FOCAL POINT Issue No. 338
January 2009
Ed’s Comments
Another new year another opportunity to thank, on your behalf, all of the kind people who deliver this newsletter through your letter boxes. I have the distinction of being the longest serving editor and your distributors were there long before me. Thank you and well done to you all.
Here we are in a month named after the Roman god Janus, an appropriate personification of the start of the new year. This particular Roman god had two faces so that he could look ahead toward the future and back at the past at the same time. As we get rid of an old year and look forward to a new one, we all try to be a little like Janus. We know through experience what we did wrong and what we did right, and hope to do better this year. Some people make ambitious New Year’s resolutions; others just take a deep breath and hope for the best.…
Just before Christmas all of those hardy folk who braved the awful weather to attend the Rector’s ‘Jolly’, were rewarded with a very enjoyable evening. With the mulled wine flowing freely everyone relaxed and joined in the quiz and the carol singing.
We even had Joan Roach ‘confessing’ to everyone how she had become rather frivolous in recent times and was seeing six gentlemen every day!
Apparently when she woke up Will Power got her out of bed. Then it was off to see Johnny Loo. Then Charlie Cramp came along and took up a lot of her time and attention!
When he left, Auther Ritus showed up and stayed the rest of the day, although he doesn’t like to stay in one place very long and he took her from joint to joint.
After such a busy day she got really tired and was glad to go to bed with Johnny Walker! What a life! Oh yes, she is also flirting with Al Zymer!
Not to be outdone, after our rendition of ‘Little Donkey’, Peter Roach was reminded of one of his experiences when he was in the Desert with ‘Peter O’ Toole’(Ed’s licence). He told us how he came across some Arabs who were using old tyre inner tubes in which to transport their water, the tubes being slung across the Donkey!
Finally, it is hoped that you will notice that there are several new advertisers in the FP this year, please consider all our advertisers as they do contribute to the funding of the newsletter.
Cliff Newbold – “Hoping that you all have a great New Year”
Closing date for the February issue is 23rd January.
COMMUNITY CENTRE
LUNCH CLUB
As usual there will be no lunch in January.
The next lunch will be on Monday, 2nd. February.
ANNUAL QUIZ
The Quiz will take place at the Community Centre at 7.30pm on Saturday, 7th February. The tickets will be £7 for the Quiz and refreshments. Full details will be given in the next Focal Point but please keep the date free in your new diaries.
BOUNDARY CLOSURE
As in previous years, the site boundary of the Community Centre will be closed for 24 hours so that a legal prescriptive right of access is not established. To cause the minimum disruption the site will be closed from 4pm on Sunday 4th January to 4pm Monday, 5th January, 2007. The main gate will be locked and tape barriers will be placed across all other openings onto the site including the stream bridge.
During the closure only Trustees of the Community Centre and those employed by them will be allowed access to carry out essential work.
We hope that everyone will respect this closure.
HIRE CHARGES
The Trustees reviewed the Centre hire charges at their last meeting. They have decided not to increase the charges but they will be monitoring the situation as the year progresses.
Finally, on behalf of the Trustees I would like to wish everybody
a Happy New Year.
Frances Kelly, Chairman
TUESDAY CLUB
Both meetings in January are in the Village Hall as usual.
Tuesday, 13th January, 2009. Morning coffee, 10.30am.
Tuesday, 27th January. 2.30pm. AGM – The Tuesday Club does not have a committee but the AGM is a chance for members to air their views and ideas are always welcome for outings and meetings.
A very Happy New Year to all.
Jean Foden.
RNIB Coffee Morning
Thank you, once again, to those who came along to the Coffee Morning, and who contributed so much to another successful fund raising event for the RNIB.
We raised over £200 at the Coffee Morning and with generous donations and further sales of the Christmas cards the final total came to £430.00.
Barbara Woodcock
Whist Drive
12 people attended the November Whist Drive. The winning lady was Pat Underwood (who also had the overall highest score of the night), followed by Stella Hopewell. Joan Frew and Doug Burton had the joint highest gent's score, but Joan won first prize on the cut of the cards. Yes, I know Joan is a lady, but the ladies usually outnumber the gentlemen, so we have to adapt! The booby prizes were awarded to Norman Rossiter and Kath Harvey. Anyone out there interested in joining us?
The first whist drive of 2009 will be on Thursday 22nd January at 7pm.
A very Happy New Year to you all.
Fiona Wright
An Obituary to ‘Common Sense
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: ‘Knowing when to come in out of the rain;’ ‘Why the early bird gets the worm;’ ‘Life isn’t always fair;’ and ‘Maybe it was my fault.’
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.
Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; “I Know My Rights” “I Want It Now,” “Someone Else Is To Blame.” and “I’m A Victim.”
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
Garden Club
Our final meeting of 2008 saw James Ellis sharing his knowledge of streptocarpus with us. Commonly called Cape Primrose these plants do originate from southern Africa but are not related to the primrose. The translation of the name is ‘twisted fruit’ and this can be seen in the shape of the seed pods. The plants fall into two main types; saxorum and rosetted, the latter being the one with which we are most familiar.
Hints were given with regard to care and propagation with practical demonstrations of three types of leaf propagation plus seed collection.
Numerous slides were shown to demonstrate the various colour combinations amongst hybrids with plants for sale at the end of the presentation.
May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
The meeting on January 21st is our annual party. Please remember to bring your food contributions and choice of tipple. Ideas for outings in 2009 will be welcomed as final arrangements must soon be made.
Ian Wilson
WHO’S WHO (January 2009)
ORGANISATION |
TITLE |
CONTACTS |
All Three Churches…. Winthorpe Langford Holme. |
Priest Warden Warden Wardens |
Revd. David Milner 892682 Alan Stone 702104 J.Steele 703031 D.Hallam 676153 N Priestley 892020 |
P.P.C. Winthorpe P.P.C. Langford/Holme |
Secretary Secretary |
Ann Stone 702104 D. Hallam 676153 |
Parish Council
|
Clerk Chairman |
Pam Hemphill 686317 Steve Jackson 671377 |
Comm. Centre |
Chairman Secretary Bookings |
Frances Kelly 671673 Peter Foden 704241 John Nelson 688016 |
Cricket Club |
Secretary Vice Chairman |
Andrew Fereday 678622 Ashley Lock 703988 |
Conservative Assoc. |
Chairman |
John Tinsley 611576 |
Focal Point |
Editor |
Cliff Newbold 682818 |
Gardening Club |
Chairman
|
Ian Wilson 686249
|
Luncheon Club |
|
Peter Foden 704241 |
School |
Head |
Jamie McIntyre 680060 |
Tennis Club |
Membership Sec. Secretary |
Sue Sharp 703198 Maureen Smith 701205 |
Tuesday Club |
Secretary |
Jean Foden 704241 |
Tumble Tots |
Organiser |
Mr A Gosling 07884223630 |
Tigers Football |
|
Richard Radford 688982 |
Village Hall |
Secretary Treasurer |
Barbara Woodcock 681299. David Woodcock 681299 |
Village Scrapbook |
Curator |
Pat Finn 704444 |
Neighbourhood |
Watch |
Peter Foden 704241 |
Women’s Institute |
President Secretary |
Sylvia Lloyd 703271 Brenda Tinsley 611576 |
Youth Club |
Chairman Secretary Youth Leader |
Howard Pope 659491 Denise Day 708727 Val Marshall 07904187753 |
Post Office |
|
703881 |
The Lord Nelson |
|
703578 |
Church Notices
On Thursday December 4th at 7.30 pm the W.I. held their annual Carol Service in the church which was led by Revd. David Milner. This was a very enjoyable event, concluding with wine & nibbles. They very kindly donated the collection for the work of the church.
On November 30th we were very pleased to welcome children and their parents to our Christingle service after they had prepared the Christingles the previous afternoon. Six children from the school sang beautifully. Most of them will be leaving the village school at the end of the Summer term but we hope they will join us again next year.
We wish to thank Eileen Applewhite for her kind donation towards the church fabric fund. As you already know we are investigating improvement to the church lighting and in the spring we shall be repairing the organ and commencing work on the exterior brickwork, so this donation was most welcome.
On Wednesday 3rd December Margaret Thornhill and her helpers entertained some of the residents from Winthorpe Hall to tea, followed by the singing of their favourite carols accompanied by Sylvia Lloyd
On December 10th Beryl Watts celebrated her 80th birthday. She has been a valuable member of our village and as patients of Collingham surgery know, she has until recently delivered medicines regularly to them for many years. We are very grateful to Mr Doug. Burton for continuing this essential work.
The Autumn has been a sad time for some of our friends in the village who have lost loved ones and our thoughts are with them. We are also thinking of Allan Hill & Malcolm Shelmerdine who are recovering and hoping to be home for Christmas and of Peter Milroy , Nan Jackson and anyone else who is unwell at this time.
John Nelson & Keith Lloyd have now both had knee replacements so we hope to see them in less discomfort in the New Year.
We would like to thank our priest Revd David Milner for his ministry, also Canon Philip Humphreys and Revd Michael Briggs who support David. We are very lucky to have such a team. There are many people who support our church in various ways and we are extremely grateful to them for their continued help. Many hands make light work!
Church Bells :-
They will ring for practices on Thursday evenings from 7.30pm until 9pm and possibly for the following:-
December 31st - 11.30pm Ring in the New Year
January 11th - 10.l5am Holy Communion service.
January 18th - 10.25am Family Service.
Alan & Ann Stone
Up.to.date notices of our church services and those of the other church services in the Benefice are displayed in the Post Office.
WE WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR.
HANDWRITTEN SIGN FOUND ON THE WALL OF MOTHER TERESA'S ROOM:
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Be successful anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, other may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It is never between you and them anyway.
May we all be so fortunate!
I thought that this might be appropriate as we start a New Year!! Ed.
The Rector
Happy New Year!
For all of us “Happy” will be qualified in many different ways.
Happy that Christmas is at last over and life can return to normal?
Happy in the light of friendships made and sustained over the Christmas period? - Happy to be alive? You will have your own list.
It is a hard fact that there will be many throughout the UK and within our own community for whom 2009 will not be happy. There will be a number who will lose or have already lost their jobs. There will be others who will be challenged financially because of the economic down turn. In short 2009 will bring many new and unexpected experiences.
It has and continues to be my privilege to serve the church and community at Winthorpe. As I have recorded through the Focal Point in earlier issues 2009 will see an increase in my responsibilities and work load. The East Trent Group is in the process of embracing all the churches along the A1133. At the point that “The East Trent Group” becomes a legal entity I will be responsible for all the churches and village Communities from Winthorpe at one end to Swinethorpe and Wigsley at the other extreme. During 2009 my colleague Rev. Ken Potter will retire and I will then be the only priest in post serving the East Trent Group. My nearest stipendiary colleague will be either at Newark Parish Church, or St. Giles, Balderton.
Even 5 years ago such a situation would have seemed unimaginable. The falling number of stipendiary clergy means that new strategies need to be employed in order that the East Trent Group, which has within its boundary 11 churches and 14 villages, may continue to flourish.
I am thankful for the support I continue to receive from all my wardens. At Winthorpe, Alan Stone who is both organist and Churchwarden continues to provide enormous support. Without the commitment of wardens and PCC members alike I would not be able to exercise ministry effectively throughout the group.
2009 will bring many challenges and choices. I look forward to working through them with you.
At the beginning of this New Year my thanks goes out to all who support our Church of All Saints in any way. Within the village amongst notable highlights of 2008 for me was the ceremony to recognise the Priest Stone. I am very grateful to Steve Jackson for all his support and guidance in this regard. Shortly before Christmas I attended the Winthorpe Schools Christmas production. It was a wonderful occasion which forcibly reminds me of the power and excitement all can gain from the vitality and fun of our young.
Whatever the stresses and strains let’s have a good 2009.
In Christian Love, David
SERVICES IN JANUARY
SUNDAY 4th
9am Holy Communion, Holme
NO SERVICE IN WINTHORPE
SUNDAY 11th - Epiphany
10.15am Holy Communion, Winthorpe.
5pm Evensong, Lanford.
THURSDAY 15th
10am Holy Communion, Winthorpe.
SUNDAY 18th – Epiphany 2
9am 9am Holy Communion, Langford.
10.15am Family Service, Winthorpe.
SUNDAY 25th – Epiphany 3
8am Holy Communion, Winthorpe.
10,15am Family Service, Holme
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE
CHURCH CLEANING VOLUNTEERS
January February
2nd Mrs Lloyd, Mrs Nelson 13th Mrs Finn, Mrs Nelson.
16th Miss Applewhite 27th Mrs Stone, Mr McClymont.
30th Mrs Young, Mrs Lloyd
JANUARY CALENDAR
Sunday 4th Community Centre Boundary Closed
Monday 5th Silver Bin
Thursday 8th Library Van
Monday 12th Green Bin
Tuesday 13th Tuesday Club Coffee Morn.10. 30am V. H.
Monday 19th Silver Bin
Wednesday 21st Garden Club Party 7.30pm – Centre
Thursday 22nd Whist Drive, 7pm – Village Hall
Library Van
Monday 26th Green Bin
Tuesday 27th Tuesday Club AGM 2.30pm - Village Hall
February
Monday 2nd Luncheon Club
Saturday 7th Village Quiz 7,30pm - Centre