sunday servicesdorchesteranglican.info/sites/default/files/media/dpm... · 2018. 12. 4. ·...

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Office SecretaryJune Jenkins [email protected]

Benefice Websitewww.dorchesteranglican.info Steve Ryder [email protected]

Dorchester PCC Secretary Janet Cooper 260259 [email protected]

Dorchester PCC TreasurerBeryl Shuttleworth 266616

Magazine EditorMargaret Morrissey 250366 [email protected]

Magazine AdvertisingLiz Green 269610 [email protected]

Email [email protected] andyour message will be sent to someone fromthe Magazine, Pews News, the Parishoffice or the Team Website.

St George Verger Tony Archer 07796 243430 Organist Evelyn Kingman 265741 Sunday School Maggie Carter 266072 Bellringers Tony Spiller 262442 Flowers Helen Pickhard Church Committee Secretary

Cheryl Taylor 269564 Treasurer Michael Neely 262869 Electoral Roll Dorothy Maggs 262436 Social Events Maggie Carter 266072 Servers Safeguarding Mark Green 269320 Hall Bookings Meriel Dunham 268551 Magazine Circulation Val Scriven

St Mary Verger Cynthia Fry 573076Organist Geoff Greenhough 267723 Sunday School

Teresa Stewart-Sykes 319662 Flowers Margaret Morrissey 250366 Church Committee Secretary

Robert Potter 262041 Treasurer Jono Parvin 319662 Envelopes Michael Bains 265530 Electoral Roll Trudy Tabone 246126 Servers Peter Vojak 265994Safeguarding Peter Vojak 265994Social Groups

Olive Branch Joyce Potter 262041 Monday Club Rosemary Bassett 262615

Hall BookingsJohn Williams [email protected]

Magazine Circulation Cynthia Fry

St PeterVerger Val Potter 264416Organist David Fawcett 07740818107 Bellringers Will Haydock 07976 276066Flowers Kate Chapman 756069 and

Rosalind Thorpe 259659Church Committee Secretary

June Jenkins 250719Treasurer Beryl Shuttleworth 266616 Envelopes Beryl Shuttleworth 266616 Electoral Roll Jim Mclean 260126Social Events Rosalind Thorpe 259659 Safeguarding Jane Pryce 269937 Hall Bookings Pat Davies 267745

[email protected] Circulation Mark Dyer

St Andrew Organist Gerry Sweetman Flowers Jill Shepherd 264222 Church Committee Secretary

Felicity Murray Treasurer Kaye Kerridge 268641 Envelopes Kaye Kerridge 268641 Electoral Roll Jill Shepherd 264222

St Simon & St Jude Organist Duncan Honeybourne 761881Flowers Rota of PCC members Church Committee Secretary

Wendy Grassby 263762 Treasurer Hilary Hoskin 251085 Electoral Roll Wendy Frost 889510 Safeguarding Peter Vojak 265994

Benefice House/Prayer Groups Friday Prayer Group Meets at St Peter’s

Friday 10.30am Penny Blaby 753556 Dorcas MU Bible Study Group Meets on

Weds 10am Janet Cooper 260259 St Peter’s MU Penny Blaby 753556Emmaus House Group Meets on 3rd

Monday of the month. Robin Bunce 250456 Christian Meditation Group Wednesdays,

5pm at St. Mary’s. Rosemary Bassett262615

Home Bible Study Group Monday 7.30pm30 Grosvenor Rd Celia Robertson 257621

Brownies Becki Munro 457181 Rangers Lisa Upward 265574

The Benefice Network

Sunday Services

St George, Fordington, Dorchester, DT1 1LB

Every Sun 8am Holy Communion 1st, 2nd, 4th,

and 5th Sun 10.15am Parish Communion 3rd Sun 10.15am Come and Worship 2nd, 4th Sun 4.30pm Evensong currently postponed 2nd, 4th Sun 6.30pm Evensong currently postponed

St Mary the Virgin, Dorchester, DT1 2HL Every Sun 8am Holy Eucharist (said) Every Sun 9.45am Holy Eucharist (sung) 1st Sun 6pm Taize Service 5th Sun 6pm Eucharist for Healing

St Peter, Dorchester, DT1 1XA

Every Sun 9am Holy Communion (BCP) Every Sun 10.30am Sung Eucharist

St Andrew, West Stafford, DT2 8AB

1st, 3rd, 5th Sun 10am Parish Communion 2nd Sun 10am Morning Prayer 4th Sun 10am Come and Worship/said Holy

Communion O2 alternate months

St Simon & St Jude, Winterborne Monkton, DT2 9PT 1st Sun 11.15am Holy Communion 3rd Sun 11.15am Matins

St Martin, Winterborne St Martin, DT2 9JR

2nd Sunday 8am Holy Communion (BCP) 1st,1st, 3rd,

and 4th Sun 11am Holy Communion

St Mary, Winterbourne Abbas, DT2 9L

1st, 3rd Sun 10am Holy Communion

St Michael, Winterbourne Steepleton, DT2 9LG

2nd Sunday 11am Holy Communion

St Thomas a Beckett, Compton Valence, DT2 9ER

2nd Sun 9.30am Holy Communion

For mid-week services and more information

about worship see church pages.

247-Benfice Mag 10.qxp_text page 31/10/2018 18:28 Page 2

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Dorchester Benefice MagazineEditor: Margaret Morrissey OBE

9 Hessary St., Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 [email protected] 01305 250366

Advertising Manager: Liz [email protected] 01305 269610

Please submit copy for theDecember/January issue by 12th November

at the latest. All new articles please submit by

8th November or give notice of intention tothe Editor at [email protected]

Printed by Parish Mag Printers

RemembranceNovember is a month of remembrances which begins withAll Saints and All Souls days, but this year the focus of ourremembrance is the 100th anniversary of the end of theFirst World War. The armistice, signed at 11o’clock on theeleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918 ended, whatwas then called, the Great War, thought then to be the warto end all wars.

As we reflect on the great loss of life and limb, loss ofhealthy bodies and quiet minds and often a loss of hope,we wonder how the nation and all the local communitiesmanaged to carry on with the loss of so many husbandsand sons, brothers and friends. One hundred years ago agreater proportion of the nation worshiped in church weekby week and many found comfort through their faith inChrist who suffered and died yet brought hope through hisresurrection. Their faith in God’s love from which nothingcan separate us was strengthened and we can have suchfaith in the very different world of 2018. Others, however,seeing the suffering and senseless carnage questioned God’slove and such questions remain.

So, as we read the names on war memorials in town andvillages, how are we to remember without becoming oversentimental about those we did not know or cynical andagnostic in the face of the horrors of war? Perhaps the besttribute to all those who died is to work for peace andjustice with contrition for the times when our thoughts,words and actions have been tinged with the hate that leadsto war, working for the healing of past wrongs, whileseeking peace and reconciliation in our homes andcommunities, in our nation and across the globe. Eventhough a hundred years have passed since the end of WW1it is right to remember not only those who died, but thetragedy that war is for everyone and remember Christ whois the prince of peace in God’s coming Kingdom.

The Team Team Rector

Revd Canon Thomas Woodhouse with responsibility for St Mary the Virginand St Simon & St Jude 01305 267944

Team Vicars

Revd Fiona Hall with responsibility for St George 01305 262394

Revd Jean Saddington with responsibility for The Winterbournes & Compton Valence 01305 889992

Revd Claire McClelland with responsibility for St Peter’s01305 570733

Associate Clergy Revd Jane Culliford

with responsibility for St Andrew 01305 264360

Revd Joanna Lacy-Smith 01305 889476

Revd Teresa Stewart-Sykes 01305 319662

Licensed Lay Ministers David Bowen 01305 263584 Allen Knott 01305 267217 Katherine Marr 01305 263358 Robert Potter 01305 262041

Churchwardens St George

vacantvacant

St Mary the VirginTrudy Tabone 01305 246126 Ellie Stephens 01305 263391

St PeterVal Potter 01305 264416 vacant

St Andrew Esther Brown 01305 757377

St Simon & St JudeCharles Norman 01305 262719 Judy Norman 01305 262719

St Martin Dick Corbett-Winder 01305 889410

St Mary Joy Parsons 01305 889611

St MichaelEllie Sturrock 07980 089470

St Thomas Peter Steel 01308 482782 Jeremy Russell 01308 482227

Chaplaincy at Dorset County Hospital.Reverend Ron Martin (CofE)

Lead Hospital Chaplainemail [email protected]

Reverend Richard Betts (CofE) Chaplain email [email protected].

Father Barry Hallett (RC) ChaplainContactable via Ron or Richard

Revd Jane Culliford


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The rows of headstones silent standTheir message clear, though mute;That we, in Britain’s peaceful landMust silently salute.

Our peace was bought at dreadful priceThrough rain and fear and mud –World conflict fought not once but twiceSo twice the cost in blood.

Each headstone bears a single nameA single husband, son,Who, when the call to duty cameThey did what must be done.

Dorchester Benefice Diary

Mondays (except the 3rd Monday in themonth) 2–4pmCraft Group in the choir vestry. Justbring along anything you are doing,knitting, sewing, painting, drawing, etc.and come and have a cuppa and natter.Contact Cynthia Fry on 01305 5730762for further details.

First Monday of each month 2–4pmDorchester Stitchers. In United Church(the main hall), South St, Dorchester. Expertise is shared and occasionalworkshops arranged as are visits toexhibitions. Annual subscription £5 plus£1 per meeting to cover costs.

Wednesdays at 5pmThe Contemplative prayer group meetseach Wednesday at 5pm in the BlessedSacrament Chapel at St Mary’s and at theQuiet Space every Thursday at 6.30pm.All are welcome.

Saturday November 3rd 9.30am to 12.30pmDorchester Rotary Autumn FairCorn Exchange Dorchester.

Saturday 10th November from 10.30amQuiet Day at the Quiet Space inPoundbury refreshments from 10.30am.The short talks will be led by Maggie on‘Commissioned to be a light to ourcommunities’. End of day Refreshments3.30pm. Please bring a Bible, notebook,pen and packed lunch. Please let Carolineknow by email [email protected] or ring01305 459622 for numbers for cateringand photocopying. No charge for the QuietDay but donations towards costs aregratefully received on the day.

Saturday 10th November at 9amMen’s Breakfast will be held at Café onthe Green, 7 Dinham Walk, PoundburyDT1 3WU. They normally start 30 minuteslater, but are happy to open earlier for us.There is ample free parking adjacent tothe venue. For further details pleasecontact David Elliott on 01305 259236,07776 256537 or by email [email protected].

Wednesday 14th November at 10amDorcas MU Bible Study group meet at 4 Kingsbere Crescent. Food for the Soul.Psalm 23:5, Isaiah55:2, Psalm 119:103.Newcomers and visitors welcome. Details 260259.

Wednesday 14 November at 7.30pmQuiz Night – another of the popular quiznights in St George’s Church Hall,Fordington, in aid of The Children’sSociety. Come as a team of 6 or turn upand join with others. Ploughman’s supperincluded. Bring what you wish to drink.Tickets £8 from the committee or phoneDorothy Maggs on 262436.

Wednesday 14th November at7.30pmArchaeological Dowsing Hunt for theDorchester Roman Fort, a slidepresentation by Peter Emery, at DorfordCentre, Dorchester, DT1 1RR (Top o’townand Trinity car parks free after 6pm) £3 atthe door – all proceeds to the charity “LittleHearts Matter”. Did it Exist? and Where?

Wednesday 14th November at 7pmAn Evening with Terry Waite CBE.St Peter’s Church Dorchester Tickets:adults £8 under 18 £4. Available (cashonly) from the Shire Hall HistoricCourthouse Museum. Proceeds from theevening will be shared between charitiesnominated by Terry Waite and St Peter’sChurch. Seats are unreserved, doorsopen at 6.30pm. Wine and soft drinks maybe purchased during the interval.

Thursday 15th, Friday 16th, Saturday 17thNovember at 7.30pm, also Saturday 17that 2.30pm.Dorchester Drama present Noel Coward’s Present Laughter in The Corn Exchange, Dorchester. Ticketsfrom box office 01305 268692. £10 (£7under 18s).

Saturday 17th November at 9.30amLadies Breakfast. Third Saturday of eachmonth excepting for the month ofDecember. The November breakfast willbe held at Carluccios, Dorchester. ContactMaureen Shaw 01305 261771.

Saturday 17th November at 7.30pmAutumn Concert by Dorset CountyOrchestra will take place at the DorfordCentre, Dorchester under the baton of thetalented and enthusiastic Venezuelan/British conductor Arturo Serna. Theorchestra will be joined by Joe Pritchard aBBC Young Musician of the Year Finalist,graduate of the Yehudi Menuhin Schooland former Principal Cellist with theNational Youth Orchestra. Tickets £12 areavailable at the door or in advance fromShoetrees, 6 Trinity Street, Dorchester.

Monday 19th November at 2.30pmThe Monday Club meet in St Mary’s Hall.Nigel Culliford talking to us about thehistory of the Fleet Air Arm. Come and joinus for an interesting afternoon, withrefreshments and a raffle included in thecost of £2.50. For further details pleasecontact either Rosemary (262615) or Jill(263757).

Tuesday 20th November at 7.30pmThe Dorchester French Circle

Hilary Lancashire story of her latestcycling trip. The Roger ThomasConference Room at AgeUK, 4 Prince of Wales Road,Dorchester DT1 1PW. For furtherinformation please phone Robin Howeson 01305 854025.

Wednesday 21st November 2018 at 10amInformation Event at Rowan Cottage, 4 Prince of Wales Road, Dorchester, DT1 1PW. Lasting Powers of AttorneyAge UK Dorchester is holding anInformation Event to de-mystify thesubject of Lasting Powers of Attorney. Ifyou wish to understand whether you needa Lasting Power of Attorney, Kelly Payne,Associate Solicitor, and Chris Keenan,Partner, at Humphries Kirk solicitors, willbe providing a talk on the subject. Pleaseconfirm your attendance and telephone01305 269444.

Thursday 22nd November from 10amBrass Cleaning morning until noon inthe vestry St Mary’s Church. This is asocial occasion with tea/coffee - andsometimes doughnuts!

Sunday 25th November 2018 at 3pmAdvent Concert given by The OccasionalSingers, St Mary’s Church, Edward Road,Dorchester DT1 2HL. Admission is freeand there will be a retiring collection in aidof Alzheimer’s Society.

Wednesday 28th November at 10amDorcas MU Bible Study group meet at 2 Maumbury Square. In Mary Sumner’sfootsteps – Journeying with God. Exodus13:17-18, 20-22. Acts 13:1-3, 15:36-41.Newcomers and visitors welcome. Details260259.

Before ChristmasShire Halll Historic CourthouseMuseum in Dorchester will be opening itscafé and the spectacular Grand JuryRoom after visiting hours for parties. Thespacious and airy café can host up to 200people, with wine and canapes starting atjust £10 per head, or why not get into thefestive spirit with mulled wine and mincepies, for more information please visit

So, think upon those rows of stonesBe silent, still as theyRemind us of those silent homesFrom when they went away.

Yes, spare a while to think of themIt’s just two minutes’ time;And say aloud, just once againThat well-remembered rhyme:

They grow not old as we grow old,Nor do the years condemn;But as the days and nights unfold,We will remember them.

Headstones by Nigel Beeton


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New canons forSalisbury Cathedral

Dorchester and The Winterbournes

Team Ministry

Remembrance Sunday2018

Team MinistryServices

St Mary’s Dorchester9am Sung Eucharist with an

Act of Remembrance.

St Peter’s, Dorchester9.30am Holy Communion

St George’s, Fordington, Dorchester9.45am Holy Communion.

St Andrew’s, West Stafford10am Morning Prayer followed by an

Act of Remembrance.

St Mary’s, Winterbourne Abbas10am Act of Remembrance followed a service of reflection and silence.

Martinstown10.45am Act of Remembrance on the Green followed by a commemoration in church to mark the end of the war.

Faure Requiem and Holy Eucharist

St Mary’s, Dorchester 4pmThe Bishop of Salisbury to preside and preach

The Town Services

Act of Remembrance10.55am at the War Memorial

Act of Remembrance12.30pm at the German War Memorial

Beacon Lighting6.45pm on Salisbury Fields

Five new canons for SalisburyCathedral from Education, armedservices and law enforcement: thenew canons will join theCathedral’s College of Canons thismonth, by invitation of the Bishopof Salisbury.

The new canons come fromacross the diocese, and haveworked on the frontline, overseasand close to home.

They will be the first newcanons to be installed during thetenure of the new Dean ofSalisbury, the Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, and wereadmitted to the College of Canonsin a special service at SalisburyCathedral on Tuesday 9 October.

The New Canons are:• The Revd Jonathan Still, who has recently completed OfficerTraining at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.Alongside his duties as Rural Dean of Dorchester, Jonathan is aChaplain in the Royal Naval Reserve. joins the College ofCanons as a Non-Residentiary Canon.• The Ven Clinton Langston, Deputy Chaplain General andArchdeacon to the Army has lived in Germany, been deployedin Bosnia and done a two-year tour in Northern Ireland andspent two years in London as the Senior Chaplain of theGuards’ Chapel and Household Division joins the College ofCanons as a Non-Residentiary Canon. • The Revd Jenny Taylor ordained in 2001, whilst working as aLay Chaplain at Salisbury Cathedral School and Head ofReligious Education. Based in the Chalke Valley Benefice, Jennyoversees and trains the Chalke Valley Lay Pastoral Assistants.• Rosemary Stiven, who will be admitted as a Lay Canon, wasan officer in the WRAC (Women’s Royal Army Corps), servingin Germany and Northern Ireland. She came to live inSalisbury 25 years ago and established a second career workingas an administrator in state and independent schools. • Former police officer Martyn Underhill, who becomes a LayCanon, joined the Metropolitan Police in 1979, transferring toSussex police in 1984 rising through the ranks to DetectiveChief Inspector. He was second in charge of the Sarah Paynemurder investigation,

On admission each canon will be allocated a stall in theCathedral Quire and, together with other members of theCollege of Canons, meet twice yearly to advise and providefeedback on Cathedral activities and policy decisions made byChapter, the Cathedral’s governing body.

Died in the servicesLittle Alex was staring up at the large brassplaque that hung on the side wall of thechurch. The plaque was covered with names,and they seemed to fascinate the seven-yearold. ‘All those names,’ he said to the minister.‘Who are they?’ ‘Well, they were people whoused to go to this church,’ explained theminister. ‘This is a memorial to all the youngmen and women who died in the services.’

Soberly, they stood together, staring at thelarge plaque. Little Alex’s voice was barelyaudible when he asked, ‘Which service, the 9 o’clock, or the 11 o’clock?’


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St George’s ChurchFordington, Dorchester

Weekday ServicesEvery Thurs 10am Holy Communion and coffee.

Sunday services see inside coverFirst Saturday of each month Coffee and Company

10am–12noon followed by Lunch Club at 1pm.

Harvest SupperA very special Harvest Supper was enjoyed last month,The Rev Anita Thorne opened the supper with prayersfor God’s harvests, for the people providing the food(which was excellent) and the fellowship at St George’s.Each table was asked to make a corn dolly with lots ofequipement provide by Yvonne it was great fun.

Dolly with Pink Lips was the winner of a delicious boxof chocolates .

After supper Evelyn Kingman entertained us with herpiano playing of rousing WW1 songs to which we allsang along. Ending with a raffle of harvest food, drinkand smellies. Well done to all involved to Hilary, Lisa,Val, Paul, Tony, Yvonne and their team of workers

Future EventsCoach shopping trip to Bath Saturday 3rd November,departs 8.30am £12 per person. Booking essential. Formore info contact Maggie Carter:[email protected] on the Green Friday 30th November 6–7pm. Christmas Tree Festival Friday 30th November toMonday 3rd December. Theme this year is ‘magic of themusicals’. To take part, please contact Maggie Carter([email protected]) or Yvonne Lee([email protected])Christingle Service Sunday 2nd December 4.30pm inaid of The Children’s Society.

Artificial christmas trees wantedSome of the artificial Christmas trees we use for thefestival have seen better days! If you have a tree between3-5ft that you no longer want and are willing to donate,please contact Maggie ([email protected]) orYvonne ([email protected]). Alternatively, if you arewilling to make a financial donation to help us buysome new trees we would be very grateful. Thank you. Yvonne Lee Events Committee


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When the call went out in 1914,From all over Dorset our good men cameAnd volunteered for their King and country,Landowners and labourers, all did the same.

Numbers of the Dorset Regiment swelledAnd were known as ‘The Do’sets’ locally,Proudly they marched in their uniforms,As the local bands played, rousingly!

Most farm workers could have stayed home,Though some did join if the farmer agreed,And many a labourer laid down his toolsTo fight for his country in its hour of need.

How could they know of the ‘hell hole’They would soon be living in?That existed in France and Gallipoli,Mespot, Egypt and Belguim.

Orders were given to ‘go over the top’Which was crazy and barbaric,They lived in trenches with rats and liceMany became very sick.

Such brave, courageous souls were they,Determined to work through their pain,Some came home very badly woundedThen ‘patched up’ were sent back again.

4,500 of ‘The Do’sets’ were killed,Leaving wives and mothers distraught; deprived,After armistice, many injured could not get workSome slept in ditches, where they died.

Many of the homeless became tramps,And with tea-can in hand would ask a villagerFor some hot water to make a ‘brew’As they walked from one workhouse to another.

Those who returned to work on the landNever spoke of their horrendous ordealBut at times were seen with a pocket knifeEasing out the embedded shrapnel.

‘Non dubious of the cause, non murmering’Words from Hardy’s poem, ‘Embarcation’Are apt to those Dorset men in World War One,Who fought for the freedom of our Nation.

And now as we mark this centenaryMany memories and thoughts will abideAs we gather on the 11th of NovemberTo honour them all with love and pride.

The stories in this poem are all true, and weretold to me by my father, Leslie Burt, and afamily friend, Jane Cox, who was born in 1875.

A Tribute to theDorset Regiment: 1914 - 1918Devina Symes

A thriving Christian presence in everycommunity is one of the aims of theChurch of England. It happens in anumber of ways with church buildings,committed Christians, schools andcommunity projects contributing a greatdeal to the good of our communities, wherewe live for others in the way of Jesus Christ.

A few weeks ago I took the newArchbishop of South Sudan to some of ourchurches – the licensing of a Team Vicar inTisbury, a community environmental dayfor a Greener Bradford on Avon, Sundaymorning at St Thomas’s in Salisbury,followed by the installation of the new

Dean in the cathedral.The Archbishop spoke about the priorities of his church in a

country where people have been killing each other and there aremillions of refugees. His was a very different context to ours, yet inSouth Sudan they too were seeking to create a flourishingChristian presence in every community that is good for all in theway of Jesus Christ.

In Devizes we met with other partners from the LutheranChurch in Latvia. They had a different story again. A smallcountry, they emerged from behind the iron curtain. Theyconfidently sit on the border with Russia partly because they aremembers of the EU. It is a bit more complicated for the Latvianchurch to find its place in the worldwide Church. They face thesame challenges as the rest of us with different understandings ofwhat it is to be human and how we live the Gospel faithfully in ourdifferent contexts – men and women, gay and straight and aspeople with varied political views.

To some extent, where you stand determines what you can see.We are challenged by Christians from different contexts who see

things differently. Being part of the worldwide Church we see whatit means for the Church to be local everywhere.

Message from the Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury

Grapevine is the Diocese's newsletter, sharing stories of livestransformed in Christ from around Dorset and Wiltshire. Producedten times per year, it aims to help worshippers in parishes across theDiocese share their stories of transforming lives and building God’skingdom. The focus is on ordinary people doing extraordinarythings in Christ, changing their communities and the world for thebetter. At just four A5 or two A4 pages, Grapevine is direct and tothe point, giving you the information you need in one easy read.Various formats available! More here: https://www.salisbury.anglican.org/whos-who/contacts/communications/grapevine


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emails being made to every member of the adultpopulation.

Individuals can opt-in to receiving these calls byconsenting to be contacted by claims companies whenenquiring about settling a claim, or when seekingclaims advice.

These new measures together with the strengthenedData Protection Act, will curb the number of nuisancecalls received by consumers.

If you receive nuisance calls you can report it to theICO who may investigate and take action against thoseresponsible. The Government has already made it easierfor regulators to fine those breaching direct marketingrules, by forcing companies to display their numberwhen calling customers and there are increased fines forwrongdoers.

Anyone who thinks they have been the victim of ascam or would like advice about their consumer rightsplease contact the Citizens Advice consumer helplineon 03454 040506.

Rogue companies making unsolicited calls related topersonal injury claims could now be fined up to£500,000.

New powers which came into force on 8 Septembergive consumers the choice to ‘opt-in’ to receive thesecalls and people being harassed by nuisance calls nowhave new powers to stop them.

Cold calls offering to help claim compensation formis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI) will bebanned if the claimant has not chosen to ‘opt-in’ toreceive them.

Previously people had to ‘opt-out’ of receiving suchcalls by registering with the free Telephone PreferenceService or withdraw their consent while on the call.However, the new powers will force the caller to makethe necessary checks to make sure they have therecipient's consent before calling.

Those offering unwanted claims managementservices could be fined as much as half a millionpounds by the Information Commissioner’s Office(ICO) if they breach the rules.

The Financial Conduct Authority highlighted that inthe last 12 months approximately 2.7 billion unsolicitedcalls, texts and emails were made to the UK's adultpopulation offering to help them make a claim. Thisincludes calls about recent accidents or mis-sold PPI.This is equivalent to approximately 50 calls, texts or

New nuisance callsmeasures

• The BBC has promised to dobetter religious broadcasting. Afterconducting a review of its faith-basedprogramming, the network said itwants to raise its game across allreligious output, reach as manypeople as possible and portray thediversity of beliefs and society.

• Singing is good for your body andmind. A number of research projectshave found that even short bursts ofregular singing help with lungproblems, relieve stress, boost the

immune system, help patients copewith chronic pain and enableschildren with hearing difficulties tohear better."

• In Victorian times there was aHospital for Bad Legs, while theword “barmy” came from a mentalhospital at Barming village, nearMaidstone. Until the 1960s therewas a Home for Incurables in SouthLondon, while the first youthdetention centre was near Rochester,at the village called Borstal.

• Mother Teresa once said: ‘In thislife we cannot do great things. Wecan only do small things with greatlove.’

• It is estimated that around 70,000Christian believers are in NorthKorean prison camps. North Korea

remains at the top of the OpenDoors World Watch List as thecountry where it is most difficult tobe a Christian. The sanctionsimposed on North Korea were asmuch to do with human rights astheir nuclear programme.

• A Girl’s World is a weeklyinteractive programme for girlsaged 8 to 15, shown across theMiddle East and North Africa bythe Christian television station, Sat-7. The show is pioneering newground – no other Persiantelevision show focuses on girls, orgives the chance to discuss ‘taboo’topics such as body image, sexualabuse and gender discrimination.Many girls have sent in goodfeedback, excited there is finally ashow they can relate to.

DID YOUKNOW


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St Mary the VirginChurch Correspondent Robert Potter

The Contemplative prayer group meets each Wednesday at5pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and at the QuietSpace every Thursday at 6.30pm. All are welcomeHealing services – The next Meditative Communion withprayers for wholeness and healing and anointing will be onSunday 18th November at 6pm when our preacher will beRevd Canon Thomas Woodhouse. All are welcome.

Rosemary Bassett

Christmas Card deliveryWe shall once again be delivering Christmas cards toour neighbours in Victoria Park. The date for the groupdelivery is Sunday 2nd Dec at 2pm followed by tea, cakeand fellowship at the Rectory. If you cannot make thisdate but could help at another time I would be verygrateful as it definitely lightens the load at a busy timeof year. Kath Joslin

AngelsIf you are making a Christmas angel (patterns areavailable at the back of the church) and would like tobring it to St Mary’s we would be very happy to give her agood home! But if you want to keep your angel to give tosomeone you know, then that is fine. Kath Joslin

The Man in the Back Row.We see people regularly in St Mary’s Sunday by Sunday,perhaps commenting if they’re missing from their usualseat, but what do we know about them? Almost all havelead interesting lives but often we only hear about themat funeral services.

Robert (Bob) Walker sits in the back row of thecantoris side (the north side), being brought in fromCharminster, usually by Peter Vojak. Robert was born in1920 (yes, he’s 98) in Eltham where he went to schoollearning, amongst all the usual subjects, woodwork andmetalwork. It was his skill at these that earned him, atthe age of 14, a place on a 4 year course at a specialistcollege in Shoreditch in the heart of what was then afurniture making area. To get there meant a daily trainjourney to London Bridge followed by a considerablecross-city walk. His qualifications there gained him aplace in what were then known as teacher trainingcolleges. He started teaching in Hull but after a year hewas conscripted into the army where he served for 6years. He was a lance-corporal instructor in the RoyalArmoured Corps when his particular metalwork skillswere discovered and he was quickly transferred toREME, to a secret specialist unit on the bank of theTrent close to its confluence with the Humber; there he

was promoted to staff sergeant. The rivers here are tidaland the unit was experimenting with amphibious tanks,using Shermans and Valentines (an account of where andhow these tanks were used is in Wikepedia) inpreparation for the anticipated beach landings inNormandy and so it seems that Robert’s role wasimportant and interesting.

In the village which housed the REME camp (BurtonStathe) there was a canteen for the troops and servingthere was a young lady called Marjorie, a teacher at thevillage school. After the first meeting there was awhirlwind courtship (including trips to the ‘pictures’ innearby Scunny), approval by Marjorie’s parents and awedding in the registry office; Marjorie didn’t want achurchful of her pupils! After the invasion of Europe,Robert was drafted to India as part of a backup force fortroops still fighting in Burma but fortunately he wasn’tcalled on to go o the battle zone. A local Salvation Armyhelper posted letters home for him.

After demob, Robert returned to the school in Hullfor a while until both he and Marjorie got jobs indifferent schools in the southern suburbs ofBirmingham, buying a house in Solihull.

In 1984 Robert and Marjorie moved to Dorchester –moving from the land-locked Midlands to be near thesea. Marjorie continued to exercise her skills inneedlework and for St Mary’s she made the kneelercushions for the Calvary, with Robert making thewooden kneelers. For the Millenium she produced the2000 tapestry which now hangs in the Blessed Sacramentchapel. Robert and Marjorie celebrated their diamondwedding (plus 2 or 3 years) before Marjorie became illand died in 2014 and shortly afterwards Robert moved toWolfeton Manor in Charminster.

Like so many people’s lives you may consider this to befairly routine (except for the challenging experimentalwork on tanks and a couple of years in India) but I thinkknowing something about our fellow worshippers helpsto make them real rather than just regular Sundaymorning acquaintances. Robert Potter

Sanctuary Candles for November4th Given by Cyril Treviss in memory of his wife Joan whose

year’s mind falls on 2nd.11th Given by Ellie Stephens in memory of Irene Keir, Tom Baker

(priest) and Marie Baker whose year’s minds fall at this time. 18th Given by Janet Comley to mark family birthdays. And by

Sue Allen in loving memory of her husband Richard.25th Given by Di House in memory of her brother Martin whose

year’s mind falls now.


14

It had been a long, hard walk, made all the more difficultby the searing heat of the afternoon sun. His pack, whichhad not bothered him when he had set off those fewshort hours ago’ now weighed him down and the strapscut into his shoulders. He stopped briefly on the rock-strewn path and gasped yetagain at the majesty of the viewas he removed the near emptywater canteen from his packand put it to his lips. He wasentranced by the sheer beautyof the valley from which he hadset out earlier in the day andwhich now lay stretched outbeneath him. The brilliantgreen of the meadow grasscontrasted spectacularly withthe browns and oranges of thetrees, now wearing theirautumn colours.

There, far below him, hecould just make out in the late afternoon sunlight, thesilhouettes of the big black and white birds as theyhovered above and then dived into the placid waters ofthe lake, often reappearing with a thrashing shapebetween their beaks. The man knew the shapes to be thesame delicious species of local fish as he had dined uponthe previous evening when he had set up camp by thelakeside. A meal he had sat down to eat by himself but ameal which he had ended up sharing with the strangerwho had appeared from nowhere and had walked intothe light and warmth of his campfire.

The stranger who he had asked a little nervously tojoin him in the meal and who, after they had eaten theirfill of the wood-smoked fish and the flat, local bread hehad bought the previous day, had warned him of thedangers involved in back-packing alone in this part of thehigh country. The hills, he said, were full of wildlife,much of it potentially unfriendly though, thankfully,most of it nocturnal; but there were a few species whichmight pose a threat during the day. In particular, thestranger had said, he should watch out for signs of theblack bears which roamed the hills and which,occasionally, even came down to the lake in the twilightto drink and to fish. He should also remember, thestranger had said, that these animals had been here longbefore man and deserved our respect. Then, while theman was clearing away the plates, the stranger haddisappeared as quickly and as silently as he had arrived.

The man had thought about their conversation as hewashed the plates in the lake. Then, spurred on by therich variety of sounds which assaulted his ears, he hadbuilt up the campfire so that it would burn brightly

through the night and keep him safe as he huddled closeby. Now, as he looked down on the valley and on theincandescent waters of the lake, he remembered how, asthe sounds had grown louder and more raucous throughthe night, he had been gripped by a fear which had left

his whole body cold, despitethe warmth of the fire he waslying beside.

He had had no idea whichanimal might be makingwhich noise, but he hadknown that at least some ofthem would harm him if theycame near. Everyone knewthat, despite what thestranger had said about theirrights. He’d had a morbidand irrational fear of bearssince childhood. The man'sbody was convulsed by asudden and involuntary

shivering as he averted his gaze from the valley and hismind from the events of the previous night and turnedhis attention to the rocky track ahead of him and to theneed to find a suitable place to rest for the night. As helooked toward the track he realised just how long hemust have stood there, looking back into the valley, forthe light was now fading and the track aheaddisappeared into the gathering gloom.

Suddenly he was transfixed as the solitary howlingsound cut through the gathering gloom. Fear grippedhim. The cold clammy fear he had experienced the nightbefore engulfed him as the howling was answered by yetmore howls which seemed to crowd in on him from alldirections. He couldn’t stay on the track, it was tooexposed, he must find somewhere safer, and he neededto protect himself, but how? He remembered the kniveshe carried in his pack. One, a survival knife, had a longand pointed blade. Another was shorter but no lesssharp.

Driven on by the rising cacophony of sound, herummaged through his pack and removed both knivesand a reel of twine. Like a man possessed, he set abouthacking down a suitable branch from a nearby tree,trimming it and tying the survival knife to it to make aprimitive axe. He looked at the axe, unsure of itspotential, and then in a sudden burst of explosive energyswung it around and above his head and brought itdown into the jagged tree stump which lay nearby.

So hard had he wielded the axe that it took himalmost a minute to retrieve the blade from the stump,and all the while, the noise around him increased.Sweating, but satisfied with his efforts, he slung his pack

FearFear always springs from ignorance. - Emerson

Revd Richard Press


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over one shoulder, stuck the smaller knife into hiswaistband and gripped the trusty axe tightly. Warily hemade his way forward, as quietly as he could, into thegathering gloom. Then he saw it. Saw the huge blackshape looming out of the darkness up ahead.

The light was fading fast, but there was no mistakingthe enormity of the shape. It must be a bear, a huge blackbear. The very animal the stranger had warned him to beparticularly wary about. The very animal he had fearedintensely since he was a boy. Suddenly it seemed asthough all the sounds which had pressed in on him onevery side had stopped. Now he could hear only one.The thumping sound of his heart as it pounded in hischest. He knew he was afraid, he knew he was alone, andhe could see the huge shape moving toward him.

Gripped by panic, he darted behind the trunk of thehuge tree just ahead of him to the side of the track. Assilently as he could, he laid down his pack, took the knifefrom his waistband and gripped it between his teeth. Axein hand, he peered cautiously around the tree and up thetrack. It was almost completely dark now but there, still

coming towards him, was the dark and menacing shape.True, it didn't seem quite so large as before, but thechorus of animal cries from the blackness of the woodsseemed to be warning him of the danger, or laughing athim. He hid behind the trunk again and waited.

He could hear the footsteps now though the ever-increasing noise from the woods made it difficult.Sweating with fear and apprehension, he silently liftedthe improvised axe high above and behind his head, hisarms locked, waiting to unleash it with all the force hecould muster. The footsteps padded nearer and nearer.

With every nerve in his body straining, he closed hiseyes as he summoned up the deep reserves of his courageand his strength. The footsteps passed by the trunk. Theman prepared to bring down the axe as he had on thetree trunk a few minutes earlier. Driven on by sheerpanic, his arms started their upward arc from behind hishead. Terrified, he opened his eyes to confront his ownworst nightmare. There, looking straight at him, werethe deep blue eyes of the stranger with whom he hadbroken bread the previous evening.

Anthem For Doomed YouthWhat passing-bells for these who die as cattle? Only the monstrous anger of the guns. Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle Can patter out their hasty orisons. No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells; Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells; And bugles calling for them from sad shires. What candles may be held to speed them all? Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes. The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall; Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds, And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

By Wilfred Owen

British poet and soldier Wilfred Owen was killed 100years ago this month, on 4th Nov 1918. He died leadinghis troops across a canal in Northern France exactly aweek before the war ended. He was 25.

Owen, who was noted for his shockingly realisticpoetry about the horrors of trench warfare, was born in

1893 in Shropshire. Onleaving school he became ateaching assistant and in1913 went to France for twoyears to work as a languagetutor, but in 1915 hereturned to England tojoin the army. Afterharrowing experiencesin the trenches hesuffered from shellshock and went fortreatment atCraiglockhart WarHospital, nearEdinburgh, where hemet fellow poet Siegfried Sassoon.

Owen went back to France despite Sassoon’s pleasand was awarded the Military Cross for bravery aftercapturing a machine-gun post almost single-handed.

Brought up according to his mother's strong beliefs,Owen had thought of becoming a priest. For a while hewas lay assistant to the vicar of the Oxfordshire parishof Dunsden.

His only volume of poems, edited by Sassoon andpublished in 1920, contains some of the mostpoignant English war poetry, including Dulce etDecorum Est and Anthem for Doomed Youth.

Wilfred Owen – 1st World War Poet and HeroThe young man whose poetry told the truth about the War.

By Tim Lenton.


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Angie and I returned to the UK at the end of Augustafter another three week visit to Rwanda, where we ledtwo conferences and then a retreat for senior clergy andtheir wives in Cyangugu Diocese in the south west.

After our first conference we visited Nyamatagenocide memorial, about 45 minutes drive south eastof the capital Kigali.45,000 Tutsi’s wereslaughtered there,nearly all in oneday – 14th April1994. The formerRoman CatholicChurch has beenleft as a memorial,with clothes ofvictims spread outon the benches.Damage fromgrenades and from a bomb used to blast through theiron gates of the church has been left just as it was,together with bullet holes all round the church andeven in the roof. The victims were mainly women andchildren – killed by machetes, bullets, shrapnel andclubs. There is a mass grave outside the church whereshelves of hundreds of coffins in tile lined air-conditioned vaults contain the bones of victims. Someof the coffins contain the bones of members of a singlefamily.

Archdeacon Stephen Gahigi took us there and ledMike down steep steps (too steep for Angie) and stoodby a coffin containing the bones his parents andbrothers and sisters, seven people, who wereslaughtered on 14th April 1994. That was a moment

Mike will remember for the rest of his life. Stephen,who was then a young priest, had been threatenedindependently and was able to flee to Burundi. He onlydiscovered what had happened to his family on hisreturn. He also found his home had been destroyed.

Stephen has a powerful testimony of forgiveness andreconciliation, a witness to the power of the Gospel andthe work of the Holy Spirit. He spoke of beingtraumatised for a year. Then he saw a cross with thewords “Father forgive them” written over the top. Atthat moment God met with him in a powerful new way.He was healed from trauma and delivered frombitterness and the longing for vengeance. When

preaching in aprison he came faceto face with theman who hadwanted to kill himand who destroyedhis house. He hadthe joy of seeingthis man come tofaith in JesusChrist. For 23 yearsStephen has

preached forgiveness and reconciliation in the power ofthe Holy Spirit. What a brother in Christ!

Stephen told us that amongst the people who hadattended the conference we had just finished, therewere both victims and perpetrators of the genocidesitting together, worshipping and praying together. Thisis the very down to earth power of the Gospel webelieve and share – forgiveness and reconciliationthrough Christ crucified and risen from the dead.

Forgiveness – A Powerful TestimonyMike and Angie Stear

Nyamata Genocide Memorial

Archdeacon Stephen Gahigi and his wife

Christingle ServicesSt George’s Church Sunday 2nd December at 4.30pm

St Mary’s Church Sunday 9th December at 4pm

St Peter’s Church Saturday 22nd at 11am

St Andrew’s Church Monday 24th at 4.30pm

These services celebrate the work of the Children’s Society


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1918 was the final year of the Great War. This year, CanonDavid Winter has been looking back on highlights of thosecritical 11 months, when the very shape of modern worldhistory was being hammered out on the battlefields.

When the Boys Came Home By Autumn 1918 it was obvious that the war wascoming to an end, Germany was clearly beaten, but noone had actually won. The front line was more or lessas it had been for years, but after Amiens the Germansknew that this was a conflict they could never win.High level discussions took place, while in Britain thepublic mood was surprisingly optimistic. ‘There’s asilver lining’, the songs said. ‘Keep the home firesburning till the boys come home’. When an ‘Armistice’was announced, there was euphoria. No more killing,the guns silenced. Peace at last!

‘Armistice’ was a new word for most people – not apeace treaty or settlement (that would follow aconference in Paris the following January), but simply alaying down of arms, but for many that was enough fornow. ‘No more killing’, they declared. Most of the boys

did come home, but tens of thousands didn’t. We havetended to judge the first World War by the numbersinvolved – and they are appalling, but each casualty wasalso someone’s personal loss, as I learnt in my firstparish.

It was a rural village near Oxford. Each month I tookCommunion to an elderly woman known to everyoneas Kim. She was in her nineties and had been ateenager during the Great War. Her two brothers wereserving on the Western Front. A few days before theArmistice the post office motor-cyclist delivered thetelegram they had been dreading, one of the boys hadbeen killed in action. A week or so later, after thefighting had stopped, the same messenger returned,with the same message about her other brother. As shetold me of it, 70 years after the event, her eyes filledwith tears. That was the true price of war and when Ishare the silence on Remembrance Day it is her andthose two young men I think of, not the million othersfrom many nations who fell in that terrible conflict.

My father enlisted to join in ‘the war to end all wars’.It didn’t, of course. Twenty-one years later it all startedagain. War doesn’t end wars. True peace does.

Diary of a Momentous YearNovember 1918

Canon David Winter

November Crossword

Across1 and 20 Down Lord of all ..., Lord of all..., whose trust, ever child-like, no

cares could destroy (11,3)9 Moses' question to a fighting Hebrew labourer: Why are you ... your fellow

Hebrew? (Exodus 2:13) (7)10 Acclaimed cellist who contracted multiple sclerosis at the height of her fame,

Jacqueline ...(2,3)

11 At even ... the sun was set, the sick, O Lord, around thee lay (3)13 A descendant of Gad (Numbers 26:16) (4)16 Do not leave Jerusalem, but ... for the gift my Father promised

(Acts 1:4) (4)17 Clambers (Jeremiah 48:44) (6)18 Peter's response to questioning by the Sanhedrin: We must ...God rather than

men! (Acts 5:29) (4)20 Christian paraplegic author, artist and campaigner, ... Eareckson Tada (4)21 Bird partial to the nests of other birds (6)22 Such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat ...

...(Matthew 13:2) (2,2)23 Infectious tropical disease (4)25 Tree (3)28 No fear of me should ... you, nor should my hand be heavy upon you(Job

33:7) (5)29 For example, to Titus, Timothy or Philemon (7)30 Week beginning with Pentecost Sunday, according to the Church's calendar (11)Down2 O Jerusalem, how ... I have longed to gather your children together (Matthew

23:37) (5)3 Way out (4)4 Exhort (Romans 12:1) (4)5 Done (anag.) (4)6 Highest of the four voice-parts in a choir (7)7 Concerning the study of God (11)8 Uniquely, it has Abbey, Cathedral and Chapel (11)

12 Admonish (Matthew 16:22) (6)14 Frozen (3)15 Established form of religious ceremony (6)19 Inscription often found on gravestones (7)20 See 1 Across24 Behaved (Joshua 7:1) (5)25 Time (anag.) (4)26 Lists choice of meals (4)27 For the wages of sin is death, but the ... of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus

(Romans 6:23) (4)


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A few random thoughts of a retiredVerger/SacristanDavid Guy

I recently retired as verger/sacristan of St PetersChurch; not after a lifetime of service but after enoughtime to have gained a wide insight into life ‘behind thescenes’ and a deeper understanding of the innerworkings of the church, the liturgy and the clergy. Whatan interesting experience.

Now I can look back and enjoy many happymemories and reflect on what was once, for me, thedark and mysterious world of church vergers.

Many people might still remember one of mypredecessors at St Peter’s, Richard Duke. Richard wasverger there for hundreds of years (or so it seemed). Hewas a big man in every respect and with a countenancewhich un-nerved some people, but he was a kindlyman, dedicated and knowledgeable in the extreme.

At his funeral St Peter’s was packed and theincumbent Rector – Rev Robin Johnson (yes the Rectorwas based at St Peter’s in those days) – commenced histribute to Richard this way.

Robin said he was standing on the pavement outsidethe South door of St Peter’s a few days after Richard’sdeath when a man approached him and said “Iunderstand your verger has died.” Robin confirmedthat sadly, that was the case. “Don’t worry, said theman, look on the bright side. You can have your churchback now.”

We thought that was an odd comment to make butwe sniggered politely and the address continued.

On reflection I now realise that the man on thepavement was right in what he said and it was quite inorder for Robin to mention it.

That brief exchange summed up much of what wevergers are about. We are entrusted to care for some ofthe most important buildings in the land and we tendto take those duties very seriously. This responsibility is

much more than just a job ofwork, for many it soonbecomes a way of life and thechurch becomes ‘theirs’.Rumour has it that someindividuals are, or have been,somewhat dictatorial anddogmatic over the way thingsare done in ‘their’ church.That may be the case, it isonly their attempt to ensurehigh standards and to haveeverything correct and ‘justright’, always based, ofcourse, on a soundunderstanding of church law(Canon Law), churchtradition and the needs ofthe congregations.

The office of verger is anancient one and has itsbeginnings in the earliestdays of the ChristianChurch. The rewards of being a verger are many, not infinancial terms I hasten to add, but in terms of greatpride and satisfaction to have been entrusted to care forsuch valuable buildings, and their priceless artefacts.However the greatest reward of all is the privilege ofworking in very close partnership with the clergy on allaspects of church life. That is a privilege indeed. It isperhaps one that few others of the laity ever experience.

The verger is often the first person a member of thepublic might meet on entering a church. A few of thosevisitors might be in some type of distress, perhapslooking for reassurance and help, or perhaps just asympathetic ear. Others are keen to learn more aboutthe ancient building and the great history surroundingit. The verger must be well informed and ready to help.

Then there is the satisfaction of developing a deepknowledge of the liturgy and the intricate workings ofthe church calendar; to have the church prepared andabsolutely ready for the priest to preside and then toassist in the running of those Services so that perfectand reverent worship is provided at all times.

Vergers are unique to the Church of England – andto some Anglican churches in the USA – butsurprisingly, not one verger is employed by the Churchof England. All are employed individually by eachchurch on whatever terms suits that post and the dutiesand responsibilities vary enormously.

Both men and women are employed in equal statusand fall into two categories. First, there are theprofessional, career vergers. These good folks work andI thought David might enjoy this cartoon – Editor

David at his farewell presentation in St Peter’s


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reside in our great cathedrals and major parishchurches in full time employment, with all normalworking conditions and expectations. Housing isnormally provided.

The remainder of our churches are looked after bypart time volunteer vergers, or those in receipt of smallhonorariums. Many are in retirement from other walksof life.

There is no animosity between the two groups. Allintermingle and all are eligible to undertake the threeor four year study course with a view to obtaining theprofessional qualification of “The Diploma of theChurch of England Guild of Vergers” , which covers avery wide range of practical, liturgical and legal dutiesand responsibilities.

The duties of vergers today are an amalgam of tasks,which in the distant past would have been carried outby a range of people such as the lamplighter, sacristan,doorkeeper, clerk, beadle, constable, altarist, sexton andprotector of the Priest. The verge, (virge, wand, rod orstaff), is the stick carried in procession by the verger.Now merely symbolic, it was formerly put to good use

clearing a path for the priest and protecting him fromthe hordes. I never had cause to use my verge inearnest. I have obviously missed out on a great deal ofexcitement.

And what a blessing St Peter’s no longer needs asexton! Digging graves can be very back breaking.Thankfully for all vergers that duty has evolved into anew profession for mechanised experts.

Some churches no longer have a place for a verger,those duties very often being shared among thecongregation and clergy or not done at all. Theworship in those churches can often be more informaland that suits many. It is right and good thateveryone is catered for.

Most people still prefer the formal structured Service,and I have come to hold those traditions and theancient office of verger in very high regard. I am so gladI volunteered and played my small part.

Anyone with a Christian belief, a compassion forothers and a need to be of service to their “fellow men”would undoubtedly find this calling as deeply rewardingas I did.

My dear Nephew Darren

Plans for our Harvest Supper always start severalmonths in advance, with the annual argument aboutwhether we dare increase the price of tickets by 20p to£1.50. After endless wrangling we compromise on 15p,with several warning that this will sound the death knellof Harvest. That every member of the committeecheerfully pays £50 a head to dine out elsewhere seemsirrelevant.

Hotpots are provided by the ladies of the parish. It isalways interesting to speculate on who has made which:some are robust and meaty, while others are wan andwatery. Having sampled these dishes for the past 30years, I can match each offering with the personalitiesof their creators. It is also amusing to watch how thecooks manoeuvre to make sure the correct peoplereceive their own dishes. Mrs Ffrench positively chasesLady Masterson with her hotpot.

After the meal we proceed to what parishionersoptimistically call the entertainment. I settle myself onthe back row, smile, applaud – and think of the largegin awaiting me back at the Rectory.

Colonel Hetherington imagines that theconsumption of a bottle of claret over the mealimproves his intonation as he gives his annual renditionof “The Lost Chord”. I can only assume the lost chordshe refers to are the vocal ones he once possessed. MissSimpson’s jokes have been repeated so often that theaudience enthusiastically joins in with every punch line.Miss Sprocker makes her annual (failed) attempt tohand around paper and pencils and hold ‘a nice littlequiz’ – she was a primary teacher.

Meanwhile the ladies in the kitchen provide amusical accompaniment of crashing crockery andcutlery, which sadly drowns out all but the mosttantalising snippets of their gossip about the rest of us.

The evening always ends with the Major’s recitationof “The boy stood on the burning deck”. Before he cancommence an un-requested encore I surge up to thestage, thank all the performers and wish everyone a safejourney home. The Major is left looking like a boy whohad just had his lollipop stolen by the school bully. Onreflection, that is quite an accurate analogy.

Your loving uncle, Eustace

The perils of the Harvest SupperThe Rev Dr Gary Bowness continues his letters from ‘Uncle Eustace’…

THE RECTORY, ST JAMES THE LEAST OF ALL


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Weekday ServicesMon & Thurs 9.15am Morning Prayer Hardy Chapel (15 min)

Thur 10am Said Eucharist with coffee afterwardsin the hall until 11.30am

St Peter’s Church High West Street, Dorchester

Church Correspondent: Jill Bryant

November Dates for your Diary: Sun 4th 3pm All Souls Service Sun 11th 9am Sung Eucharist followed by Act of Remembrance at WW1 MemorialSun 18th 6pm Choral EvensongSat 1st Dec. 10am – 1pm Christmas MarketSun 2nd Dec. 6pm Darkness to Light Advent Service

Theology Group The final Theology Group for 2018 is on Wednesday14th Nov at 7pm in St Peter’s Church – An eveningwith Terry Waite – see below. If you are interested inreceiving more details of the Group please email Eileen McLean ([email protected]).

St Peter’s Christmas MarketSaturday 1st December 2018A small committee has already begun to make plans forthe Christmas Market. This is an important part of thefund raising activities at St Peter’s and is a veryenjoyable social event as well with many visitors fromthe town.Can you help in any of the following ways?• Are you making jam or chutney and could make a

few extra jars to donate to the produce stall.Marmalade is particularly popular.

• Perhaps cakes, biscuits. sweets and other deliciousthings to eat are your speciality, look out for ideas inmagazines and newspapers.

• Prizes both big and small for the draw will be mostwelcome.

• We would also like to invite any local crafts people tocome and rent a table for a small fee to display theirgoods, perhaps you know someone and could putthem in touch with us.

For more information or any queries contact Rosalind Thorpe Tel: 01305 259659 email [email protected]

Come & Sing HymnsAn afternoon of hymn singing with St Peter’s Choiraccompanied by Philip Lange and compered by Revd. Richard Franklin. This afternoon, dedicated tothe pure pleasure of singing chosen favourite hymns

and enjoying refreshments, raised a total of £236 for St Peter’s Church. Grateful thanks to all who came andto those who organised this event.

Gift Day Many thanks to all who contributed to Gift Day, weraised £2460

The F Word

We were told by the project organisers that some of thestories of Forgiveness would be harrowing. During theexhibition, we received over six hundred visitors and acomplete spectrum of reactions and conversations. Itwas a really excellent way of bringing so many peopleinto St Peter’s. Deep … difficult … distressing … and asone person shared, “This is about me too.” Theexhibition and the multi-faith forum also left feelingsthat were uplifting … worthwhile … moving … andchallenging.

So many people who came to see the exhibition alsocommented on the beauty and the peaceful atmospherewithin the church. “It’s a sanctuary; somewhere wherethe historic past links to the complexities of life today.”

We are so fortunate to follow up the exhibition with‘An Evening with Terry Waite’ at 7pm on Wednesday14th November at St Peter’s Church. Tickets areavailable now from the Shire Hall Historic CourthouseMuseum. Paul Vittle


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On 4 November 1881 Mary Cowper Powys wrote fromDorchester to her sister Dora in Norfolk:

On Monday the people have a great procession in the townand a tremendous bonfire at Poundbury. Saturday is marketday so the people wait till Monday for their fun. It is strangehow they keep up this old custom and make the day like agreat carnival.

Mary was the wife of Charles Francis Powys. The1881 census records that Charles was curate of St. Peter’s Church Dorchester and that he lived withhis wife and family, and 4 servants, at Rothesay House

on South Walks. Charles had previously served at St. Michael and all Angels in Shirley, Derbyshire, andafter St. Peter’s would spend his remaining years toretirement at Montacute, before a final move toWeymouth. Mary died in 1914, Charles in 1923. WhyCharles was designated as curate I don’t know, giventhat he was then aged nearly 40 and had servedelsewhere. Perhaps the word curate had a differentemphasis then. The Rector of St. Peter’s duringCharles’s time there was Thomas Wenham Knipe,who succeeded Edmund Ward Pears in 1878 and washimself followed in 1886 by William Hind. You willfind these names listed in St. Peter’s, but not CharlesFrancis Powys, unless I have missed it.

Mary and Charles had eleven children. Five wereborn at Shirley : John, Littleton, Theodore, Gertrudeand Eleanor (Nelly). The family grew larger during thetime in Dorchester, welcoming Albert, Marian andLlewellyn. Most people would have called it a daythen, but Montacute witnessed the arrival of anothertrio, Catherine (Katie), William and Lucy.

John, or John Cowper as he was and is known,lectured in the United States for many years, andfrom his late 50s through to very old age producedmagnificent novels which included Wolf Solent, AGlastonbury Romance, Weymouth Sands, Maiden Castleand Porius. JCP has been compared with Dostoevsky,but my proselytising has met with a muted response.Those who enjoy his novels really enjoy them. Thosewho don’t get on with him resist my efforts to convertthem, dismissing my “He’s like Dostoevsky” with “Idon’t like Dostoevsky,” or saying they can’t abideMiles Davis or Thelonius Monk or Jelly Roll Mortonwhen I suggest that perhaps JCP, like jazz, is anacquired taste.

Theodore wrote a whole series of novels, muchshorter than those of his older brother, and in anentirely different style. He made his name with Mr.Weston’s Good Wine, an extraordinary, brilliantly cleverallegory in which two men arrive in a small Dorsetvillage to sell their wine. Mr. Weston represents Godand his assistant Michael is the archangel of that same

name. The story works on a number of levels, withhumour, horror, the victory of Good over Evil and,unfortunately, a gender-biased role for some women inthe story which was not at all uncharacteristic ofTheodore Powys. All his novels include at least one C of E vicar, and the clerical role model average scoreout of 10 is no greater than 4.5. For that reason, andothers, the stories are engaging.

Littleton was headmaster at Sherborne PreparatorySchool and a prominent educationalist. Gertrudefarmed in Dorset and was also a talented artist whoexhibited her work in London and in Paris. Tragically,Nelly died in her early teens. Albert was a respectedarchitect. Marian was a world authority on lace andlace-making. Katie wrote the novel The BlackthornWinter (published under the author name of Philippa:she was Catherine Edith Philippa Powys), and was apoet too. Llewellyn was a writer married to AlyseGregory, who had left her position as editor of The

Powys family connections to DorsetRichard Betts

. . . . two men arrive in a small Dorsetvillage to sell their wine.

Charles Francis Powys


25

Dial, a literary journal based in New York and inwhich TS Eliot’s momentous The Waste Land first sawlight of day. Llewellyn had an affair with theAmerican poet Gamel Woolsey, but the latter left himfor the writer Gerald Brenan, whose book on Spanishsocial and political history (as background to theSpanish Civil War) is still regarded as an authority.William farmed in Africa but I regret that as yet Iknow nothing of Lucy. Perhaps she was just Lucy.How nice if she was.

Theodore lived for many years at East Chaldon,otherwise known as Chaldon Herring. It is nearWinfrith. The village was something of a Bohemianlure for writers and other artists, several of whommoved there or visited because it was where TheodorePowys lived. These included Sylvia Townsend Warnerand her partner Valentine Acland. Sylvia is much thebetter known, producing several very fine novels,which include Lolly Willowes. Lolly finds herselfstereotyped as a maiden aunt and decides onsomething a bit different. She becomes a witch.Beneath the humour are various challenging issueswhich make it the great story it is. Valentine deservesto be much more widely known than she is. She was avery fine poet (so was Sylvia), shy, deep, moving in

faith from Roman Catholicism to the Society ofFriends, dying of cancer in 1969. Both Valentine andSylvia are buried in the churchyard at East Chaldon,though neither of them died there.

Other notables who had at least some passingconnection with East Chaldon included the sculptorsElizabeth Muntz and Stephen Tomalin, and thewriters David Garnett and Liam O’Flaherty. Garnett’sThe Sailor’s Return takes its name from the pub whichstill stands in East Chaldon, and is a powerful story ofunredeemed hypocrisy and racial prejudice.O’Flaherty’s The Informer is a gripping tale set inDublin around the time of the Irish Civil War. Theinformer is Gypo Nolan, an anti-hero to outdo anyanti-hero, but such is O’Flaherty’s genius that it’s hardnot to end up admiring and respecting Gypo as hecareers towards his inevitable destruction. Garnett andO’Flaherty greatly admired Theodore Powys andvisited him in Chaldon.

To find out more look up the Powys Society andthe Sylvia Townsend Warner Society on line, or try toget hold of Chaldon Herring/Writers in a DorsetLandscape by Judith Stimpson, published by Black DogBooks and which, if is not still in print, ought to be.

We hear that our erstwhile editor, Margaret Morrissey, and her husband,Patrick, celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary in September.

Our congratulations and very best wishes to the happy couple.

Margaret thinks a cartoon appears in this space.We wonder what she will say when she sees a printed copy!!!!!!!

Hot and coldA member of a certain church, who hadpreviously attended services regularly, stoppedgoing. After a few weeks, the minister decided tovisit him. He found the man at home all alone,sitting by a blazing fire. Guessing the reason forhis minister's visit, the man welcomed himawkwardly, and led him to a comfortable chairnear the fireplace and waited. The minister madehimself at home, but said nothing. In the gravesilence, he contemplated the dance of the flamesaround the burning logs. After some minutes, hetook the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightlyburning ember and placed it to one side of thehearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair,still silent. The host watched all this in quietcontemplation. As the one lone ember's flameflickered and diminished, there was amomentary glow and then its fire was no more.Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initialgreeting, but now the minister chose this time toleave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold,dead bit of coal and placed it back in the middleof the fire. Immediately it began to glow oncemore, with the light and warmth of the burningcoals around it. With that, the minister smiled athis host, and quietly let himself out.


27

Bearing in mind that Christmas will soon be upon us, youmay want to use this as part of your preparation for thecoming season.

The well-known words from Handel’s Messiah – ‘Untous a child is born, unto us a son is given’ (Isaiah 9:6)remind us that God has given us the most amazingChristmas present ever; the gift of His Son, Jesus, born asa baby in Bethlehem. The gift of Jesus changeseverything. Christians are people who have been foundby Jesus, given a new quality of life and a whole new senseof direction in life.

This has implications for how we live our lives now.Irenaeus, a Christian leader from the second century,wrote that:‘ The glory of God is a human being fullyalive.’ We know that the glory of God is revealed inJesus, but the idea that God’s glory can be seen in us isa surprising one!

Just think for a moment – what makes you feel fullyalive? When and where do you sense that you are livingout of the truest centre of your being? What reallyinterests you? What is most fulfilling for you in your life?What creative gifts do you have? Do you like designing ormaking things or mending broken things? Has it everoccurred to you that, by letting these interests and talentsgrow, God’s glory can be revealed in you?

The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)reminds us that God knows us and trusts us. He hasgiven each one of us gifts and talents according to ourability, character, and circumstances. Talents grow anddevelop with use. As we use them we find fulfilmentand others are blessed.

‘What experience, talents, and interests could Ioffer to God, to my church, to my community?’ Thisis a question we could each reflect on. We could thenask ourselves: How do I already use my talents inGod’s service – in my workplace? My home? Mynetwork of relationships? In church or in the widercommunity? Are there ways I could put my talents towork for God here where I live which I haven’trealised until now? Some of us feel that we can nolonger use our talents as our life circumstances havechanged. I hope this exercise will encourage us torecognise that the life experience we have gained is ahuge resource for others. So is the gift of prayer. Someof us may wonder if we have any talents at all. Wemay need others to encourage us by telling us theGod-given talents they recognise in us. Let us givethanks for the great wealth and diversity of gifts Godhas entrusted to us as a Church.

Wishing you a joyful and peaceful Christmas.

Christmas – the Gift and the talentsStephanie Buchanan

400 years ago on 29th Oct 1618

Sir Walter Raleigh died. This famous English

explorer, writer, poet and courtier was a

favourite of Queen Elizabeth 1. Well known

for popularising tobacco in England.

Executed for treason by King James 1

(mainly to appease the Spanish).

300 years ago on 3rd Nov 1718 John

Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, was

born. He may have been Postmaster

General and First Lord of the Admiralty, but

we remember him today as the inventor of

the sandwich, which he ordered from his

chef to sustain him at the gambling table.

100 years ago on 4th Nov 1918 Wilfred

Owen, British poet and soldier, was killed.

One of the leading poets of WW1, he was

noted for his shocking realistic poetry

about the horrors of trench warfare. Killed

in action a week before the war ended,

aged 25.

Also 100 years ago on 11th Nov 1918

Armistice Day saw the end of World War 1.

80 years ago on 9th Nov 1938 the

Kristallnacht (the night of broken glass)

began when the Nazis burned synagogues

and destroyed thousands of Jewish homes

and businesses in Germany and Austria.

More than 30,000 Jews were transported

to concentration camps.

75 years ago from 28th Nov – 1st Dec

1943 WW2’s Tehran Conference took

place. US President Franklin D Roosevelt,

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill

and Soviet Leader Joseph Stalin met to

discuss plans for a second front against

Nazi Germany. This led to the D-Day

assault on Normandy and the Allied

invasion of occupied Europe, beginning in

June 1944.

70 years ago on 4th Nov 1948 American-

born British poet and playwright T. S. Eliot

All in the month of November

won the 1948 Nobel Prize for

Literature.

Also 70 years ago on 14th Nov 1948

Charles, Prince of Wales, was born.

65 years ago on 9th Nov 1953 Dylan

Thomas, Welsh poet, playwright and short

story writer, died. Best known for his play

Under Milk Wood, and his hard-drinking

lifestyle.

50 years ago on 28th Nov 1968, Enid

Blyton, British children’s writer, died. One

of the most successful children’s writers

of the 20th century, she wrote more

than 762 books. Best known for Noddy

and the Famous Five series.

25 years ago on 1st Nov 1993 the

Maastricht Treaty came into effect,

establishing the European Union.

15 years ago on 22nd Nov 2003 England

won the Rugby World Cup for the first

time.


using the pews as well as the space at the back of thechurch. Simon Letcher played for us on the keyboardand everyone enjoyed themselves.

Fourth SundayThere is now only one service on the 4th Sunday ofeach month at 10am. The service on 25th Novemberwill be said Holy Communion.

Coffee and Chat This month’s Coffee and Chat will be held on 24thNovember from 10am -12noon Everyone, not onlythose living in West Stafford is welcome to pop in orstay all morningthere is usually cakeas well as coffeeand biscuits.

29

For Sunday Services see inside front cover

St Andrew’s ChurchWest Stafford

Church Correspondent: Revd Jane Culliford

ACROSS: 1, Hopefulness. 9, Hitting. 10, du Pre. 11, Ere. 13, Ozni. 16. Wait. 17, Climbs. 18,Obey. 20, Joni. 21, Cuckoo. 22, In it. 23, Yaws. 25, Elm. 28, Alarm. 29, Epistle. 30, Whitsuntide.

DOWN: 2, Often. 3, Exit. 4, Urge. 5, Node. 6, Soprano. 7, Theological. 8, Westminster. 12,Rebuke. 14, Icy. 15, Ritual. 19, Epitaph. 20, Joy. 24, Acted. 25, Emit. 26, Menu. 27, Gift.November Crossword Answers

RemembranceRemembrance Sunday this year falls on 11th Novemberwhich is exactly 100 years since the Armistice endingthe First World War. This will be the focus of the10amService of Morning Prayer on that day. The Service willconclude with an Act of Remembrance when thosenamed on the War memorial who died in WW1William Fowler, William Fry, Robert Burney and FrankBarter will be particularly remembered along withRobert Corbett-Winder who died in WW2.

Ride and StrideThe final sum raised by Esther and Paul for this year’sRide and Stride was £363 for the Dorset HistoricChurches Trust of which half will be returned tobenefit St. Andrew’s church.

Harvest LunchAt the last minute the Village Hall wasunavailable for the Harvest Supper so aHarvest lunch was held in the churchafter the Harvest Thanksgiving service

Enjoying the Harvest Lunch inthe Church and the harvestdisplay of flowers


31

During the Second World War, Winston Churchill wasBritain’s Prime Minister. At the same time, WilliamTemple was Archbishop of Canterbury. WhileChurchill led the country against Germany, Templeencouraged the British people to trust the Lord fortheir deliverance and strength. Like Churchill, Templewas a great leader, a gifted orator and a prolific writer.He was also a theologian and social activist.

Temple was born on 15th October 1881 in Exeter,Devon. He was educated at Rugby School and BalliolCollege, Oxford, from 1900 to1904. He loved the musicof Bach; the poetry of Browning and Shelley, andShakespeare. He was an avid reader and possessed anear-photographic memory.

He became president of the Oxford Union and aftergraduation, was a lecturer in philosophy at Queen'sCollege, Oxford. He was a member of the debatingsociety and was a skilled and balanced debater.Following his ordination in 1909, and priesting in 1910,Temple was headmaster of Repton School for fouryears. He married Frances Anson in 1916. They werechildless.

From 1921-29 Temple was Bishop of Manchester.During this time he was seen as a pioneer of theEcumenical Movement and gradually became a nationalfigure. In 1926 he urged the British government to seeka negotiated agreement to the General Strike.

Temple excelled as a moderator; a teacher and apreacher and his appointment as Archbishop of York

William Temple Archbishop of Canterbury

(1929-40) was a popular one. His influence also led tothe formation of the British Council of Churches andthe World Council of Churches. During the 2nd WorldWar he jointly founded the Council of Christians andJews to combat anti-Semitism and other forms ofprejudice in Britain.

As Archbishop of Canterbury (1942-44) Templebecame an outspoken advocate of social reform andbecame involved in the campaign againstunemployment, poverty and poor housing. He believedin the rights of all people, whether rich or poor, andwas a leading force for social justice. He was groundedin the problems of the working man and in his bookChristianity and Social Order (1942) he shared hisvision for all to have access to healthcare, education anddecent housing. His radical thinking and activismplayed a foundational role in the formation of theBritish Welfare State.

Temple died aged 63 at Westgate-on-Sea, Kent on26th October 1944. He was the first Primate of AllEngland to be cremated and his ashes were buried inthe cloister garden of Canterbury Cathedral. He is thelast Archbishop of Canterbury to have died while inoffice.

Enid Blyton, one of the most successful children’swriters of the 20th century, died 50 years ago thismonth, on 28th November 1968. She wrote more than760 books.

She was born in 1897 and as a baby nearly died ofwhooping cough. Although best known for her Noddybooks and the Famous Five series, she also wrote poetryand longer stories and articles of various kinds.

A trained teacher, she felt she had to provide readerswith a strong moral framework, though her own familyrelationships were not straightforward. She cut offcontact with her parents and divorced her first

husband, and one of her daughters wrote harshly of heras a mother.

Her work became controversial from the 1950s, beingbanned by some libraries and schools and the BBCbecause of a perceived lack of literary merit – as well asaccusations of elitism, sexism and racism. But theycontinue to be best-sellers: Blyton herself said she was notinterested in the views of any critics over the age of 12.

She wrote The Children’s Life of Christ and The Land ofFar-Beyond, an adaptation for children of John Bunyan’sThe Pilgrim’s Progress. There have been several adaptationsof her books for stage, screen and television.

RememberingEnid Blyton Tim Lenton


33

St Simon & St JudeChurch Correspondent: Celia Robertson

Christening at MonktonAnthony Michael O’Rourke was christened on 25thSeptember. The family don’t live in the village, but hismother has provided an historical connection with thechurch, village and Herringston. In the 19th centuryWilliam and Elizabeth (nee Pope) lived in Dorchesterwith a large family. For a time they then moved toMonkton Toll Gate cottage then on the main road,whilst a cottage was being built to house them on theHerrings Estate.William’s job was estate carpenter, theirnew house, now Grooms’ Cottage was called by his wifeBuckingham House. One of their sons Harry, waswounded in Gallipoli whilst serving in the “Y” Batteryof the Royal House Artillery. He subsequently died ofhis wounds. Elizabeth his sister was married inMonkton. The Hudson brothers Arther, William andJohn pumped the bellows of the organ and scratchedtheir names in the wooden framework.

Anthony aged 10 having been told the history choseto be baptised at Monkton and he was well supportedby his 5 Godparents and other members of theextended family. Susan finishes her account thus“Thank you once again. We felt that the church madeus welcome and that we belonged. We will definitely beback for other services.” We would love to see you backagain Susan and the rest of your family.

Battlefield Trip 2018On the 9th of August my daughter and I along with ourcousin travelled to Northern France and Belgium to theBattlefields of the WW1 and to pay our respect to ourUncle Charles John Samway who was killed there.

Our journey started with Lijssenthoek MilitaryCemetery in Poperinge which is a province of WestFlanders.

We visited the grave of Nellie Spindler a British StaffNurse killed at Passchendaele, the only woman buriedwith full military honours

That evening we stood at the Menin Gate memorialto listen to the buglers play the Last Post.

The second day was a German cemetery atLangemark much darker and more solemn.Then toTyne Cot War Graves Cemetary and Memorial to themissing for WW1 which is the largest in the world forany war.

On to the Pool of Peace a water filled mine crater atSpranbrokmolen the site of the largest of 19 minesblown by the British Army on 7th June 1917 signallingthe launch of the Battle of Messines.

Day 3 to Serre and Sheffield Memorial Park to thePals battalion men who enlisted to be near theirfriends.

Then to St Quinten which is where Uncle Charliewas killed at Cepy Farm. The Farm does not now exist.

Finally to The Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. Abeautiful sunny day the Memorial stood tall and grand,it was here we paid our respect to Lance CorporalCharles John Samways our Uncle killed 14th April1917. We laid our crosses and had a few quiet, tearfulbut proud moments below his name. Proud that he wasawarded the Military Medal which is safely kept inDorchester Military Museum.

It was an emotional and memorable trip and one weare so pleased we made. What struck us the most washow beautifully kept all the war graves are and that wewill remember them. Yvonne Doble, Helen Didon.

Niece Great nieces and Great Nephew of Charles Samway

WW1 Military Medal


35

Dorchester Churches Together Compiled by Val Potter 264416

Making History in Tolpuddle13th October 2108 was the 200th anniversary of theopening of Tolpuddle Old Chapel. The chapel had

been built and usedby the TolpuddleMartyrs and theirfamilies from1818–1834 forworship andstudying the Bible. Itremained in useuntil a newMethodist chapelwas built in the

village in 1862–63 and it then became an agriculturalbuilding and store. Disused for many years, it becamedilapidated and was purchased by a dedicated Trust in2013. Refurbishment is well underway to create a‘quiet place in the heart of this historic Dorsetvillage’, for visitors and to provide the location foractivities, exhibitions and community use’.

On Monday 3rd September, Wessex Morris dancedin the street outside the Old Chapel. After dancing,the performers and followers went into the old chapeland sang the first hymn to be sung there in 174 years– ‘Men plough the fields and scatter’ (1782translation).

A very special serviceto mark the 200thanniversary of thechapel was held in thepresent MethodistChapel on 14thOctober, with Revd DrAndrew Wood (Chairof SouthamptonMethodist District) andBishop Karen Gorham, Anglican Bishop ofSherborne. It was a deeply significant occasion,marking reconciliation and ecumenical friendship,which was markedly absent 200 years ago when stoneswere thrown at the opening of the new chapel andthe Anglican priest later supported the judiciary inconvicting the ‘martyrs’. Participants in the servicewere given a small ‘stone’, symbolic of the rocksthrown 200 years ago. These new stones were takendown the road to the Old Chapel and presented as asign of reconciliation, ecumenism and moving forwardtogether as a village community. Later they will beincorporated in the renovation of the cob structure ofthis unique little building.

Together NationallyIn Swanwick in September over 300 people gathered forthe triennial Forum of Churches Together in England.They represented the 47 member churches, countyChurches Together bodies and the wide range of co-ordinating groups and associated organisations. AsCounty Ecumenical Officer I attended many of theseinspiring gatherings, which enabled us to expand ourown understandings of God through listening to others.

The current County Ecumenical Officer, Katja Babei, reported: The title ‘I Am With YouAlways: Together in God’s Mission’ points to thetheme of the Forum: Christ’s enduring presence in allaspects of life, which enables us to grow together inour faith and work.

‘Only by working together can we alleviate the painsuffered by so many’, said His Eminence ArchbishopAngaelos, one of the six CTE Presidents. Revd CanonBilly Kennedy, representing the New Churches,Quakers and Lutheran churches said that in a ‘veryfragmented world the Church needs to rediscover itsconfidence’, and whilst language and culture change,‘the need in human hearts hasn’t changed.’ CardinalVincent Nichols used the image of a rose window as apicture of the Church, ‘which always has Jesus at thecentre’.

The Forum marked the retirement of CTE GeneralSecretary, Revd Dr David Cornick, and a very enjoyablefarewell party was held for him later at Lambeth Palace.It was good to meet up with friends and colleaguesagain, including Bishop Tim Thornton who sent hisgood wishes to you all.

Quakers Serving OthersAs we mark the Centenary of the ending of the FirstWorld War it was good to welcome the recentexhibition of Quaker service. They were ConscientiousObjectors but many served in the Friends’ AmbulanceService and Friends’ Relief Service to help thosewounded or displaced in war and they continue theirefforts today.

Ecology MattersRepresentatives of the Churches’ Ecology Grouprecently met our MP, Sir Oliver Letwin, to urge theGovernment to retain the high environmentalstandards of the EU after Brexit and to support furtherdevelopment of renewable energy, rather than thecontroversial fracking for more oil.

Tolpuddle Old Chapel today

Artist’s impression of chapel project


37

Thoughts from the Editor— We will remember them

“One of the gratifications of being older and workingfor yourself is you sit and wait and slowly and many ofthe issues you have fought for and have been told youare wrong are proved right, sad but true. Some of thisresearch is just plain common sense and the rest is

history. Unfortunately allGovernments continue down itscrash road and make it worse in thename of progress. Leave teachers andchildren alone to work with parentsand all will be resolved. Ourchildren will hopefully then be in the top ten happiestand not 25 out of 29 in the world of misery.”

Trawling through my many memory sticks I foundthis quote I wrote for the press a good few years agonow. The world around us gets more pressurised andstressful every year for them. As I sit at the computer

my train of thought wanders everywhere over the yearsof my life, I can remember, too many to mention butlooking at the copy for this magazine it inevitably wentto my Uncle George.

I never knew him but he played a big part in my earlylife. George was 18 when hewas taken from a very smallvillage in North Notts andlanded in Salonika, Greece. Icannot even imagine the shock,excitement and then terror hewent through. George nevermade 21, the time when todaymost are leaving University, hedied in the dreadful conditionsof Greece where the troopswere hot, filthy, living in ratinfested conditions with nomedics to tend any wounds ordysentery, conditions wecannot comprehend. All thatwas returned to myGrandmother was a postcardhis sweetheart had sent to him,a card he never saw.

My Father, his brother, andthe family never really got overit so when I see students etcmarching and protesting Iactually cannot sympathise, weall have so much and such freelives, lives made possible by the

bravery of boys like my Uncle in two world wars. I lookat my Grandsons Rocco, Harvey and Frank and thankthe Lord and pray please never again.

Yet all over the world boys are still dying in mindlesswars and disputes, we humans never learn but a patientGod somehow sees us through.

Dorian memorial Salonika, Greece


38

Hungry Empire” each chapter looks at one meal takenat a different time and place but showing how thecolonisation by the British Isles influenced and spreadfood round the world. It starts with fish day on theMary Rose in harbour on 18th July 1545 with thehistory of the trade in Newfoundland salt cod. Then to

Maize bread and salt beef in NewEngland, back to London with thePepys with pepper, calicoes and teaand ends with an Empire PlumPudding (24 December 1850) and aNew year’s curry buffet courtesy ofBridget Jones Diary (I January1996).

I found this book an easy butstimulating read. With so manyinteresting facts and links whichwere crying out to be shared. By1939 the Empire supplied morethan half of Britain’s agriculturalimports, 50% of its meat, 70% ofits sugar and cheese and 90% of itsfats and cereals and the Germanblockage never seriously threatenedthese imports during the war. Afterthe war the country turned awayfrom the Empire (now theCommonwealth) and 84% of meat

and grain is produced by British agriculture while wehave increasingly looked to Europe for our extras sothat we import 28% of our food from the EuropeanUnion. Lizzie Collingham doesn’t look to the future toconsider what our meals might be like in 50 years’ timebut what this entertaining, well researched and readablebook does is to make clear how much every country’spresent taste in food is the product of its past trade andits use of subservient peoples.

“The Hungry Empire”How Britain’s quest for food shaped the worldBy Lizzie CollinghamVintage £9.99

“To eat with great content”

The British have a sweet tooth! In the 19th century afamily of iron workers dissolved 4lb of sugar in their ½ lb of tea each week. It had not always been the case.Beer was the original drink of the working man and hisfamily but the enclosure of land andthe gradual change from small holderto wage earner left the labourerdependent on buying his food ratherthan growing it and thereforedependent on the cost of that food.The wars at the end of the 19thcentury sent food prices spiralling.Beer itself became more expensiveand the poor could no longer affordto brew their own turning instead tosweetened tea. Beer was nutritiouscontaining protein and vitamin Band providing some 350 calories apint. Tea contained neither vitaminsnor protein and even with sugar inlarge quantities provided little in theway of calories, but tea felt good. Thesugar gave an immediate (but notlong lasting) burst of energy. Itwarmed and comforted, but it failedto supply the energy and sustenancethat heavy labourers needed and by the mid nineteenthcentury adolescent boys in Manchester were on average10 inches shorter than boys from privilegedbackgrounds!

Sugar was originally grown in the north of India andthe Levant moving to Cyprus and Sicily in the 15thcentury. From there the Portuguese first took itscultivation to Madeira and the Azores and then toBrazil. The Dutch then seized the Portuguese coloniesand it was a Dutchman who encouraged an Englishplanter, Drax, to try sugar cane in Barbados! Draxvisited Brazil in 1640 and by the end of the 1640s thecolony was exporting £3mn of sugar.

The history of sugar is only one commodity thatLizzie Collingham follows round the globe in “The

BookwormJean Lang

Please submit copy for the December/January issue by 12th November at

the latest to the Editor at [email protected]

Dorchester Benefice Magazine has made a constant care to make sure that content is accurate on the date of publication. The views expressed in the articles reflect the author(s)opinions and are not necessarily the views of the publisher and editor. The published material, adverts, editorials and all other content is published in a good faith. Dorchester

Benefice Magazine cannot guarantee and accepts no liability for any loss or damage of any kind caused by and errors for the accuracy of claims made by the advertisers.


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