Contributors PLEASE NOTE for the January Edition. The closing date for contributions will be 8th of December to allow distribution before Christmas.
To contributors, articles and advertisements, please remember, our presentation
is better and easier if you can send your entry electronically (disk or email)
as well as on paper.
If you are arranging an event of interest to the Village please send me details
so that they can be included in the diary (see p7)
To Everyone in Elstead, a Happy Christmas.
Keith Williamson
Dear Friends,
Is it just my imagination, or have the dark evenings seemed to get darker quicker this year ?! It is as if the days are being stolen from me - yet, of course, they are the same length as ever. Soon we shall be singing “In the bleak midwinter” and I shall be looking forward to 2005 with an unusual longing, as 2004 has been a somewhat curious year for us at the Rectory.
We all have this feeling at one time or another, of course, because even though we can get to view the past with rather rose-tinted spectacles we do have to own that some years were better than others (personally, nationally, globally). Sometimes it may even be necessary to take a really long perspective to see how truly good or bad they were.
Take Joseph and Mary: how bad could that year have got for them ? Mary pregnant before their marriage (and not by Joseph); an Imperial edict forces them into three days uncomfortable travelling when the baby is nearly due; there’s no room for them to stay when they arrive because so many other people also claim descent from David and want to be in Bethlehem; many strangers come to gawp at them in the stable; and then, on top of all else, strange dreams force them to abandon their plans to return home and they flee to Egypt as refugees. Not a good year at all. Not a good year for the families of all those other children in Bethlehem whom Herod had killed in his vain attempt to eradicate this new `Messiah` who had been born there.
Yet we calculate our calendar by the supposed date of this birth, we base more of our lives and ways of thinking on the character and teachings of the baby born in those uncomfortable circumstances than most of us even realise - even those of us who do not count ourselves as Christians. Christmas, for most of us, is a `good thing`. There are others, of course, who experience in the modern celebration of Christmas some of the things that Mary and Joseph must have experienced: separation from their families; loneliness in the midst of a crowd; nowhere to stay; refugee status, for some. It seems to be a time that simply accentuates our feelings, whether they are warm or negative.
I wonder how alive to the feelings of those around us you and I will manage to be this Christmas ? I wonder just how Joseph and Mary looked back on that tumultuous year as they got older, and as Jesus grew - with relief that it was over, joy at Jesus’ birth and survival, jokes about the stable, grumbles about the Romans, the state of the roads, the boniness of the donkey, thanks to God for everything ?
At Christmas we give thanks to God (I hope !) for Jesus’ birth, but it is too easy to omit the down-side to the story, just as it is too easy for me to complain that I have had a bad year and to forget all the good things that have happened. May this Christmas be a time of God’s blessing for us all - not least in counting our blessings, even in the midst of darker times - and may there be many more of them to share with family and stranger.
William Lang.
The man who used to be my Sunday School superintendent when I was growing up, died recently. He was 98 – a good age – a life well lived – a true Christian. The Thanksgiving Service held to mark his life was well attended and took me back to my childhood and the warm memory of Frank’s enthusiasm, not just for the Sunday School but for Church and for God.
I had forgotten how he used to write a piece in the Church magazine for the children. This one goes back many years but is as relevant today as it was then and I share it with you out of respect and thanks for Frank’s influence on my Christian journey.
He talked of re-cycling. How these days so much of what we regard as “rubbish” can be recycled into something else, something new, something good, something useful. Yesterday’s newspaper, discarded cardboard, broken glass, all have the potential to be re-shaped and made new.
Frank drew a parallel with us, human beings. How sometimes we can feel that we are useless, discarded, “old news” either because we have lived for many years or because some sin we have committed has spoilt our appearance. But God, because he loves us, can mend us and re-shape us into something “new”.
God’s love and forgiveness is there for us all, if only we are prepared to take it.
As Christmas approaches, try and remember the “new birth” that is about to happen in the form of the Christ child and offer yourselves for “new birth”.
God loves you – never forget that – and God is ready and waiting to re-cycle you and make you new.
Rosemary
Advent is generally a time that most people associate with calendars and the little pieces of chocolate you get out of them. Posada is hopefully a way of enabling you to celebrate the season of Advent more meaningfully. It symbolises making room for Jesus in our hearts, homes and communities at this “waiting time” of Jesus’ birth.
All can take part, young and old and it is a lovely way to share in the true
quality of Christmas.
Posada originated from Mexico (posada is the Spanish for “inn”) where
two young people dressed as Mary and Joseph went from house to house telling
people of the imminent arrival of Jesus and inviting them to give him a room.
In our equivalent, we ask that you might offer accommodation to a set of nativity figures for one night during Advent, receiving them with a simple prayer from one household and passing them on to the next home with another the following day. The figures end their journey by returning to the Church at the Carol Service on Christmas Eve.
To be a part of Posada please add your name to the list in St James’ Church or if you have any difficulties please contact
Ellie Greenan on 702287
Dear All, yes once again you have passed all our expectations.
This year we sent 155 boxes to Worthing for Romania. We had 127 full boxes with money attached and 28 semi full boxes for the children’s homes. Bless you all it was a really grand total.
As most of you will know Philip was hospitalised at the beginning of October and this made it difficult for me to collect the boxes, but you all once again turned up trumps and delivered them all to me.
Thank you so much.
As I write this Philip is still in hospital, but hopefully by the time you read this he will be back at home.
May God bring you all a happy and peaceful Christmas time, may you all enjoy yourselves.
Remember you have made Christmas a really thankful and grateful time for all our friends in Romania.
From Philip and I Happy Christmas and God’s blessings on you all.
Pauline Allison.
We are very pleased to see the issue of a new pamphlet by the Elstead (Thursley Road) Recreational Trust which seeks support for the building of the new Community Pavilion. The computer aided design on the front cover shows a picture of the building that we are all striving to achieve. There is a cut off section for donations that are needed now so that construction can start next year.
Work has started outside St James School to improve the footway. After further representation to Surrey CC Highways they have agreed to repair the footway on the opposite side of the road during this financial year. We have been pressing very hard for this and hope to see the result soon
The back field behind Burford Lodge Recreation Ground had been let to a tenant for the grazing of horses which will help to keep the ground under control and also give the Parish Council some extra income.
An application by Surrey CC to divert Bridleway 69 which runs from Red House lane to the Moat has been received. Sections of the definitive routes are currently unavailable because of the very wet ground and English Nature do not wish to re-open the route because of the high nature conservation interest. Also re-establishment of the route would require an expensive construction of a causeway. The proposed route is mainly on a permissive track already in use. The proposal also seeks to divert Bridleway 504 which runs from the Moat to Pudmore Pond on to existing tracks. The Parish Council has agreed the proposal which solves a long standing problem.
We have supported the Citizens Advice Bureau plans to introduce a mobile advice centre for rural communities and we have given modest financial help. At last the service has started on 3 November and now every Wednesday between 10.00 and 12.00 the mobile centre will be parked opposite the Village Hall.
Denis Holmes: Chairman
I hope by now all in the village will have received the leaflets inviting contributions for the new pavilion at Thursley Road Recreation Ground. Already many responses containing generous donations have been received.
All donations will be acknowledged and we aim to do this within 3 weeks of receipt. But we are aware that mail can go astray, so if you have not received an acknowledgement within 3 weeks, please let me know on 01252 703970 and I will investigate. We will keep you informed of progress.
Pat Murphy
Secretary, Elstead (Thursley Road) Recreational Trust
About three dozen Friends gathered for the third AGM held in the Village Hall on Saturday, 16th October, to be welcomed by the Trustees who provided the now traditional lunch of lasagne and salad, followed by a range of delicious sweets. This occasion is now becoming a fixed event in the Elstead calendar and several Friends commented how much they looked forward to this meeting in October each year.
A full ‘working’ model of the proposed new churchyard gates, constructed by David Oakley, was on display and attracted much comment and admiration.
In his speech to the AGM, the Chairman, Lord Strathalmond, thanked the Friends for their continued generosity. This has been sufficient to cover the cost of the second phase of reconstruction of the wall and probably for most of the remaining, phase III, section that it is hoped to tackle early in 2005. The estimated cost of the new gates is about £1,900. The PCC have given instructions for this work to begin and this news attracted an immediate and very generous response from a Friend and his wife, leaving less than half the sum required still to be raised.
There are now two Trustee vacancies and the Chairman again called for volunteers
to fill these positions. The response to date has been far from overwhelming.............
AB, 31st October 2004
Further to the quince saga, my wife has made some quince cheese (nothing to do with cheese but it has that consistency). This concoction is a mix of boiled quince and sugar, it is red and sweet with a distinct taste. She gave some to our son and his partner who commented that it was ok but not to their taste. I have tried some on a piece of meat much as one would cranberry on turkey. It was quite pleasant, but I do not like sweetness with my meat. I must try some bread and quince 'cheese' jam.
At the time of writing this line we still had not had a frost. The bird feeders were hung out with a full load of seeds and nuts but there was no great activity there yet as the warm days kept the insects active. However the other morning I looked out and all was white. The little birds have suddenly appeared and taken a fancy to that which is in the feeders with a marked preference for the sunflower seeds. However, the lawn is still growing and will need mowing again.
Apple trees and birds
Our bramley apple tree stands just beyond the kitchen window. As well as providing
us with apples it also provides the small birds with an abundance of tiny insects
and spiders. I was sitting beneath the tree planting some daffodil bulbs when
a sharp "cheep" took my attention upwards and there was a delightful
goldcrest (our smallest native bird) sitting on a branch above my head. At the
moment the tree still has most of it's leaves which gives good camoflage for
birds. Other birds frequently seen amoung it's branches are blue tits, great
tits, and robins. They do a good job of cleaning the tree of pests.
Nibbled Nuts
On your walks you may come across hazel, beech, and chestnuts that have been
nibbled by something. It is likely to have been eaten by a rodent and the marks
on the shell can tell which animal had it's breakfast. Voles: nut shells have
'gnawed' marks, with vertical grooves to a hole. Woodmouse: upper incisors mark
all around the hole on the surface of the nut. Dormouse: the inside edge of
the hole is very smooth and round. Squirrel: broken shell pieces, usually split
lengthways. Some birds also love nuts namely woodpeckers and nuthatches, but
jays love acorns so much they bury them for a rainy day which helps the oak
tree spread??
Young Swallow.
When the weather is wet but mild like this year the swallows, and housemartins
carry on breeding. The later broods quite often do not have time to fatten up
before the adults fly off to warmer climates and so perish. When I visited Hydstyle
wild life hospital recently I was greeted by a receptionist who had a tiny black
and grey bird sitting on her shoulder. This, I was informed was an autumn baby
swallow who would be with them till next spring, what a lucky fellow to have
been rescued in time.
Some years ago I attended a site visit as a councillor, to a piece of land where there was a walnut tree full of blossom and swelling nuts. It was due to be removed because it was in the way of the development. At a meeting some weeks later a colleague produced some nuts from this tree and I planted one which has grown. This all happened 5 or more years ago. It produced it's first nut this year which we have planted to see if this will grow. It will be good to have another English walnut tree. We were also given a plant that was said to be a walnut but grew more easily and didn't look like ours. Much discussion and walking around garden centres established it as an African Black walnut, it is going well but has not fruited yet although it is older than the other tree and twice the height.
And finally, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous new year to one and all.
Don't eat or drink too much!
With the weather gloomy and darkness apparently descending in mid-afternoon it’s hard to think about cricket at this time of year. That didn’t stop Elstead enjoying the fruits of a fine 2004 season when the club’s annual dinner was held at the Mill. There was much celebration and plenty of talk of how the Ones will take I’Anson Division One by storm next year – easily done in the depths of winter after a couple of drinks.
The usual array of trophies were presented and I’m pleased to congratulate the winners listed below:-
| Under 18 Award | Sam Egan (several fine innings but not quite a maiden 50) |
| Under 21Award | Ben Egan (as above but in the 1st X1) |
| Furthering Youth Cricket | Sam Egan (great to see a youngster giving something back to the game by helping those younger than him) |
| Gritty Performance | David Wright (more resilient batting from another young lad) |
| 1st X1Batting | Ben Egan (him again) |
| 1st X1 Bowling | Mubarak Ahmed (so laid back, but excellently consistent) |
| 1st X1 Fielding | Gordon Chapman (broken elbow, broken thumb, no matter, he just kept flinging himself around) |
| 1st X1Best Performance | Mubarak Ahmed (again) |
| 2nd X1 Batting | Simon Wade (Mr Consistent, solid innings every week) |
| 2nd X1 Bowling | Pat Murphy (Mr Consistent with the ball, every year) |
| 2nd X1 Best Performance | Richard Jones (new face, but what a contributor) |
| Sportsman of the Year | Brian Pearse (tenacious off-the-field contribution in pushing on with efforts to build a new pavilion) |
| Player of the Year | Morgan Pearse / Richard Jones (shared between two guys whose contribution to 1st X1and 2nd X1 respectively has been enormous) |
So a mix of young and old – plenty of trophies for the teenagers who represent the club’s future yet both major 2nd X1 cups were taken by over 60s. No awards, though, for Sunday matches, much to the chagrin of Dave Tosh who was convinced the Sunday Bowling Cup would reside on his mantelpiece, but in truth not enough games were played.
So what now? Well, pushing on with the pavilion plans for a start. By now everybody in the village should have received a leaflet explaining the plans for a new building on Thursley Road Recreation Ground and asking for donations. If you’ve sent one off and not received an acknowledgement give Pat Murphy a call on 703151. If you haven’t sent off a donation have a think about it, please! A new pavilion will be a major asset to the village for many years to come and will ensure the long term future, nay prosperity, of the cricket club, football club and Peter Pan Pre-School.
Happy Christmas to you all and my best wishes for 2005!
Gordon Wycherley
The amusing farce produced by PETS, “The Post Horn Gallop”, by Derek Benfield must have given much enjoyment over the three days from 28th to the 30th October. The producers are to be congratulated for this show but might have taken the precaution of having a medical team on stand-by since some in the audience nearly suffered heart failure as Lord Elrood, played energetically by Peter Tull, chased across the stage with his rifle after supposedly having just taken pot shots at the postman! On the several occasions that shots were fired your correspondent, sitting in row D, nearly jumped out of his skin!
Miss Partridge and Chester Dreadnought, played by Karen Considine and James
Currie respectively, gave excellent performances while Lady Elrood, played by
Peggy Tilley skilfully managed to keep a somewhat naive plot on the rails for
most of the programme. Gary and Kay Padwick were delightful as Bert and Maggie
whilst the lustful Ada finally found joy with the Boy Scout and, we must hope,
for happiness ever-after. All played their parts well. Good performances also
from the two ex-jail birds. Well done PETS, keep on with the mustard!
Miti
Work has begun on our school roof at last. The roofers have been delayed by the rain we have had recently but we still hope they will finish by Christmas. We held our Remembrance Service on 11th November in the grounds at the front of the school. Children planted crosses, each with the name of a soldier who had lived in Elstead or the local area and who had died in the First or Second World Wars. We were privileged to be joined by Mr Andrew Jones, British Legion Standard Bearer, who lowered the Elstead Standard for our two minutes silence. Some Year 6 children read some moving poems they had written after finding out about conditions during the First World War.
I can remember the smell of fried bacon in the mornings and all the smoke and fags.
The sweet smell of the earth; the chattering of soldiers.
I could touch the slimy edge of the trench where the rats and mice scatter.
I know soon I'm going to die so I lie here and think before I go on duty.
By Jessica CollettIn no-mans land by Connor Woodman
I lie in the center of all the chaos.
Soft red blood seeps into my clothes
Gun shots and shells fly over head.
The roaring of a plane, spins round and round
In a whirlwind of fire and smoke
And at the time my vision fades;
The cries and screams of men, .
Close.
Pain moves in
And I hear the birdsong for the first time in years.
I look back at my life and think
Well done.People by Jess Waters
People died
People cried
People hid
General was scared at times.
People joked
People were sad
But saying goodbye was bad
Terrible trenches smell of death; Flaming fires crackle at night.
Booming bombs cost lots of lives; Ghastly grenades ready to destroy.
Shrieking shrapnel flying through polluted air; Screaming soldiers lying in pain.
Extraordinary explosions send things flying
Pretty poppies help us remember;
Remember, remember the people that died. By Michael Jansen
Preparations for our Christmas events are well under way. The choir are busy
rehearsing for their visits to Guardian Court, Bridge House, Milford and Villages
Day Centre and the Thursley Luncheon Club. Our production this year is a nativity
and you are welcome to come to the afternoon performance on Wednesday 8th December
at 2pm. Please phone or call into the school office if you would like a ticket.
Our Christmas Service is at 11am on Wednesday 15th December in St James Church.
Everyone is welcome.
Mr Ron Smith delighted Elstead Garden Club at their October meeting with his talk, now quite famous in gardening circles "The Reluctant Gardener".
The garden which had had the biggest effect on his life was, he told us, the one he knew as a child, with a rectangular shape a fence all the way round, and "the path" in concrete down the middle - not wide enough for two people to walk on side by side, but solely a means of getting access to "the washing line". The flower beds alternated with geraniums, lobelia and alyssum in patriotic fervour, and wallflowers and forget-me-nots in Spring. None of these were allowed to finish blooming before they were taken up to make way for the next thing, however! Geraniums were over-wintered in the bathroom, as the only suitable light warm dry room in the house. Come April, they started getting very long and leggy and had to be planted out, when mother complained about not being able to draw the curtains! Tortuous diamond shaped beds were cut out of the lawn, with a standard rose tree at each corner for symmetry. Wallflowers were pricked out and moved around the garden at least three times before being dragged out before they had reached their prime, to make way for the geraniums! Most of us could remember gardens like this - as our speaker reminded us- some people have them still!
Ron's later career involved him coming onto the committee of his local gardening club - being foolish enough to attend their AGM - a mistake he urged us not to make! His experiences he said had encouraged him to formulate ten rules of gardening, which he shared with us , and for all the delightfully tongue in cheek presentation, these were perfectly serious. Work in harmony with nature he said - don't try and fight it - you will never win - citing the case of a poplar that penetrated four feet of asphalt to send up shoots all over a tennis court! Always grow plants which are hardy in this country - this cuts out many of your garden problems at a stroke Don't have bare earth, as this will only lead to weeds. Always have "somewhere for children to hide" in your garden - try and create a corner that people can turn to see what comes next. Finally the tenth rule - " no man should have a garden bigger than his wife can look after".
In spite of our speaker's gloomy words about the AGM, we hope ours on November 8th will be an interesting and lively evening! Our December meeting is on the 13th and has the intriguing title "Apples Don't Just Grow on Trees". Do try and come - 7.45 p.m. in the URC Hall.
Gillian Drew
A huge thank you to everyone who donated and bought items at our annual jumble sale last month. We raised £ 185.00. We hope you picked up a few bargains ! Special thanks go to all of our helpers who did a grand job sorting, selling and collecting.
Helen
Complaints about the hard pieces of ginger that are sometimes found in the cookies
have been received from many customers in the country as a whole, not only from
Elstead. The reason given by Traidcraft is as follows:
Traidcraft has been sourcing candied ginger from groups of small farmers in Kerula, South India. There have been problems in achieving a consistent texture of stem ginger pieces, because the preferred variety of ginger cultivated by the farmers is particularly hard and fibrous – considered in their local market to be desirable qualities. It is hoped that in future a ginger plant more suited our needs will be grown in Kerula but in the meantime another source of ginger, from the Philippines, is being used. We hope that this will make our cookies a favourite again.
Thank you for your support this year. In buying Fair Trade goods, food or craft, you are giving poor people in different parts of the world a chance to work themselves out of poverty - to send their children to school, and to have clean water, medical facilities and more that we take for granted.
Jean Wheatley.
Elstead Conservatives held a Bridge Luncheon this month and raised valuable funds for the Church of St. James’ funds.
Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Jeremy Hunt and Chairman of Elstead Conservatives Carol May, met with Lord Strath-Almond, Chairman of the trustees of The Friends of St James' Church to present him with a cheque for £200 to go towards the restoration of the church.
The Bridge luncheon was held in the home of one Elstead Conservatives members and was well attended.
Carol May commented:
“I am the Chairman of the Elstead Branch and delighted that one of our members wished to hold a Bridge Luncheon in their home and donate a substantial amount from the event to help the restoration for the funds for The Friends of St James”
Jeremy Hunt commented:
“I am delighted that we have been able to raise these vital funds for the church. I hope that this will help to ensure that the Church of St. James remains the heart of the community for another 900 years and for future generations to enjoy. “
An impressive exhibition of paintings by the Art Group adorned the Village Hall,
and an extensive card and craft stall enabled members to `buy early for Christmas'
at the Annual General Meeting of the Elstead Afternoon Women's Institute, which
was opened by President Venetia Pierce for the last time, as, after three successive
years in office, a new President was required to be appointed.
The Secretary's report covered many of the interesting and diverse talks and activities enjoyed during the past year, and the President reported an increase of twelve new members, putting the final membership at sixty seven for year 2004.
Phyllis George proposed a vote of thanks to Venetia who was presented with an orchid plant. This was accompanied by unanimous applause of appreciation.
Visiting W.I. adviser Rosemary Hunter of the Pirbright Evening W.I. then took the meeting and conducted the voting for a new President and committee with Diane Tulett and Beryl Jeffery acting as tellers. By popular vote, Anne Moon was duly elected as new President and the existing committee was re-elected for a further year. Grateful thanks were extended to continuing Secretary Eve Hall and Treasurer Mary Sharpe for all their work on behalf of the members.
The W.I. shop at Denmark Road, Guildford will only open on a Wednesday until
further notice.
Plans are well advanced for the annual Christmas Lunch on Monday 13th December.
After the raffle run by Audrey Barnes, an excellent tea was served by Pat Nixon,
Lindsay Sellers and Beryl Hudson.
The next meeting will be on Thursday 2nd December when Mr. R. Maddy will talk on `Magicians in Music Halls.' Please contact Eve Hall on 01252 715 285 for membership enquiries.
Submitted by Christine Welland.
01252 703 233
At the AGM of Elstead Evening WI on 2nd November, the President, May Deaville welcomed all those present, and their attention was drawn to the November issue of WI Surrey News where both the group and a member are mentioned.
There were many notices to be read, including those of various events and activities taking place during the coming months in Guildford and surrounding villages. In Normandy in November, there will be a popular concert, 'Once more with Feeling'; in January a Celebrity Lunch in Dorking, with guest speaker Philippa Kennedy as the attraction; and in February a concert in East Horsley to celebrate St. Valentine's Day. Next June the National AGM will take place in the Albert Hall, a big event that everyone would like to attend - in 2 years time Elstead will have the chance to send delegates.
The Treasurer's Financial Statement showed a healthy balance and was accepted unanimously. The Committee's Report on events of the past year reminded members of speakers and their subjects, outings to the pantomime at Christmas and a musical in the Spring, and competing in a Quiz at the British Legion in May. In September several members came forward for next year's committee, leading to celebration at the 30th Birthday Party in October.
In her report, the President thanked members of the committee for their hard work during the year. In asking for any new ideas she suggested that small groups could get together to enjoy different pursuits, such as a visit to Watts Gallery.
Finally, members of the new committee were voted in - President, May Deaville - Treasurer, Joan Wigley - Secretary, Ann Chandler - Minutes Secretary, Diane Tulett with Susan Holmes - Raffle, Jeanne Jarman with Jackie Williamson. Mary Williams offered to take care of the Competition.
With raffle results and a cup of tea to close, members were reminded of the next meeting on 7 December, with a demonstration of cake decoration.
Susan Holmes (702 285)
At our October Meeting we had a fascinating evening with Geoff Lunn who showed us his slides on A Surrey Safari. We saw many beautiful birds mainly taken in his garden at home in Seale and Sands. We also saw foxes and badgers taken on the common and a friendly woodpecker also a mouse who was an unexpected visitor in the Seale and Sands Club. We had a really enjoyable evening and look forward to his next talk when he returns to see us early in the New Year.
The monthly competition was a jacket potato, any filling, there was only one entry for this so maximum points were awarded to Mrs Mary Royall.
Please do not forget that we are going to see Holiday on Ice at the Brighton Centre on Saturday 15th January 2005. If you would like to join us please let me know as we still have a few places left. The cost will be £25.00 for adults and £16.00 for children these prices do include the price of the coach. The theme will be Hollywood and it looks very exciting so do let us know if you would like to join us.
By the time this goes to press we will have held our AGM so more of that next month.
Our next meeting will be our Christmas meeting on December 16th The Competition will be A Homemade Christmas Card the usual Post box will be available for members cards
So I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Sue Taylor
Secretary
Our last afternoon drive for the year, took us through, Surrey Hampshire Berkshire. Again we were fortunate with the weather several days of rain before and on the morning, but it cleared nicely and the sun shone. The countryside looked very pretty with various hues, although it was regional, some leaves still being quite green, but whatever the colour, nature is wonderful at all seasons. You only have to go along the Farnham road to witness change, each season has its own beauty.
Now to our meeting, this was a very interesting talk, with slides on Ghana by Rev Pullen. Not the place you find in holiday brochures. Staying in a bungalow owned by a local Engineering Company. there were two or three staff who did cooking and cleaning. It was essential for a car to be hired with driver, as it was considered too dangerous in the over crowded streets, no signals, only car horns honking, (although no road rage). Much worse than Guildford in Kamasi, and what’s more a lot of cars could be questionable whether road worthy. Everywhere is covered with dust, blown in from the desert. It is a country very conscious of re-cycling with great piles of tires and metal etc. There are the usual markets with folk selling their wares, and when traffic is held up, they take the opportunity to make a quick sale.
Out in the villages, the houses are circular with thatched roofing. We saw huge trunks of mahogany at the saw mills, in scale with man they were unbelievable, ladies were making pots on the ground, no potters wheel, just shaping by hand as they bend over, with hardly any bent knees!! Try that! Lake Bosimptwi has a 'no boat' regulation, Just huge logs to get from here to there, also used when fishing, which is not always plentiful. Beautiful weaving is done in strips, all having the most intricate patterns, some being different each side. Men wear them round their waists for festivals, but when needed for larger articles, the strips are sewn together. No trolleys for Mothers, all goods, whatever, are carried in baskets on their head, very often with baby strapped on their backs as well. What a wonderful sense of balance. School children throughout have identical uniforms Brown and Yellow (uniform uniforms).
A hospital visited in Cocoa village if you could call it such, consisted of one room with one bed for a man (that was the men’s ward) the same for the women, and maternity. The beds looked like planks of wood in its construction, but strangely enough, infant mortality is almost nil. Funds are being raised to build a better building. On a Sunday, there was hardly anyone to be seen, on asking where were all the people, they were all to be found at Church.
Several items were brought along for us to look at, shoes made from car tires, sandals, a woven strip, carvings in wood, a Ghanaian dress, a hand thrown pot etc. A very interesting afternoon. Edna Ellis gave the vote of thanks.
The table of interest was a pretty napkin which was Judged by our Speaker, 'Yours truly's was chosen, and after tea and raffle, it was homeward bound for all before the next deluge.
F.E.Sheppard