WINTHORPE VILLAGE, FOCAL POINT Issue No. 352
March 2010
Ed’s Comments
Most of us can possibly remember that epic film ‘The Magnificent Seven ‘, where Yul Brynner recruited a group of men to overcome large odds. Well David Milner may not look much like Mr Brynner but on March the 1st he undertakes the responsibility for the ‘Magnificent Eleven’ – the churches of the East Trent Group – He will also need a lot of help. We wish him every success.
On the ‘help’ front, unfortunately 2010 didn’t start any better than other years, as no one came forward to take over Alan Stones duties as Church Warden at All Saints, Winthorpe. Still time though!!
Whilst we are on the subject of change, you will notice further on in the newsletter, the new Women’s Institute logo, gone is the ‘Tree Of Life’, in is the !!!!!!!!!!!!! Well! you decide when you see it.
The Institute, that was founded in Stoney Creek in Canada in 1897, is ‘moving the organisation forward’ to use one of the latest slogans. They have a brilliant tradition of initiatives, from creating the ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ campaign in 1955 to a calendar of nude WI members in 1999. This year they even have a male editor of their magazine WI Life! Probably a spin off from that calendar!!They also advertise a WI ‘Moodle’! which I’m sure you all know is a software package using ‘pedagogical principles’.It seems a far cry from the knitting and baking image! Although I did read that some branches tried belly dancing and self defence!Back to the new logo, the vice-president felt that it is “modern and should hopefully reach more young women”. Mmmm! Do you think we could soon be seeing the ‘Winthorpe Belly Dancing Troupe’?
Cliff Newbold
PS -- For those like me - Pedagogical = the art and science of how students learn
.
COMMUNITY CENTRE
LUNCH CLUB
The next lunch will be at 12.30pm on Monday, 1st March.
The menu will be:-
Roast Ham & Pineapple
or
Vegetable Lasagne
with
Potato Bake & Seasonal Vegetables
-x-
Banoffee Cheesecake with Cream
£7 including a glass of wine. Because the Lunch is on the first day of the month you may not have received your copy of Focal Point before then. Hopefully you will have seen the posters and made your booking to Jean and Peter Foden (704241) in good time.
QUIZ NIGHT
The Quiz Night on Saturday, 6th February was again a great success thanks to David Barthorpe and his team of helpers and everyone who attended. The event raised £550 towards the upkeep of the Centre.
This year the winning team was “Mandabajj” who had previously won in 2005. A different name was used on the evening (to put off the opposition?) but it was reverted to after winning to give a second entry on the David Jackson Shield.
Frances Kelly, Chairman
Garden Club
We were treated to an entertaining story of the development of Attenborough Nature Reserve told in some detail and with humour by Bill Wheatley of the Beeston branch of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. It followed the familiar story of sites along the Trent valley, with sand and gravel extraction followed by the creation of leisure and wildlife facilities in the water-filled quarries left behind.
Wonderful slides illustrated the vegetation, insects, bird- and animal life to be found there, ranging from spectacular close-ups of a butterfly head to a rare sighting of an otter eating a fish on the riverbank.
Five years ago an eco-friendly visitor centre was opened with views over the water, educational and conference facilities plus a cafeteria. Bill extended an invitation to us should we wish to arrange a group visit when the weather is a little warmer!
Next meeting is the 17th March, 7.30pm in the Community Centre.
Ian Wilson
WINTHORPE ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION
A number of residents recently met to form the above group in anticipation of the parish council being able to provide the necessary land. We would ask anyone in the village who might be interested in participating, regardless of whether they previously registered this with the parish council, to contact Ian Wilson on 686249, using the voicemail facility if necessary, and leaving their name and contact number.
To progress this association a meeting has been arranged f or Wednesday 10th March at 7pm in the village hall when Shani Lambert will explain the possibilities of grant assistance under the cal Improvement Scheme.
Ian Wilson
W.I. REPORT FOR FEBRUARY
Mrs Nelson welcomed members to the meeting and Mrs Tinsley read the minutes and correspondence. Several members are to attend the Council meeting in Nottingham and the County lunch at the Town Hall in March. There are also teams competing in the County Quiz at the end of February, which is being held in Winthorpe Community Centre. Some members have volunteered to prepare refreshments for this evening.
Mrs Nelson asked if anyone would be willing to arrange flowers for one of the windows in the church, it would only be occasionally if enough people offered. There were several offers.
A board was passed around for names for a dinner that is to take place in the Community centre in March, this is for the Institute.
After the business members took part in a Beetle Drive. The tables had been prepared earlier in the day and looked very pretty with foil wrapped chocolate hearts and balloons, there was a banner wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's day and wine was served, and there were nibbles on the tables.
The adding up of scores caused a lot of hilarity; each table winner moved on to the next table and therefore it was a very companionable evening. The winner with the highest score was Mrs Fiona Wright.
Tea and coffee was served with biscuits and everyone agreed it had been a very happy evening.
Our next meeting is our Annual General Meeting on March 11th
at 7-30 p.m. (If you would like to be on the Committee, please give your name to Mrs Tinsley either before or on the night.)
Hostesses are Mesdames S.Palmer, S.Leigh and E. Thornton.
Daphne Marshall.
COME AND JOIN US FOR THE FAREWELL TOUR OF RIVERDANCE
On Tuesday, 11th May, 2010 the Winthorpe Women's Institute are going to the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham to see the Farewell Tour of Riverdance.
We will be departing from the village at 6.45 pm in time to attend the 8.00 pm performance.
The price per ticket, including the bus fare, is £35.00.
We have a few extra tickets, so if you and your partner would like to join us you are very welcome.
Telephone either:- Viv Clarkson: 01636 659631 or Sheila Palmer: 01636 679960 before Thursday, 18th March, 2010.
TUESDAY CLUB
Both meetings this month will be in the Village Hall as usual.
Tuesday, 9th March. - 10.30am. Morning coffee.
Tuesday, 23rd March. - 2.30pm. Games afternoon.
Jean Foden.
GIANT SUNFLOWER COMPETITION
The annual Giant Sunflower Competition will be starting on Easter Sunday 4th April. To set this off, I will be attending Winthorpe Primary School on Thursday 25th March, when each child will receive a packet of sunflower seeds.
Those children who do not attend this school but may wish to take part in this competition must buy a packet of sunflower seeds. They are called Sunflower Giant Single and costs 49p at the Wilkinson’s store in Newark.
Further details will be in next month’s Focal Point.
Pat Finn.
Smile
A farmer purchased an old, run-down, abandoned farm with plans to turn it into a thriving enterprise. The fields were grown over with weeds, the farmhouse was falling apart, and the fences were broken down. During his first day of work, the town preacher stops by to bless the man's work, saying, "May you and God work together to make this the farm of your dreams!" A few months later, the preacher stops by again to call on the farmer. Lo and behold, it's a completely different place. The farm house is completely rebuilt and in excellent condition, there are plenty of cattle and other livestock happily munching on feed in well-fenced pens, and the fields are filled with crops planted in neat rows. "Amazing!" the preacher says. "Look what God and you have accomplished together!"
"Yes, reverend," says the farmer, "but remember what the farm was like when God was working it alone!"
Ed.
All Saints Church Flowers
This year Easter falls early. Good Friday falling on 2nd April, the Church will be open on Good Friday from 3.15pm, when we will be delighted to receive your Easter arrangements to beautify All Saints.
Mrs Eileen Applewhite feels it is time to retire from her years of devotion in decorating the church entrance. For all these years we give a heartfelt THANK YOU. Mrs Wanda Payne will take over beautifying the entrance.
The vacant large window will now be decorated by Ladies of the W.I.- for this we are very grateful.
If for some reason you are not able decorate your area please telephone Sylvia Lloyd 703271.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the 2nd April
Sylvia Lloyd
Adventures aboard n.b. Mulberry, cont.......
People express surprise when they come onto our boat because they think they would be unable to store all their belongings and keep the place tidy. I can assure you that plenty of storage units cunningly hidden under the bed, bath and settee or used as partitions throughout the boat means that we can ‘hide’ a fair amount of clutter. We also had a rule that when we visited shops we were not to buy anything unless we could justify its need or we threw something else out. Presents for Christmas and birthdays had to be either edible or useful; the limited storage space made us quite disciplined. A place for everything and everything in its place is an adage that best describes how you should live in a small space. After you have finished any activity it is important to tidy away; never-the-less, the advantages are evident when you realise that housework only takes an hour a week. The surface area of the entire floor is equivalent to twenty square metres (or yards), about the size of an ordinary room in a house, and shelves are tucked under gunwales and, in our case, so full of books and maps that dusting is very fast! Unfortunately the many windows needed frequent cleaning and polishing the outside of the boat was like tackling four cars in a row.
Llangollen, in the Welsh Hills, is beautiful and the canal journey one of the most popular for ‘continual cruisers’ and holiday makers alike.
The journey to Trevor involves crossing the Pontcysyllyte Viaduct, the famous canal in the sky built by William Jessop and Thomas Telford in the eighteenth century. A polite queuing system operates because the viaduct is only one boat wide so a great deal of patience is called for particularly in the peak holiday season when boaters keep getting on and off their boats to look over the side and take photographs. The iron of the water channel is only as thick as that used to make our boats and down one side there is no pavement or railing so the drop is immediate. Martin revelled in the view but it made my stomach lurch to look over the side.
At Trevor the canal route has been extended up to Llangollen by allowing boats to travel up what was once the feeder channel from the River Dee. The journey is less then three miles and a lovely walk but by boat it takes a little longer as we navigate the shallow and narrow stretches and hope not to meet other craft on the tight bends or under bridges. The canal has been cut into the side of the mountain with spectacular views through woods and quaint houses looking down at the valleys and roads.
At Llangollen the canal overlooks the town. The mooring is provided with water and electricity and the boats are safe while their occupants enjoy the steam railway, fish and chips in town or walks through the hills. At the end of the public canal a horse-drawn boat continues to the famous Horseshoe Falls- all very picturesque. Each time we have made this journey we have had lovely sunshine and a festival of some description to visit.
It is possible to hire canal boats to try out similar adventures but for those readers who want to have a go but without the vast number of other tourists or without the problem of locks I would recommend the Ashby Canal; quiet, beautiful countryside and no hills!
Lynne Shapley
PRESS RELEASE
Newark & Sherwood Funding Issues Group (FIG) present a free ‘Awards for All’ Application Workshop on 11th March 2010 at Kelham Hall 10am – 1pm.
Newark and Sherwood voluntary organisations have struggled to obtain funding from the BIG Lottery’s ‘Awards for All’ programme since the criteria changed in April 2009.
Newark & Sherwood Funding Issues Group (FIG) is offering a free workshop on 11th March 2010 at Kelham Hall from 10am to 1pm to help local voluntary and community organisations considering applying for grants of up to £10,000. Too often it is not the project itself but the failure to present the application appropriately to the funder which ends in rejection of the bid.
Two BIG Lottery officers, who are members of FIG, will be leading the workshop supported by other members to help groups understand what is needed to succeed.
Through presentations and practical exercises, this event will help groups learn how to avoid common application pitfalls; understand how to prove the need for their project; get to grips with funding application jargon; understand the importance of studying each funder’s eligibility criteria carefully and completing the application form fully and in detail. Exercises will particularly look at reasons why applications from local groups have failed and how these can be avoided with thorough preparation. The lessons learned will be relevant to applications to a range of funders such as Lloyds TSB, BBC Children in Need and Reaching Communities.
The workshop is free of charge and group delegates have an opportunity to pre-book a one to one session with an advisor to discuss their individual bids. There are limited places and groups are advised to book early.
To book please contact Melanie Saxton on 01623 727600 or by email at msaxton@rcan.org.uk Please be sure to include your name and that of your organisation plus contact details.
Newark & Sherwood Funding Issues Group (FIG) is a partnership organisation made up of funders and voluntary sector members working for the benefit of community and voluntary organisations in the district.
More information can be obtained from www.nandsfundingissues.org
Carers in the Community?
It is estimated that there of upwards of 80,000 people in Nottinghamshire who care for another person; looking after children, loved ones and the elderly. But there are only 6,000 people who are registered with Nottinghamshire County Councils Social Services department. So called ‘hidden’ carers have become the focus of much debate recently and it leaves the question, what do people know about care services available in Nottinghamshire?
At times it can be quite challenging for a carer to manage by themselves when looking after someone who is dependent on them and this is when many people seek help. This can be in the form of respite care, emotional support and also financial support. But the first problem for many people is “who do I turn to?”.
There are services throughout the County that aim to help both carers and the cared for and as part of its work the Nottinghamshire County LINk (Local Involvement Network) has launched an initiate to find out what the community know about local care services and how to access them.
Nottinghamshire County LINk seeks to find out the views of local people on health and social care services in Nottinghamshire and it engages with the public to find out what they think about local services and how they can be improved to meet the local community’s needs. It then goes on to investigate issues that the public raise.
The LINk wants to find out what carers know about local services and are asking the public to send in their views. The main questions it has been asking as part of its investigation are:
• What care services do you use in Nottinghamshire and what areas of the County do they cover?
• What is your opinion of these services? Do they meet your needs?
• Do you feel you need more information about the services available in your area?
• Are you a carer from or provide care to people from an ethnic minority group?
• Do you receive adequate emotional support as a carer?
• How do you think the new Personal Budgets scheme will affect the level of service in your area?
The LINk would like to know your answers to the above questions and if you’d like to find out more information about the LINks investigation into carers services or would like to send in your views about other services in the County, you can contact them on 0115 9754647 or e-mail them at:-
info@strongerlocalvoice.com. ------ Inderpal Dhillon
PC 2548 Deborah Bakin PCSO 8128 Mike Munro PCSO 8130 Harriet Samson-Bailey
Tel : 0300 300 9999 ext 809 7660 Tel : 0300 300 9999 ext 809 7660 Tel : 0300 300 999 ext 809 7660
Mobile : 07595 074144 Mobile : 07595 074234 Mobile : 07595 074288
deborah.bakin@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk michael.munro@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk harriet.samson-bailey@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk
WINTHORPE POST OFFICE
Winthorpe post office has joined a scheme called “LOCAL FOOD” which identifies locally grown, produce, raised or made from within 30 miles radius or within the county of Nottinghamshire.
We have incorporated shelf labelling which identifies all the local produce that we now stock. These include, locally grown vegetables from a farmer at Newton -on-Trent, meats and products from livestock reared at Tuxford from Mike Maloney butchers, Free Range Eggs from Ready-Fields Farm at Caunton and Ice cream selections from Thaymar Dairy Ice Creams at Retford.
These are to be expanded on, with later introductions of wines, cakes and other foods all produced locally.
The scheme is funded by the National Lottery and is set to enhance and expand the market for locally produced food and products.
A survey is due to be conducted through the village by David Rose, who is a key figure for the project in this area, to help us understand the requirements of local village people. I hope that you can take the time to answer his questions as this will give us the feedback that we need to improve and sustain a better service for Winthorpe Villagers.
"THANK YOU"
Martin and Joanne (your local Shopkeepers)
Opportunity
Mermaid and Stonebow, from the Woodleigh Herd of pedigree rare breed Berkshire pigs, would like to announce the impending arrival of their PIGLETS! (after many Autumnal apples, thank-you all). Bred here in Winthorpe!
Our order book is now open on a first come, first served basis, for sides of pork butchered to your specification; (5 flavours of sausages; streaky bacon, boned rolled joints, chops, burgers, trotters, offal etc). Ready end September.
Please ring for more details (orders must be placed by the end of March).
Nikki and Philip Dales (Mermaid and Stonebow)
Tel: 01636 642 844 -- 07715 714514
CHURCH NOTICES
Due to mobility problems, Mrs Eileen Applewhite is having to retire from decorating the church porch. We have enjoyed her presentations, which have given much pleasure for many years. We do thank her sincerely but we are pleased to say that Mrs Wanda Payne has agreed to take her place.
From the 1st March the group of eleven churches of which the Revd. David Milner is in charge will become official.
Coddington which was part of Holme, Langford & Winthorpe group will become part of the Newark Benefice.
We send our Best Wishes to our priest David as he takes on this enormous and challenging task.
With the enlarged group some changes have been made to the service pattern:-
On the third Sunday of every month there will be either a Morning Worship or a Family Service. The next Morning Worship will be in May but it will be well advertised in Focal Point and in notices around the village.
On the third Sunday in March & April it will be a family service and it would be good to see children & parents at this service.
Morning Worship will be an Ecumenical service (everyone is invited); it will consist of hymns, prayers, bible readings & a short address.
We are hoping these services will become popular and will help us to keep our village church viable.
Just to remind you that on Monday March 15th at 7.15pm in the Village Hall there will be the Annual Vestry & Parochial Church Council Meeting. It is an open meeting but only people on the Church Electoral Roll may vote. As yet there have been no nominations for Churchwarden but it is not too late. Forms may be acquired from Ann Stone 702104.
We send our best wishes to those who are ill or are in hospital at this time. We wish them a speedy recovery and better health in the future.
Mr. Reg Priestley
It was with great sadness that we heard of the death of Reg who I have known since I was 16yrs old. We were taught to play the organ by Mr Francis Woolley on the organ at Newark Parish Church. He started to play at All Saints church in Collingham when he was 12 yrs old and was very knowledgeable about churches, cathedrals and their organs.
We have had many friendly conversations over the years and I considered him as a good friend. I was very grateful to him for standing in for me at Winthorpe when I was on holiday and eventually becoming organist at Holme & Langford when I needed a hip replacement.
He will be very badly missed by many and we offer our condolences to his wife Joan, Nigel and families.
Church Bells
They will ring for practices on Thursday evenings from 7.00pm - 9.0pm
and possibly for the following:-
Sunday March 14th 10.15am Holy Communion
Sunday March 21st 10.15am Family Service
Sunday March 28th 6pm Evensong
From the registers
Holy Baptism - 24Th January - George James Taylor
RIP 1st February - Samuel Spry
Alan & Ann Stone
Up-To-date notices of our church services and those of the other church services in the Benefice are displayed outside the church.
RECTOR
Dear all,
What a start to 2010 we have had?
Our first East Trent Group event had to be cancelled due to truly appalling weather and all the preparations with the choir and music group came to nothing. This was indeed a setback. The really good news is that folks from across the whole group have taken trouble to travel to unfamiliar churches to worship ever since. Despite poor weather and the vagaries of unique church organs, it has been great to meet the congregations at Harby, Clifton and Thorney in worship, and begin to learn about one another. Candlemas at Girton on February 2nd was a particular delight with the choir in attendance. On a cold damp Tuesday evening there were, in all around 58 people at church. Girton folks provided welcome and warming refreshment at the conclusion of the service. It was great to mingle with congregation members from the whole group, my thanks as always to Michael Briggs who led and preached.
At the end of January Wesley Blakey, the Chair of the Nottingham and Derby Methodist Circuit provided an inspirational focus at our Ecumenical Worship in Collingham. At the heart of his message was the need to embrace change and see new challenges as opportunities rather than stumbling blocks and above all for the need to be open and accepting of change. East Trent evensong was held at South Scarle on the same day. The Very Reverend David Leaning preached and further encouraged all present in the light of the formation of the East Trent Group to work together to keep the various church communities alive and active.
At Easter we will launch a year long project “We are Growing” Through it we hope, in one way or another, to involve all the communities along our stretch of the East Trent.
Watch this space for more information next month.
Although I have written and said it many times I continue to be very thankful for all the support I receive from so many across the group, both church and non church goers alike. It continues to be a privilege to be part of the group.
As you read this we will be in the season of Lent, a period of hard reflection, mirroring Jesus wilderness experience and all that leads us to Calvary, the Cross, an empty tomb and resurrection. For a number it will begin on Ash Wednesday ending only on Easter morning. If we use the time aright, the forty days and nights can truly be a time of new birth.
Growing anything takes time, nurture and above all patience!!!
Whatever you give up or take up during Lent may it be a time of growing creativity rather than a jail sentence with no time off for good behaviour.
In Christian Love,
David
NOTE - Services.
We are introducing a service of morning worship to which all are warmly invited.
We hope this new adventure in worship will be of interest to those of all denominations and not just our regulars.
It is hoped that the balance between words music and silence will be encouraging to all who come.
Morning Worship will be held on the 3rd Sunday at 10.15am
We look forward to seeing you !!
Further information
Each month All Saints Winthorpe has a variety of services among them:-
On Sundays......
A Family service
A sung service of Holy Communion Sung Evensong
On the 3rd Thursday of each month at 10am A traditional service of Holy Communion, from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer is held
Details for all services at All Saints are listed each month in this magazine. The Post Office and Church Notice Boards
MARCH SERVICES
Sunday 7th – Lent 3
9am Holy Communion, Holme
NO SERVICE IN WINTHORPE
Sunday 14th - Lent 4
10.15am Holy Communion, Winthorpe.
Thursday 18th
10am Holy Communion, Winthorpe. - Said service ( B.C.P)
Sunday 21st Lent 5 - Passion Sunday
10.15 am Family Service, Winthorpe.
Sunday 28th - Palm Sunday
9am Holy Communion, Langford
6pm Evensong, Winthorpe.
ALL ARE WELCOME
A BIBLE story....
A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages.
‘Mama, look what I found, ' the boy called out.
‘What have you got there, dear? '
With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered,
' I think it's Adam 's underwear!
'Ed
MARCH CALENDAR
Monday 1st Luncheon Club, 12.30pm Centre.
Silver Bin
Thursday 4th Library Van
Monday 8th Green Bin
Wednesday 10th Allotment meeting, 7pm – Village Hall.
Thursday 11th W.I. AGM 7.30pm Village Hall.
Monday 15th Green Bin
Wednesday 17th Garden Club, 7.30pm Community Centre.
Monday 22nd Silver Bin
Wednesday 24th Pensioners Lunch 12noon – School.
Thursday 25th Library Van
Monday 29th Green Bin
April 2nd Church Open for flower arrangers 3.15pm
May 11th WI Riverdance.
‘