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Parish News April 2007

Pause for Though from Parish Priest: Canon Margaret Venables
The Rectory, Barnack, Stamford, Lincolnshire. PE9 3ET

When you come to the end of a good book, an exciting film or an absorbing documentary programme, do you say to yourself: 'I wonder what happened next?' Somehow you want to know more, to see what happened U) the characters - which is why; of course, large running series are so popular. I've just been sniffing back tears at a particularly sad episode of ‘Casualty’ - but I'll be back in front of the television next week to see what happens to the tiny baby and her widowed father. And I can remember when I was quite young (very young?) sitting with ears glued to 'Dick Barton - Special Agent', a radio series which always left a cliff hanger at the end of each episode - 'Will he - won't he?' I know there are other people for whom 'Coronation Street' and The Archers' has the same effect - and by the way you should hear the minor explosion in the Rectory-when the 'phone rings in the middle of 'Eastenders' or 'Holby City’. The gospel of St Mark the first gospel to be written actually has one of these cliff-hanger endings. Almost all modern versions end at chapter 16 verse 8, when the women, having heard the news that Jesus had risen from the dead ran away: 'so they went out and ran from the tomb, distressed and terrified. They said nothing to anyone because they were afraid.' It isn't likely that Mark would have ended at this point, so the original ending may have been lost. Or it could have been that Mark was unable to finish it -"perhaps he was arrested or put to death for being a Christian, as many were at the time he was writing. Mark 16 9-20 is regarded as a later addition; probably derived from other gospel endings. Scholars through the ages have argued about this - but of course for us today it doesn't matter where Mark chose to finish as we can read other accounts in Matthew, Luke and John and we can discover 'what happened next' through the Acts of the Apostles, as the followers of Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit, set out and continued with the work entrusted to them. Then we have various letters, or epistles, which tell us about the early Christian communities. But, of course, the story continues today - so what is our 'gospel' or good news for people living at the end of the twentieth century. Have we got any good news for those around us who live next door, up the road, in our community? What do we say to the neighbour who is overcome with grief at the loss of a loved one? What can we say about the events in our own country, to people who struggle to find where the next penny is coming from, who are homeless, Jobless, futureless? What can we say to those in places like Africa, the starving, the refugees, the oppressed, the rootless, the forgotten people? Where is the good news? Is there any ray of hope or understanding? The good news is that which is told so vividly by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The good news is the Easter story - that by the death and resurrection of Jesus points that God is with us every step of the way, however difficult things are, even to death - and beyond that is something more glorious. His only requirement of us is that we respond to his invitation 'come, follow me.' What is going to be the next part of your story? Will you walk sadly away like a rich young ruler in one of the Bible stories or will you accept the invitation? Sometimes it's hard to know where to start to accept that invitation - here is a prayer you might like to use: Lord. Thank you for inviting me to come with you, To share your life, To show your love. Give me the strength To say 'yes' and mean it, To mean it and to do it. Take my hand and led me on, To your praise and glory. Margaret

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CAN YOU PLEASE PLEEEEASE HELP US!!!
‘We believe in life before death’
Christian Aid works in more than 50 countries helping people regardless of religion or race to improve their own lives and tackle the causes of poverty and injustice.
Christian Aid Week – ‘Growing a Future’ - is from the 13th to the 19th May.
We urgently need people to help collect in Bainton, Ashton and Southorpe. Can you please spare a few hours to distribute envelopes and collect them a week or so later. We need at least 2 people for Pilsgate, 2 people for Ashton and 6 for Bainton. But the more the merrier - if more people help, each person has fewer envelopes to deliver and collect.
Please phone Mary Creswell on 740527 if you can help with Bainton and Ashton or Josie Irving-Bell on 740513 if you can help with Southorpe.

Ufford Art Society: 2007 Art Demonstrations in the Village Hall
Thursday June 7th 9.30am - 12 noon, Paul Howard, Watercolour Pencils.
Thursday September 20th 9.30am - 12 noon, Charles Evans, Oils.
Ufford Art Society members £2 per session. Non-members welcome - £3 per session.

Invite For New Members
The Friends Of Barnack Church 200 Club have been helping to conserve the fabric of our church for a great many years now. So, why not consider joining? The 200-club subscription is only £15 per year with great cash prize draws each and every month. To join this wonderful cause and become a Friend of Barnack Church contact John Ward Tel: 01780 740016.

WI Spring outing
Barnack WI are arranging a day’s outing to the National Trust gardens at Harlow Carr, Harrogate, Yorks on Wednesday, 9th May. We need to fill the coach, so do come and join us. The cost of the return fare, entry into the gardens and a guided tour will be £17.50
to book a seat, please contact Adrienne Collins 01780 740124.

Swaddywell Pit Nature Reserve
Richard Astle has agreed to lead a walk round the reserve on Sunday April 15th 2007. Meet at the car park at 2.30pm. Turn left off Marholm Road at the Stamford Stone Company entrance, turn left again and go through the gate, then right, through another gate and down the hard drive into the car park.
Like the Hills and Holes it was a Roman stone quarry and then abandoned. When John Clare was a young man, he enjoyed the flowers and the birds, while watching the Helpston village livestock.
Many of us remember the outcry by residents in the 1990s, when it was a car-racing track and may not be aware that it has been managed by the Langdyke Trust since 2003. They are striving to increase its wild life and community value.
All welcome, including children and well-behaved dogs on leads. We may be lucky enough to see some dragon flies and great crested newts while we are there.

Barnack Carpet Bowls Club AGM
The A.G.M. will be held in the Village Hall on Thursday 12th April, 2007 at 7 pm and will be followed at 8 pm by a Fish & Chip Supper. If you would like to stay for the supper please add your name to the list at the Village Hall by Thursday 5th April 2007.

Tai Chi
A new beginners Tai Chi class will be starting at Barnack Village Hall on Wednesday 18th April at 7.30 pm.
Tai Chi has been practised for centuries for its health improving qualities. It has been found to reduce stress and tension, improve co-ordination and flexibility and exercise the whole body without strain. It is recommended for young and old alike so come and join us.
Just turn up or, for more information, call Angela on 07929746428

Ufford Ladies
On Tuesday 27th February, Ufford Ladies enjoyed a sociable evening meal at the Lady Anne’s Hotel Stamford. The next meeting will be the AGM on March 27th at 7.45pm at Ufford Village Hall and our speaker will be from St John’s Ambulance, Stamford. They have been our charity for the year 2006/2007.
During the evening there will be a discussion on the future of Ufford Ladies and we welcome your opinions, ideas and views. We look forward to seeing you and receiving your support.
Ufford Art Classes
Art Classes run every Thursday in Ufford Village Hall from 9.30 - 12.30. New members welcome.

Buttercross Club
Our first speaker for the year was Nicki Hayworth who gave us a lively and enthusiastic presentation on the benefits of Aloe Vera. The healing properties of this plant have been no secret for thousands of years but it is only in recent years have they been marketed for a whole variety of ailments - from liver and throat disorders to the more well known treatment of skin conditions. We were able to sample gels and lotions and even to taste Aloe . A generally ‘feel good’ evening !
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 4th April when Brian Holdich will talk to us about his support for a convent school in Bijar, India. The children live in abject poverty and the school tries to do its best, despite chronic lack of funding and resources. The talk is entitled ‘The Golden Vision’ as it reflects the awesome ambition of Brian to improve the school. Do come along and join us at 7.45pm at Bainton Reading Room. We’d love to see you !
P.S. The Club is planning a trip to the Hautbois Guiding Centre in Norfolk for the nights of 16 and 17 July. Apart from the sheer enjoyment of staying in a country house in large grounds at very reasonable rates, outdoor sports are available and a tour round Summerleyton Hall, the family seat of the Hon. Mary Birkbeck is planned. Please phone Ro Yates on 740833 for more information.

Parish Magazine Collators
Many, many thanks to the army of volunteers who give up their time to collate, staple and fold the Parish News each month and to all who deliver to every home in the villages. Many thanks also to Jill Miller who does such a sterling job of organising the collators and sorting the finished magazines into delivery groups and Helen Fancourt for acting as treasurer.
To avoid passing round a heavy box of equipment for collating the Parish News, Derek Whiteman has very kindly offered to keep the large extra supply of staples. If you notice the supply is getting low in the box which is passed around the groups of collators, please contact Derek.

Barnack School Association Quiz Night
Friday 27th April 7.30 (for 8.00pm questions start) In the School Hall
A great night out with fun questions, picture rounds, video and music round, re-live your childhood T.V. favourites, this is not your average pub quiz, and not an IQ test.
Free nibbles at your table and licensed bar, prizes and raffle, all takings in aid of the Barnack School Association.
We have space for 14 teams of up to 8 people. Bring along a whole team or just join as individuals or as pairs, we’ll ensure you have a team on the night.
For tickets, please enclose a cheque payable to “BSA” for £5.00 per person, to Sarah Nelson-Smith, 5 Saxon Road, Barnack, PE9 3EQ or phone me on 01780 740439 for information or to reserve places.

The Good News Library Van Coffee Morning. Change of Venue
The Good News Van will be coming to Barnack on Tuesday April 17th, but it will be at a different house. It will be at The Lodge, Bainton Road, Barnack, the home of Stan and Jessie Goodacre from 10.30 until 12noon. Everyone will be most welcome to come for coffee and meet up with friends old and new. It is a good way to get to know people, if you are new to the villages of Barnack, Bainton and Ufford, so do come. We would love to see you. There will of course be the good selection of books for you to browse through, if you so wish. I am reading ‘ Miracle Valley’ by Jim Wilkinson at the moment. It is a very easy read about a Yorkshire farmer. It is a book, which is hard to put down. You just want to find out what happens. You might even find a good book for yourself !

Bainton Spring Fayre
Once again we are holding a fund-raising Spring Fayre at The Granary, Manor Farm, Bainton, by kind permission of Mr & Mrs M Bratley. This year we shall be dividing the proceeds between Cancer Research UK and St Mary’s Church, Bainton. Following the success of the two previous Fayres there will be a preview evening on Wed May 16th from 7-9pm with delicious refreshments, an auction and of course, opportunity to shop at our exciting selection of stalls. Tickets for this event are £10 each from Helen on 740091.
On Thursday 17th May the Fayre will be open from 10am - 3pm. Admission on the door will be £3. There will be a wonderful selection of stalls, bring and buy stall, coffee and cakes, and lunches.

Barnack Bowls Club
The winners of the February draw were:
No 13 Steve Gyles £25
No 44 Pat Barton £15
No 93 Reg Thompson £10

Barnack Methodist Chapel
Together with Ryhall chapel, we have enjoyed a series of Lenten bible studies led by our minister, Rev Malcolm Peach. During each Sunday service in Lent we have a short act of remembrance and place on to a large wooden cross six items such as: a money-bag, a crown of thorns a purple robe etc. then on Easter Sunday all these are removed, the cross covered in wire netting and we cover it with flowers to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. If you see it outside the chapel after Easter Sunday morning, you will know what it means.
Many thanks for all your support at our March Coffee Morning and Cake Stall which raised £123.54 for our funds and we look forward to seeing you at our next Coffee morning which will take place on Saturday, 7 April from 10 am until 11 am.

Wiki in the Garden
Following the success of the Wiki Cafe in Bainton Reading Room which raised £175 for Water Aid this winter, we are continuing with once monthly charity coffee mornings in village gardens. They will be held on the third Saturday of each summer month, starting May 19th at 3 Bainton Gardens, Bainton. We have been invited to meet at 1 Beever Way, Bainton on 16th June and Limrose, Bainton on 21st July. Look forward to seeing everyone.

Little Lambs Trip
The Little Lambs toddler group will be going on a trip to see some little lambs on Tuesday 27th March! We will be going to Sacrewell farm for the morning instead of our usual session at the village hall. We hope the children and mums will enjoy seeing the lambs and all the other animals.
Little Lambs meets every Tuesday during term time in the village hall from 10am to 11.45am. We have great fun together with lots of toys to play with for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. We have a craft each week including so far making lions masks, Noah’s ark with animals, sparkly angels and hand and foot painting! It is always fun, quite often messy, and usually recognisable! The most important part of the morning if you ask any Mum, or little lamb, is snack time. We have had some delicious cakes, the fruit is very nice too! We also indulge in ‘proper coffee’ great if you have been having sleepless nights with your little lamb! We then have story time which is usually a bible story and singing. Our favourite songs are I can wiggle like a worm and sleeping bunnies. After singing if we have any energy left (and the children usually do) we have a wild time on wheeled toys and with soft footballs. The children usually sleep well on Tuesday afternoon!
The Little Lambs is open to all pre school aged babies and children and their carers. Come along on a Tuesday morning and give it a try you would be most welcome. If you would like more information, please ring Karen Dunn on 01780 749198. Little Lambs is run by Barnack Baptist Church

St. John the Baptist Church “Hunger Lunch”
As Lent draws to a close we plan to hold a “Hunger Lunch” on Monday, April 2nd, from 12 noon until 2pm in the Village Hall. We would invite a donation of £2.00 for a simple meal. We will divide the proceeds between two charities concerned with the care of children. Hope and Homes for Children looks after children orphaned by war, disease or poverty. It started in Romania but now works in many countries including some in Africa. It aims to take children out of orphanages and establish them in family homes in small family groups. Family Care is the highly regarded ministry of Peterborough Diocese to vulnerable children and their families in our area. Please support this initiative. For more information please speak to Elizabeth Young (740347) or Jose Irving-Bell (740513).

Barnack W.I. March Meeting
This month we enjoyed a most interesting talk on the Jubilee Sailing Trust. This organisation aims to allow people who are disabled to sail on of two tall ships. Each person is accompanied by an able bodied “buddy” who gives whatever help is required. Our speaker assured us that it was by no means a leisurely holiday. All on board had to perform whatever tasks were asked of them by the ten permanent crew members. But it was nevertheless a most exhilarating and worthwhile experience. If anyone reading this would like to know more, please speak to me. The raffle was won by Ivy Ratcliffe, and the competition by June Graham, with Sue Jarman the runner up. Elizabeth Young, Secretary. (740347)

Mobility Aid
I would like to thank all my friends for their kind help when I was unable to drive my car due to a slight problem. I was somewhat overcome by the generous offers of so many people and their willingness to adjust their daily routine to take me to the various appointments prior to my operation for the removal of a cataract. I am most grateful to you all. Many thanks, Bill How

The Barnack and District Horticultural Show
A date for your diary - The Show is to be held on 12th August 2007 on the school field from midday onwards. As well as the horticultural show we have organised lots of attractions for the family day. New this year is a mini fair, a barbecue cooking locally-sourced sausages and burgers, delicious cream teas provided by the WI. A fancy dress competition for the children is planned with the theme of Bygone Days in Barnack. As in the past there will be craft stalls an art sale by the Ufford art society and plenty of games to have a go at and try and win a prize.
We are looking for volunteers who are free that day or weekend to run a stall or help with the setting up of the show. We would also like any donations for raffle prizes/tombola items. All help is greatly appreciated to make this a fun village event. Please contact either Debbie Martin 740048; Judi Campbell (Alston) 740420; Jen Birch 740951

Women Connect
The next meeting will be on April 19th at the home of Janet Duff, 21, Bishops Walk, Barnack.
Community Projects In Bainton
If you live in Bainton, and would like to help out in making our village even more beautiful, put the date of April 14th in your diary. We are trying to form a working party to tidy up and re-seed areas requiring attention in the village - land on Helpston Road opposite the Church, and the wash dyke for starters!  If interested come along to the Pinfold at 10am to join us. Planned work is expected to be light, so anyone can come!

Protect Your Property
Smartwater Tracer is a device being recommended by Cambridgeshire Police. It is a chemical property-marking liquid likened in concept to DNA profiling, and registers ownership of property to the registered owner. It is painted on any property and dries clear. It is invisible to the naked eye but glows yellow under UV light, disclosing a number which can be read by a microscope. This can inform the police who really owns any property they may be concerned about. These kits are now on sale for domestic use and will be discounted if bought in bulk. Bainton and Ashton Parish Council are prepared to initiate a bulk order if anyone is interested - cost around £26. If you are interested, please contact Parish Clerk Tony Gowers on 740097, or get more information online at smartwater.com. 

The Poorest People In The World
A message from Mary and Tony Gowers Tel.740097. Our nephew Daniel is an architect working on community buildings in Malawi - one of the ten poorest countries in the world!  Life is hard there at the best of times, but Daniel and his new wife have, by chance, come across a village in the north of the country populated entirely by disabled people - mainly blind, deaf and lame. Apparently, disabled people are often asked to leave their family and village - things are so hard, non-contributors cannot be fed. These people have joined forces and somehow, with a bit of rough farming, basket making and a lot of self help, manage to survive.
Houses are very basic with no luxuries, and life is purely a case of existing. Without resources, friends or family they could well be classed as the poorest people in the world. Daniel is trying to get financial help to build dwellings for them and is asking some of the few people he knows in the western world to help. He promises that every penny contributed will go to buy materials - his and his wife’s efforts are voluntary. If you feel you can help please send a donation to 1, Bainton Gardens, Bainton - we promise that all of it will go to help these villagers. We do have photos and more info if anyone is interested.

American Card Game
Winners of the American Card Game were Mrs M Croft, Mrs M Sharpe and Mrs E Hudson and the Booby Mrs E Coles. The Competition for a Broach attracted 14 entries and was won by Mrs F Rawlings, 2nd Mrs M Sharpe and 3rd Mrs G Green.

Ufford Park Cricket Club
At the recent Annual General Meeting, Peter Taylor was elected Captain of the Rutland League 1st XI and Andy Larkin Vice Captain; 2nd XI Terry Rawlings and Vice Captain Chris Parker. Andy Larkin was re-elected Hunts League Captain and Ross Keymer Vice Captain. The 2007 Season opens on 22 April with the Chairman’s XI.
The final Draw for 2006/7 of the ‘100’ Club took place at the White Hart and the winners were:
£100 Nº 37 Mrs R Porter, Barnack
£30 Nº 81 Mrs F Rawlings, Ufford
£20 Nº 40 G Mason, Peterborough
£15 Nº 6 M Hinton, Ailsworth
£10 Nº 54 A Martin, Barnack
£10 Nº 101 D Smith, Northborough
£10 Nº 9 H Kirkham, Deeping
Barnack Bowls Club
The Bowls Club is seeking to attract new members, so whether you want to try out the game or are an experienced bowler, we want to hear from you. We have a special incentive package for new members. If you are interested to find out more, please ring Phil Collins on 740124 or Margaret Broadbelt on 740133.

Parish Council Reports and Notices