The Bisley News April / May 2014 www.bisleynews.co.uk

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B

Grow a Sunflower for Bisley Show

Incorporating ‘The Spire’

The Bisley News Colin Hassall

editor@bisleynews.co.uk 01452 770335

This magazine is also available at www.bisleynews.co.uk

DEADLINE June /July edition

9am Friday 16th May 2014 Or earlier if all space taken

BISLEY W.I. Admission £3.00

Meetings start at 7.30

Thursday 10th April David Fletcher ANTARCTICA

Thursday 8th May Bob Langrish

EQUESTRIAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Guests welcome

Printed by MDL Kelex 01453 791 400

Bisley Friendship Club W.I. Village Hall

Wednesday 16th April Entertainment to be announced

Wednesday 21st May Entertainment to be announced

2.30pm – 4.30pm

Delicious Homemade Teas

Guests & newcomers

very welcome

OPEN HOUSE Coffee & biscuits 11am – noon

Thursday 3rd April Alison and Tom Merry

Far Wells Road 

Thursday 1st May Pat Chapman 12 Bearsfield

Open house is a good way to meet your neighbours and catch up with village

activities

Everyone Welcome

Flicks In The Sticks Bisley WI Village Hall

Tues 8th April ‘Philomena’

Starring Judi Dench

Tuesday 13th May ‘Blue Jasmine’

Starring Cate Blanchett

7.30 for 8pm Everyone Welcome

All Saints’ Church

April/May 2014

I write this on an unseasonably warm Sunday afternoon in the Vicarage garden, the air full of the sound of bird-song and blossom beginning to appear on the trees. On a day like this, particularly

after such a miserable winter, it really feels like spring is here and that new life is on the horizon.

The greatest sign of new life at this time of year is, of course, the event that changed the world - Easter Day. Easter is the most important celebration in the Church's year – yes, maybe the story is not as cuddly and accessible as that of the baby in the manger, but it is even more earth-shattering and extraordinary.

And we can't have the happy ending without the drama and apparent tragedy of Holy Week - the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, while the crowds wave palms and shout ‘Hosanna' to their King; the intimate meal of the Last Supper that Jesus has with his friends on Maundy Thursday and the betrayal, trial and death in agony on the cross on Good Friday.

All is silence and despair, but is suddenly broken by the euphoria of the discovery of the empty tomb and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, just as he had promised. And in that moment, the world is transformed for ever.

"Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son;

endless is the victory thou o'er death hast won"

The message of Easter for us is that no matter how bleak life seems, no matter how we feel we have let God down, no matter what we face in our lives, God's love for his people is stronger than anything, even death. So we can always hope, live and love again in the light and peace of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

Rev Rosie Woodall

The recent refurbishment of the All Saints’ Church meeting room led to an exciting discovery when the old carpet was taken up. Set into the Victorian tiled floor was a tribute to Samuel Harmer, schoolmaster, and his two wives, both named Mary. Subsequent research in the Gloucester Records Office unearthed letters from Samuel about his remuneration and admission of pupils to the Bluecoat School. Sadly it is too late to see the plaque itself as agreement could not be reached to display it on a wall – so it will probably be another 20 years before it is seen again. If you are related to Samuel, and would like a pdf of the memorial, please contact the editor.

A quick glance through the visitors’ book shows that in 2013 visitors to All Saints’ Church came from Australia, Austria, California, Canada, Dubai, Guernsey, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Northern Ireland, Poland, Scotland, Siberia, Sweden, South Africa, Wales and many counties in England.

If you would like to receive communion at home because you are housebound for any reason, a minister

or someone from the Lay Ministry Team would be pleased to bring it to you.

Please contact Rev Rosie (771084)

The Bisley bellringers have enjoyed an outing to Rendcombe, North Cerney, Withington & Chedworth and also spent a day making productive use of the Dursley Ringing Simulator, which ties the clappers so no sound is heard outside, and links sensors on the bell wheels to a computer which makes the ringing sound. Ollie Bradley (age 12) recently rang a notable Quarter Peal ringing the Treble whilst Fen Tongue (age 15) also took a giant step by learning and ringing the complex method Yorkshire Surprise Major to a Quarter Peal. Most noteworthy of all was Julian Howes (age 16) conducting his first full peal of Yorkshire Major in 2 hours 52 minutes at Blunsdon. Over the next few weeks we will be practicing towards our entry in the Six Bell Striking Competition run by the Gloucester & Bristol Diocesan Association. The contest is in Bristol on Saturday 5th April and five Bisley ringers are representing the Stroud Branch in the Eight Bell Competition. Bisley ringers continue to be heavily involved in the G & B Youth Team which is practicing towards the 2014 National Youth

Contest to be held on 5th July in Worcester. Many of our youngsters are also studying hard towards GCSEs and A levels and we wish Connie Tongue, Amelie Hünnebeck-Wells, Ryan Brown, Julian Howes, Holly Abbott and Corrine Hünnebeck-Wells every success as they take their exams.

Ian Bucknell

Looking after the

pennies ...

Church Treasurer required

Are you a book-keeper or able to keep accounts ? The untimely death of Norman MacLeod means All Saints’ Church urgently needs someone to fill the role of treasurer.

There is no requirement to be a regular worshipper or attend Church Council meetings - just keep the accounts in order on a day-to-day basis and prepare the annual accounts for auditing.

If you would like to know more about what is involved please contact Rosie Woodall (771084) or Peter Thorp (770708).

Life is a continuing process of the death of the old and the familiar, and being reborn again into a new hope, a new trust, and a new love. The death and resurrection of Jesus is not just an historical event that took place a long time ago, but an inner event that takes place in our heart when we are willing to be attentive to it.

Henri Nouwen

PALM SUNDAY – 13th April 10.30am Meet at St Mary and All Angels in Wells Lane for a

procession with palms followed by 11am Eucharist in All

Saints

7pm Services in HOLY WEEK Monday Holy Communion (said) All Saints

Tuesday Holy Communion (said) Christchurch, Chalford

Wednesday Agape meal, Oakridge Village Hall (sign up in church)

Thursday Holy Communion with Washing of Feet

St John the Baptist, France Lynch

GOOD FRIDAY – 18th April 10.30am Traditional procession with prayers and readings around the

Village, leaving from the Roman Catholic Church

2pm An Hour before the Cross – readings, prayers and communion

from the reserved sacrament. All Saints

EASTER EVE – Saturday 19th April 8pm Vigil Service, St John the Baptist, France Lynch

EASTER DAY 11am Easter Liturgy - Service of Light, Reaffirmation of

Baptismal Vows & Eucharist

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER – 27TH April 11am All Age service with a baptism

God can mend a broken heart –

but you have to give him the pieces