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Parish News October 2007

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

I am writing this under the baleful eye of my dog, Barni, who knows that the moment I sit down at the computer there is no hope of a walk. Of course he has been out earlier, but he just has to let me know that he really disapproves of my sitting down so often! The role played by pets in our lives cannot be overestimated. Who hasn’t hugged the cat or the rabbit or told the dog how cruel the world is, when things seem black and human beings seem only to deal in words? For centuries the benefit of the presence of animals have proved to be of direct therapeutic value, whether to the disabled, the sick and the lonely or those living in institutions. The first records of ‘pet-facilitated therapy’ date from 1792 I York. Rabbits and chickens were used to calm and befriend the mentally ill while at the same time encouraging patients to accept some responsibility for the animals care and welfare. The therapy was found to help those who found it hard to relate to human beings. Relationships with animals became a stepping stone to forming more trust with staff and other patients. Normally, we human being s are social animals, but the ageing process, sickness, disability, bereavement and other reasons may bring isolation. This can lead to feelings of rejection, of being a burden to others, of not being part of society. Even well intentioned people may find the patient’s state of health unbearable for them to witness and they choose to ‘stay away’. This is often seen in the long-term care of the elderly when visitors reduce their once frequent and regular calls over a period of tome. It was the plight of these people that caused the professionals to turn to animals to bridge the gap. The PAT (Pets as Therapy) visiting scheme is an innovation that has been introduced in the community, in residential homes and in hospitals. The visiting pet is always accompanied by its owner, which brings another human being into the life of the patient. The pet owner soon becomes a regular part of the patient’s routine, regular visitors and friends, who ask nothing of the patient an who bring no problems with them to the bedside. One volunteer wrote of her cat, Tommy. A doctor requested that Tommy should visit Annie. Annie was 84 years old, an unpopular lady, frail, aggressive, angry with friends and family, all of whom she felt had neglected or abandoned her. All her healthy life Annie had cared for cats. The doctor noted that Annie had been in hospital for six years and not had a visitor for five. When asked if she would like a cat to visit, she said that she would. Tommy and his mistress arrived. ‘What’s that woman doing here?’ she asked the doctor, who explained pets had to be with their owners. The owner introduced her to Tommy. ‘Put him on the bed and make yourself invisible.’ was Annie’s response. Annie was gentle with Tommy, who purred as he was stroked. Tommy (via his owner) sent notes and birthday and Christmas cards as time went on and they were the only ones Annie received. The doctors said that the relationship with Tommy, who visited every week with his owner, was enormously beneficial. Annie was calmer and less aggressive after each visit and once she realized no-one was going to stop Tommy coming, she started talking to the staff about her visitor. There are, of course, many stories of the comfort given by animals – as companions, comforters and friends they often demonstrate an extraordinary understanding and devotion. Surely such an understanding is a gift from God. In Genesis we read how God created the animals in the order of things – our pets and their potential for healing are part of the divine plan and must always be respected as such. St Francis, whose day we celebrate this month, certainly understood that. In the meantime Barni is keeping his eye on that lead! Margaret

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PARISH CHURCHES - WEEKLY SET SERVICES & EVENTS:
All are welcome at any of our Services.

Morning Prayer will be said at 8.30 am at St John’s Barnack on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and on Thursday at 7.00am.

A Service of Prayer for Peace and Justice will be said in St Mary’s Bainton at 9.00am on Tuesdays, followed by coffee.

Prayer Group: Mondays 6-6.00pm Ufford Church

Children’s Church: Children’s Church meets on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month, during the service. Children of all ages are most welcome.

Family Services: A Family Service is held in St John’s Barnack on every 3rd Sunday. This service is specially for families and their children and is not a communion service.

Church Mice: Time for small children to meet with their parents / carers in St John’s Church on Mondays during term time 2.00pm – 3.00pm

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Avian trichomoniasis
In the Sunday Telegraph of 9th September there was an article highlighting the spread across Britain of this disease which causes common birds to starve to death. The disease has now spread to the South-West and East Anglia where before it was mainly in the West Midlands and Wales.
It attacks many of our favourite garden birds – greenfinches being the most affected, but also chaffinches, bullfinches, goldfinches, house sparrows, great tits, dunnocks, blackbirds, yellowhammers and siskins amongst others.
This disease is caused by a parasite which lives in the saliva and affected birds appear lethargic, only fly a short distance (if at all) when approached, with fluffed–up plumage and could regurgitate food and have laboured breathing due to the fact that the parasite lives in the throat which swells up.
The RSPB has a very good article on how we can all help to stop the spread of this disease on their website and there is a link to a questionnaire for people to fill in if they find any sick or dead birds which is passed on to the Zoological Society of London for research.
The best way any of us can help to stop the spread of this disease according to the RSPB is to stop putting out food for at least two weeks (the parasite cannot survive in dry conditions and if there are no birds at feeding stations this cuts down the chance of cross infection through saliva). Also all bird baths, feeders and tables should be disinfected.
The article concluded by saying that humans and pets such as cats and dogs are not affected by the parasite, however the RSPB recommends sensible precautions should be taken when cleaning equipment, eg always wear rubber gloves, and wash hands well afterwards as well.
As I have had seven or eight sick or dead greenfinches in my garden over a period of two to three weeks before I knew about this disease I have followed the recommendations of the RSPB, filled in the questionnaire and now live in hope that I shall be able to put my feeders back out again sometime in the future.
June Graham

Telegraph article and photos:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/09/09/nbirds209.xml

RSPB:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/health/birddeformities.asp

VISIT THE POTTERS
As part of this year’s ‘Art on the Map’, Lincolnshire Open Studios, Carlos Versluys and Katherine Winfrey will once again have their pottery studios open to the public.
Visit Carlos at Vine Farm, Bainton and Katherine at the Old Butcher’s Shop, Barnack on 6th & 7th and 13th & 14th October, 11am-5pm. All welcome.

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 every month. To join this wonderful cause and become a Friend of Barnack Church please contact John Ward Tel: 01780 740016.
Contributions for the
Parish News - a reminder:
1) Please send contributions for the magazine via email if at all possible. Emailed contributions can be copied straight into the Parish News and this avoids having to type the piece again.
2) When sending via email, please put a subject and a short message with your piece if you are sending an attachment, otherwise you risk having you email sent to the junk mail box!
3) When sending handwritten contributions to the village collectors, please put these in an envelope with a note to indicate that the enclosed is for the Parish News.

Thanks for the Village Shop
At about 6.30 one cold, blustery dark Monday morning in February, I was woken by a motor vehicle stopping in the drive and after about 30 seconds, driving away. There was no cause for alarm, so I turned over and went back to sleep, soothed (possibly) by the wind shaking the windows. There was no need to worry because it was Peter Farrer delivering the newspaper, which he does unfailingly six days a week, in all weathers, without complaint & it seems, without a birthday.
We are fortunate to have such persons as Peter and Janet in the village, who look after our newspapers, the post office and the village shop, and we must give them all the support we can. I hope you agree. Roger Browne

Brass Band Concert
Yarwell and Nassington Brass Band are to give a concert in Barnack Church on Friday October 5th at 7.30pm. Tickets are £6.50, to include wine and nibbles. They can be obtained from any member of Barnack Church Social Committee.

The Next Challenge
Many of you will remember Bainton resident, Richard Hardy’s Great Wall of China challenge last year when he raised just over £7500 for Cancer Research UK in memory of his wife Rachel.
Richard has now set himself a new challenge: Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain at 5895m (19,341 ft). Richard has already booked his flights for September next year and intends to spend the next 12 months raising money; this time for Sue Ryder Care, Thorpe Hall, Peterborough. “More than £2 million is needed to run Thorpe Hall every year and they rely heavily on donations and fund-raising to keep going. Rachel received excellent care there during her illness and I would like to help them continue the good work.”
The only fixed event so far is a Wandering Minstrels concert at the Key Theatre on Sunday 18 May 2008, but other events will be organised, including race and quiz nights during the winter months. More details to follow in future issues of the Parish News.
If you want to know more or would like to support Richard with his fund-raising, please contact him on 740505 or 07801096641.

National Flood Fundraising Lunch
We are holding a fund-raising buffet lunch in the Bainton House on Thursday November 15th 12 to 2 pm in aid of Red Cross appeal for National Flood victims. Full details in the November magazine. I feel it to be a vital need for by then summer’s disastrous floods and the consequent distress will be forgotten.. Mary Birkbeck

Great News From Malawi
Thanks to all those people in Bainton and Barnack who have helped the village in Malawi mentioned in previous issues of Parish News. Our nephew, Daniel, is out there on business and has come across a derelict village populated entirely by disabled people turned out of their home villages because they cannot be supported. Daniel is an architect and is willing to help them construct decent houses (with roofs!) if money can be found. The donations from Bainton and Barnack are almost their only support and we have sent so far £763.50p. With this money, a small group have completed a brick-making course, and built two houses! This is one of the world’s poorest countries, and without any jobs, any family and even poor health, these people can really be described as the poorest in the world. Daniel has told us that they keep asking “Who are these people in England sending this money? Why do they want to help us?” Charity over there is a rare event! The message has gone back that we are a group of Christian folk who just want to help. For them to have built two houses with our money is really rewarding, and it would be nice to help them build two more at least. If you are thinking of running a fund raising event, or just want to offer a donation, please contact us. EVERY PENNY GOES TOWARDS THE PROJECT. Tony and Mary Gowers tel. 740097

Library Van – Barnack
Please note the new times for the Library Van on Wednesdays are:
Barnack Church 11.15 am – 11.40 am
Barnack School 11.45 am – 12.20 pm

Are you a fan of Indian food?
If so you may be interested in an Indian evening being held at the Cresset in Peterborough on Saturday 17th November. Tickets are £15 per head this includes an authentic Indian meal, with music and dancing from 7pm- midnight.
The evening has been organised to raise money for a charity called HEAL which is run by a Peterborough based GP Dr Prasad the charity provides health education and shelter for deprived children in Southern India.
For tickets please contact Debbie Martin 01780 740048

Ufford Park Cricket Club
The Hunts XI finished in second place in their first season in division 2. Unfortunately, the 1st XI playing in the Rutland League division 2 have been relegated. Rutland League 2nd XI have finished the season in 6th place.
The annual dinner and presentation evening will be held on 12th October, 2007 at Lady Anne’s Hotel, Stamford. Tickets are available from John Mason (01778 345220).

Village Ladies Group
Tuesday 28th August saw Ian Jones give a thought-provoking yet entertaining talk on Conscripts, Conscientious Objectors and Cowards. This gave us some idea of the recruitment of young soldiers and the treatment and the attitudes of deserters during WW1.
On Tuesday 25th September, we will be hearing from Tony King on the experiences he had on his expedition to K2. This will be an interesting insight into the challenges that he faced. The venue is Ufford Village Hall at 7.45pm. Friends and visitors are always welcome.
On Tuesday October 23rd at 7.45pm Nic Watts will be talking to us about bird foods, natural foods and wind power. This should be an interesting and informative evening so please do come.

The Buttercross Club
Any feelings of guilt we all might have about the damage we are doing to the environment were put into context at our last meeting. The enormity of the Universe and how our own planet is just one of millions (did you know that the number of peas (yes peas) that would fill the Albert Hall is equal to the number of solar systems ?) was fully brought home to us; and if the Earth strayed just a couple of hundred thousand miles nearer to the Sun it would be the end of life as we know it ! Let’s hope our planet stays as it is for the foreseeable future !
In brief, Earthquakes are caused by the instability of the three layers of strata which make up our planet. High temperatures in the core causes pressure and upthrust which results in movement in the outer layers . In fact, all the World’s mountain ranges such as the Himalayas have been formed in this way. Tsunamis are caused by similar undersea ‘tectonic’ shifts. Unfortunately, even a 12 foot undersea shift can cause catastrophic 60 foot waves when it hits the coast. All fascinating stuff and also somewhat alarming in that one slight murmur on the Richter scale could have catastrophic consequences.
As part of our ongoing 21st birthday celebrations, on 18 September a party of us will be visiting Highgrove House to tour Prince Charles’ organic gardens; look out for a full account in the November magazine..
Mary Birkbeck will be hosting a lunch on Thursday 11th October at Bainton House in aid of the UK Flood victims as part of the Red Cross appeal. If you would like to come please contact Ro Yates on 740833.
Our Harvest Supper will be on Wednesday 3rd October. Tickets are £7 and can be bought from Ro Yates (see above). JJ

Darby & Joan Club
A very successful “Bring a Friend” Tea Afternoon was held at the Acres and raised £159 for Club funds. Thanks to all who supported this event.
Members have enjoyed various activities including their version of “Family Fortunes”. Competitions for a teaspoon and pretty cup and saucer attracted many entries.
September was the 38th birthday of the club and we would like this to continue. We would be pleased to welcome new members (subscription is £5 for the year). We meet at the Acres every other Wednesday 2.00 - 4.00pm. We would also welcome help at these meetings. For more information, please contact Elaine Ward (740323) or Val Dawson (740688).

The Late Mrs F Rawlings
Terence would like to thank all who gave donations to Barnack Darby & Joan Club and Ward 1Y at Peterborough District Hospital in memory of his mother. The total raised amounted to £415.58.

House Group in Barnack
The small group that met on September 15th decided that for a trial period meetings will be on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2.00 pm. The first will be on October 3rd at 1, Canon Drive. Subsequent meetings will be on October 17th, November 7th and 21st. Anyone who could not be present, but who is interested, do please speak to me or to Canon Margaret. Elizabeth Young. (740347)

Barnack W. I.
Our first meeting after the summer break was an enjoyable social evening, enlivened by a quiz! The raffle was won by Jill Miller. We meet again on Tuesday October, 9th at 7.30pm in the Wilfrid Wood Hall.
We look forward to a demonstration by a team from Helpston Garden Centre on planting containers for the winter. New members and visitors are always welcome.
If you would like to know more please contact me. Elizabeth Young. 740347. Secretary.

Bainton Lecture
“The Slave Trade and Its Abolition” will be the subject of the Bainton Lecture on Thursday November 15th.
An illustrated presentation celebrating the 200th anniversary of the abolition by The Reverend Bill Snelson, a well-known authority on the subject.
The lecture commences at 7.30 PM and will be followed by light refreshments and wine. Limited tickets - £5 - available from Malcolm Morrice 740865 and Barnack Post Office.

Royal British Legion Programme
Saturday November 10th
Service of Remembrance Royal Albert Hall. Four tickets £10 each are available for allocation to branch members for either the afternoon or evening service , please contact the secretary for more information.
Sunday November 11th
Ecumenical Service of Remembrance - St. John the Baptist Church Barnack. 9.45am followed by a short service at the village War Memorial.
Monday January 21st 2008
2008 Winter Supper - Barnack Village Hall 7.15 for 7.45pm. Tickets available from December 1st. for members and friends.
Monday February 18th 2008
Winter Lecture Barnack Village Hall - 7.30pm Tickets available from January 1st. - all most welcome - subject to be notified. Where tickets are required your contacts are - Barnack Post Office
The Secretary 740865
Charles Clark 740441
Patrick Knights 740774
Elizabeth Young 740347
A most successful Summer Evening Supper Party was held at the White Hart on 22nd August for over 70 Legion members and their guests which resulted in a substantial sum being generated for the Poppy Appeal Fund.

Royal British Legion Ecumenical Service of Remembrance -
This will be held at 9.45am on Sunday 11th November in St. John the Baptist Church Barnack. The Legion Standard will be paraded afterwards en route to the War Memorial, where a short service incorporating the traditional 2 minutes silence at 11.00am will take place. A contingent of Stamford School Cadets will be in attendance and the ceremony will include reading out the names of the fallen and their units in both World Wars and the Falklands Campaign.

Barnack Methodist Chapel
We look forward to seeing you at our Coffee Morning and Cake Stall on Saturday 6 October from 10 am to 11 am. Our September break has given us time to replenish our stocks of pickles, jams, marmalades and chutneys which were very much reduced after the August Horticultural Show and of course we hope to tempt you too with our array of home-made cakes.

Barnack Bowls Club
The winners of the August draw were:
No 63 Margaret Hayter £25
No 26 Jean Honour £15
No 62 Ken McKellar £10

And for September
No76 Bill Coleman £25
No 41 Tom Elwood £15
No 15 Brian Bagshaw £10
The outdoor League season has now finished and all the teams are to be congratulated on their performance in 2007.

PARISH COUNCIL REPORTS

Barnack Parish Council Report
The latest meeting of Barnack Parish Council took place on Monday 10 September when six councillors, Cllr Over, the Clerk and two members of the public were present.
Requests have been sent to PCC for the introduction of the heavy duty lorry ban for the B1443. trees to be cut back behind the war memorial and at Wittering Ford, for the pedestrian symbols for the pavement area in Millstone Lane. Weeds in the gutters have now been sprayed throughout the village to enable rain water to flow away more easily and a further request has been made for the last remaining rain water gulley to be cleared.
The Village Walks leaflets have now been printed and are in circulation.
The Village Information Plaque is now ready for installation, as soon as the stone is delivered. The site for the plaque has been cleared and the position marked.
Three planning applications were discussed: The trimming of trees at Maple Cottage, Wittering Road, Barnack The removal of one tree at Ridgeways, Stamford Road, Barnack The reduction of height and re-shaping of trees at Billiwings, Walcot Road, Barnack. It was reported that PC McCallum has notified householders in Main Street and Bishop’s Walk that parking on the pavements is an offence and Fixed Penalty Tickets can be issued. It was brought to the attention of the council that dog mess is polluting the footpath between Pilsgate and Barnack. All residents are asked to clear up after their dogs and not leave excrement on the verges or pavements. A full report was given concerning the progress on the Airey House Building site. A number of surveys have recently taken place and it is now ready for sale. It is hoped the site will be sold by the end of this year. Detailed planning permission will then be sought determining the number, design and layout of houses before building commences. Please note that next month’s meeting will be held on Monday 8 October at 7.30 pm. All are welcome to attend. The full minutes of the meeting are displayed on the notice boards in both Barnack and Pilsgate.

Ufford Parish Council Report
Report on Ufford Parish Council Meetings, Weds Aug 8, Tues 23 and Weds Sept 12
1 The Quarterly Reviews of the budget, including the asset register and risk assessment were carried out.
2 The floods at Moor‘s Corner were considered and discussions are under way with AWA and PCC Highways Dept.
3 Proposals for the application for a conservation grant for 2007-8 were discussed, following the successful hedge and tree planting in the past 2 years.
4 Suggestions made at the meeting with the Forestry Commission about the future of Southey Woods were considered.
5 PCC Highways Dept has agreed to carry out necessary repairs to Newport Way. It would be too expensive to dig up the underlying concrete, but the holes will be filled and a new micro-surface will be laid within the next 28 days. Individual notes will be sent to residents informing them of the exact day so that cars can be parked elsewhere.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday October 10th. All residents are welcome to attend.