Library Van.

Friday 3rd                     Tennis club AGM 7.30pm Centre

Monday 6th                  Luncheon Club, 12.30pm Centre

                                       Green Bin

Thursday 9th                WI Birthday Party, 7,30pm Centre.

Friday 10th                    Church Flowers 3.15pm Church.

Monday 13th                 Silver Bin

Tuesday 14th               Tuesday Club Coffee Morn. 10,30am V.H.

Wednesday 15th          Garden Club AGM 7.30pm Centre.

Friday 18th                    Spring Fayre Collingham, 2pm

Monday 20th                 Green Bin

Monday 27th                 Comm. Centre AGM 7.30pm Centre

                                        Silver Bin

Tuesday 28th               Tuesday Club slide show, 2.30pm V.H.

Thursday 30th               Library Van.

 

JUNE

Tuesday 9th                 Tuesday Club trip to Rutland Water.