TRADE DIRECTORY Continued
GENERAL GEEK – IT Support in Your
Home! Virus removal, laptop and desktop
repairs Tablet and Mobile Phone Repairs,
support and training. Office: 01376 328494
or Engineer: 07701065253 J D WALLIS JOINERY
Bespoke Joinery. Jon Wallis.
t: 01371 821 457 m: 07725 654 121
w: www.jdwallisjoinery.co.uk
JUDGE EXTERIORS. Brickwork
and Hard Landscaping specialist
Tel: 01371 823282 Mob: 07734862839
Website: www.judgeexteriors.co.uk
LAWN MOWER & GARDEN MACHINERY
SALES, SERVICE & PARTS -
B.B. Moore, Priory Lodge, Felsted
01371 820695
LUXURY TOILET HIRE (UK) LTD
we ensure your event runs smoothly
www.luxurytoilethireltd.co.uk
Tel: 01279 504638 Fax: 01279 506433
Cesspit emptying undertaken
PAINTER & DECORATOR
All types of work undertaken R.L. Harvey.
Reasonable rates, free estimates, discounts
for O.A.Ps 01376 327237
WINNIE NUR PHOTOGRAPHY
weddings, studios, all social events,
commercial and advertising,
mob: 07854 915991
web: winnienurphotography.com
APN PLUMBING & HEATING
All aspects of Plumbing, Bathrooms, Wet
Rooms, Heating. Reliable & honest.
Tel: 01371 822943 Mob 07969 992981
BRAINTREE PLUMBING & HEATING
No call out charges, competitive rates.
Burst Pipes, Ball-valves and Bathrooms,
Complete Plumbing Systems
Tel: 01376 341743 or 07711 588731
www.braintreeplumbingandheating.co.uk
PROFESSIONAL LAWN AND GARDEN
SERVICES Lawn Care, Hedge Trimming,
Pruning, Strimming, Path & Patio Care.
Andrew Down 01371 870233
REFLEXOLOGIST Fiona Agar MAR.
Fully qualified, Member of Association of
Reflexologists. Based in the centre of
Felsted village. Tel: 01371 820330
Mob: 07977 546093
R WHEELER ROOFING SERVICES
Slating, Tiling, Flat Roofs, Guttering,
Repairs, Chimney work, Local, Reliable,
Free Estimates.
Tel: 01371 811308 Mobile: 07951 349837
ACER TREE SURGERY
Dunmow company. Fully insured and NPTC
assessed. www.acertreesurgery.com
Tel: 01371 859431 Mob: 07958 184196
Paul Sutton, qualified TREE SURGEON
Available for garden maintenance, and
landscaping. Est. 1995. Fully insured.
Day rate and reasonable hourly rate.
Phone 01440 785837 Mob 07767 380124.
TUTORING IN MATHS & SCIENCE
Most subjects offered to A level by current
examiner. Contact Dick Frost,
01371 820824, 07909 526713,
VILLAGE HALL - Salings Millennium Hall
Modern hall with large car park. Weddings
a speciality. Contact: Mrs Jo Peake
Tel: 01371 850260
www.essexinfo.net/thesalingshall
WEIGHT LOSS, PERSONAL TRAINING
& PILATES Air Conditioned studio in
Dunmow. Fitness classes held locally.
Fully qualified instructor 07882 435750
WINDOW CLEANER with 20 years local
experience. Phone: Eddie Driscoll
07941 776705 or 01245 360540
Printed by Copybest Essex Ltd Sabre House, Dunmow Road, Felsted.
01371 856721 www.copybest.co.uk
DecemberDecember
20142014
IInterfacnterfacee
where Church and Community meetwhere Church and Community meet
The Parish Magazine for Felsted,The Parish Magazine for Felsted,
Flitch Green and Little DunmowFlitch Green and Little Dunmow 505050ppp
Church Directory www.felstedchurch.org.uk
Parochial Church Council Officers:
FELSTED LITTLE DUNMOW Churchwardens
Eddie Kelly 01371 820018 Joyce Stone 01371 820564
Jamie MacKay 01371 820483 David Stone as above
Secretary
Sue Kelly 01371 823100 Sonia Merritt 01371 823046
Treasurer
Ian Butler 01371 821175 Ian Shaw 01371 820372
Both P.C.C.s bank with CAFBANK. Cheques should be made payable to:
Felsted P.C.C. Little Dunmow P.C.C.
Sort code: 40:52:40 acct no: 00006007 Sort code: 40:52:40 acct no: 00010225
Magazine Team:
Editor Robert Stone 01371 821477 [email protected]
Sub Editor David Learmonth 01371 820398
Trade Directory Editor 01371 821477
Distribution David Woods 01371 821665
Other Useful Contact Details:
Organist Crèche
Andrew Beaton 01371 821243 Lesley Taylor 01371 820242
Choir Junior Church
Bryony Rees 01371 821990 Amanda Little 01371 822669
Fabric Officer Rock Solid
Felsted— vacancy Sylvia Taylor 01371 820242
Lt Dunmow—Ted Bryant 01371 820995 YPC Ed and Helen Fenning
Bell Ringing Tower Captain
David Learmonth 01371 820398
Verger Gift Aid Secretary
Eddie Kelly 01371 820018 Ian Shaw 01371 820372
Licensed Ministers:
Vicar Reverend Colin Taylor 01371 820242 [email protected]
Readers Sonia Merritt 01371 823046 Robert Stone 01371 821477
Jo Pratt 01371 821620 Colin Priestman 01371 820197
Cover Photograph: Holy Cross Church Felsted in the snow, by Ed Itor
ABBEYFIELD HOUSE Felsted.
Sheltered Housing. Companionship with
Independence for the elderly. 820897
ACCOUNTANT
David Dixon ACMA. Small business and
sole trader specialist 01279 654333
ACBEAUTY & Holistic Treatments
The Retreat, Dunmow 01371 878989
www.theretreatdunmow.co.uk
BED & BREAKFAST at Argyll House.
5 star en-suite accommodation
Station Road, Felsted.
Paul & Caroline, 01371 821559.
BINGS HALL RESIDENTIAL HOME
Home for retired gentlefolk also catering for
Dementia. Phone Maggie 01371 820544.
BUILDERS -
FELSTED CONSTRUCTION LTD.
General builders - call Michael for a free
quotation 01371 820136 or 07976 933871
CARPET, RUG & UPHOLSTERY
CLEANING. D K Cleaning.
Fully Trained by Prochem. All Essex areas
covered. Free Quotes www.dkcleaning.biz 01376 528569 or 07956 573105
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT
Tax repayments a speciality.
Ian Shaw, Mandalay, Chelmsford Road,
Felsted 01371 820372
CHIROPODIST
Elizabeth Gibson HCPC Registered.
Clinic Appointments: 01371 875511
Home Visits and enquiries: 01376 339814
Experienced CURTAIN MAKER
All types of curtains, blinds and soft
furnishings made in your fabric or can
supply. 01245 361817 07773 203833
DMC INSTALLATIONS
digital aerials, sky cabling/dishes, plasma/
lcd fitting, telephone points.
www.dmcinstallations.co.uk
01371 821744 or mobile 07900 917111
DOG GROOMING Waggy Tails Grooming.
Caring and professional dog groomer in
Hollow Road, Felsted. Contact Katia on
07738 595466 or 01371 606180
MT ELECTRICAL
NICEIC approved. All aspects of electrical
work. Reliable, Professional.
01245 362176 07790 328226
www.mtelectricalcontractors.co.uk
Smith Brothers ELECTRICAL
CONTRACTORS Domestic electricians,
reasonable rates, friendly service, free
quotations. 01371 810714, 07969 322908
ELECTRICIAN. Beehive Electrical.
All types of electrical work undertaken.
Call Neil on 07989 499983
FELSTED PEST CONTROL
Wasp Nests: Rodents: Insects
Registered & Insured.
Phone John King on 07896 288135
FELSTED PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
Property maintenance and improvements.
Free estimates given. Call Clive Perrins
Tel: 01371 820330 Mob: 07979 054654
w: felstedpropertymaintenance.co.uk
FISH DELIVERY
Paul’s Fresh Fish delivered to your door
every Wednesday and Thursday
01472 874386 or mobile 07808 877426
FAMILY FUNERAL DIRECTORS Daniel
Robinson & Sons Ltd. 24 hr personal
service. Pre-payment funeral plans.
Haslers Lane, Gt. Dunmow. 01371 874518
GARDEN MAINTENANCE &
MAKEOVERS. H'Andy Services.
All garden tasks undertaken.
Call Andy on 07960 362898
Felsted Parochial Church Council is registered under
the Data Protection Act 1998, registration number
25317056. The Data Controller is the Treasurer. The
P.C.C. cannot accept any responsibility for the services
provided by our advertisers; however they will
investigate any written complaints.
TRADE DIRECTORY
26
BUSES
133 Network Colchester 01206 877620
16 Hedingham Omnibuses 01206 769778
314 TGM Stansted 01279 681800
other transport enquiries
Traveline 0871 200 22 33
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
Braintree 01376 324129
Great Dunmow. 0844 4775986
COUNCILS
Essex County Councillor -
Simon Walsh 01371 810451
Uttlesford District Council 01799 510510
District Councillors -
Stephanie Harris
Marie Felton
Felsted Parish Council
Chairman - Graham Harvey
01245 362521
Clerk - Diane Smith 01245 361813
Parish Office: United Reformed Church
Hall, Stebbing Road, CM6 3JD Office Tel: 01371 823071 Office hours: Mondays 10:00 - 12:30
and Wednesdays 16:00 - 18:30 email: [email protected]
Flitch Green Parish Council
Chair - Mrs Emma Nicholls
Clerk - Helen R Mason 01371 823172
Little Dunmow Parish Council
Chairman - Jeff Thomas 01371 821401
Clerk - Angela Balcombe 01376 528081
Dunmow Town Council 01371 872406
DOCTORS
Dr’s Pitt, Stevens, Tee, Robson, Graves -
The Surgery, Braintree Rd. 01371 820410
Out of hours 01371 872121
ELECTRICITY and network emergencies
0800 7838838
GAS
National Grid & Emergencies
0800 111999
HOSPITALS
Broomfield including Casualty
01245 362000
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
Sir Alan Haselhurst
Local Office 01799 506349
email: [email protected]
MEMORIAL HALL
Lettings - Jayne Bohannan 07926 377343
POLICE for our parishes -
P.C. Tom Monro 01371 871100
P.C.S.O. Rose Clarey
Essex Police Main Telephone Numbers
Emergencies: 999
Non Emergency Tel: 101
POST OFFICE - Felsted 01371 820251
SCHOOLS -
Felsted School - 01371 822600
Felsted Preparatory School -
01371 822610
Felsted Primary School - 01371 820215
FKS Schools - 01371 820638
Flitch Green Academy -
01371 822330
Ford End C of E Primary School -
01245 237209
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.fordendschool.com
Helena Romanes School - 01371 872560
Whipper-snappers Daycare Nursery and
Kid's Club 01371 821131
WATER -
Affinity. Supply problems and emergencies
0845 7823333
LOCAL SERVICES DIRECTORY
3
The Editor
Introduces
Lots of Good News this
month, let’s start with
the obvious. The best
good news is that it’s
Christmas, when we
celebrate the wonderful miracle of God
coming to live amongst mankind in the person
of Jesus. Now that is something to celebrate.
And nearly as wonderful is the news that
Interface will be dropping through your door
next month. Kitty Drury who is well known to
many of you has taken up the mantle of
editor, and is quite excited about the prospect
of adding new articles and putting her stamp
on the magazine. I want to be the first to wish
her all the best for her time as editor.
You’ll find much more good news and more
smiling faces in the pages of Interface.
But as this is my final letter as editor, can I
say a public thank you to all the contributors,
advertisers, and the distribution team for all
your support and help in getting the magazine
out every month.
May God send you every blessing this
Christmas and into 2015.
Robert Stone
Editor
IN THIS EDITION
Church Services This Month ......... 4
Sunday for Younger People .......... 4
Weekday Worship ........................ 4
From the desk of the Vicar ............ 5
Our Charity for this month ............. 6
New Community Hall .................... 7
Felsted Memorial Hall ................... 8
BBC Radio 4 ‘Any Questions?’ ..... 9
Santa is coming to Flitch Green .... 9
MelodyWIse Choir ........................ 10
Wizz Kids in the Winter ................. 10
Felsted Friendship Club ................ 11
Felsted Garden Club .................... 12
Events Pages ....................... 13 - 19
Uttlesford CAB Update ................ 20
Felsted WI News .......................... 21
Silent Night Carols ........................ 22
Send a Cow .................................. 23
Flowers & Cleaning Rotas ............ 24
Christmas Flowers ........................ 24
Parish Registers ........................... 24
And Finally .................................... 25
Local Services Directory ............... 26
Trade Directory …………...... 27 - 28
See a previous edition of Interface in
full colour at www.felstedchurch.org.uk
DEADLINE FOR NEXT EDITION
Noon on Sunday 6th December 2014
email: [email protected]
4
Felsted Little Dunmow
Holy Cross Church The Priory Church
11:00 am Holy Communion CW
6:00 pm Evening Prayer BCP
Sun 7th Dec
2nd Sunday
of Advent
9:00 am Holy Communion BCP
3:00 pm Christingle
9:00 am Morning Prayer BCP
11:00 am Morning Prayer
Sun 14th Dec
3rd Sunday
of Advent
9:00 am Morning Prayer
6:00 pm Lessons & Carols
9:00 am Holy Communion BCP
11:00 am Morning Prayer
6:00 pm Lessons &Carols
Sun 21st Dec
4th Sunday
of Advent
10:30 am Morning Prayer BCP
4:30 pm Family Nativity Special
11:00 pm Holy Communion CW
Weds 24th Dec
CHRISTMAS
EVE
11:00 pm Holy Communion CW
9:00 am Holy Communion BCP
11:00 am All Age Service
11:45 am said Holy Communion
Thurs 25th Dec
CHRISTMAS
DAY
10:30 am All Age Service
11:00 am Morning Prayer Sun 28th Dec
1st Sunday
of Christmas
4:00 pm Christmas Priory Prayers
S E R V I C E S I N D E C E M B E R
SUNDAY FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE:
“Little Doves” Crèche for children 0-5 years available from 10:45 am.
Junior Church welcomes all children aged 5-11, and meets each week, except on the
fourth Sunday of each month. Junior Church takes place during the 11:00 am Service at
Felsted. For details contact Amanda Little. 01371 822669, [email protected]
Rock Solid is a group for young people aged 11-14, meeting weekly from 10:30 am at
the Vicarage. Contact Sylvia Taylor for further details 01371 820242.
YPC is a group for teenagers aged 14-18. Contact Ed and Helen Fenning for details.
WEEKDAY WORSHIP
Wednesdays at 9:30 am. Holy Communion Service in Holy Cross Church, Felsted.
Fridays at 9:15 am in the Priory Church, Little Dunmow. Prayers for the community.
Home Groups. There are home groups meeting throughout the week.
Details are available from Rev. Colin Taylor.
Holy Communion at Home. Please contact Rev. Colin Taylor if you know anyone who
would like to receive Holy Communion.
25
And Finally….. by Robert Stone
Each month I’ve tried to end each edition
of Interface with either amusing or
inspirational items. For my last ‘and finally’
I’ve decided to tell you about why I won’t
be being editor, and try and inspire, just a
little.
Two years ago I was talking with the Vicar
about changes in the diocese to licensed
lay ministries, and wondered what I should
do. His challenge was to consider being
ordained. I did all that in my early twenties
and was turned down, so tried to work out
my discipleship through being a Lay
Preacher. When I reported the
conversation to my wife she said “I told
you that years ago!” Husbands don’t really
listen do they? When a Rural Dean I know
heard about it she exclaimed “About bl**dy
time!” Very holy people Rural Deans.
What followed was a long period of
discernment before attending a selection
panel. You will have guessed that the
man from Ministry Division said “yes”!
I recently began again the formal study of
Theology, and it is a challenge and a
delight to get back into the books and
alongside the great theological thinkers
from Church history. But at times I scratch
my bald head and wonder if they aren’t
making it all a bit complicated.
To my mind the gospel is quite simple.
God created a wonderful universe, with the
express purpose of making special beings,
we call them humans, who reflect
something of His divinity, perfected in
relationship with God and each other.
Something went wrong, instead of
choosing to be what God called humanity
to be its members have chosen both
individually and corporately to believe that
we could aspire to be God. God’s holiness
and justice demands that this rebellion has
a price. That price is either perfect lifelong
surrender to God’s will or eternal death. If
we honestly consider only our own heart
we know we will never achieve perfect
surrender, and so God in his love and
goodness stepped down from heaven, and
lived the perfect life, the life of Jesus, the
perfect man and perfect God, a life taken
on a cross, a death that means every
turning away from God can be forgiven.
Eternal life is available for all and all we
have to do to is accept that gift of love for
ourselves and respond in thanksgiving.
A thanksgiving which we call discipleship,
an imperfect stumbling toward God, even
with the gift of His Holy Spirit, surrendering
as best we can.
My own imperfect stumbling had taken me
to a place where I needed to surrender a
bit more. I had never been able to really
sing with all honesty the song which
begins:
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.
I couldn’t honestly sing the chorus, that is,
until now. Now I cry every time I sing it.
Tears of joy, and sadness at having
rebelled so long. Surrender can be a
beautiful thing.
24
Poinsettia and Polishing
Week Ending Flower Arranging Rota Cleaning Rota
7th December Alison Moore Jill Smylie
14th Ann Kiff Lesley Taylor and Anna McNicoll
21st Diane Rice Colin & Elizabeth Priestman
28th Diane Rice Colin & Elizabeth Priestman
4th January Jenny Nicholls Gwenyth Kirk & Jenny Nichols
Parish Registers - October 2014
Funerals &/or Burials - Felsted
27th October Hildegard Whigham
29th October Dennis Moy
Christmas Flowers
With Christmas Day falling on a Thursday,
the plan for this year is that we decorate the
church in 2 stages - some arrangements in
foliage and berries on Saturday 20th ready
for the Carol Service and the rest of the
arrangements and the flowers added on
Tuesday 23rd. In principal, we will do
arrangements in the porch, the pulpit, a
pedestal and a few windows on the
Saturday and all the other windows on
Tuesday ready for Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day. However, this may not be
convenient for all the regular arrangers so I
will be contacting everyone to find the best
times.
Christine Middleton 821056
5
From the desk of the Vicar
Dear Friends
Wanting more
this Christmas?
We are a society that
wants more. More
money, more gadgets, more food, more
fun. But strangely, wanting more often
leaves us feeling dissatisfied. We finally
get the thing we longed for, and yet all too
soon it is broken, or the batteries have run
down or it isn’t as good as we hoped.
Does Christmas sometimes leave you
feeling this way? After all the fun and
pleasure of catching up with old friends
and seeing the family, and eating to
excess and sleeping it off; after taking the
holiday, and watching the boxing day
football, and reading the new book—after
all that you’ve looked forward to, are you
left wondering if that’s all there is, until
next year?
The angel told Joseph about something
much, much more. He spoke about
“Jesus” who “will save his people from
their sins”. This is the message that
changed the world forever - not only the
ancient world but also the lives of
countless millions down the centuries and
across nations today.
Every year more people discover how
much more Christmas can be to them,
as they meet Jesus -
the man who
saves his
people
from their
sins.
Every year as more people become his,
they discover the joy of sins forgiven, a
fresh start in life, and the reality of eternal
life.
Have you made this wonderful discovery?
It’s not very difficult—in fact, it is so simple
many people find it hard to believe. They
expect that being ‘saved by Jesus’
involves some difficult spiritual exercise, or
undertaking some new year’s resolution,
or conquering their lifetime of in-built
habits, or changing their personality. But
Jesus doesn’t save us from our
personality; he saves us from our sins. It’s
not a programme we need to complete but
a gift for us to accept.
Will you get more out of Christmas this
year?
Best Regards,
6
Ten percent of the church income is
given to a range of charities.
Each is featured here monthly
and on a board at the church.
This month it is the turn of :-
Send a Cow work hand in hand with
families in Africa. They understand that
poverty is more than just the day to day
struggle of toiling on land that fails to
produce. Many people believe that
poverty has become part of their
personality, and hold out little hope for
change. They provide livestock and
training in natural organic farming
practices alongside courses in gender
equality, conflict resolution and more. It’s
a package that works. It's a package that
families pass on to others.
They work with women, orphans, child-
headed households and people living with
HIV/Aids. People who have often lived in
extreme poverty, despite their hard work.
Yet now, with the support of send a cow,
these people are starting to feed their
families, send their children to school, earn
a steady income, and lead happy and
fulfilled lives. (More information page 23)
23
By Christine Middleton
Send a Cow is a Christian charity which
has, for over 25 years, been transforming
the lives of poor farmers in Africa, (in
Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho,
Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia) helping
them to produce enough food to feed their
families (and often give to their friends)
and to have a surplus that they can sell to
create an income. This enables to
children to continue their schooling to
secondary school and beyond.
But the help that Send a Cow gives is
more than livestock and seeds.
Knowledge of how to improve the
productivity of the land and how to care for
cows, goats, chickens etc is vital but even
that is not the whole story.
We understand that poverty is more than
just the day-to-day struggle of toiling on
land that fails to produce enough food to
feed the family. Many people believe that
poverty has become part of their
personality, and hold out little hope for
change. But by providing livestock and
training in natural organic farming
practices (making compost and using
manure to revitalise tired land) - alongside
courses in gender equality, conflict
resolution and more, we give them
confident hope for the future. It’s a
package that works
“Send a Cow helps poor families realise
that change is possible. Families discover
what they can do for themselves and what
the land can do for them. Children eat
well, learn well and families prosper. This
is why I support Send a Cow”
Jonathan Dimbleby
Passing on the gifts
Sharing skills is a special and wonderful
aspect of our work. Each African farmer
that receives training, seeds or livestock
from us is asked to pass on the benefits to
another needy family. This 'Pass On’
principle not only builds stronger
communities but means that for every
family helped directly by Send a Cow,
many others will also benefit and improve
their lives.
Working carefully with each farmer, we
identify a package of support which can be
adapted to meet the needs of different
people, whether they are young orphans
caring for siblings, or disabled people or
elderly widows. Hand in hand, for as long
as it takes.
Importantly, Send a Cow staff in Africa
give support and advice and share a
family’s journey out of poverty – typically
three to five years. By that time,
knowledge, skills, materials, hope and
dignity have been passed on and on
between even more families so that whole
communities are transformed.
For more information or to buy a gift from
the Christmas Catalogue please go to
www.sendacow.org.uk or speak to
Christine Middleton (01371 821056) who,
as a volunteer for Send a Cow, is very
happy to talk to Groups/Schools/Churches/
Rotary
clubs
etc
about
this
work.
22
Felsted WI News by Ilene Thawley
Having worked at Jersey Zoo with Gerald
Durrell and been a police photographer,
ornithologist and naturalist, Barry Wright
was extremely well qualified to give us a
sparkling talk on “Coastal Wildlife” at the
October meeting. We saw how beautiful
our British coastline and especially birdlife
are from viewing the gannets of Bass Rock
to the breeding guillemots nesting in
Tintagel.
The kittiwakes, puffins and razorbills
looked amazing. We learned about the
peregrine falcon being the fastest bird in
the world and we can now tell the
difference between cormorants and shags.
The Arctic tern, which can live for up to 40
years, flies north from Antarctica in
February to breed for six months in the
Arctic, returning to the same square metre
of ground every year before returning to
Antarctica.
Little terns migrate to Essex to the same
spot. Waders can be seen on the Maldon
marshes. Black-headed gulls sadly eat
avocet chicks.
Woodpeckers and oyster catchers have
double keratin beaks which, in the oyster
catchers’ case, is used to knock off limpets
stuck hard to rocks.
The Farne Islands is a good area to see
the common seal. At Blakeney, Norfolk,
grey seals can stay underwater for an
hour. Otters can be watched in the Firth of
Forth.
Books written by Barry, wildlife gift cards
and marvellous slides all contributed to a
fulfilling evening.
Silent Night Carols
A number of Football Clubs are hosting
Community Carol Services to link in the
memory of the singing of Silent Night by a
German soldier in the trenches on
Christmas Eve 1914 followed by the
unofficial 'truce' on Christmas Day when
the soldiers from both side fraternised in
'no mans’ land' and among other things
played football.
The directors at Braintree Town Football
Club are supporting the organisation of a
Carol Service together with church
members from the Braintree area. Under
the leadership of the Braintree Town FC
honorary Chaplain (Barry Cheesman) and
Academy Director Alan Stuckey and with
the support of St.Pauls’, Hay Lane the
Community Carol Service will be held on
Sunday 14th December at 2.30 pm at
Braintree Town FC, off Clockhouse Way
(CM73RD)starting at xxxx. Refreshments
will be available. It will not be compulsory
but the wearing of football shirts, scarves
and hats will be welcome!
David Gregory
7
New Community Hall,
Holy Cross Church Felsted
There has been quite a lot of activity
behind the metal hoarding over the last
couple of months, as the foundations for
the new hall were dug and sewerage pipes
and cabling ducts were laid. The
photograph shows the pits for a number of
foundation pads covered over and the
excavator at rest for the weekend.
At the time of writing, we are waiting for
the steelwork to be delivered to strengthen
the concrete raft that will lie on top of the
foundation pads to form the base of the
hall. It is expected that this work will be
completed in November.
Due to delays in receiving final sign off for
the detailing of the hall, there will be an
extended break in activity over Christmas
and the New Year, to allow the paperwork
to catch up and the bricks and other
materials to be delivered.
The Holy Cross church is aware that the
building work is proving an inconvenience
for a number of you, especially those with
family graves in the north west corner of
the churchyard, and we apologise for this.
We are doing our utmost to minimise the
impact as the various stages of the
building work are undertaken and are
grateful for your understanding, but we do
believe that the end result will be worth it.
You can follow the building work at http://
www.felstedchurch.org.uk/#/news/2014-
building-project.
Jon Tredwell
Project Co-ordinator
01371 821372
8
Felsted Memorial Hall by Hazel Fox
Hello everyone, Where do the months go?
I have just come back from the Memorial
service in Felsted, it was a real privilege to
lay the wreath on behalf of the Memorial
Hall Committee. It was lovely to see so
many people turn up to see the parade
and the laying of wreaths, it is a very
special year isn't it.
I was totally wrong about the Memorial not
being ready wasn't I? The workmen
turned up on Monday 3rd November and
started work. I didn't think they would get
it done in time, but wrong again! It was all
finished by the Friday. Doesn't it look
smart.
I am going to give a huge plug to the
pantomime as we are well into rehearsals
now. Those of you who have never been,
come along in January. Performance
dates are the 23rd, 30th and 31st January.
The latter two dates are fish and chip
nights. Watch out for the posters that will
be going up soon and there will be a
number where you can book tickets. I
guarantee you will have such a fun night
and might even want to be in the next one!
As we are into the festive season now, on
behalf of the Memorial committee, I would
like to wish you all a very peaceful
Christmas and Happy new year.
Speak to
you all
soon.
21
The WEA:
Nationally
And In
Felsted
Founded in 1903, the
Workers' Educational Association (WEA) is
a charity and the UK’s largest voluntary
sector provider of adult education. In
2012/13 9,700 part-time courses for over
70,000 students in England and Scotland
were delivered with classes in almost
every local authority area and the work in
England was assessed in 2014 as ‘Good’
by Ofsted.
With the support of over 400 local
branches, 3,000 volunteers, 2,000 part-
time tutors and an active membership, the
WEA provides high quality, student-
centred and tutor-led education for adults
from all walks of life. We bring education
into the heart of communities, helping
people learn whatever they want: from
maths and English to local history.
How could this help you?
There are around 40 WEA branches in
Essex, and there is one in Felsted. There
are others nearby in Dunmow, Braintree,
Shalford, Great Bardfield and Chelmsford.
The Felsted WEA branch was founded 40
years ago and offers 4 courses a year, 2 in
each of the autumn and spring terms.
They are held on Monday evenings in the
United Reformed Church Hall and on
Thursday mornings in the British Legion
Hall.
Each course typically consists of 10
lectures of one and a half to two hours.
Recent subjects have included the
Mediterranean Classical World, Plant
Hunters, Film Studies, Classical Music,
Political Philosophy, and various aspects
of Art and Literature.
Details of our upcoming courses, starting
in January 2015, can be found elsewhere
in this publication. We also offer single
morning, evening or whole day courses,
details of which are advertised locally.
Recent one day courses have been about
Castles in Britain, Great Films, Islam in the
Modern World, How We Acquired our
Empire, and the Artist Winifred Nicholson.
Another is planned on April18th 2015 on
Disease and Medicine in History.
If you are interested in learning about
something new or finding out more of what
you think you already know, why not give
us a try? Simply use the contact details
below if you’d like more information.
If you have a particular educational
requirement, contact eastern.wea.org.uk/
who may be able to direct you to a branch,
or a college which works in partnership
with the WEA.
We are Britain’s best kept secret!
Perhaps we should be known as ‘We
Educate Adults!’
Contacts:
Dick Frost [email protected]
07909 526713
Chairman, Felsted WEA Branch,
or
Diana Peacock 07901 590372
Branch Secretary.
20
Uttlesford CAB Update Autumn / Winter 2014
Are you ready for winter?
If you are worried about money, it’s
tempting not to turn the heating up, even
when it’s really cold. As with all things in
life – it’s getting the balance right. Firstly,
work out where you spend most of the
time in your house and keep that part
warm (18-21 degrees). Shop around for
the best energy deal or cheapest oil
possible. Check that you are getting all
the benefits you are entitled to and see if
you can make savings elsewhere to cope
with your bill. Don’t know where to start?
Please give Uttlesford CAB’s Money
Doctor Service a call on 01799 618840.
If you live on your own or you are caring
for someone, it’s really helpful to talk over
what you would do if there was a power
cut or you became ill when the weather
was bad. Volunteers from Uttlesford CAB’
s Disability Home Visit Team always
welcome a cup of tea and have a wealth of
information and help to offer – from making
sure you get help in a power cut to working
out who will clear your path after it snows!
Please give them a call on 01799 618848.
If you know of somebody of pensionable
age or who is registered disabled, has a
hearing or visual impairment or has long-
term ill health, they should be on the
priority services register. This is a scheme
which offers extra free services; contact
Uttlesford CAB or ask your energy supplier
for more information.
New year, new challenge!
Are you looking for an opportunity to get
more involved in your local community?
Trustees - We are currently looking for a
volunteer trustee with fundraising
experience and great communication skills
to lead our exciting new fundraising
campaign. This will require occasional
daytime and evening meetings and a time
commitment of approximately 2 days per
month. Our trustees are responsible for
the setting the direction of the organisation
and helping it to remain solvent so this role
would give you an opportunity to make a
real difference to the effectiveness and
sustainability of our charity.
Press Officer – If you have copywriting
experience and can spare a few hours a
month to write or edit articles and press
releases for us, then we would love to hear
from you.
CAB Champions! – We would like to build
up a network of supporters across the
district prepared to top up leaflets, put up
posters, post updates on social network
sites and be willing to meet with or write to
Parish Councillors/representatives to
support Uttlesford CAB applications for
funding. Contact us for more information.
Language Friends – Could you help
someone who needs our advice but is
struggling with a language barrier? If you
are fluent in a foreign language and would
be happy to go on our database please get
in touch.
The Uttlesford Citizens Advice Bureau
offers a free, impartial and independent
service, with a wide range of support
available from general advice to specialist
help dealing with serious debt problems,
employment disputes, housing and family
issues.
T: 01799 618840
W: uttlesfordcab.org.uk
Great Dunmow 9.30 to 3.30 T. W. Th.
9
BBC Radio 4
‘Any Questions?’ to Record at Felsted School Friday 5th December 2014,
Grignon Hall, Felsted School
Felsted School is delighted that BBC
Radio 4’s ‘ANY QUESTIONS?’ will be
recording on site on Friday 5th December
2014 to conclude its 450th Anniversary
Year Events. Every week the programme
visits a different part of the country with a
panel of four speakers, who answer
questions from the audience. The
programme provides the opportunity for
people to challenge politicians, policy
makers, writers and thinkers.
Hosted by Jonathan Dimbleby, the panel
of speakers confirmed to date are:
Rachel Reeves, a British economist and a
Labour Party politician.
Mark Serwotka, General Secretary of the
Public and Commercial Services Union,
the trade union for British civil servants
Two speakers are yet to be confirmed.
Tickets for the public are free and will be
allocated on a first come, first served
basis. Please contact Felsted School
Reception for tickets and further
information on 01371 822600.
Timings as follows:
18.30 Doors open
19.25 Welcome, followed by the BBC’s
warm-up at 19.30
19.45 The BBC producer calls the
Questioners to the front row
20.00 BBC Radio 4 News
20.02 Live broadcast of
ANY QUESTIONS?
20:50 End
Santa Is
Coming To
Flitch Green
Santa and his sleigh, with a little help from
the Dunmow Rotary Club and the Dunmow
& Takeley Explorer Scouts, will be out and
about calling at homes in Flitch Green.
Santa’s visit will be on Thursday 18th
December between 6pm and 8pm.
All Monies donated will go to the Mary’s
Meals Charity feeding children affected by
the EBOLA crisis.
http://www.marysmeals.org.uk/
On Saturday 20th December 2014Santa &
his helpers will be outside the Tesco Store
in Dunmow.
10
MelodyWIse Choir
The MelodyWIse Choir took part in a
National Federation of Womens’ Institutes
Centenary Competition regional heat for
the South-East this month in Dorking,
Surrey.
From our balcony seats we witnessed
many large confident choirs filing in and
out of the stage. Colourful orange and
pink scarves and emerald green silky
garments seemed to cover the bodies of
crowds of chattering women.
After West Kent, Hampshire and the
Bexhill Seagirls had sung we went back to
the coach for lunch and a welcome
“snifter” of sherry handed to us by John
Drury.
Adorned with our yellow orchids and after
lots of titivation and makeup we made for
the back stage of the theatre of Dorking
Halls. We climbed the dark narrow
staircase with excitement and nervous
anticipation and filed on to the stage into
two rows.
With arms to our sides and no hindrance
of music books needed as we were word
perfect, our conductor, Roger Lawrence,
guided us through “Past Times with Good
Company” unaccompanied apart from the
tambourine played by Peter Moore. After
singing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Tell Me
on a Sunday, Please” which included “The
Heavenly Choir” we ended on a cheerful
“Blue Skies” by Irving Berlin.
After a photo shoot on stage and hearty
clapping from the audience, including our
own supporters, we listened to the “Pink
Ladies” from Essex, the “Divas” from
Buckinghamshire and the “Foxy Singers”
from Oxfordshire.
The Adjudication followed and the “Surrey
Serenaders” were announced as winners.
It was to our advantage that we sang
without copies of music as the adjudicator
felt that some choirs had their heads stuck
in their books. We sang brilliantly and,
although we are only a small village
competing with towns, could still be
chosen as best runner-up choir. We have
to wait until all five heats across England
have been completed in December.
The Royal Albert Hall is the venue for the
winning choirs’ final performance next
year.
Thanks to Peter Moore, our pianist, Marion
Cook for organising the coach, Kitty Drury
for managing our choir and, especially, to
Roger Lawrence for his expertise.
IN THE
It’s time to get
ready for fun.
More details on
PAGE 16
19
FELSTED ROYAL BRITISH
LEGION CLUB New members are always welcome
Club Amenities Include:
Members’ fully -stocked bar,
Air Conditioned Lounge and Main Hall
Fully refurbished Snooker Room
Quiz & Gaming Machines,
Table Tennis and Darts
Regular Bingo Sessions
Dances and Theme Nights,
some include meals
Family Party Nights
NEW Easy Access Toilet with Baby
Changing Facilities
COME AND JOIN US
Telephone 01371 820 847
We are not just about the poppies
Felsted United
Reformed Church
Stebbing Road
Felsted
Contact. Diane Denny
Tel: 01376 342210
Worship Services
every Sunday
at 11 a.m.
everyone is welcome.
We also have social
afternoons and evenings,
including the Women's Guild
which will be meeting again
from 15th September 2014
We have a different speaker
every week and we ask a
donation of £1 to help cover
the costs.
The church hall is also
available for hire.
Please come along one
Sunday; we would be very
pleased to see you.
Ladies at the
Chequers No Meeting in December
More News next Year
Please contact
Gwenyth Kirk Tel: 820802
for further details
18
Felsted Branch
Spring Term 2015
ONE DAY SCHOOL
Excellent tutors and
a friendly welcome
DISEASE IN HISTORY
PLAGUE, POX, POWER & PESTILENCE!
ROGER COOK
assisted by Dr. DAVID WALMSLEY
SAT APRIL 18TH
2015; 10.30 – 15.30
FELSTED MEMORIAL HALL
Braintree Rd., Felsted, CM6 3DY
A one day school with a difference! We shall look at a range of
diseases, including bubonic plague, smallpox and syphilis,
which has changed the course of human history.
Fee: £16 including BUFFET LUNCH
For all enquiries, Diana Peacock (Sec): 01279 871339
Dick Frost (Chair): 01371 820824, 07909 526713
Email: [email protected]
11
At the October
Friendship Club
meeting Veronica
Chopping reminded
members about our
Christmas Coffee Morning, Bring & Buy
sale in the Memorial Hall on Saturday 1st
November and members were asked to
donate gifts and bring along friends and
neighbours to enjoy this popular event.
Evelyn Woodley sold cards, calendars etc.
on behalf of Farleigh Hospice and
members were generous as always.
Barry Kaufmann–Wright gave an
enthralling and informative talk about
Wildlife in the garden, illustrated with
plenty of slides as he is both a wildlife
expert, author and landscape
photographer. British gardens are one of
our greatest nature reserves. Robins,
wrens and dunnets are some of the birds
we see every day. Some birds are dying
from mould on bird tables so it is important
to clean your bird table with Jeyes Fluid
periodically. A clump of nettles in the
garden will provide food for 5 native
butterflies and 42 native species of moth.
Honey and bumble bees need nectar rich
plants to feed on - Oxeye daisies are
favourite. Our native ladybird is the 6
spotted black on red but in recent years
we have seen more on the red on black
European immigrant variety. Our 12
million cats are responsible for 360 million
bird deaths each year. Redwings are
Fieldfares can be seen in the winter eating
the hedgerow berries. Deer wreak havoc
in the garden but can be deterred by
hanging rags soaked in diesel or petrol on
fence posts.
Coffee Morning and Bring & Buy Sale
The rain held off as the Committee and
their helpers set out a tempting array of
goodies on the
many and
varied stalls, in
preparation for
yet another
successful
event.
Many thanks
are due to so
many people:
the Committee
and their
helpers of course, Club members and the
communities who make a special effort to
support us every year and the local traders
who donate to our raffle.
The Razza Restaurant unfailingly supports
us, as do Bakers Deli TeaRoom, Linsells,
Rebecca Bragg, Andersons, The Swan
and the Antique Shop, so to them and to
everybody who took part in whatever way,
a heartfelt thank you from us all. We
raised £650 towards the Christmas Lunch
for club members.
The Felsted Friendship Club meets at the
Memorial Hall on the 3rd Friday of each
month, 2.15 – 4.15, if you would like to join
us as a guest or potential member we’d
love to see you. More details can be
obtained from Veronica Chopping 01371
820965.
12
Felsted Garden Club
What will the weather be like this
December, and will all the leaves be fallen
from these deciduous trees by the turn of
the year? Autumn brings change to the
landscape; first if we’re lucky enough to
see these rich and diverse colours and
second as the textures and shapes move
on……
At our recent AGM, John Hunt reported on
another year of meetings, taking part in the
School 450 year anniversary which raised
a record sum from the plant sale as well as
a successful evening visit to ‘Wickets’
garden at Langley Upper Green in June.
This provided an opportunity for club
members to reflect on the work of our
committee and a vote of thanks was given
for their service and work towards the
Garden Club. Many thanks John and
Teresa and your hard-working team!
The committee has been involved for
many, many years now, and we were
reminded that for some time the existing
team would welcome fresh members.
Currently there have been no new folk
offering their time and help. John Hunt
(Chairman) announced that meetings were
planned and would go ahead for 2015. If,
however by the end of next year the
committee were in a similar situation, “it
was with sadness” he said “Felsted
Garden Club would be wound down”
The Garden in December…..
So another year draws to its end and as
well as talking about one of our favourite
winter haunts, a few points about cutting
trees back, at this so-called ‘dormant’ time
of year.
Winter Pruning:-
Establishes shape and form of the
plant
Allows dead, diseased or ‘rubbing’
growth to be removed when visible.
Up to one third of the top growth can
be removed.
The height of the tree is not reduced
as the top grows back to balance the
roots
This is a good way to form a
framework – not so good for restricting
size!
It generally reduces fruiting as it
removes fruit buds and encourages
strong growth of vegetative buds
Can be done to work off some of the
Festive excesses
We’ll find time to visit some of the gardens
with winter colour across the shorter days
in and around the solstice. There is, I
believe, something quite different about
the collection and style of Anglesey Abbey
garden. The various tree-bark colours and
textures with associated under-plantings
have developed a unique feel.
If you’re in the area or heading up to
Cambridge it is worth a visit, brighter days
of course are preferable!
As the month progresses we embrace
Christmas and trust that you and yours
have a good and restful time. We look
forward to seeing you in the New Year.
So do find time to enjoy the garden and
gardening into the winter.
Judy and Jamie Mackay 820483
John and Teresa Hunt 821055
17
Felsted Branch
Spring Term 2015
Courses
Excellent tutors and
a friendly welcome
POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION to THE PRESENT
IAN PIRIE
MONDAY JAN 5th
for 10 WEEKS, URC HALL, 19.45
The course examines the origins of terms such as liberalism,
socialism, conservatism, feminism & environmentalism.
Discussion will throw light on these and other political
ideologies.
Fee: £48
INTRODUCTION TO FILM STUDIES
LAURENCE STAIG
THURS JAN 8th
for 10 WEEKS, BRITISH LEGION, 10.00
A general introduction/beginner’s guide to the study of film
aiming to expand general knowledge of the subject. All the
key areas will be introduced from analysis to genre and
narrative, use of camera and editing. A good place to start!
Fee: £67.20
For all enquiries, Diana Peacock (Sec): 01279 871339
Dick Frost (Chair): 01371 820824, 07909 526713
Email: [email protected]
16
RIGHT HONOURABLE
SIR ALAN HASELHURST MP
Local Surgery Dates at
Town Council Offices, Great
Dunmow – 6:30pm - 7:15pm
January 9th 2015
March 6th 2015
No appointment is necessary,
please contact
The Constituency Office for further
details – 01799 506349
Fun & Frights on the Nights!
It’s going to be a SCREAM!
The latest Felsted Memorial Hall PANTO is
entitled ‘GRAVEYARD SMASH’ and it’s
due to unearth itself and arrive dead on
time in January 2015 (23rd 30th & 31st).
Watch local notices for further details.
Scared silly or what?
IN THE
STORIES, SONGS, CRAFT
ACTIVITIES, FUN & GAMES
Thursday 19th
February 2015 1pm – 4pm
Location: Felsted Primary School
For further details contact:
Sue Kelly, Tel: 01371 820018
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.felstedchurch.org.uk
13
Events Pages
at Holy Cross
Church
Held on the first
Saturday
of every month
between
10 a.m. and 12 noon
The next date is
6th December
Everyone very
welcome
at Bings Hall
On the 2nd Thursday
of each month
at 10.30am-11.30am.
The next date is
11th December
All welcome for a
chat, beverages and
homemade cake.
Any queries, then call
Maggie on 820544
at Abbeyfield
House
On the last
Wednesday of
each month
The next date
will be in January
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Everyone welcome
Coffee Mornings
Felsted Toddler Group
Open: Thursday and Friday,
from 9:30am until 11:00am
Location: URC Hall,
Stebbing Road, Felsted
Cost: £2.00 per family
Come along for a chat with other
grown ups while your little ones
have a play. Tea, coffee, squash
and biscuits provided.
We also organise events from time
to time throughout the year.
More details on our website
www.felstedtoddlergroup.co.uk
Check the meeting dates at
http://www.fg-yc.com/
14
Felsted
Women’s
Institute
President: Margaret Smith
The W.I. welcomes you to
come and make new friends
and enjoy tea with us.
First Meeting in 2015 Other Meetings
Second Wednesday of the Month
14th Jan. The Work the R.N.L.I.
does in Saving Lives at Sea.
Tim Sheppard.
FELSTED DECORATIVE
& FINE ARTS SOCIETY
Next Meeting
Wednesday
28th January 2015
Windsor:
‘A Castle Restored': the fire of 1992 and the
restoration
Barbara Askew
Tea/Coffee available
2.00 pm.
at
Great Saling
Millennium Village Hall
Contact: Sheila Hasler,
Publicity Officer,
01245 440124
or Dick Frost,
Programme Secretary,
01371 820824
Details can be found on
www.felsted-dfas.org.uk
A Member
Society of
15
FELSTED ALLOTMENTS
There are a number of allotments available.
Size: 60ft x 22ft . Cost £27 per year.
For more details ring .Val Westbrook .01371821470 . OR
Andy Laws .01245 237087 OR
Diane Smith ,Parish Clerk .01371 823071
Share an allotment with a friend !
Enjoy healthy vegetables in season.
Great exercise --much cheaper than the gym!
Family Coffee Mornings For parents, grandparents & carers
& their preschool children.
at Holy Cross Church, Felsted
10 am to 12 noon
Friday 5th December
COME ALONG
Adults can relax with coffee
and cake whilst children play.
Story, craft and music time.
Call Carry 01371 822702
or Amanda 01371 822669