A co-ordinator for this team is required. Susan and Dennis Holmes are retiring soon and a replacement is required. The duties are not onerous, comprising preparation of the duty roster 3 monthley and recruiting additional team members from time to time
Dear Friends,
“It’s good to talk” says the slogan, and so it is; but it’s also good to listen - something I have had considerable opportunity for just recently, having been on a week’s retreat and then on a day course. And it’s been both positive and thought-provoking.
There are many kinds of retreat, and this was a new experience for me, an `individually guided retreat`. I have been on retreats in the past, both with groups and on my own, but never quite like this: there were six of us, plus two `guides`, staying in a small religious community in Suffolk, joining in their worship and their meals (if we wanted to) and each meeting our `guide` once a day.
After an initial interview to determine how I felt and what was on my mind, I was given a text to ponder; the following day the process was updated , and so on. Put like that, it probably sounds simple and almost mechanical, but the reality was very different. There is great skill to being a `guide` in these situations, to determining what may help the person you are guiding, and much patience required of those being guided. It is all too easy, even in the peaceful surroundings of rural Suffolk, to become distracted. Listening to God - listening to our own inner voice - can be salutary, heart-warming, revealing, re-assuring, intriguing, challenging, but it is rarely easy - probably as difficult in this age of `weapons of mass distraction` as it has ever been.
Nevertheless, it was for me a positive experience, one which has helped to set me up for the foreseeable future, and I returned relaxed, refreshed, and deep in thought. Then came the day course…
This was on the compatibility (or otherwise) of adult education and evangelism in the Church’s work, and no punches were pulled. It explored the way that local churches tend to confuse the two tasks - with high-profile courses like `Alpha` and in our everyday dealings with those outside the churches. We were given the fruits of much research on what people actually expected, and wanted, from the churches, and then compared this with what we tend to do. The results were not encouraging.
There is a constant tension between Christians, who tend to think that others should become `clones` of themselves, and many people outside the churches who seek answers in life and a real spirituality (both of which Christians surely have), but not in the particular `clothes` that we insist on dressing them in.
It all came back to my starting point in this letter: `listening`. The first ingredient in evangelism, we were told, needs to be the desire and ability to really listen to other people’s concerns and interests, to discover what life is actually like for them, and then to look into our own faith to discover (first) the similarities and then the differences, and to share them. We don’t have all the answers, but God does; we just need to have the patience (and sometimes the help of others) and the faith to listen - and only then to act.
William Lang.
At the Annual Parish Council Meeting on 17 May 2004, Denis Holmes was elected as the Chairman and Richard Terry as the Vice Chairman. All Councillors agreed to continue with their representation on committees and specific posts.
Looking ahead for the next two years, the Council decided to investigate employment of a litter warden, improve the seating at both recreation grounds and hopes to see progress on the Thursley Rd Pavilion. A grant of £500 was made to the Village Halls Trust to help with the replacement of the central heating boiler.
Mr Murphy advised the Council that the Elstead ( Thursley Road) Recreational Trust intends to take the Customs and Excise ruling on Value Added Tax on appeal to the VAT Tribunal. Six construction companies have been asked to tender for the building.
Burford Lodge Back land is to be re-advertised for grazing after the withdrawal of the first applicant.
We are still seeking a low cost way of repairing Woolfords Lane near the Cemetery as the estimate so far is beyond the reach of our finances. It is a bridleway and does not have the status of a public road. We would also like to find an economical way of repairing the entrance to Thursley Rd Recreation Ground but we need to consider the impact of heavy construction vehicles.
It was agreed that construction of a drainage ditch should go ahead before we install or move any more children's play equipment. However the recreation ground sub committee is planning the next stage of equipment purchase, fencing and new seats.
A complaint has been received about cycle riding by adults and children on pavements in the village. The Council wishes to point our that this is not only illegal but can be dangerous to pedestrians.
ELSTEAD PARISH WALK : The next parish walk will be on Saturday 31 st July starting at the Village Green at 10.00 am and will cover about 3 to 4 miles.
Saturday 15th of May was a very busy day for us at the URC>
We Were very fortunate that the morning dawned bright and sunny and stayed like
that for the rest of the day. This helped to bring out the people of Elstead
to see our wonderful Art Exhibition. There were 41 various watercolour paintings
exhibited, local and foreign landscapes, flowers and still life, all of course
painted by our own Marjorie Noble, who was there for most of the day. To date
she has sold 32 paintings which she is absolutely delighted about.
Thank you Marjorie.
In the evening we had our Showstoppers Concert. Our Church was full and the group “Talking Music” gave us a wonderful show. they sang a good variety of songs both old and new from “Porgy and Bess” to “The Beautiful Game”. The last item was composed by one of the pianists, David Perkins. This was called “Keep the Faith” and warranted an encore with all the audience clapping and singing. What a perfect ending to a very enjoyable day.
Talking Music is a group directed by Geraldine Wensley who is the wife of Derek, the Minister at Newhaven URC. Newhaven Church has a project called ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ which is a programme helping to equip people for work. Newhaven’s unemployment rate is currently 8.5%, the second highest in the UK. (The national average being 4.3%). The 2001 Census revealed that over 60% are of ethnic origin.
Talking Music travel far and wide to perform concerts to help raise money for this worthy cause and we were happy to donate half of our concert monies to the Shoulder to Shoulder project to help them in their work. Derek left us with some literature about all the work they are doing in Newhaven and if anyone would like to know more about it please contact me.
Mary Parker
Such glory as St. James's church has not seen in over twenty-five years was to be found during the three-day festival, from 11th to 13th June. Some thirty five displays covering many aspects of garden beauty were to be seen, including two delightful contributions from St. James school, garlands, pillars, a patchwork, garden borders and ponds, picnic baskets, and even a garden refuse bin, complete with several garden 'friends'. The scent from the flowers filled the church each day.
At the preview by the children from St. James school, excitement and interest completely drowned the chorus of jungle birds provided by David as a background accompaniment to the displays. There was a display of 'strawberries and cream' but few saw the real strawberries and none were eaten throughout the three days! It would be impossible to judge the exhibits as they were all delightful in so many different ways.
Truly this was an event to be long remembered and which gave great enjoyment to the many who came to see. The Friends of St. James, who organised the event thank all those who came to support so generously. A huge vote of thanks must go to Pat Pearce and the many who gave their time and remarkable talents for the flower arrangements, and to Ula Oakley whose idea this was.
About seventy people also enjoyed a splendid concert on the Saturday evening in the church followed by wine and nibbles in the village hall. What a wonderful weekend!
Well, the cricket season is in full swing now aided by some fine summer weather. In fact the pitches are harder for the time of year than in living memory. Every village cricketer prepares himself for slow soft pitches in May, pitches on which it is imperative for batsmen to play forward and for bowlers not to bang the ball in short. Instead we’ve got July/August surfaces where the bounce is largely true and the pace fast.
Whether it’s down to the pitches or not I couldn’t say but the fortunes of Elstead’s two teams could not be more different. The 1st X1 have continued their fine start and, as I write, are unbeaten in Saturday league games. A solid win was achieved over Milford thanks in no small part to 76 excellent runs from Michael Druce. Mickey is another of those players who comes straight to the crease from a winter without any practice and plays as though he’s never been away. He does it year after year too so it must work for him.
Against newly promoted Peper Harow Rupert Keith (50) and Mubarak Ahmad (87) were the mainstay of the batting and the latter’s 5 wickets for 41 runs sealed yet another victory. Against Deepcut Tauseef Butt managed 59 but still the team were in trouble with 9 wickets down for just 80. A last wicket stand between Hussein and Pat Murphy took the total to 140, better but still the lads failed to bowl the opposition out. Nevertheless top of the table with one third of the season gone is a great way to get going.
By contrast the Twos have hit rock bottom. A delayed start to the season saw the guys up against league newcomers Ewhurst in the first match. Despite a valiant 48 from Graham Gilbert it was quickly clear that Ewhurst are too good for Division 4 and defeat was the inevitable result. At Deepcut Elstead’s nine men (don’t ask!) kept the home side to 150 but an astonishing change to the pitch during the tea interval – the bounce became extremely low – meant there could only be one result.
So to the visit of Pirbright! Batting first Elstead scored 184, helped by Martin Ball’s scoring his first runs of the season, a fine 54. The visitors, though, timed their run chase to perfection, helped by some dropped catches, scoring the winning boundary off the penultimate ball. So bottom of the league with no points! It can only get better.
Gordon Wycherley
The Elstead Garden Club enjoyed a talk from our chairman Brian Deaville on Herbaceous Plants, at our May meeting. Brian is always a great source of slides and information on all matters horticultural, and this evening was no exception.. We all had an enjoyable session of gardening information with a personal touch, such as is not to be found in the books and TV programmes.
We held our Plant Sale on May 1st, and our thanks to those of you who contributed, either by providing plants or buying them! It would have been nice to have had a little bit more support, in both categories, but we are very grateful to those of you who came. Some of our members were able to visit "Hethersett" , and the beautiful gardens of our late President, Lady Adam Gordon, on what was a very busy afternoon locally, on May 15th The rhododendrons and azaleas at Hethersett have been part of the Garden Club's programme for may years now, and will be much missed, as will Lady Gordon's commitment to, and enthusiasm for the Club.
Our Summer show is on June 26th, in the Village Hall, opening at 2pm. and our July meeting on the 12th, at 7.45 p.m. in the URC Hall sees local gardener and member Keith Pierce, talking on "Growing Vegetables My Way". Whether or not you see yourself as a vegetable grower, Keith is a source of many helpful and interesting tips based on sound practical experience, and he may well be able to persuade you to have a go!
There is always a warm welcome for new members, or come along a s a visitor and see if you like us!
Gillian Drew
As the term draws to a close at Peter Pan, the staff, parents
and committee volunteers have a great deal to reflect on. We are currently running
at full capacity and this certainly keeps us busy. We received our OFSTED report
last month, which recognised the hard work put in by all of our staff, parents
and volunteers. The report highlighted 'the educational provision at Peter Pan
is of high quality' and 'children are making very good progress towards
the early learning goals'. We were all delighted with the report.
Last month we were very lucky to have the 'Cuddle-me-do' Mobile Farm visit us.
Farmer Pauline showed us baby ducklings, chicks, rabbits, a pony and a hedgehog
to name, but a few of the varied animals. Our thanks go to Linda Braiden and
Hookley Herbaceous for sponsoring the visit. We also welcomed St James School
in the afternoon and all of the children and staff thoroughly enjoyed the cuddling
the animals.
During this last term, we have our visit to Birdworld planned and our Sports
Day. We also say, goodbye to many of our children, who will be starting school
in September. Our best wishes go to them and we hope they settle quickly at
their new schools. We also hold our annual SUMMER BARBEQUE, which is on Friday,
16th July at 6 pm.
This event seems to grow more popular each year, with the Cricket Club helping
us with the bar. Please do join us on the Recreational ground if you can.
Finally, my thanks go to Andrea, Wendy, Alison, Madeleine and Sue and everyone
involved at Peter Pan for a very successful year. Also, a belated thank you
to Ellie Greenan, who has proved to be a hard act to follow. In her role
as chairman she worked so hard to develop Peter Pan into a very successful
Pre-School and I hope I can continue her good work.
Best wishes for an enjoyable Summer.
Helen Szczepanski
Chairman
This term our theme of Growing has included plants, animals and ourselves. We all enjoyed an exciting trip to Birdworld; for many children it was their first journey on a coach with all their friends. The weather was very good and with so much to see and do the day passed quickly. The coach returned to Elstead with 32 sleepy children and many exhausted adults!
The children enjoyed visiting the pond at St James School to search for newts and water snails which was an enjoyable watery occasion.
The next week Matthew's two guinea-pigs came on a visit and enjoyed their breakfast at Rainbows. This was followed by Karla's lambs called Blackie and Whitie who brought their own bottles of milk. The children had fun feeding them and we were all surprised how quickly a lamb can drink!
After our Ofsted inspection in March we were thrilled to receive the written report which summarises our teaching as 'very good'.
The next event to look forward to is our end of term picnic and races at Burford Lodge Recreation Ground. This will be on Wednesday 14 July at 10.30 a.m. and all are welcome.
The main event at the June meeting of Elstead Afternoon Women's Institute was a delicious home-made cream tea, held in the garden at the home of the President, Venetia Pierce and her husband Keith, on a warm, sunny afternoon. Thirty nine members enjoyed scones, cakes and tea provided by Sue Shannan, Mary Williams and Jean Briant. Animated conversation and a relaxed atmosphere prevailed. The attendance fee was donated to the St. James's Church Fabric Fund and Cherry Trees children's home.
Raffle tickets were sold in aid of the National Federation of Women's Institutes for which prizes include £5000, a Holiday and a Weekend for Two in a 5 star Hotel.
Members volunteered to make cakes for a stall at the Elstead Marathon on 2 d July and on. 13th July a "Jacket Potato Lunch" has been arranged at Eve Hall's home at “Old kiln", 12 Monkshanger, Famham at 12.30pm.
The next meeting is on Thursday 1st July when Ann Chance will speak on "Saddle Sore in Montana". The monthly competition is to bring an ornament of a horse.
Membership enquiries to Eve Hall on 01252 715285.
Report submitted by Mrs. C. Welland. 01252 703233
The most important notice given out by the President, May Deaville, at the meeting held on 1 June, was to ask all members for their views on the future of the Group and to consider carefully the questions on a note they were given. Several members had moved away and the two Secretaries will be leaving the Committee at the AGM in November, posts that must be filled.
A card for Rita Tussler was sent round for signatures, wishing her luck in her 'perfect house' at Tor Point.
May welcomed the Speaker for the evening, Mrs. Wells, who gave a talk on 'Grandparents' and their role, especially in their relationship with grandchildren. Her research arose when she was asked to write a book about 'Your Grandchild'. The most obvious part Grandparents play, especially Grandmothers, is as a first reserve in looking after the grandchildren. This is most important in today's families, when most Mums go out to work, but this is not yet recognized politically. The emphasis is on the welfare of the child, but the Grandparents' role is only now being recognized as important for the part they play in care of the child. In most families of 30 or more years ago, Grandparents were usually always nearby and played a large part in bringing up the children. With the spread-out families of today's situations, they tend to be just as important and do just as much, but their role now has a different emphasis, with their help often being essential. Relationships are also more relaxed these days, with Grandparents much more physically active than their predecessors and ready to take part in the children's activities. There is no doubt that grandchildren can be a source of vitality for the older generation.
After the tea-break, raffle and results of the competition, notices included details of the month's walk; an invitation from the Afternoon WI to join them in a cream tea; the results of the British Legion Quiz, with this Institute's team coming second; and a report of discussions held at the Convener's meeting, when it was suggested that committee posts could be shared, especially in organizing the two large Group meetings per year. Finally, May gave out details for the 6 July meeting and suggested that in August there could be an outing, either to West Dean Gardens or a boat trip from Guildford.
Susan Holmes, Minutes Sec.
At our May meeting we held a Quiz night hosted by Pam Chandler and Brienne Skewes
we had four teams made up from members of the St James Ladies Fellowship, the
W.I., the Legion Branch and our own Women’s Section. We had a great time
we really had to put our thinking caps on, the scores were as follows:
| 1st Fellowship | 171 | |
| 2nd W.I. | 148 | |
| 3rd Branch | 136 | |
| 4th Women’s Section | 95 |
So well done to the members of The St James Ladies Fellowship and a special thank you to everyone for taking part and for making it a thoroughly enjoyable evening. The monthly competition was a flower arrangement 1st Betty Burton, 2nd Mary Royal.
We are hoping to have a mystery trip on Thursday 12th August leaving the village from the usual pick up points at 6pm. If any more of you are interested please let me know there are still some seats available.
Also a reminder about the Pantomine at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking on Thursday 20th January 2005 which will be Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with Linda Lusardi and Sam Kane. The cost will be £15.00 and the coach fare will be around £5.50approx. If you would like a ticket please let me know as soon as possible as we have to pay for them by the middle of September.
Our next meeting will be on July 15th which will be a talk on the National Trust and its Coast-Line the competition will be a Fatless Cake.
We meet in the Legion Barn on the THIRD Thursday of each month new members are always very welcome.
Sue Taylor
Secretary
My father served in the 30 corp’s under Horrocks at D. Day. He drove a Sherman Tank up the beaches over the balies of the Canadians who got there first, and it was some time before his squadron penetrated inland against fierce opposition. The Invasion and its preparation, was the largest the world has ever seen, and its success was not a forgone conclusion. If D. Day had failed the Russians would have to have done much more, the map of Europe would be different and who knows how long the War would have lasted. A whole list of what if’s.
The reason I belong to the Royal British Legion is to try to repay the huge debt we owe to people like my fathers generation who fought in desert, snow, jungle, on the water and in the air so that future generations could live in some sort of decent world.
Shortly I will again be asking for collectors for Poppy Appeal 2003, and when I do just give a thought to all those brave men (and women) 60 years ago, and the many thousands who did not return.
A.D. Jones
Poppy Appeal Organiser.
Elstead District.
Elstead 703 293
At our last meeting we reflected on our first 1/2 day outing of the year, when
we travelled through the lanes of Surrey & Sussex to the coast, it being
a beautiful day, and the countryside was beautiful with the lush greens and
flowering trees in full 'costume'. After a walk along the prom: ( it being the
first glimpse of the sea for some of us this year) we travelled inland to our
appointed tea stop, a very pretty garden centre, then a look round for bargains,
and a safe drive back home.
We welcomed Gladys Eade back from her hospital stay, and remembered Trudi Drew who had passed away since our last meeting. Trudi had been our Secretary for some years until health problems enforced her to relinquish her post, and she had also been Programme Sec, and kept the Tea Register. She will be greatly missed in her many interests in the village, and a card had been sent to Gillian
After a little time on business, it was time to introduce Chris who brought slides and talked about Guildford's Parks, Gardens & Woodlands. Wet woodlands were becoming more scarce, mans interference with nature with chemicals. Peat compost could and should be avoided, coir instead, the peat bogs once dug out, (People say it is alright) but they take 2,000 years to replenish. Conservation and Preservation, the big priority. Butterflies, birds and moth are harmed by our using D.D.T etc.
We visited Stoke Park & Castle Gardens by way of the slides, the bowling green there being the bent in the county. We learnt that The Castle originally was 1/2 its present height, having had 2 additions, being at one time an house, then a prison, and when doing some renovations recently, It was found there had been a roof garden many years ago, and it is being replanted with herbs etc. so turning back the clock as it were.
Britain in Bloom was a big Competition nowadays, and he stressed that towns and villages could all be made more beautiful, working with a community spirit to keep things tidy and litter free, and colourful gardens. Guildford has 700 hanging baskets, and In the Spring the Banks and roadsides are swathed in carpets of daffodils. The Parks and Municipal Gardens are kept in pristine condition, and has been the proud winner 11 times. They can now use bedding for the great show of colour, having many greenhouses to grow their own, but in years gone by, they were mostly planted with roses and perennials. He finished by saying that the day before coming to us he had been talking to 300 school children, and then it was our turn, the older ones who had conserved and preserved, and the younger generation he found were very interests in doing likewise to our wonderful world of nature and all Mother Natures Beauties, and he wished to educate them more so, so that their respect for the countryside would grow within their minds.
Dear to his heart, was the Marie Curie Foundation, and the fields of Hope Project, there being several in Surrey, where bulbs are planted, and monetary donations given, maybe in Memory of a lost loved one, he gave his donation from us, and also a plate was placed in the hall, if anyone felt inclined to give personally and this our members did.
As usual, a good tea was served and the raffle drawn, Chris having declined tea at first because of a meeting, he then changed his mind ! The picture of his choice, from our table of interest, belonged to Gladys which obviously depicted flowers.
F. E Sheppard