Parish News February 2007
  

The Rector’s Letter

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

I imagine that nearly everyone who lives in this area and drives a car has at sometime suffered trial by the M25. Of all the roads it’s the one I most dread having to travel on. But sometimes there is no other logical alternative - or so it would seem!

There was one occasion which is firmly locked in my memory when I was staying in Stevenage, had to end the day in Taunton but also had to go to a meeting in Salisbury. I set out in good time. Then, just as I came off the slip road to the M25. the car radio told me there was a 13 mile tail back and most of the exit roads were quickly becoming blocked, so there was nothing to do but join in the chaos. Five miles on and an hour later I’d had plenty of time to think and had flicked through most of the radio stations. By the time I reached Taunton in the evening, to be greeted by yet another traffic jam I felt as though I had been locked in the car all day!

It was with a sense of disbelief that on the same evening as I watched the early evening news I saw amazing traffic solutions. Four seater cars that could run on a single track rail system above our cities and people could programme to which one stop station they wished to travel. A clever idea - but why I wondered do we need single cars yet again in which, most probably, one person would travel? Surely the whole interest of public transport is the number of people you meet. Remember the old trains with their small compartments? I used to travel this way to school and in my first job. Sometimes the English reserve would take over and everyone would disappear behind their newspapers and the journeys would be silent - but on other occasions interesting conversation might be struck up - and at least you were never alone. And buses are the same - at best they can be friendly places - especially for those travelling the same route each day. Though, of course, I am well aware that public transport has it’s frustrations and that a car is often the most effective way of getting through a day’s work.

Yet there is one thing of which I am certain - that we are not designed to travel alone. Life is much more like travelling by bus than by car - people get on and off our life’s bus journey: some travel with us for a long time; some we just chat to in passing; some we really talk to; sometimes we are relieved when people decide to get off our bus and sometimes we are immensely sad and know that from now on the journey will be less fun and the empty seat cannot ever be truly refilled. But whatever the outcome; thank God, there have been others with whom to travel.

Margaret

Ash Wednesday

Lent is not a time to make yourself as miserable as possible - but from some of the stories you hear, you would be forgiven for thinking that. People giving up their favourite treats, from sugar to chocolate to alcohol.... going to hear long devotional addresses, spending time alone soul-searching.... So what is it really all about? Over the last 2000 years, three main elements have gone into the making of Lent. They are:
1. Preparation for Easter Baptism. The early Church (especially in Jerusalem, 4th century) came to use the forty days building up to Easter as a time to prepare their new converts for Baptism. For these converts. Lent became a time of great joyful anticipation.
2. Time for penance and reconciliation with the Church. Since early times. Lent has also been used a time when those who had sinned and been debarred from Communion did penance. Forgiveness and restoration brought peace and security.
3. A fast in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. This. too, has been popular since earliest times, and normally meant giving up food until the evening of each day. The point was not to punish oneself, but to abstain, in order to both focus the mind in prayer to God and to appreciate the real value (if any) of what one was depriving oneself.
Lent has come to be 40 days in length, corresponding with Jesus’ time in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13) Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, and ends on Easter Eve, the forty days comprising the intervening weekdays, as Sundays do not count! In the Middle Ages, unbleached linen vestments were used; today violet is the liturgical colour.
What about the ashes? The OT has several references to the use of ashes as a sign of penitence. Thus the early penitents had ashes sprinkled over them. But this was such an effective ‘visual aid’ that soon everyone else wanted to take part in this custom as well - it was a way of saying publicly their response to the prophet Joel’s call to “rend your hearts and not your garments”. Today’s Collect stresses the penitential character of the day and the readiness of God to always forgive and renew.
The custom-of ‘ashing’ is where the priest traces an outline of the cross on the forehead of people at the altar. Like processing with candles on 2 February and palms on Palm Sunday, it was abolished at the Reformation, though the old name for the day remained. Receiving-ashes for Anglicans remains optional. Since late medieval times a custom has been to burn the branches used on Palm Sunday in the previous year in order to create the ashes for today.
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GENERAL CHURCH NOTICES

BARNACK SERVERS

4th Rosie Mogridge, Hanna Wright
11th Patrick Wright, Tom Trevarthen
18th No Servers
25th Richard Howells, Jenny Howells

If you are unable to serve on your allocated Sunday, please contact one of the other servers to try to swap dates

VILLAGE CHURCH BRASSES & FLOWERS ROTA
 

Ufford

Bainton

Barnack

4 Mrs Chance Dr M Tanner Mrs Chadwick
11 Mrs Chance Mrs J Wreford  
18 Mrs Hudson Mrs J Plant Mrs Graham
25*   Mrs M Birkbeck  

* Lent - no flowers

GENERAL NOTICES

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Contact the Editor for details.

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Beware Bogus Callers - “The Water Board”
I have been made aware of distraction burglaries in the village where people say they are from the “water board”. Maybe a bit of advice won’t go amiss.
Firstly their approach will give a big clue: there is no such thing as “the water board”.
It is very rare that Anglian Water will need to enter your property unless you have requested they come to take a sample for example.
The following is from our website and contains info on beating bogus callers:
To help give you peace of mind at home, Anglian Water is doing everything possible to minimise the risk of anyone impersonating its employees.
Anyone calling on behalf of Anglian Water carries an identity card and will always
produce the card for your inspection. The card also has a Braille strip on the back. If however, you are still worried about their identity then please take the ID card, close the door and call us on free phone 0800 145 145 (line is available 24 hours a day)
Our ‘fitting image’ procedure will allow us to describe the person on your doorstep and we will also give you a coded number. Our employee will be able to tell you this number - if they can’t, don’t let them in.
Anglian Water’s best advice - Lock Stop Chain Check (the four steps to safety)
• LOCK - make sure your back door is locked before you go to the front door
• STOP - think ‘Are you expecting anyone?’
• CHAIN - secure the door chain before opening it
• CHECK - ask for, and double-check, the caller’s identity. If you are in any doubt, don’t let them in.
Regards, David Leggett Anglian Water tel: 01733 415011

How to beat the bogus caller - advice from the police
Most people who call at your home will be genuine. But sometimes, people turn up unannounced, with the intention of tricking their way into people’s homes. They are known as ‘distraction burglars’ or ‘bogus callers’, whose only aim is to get into homes to distract people and steal their money or valuables. You should always keep aware when someone you don’t know calls at your door.
Bogus callers may be smartly dressed and claim to be from the council, the police, health organisations or gas, water or electricity companies. They can be both convincing and persuasive. They may be men, women or even children. They may ask for a drink of water or to wash their hands. Some may be looking for a lost pet.
If you are expecting the caller, remember to check their identification very carefully against the letter you have been sent or the password you have agreed before you let them in.
If you have any doubt, keep them out!
Official visitors should always arrange an appointment with you beforehand. If you are not expecting a caller and you are on your own, ask them to call back when you can arrange to have someone with you. Here are some important things to remember:
• Do not keep large amounts of money in your home.
• Keep your front and back door locked, even when at home.
• Before you answer the door, stop and think if you are expecting anyone. If you decide to open the door, put the door chain or bar on first, and leave it on while you talk to the person. It is not being rude or unfriendly if you refuse them entry, but please make sure you report any incidents to the police.
If any residents would like crime prevention advice or guidance please ring the Community Safety Unit at Bridge Street Police Station on 0845 456 456 4.

Friends of Barnack Church
The “Friends” have come of age this year, and to mark the occasion will hold a wine and cheese evening on Monday, March 19th, at 7.00pm in the Wilfrid Wood Hall. More details will appear in next month’s magazine. As you will know much of our regular fund raising comes from the 200 club. This has been ably administered for very many years by Martin Goodwin. However Martin has now decided to retire. We will mark his retirement more appropriately at a later date, but in the meantime we thank him most sincerely for all his hard work. Should you have any queries concerning the 200 club please contact either John Ward or Elizabeth Young.
Winners for December
142.  Anne Addison       £50.00              5.   Keith Duff  £20.00
68.    Helen Morrice       £50.00              76. Mrs. Dick   £10.00
118   Anthony Howells  £50.00              8.   Mrs. Pope   £5.00

Barnack W.I.
Members were welcomed to the first meeting of the New Year by President
Sheila Berrill, with, as always, an amusing anecdote. Our speaker for the
evening was Nicola Smith who gave an interesting, and for many an enlightening
talk, with demonstration, on the subject of “Pilates”. It will have encouraged us
all to consider getting into trim after any Christmas excesses! The monthly raffle
was won by Sandra Jones. We were very pleased to welcome three new members!
If anyone is considering becoming a member there is still time! Do come to the next meeting on February 13th, at 7.30pm in the Wilfrid Wood Hall, when we shall be entertained by Judith Campbell, whose talk is entitled “Travels with my Camera.” Elizabeth Young.  Secretary


Ufford Art Society: 2007 Art Demonstrations in the Village Hall
Thursday March 1st 9.30am - 12noon, Clifford Knight, Mixed Media.
Thursday June 7th 9.30am - 12 noon, Paul Howard, Watercolour Pencils.
Thursday September 20th 9.30am - 12noon, Charles Evans, Oils.
Ufford Art Society members £2 per session. Non-members welcome - £3 per session.

Ufford Art Classes
Art Classes run every Thursday in Ufford Village Hall from 9.30 - 12.30. New members welcome.

Barnack Bowls Club
The winners of the December mega draw were:
No 94 Mrs F Rawlings £50
No 50 Margaret Broadbelt £30
No 29 Diane Lunn £20
No 58 Sylvia Logue £10

Barnack Methodist Chapel
Our first Coffee Morning of the year will take place on Saturday, 3 February from 10 am until 11 am and we look forward to seeing old and new friends.

Barnack and District Horticultural Show and Family day
The show is back again this year on Sunday 12th August on Barnack Primary School playing fields. The full list of classes are included in this edition of the Parish news. The registration evening will be in the Village Hall on Thursday 9th August. We look forward to receiving a record number of entries this year. Do not be shy; enter that class! You never know you could be the winner.
The show is also a family day with a wide range of stalls and games planned for the afternoon. In addition to the usual attractions there will also be a small fairground and a barbecue this year and the WI will be providing delicious cream teas.
We are always looking for helpers who would like to join the committee, or run a stall or just help to set up on the day please give Debra Martin a call on 740048. All help is gratefully received.

Barnack Bridge Club
The Christmas evening on 18th December was attended by 34 people who had a very enjoyable time with mulled wine and a delicious buffet provided by the members. A collection was taken during the evening and the money raised (£73) has been donated to Anna’s Hope, the charity recently formed by Robert and Carole Hughes of Pilsgate in memory of their little daughter Anna who sadly died last Spring from a brain tumour. The Bridge Club will be having Chicago Bridge and Duplicate Bridge at roughly alternating meetings and would like to encourage people who have just started playing bridge to come and play. Contact Patrick Knights for further details (740774).

Ufford Village Hall
Vandals have once again targeted the Village Hall by turning Off the gas supply. Because of the danger to the public using the hall, the police have been informed and have been able to obtain a good set of finger prints.

Ufford Ladies
On the evening of December 19th, Ufford Ladies held a carol service at Ufford Village Hall. The poems, prose and carols gave a feeling of Christmas to come; the evening ended with light refreshments.
On February 27th, Ufford Ladies will have an evening meal. The venue and arrangements will be discussed at the next meeting on 23rd January. If you miss the meeting, please contact me on 01780 740844

Thanks from Derek Crump
Derek Crump has again asked me to pass on his thanks for further donations of hand tools and sewing machines for his imminent BESO trip to the Copperbelt Province, Zambia in March this year. This time to Mrs Broster, Roger Banks, Ken Wooley, Mrs Fox and Mrs Andrews.
These tools are going to prove invaluable in training local people to increase their self-sufficiency and talents that can be passed down for many generations to come. Big thanks once again to everyone who donated over the last couple of months. Roy Beck

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 please contact John Ward Tel: 01780 740016.

Coffee Morning & Bring & Buy Stall
Pop into Barnack Parish Church any time between 10.30am and 12 noon on February 17th to enjoy a coffee and a chat. Make sure you leave time to browse our bring and buy stall. We look forward to seeing you.

Open Fellowship
The meetings this month will be on Thursday 8th February at 1 Little Northfields, Barnack at 7.30pm and on 22nd February at 9 Warrenne Keep, Stamford again at 7.30pm.

Barnack Carpet Bowls Club
On Tuesday February 20 at 2.30 sharp, we shall be holding one of our annual competitions. Please bring your own ‘nibbles’, drinks etc as we shall be having tea afterwards.
We shall have another of our annual competitions on Tuesday, 20 March at 2.30 pm, followed by nibbles etc. We hope to see all of our club members on these dates. Although they are called ‘competitions’ they are ‘fun’ afternoons.

Valentine’s Supper
The supper on February 10th will be a three course meal, followed by musical entertainment provided by Stamford Concert Party in Barnack Village Hall.
There will be a raffle and a bar. Tickets priced at £10 are available from Barnack Parish Church Social Committee. Please ring Ann Davies on 740403.

Women Connect
Women Connect will meet at the home of Sheila Berrill, 2, Owen Close, Barnack on Thursday 22nd February.

Darby & Joan Club
Ketton Sports Complex was the venue for the Club’s Christmas Party, when Members enjoyed a delicious meal prepared and served by Joyce Bird and all her helpers. Entertainment was provided by ‘Cavalier Productions’. The ‘Betty Waters’ Cup for member scoring most points in the competitions during the year was won by Mrs Gwen Green (Gutteridge), 2nd Mrs Rose Porter and 3rd Mrs Daphne Whitburn. The Club re-opens on Wednesday, 14th February 2.00 pm at The Acres. New members welcome.

The Friends of Barnack Church
The Friends of Barnack Church have been helping to conserve the fabric of our wonderful church for 21 years. To become a Friend is only £7.00 a year for a family and with Gift Aid brings £9.00 to the Friends The Friends also run a 200 Club with cash prizes every month.
The subscription for this is £15.00 a year. All monies raised help to preserve the fabric of St John Baptist Church. If you wish to become a Friend and/or have a 200 Club ticket please contact either Liz Young (740347) or Ian Graham (740387).

Royal British Legion Winter Supper
This will take place in Barnack Village Hall at 7.15 for 7.45pm on Friday 16th February. Tickets £12.50 each are available from M Morrice 740865, P Knights 740774, C Clark 740441, Barnack PO and Committee Members.
Feel free to bring your own wine etc and remember we shall be using the occasion to draw prizes for the Legion’s Annual New Year Raffle.
Tickets are already in circulation and available from the above. Guest speaker will be Air Vice-Marshal Peter Dodworth CB OBE AFC DL.

2006 Poppy Appeal Fund
In addition to the previously reported record sum produced by our hardworking team of collectors, we have also sent a cheque for £1,000 to County Headquarters arising out of various functions and activities organised by our local branch during the year.

Elaine Ward Thanks
Elaine Ward would like to say a very big “thank you” to relatives and friends for making her Surprise Party very special and for the presents received. Thanks also to Susan, Simon, Paul and families for arranging this wonderful occasion and for all their hard work on the day.

Thanks from Ivy Ratcliffe
A big thank you to all my friends who were so kind to me after my burglary. Ivy Ratcliffe

Bainton And Ashton Pathways
We have been allocated a budget to formalise and advertise suggested walks and pathways around the village, to help residents and visitors plan a stroll round the villages and to help find things of interest. These could be displayed on a board with a plan of the villages. The councillors would like as many villagers as possible to help with this and a meeting is planned for Monday 5th February at 7.30 pm. Hopefully this will be in the Reading Room (if not, a notice will be put on the door telling you where in the village to go). Please try and come along and help others appreciate our beautiful villages even more.

The Buttercross Club
Our AGM will take place on 7th February at 7.45 pm in the Bainton Reading Room, when we shall be planning our forthcoming programme for 2007 and electing the Committee and Officers.   Do please come along and have your say on the plans for the next 12 months. After our refreshments, Richard Hardy will be speaking to us about the Great Wall of China Challenge for which he raised an astounding £7,500 for Cancer Research UK.  Richard trained very hard for this trip and initiated some imaginative fund raising activities locally, so do please come along and hear all about it.  New members and guests are most welcome. MG.

The Evergreen Trust
Many elderly and infirm people are mourning the demise of the ‘meals on wheels’ service, which offered a regular nourishing meal delivered to their home. The Evergreen Trust has recently been set up to serve a communal meal in older persons housing complexes in Stamford (eg Hillary Close), to which not only residents but also eligible neighbours will be invited. The meals cost £3 each and are on a non-profit basis, and are to help the older and vulnerable members of our society have a good meal twice a week, and also share time with others.  The scheme is being manned by volunteers, and although 48 volunteers have been enlisted so far, the trust would like to extend the service and are looking for more. If you feel you could offer a few hours a week to help prepare, serve and clear up, the trust would love to hear from you. Volunteers are also encouraged to have their lunch with those they are serving. Volunteers are also being sought to extend their ‘blitz team’ which prepares and cleans older single people’s homes when they are coming out of hospital. If interested, contact Louise Marsh on 07800 963981

The Good News Van Coffee Morning
It was good to see new friends at our coffee morning last month, when we had an enjoyable time at Pam’s house. The Good News Library Van will be back at Mike and Pam Mills house 17 Bishops Walk, Barnack on Tuesday February 20th from 10.30 until 12noon, when everyone will be most welcome either to come for coffee, and a chat, or to look at the books, tapes and videos, which will be available for you to borrow free of charge. Just turn up. Pam will make you most welcome.

Parish Council Reports and Notices

Barnack Parish Council Report -Jan
The January meeting of Barnack Parish Council took place on 8th when all councillors were present.
The chairman reported that the surface water drains on the B1443 had been cleaned out and that work was imminent to replace the water main on School Road and Stamford Road. A letter of appreciation has been sent to Peterborough City Council congratulating them on their wisdom in creating a Ward Councillor’s budget for 2006/7. This is helping to impose the lorry ban on the B1443 and also to promote a network of footpaths, bridleways and cycle ways linking the parishes in the Ward.

The budget precept application for 2007/8 was presented and accepted. A councillor training session for local councillors is being held on January 15th in Barnack.
A notice is to be placed on the village boards asking residents to be extra vigilant after a spate of distraction burglaries in the area. Residents are also requested to trim back any over hanging trees and shrubs on the pathways and not to park on the grass verges.

A reminder also about work to trees in the Conservation Area. Planning permission is needed to fell trees unless:
1 it is less than 7.5cm (3 inches) in diameter
2. less than 10cm.(4 inches) in diameter if removal is to improve the growth of other trees.
3. dead or dying or imminently dangerous trees (the tree owner must be able to prove this.)
4. in a commercial orchard, or pruning fruit trees in accordance with good horticultural practice.
5. directly in the way of development that is about to start and for which detailed planning permission has been granted.
The diameter is to be measured over the bark of the tree at 1.5m (5ft.) above ground level and is roughly equivalent to the measurement around the tree at that height divided by 3.
If in doubt whether or not the work requires notification please check first with Planning Services on 01733 453472. If the tree is on private property outside the Conservation Area the owner of the tree should check to identify if the tree is protected by Tree Preservation Order. (01733 453465 for further advice.)

Mr Chris Gardiner from Natural England is to speak at the next meeting.
Full minutes of the meeting are on the notice boards and on www.barnack parishcouncil.org. Next meeting: February 12th 7.30p.m. All welcome.

Ufford Parish Council Meetings December 2006 and January 2007
Rubbish bins: There have been complaints about bins left out on footpaths over the recent holiday period. Residents are politely reminded that this is an offence. Please only put them out when due.
Fireworks: Complaints have been received about fireworks, which can cause much distress to livestock and some domestic pets. With prior warning, horses and pets can be kept indoors or moved. Please act responsibly and with consideration for other residents. As there are a large number of horses kept in the village please put a notice in Parish News if possible indicating the date & time when fireworks will be used.
Speeding cars: Residents will be pleased to know that the local police are continuing to carry out spot checks.

Trees on Ufford Hill
Favourable comments from residents have been received. We hope the “elephant traps” where the old tree trunks and roots were ground out will soon be filled in with topsoil. There has been a suggestion that clumps of daffodil bulbs could be planted next autumn.
Parish precept: A very small increase of approximately 3p per week per household was agreed at the December meeting
Local footpaths and walks: The proposed leaflets and circular walks have been well received by the PCC footpath officer and representatives of other parishes in Barnack Ward.

Bainton And Ashton Parish Council
Your local councillors are: Chris Agnew (chair) Tel. 740007, Sheila Dalton Tel. 740019, Judith Morrice Tel. 740865, Andy Totten Tel. 740381 and Zena Coles (Ashton) Tel. 740550. They are volunteers who see their duty as serving the public of Bainton and Ashton, and are always happy to receive constructive comments or suggestions to help make our villages even more attractive places to live in. Please use them and contact them at any reasonable time.  The meeting on the 2nd January was attended by all councillors plus David Over, City Councillor.

The following matters were discussed:
· Highways matters. We will try and ensure all road drains, filled with debris from the heavy rains are cleared. Tarmac holes, especially along Tallington Road have been reported, as has the moss growing along the footpaths in St. Mary’s Close. Please tell councillors of any other problems you are aware of.
· HGV Traffic on the B1443 . At last, agreement has been given to declare the B1443 between Glinton and Burghley to have a weight restriction, and signs will be erected soon. Local deliveries (oil supplies, buses, waste disposal vehicles etc) are obviously allowed, but other vehicles are not. This should reduce some annoyance to those living along this road.
· Pathways Project. Coun. Over is to use part of his budget to allow all local villages to join in a pathways project incorporating details and maps of recommended local pathways. An action group is being formed (see this issue of Parish News).
· Ashton verges. The rutting of the beautiful verges in Ashton by car tyres is an ongoing problem, and it was agreed to apply for Quiet Lane status. If agreed, this would involve a 20mph speed limit through some of Ashton. If you have any views on this, speak to Coun. Coles (number above).
· Precept. Every year, the council has to set a figure for its precept based on what it wants to spend. This year it will be slightly less than last (last year we had the cost of the wash dyke) and you will find the ‘parish council’ section of your council tax bill slightly less (but not enough to celebrate with!). Apart from normal costs, a special sum of £1,500 has been set aside to cover the replacement of village notice boards. If you have any ideas to improve the appearance of the villages, either speak to a councillor or come along to the AGM in May where there is an open forum. We are planning to do some more bulb planting in autumn this year.

· Date of next meeting is 6th March, 7.30pm Reading Room. All welcome.
Wheelie Bin Collections
Please note that the next collection of the brown bin will be on Monday 12th February. Green and black bins will be collected as usual.
Sheila Dalton, Bainton & Ashton Parish Council

News from around the Diocese

Bishop IanBishop Ian writes

What does a bishop do?

Children (and some adults) often ask me, “What does a bishop do?”  I am tempted to suggest that we swap places for a day – I could have the joy of going back to school, and they could handle the flow of services, correspondence, meetings and interviews which punctuate a bishop’s life – it could have interesting results!

If we did that this month, one of the opportunities my enquirer would have would be that of joining the six elected members from the diocese (3 priests and 3 lay people) at the General Synod. It meets this month in London at Church House.

As the National Assembly of the Church of England, the General Synod brings together representatives from every diocese (including the bishop) to discuss matters of common concern and to prepare the Church’s legislation either for submission to Parliament, or in the exercise of its own powers. It is part of our commitment to “walk together” (which is the root meaning the word “synod”) as dioceses and parishes.

One of the pieces of legislation we shall be discussing this month is the proposed Pastoral and Dioceses Measure. It is the result of lengthy discussion about the way current legislation – especially the existing Pastoral Measure – sits uneasily with the current needs of the Church to organise itself for mission in a changing society. 

How, for example, can we respond quickly to the need to create new worshipping communities in the growing number of new housing developments in the diocese? How can we work with the other churches in doing so? One answer given by the new Measure is to give the bishop power to create a “Mission Order”, creating and endorsing the new initiatives which our deaneries are already developing.

Many people find our legislation cumbersome and time-consuming – I need only mention the faculty procedure or pastoral re-organisation to illustrate the point! But much of the process is there to ensure that proper consultation goes on, and that the voice of parishioners is heard alongside others. That is why every parish's involvement in our deanery synods, and through them our diocesan synod and its committees, is so important - as is giving your general synod representatives your views and prayer support.

General Synod members are

listed elsewhere in this publication.

Bishops invite you to get into mission shape
Parishes across the diocese are invited by Bishop Ian and Bishop Frank to bring a group to one of this year’s Lent meetings.
At the meetings parishes can pick up practical tips, learn about God’s mission to us and kick start the local application of the Diocesan Strategy for 2007. There will be teaching, time for discussion, worship and refreshments, as well as new resources for your church.
The meetings are on Sundays, from 2.30pm for 3pm until 5pm:
Feb 25:  Oundle Parish Church
Mar 4:    Sponne School, Towcester
Mar 11: All Saint’s School, N’ton
Mar 25: St Columba Church, Corby

Sights set on becoming a Fairtrade Diocese
Fairtrade has come a long way since the powdered coffee with an unmistakable aftertaste! There is now a wide range of high quality products and Making Poverty History, with other campaigns, has generated greater awareness of world development issues. Paying a fair price to producers in developing countries has become accepted good practice rather than the preserve of hardened campaigners. Northampton became a Fairtrade Town in 2006 and Wellingborough Borough Council is working towards the same goal.
Peter Hodgkinson began running a Fairtrade stall at St Peter’s Weston Favell 13 years ago. “It’s been lovely to see how the movement has taken off”, he said. “People can now buy some products from the supermarket rather than my stall, but that’s great because they are creating demand for Fairtrade.” The biggest sellers on his stall are chocolate raisins but he also recommends the Chilean wine. St Peter’s PCC signed the Fairtrade Pledge about 18 months ago and serves Fairtrade refreshments at all its events.
At the Addingtons and Woodford, Fairtrade stalls were pioneered by Oliver Stobart in 2004. He estimates that the churches made a 10% profit on £2700 turnover in 2006. They can use this for other causes, or donate it back to the Traidcraft charity that supplies the goods.
He praised the advice given by Traidcraft when he first set up the enterprise, as well as the willingness of the PCCs to contribute to a float, now repaid, to buy stock. “It is sometimes a difficult balance between ordering enough to qualify for free delivery but not overstocking on items where demand has peaked”, he said.
Churches Together in Wellingborough avoid this problem by ordering as a group. Peter and Valerie Anslow are the volunteers who run the scheme, which now extends to churches elsewhere in the county. Since they began three years ago they have rarely been out of Traidcraft’s top three independent traders. Last year their turnover was just under £20,000.
To become a Fairtrade Diocese more churches need to adopt the Fairtrade Parish Pledge. As an incentive, the first sixty parishes to do so in 2007 will receive a free box of Fairtrade goods. For more information call David Wiseman on 01604 887046 or visit: www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/social/fairtrade.htm

February Events

Thurs 1, Church Schools’ Candlemas Services. 10am, Peterborough Cathedral. 1.30pm, Uppingham St Peter & St Paul.
Friday 2, Church Schools’ Candlemas Services. 10am, Towcester St Lawrence. 1.30pm, Flore All Saints.
Sat 3, A Quiet Day of Art and Prayer 10am-3.30pm, Peterborough Cathedral Education Centre.  Tel: 01733 355300 or email: a.watson@peterborough-cathedral.org.uk
Tues 6, Church Schools’ Candlemas Services. 10am, Northampton St Matthew. 1.30pm, Kettering St Andrew.
Sat 10, Understanding Islam Day 10am-4pm at St Philip’s Centre, Leicester. Organised for our diocese. £20. Tel: 01604 887048.
Sat 10, Critical Mass, “All you need is love”. 7pm at Brackley St Peter’s. Tel: 01604 887048.
Mon 12, Re-shaping our Buildings for Mission. 10am-3.30pm at Bouverie Court, Northampton. Speaker: Richard Giles, Dean of Philadelphia and leading expert on liturgical design. £5 per person (inc lunch). Tel: 01604 887048.
Sat 24, Music in Lyddington Eleanor Turner, solo harpist. 7.30pm at Lyddington Church.  Tickets £7.50. Tel: 01572 82396.
Tues 27, Wed 28 Godly Play training for children’s leaders. Tel: 01604 887048.

VILLAGE COLLECTORS FOR PARISH NEWS

Bainton and Ashton

Isobel Duff, Park Lodge, Bainton
email: gavin.isobel(at)virgin.net

749123

Barnack, Southorpe and Pilsgate

Roy Beck
The Grange, Barnack
Email: roy(at)shadows-on-the-wall.com

740808

Ufford

Lisa Chadwick
Walnut Cottage, Ufford.
Email: Lisa

740893


Articles by email or typed wherever possible please.

COPY DATE for the March 2006 issue of the Parish News:

Friday 16th February 2007 at 6pm

E-mail: Lisa (who can be contacted at) chadsonline.co.uk

CHURCH CALENDAR FOR THIS MONTH
 

4th 9.00am Holy Communion
10.15am Parish Communion – Education Sunday

Bainton
Barnack

11th

 10.15am Parish Communion
4.00pm Evensong

Barnack
Bainton

18th

 9.00am Holy Communion
10.15am Family Praise
Bainton
Barnack
21st Ash Wednesday
Communion with imposition of ashes		 Bainton
25th 10.15am Parish Communion
4.00pm Evensong 		Barnack
Bainton

BARNACK METHODIST CHAPEL

Services are as follows:
4 February 2.45 pm Marion Kelham
11 February 10.30 am Dr Chris Sworn
18 February 10.30 am Howard Abbott
25 February 10.30 am David Thompson

BARNACK BAPTIST CHURCH

On Sunday 31st December there will be no service in the village hall as there will be a Joint Service at Bretton.

4 February 10.30 am
11 February 10.30 am
18 February 10.30 am
25 February 10.30 am

Elder: Graham Dunn Tel: 01780 749198

PARISH VOLUNTEERS SCHEME

The Parish Volunteers scheme, under the auspices of the Church in our parishes, exists to support the wider community of our villages in ways that are helpful and practical. Please feel free to contact the persons below if you need assistance in their areas of involvement. There is a friend and helper only a telephone call away.

Contact Names Phone Areas of Involvement

Ann Addison 740414 Bereavement/Housebound/General Support

Sheila Berrill 740482 Education/Children/Housebound/General Support

Chris Fotheringham 740208 Practical Assistance

Yvonne Goodwin 740145 Bereavement/Housebound/General Support

Ken Waller 740396 Help with Form-filling

Jenny Walsh 740991 Family & Step Family Problems

EVENTS THIS MONTH AND FUTURE EVENTS

Please see the interactive year planner for full details.
Add your own event to the calendar or just browse
and see what other people are planning!