Following from Sonia's retirement the vouluntary post of Editor for the paper version of "Elstead Village News" is vacent. If you have computer skills and would like this job please contact William Lang on 01252 703 251
This web site was started by Sonia Collis as an offspring from the Village News Magazine, and each month all the articles from the Magazine are available. It continues with a life of its own, but the links to the village news are a part of its lifeblood.
The site statistics and emails received show that people from Elstead and around the world visit the site to find out about life in Elstead.
In addition to the articles from the monthly village news the site also has information about Elstead Village, links to the web sites of village and other local organisations.
We provide additional material about Elstead for residents and visitors, and welcome entries for the Diary.
There are very attractive rates for advertising.
If you would like to contribute to the site, contact:
webmaster@elstead.org.uk
Dear Friends,
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity ! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life for evermore.”
That, believe it or not, is an entire Psalm ! [Psalm 133] It’s a wonderful picture - well, all right, two pictures - sandwiched between the two halves of an even more extraordinary statement.
The first picture is of the anointing, or consecration, of the High Priest (Aaron is the first High Priest, see Exodus 29:7), which involves the pouring of a quantity of oil on his head - so much, in fact, that it runs all down him, for he is to be totally consecrated to the Lord. These days, when oil is used in religious ceremonies, it tends to be a little `dab` rather than a generous pouring; perhaps we only really want to consecrate a part of our lives to God…
The second picture is of the dew of Mount Hermon (in the north of Israel), which - then as now - was profuse enough to render the land richly fruitful. Mount Zion (in Jerusalem), on the other hand, receives little moisture, yet it is Mount Zion that is truly blessed, for that is where the Temple is situated, and it is from Mount Zion that “the Lord bestows his blessing, even life for evermore”.
A remarkable outcome - “life for evermore” - that will flow so profusely if only brothers would live together in unity. Yet, sadly, the world is full of instances of families and neighbours not living together in unity… and if that doesn’t actually shorten our lives (and I very much suspect that it does) it certainly renders them decidedly miserable for all concerned. Why do we do it ?
Often, I suspect, we simply do not see how something that we have said or done has been taken by someone else (possibly quite wrongly). Nobody says anything, so the hurt (real or imaginary) festers. Something else is said or done, and the cycle repeats, becomes a vicious circle, until there is a full-scale row, a lawsuit, or blows are exchanged. Quite possibly the original cause is lost to sight; certainly an aweful lot of time, emotion and nervous energy will have been expended. What a waste ! There’s nothing “good and pleasant” in falling out with one another - it eats away at everyone concerned: we lose sleep, our work suffers, we don’t enjoy life as we might, often it can make us physically ill. Sometimes we are driven to retaliate, but it rarely does any good, rather making matters worse.
Some appear to take a perverse pleasure in making others unhappy, but that is a hollow thing, eating away at the perpetrators from the inside. The Psalmist is clear enough: God bestows his blessings on those who get on together. If only we could do that more...
William Lang.
Many years ago, when we lived in Southampton, there was a very good wool shop just at the edge of the shopping precinct. As well as selling balls of wool in every shape, size and colour you possibly imagine, the shop also had some large bins full of skeins of wool. They were always cheaper than the regular balls of wool and if you had the time and patience to wind the skeins into balls, you could pick up a real bargain.
It so happened that whilst I was pregnant with our first baby, the shop suddenly produced a whole bin full of baby wool - skeins and skeins of pinks, lemons and blues, but perhaps somewhat predictably very little white.
Well, always one for a bargain I rummaged around to the very bottom of the bin and found a large skein of white baby wool. The only problem was whereas all the other skeins just needed to be wound into balls, this skein of white wool was tangled beyond belief. I was about to put it back when the assistant offered: “you can have that for nothing, it’s so badly tangled, I can’t sell that”.
You know how it is, you always intend to do something but somehow events overtake you and although I found time to wind and knit up the other colours into baby clothes, I couldn’t face tackling the tangled mess of white wool.
An elderly friend, also an accomplished knitter, came to visit. Her eyes fell on the tangled heap of white wool. Give me that she said. I will knit it up into a shawl. To be honest, I thought she was joking but sure enough when Ruth was born she presented us with the most beautiful, delicate, knitted shawl. I was amazed. “It must have taken you hours to untangle the wool never mind knit the shawl”.
Her reply? “Well my dear, it did take a long time to unravel the mess. I could only manage a little every day but bit by bit the pile of chaos grew less and eventually I was able to create something very special out of it”.
Sometimes I think God must look at our tangled lives and sigh a big sigh. How did we get in such a mess. But, if we allow Him, God will unravel our lives, little by little, a bit every day and create something very special.
Rosemary
In bygone centuries, Christians said their last farewells to the Christmas season on Candlemas, 2 February. This is exactly 40 days after Christmas Day itself.
In New Testament times 40 days old was an important age for a baby boy: it was when they made their first 'public appearance'. Mary, like all good Jewish mothers, went to the Temple with Jesus, her first male child - to "present him to the Lord". At the same time, she, as a new mother, was 'purified'. Thus we have the Festival of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple.
So where does the Candlemas bit come in? Jesus is described in the New Testament as the Light of the World, and early Christians developed the tradition of lighting many candles in celebration of this day. The Church also fell into the custom of blessing the year's supply of candles for the church on this day - hence the name, Candlemas.
The story of how Candlemas began can be found in Luke 2:22-40. Simeon's great declaration of faith and recognition of who Jesus was is of course found in the Nunc Dimittis, which is embedded in the Office of Evening Prayer in the West. But in medieval times, the Nunc Dimittis was mostly used just on this day, during the distribution of candles before the Eucharist. Only gradually did it win a place in the daily prayer life of the Church.
CHANGE OUR HEARTS
Unless we change our hearts we are not converted.
Changing places is not the answer.
The answer is to change our hearts.
And how do we change?
By praying.
Deep within each one of us there lies vast
Reaches of the unknown, of doubt, of secret
Distress & also chasms of guilt which come from who knows where. But gradually, we come to understand that, in the depths of the human person, Christ prays, more than we imagine. Let the Holy Spirit pray within us
with the trust of a child, and we can then realise that these depths are inhabited.
People throughout the world may look different, or have a different religion, education or position but they are all the same.
They are all people to be loved. They are all hungry for love. The people you see in the streets of India or Hong Kong are hungry in body, but the people in London or New York have also a hunger which must be satisfied.
Every person needs to be loved.
God made us for greater things: to love &
To be loved. What matters is that we love.
We cannot love without prayer & so whatever
Religion we are we must pray together.
Let us not use bombs to overcome the world.
Let us use love & compassion. Peace begins
With a smile-smile five times a day at someone you don't really want to smile at at all.
Do it for peace.
Mother Teresa
Prayer, Seeking the Heart of God
Mass at the home of Roger & Anne Stephens:
4 Burford Lea,
8 pm on Wednesday 4th February
Examination of our finances for the coming year and the planned expenditure on projects and village maintenance indicates that the precept will have to rise considerably. Urgent work must be carried out on some of our large trees to make them safe and more tree routine management is required to ensure that longer term care of our trees undertaken. Completion of the improvements to the childrens’ play area at Thursley Road Recreation Ground needs to be provided for, as well as smaller items such as repair of the bench seats. Grass cutting and the replacement of posts on the village greens always takes quite a large slice of the expenditure. There may also be a reduction in the compensatory grant from Waverley Borough Council, but we are awaiting confirmation at the present time.
The modified plans for the Thursley Road Recreation Ground Pavilion have been passed by Waverley Borough Council, subject to a number of conditions such as times of closing and the sound proofing. We are advised that the financial arrangements have yet to be put in place to be certain of entering into any firm contracts to build, so until then we must all be patient.
Blocked drains are always a problem in the village at this time of year after the leaf fall and washing of sand and mud into the piping system. I am pleased to record that we managed to get the SCC Highways team out to clear all six of the problem drains.
The Countryside Agency and other bodies are pressing hard for Parish Councils
to undertake what are called "Parish Plans". Essentially this is a
large exercise to consult within the village to develop strategic plans for
all aspects of the future of the village. One of the advantages is said to be
that it is a lever to get more funding. We have already produced a Village Design
Statement, consulted on traffic calming and more recently completed a survey
on affordable housing. If we do decide to go ahead we must involve many people
outside the Parish Council. We will soon debate this in the Council but we would
welcome any informal feedback at this stage to help us decide.
Pat Murphy CPRE Representive
'Christmas is Coming!' was the title for December's meeting of Elstead Garden Club. The Chairman, Brian Deaville, introduced one of the members, Pat Pearce, who would demonstrate how to decorate our homes for the Christmas season. Already on arrival, there was a festive feel created by some beautiful arrangements of greenery, baubles and coloured ribbon on a long table.
To welcome visitors, Pat suggested hanging a decoration on the front door, ranging from a spruce bough hung with half a dozen bright baubles, to more elaborate swags of different types of greenery plus artificial gilded leaves. Indoors, such arrangements are brightened up by adding a few flowers or berries. As a Christmas card, Pat had created a superb arrangement to stand in the garden. A bird-box covered in cotton-wool snow atop a piece of ivy stem was surrounded by whitened twigs, with feathery 'snowflake' sprays of white Michaelmas Daisies and 'snowball' carnations. Three little robins and glittery snippets of 'angels hair' were added to complete a magical picture.
Next, Pat showed how coloured oasis is used as part of the 'wrapping' material for presents. A pearl necklace draped over a glass vase containing light green oasis was surmounted by pink roses and threads of coloured sisal. Bright orange roses, with red berries and more sisal fibre on an old twisted log represented a cosy fire. A carol, 'We Three Kings', was the subject for three smaller arrangements, each dominated by roses and asters of yellow, pink or red. Finally, a large Christmas stocking made of crunched chicken wire in the shape of a boot, had leaves, flowers and fruit bursting out at the top.
All these beautiful arrangements, plus a little music and friendly banter between Pat and her assistant, husband John, introduced us to the Christmas spirit, making this an entertainment as much as a demonstration! Why not join us for more entertainment, on 9 February at 7.45 in the URC Hall, to hear Mr. G. Yates talk on 'Hunting for Flowers in China'.
The autumn term ended with all the usual seasonal events. We had parties, a wonderful Christmas lunch and our Christmas production, A Christmas Panto, written by ex-parent Mark Harrison entertained parents and friends of the school. The choir sang carols at Bridge House and the Thursley Luncheon Club, but the highlight was performing at the premiere of “Something Really Big” at the Royal Albert Hall with other Surrey school choirs. It was an amazing experience for the children. Our last event together was the Wishing Service where each class lights a candle and makes a wish for the world.
We said goodbye to two members of staff at the end of term, both of whom left us to have babies. I am delighted to announce that admin officer Mrs Diane Hodgson had her third child, Jonathon William 6lb 13 ½ oz, at 8 am on Christmas morning. They were both home by midday and Diane sat down to Christmas lunch cooked by her husband at 2.30 pm. Debbie Jenkinson, our Year 6 teacher surprised us all by having her first baby a month early on 28th December. Oliver Charles was 4lb 14oz and was delivered by caesarean section. Mothers and babies are doing well and we look forward to them visiting us in the near future.
The rest of us returned to school in the New Year full of excitement and ready to share our holiday news. Some children and staff had been to America, Switzerland, Spain and to see Father Christmas in Lapland; some had been to pantomimes, shows, the cinema, donutting and ice skating, football and ice hockey matches; some had visited family and friends all over the country and some had stayed at home; but of course, the children had been given a huge range of wonderful presents.
The New Year is a time for making resolutions and several children shared theirs with the whole school during our first assembly. Victoria is going to eat fewer sweets; Louis is going to try to be nice to his little brother and Robert is going to keep his room tidy, (although, he announced that he had already broken this one!) We celebrated Epiphany in a service at St James Church led by Rev. Lang. We were fascinated to hear that the Bethlehem Star followed by the Wise Men all those years ago was not a star, but the brightness was caused by the close alignment of the three planets Jupiter, Saturn and Mars.
We have many things planned in the coming weeks and we hope to end this half of the term with an arts project. A samba band will spend the day with us and, inspired by their performance, children will make their own percussion instruments. We plan to perform our own compositions to parents and friends in a concert at the end of the week. An art specialist will also join us and we shall design and make mosaic panels for a human sundial which we will site on the school field.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Waverley, Mr Richard Terry and his wife Diana were guests of honour at the pre-Christmas lunch at Elstead Afternoon W.I. on 16th December 2003, which was attended by forty one members and eighteen guests. Festive entertainment was performed by the Drama Group with Jean Cherriman, Peggy Tilly, Anne Moon and Ursula Dunlop giving their rendition of “The Alternative Calendar Girls”, with props created by the Art Group, costumes by Jean Briant and piano accompaniment by Margaret Vine. Many letters of thanks have been received.
At the January meeting, three new members were welcomed; Mrs Jill Stewart, Mrs Betty Prince and Mrs Joan Dalton. After the regular business, it was announced that the speaker, Mr C Read, was unable to attend due to a recent road accident (he is well but his car is not), so our long-time member Diana Terry stepped into the breach at short notice, giving an illuminating talk on her current experiences as the Waverley Mayoress, which include the honour of being introduced to Sophie Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward, Prince Phillip and the Duchess of Gloucester. Mrs Anne Moon proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs Terry.
The traditional afternoon tea was prepared and served by Adele Shoesmith, Patti Pearce and Jean Yates, after which there was a raffle, and the winner of the competition for “An item of treasure bought at a sale” was declared to be Eve Hall with a china mug of the Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The next meeting will be on Thursday 5th February 2004 in Elstead Village Hall at 2.30 pm. For enquires - contact Eve Hall on 01252 715285.
REPORT OF MEETING HELD ON 6 JANUARY 2004
At the January meeting, May Deaville, President of Elstead Evening WI, announced that Joan Howard is now Vice-President, and that gifts of bulbs had been sent to Barbara Copplestone, Rita Tussler and Christine Dixon, who had all moved away.
The evening's talk, 'The Rights and Wrongs of Rights of Way' was given by Mr. Denis Holmes, a Footpath Secretary for the Ramblers Association responsible for keeping an eye on the network of public paths in southwest Surrey. There are 2,000 miles of ROW in Surrey, mostly on private land, but it is everyone’s right to use them. Thanks to the Rights of Way Officers in Surrey CC, they are kept reasonably clear, assisted by the RA with jobs such as clearing undergrowth and mending stiles. Mr. Holmes explained the 3 kinds of ROW - footpaths, bridleways and byways-open-to-all-traffic (BOATS), and the law regarding them, finishing with a reference to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, concerning public right of access to mountain, moor, heath and downland, but with very little impact in Surrey.
Notices included an invitation from Milford WI and the first walk of the season was announced. Do join us on 3 February at 7.45 pm in the URC Hall for Mr. Alan Bridgeman's talk "Treasure Trove" - contact Susan Holmes on 702285.
At our Christmas meeting we were entertained by Mrs Jean Parratt of the Farnham Museum with her rendition of “Melodies and Memories”.
We were taken back in time when things were at a much slower pace than they are today. We sang a few songs and she showed us many things in her collection. We enjoyed seasonal refreshments and exchanged Christmas cards, the monthly competition was a Christmas table decoration: 1st Mrs Peggy Stokes, 2nd Mrs Betty Burton, 3rd Mrs Dawn Morgan. Members were reminded that there would be no meeting in January as this is always a poor month for attendances due to dark nights and bad weather.
The following will be our programme for this year and we hope there will be something of interest for most people:-
February 19th Gardening Tips with Keith Pearce Competition -
Something knitted.
March 18th Wartime Experiences with Terry Bunce Competition -
A Book Mark.
April 15th Barge Painting with Mrs Marshall Competition - A Simnel
Cake.
May 2Oth Quiz Night with Pam Chandler Competition - A Flower Arrangement.
June 17th Flower Arranging with Valerie Pride Competition - A
Cushion Cover.
July 15th Talk on A National Trust Coastline Competition A Fatless
Cake.
August19 th Outing (To be arranged) .
September16th Doctor in the Community with Dr Rachel Bray Competition
- A Stuffed Baked Apple.
October21st Wildlife Safari with Geoff Lunn Competition - A Jacket
Potato, any filling.
November18th AGM Competition - A Chocolate Gateau (for the Mary
Ellis Cup) and an Apple Crumble.
December16th Christmas Meeting A home-made Christmas card.
So we hope you enjoy the programme and look forward to seeing you during the year.
Sue Taylor
Secretary
Correction to the December British Legion Remembrance write up:
“It states that our son James is in Iraq, but this is not so, he is stationed at Catterick in North Yorkshire. James had his injections etc. ready to go to Iraq but at the eleventh hour was reprieved. The British Army decided to send the Royal Engineers, so James has been in Britain looking after us. Thank you for your concern, we would like to remember in our prayers all those not so fortunate as our son. We are hoping to spend some time with James and his girlfriend Tina over Christmas.” Pam and Bob Chandler.
Unfortunately it is now too late to say much about it, but the Fellowship enjoyed a fascinating talk from Geoff Peach in November about the Basingstoke Canal. A trip to hospital prevented me from compiling a proper report at the time, but we were carried along by lovely slides of the canal and its attendant wildlife, including a ferocious swan from the Woking area! The historical details were fascinating, as was the tale of how enormous effort from volunteers like Geoff, has advanced the cause of restoration of the canal.
Very many thanks are due to Sue Taylor who in my absence ably took over the organisation of the Christmas Party, and gave everyone a lovely friendly evening of the kind that our Group does so well.
We are meeting in 2004 in the AFTERNOONS! So come on all you who don’t like turning out on dark evenings! Come and find out what this friendly atmosphere is all about and why those who belong to this group are determined that it should not fold up!! Its only once a month, so its not a huge commitment, and shouldn’t you find you what you are missing?
Our first meeting was on January 27th at 2.30 pm in the Common Room at Guardian Court, and Ron Smith gave a very amusing, as well as instructive talk, “The reluctant Gardener” something most of us are at times! This meeting and our February meeting, when Elizabeth Parry will be talking about China, on the 24th, promise first class speakers, and a very warm welcome.
Don’t be afraid to just turn up, phone me if you would like to, (702237) Programmes for the coming year are available.
Every year at St. James’ church we hold a Christingle service, inviting
everyone to come to receive their own Christingle. This year, our service will
be at 10 am on Sunday 8th February.
This is a custom that originates with the Moravian Church, in central Europe, but was introduced into this country by the Children’s Society about thirty years ago as a fund-raising event.
The proceeds of the service therefore go to the Children’s Society, and we encourage people - children especially - to collect money beforehand in a special `collecting candle` and bring it to the service. These `collecting candles` are available from the Rectory.
Christingle services are usually linked with Advent or Christmas, and ours is no exception, even though it may seem very late, for we associate Christingle with the very end of the Christmas season: Candlemas.
Grey skies, dark nights (and days) were forgotten for a while, when we had a trip and lunch out to Bagshot. Some of our group partook of a Christmas lunch, others not, maybe with the realisation there would be more to come in the near future! ! After this we were then able to resume looking around at all the Christmas temptations on sale, whether it be gifts, glassware, china, cards etc, and what an array there was, not of course forgetting the usual Christmas plants in various colours and containers, and also the variation of trees for sale for decorative purposes which was unbelievable, (no longer it seems that it is only the usual fir which is used). Time passed quickly, and at the appointed time, leaving the twinkling lights, red, gold and silver décor behind, we stepped out into the gloom again to return home. Inevitably, shopping bags did not go undetected, which were filled with various shapes and sizes of purchases (I wonder what was in her bag!!) all ’earmarked’ for the purchasers own use, or for some lucky recipient. All this as well as having our appetites satisfied, thirsts quenched with the appropriate tea or coffee, (was there more) AND the aching feet and legs, never the less, it was an enjoyable few hours.
The 11th December was the date of our Christmas tea and festivities, which was very well attended, although one or two of our members had succumbed to heavy colds or flu. We were joined by nine guests, who had helped us during the year, by speaking or entertaining at our meetings or who had helped in other ways, who were welcomed by ’Yours truly’. We then shared time together to hear ’What do you think about Christmas’ split into sections with readings and carols to suit.
Next time for tea, and what a lovely spread it was, served by the tea ladies and other helpers, after which it was time for Christmas Cards to be delivered by our ’Posties’. Gifts were given to our guests, and added to this there were two surprise happenings. Peggy Royes who had served on the Committee for several years was resigning (with a promise to help when needed) was presented with a token voucher, and also there was one for me, presented by Sylvia from the Committee, both ladies duly offering their thanks.
There was a table with some lovely raffle prizes thereon, which were drawn for at the end of the afternoon, and then time for home, not before receiving a present from our brilliant red Christmas sack (providing you brought a gift with you and dropped it into the sack as you arrived) maybe with fingers crossed that you would not receive your own gift back again!!! No I do not think this happened. A happy and enjoyable afternoon, but of course, that left the washing and clearing up to do. As the old saying goes “After The Lord Mayor’s show, then comes the dust cart!!!!!!
February Meeting
The Pilgrim Bell Ringers, who are looking forward to hearing, after an unfortunate
cancellation from last year.
DO NOT FORGET WE WELCOME NEW MEMBERS AT ANY TIME, 4TH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH,
VILLAGE HALL. 2.30 PM
Linda Sheppard (Chair)
Are YOU interested in the above ?
Do YOU want to get to know your Local Team ?
Can YOU help ?
If YES to any of the above questions. Please make Contact with US - Elstead Football Club.
|
Hon. Treasurer
|
Chairman
|
Hon. Secretary
|
|
Steve Payne
|
Cyril Humphrey
|
Maz Klaptocz
|
|
01252 703131
|
01252 702029
|
01252 702425
|
Pensioner Forum
Organised by The Pension Service
For general advice and information about state entitlements come along and see us at:
United Reformed Church Hall - Elstead
Milford Road,
Elstead
9.30 – 1.00 pm
Friday 13th February 2004
Attending will be representatives from:
Waverley Borough Council
Inland Revenue
Waverley BC Care & Repair team
Godalming CAB
Refreshments Available.
According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion
Valentine Cards will be sent this year, making St Valentines Day the second
largest card-sending holiday of the year. (After Christmas.)
The sending of anonymous cards or small love tokens has been very popular since
the 17th century, and certainly looks set to continue.
Who buys them? An estimated 85 per cent of card buyers are women. Valentine's cards may denote love, but the numbers of cards involved suggest that many women buy for more than one man!
Valentine cards of yesteryear attract collectors, and you may wish to visit one of numerous antiques and fine arts shows that are held around the county. Some very attractive Victorian and Edwardian cards can be found for less than £30.
The oldest known Valentine still in existence is a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture are the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. A few years later the Duke's vanquisher, Henry V, hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a Valentine to Catherine of Valois.
A big puzzle is why such a soppy custom still exists today in this tough, no-nonsense age of women's rights. After all, the bulk of those 1,000,000,000 cards (and doubtless thousands more emails) will end up in recycling bags or waste bins. Few are likely to survive and become collectors' items.
Thank you for your support once again, Although the weather left a lot to be desired we had a happy afternoon raising just over £800 on the day. With late sales after the event this total became £910. Then out of the blue two anonymous friends of the URC donated between them the balance to make the total up to our usual magic £1000. The money helps towards the running of our church. With out the support of many local traders our job would be very difficult. So we would like to give a special Thank-you to:
A.J Tracy’s, The Green, Elstead
Mr Gohill, Elstead Pharmacy, Milford Rd.
Holroyds Stores (Spar), The Green,
Prides Farm Shop, Woolfords Lane,
Shackleford Mushrooms, Shackleford, Nr Godalming
Forest Lodge, Holt Pound, Farnham
Badshot Lea Garden Centre, Badshot Lea.
Waitrose, Bridge St. Godalming
Sainsburys, Godalming
Neil, Neil’s fruit and veg stall, Aldershot market.
We wish you all a very happy and healthy new year.
Pam Chandler
Did you ever wish you had a few more Christian friends with whom to form close relationships? Are you looking for that special companion who would make a difference to your life? If so, you might consider contacting ‘Friends First’, the information service which has enabled hundreds of single Christians to make friends and relationships in an informal, secure and pressure free way. Katherine Gray the co-ordinator keeps in touch and recently wrote to share some of the good news stories. For example ‘Peter’ aged 40 recently wrote to her saying:- “I believe I have met my soul mate through your agency! I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for supplying God with a vehicle in which people can meet friends and partners. It is such an important service, and I’m certain God will continue to bless it! Once again thank you!”
His feedback is typical of many of the members who span in age from 23 to 81 with all ages in between!
‘Friends First’ is aware how nerve racking it can be to join such an organisation, but you can be assured of a warm welcome, helpful and friendly staff and the knowledge that many who’ve taken this step before you have been delighted at the friendships and relationships it’s opened up to them. As one person said “I realised when I initially contacted ‘Friends First’ that I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
Further details can be obtained by either ringing Katherine Gray on 0121 427 1286 or writing to her at PO Box 8377, Birmingham, B17 9TE; looking at the website www.friends1st.co.uk or finally emailing her at info@friends1st.co.uk
This year, Traidcraft is 25 years old. Traidcraft helped to set up the Fairtrade Foundation, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. There will be more about these events later in the year. For those who attend the ‘Lent Lunches’ you will see more during the Fairtrade Fortnight in the first two weeks of March.
Cafedirect now have Kilimanjaro roast ground coffee. This is made from arabica
beans grown in the volcanic soils on Mount Kilimanjaro, and said to have a good
aroma with vanilla overtones. This should compliment the Organic Machu Picchu
ground arabica coffee from the Peruvian
Andes.
There is now Instant Chocolate Drink. You just have to add water to the contents of the handy sachets.
Chocolate Hazelnut Spread was new last Autumn and is proving very popular.
Come and see and try what is on offer at the Traidcraft stall on Saturday 7th February in the United Reformed Church Hall at 10 am. Then at each Lent Lunch starting on Friday 27th February.
As a Fairtrader for Traidcraft - I have been delighted to hear of great events taking place in the country, the growth of Fairtrade. Chester was declared the first Fair Trade City in Great Britain. This was followed by the Anglican Chester Diocese becoming the first Fair Trade Diocese. Now I hear that the United Reformed Church Synod of Mersey has been declared a Fair Trade Synod. Other Diocese and Synods now want to be the same. This will mean all participating churches must serve only Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings. They will also have to raise awareness of the Fairtrade Mark. It is hoped too that Church leaders will encourage the members of their Congregations to understand the principles of Fairtrade and the injustices of current World Trade Rules.
If you would like to know more about Traidcraft, Fairtrade or Trade Justice,
please give me a call on:
01252 702450.
Jean Wheatley