Staplegrove Journal

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STAPLEGROVEPARISH

JOURNAL

November 2009 50p

- 2 - - 39 -

THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST, STAPLEGROVE

Rector: Rev. Stephen Kivett, The Rectory, Staplegrove 270211Reader: Mrs. Sara Whitmarsh, 7 Ash Court, Stanway Close, Tn.

07765 832596Churchwardens: Mrs. Sue Derham, 48 Nash Green, Staplegrove 334866

Mr. John Kenny, 16 Nash Green, Staplegrove 274886Deputy Warden: Mr. Gerald Weaver, 2 Feversham Way, Taunton 283198Assistant Warden: Mr. Graham Hobrough, 27 Nash Green, Staplegrove 332118PCC Secretary: Mr. Martin Cursham, Burlands Farm, Staplegrove 451217Stewardship Secretary: Mr. Chris Young, 1 Lawn Road, Staplegrove 276080TCT Representative: Rev. Stephen Kivett, The Rectory, Staplegrove 270211Child Protection Co-ordinator: Mrs. Kirsti Nelson, 35 Gillards, Taunton 337313Child Advocate: Mrs. Iona Young, 1 Lawn Road 276080Choir: Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, 1 Richmond Road, Taunton 284877Assistant Organist: Mrs. Lesley Clark, Brookfield, Staplegrove 282239Bellringers' Contact: Dr. Tom Harris, Higher Yarde Farm, Staplegrove 451553Staplegrove Journal: Dr. Tom Harris, Higher Yarde Farm, Staplegrove 451553Journal Distribution: Mrs. Janet Darby, 18 Lawn Road, Staplegrove 271457Bible Reading Fellowship: Miss Margery Gould, 23 Cedar Court, Stanway Close, Tn. 257245Mothers' Union: Mrs. Alison Cursham, Burlands Farm, Staplegrove 451217Women's Group: Mrs. Marion Coombes, 241 Staplegrove Road, Taunton 284236Men's Society: Mr. Graham Hobrough, 27 Nash Green, Staplegrove 332118Evergreen Group: Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, 1 Richmond Road, Taunton 284877

Local History Society: Dr. Claudine Tyson, Otterford Mill, Otterford 01460 234675Staplegrove Trust: Mr. Arthur Coles, 1 Wellesley Court, Windsor Close, Tn. 339362Staplegrove VC Primary School: Mrs Kirsti Nelson, Head Teacher 337313Pre-School Play Group: Mrs. Paula Lukins 3245661st Staplegrove Rainbow Guides: Mrs. Tina Brownlow, 14 Nash Green, Staplegrove 2884281st Staplegrove Brownies: Mrs. Marilyn Horsfall, 9 Fairwater Close 2724362nd Staplegrove Brownies: Mrs. Alison Cottey, 40 Whitmore Road 253847Group Scout Leader: Mr. Chris Owen, 18 Glasses Mead, Taunton 332886Staplegrove Scouts: Mr. Martin Allen, 37 Cashford Gate, Taunton 335815Staplegrove Cubs: Mr. Simon Lacey, 4 Mountway Close, Bishops Hull, Tn. 257208Staplegrove Beavers: Mr. Mark Foster, 9 Cherry Grove, Taunton 276888Staplegrove Parish Council: Dr. Geoff Hayes (Chairman), Brookside, Nailsbourne 451341Staplegrove Village Hall: Mrs. Margaret Taylor, 7 Lawn Road 271570Staplegrove Short Mat Bowls Club: Mrs. Barbara Culverwell, 201 Staplegrove Road 271570Staplegrove Youth Football Club: Mr. Roger Cutler, 10 Lawn Road, Staplegrove 279318Staplegrove Local ActionTeam: Dr. Geoff Hayes, Brookside, Nailsbourne 451341Police Community SupportOfficer: Tony Wearmouth 363287 Ext. 70108

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- 38 - - 3 -

15th

November 2nd Sunday before Advent

Holy Communion at St John’s BCP

Morning Eucharist at St John’s

Evening Worship at All Saints

8.00 am

10.30 am

6.30 pm

22nd

November

Christ the King Sunday next before Advent

Holy Communion at St John’s CW

Morning Worship at All Saints

Evening Eucharist at St John’s

8.00 am

10.30 am

6.30 pm

29th

November Advent Sunday


United Benefice Eucharist at St John’s

8.00 am

10.30 am

6th

December

St Nicholas 2

nd Sunday of Advent


All Age Worship at St John’s

Evening Eucharist at All Saints

8.00 am

10.30 am

6.30 pm

13th

December 3rd Sunday of Advent


Morning Eucharist as All Saints

Evening Worship at St John’s

8.00 am

10.30 am

6.30 pm

20th

December 4th Sunday of Advent


All Age Worship at All Saints

9 Lessons & Carols at St John’s

8.00 am

10.30 am

6.30 pm

24th

December (Thursday)

Christmas Eve

Christingle at All Saints

Christingle at St John’s

Lesson & Carols by Candlelight at All Saints

Midnight Communion at St John’s

3.00 pm

4.30 pm

6.30 pm

11.30 pm

25th

December (Friday)

Christmas Day


All Saints Morning Eucharist

St John’s All Age Worship

8.00 am

10.30 am

10.30 am

27th

December

1st Sunday of Christmas


All Age Worship at All Saints

Evening Eucharist at St John’s

8.00 am

10.30 am

6.30 pm

All Saints = Norton Fitzwarren St John’s = Staplegrove

Holy Communion Service on

Thursdays at 10.00 am at St John’s

& Fridays at 10.30 am at All Saints

Additional details regarding Worship over the Christmas period will appear in the

next issue of the Journal.

St John’s Pram Service 11.00 am Thursday 10th December For more information contact Moira Read 01823 279686

- 4 - - 37 -

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THE CHURCHWARDENS COLUMN

NFU Mutual

BIBLE READINGS Readings taken from the ‘Revised English Bible’. N.B. Except if shown separately, the readings at 8 a.m. will normally be the

first and last of those shown for the main morning service of the same day.

Date Service Time Readings Page Readers

8th

November

3rd

Sunday

before Advent

St John’s

Remembrance

Sunday Service

St John’s Evening

Worship

10.50 am

6.30 pm

Micah 4:1-5

John 14:23-29

Micah 4:1-5

John 14:23-29

OT 805

NT 95

OT 805

NT 95

Martin Cursham

Chris Young

Mary Leighton

Catherine Hartland

15th

November

2nd

Sunday

before Advent

St John’s

Morning Eucharist

All Saints

Evening Worship

10.30 am

6.30 pm

Daniel 12:1-3

Mark 13:1-8

Daniel 12:1-3

Mark 13:1-8

OT 779

NT 43

OT 779

NT 43

Ann Bridges

Mary Barons

All Saints Readers

All Saints Readers

22nd

November

Christ the King

All Saints

All Age Worship

St John’s

Evening Eucharist

10.30 am

6.30 pm

Revelation 1:4b-8

John 18:33-37

Revelation 1:4b-8

John 18:33-37

NT 222

NT 99

NT 222

NT 99

All Saints Readers

All Saints Readers

Joyce Chant

Brenda Kenny

29th

November

Advent Sunday

St John’s

Morning Eucharist

10.30 am

1 Thess. 3:9-13

Luke 21:25-36

NT 184

NT 74

Joan Bird

Gerald Weaver

6th

December

2nd

Sunday of

Advent

St John’s All Age

Worship

All Saints Evening

Eucharist

10.30 am

6.30 pm

Malachi 3:1-4

Luke 3:1-6

Malachi 3:1-4

Luke 3:1-6

OT 827

NT 51

OT 827

NT 51

Patricia Shorrocks

Ann Bridges

All Saints Readers

All Saints Readers

13th

December

3rd

Sunday of

Advent

All Saints Morning

Eucharist

St John’s Evening

Worship

10.30 am

6.30 pm

Isaiah 12:2-6

Luke 3:7-18

Isaiah 12:2-6

Luke 3:7-18

OT 599

NT 52

OT 599

NT 52

All Saints Readers

All Saints Readers

Jenny Paull

Catherine Hartland

20th

December

4th

Sunday of

Advent

All Saints All Age

Worship

St John’s Lessons

and Carols

10.30 am

6.30 pm

TBD

TBA

All Saints Readers

All Saints Readers

TBA

TBA

24th

December

Christmas Eve

All Saints Carols

by Candlelight

St John’s Midnight

Communion

6.30 pm

11.30 pm

TBA

Isaiah 9:2,6-7

John 1:1-14

OT 595

NT 79

All Saints Readers

All Saints Readers

Martin Cursham

Alison Cursham

25th

December

Christmas

All Saints Morning

Eucharist

St John’s All Age

Worship

10.30 am

10.30 am

Isaiah 9:2,6-7

Luke 2:1-7

Isaiah 9:2,6-7

Luke 2:1-7

OT 595

NT 50

OT 595

NT 50

All Saints Readers

All Saints Readers

Ann Kivett

Charlie Carrington

27th

December

1st Sunday of

Christmas

All Saints All Age

Worship

St John’s Evening

Eucharist

10.30 am

6.30 pm

Colossians 3:12-17

Luke 2:15-20

Colossians 3:12-17

Luke 2:15-20

NT 182

NT 50

NT 182

NT 50

All Saints Readers

All Saints Readers

Mary Leighton

Joyce Chant

Will readers of the second lesson for Eucharist services please note that this is the

Gospel, which is placed ahead of the sermon and has its own introduction and

conclusion sentences.

- 5 -- 36 - - 5 -

Letter From the Rectory November 2009

The end of this month brings with it the beginning ofAdvent. Advent is a multi-directional time of the yearduring which we look backwards, forwards, inwardsand outwards. This exercise is designed to prepare us– to get us ready – to receive Christ afresh into ourlives each and every Christmas, and by and large allthings considered it works pretty well!

It occurs to me that Advent preparation has to do with healing or better still withwholeness. It also occurs to me that time given over to re-assessing our need forChrist in order to become the sort of people that God intended us to be is timewell spent. Therefore, I’d like to offer the following as a kind of pre-Adventreflection:

How are you? Answer: I’m all right! There is nothing wrong or the matter withme! -OR- The answer might come in the form of a long list of ailments.

Sometimes we feel terrible. There are times when it feels like everything isfalling apart up to and including me! Golly-gosh! I need help. I need healing!

When it comes to healing we tend to focus primarily on the physical. A brokenbone, twisted ankles, aches and pains, etc. But dis-ease is much more than physicaldisorder. When we consider dis-ease, it is much more “healthy” to open up ourlenses and think in terms of “wholeness”.

A detailed examination is not necessary to indicate thatmost of us - most of the time - are less than whole! Weare less than complete! We do not always do wholesomethings. We do not always eat wholesome food. We do notalways think wholesome thoughts. We do not always havewholesome feelings about ourselves or others. We areless than whole. We are less than perfect!

Jesus said, “You must be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Golly-gosh! Now, that’s a tall order by any standard!Perfect is something we are not! We suffer from tensions & divisions fromwithout & within. We frequently seem to be divided and fragmented on numerousfronts.

So often we experience and feel more discord than harmony -More anxiety, worry and anger than peace -More rejection than acceptance -More suspicion & resentment than trust -And in the extreme, more hatred than love -

- 6 - - 35 -

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As individuals and as members of Christ’s body our work is cut out for us. I feelcertain that Christ wills his body to be whole.

However, there is no-way in heaven or on earth that we can achieve wholeness byor through our own efforts. In and of ourselves we haven’t sufficient will,strength or resources to pull it off! Many of us need to rely less upon ourselvesand learn to, and lean upon, God.

Love To SpareLord I am spentRung out,Emotionally, mentally and physically dryI give willingly to my familyTo my work and my ChurchThey all require something from meThey clamour for my time and resourcesI’m giving a hundred and twenty percentLord I am Spent Rung outMy resources have run dryI have nothing more left to giveNo love to spare even for myself

My child I’ve waited a long time for thisFor you to come to the end of yourselfYou were never meant to struggle in your own strengthYou are not able, the task is too bigBut I can do it through youMy strength and my resources are endlessMy love knows no boundariesI have an abundance of all that you needPlus love for yourself and plenty to spare Ann Silvester

Wishing you & yours an adventurous Advent

Stephen

- 7 -- 34 -

October - November 2009

THE CHURCHWARDEN’S COLUMN

I am writing this report on Monday 2nd November and notice howdark the evenings are! Since we changed the clocks, I’m sure thoseof you who live alone find it very depressing; it makes the eveningsseem so long doesn’t it? But the recent colours of the leaves havebeen quite spectacular this year.Yesterday 30 friends from Norton & Staplegrove enjoyed lunchtogether at Oake Manor Golf Club which was kindly organised by

Iona & Chris Young.We welcome Emily, Andrew & Aila to Staplegrove. Andrew is the Army Chaplin atNorton Manor Camp. We hope you’ll be very happy during your time here.We will be remembering the fallen at our Remembrance Service at St. John’s nextSunday and once again John has kindly erected the Cross of Remembrance outsidethe bell tower. If any of you would like lifts to and from Church services during thewinter please let me know and I’ll try to help.Hope you all keep well and free from nasty colds. Sue D.

Baptisms

31st October James Lewis Renwick

1st November Aila Elizabeth Rawding

May all things belonging to the Spirit live and grow in them

Funerals

12th October Peter Donald Stuart

23rd October Marjorie Joyce Bond

May they rest in peace and rise in glory through Jesus Christ our Lord

Computer Topics - Care Considerations

As a result of two personal disasters recently it seems a goodtime to send out aforceful, albeit repetitive, reminder to take care with your PC or laptop.

The first of these, I am not unhappy to own up to was entirely my own fault, perhapsthrough tiredness or just being too casual. I am sure it is not an unfamiliar experienceto most of us who use our PC’s a lot, to receive unsolicited ‘spam’ e-mail. Most isprobably directed to the Junk folder and later manually or automatically, dependingon your settings, deleted. As it should be. Some, however, is likely to get throughone way or another, even if your filter settings are on high. In this case, of course,you may well filter and miss some genuine and relevant e-mail, so it’s a balancingact between what you can accept and what you really need.In my case we had been away for the best part of September and found a hugelycluttered e-mail inbox after our return home. Over the following days I tolerated muchof the rubbish as I tried to sort the important from thenonsense. But late one evening, having been setting theJournal file up for November during the day I was clearingspam en masse and missed the ‘delete’ field in the dialoguebox, unfortunately clicking on a ‘link’ in the underlying spame-mail by mistake. As a result of this I was taken to theViagra home page followed by a site I’d prefer not to mentionand then a spurious virus prevention program that listedthe 34 different viruses I had now downloaded! Needlessto say, I was also invited to buy a ‘platinum erase’ programfor $99.75 and buy it on my credit card! These variouspages kept cycling despite all my efforts to exit, delete, or run a virus clean upprogram, because what had happened was that the viruses had infected all the <.exe>files throughout every program on my PC and I couldn’t access or run anything!Fortunately, I “know a man who can” and within a week he had completely restoredmy PC to its present clean and fully functional state, as it is now, and recovered allmy data, which is as near as you can get to approaching a biblical miracle.The moral here is “Do not ever, never ever, open anything on your PC you are notentirely familiar with”. There are ruthless men out there.

The second story is a very common one of sheer accidentand misfortune, but preventable. Do not place any drinksor liquids near your PC or laptop. If liquids get spilled intothese generally low voltage, high density electronics youare done for. Especially laptops, prone to the very scenarioof table top working and concomitant refreshments, whichshould be banned from a radius of not less than two metres.PC keyboards are less of a problem. It is about thecheapest, replaceable part of your kit, but if the coffeeruns down the desk into the desktop don’t expect to behalf as lucky as I was, despite my more sinister invasion.Having said all that, keep safe by following those two crucial suggestions and enjoyall your computer has to offer. They are truly remarkable machines.

Tom H

- 8 - - 33 -

STAPLEGROVEPOST OFFICE

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MONDAY - SATURDAY7.00am - 10.00pm

SUNDAY

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EDITORIAL [email protected]

This Edition could be a record ‘first’ for the Journal. I am very pleased to have beenasked to print a very small selection of poetry by the modern Croatian poet, TatjanaMasinovic. I have little understanding of poetry, but I find that these lines have anemotive ability coupled with a visual sense that conjures with one’s own lifeexperiences. See what you think after reading them, and maybe coming back tothem on more than one occasion. According to my sources the circulation of theJournal about equals the national circulation of some poetry publications. Do not beput off by poetry. I am told by a very good friend who has a huge collection of a verydiverse nature, that in the broadest terms it should be regarded like the music ofwords; these short extracts certainly fulfil that criterion.

The next edition of the Journal is the Christmas edition, which will be in full colour. Donot let the chance to use your imagination and photographic skills pass by. Here isthe opportunity to fully do justice to your article with a colour image of the meeting,to illustrate the text or just enhance the presentation. (Sorry for the split infinitive.)Even a small colour image of clip-art can bring greater attention from readers andimmeasurably improve the presentation. Let your imagination go!

Now, well in advance of the event let me mention that the January/February editionsof the Journal will be combined into one end-of-January edition next year. This willthen take us up to the next full colour edition for Easter. It may well require somecareful thought and planning by those who submit notices or accounts of society/group meetings. First, your next items for the December edition must also cover uptowards the end of January. After that, the items in the January/February editionmust cover the period up to and including mid-March. The March edition will be in fullcolour and cover the Easter period, Easter Sunday being April 4th.

Another good thing that happened this month involved one of our advertisers. Ascoincidental as it may seem I was talking to a well known and respected Staplegrovianrecently about the benefits of using the services where possible provided by thosewho advertise in the Journal. It then turned out I found myself doing exactly that, andin final discussion with a namesake who provides carpentry services in this area hesaid, un-prompted, that this was the one publication that had proven most useful inwhich to advertise. He also mentioned two others that he thought were quite useless.So, well done the Journal; game, set and match to us!

Contact me, by phone, by email, by post or via Stephen’s letter box at The Rectory(marked “For the Journal”), for an opportunity to air your views or stories in TheJournal.

Tom Harris.Copy Deadline.Reports, items and articles need to be in by Monday January 11th for the nextedition, which is the Winter edition covering January, February and early March. Thiswill be published and circulated around Sunday 25th January. (There will be no Februaryedition as such).

- 9 -- 32 -

CLEANING ROTA - November, December 2009 & January 2010

14th November Mrs Albutt & Mrs Thorne21st November Mrs Hayes & Mrs Shorrocks28th November Mrs Clifford & Mrs Jowett

5th December Mrs Chant & Mrs Welsher12th December (No Wedding) Mrs Morris & Mrs Young19th December Mrs. Hendy & Mrs Thow

26th December Mrs Grinter & Mrs Hartland2nd January 2010 Mrs Coles & Mrs Hall9th January Mrs Sharpe & Mrs. Kenny

16th January Mr & Mrs Winchester23rd January Mrs Weaver & Mrs Whitmarsh30th January Mr & Mrs Hawkins

COFFEE ROTA - November 2009 - January 2010

3rd Sunday November 15th Mrs James & Mrs Darby*4th Sunday November 22nd All Saints 10.30am Service5th Sunday November 29th Miss Slocombe & Mrs Ann Other*

1st Sunday December 6th Mrs Coombes & Mrs Shorrocks2nd Sunday December 13th All Saints 10.30am Service3rd Sunday December 20th All Saints 10.30am Service

4th Sunday December 27th All Saints 10.30am Service1st Sunday January 3rd 2010 Mrs. Tutty* & Miss Slocombe2nd Sunday January 10th All Saints 10.30am Service

3rd Sunday January 17th Mrs Connell & Mrs Morris*4th Sunday January 24th All Saints 10.30am Service

*Please bring 2pts of milk

Reserves -Jan Darby 271457 Iona Young 276080 Margaret Winchester 282891Alison Cursham 451217 Margaret Bennett

If you are unable to be in Church on your duty Sunday, please arrange a change.

New Members are always needed to help with the Coffee Rota. If you feel you could givean hour or so half a dozen times a year for this most enjoyable and social activity, pleasecontact Barbara Slocombe either in person, in Church or on 274947.

Staplegrove Village Hall Management Committee

invite you to a

Quiz Nightat Staplegrove Village Hall

Saturday 21st November 2009

at 7.30 pm

Make up a table of six or come onyour own

Admission by ticket only (£5.00 each)

Ploughman’s Supper providedBring your own drinks

GOOD FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILYRaffle in aid of Taunton Aid in Sickness Fund

Tickets from: Staplegrove Hair CareAdjacent to Staplegrove Post Office

or telephone: Richard 01823 331666

- 31 -

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COMING EVENTS IN STAPLEGROVE - November, December, January

NOV

18 Wed. 7.45 Women’s Sugar Craft - Mary MercerCarol Foster

19 Thurs 12.00 Men’s Soc. Lunch Meeting Allerford Inn24 Tues. 10.30 Evergreens Coffee Morning 8 Lewis Rd26 Thurs 7.30 History Soc. Rural Somerset in Mary Mercer

19th C - Janet Tall,S. Records Off.

DEC

1 Tues 10.30 Beat Surgery and Coffee Morning Mary Mercer2 Wed. 7.45 Women’s Coffee Evening T.B.A.3 Thurs. 7.30 Mother’s Un. Advent Reflections Church8 Tues. 12.30 Evergreens Christmas Lunch Tom Fraser

10 Thurs. 11.00 Mother’s Un. Pram Service Church10 Thurs. 7.30 Men’s Soc. Christmas Meeting Mary Mercer15 Tues. 2.45 Evergreens Carol Service Church16 Wed. 7.45 Women’s Christmas Party Mary Mercer

JAN. 20105 Tues. 10.30 Beat Surgery And Coffee Morning Mary Mercer

NEW MEMBERS AND VISITORS are always very welcome at any Society or Groupmeeting or coffee morning or evening.

CONTACTSFull details of contacts for the above groups can be found on the inside front cover.

STAPLEGROVE BRANCH

Operation Christmas Child - a Project of Samaritan’s Purse.

Thank you to all who have signed up to fill a box this year. They need to be in churchby 15th November but there will still be time the following week so give me a ring andI will collect your box.

There will be a full report in the December Journal.

Alison Cursham. Tel: 451217

- 30 - - 11 -

STAPLEGROVE WOMEN’S GROUP

The Staplegrove Women’s Group held their AGM, with refreshments,on 21st October where a new Committee was elected and the newleader is Mrs Marion Coombes. We look forward to another interestingyear of speakers, outings and coffee evenings, the next evening

meeting being on 18 November in the Mary Mercer Room at the Village Hall at 7:45pmwhere our speaker will be Carol Foster who will tell us all about “Sugarcraft”.We look forward to seeing all old and new members on that date.

Pamela Sharpe

EVERGREEN GROUP

A large and appreciative audience met in the Village Hall on October13th for a return visit from Tony Bagwell. After his opening talk, updatingus on the work of Clic Sargent, Tony treated us to another of hisenthralling photographic shows entitled “Fading Images.”He began with “A Year on Sedgemoor” with beautiful pictures accompanied

by very fitting background music. He continued with a visit to Pyrland Farm and farmshop, followed by a winter train journey to Switzerland and ended with a set of close-up photographs of flowers. After an excellent vote of thanks given by Patricia Shorrocksmembers added to the group donation, bringing Tony’s personal contribution to ClicSargent to over £11,000.

The October coffee morning was held at Margaret Rolt’s home in Wyndham Roadwhen twelve members enjoyed a social get-together and chat.

Elizabeth Hall

The Will Aid Scheme

The Diocese has asked me to bring this scheme to your attention. It provides anopportunity for you to write, or update your Will and support leading charities at thesame time.

The way it works is that participating solicitors write straight-forward Wills for freeduring November in return for a donation to the nine Will Aid charities; (Action Aid,British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Help the Aged, NSPCC, Save the Children UK,SCIAF, Sightsavers International and Trocaire).

Police Community Information

A message from your Safer Stronger Neighbourhood Inspector

Dear Resident

I thought I’d take this opportunity to write in your local magazine, and introducemyself, having recently undertaken the role of Neighbourhood Inspector responsiblefor your area.

Previously I have worked across all stations within the West Somerset District, andin North Somerset at Weston-Super-Mare. Prior to this I was performing the samerole in the Neighbourhood Area of Burnham-on-Sea. My professional experience ispredominantly Crime and Response based, in both these areas, working very closelywith the Communities and our Partners, tackling the challenges faced.

I am delighted to be taking this current role, and hope to build upon the excellentwork of my predecessors. Total crime across the Neighbourhood Area is down onprevious years, with marked reductions in violent crime, dwelling burglary and criminaldamage. My personal goal, and that of my Team, is to make your NeighbourhoodArea the highest performing, safest, most confident and satisfied community in whichto live work and visit.

In line with our Policing Pledge to you, ways I intend to achieve this, amongst manyothers, are by:

· Continuing and developing our Partners and Communities Together (PACT)Process, encouraging all sections of the community to become involved,and influence our direction.

· Providing you with continual, sustainable, timely and visible results on thepriorities directly affecting you.

· Providing regular and specific feedback on how we are, and are going to,achieve this.

· Ensuring we target, and wherever, possible bring to justice those personswho negatively impact upon others.

As members of our community your involvement and contribution to achieving theabove has been fundamental to the successes already achieved, and I thank yougreatly for this, and look forward to your continued support over the coming years. Ilook forward to members of my team regularly updating you via this media and manymore.

Kind regardsInspector 1406 Samuel Williams

- 29 -

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- 12 -

Although there is no obligation for donors to leave any gifts to charities in Willswritten under this scheme it is hoped that you might consider including a gift to thechurch.

The suggested donation is £75 for a single Will and £110 for a couple and a simplecodicil to an existing Will, £40 – excellent value for money. Donations can be giftaided adding an extra 28% for the charities.

Local participating solicitors in Taunton are:Andrew Rugg, 5 Hammet St, ring 326 822,Broomhead and Saul, 11 Hammet St, ring Andrew Lewis 288 121 orEverys, 12 Hammet St, ring Frank Murray on 337 636

….and there are others around Somerset that can be found on the Will Aid websitehome page www.willaid.org.uk or speak to me for more information – my contactdetails are inside the front cover.

Last year the scheme raised a record of nearly £1m in donations. Contact one ofthem now, the offer is only available in November and time is running short! Thesolicitor can help you include your family and your church family and by doing so youwill be supporting some very worthwhile charities.

Chris Young - Stewardship Secretary

Churchyard Matters – November 2009

Some good news, some bad news

The bad news - Yes another vandal attack this time our remaininglead flashings were targeted and stolen along with mindlessdamage to the porch and boiler house. Fortunately the securityof the Church prevented any entry but a fire extinguisher wasset off and did cause a mess which we were able to clean upbefore a planned funeral. The perpetrators of this damage riskedlife and limb for a paltry sum of cash, the Church would havefaced a hefty sum of cash had it rained. Repairs were carried

out immediately and all remaining lead is “marked” and traceable.

Good News – Church footpath lighting. We have secured funds, thank you Communityfund and the Parish Council. We are now repairing and replacing faulty cabling andlighting along the footpath and into the car park.

As autumn gathers pace those beautiful leaves so admired fall! Leaf collecting andstoring has been taking place, thanks to all who have helped in this task but plentymore to fall! Tree pruning has also taken place which has lightened up the porch area.Horse Chestnut trees throughout Europe are being attacked by a leaf miner, we havetwo large trees along the avenue and others dotted about the Churchyard but the jury

- 13 -- 28 -

is out on the severity of this disease, we await further information on the future of allour Horse Chestnut trees.

The East gate has been removed for repair/replacement/ a re-think. All users of thefootpath are reminded that cycling is not allowed. The PCC cannot be held responsiblefor any accidents or incidents.The Car Park. All users are reminded that this is a private Car park and the PCCcannot be held responsible for any accidents or incidents.

It is proposed that suitable signs be erected soon, on the footpath and in the carpark.

Once again whilst meandering through the Churchyard and observing anything unusualdo report it to;

08454567000 or the PCSO 07920450435

(Put these numbers in your mobile address book; you never know when they maybe useful - but in an emergency call 999)

John K

NEWS FROM THE TOWER. I have found, over the years, that e-mail can be just as exciting as opening anordinary letter. There’s always the unexpected. And this was never truer than veryrecently when I received a ‘forwarded’ e-mail from Stephen from someone enquiringabout our bells. In essence this person was researching his family history and had,somehow, latched upon the fact that in our book on the history of the bells there ismention of the family who actually cast these bells in the 1600’s. He believes that hemay well be related to this family, which is something of a surprise to him, as heoriginally thought that they had not arrived in England until the early 18th century.

It was a great pleasure to be able to despatcha copy of the book to him, together with moredetail of the sources that I had researchedin writing it, which would be of value to him.No sooner was this done than by return byRoyal Mail came a donation to the ringers‘for a bottle or two of cider’ and the remainderto the church! I thought to myself, “Theremay not be too much left by the time theringers have got well into their cider”! But heobviously appreciated the tradition of thesocial side of ringing as well as theecclesiastical. What a really generous andvery kind gesture.

The Third Way On Its Way Somerset County Council has announced that construction is about to start on thelong awaited Taunton Third Way. Construction of the new road and river crossing will begin in late November 2009 withthe route scheduled to open in December 2010. The road will pass through the existingGreenbrook Terrace car park, which will be closed permanently from mid to lateNovember this year. The road scheme will provide a new north-south route adjacent to the town centre,including a new bridge over the River Tone, with the aim of relieving town centrecongestion and improving access to the Tangier area. The completion of the ThirdWay may also enable future ‘pedestrian only’ zones or restricted access in the towncentre at certain times of the day. The works will also include improvements to the existing Wood Street / Bridge Streetjunction. In order to minimise disruption to traffic, Somerset County Council hasworked with the contractors to ensure works on this junction are not programmeduntil after the Christmas period.

Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member -Environment said: ”This new route will bring many benefits to Taunton by improvingthe environment for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users within the mainshopping streets of the town. Somerset County Council will work closely with thecontractors to keep disruption to a minimum.” The scheme includes the following works:

• Construction of a new bridge over the River Tone to the west of GoodlandsGardens;

• Construction of a new bridge over the Mill Stream to replace the existingtemporary bridge;

• Construction of approximately 150m of new carriageway together with therealignment of a further 300m of carriageway;

• Two new signalised junctions along the route;• Improvements to the existing Bridge Street/Wood Street junction and• The provision of pedestrian and cycle facilities throughout the scheme.

Construction of the new road and river crossing will be carried out by contractorsMorrison Construction. People who work in and visit the town centre will be soon able to use the new TauntonGateway Park & Ride bus service, which will be operating from mid November on theeast side of Taunton adjacent to J25 of the M5. For further information please contact Jan Hookings or Elizabeth Kulh, Press Officers,on 01823 355020.

- 14 - - 27 -

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3

I guess once one, as a genealogist, has discovered a family occupation, especially400 years ago, there is a good chance that it will lead one deeper into the familyhistory. Sons so often followed their fathers simply by learning from watching as ayoungster as soon as one could walk. It certainly appeared that way as far as ourbell-founders were concerned. The beauty of this is, of course, that the very names,or at the least the initials, are to be found in the inscriptions on the bells themselves,usually with the dates when the bells were cast, as in the case of our 3rd bell here.These are even more weather resistant than grave stones and can be just as, oreven more, descriptive. As an historical record church bells are amongst the bestand most certain of archives, though mistakes of spelling are well recorded. Bit of a‘blooper’ if you’ve just cast a ton of bell and got your own name wrong!

A lot of people have researched church bells, their founders, foundries, inscriptionsand rhymes, together with the related tangential topics. There’s a whole chapter, forexample, in one history about the names of Saints inscribed on bells, another aboutthe various motifs that individual bell founders used as a signature. So if you’re luckyenough to have, or be related to, a line of bell founders you should have no difficultyin tracing your family tree right back at least to the 1500’s. And I imagine that that isexactly what Ivor Purdue is doing right now, now that he has discovered our Georgeand his family, originally from Closworth near Yeovil. Thank you very much, Ivor, foryour kind thoughts. Here’s a Christmas toast in mulled cider to ‘The Purdue Family’.

Tom Harris

Women’s Aid

As is usual we are asking you and your friends to think of those in the Refuge thisChristmas.

Cleaning materials of all kinds are appreciated as are dried foods and gift vouchersfor shops such as Boots, Marks and Spencer and Morrison’s or tokens for the Odeoncinema or Hollywood Bowl. These can be brought to church from the beginning ofDecember and up to 20th December. I have a more detailed list which I will put up inthe church porch notice board or give me a ring.

Thank you for remembering these families this Christmas.Alison [451217]

- 15 -

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Bridge Report

Duplicate Bridge is a popular activity at StaplegroveVillage Hall with three sessions each week - Mondayand Tuesday evenings commencing at 7pm andTuesday afternoons at 1.15pm.

In duplicate bridge the cards are dealt at the start ofplay and the score is determined by comparison withother scores on the same deal. This eliminates muchof the luck associated with being dealt good (or bad!)cards throughout a session.

Taunton Deane Bridge Club is run by Staplegroveresidents, Janet and Chris Jones and meets onMonday evenings. The club has long been established in Staplegrove and regularlyattracts 15 or more tables. (Contact Janet on 01823 451665 for more details).

Taunton Duplicate Bridge Circle is run by Marjorie and John Dilworth and meets onTuesday evenings. The club also meets on Thursday evenings in Taunton and hassome of the top county players amongst its membership. (Contact Marjorie on 01823272512 for more details).

Wilton Bridge Club is run by a committee of its members and meets on Tuesdayafternoons. The club moved to Staplegrove in 2006 from premises in Wilton Street,hence its name. It also has sessions in Oake on Wednesday evenings and Fridayafternoons. Inexperienced players and those new to duplicate bridge are particularlywelcome on a Friday afternoon.

(Contact Pam Skelton 01823 326417 or Anne Harris 01823 400578 for more details).

Lost and Found

The Journal is happy to advertise any lost or found items, including a photo or image,free of charge, together with contact details, as desired, of the owner or finder, asappropriate. Contact Editor in one of the usual ways.

- 25 -- 16 -

m: 07973 564759

Smokey AngusLocally Farmed Aberdeen Angus Beef

Our cattle are all home bred from our traditional Aberdeen Angus cows and their offspring.They are reared naturally on clover rich grass and maize that you see growing in the fields

around the village. They are subject to the highest standards of welfare and veterinarysupervision on our assured farm.

They are slaughtered on a neighbouring farm in a stress free environment and the meat ishung and butchered in the traditional manner before being personally delivered to your door.

Tel/Fax: 01823 451298 Mobile: 07050 646907

Taunton West District Guiding

The Brownies enjoyed a holiday at Huish Woods during October, where theyexperienced archery, caving, orienteering and a blindfold trail as well as enjoyingevening campfire singsongs – thank you to the Scout Leaders for providing thisduring their training weekend! The photograph shows some of our girls practisingtheir archery skills! We had beautiful weather all weekend.

Most of the units in the District have started theirAdventure 100 challenge, which covers 10different themes and has to be carried out overthe year. One Brownie Pack has mastered thehand chimes, and another is visiting MonktonElm garden Centre Ice World. The Leaders inthe district have thought about adapting thechallenge for ourselves and this will be plannedbefore Christmas!!

The units are also getting involved in theGirlguiding story gathering project. At themoment we are getting the girls to find out whothey know who has been involved in Guiding,looking at old uniforms and understanding moreabout the origins of the movement. This is alldone in a fun way, for example when looking atthe different decades we might focus on the musicof the time – from the charlston through to Xfactor, or we might look at favourite books overthe decades and how they have changed. It isour aim eventually to invite some real ‘old’

brownies along to meetings to be interviewed. If you think you might like to be partof this project then please give me a ring and sometime in the new year we willarrange for either you to come to a meeting, or for a few of us to visit you. Thestories are being collated by Girlguiding UK.

You might remember me writing about the Changing the World projects that all theunits were involved in during the run up to the centenary. Wellsprings Brownies wonthe UNICEF campaign challenge as part of this project and during half term enjoyeda fun creative afternoon with a representative from UNICEF. The girls made postersof their 3 key messages from their project, to talk about HIV and AIDS, to not leaveout people because they have HIV and AIDS and that all children should have accessto the necessary medicine. The posters have been photographed and the girls will befeatured on the new UNICEF website TAGd.

Taunton West District are in the initial planning stages for their District CentenaryEvent. Anyone who has been involved in a leadership role in Taunton West is invited

- 24 - - 17 -

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Perfection Pools is a new swimming pool company, however we have 14 years experience in the

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4,The one story that is different was submitted by Elizabeth Hall. She chose to write,not about her grandparents, but about her late husband, David’s grandfather. This isfitting as the original idea came from David. He only envisaged a discussion but Ithink he would have been pleased to have seen his idea translated into book form. Thebooklet is free to members but I hope it will appeal to others – find out where yourfriends came from! It costs just £1.00 and is available from me.

Patricia Shorrocks

A Fish StoryA guy who lives at Round Lake, Sask.,50 miles South of Yorkton, saw a ballbouncing around kind of strangely in thelake and went to investigate. It turned outto be a flathead catfish who had obviouslytried to swallow a basketball which hadbecome stuck in its mouth!!

The fish was totally exhausted fromtrying to dive, but unable to because theball would always bring him back up tothe surface. The guy tried numeroustimes to get the ball out, but wasunsuccessful. He finally had his wife cutthe ball in order to deflate it and releasethe hungry catfish. You probably wouldn’thave believed this, if you hadn’t seenthese pictures...

Be kinder than necessary. ‘Cause everyone you meet is fighting some kind ofbattle.

With thanks to Ann Bridges and others.

- 18 - - 23 -

to come along. It will be on Saturday 22nd May 2010 from 4 to 5.30pm and will involvea small concert by the girls followed by the lighting of fire sculptures and camp fire,sing song and cake. Please keep this date free in your diary and make sure you letanyone know who could come along, especially if they don’t get this journal. I will beadvertising all over the district in the New Year and I hope we can include as many ofthe past leaders as possible.

With the centenary year celebrations already starting, this is an exciting time to joinGirlguiding UK.

To discover more about what is happening in your neighbourhood then please giveme a ring! I look forward to hearing from you!

Tina Brownlow, District Commissioner, Taunton West, Tel 288428

A School Report with a difference!

Extract from the Somerset County Gazette, May 21st 1926.

Empire Day at Staplegrove School.

Empire Day, falling this year on Whit Monday, the headmistress, Miss Goode, decidedto celebrate the day on Friday last. The schoolroom was gaily decorated with tri-coloured flowers, the kind gift of Mrs Napier Clavering, bunting and flags, whichpresented a very gay appearance and was admired. The programme was as follows,

Hymn, “O God our Help in Ages past.”Song, “England.”Miss Goode. Upper School Address, “Our Empire.”Recitation, “Britons hold your Own.” Doris Greedy.Song, “The Cuckoo.” Infants and Standard One.Tableau, “Our Empire.” Dick Pring, Fred Lloyd with attendantsRecitation, “The Torch of Life.” Leslie Rendall.Song, “God Bless the Prince of Wales.” Upper School.Recitation, “The Flag is Passing By.” Leslie Pillar.Recitation, “Poems of The Empire.” Infants and Standard One.Song, “Land of Hope and Glory.” Upper School.Recitation, “The Sleepy Land.” May Bellamy.Recitation, “O My Mummy.” Jean Bond.Recitation, “My Land.” Vera Manley.Song, “Jerusalem.”

After singing the National Anthem, the children saluted the flag. Cheers were thencalled for Mrs Napier Clavering for her kind gift of flowers and these were heartilygiven. In the course of her address Miss Goode told the children that they belongedto a great Empire on which the sun never sets and they should all be proud to be

SLHS STAPLEGROVE LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Twenty-four members were present at the AGM held on 22nd

October. The retiring Chairman, Patricia Shorrocks, reportedon a successful year with a varied and interesting programme,

but a year when the society was saddened by the deaths of former chairman, FlossieBradbury-Williams, and Secretary John Wright. A year ago members had spoken of memories of their grandparents, and this led toa printed booklet entitled “Grandparents Remembered”, available for the first time atthis, the 25th Anniversary meeting of the society. A new committee was elected :- Chairman - Claudine Tyson, Secretary - GraceGriffin, Programme secretaries - Peggy Jenkins & Patricia Shorrocks, Treasurer -John Porter, Committee members - John Kenny & Patricia Dening. Member Tom Davies gave a descriptive and amusing talk on The Battle of Agincourtwhen Henry V had insisted on rigorous training of his soldiers in the use of the longbow, which had played such an important part in the satisfactory result for England. During supper, a presentation was made to Patricia Shorrocks to mark the society’sappreciation and thanks for her unstinting work throughout the twenty-five yearssince its foundation in 1984

Elizabeth Hall

The Local History Society celebrated its 25th anniversary in October. To mark theoccasion its members combined to write a booklet entitled ‘GrandparentsRemembered’. Understandably, not all members could contribute because they couldnot remember any grandparents. But twenty did write an account recalling perhapsone grandparent and, sometimes, the full set of four.

There is only one truly Staplegrove memory but thereare three for Taunton, all of which recall trade in pasttimes, and six for rural Somerset. The rest show weare a diverse lot in origin with roots in Scotland,London, Devon, Lancashire, Yorkshire,Nottinghamshire and Sussex. Occupations wereequally varied; from agriculture, trade, shop keeping,the postal service, the army and navy to domesticservice and manufacturing. There was also astonemason, a train driver as well as a gunpowdercar ter and a blacksmith. Large families werecommon, indicating a lack of birth control. Sadly,there were also childhood deaths and one accident,reflecting the lack of safety provision. Living to aripe old age is not a modern phenomenon: it was notuncommon for our grandparents to live into theirnineties or even over one hundred. Grandfatherspredominate; grandmothers are often remembered asstiff backed and wearing black, determined to passon domestic skills to their granddaughters.

- 19 -- 22 -

STAPLEGROVE PARISH JOURNAL

The Journal is published on behalf of the Church of St John the Evangelist,Staplegrove, Parochial Church Council.

Eleven editions are produced annually, priced at 50p each, or a subscription for afull calendar year is £5. To subscribe and have your copy delivered monthly

except August, or sent by post, please contact Mrs Janet Darby, 01823 271457

All articles for publication are welcomed by the Editor and should be directed asdetailed on the contacts page inside front cover, or as below. The Editor reserves

the right to decline to publish any item considered unsuitable for a magazine of thisnature. All copy and advertising is accepted in good faith, but publication of any

item does not necessarily represent or reflect the views of the PCC orJournal Editor.

Editor, Tom Harris, Higher Yarde Farm, Staplegrove, Taunton TA2 6SWEmail: [email protected] or tel; 01823 451553

The Journal is printed by WessexMalthouse, Frobisher Way, Taunton. TA2 6BB

members of it. Children in the school today were the men and women of the futureand it was up to them to uphold their heritage.

Extract from the Somerset County Gazette, July 17th 1926.

Staplegrove School

The following is the report of the examination in religious knowledge made by theRevd, J.D. Gedge, Diocesan Inspector, following his visit to the school on 9th inst.“This school, in regard to religious knowledge as a whole, continues to produce inboth groups uniformly excellent results. Discipline and tone are exemplary; the childrenenjoy their instruction and treat it with reverence and reality. Repetition is accurateand well emphasised, written work is neat and shows in the upper standards that thechildren are taught the lessons underlying Bible stories. All the answering is markedby understanding and good sense. For these most satisfactory results, both teachingstaff and children are highly to be commended.”

With thanks to Alec Bowditch, who probably endured something not unlike this.

Untitled

In the eye of the seaReflections multiply.Its splendour draws me closeI forget the dangers of the deepAnd its underwater rocks.

Untitled

The seaShimmering and flickeringTravelsYet here remainsLike our thoughts of someone dear.

From In the Garden of My Silences

Untilted

A word canLike lighteningBy an invisible threadScar the soulAnd the same woundA word can soothe.

Staplegrove Strollers

We have arranged the following walk:-

Friday 20th November 10.30am Church Car Park. Walk to Kingston St Mary.Lunch at The Swan and return.

Some can walk from Burlands others from Nailsbourne or meet us at the Swan. Ihave booked lunch for 12.30 so let me know if you would like me to book you infor lunch.

Alison (451217)

- 20 -The Annual Meeting will elect Churchwardens, Parochial Church Councillors, Sidesmen and, this year, Deanery Synod representatives; nomination forms are in the Church porch.

Please forward completed forms to a member of the Churchwardens team or to the PCC Secretary, Chris Young, 1 Lawn Road, Staplegrove, TA2 6EH

- 21 -

STAPLEGROVE PARISH COUNCIL www.staplegroveparish.co.uk

Since my last report the Parish Council (PC) has:

- Paid for improvements to a narrow stretch of the footpath on the southside of Manor Road, running from Manor Drive towards the post box.The contractor has done an excellent job and we now have amuch wider pavement.

- Ordered a new seat for the Hudson Way playground, whichwill be paid for by the PC.

- Received confirmation from County Councilor Elaine Waymouththat she will be contributing £2000 from her CommunityBudget to help towards the cost of the Manor Road footpath improvementsand the new seat in the Hudson Way playground.

- Responded to a request from the Church to help with the costof renewing/upgrading their external lighting that hadrecently deteriorated and failed. The PC approached CountyCouncilor Elaine Waymouth who has agreed to contribute £250towards the cost. As the lighting is for the benefit, not only ofchurch goers, but the many parishioners who use the footpaththrough the churchyard on a daily basis, at all times of the daybecause of the lack of footpath on the main road, the PC felt that it was fittingthat it should meet the remaining costs.

- Agreed to a site meeting in November with First Bus Company andrepresentatives from Somerset Highways and Transporting Somerset todiscuss the issues concerning the bus company not usingthe sheltered bus stop opposite the junction of ShowellPark. Although it was not guaranteed that this would providethe solution we would like the meeting would give us theopportunity to discuss the issues and explore any possiblesolutions that might be identified as a result.

As usual could I please remind you that a coffee morning and beatsurgery is held in the Mary Mercer Room, Staplegrove Village Hall, onthe first Tuesday of every month. It is a great opportunity to speak tothe police face to face and have a chat with others. The Chairman of the

PC and myself regularly attend, so if you have any issues you can speak to us. Thesessions are from 10.30 am to 12 noon and tea and biscuits cost 50p. Pop in anytime. You would be made most welcome.

By the time you read this article we will have held the next meeting of the PC,followed by a meeting of the Staplegrove Children’s Playground Trust. I will reportback on the meetings in my next report.

Please note that parishioners are invited to attend both Staplegrove PC meetingsand those of the Staplegrove Children’s Playground Trust and are welcome to askquestions. Minutes of both meetings and their accounts are available for inspectionby members of the public. If you would like to view them please give me a ring. ThePC minutes and accounts are also on the parish website. To view a guide to theinformation available from the PC to members of the public and the PC’s EqualOpportunities Policy, please look on the parish notice boards, visit the parish websiteor give me a ring.

Janice Peake, Clerk, 62 Dowell Close, Taunton.

Telephone 251034. Email - [email protected]

November Poetry Corner by Tatjana Masinovic

Born in 1938, the Croatian poet, Tatjana Masinovic is a native of Split. After taking adegree in philosophy at the University of Zadar, she spent her working life as ateacher of Croatian language and literature. Her first book of poetry, “Invisible Threads”was published in 1994, followed six years later by a second collection, “SometimesThings Turn Out Differently.”

These translations by Dubravka Yarwood and George Hendry are the first of herpoetry in English.

From ‘The Sea’

The Stone, The Sea and I

I long quietlyFor far-off placesAnd pinewoodsFor seashore alongside beachesFor sea-scentAnd tranquillityAnd the intoxicating sun.

The stone, the sea and IWill be as oneAnd burn hungrily.Our nourishment, the coolness of the air.Our fireLike a comfortSweeping around us.

Staplegrove Journal

Documents

Transcript of Staplegrove Journal