St Andrew's Parish Church, Medsteadwelcome | faith | services | events | news | people | church | village | friends | location |
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St Andrew's Parish Church, Medsteadwelcome | faith | services | events | news | people | church | village | friends | location |
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Ordination
Father's Day
A Sense Of Vocation
Pentecost
Vocation Day
Annual Church Meeting
PCC Meeting: 10th April
St. Andrew's Churchyard
Medstead WI
Medstead Bowls Club
Church Room For Hire
Communications Internship
Taizé Pilgrimage
Refectory Duties
Coffee Morning
National Volunteers' Week
Canon Simon Baker
Church Fête & Barn Dance
Karamoja
Spring Jumble Sale
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Well, here we are, nearly in June and I find it hard to believe that I will shortly be returning to the Cathedral for a second bite at the Ordination cherry. Yes, on Saturday, 29th June I will be Ordained a Priest. This is such a wonderful event that I hope as many as possible will be able to come to Winchester Cathedral. The service starts at 6.00pm and will be presided over by the Bishop of Winchester. If you are planning on coming, I would recommend getting there early!
On the following day, at St. Andrew's Medstead, I will be celebrating my first Holy Communion. That will be at 11.00am to be followed by refreshments in the Church Hall. Again, I hope that you will be able to share this very meaningful occasion with me.
I am learning so much about what it means to be ordained. Yes, there are the legal elements but they pale into insignificance when compared with the privilege of serving you in these parishes. At the Ordination Service last year, I read from the Gospel of John about the time Jesus washed his disciples' feet. That is true leadership - being willing to put personal aspirations to one side in order to see to the needs of others.
There is much in the news about leaders at the moment as arguments about our membership of the Common Market seem to be taking centre stage, as well as the continuing financial difficulties. Perhaps a healthy dose of virtual foot washing wouldn't go amiss. Jesus' example of selfless loving care certainly concentrates my mind.
Kathryn Flenley
Comments? email
Sunday, 16th June is Father's Day in the UK and you are invited to our 11.00am Parish Communion to help celebrate the importance of fathers. Everyone has or has had a father, and although there is no spiritual significance to the celebration of Fathers Day, it is a time when we can remind ourselves of our heavenly Father. There are many references to God likening himself to our earthly fathers in scripture; to take just two examples: "as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him" (Psalm 103:13) and "endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?" (Hebrews 12:7)
Even though the Bible does not mention a Father's Day, we can clearly see that God does recognise the importance of fathers and gave them special honour throughout history. When Abram's name was changed to Abraham, God told him, "I have made you a father of many nations" (Genesis 17:5), clearly indicating fatherhood as a place of honour in His eyes. The following prayer has been published by the Church of England:
Heavenly Father,
you entrusted your Son Jesus,
the child of Mary,
to the care of Joseph, an earthly father.
Bless all fathers
as they care for their families.
Give them strength and wisdom,
tenderness and patience;
support them in the work they have to do,
protecting those who look to them,
as we look to you for love and salvation,
through Jesus Christ our rock and defender.
Amen.
The news will be spreading around the parishes and especially, I imagine, in Medstead, that Canon Simon Baker will be leaving us in July, having been appointed as Archdeacon of Lichfield, a post he will hold in conjunction with that of Rector of the united benefice of St. Michael and St. Mary, Lichfield with St. John Wall. Simon, who lives in Medstead Rectory, has been a regular and valued colleague in conducting worship in our four parishes, as his current duties permit bearing in mind that he is regularly leading weekend training events around the diocese.
Simon was ordained in 1981/2, at a time when I was forging a career in the computer industry. He served as Curate in Herefordshire, was a Parish Priest and Principal of a training scheme in Oxfordshire before coming to this diocese in 1998. Here, he has worked at the Diocesan Office, initially as Lay Ministry Adviser and Warden of Readers, subsequently assuming responsibility for ordained ministers and pastoral reorganisation also. One never knows where vocation might lead.
Kathryn conducted some research into vocation a few years ago, interviewing among others our then GP. Undoubtedly, he too had a very strong sense of vocation, which led him to medical school and into General Practice. Vocation is not limited to the sphere of religion!
On that note of vocation, however, our Alton Deanery is holding a Vocations Day as an opportunity for all of us to consider what God is calling us to do, not simply in terms of authorised ministry within the Church, but in our lives generally. This will be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Four Marks on Saturday, 11 May between 10.00am and 3.30pm. If you'd like to take some time to think about God's calling for you, then here's a good place to start. Please let me know if you'd like to book a place. It's free - and there's no obligation, implied or otherwise!
In the meantime, I can let you know that Simon will preside at his last Eucharist on Sunday, 7th July, in St. Andrew's, Medstead, on the day after the Hog Roast. We will miss both Simon and Diana very much. We wish them both well and, of course, will take an opportunity to thank them properly for their part in our lives here in these four parishes.
Ben Flenley
Comments? email
On Sunday, 19th May we celebrated the feast of Pentecost, the festival where Christians celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. Held on the Sunday fifty days after Easter, the name derives from the Greek pentekoste, fiftieth.
Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the twelve apostles, Jesus' mother and family, and many other of His disciples gathered together in Jerusalem for the Jewish harvest festival, celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover. While they were indoors praying, a sound like a rushing wind filled the house and tongues of fire descended and rested over each of their heads. This was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on human flesh promised by God through the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-29).
The disciples were empowered to proclaim the gospel of the risen Christ. They went out into the streets of Jerusalem and began preaching to the crowds gathered for the festival. Not only did the disciples preach with boldness and vigour, but by a miracle of the Holy Spirit they spoke in the native languages of the people present, many who had come from all corners of the Roman Empire. This created a sensation. The apostle Peter seized the moment and addressed the crowd, preaching to them about Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. The result was that about three thousand converts were baptised on that day.
Pentecost is also called Whitsun or Whit Sunday, but does not necessarily coincide with the Whitsun Bank Holiday, now renamed the Spring Bank Holiday, in the UK. "Whitsun" is short for "White Sunday". A tradition of some churches in ancient times was to baptise adult converts to the faith on Pentecost. The newly baptised would wear white robes, so Pentecost was often called "White Sunday" after these white baptismal garments.
In the early days of the Christian church people were baptised in rivers or lakes. Wearing white clothes they went into the water then re-emerged, as a sign of their 'rising' from a life of sin to a new life offered by Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost is also regarded as the birthday of the Christian church, and the start of the church's mission to the world. The symbols of Pentecost are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, the breath of God and a dove.
The season after Pentecost is centred on sanctification, the work of the Holy Spirit in the day to day life of the Christian. This is reflected in the liturgical colour for this season: green, the colour of life and growth. Through the gift of faith that comes only from the Holy Spirit working through the means of grace, Christians trust in Christ as Saviour and proclaim Him in their daily lives by service to their neighbours.
Everyone has a vocation, to be the person they are called to be. Come to a Vocations Day to find out more about Reader ministry and other ways of discerning and responding to God's call. Why not bring a friend and explore together?
The next Vocations Day is on Saturday, 11th May at The Church of the Good Shepherd (COGS), Four Marks, from 10.00am to 3.30pm. This is an opportunity to prayerfully explore where God might be leading you on the path of discipleship and service. Open to all, especially if you have no idea what your vocation might be but want to listen to God and respond. You are welcome to join for the morning only or to stay for the whole day.
In the morning: Worship, prayer, input and reflection around your life experience, how God calls and guides, listening to God and themes from the Bible. In the afternoon: information, resources and questions.
Bring your questions about ministry, including Reader ministry, ordination, possibilities for learning and lay ministry. Consider what your next step might be, whether it is applying for something, deepening your spiritual life, studying or reading. Time to think imaginatively and prepare to step out. You might be surprised! There is no charge for the day though you will be invited to make a donation towards costs. Refreshments and a simple lunch will be provided.
To book or for more information contact the COGS church office: or telephone 01420 560622. Alternatively, contact Lesley Grimm at the Diocesan office: or telephone 01962 737315.
For more information on either Vocation Sunday or being a Reader please contact the Rev. Julia Mourant, email: or see the Diocese of Winchester's vocations page.
This year's Meeting of Parishioners and Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) was held on Sunday, 21st April in the Church Hall, at 7.30pm, preceded and followed by a selection of wines and cheeses, provided by Debby and Adrian Barnes.
Responsibility for running and maintaining the Church is delegated to Churchwardens and the Parochial Church Council (PCC). The Churchwardens were elected at the Meeting of Parishoners and the PCC presented their annual report to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, where members of the PCC and Sidesmen were also elected.
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting received the minutes of the 2012 APCM and a report on the actions resulting from matters arising. The PCC also presented the following items to the meeting:
Highlights of the meeting included:
You may download the APCM materials, including the Agenda, the minutes of the 2012 APCM and the Annual Report of the PCC. For a copy of the financial report, please contact the PCC Treasurer.
At the PCC Meeting, Paul Adams was re-elected as PCC Treasurer and Lis Linley as PCC Secretary.
The next PCC Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 12th June at 8.00pm in the Church Hall. If you have any matters you would like discussed, please let the PCC Secretary know in advance.
Related Links:
Annual Church Meeting 2012
Annual Church Meeting 2011
Annual Church Meeting 2010
Annual Church Meeting 2009
Annual Church Meeting 2008
Annual Church Meeting 2007
Annual Church Meeting 2006
Annual Church Meeting 2005
Annual Church Meeting 2004
Downloads:
APCM 2013 Materials
Right click on the link, select "Save Target As..." to save the file to a local directory. The materials are in Adobe pdf format, compressed using Winzip.
The Parochial Church Council met on Wednesday, 10th April and, in addition to the usual items of business, discussed the following:
The next PCC meeting will be held on Wednesday, 12th June at 8.00pm in the Church Hall. If you have any matters you would like discussed, please contact the PCC Secretary.
Related Links:
As a Closed Churchyard, responsibility for maintenance of St. Andrew's churchyard lies with Medstead Parish Council, rather than St. Andrew's Parish Church. Peter Fenwick, Chair of the Medstead Parish Council Maintenance & Development Committee, has asked that the following be brought to the attention of parishioners.
A new contractor has been appointed by Medstead Parish Council from April 1st, 2013 regarding future maintenance of the churchyard for which Medstead Parish Council is responsible.
The new specification is in line with Church of England guidelines and has been discussed with representatives of St. Andrew's PCC, the Rector Ben Flenley and with input from Revd. Simon Baker. Broad in content; it covers boundary walls and fences, retaining walls, footpaths, tombstones, monuments, memorials, trees, hedges and all other herbage including grass cutting and strimming. Grass cuttings will be disposed of off-site.
Drawing on the latest thinking on how best to maintain the churchyard, it is now considered inappropriate for all of the grassed area to be kept closely mown as if it were a suburban garden. In future, grass cutting will be undertaken at different frequencies to maintain different grass heights within each of three areas. Whilst access to the church and through the churchyard needs to be clear and maintained, the new approach will allow wild areas that encourage flora and fauna.
The three designated areas are: Area 1 (close-mown): in front of and west side of the church, plus a strip on the south, church, side of the gravel path running behind the church; Area 2 (medium cut): to the east of the church; and Area 3 (longer grass): north side of the gravel path running behind the church.
Related Links:
Medstead Parish Council
Medstead WI have a walking group who venture out into the Hampshire countryside, monthly, and always finish with a pub lunch, plus there is a Single Ladies, Sunday Lunch group who also enjoy a monthly pub lunch, so it was particularly interesting for the walkers and ladies who lunch to learn all about the History of Pub Signs from speaker Tony Cross at the March meeting.
Tony showed an extremely interesting range of signs, many of which were local, and he talked about the history and origin of them which included the meaning of a Cock and Bull story and various other fascinating tales were told. The brand new state of the art screen and projector in the hall, towards which Medstead WI had contributed funds, was used showing Tony's photos to the best advantage.
St. Andrew's Church hold an annual quiz evening and this year the WI team were congratulated for winning, not bad for the only all-female team taking part! Members of the team now look forward to the Group round of the HCFWI quiz to be held in June.
On a chilly blustery May afternoon the hall was buzzing as members and visitors gathered together for the Annual Meeting, time to review the past year and look ahead to the future. The treasurer was able to report on the healthy state of the finances and donations had been made to the village hall for the splendid new screen and projection equipment plus a donation to Naomi House from a special raffle.
Three members were standing down from the committee, Sandy Cockram, Pauline Church and Joan Wyeth and they were thanked for their valuable input. Also retiring after her three terms of office was President Cherry Messenger and she was presented with a token of appreciation for a job very well done! Looking forward to the coming year a new committee of eight members was elected into place and from these eight members Sandra George was elected into office as the new President. The resolution to be discussed at the 2013 NFWI AGM in Cardiff in June centres on 'The Decline of our High Streets' and the decision was taken, after a vote, to give the delegate a discretionary vote on the issue as often so much more is learnt about the resolution at the actual AGM.
The presentation of trophies for 2012-13 took place and the winners were:
A wonderful display of members craft was on the stage to marvel at and a delicious afternoon tea provided by the committee was enjoyed to round off the afternoon.
Coming up to look forward to are the holiday to the Cotswolds on May 19th when a coach of members, husbands and friends head off for four days sampling the delights of the area. The WI will again be present at Medstead Fête when the theme is the Tour de France, so wardrobes will be scoured for Lycra cycling gear and yellow tee-shirts! In June the walking group will be visiting Upton Park Farm at Old Alresford for a guided farm walk led by the farm manager Tim, followed by a pub lunch at The Cricketers in Alresford, while the Single Ladies Sunday Lunch group will be dining out at The Golden Pheasant on 26th May, so no reason to be on your own again on a Sunday! All over Medstead potatoes are being nurtured in 12-inch pots ready for the competition for the large Garden Cup to be awarded in July for the potato producing the highest yield! On Thursday, 11th July Medstead WI celebrates its 95th birthday with a lunch, which should be a day to remember!
Meetings are always held on the second Thursday of the month at 2.00pm in the Village Hall. At the next meeting, on Thursday, 13th June, Rebecca Bissonet will be talking about 'Life at The Royal School of Needlework'. As one of the team who helped to sew Kate Middleton's wedding dress this should be a very interesting talk. Medstead WI is a thriving group with the emphasis on having fun so don't miss out, come along and join us, you will be very welcome.
Gill Siddall
Roedowns WI meets on the first Wednesday of the month in Medstead School at 7.30pm. The next meeting is on Wednesday, 5th June, when the speaker will be Peter Thompson from the Game and Wild. Don't miss out on the fun and friendship that being a WI member offers - if you are interested in joining please contact Louise Duckett on 01420 562835 to find out more.
Marion Slater
Related Links:
Medstead WI, Jan-Mar 2013
On Wednesday, 17th April we played our first friendly match of the season at home against Shalford on a bright sunny afternoon marred only by a strong gusty wind. We had a very enjoyable game against a club whose green is very similar to our own, so there was no advantage to either side. We won on three of the four rinks and also had the highest total shot score, then we had a good tea and went home feeling that the summer season had really started.
Our next friendly match will be at home against Ropley on Wednesday, 15th May. It is a match both clubs will be trying hard to win because we all know each other well, and several of the Ropley players join us each winter to play on our all-weather green and short mats, when their own grass green is closed.
Over the summer season we play every Thursday afternoon in the Stan Hardman League, based on Basingstoke. Last year we had our best ever result in the league and won our division, so we were hoping to do well again this year. However we made a poor start in our first match, away against Odiham on 9th May, by losing on all three rinks, we were simply beaten by a better team on the day. Fortunately we play each team twice during the season, once at home and once away, so we shall have an opportunity to redeem ourselves in July.
Playing bowls is only part of our programme, we also have social activities throughout the year. The most recent event was the annual Ladies' Lunch held on St George's Day. Eighteen lady members and their guests enjoyed a glass of sherry then a meal consisting of grapefruit or melon, a hot chicken dish with vegetables, meringues with strawberries and ice cream, coffee and mints. All served by male members of the club. By popular demand we are again having Obstacle Putting on the Green followed by a barbecue on Saturday, 19th May.
We offer an invitation to anyone who would like to try the game to come along to our roll-up sessions. We have open sessions on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, Friday evenings and, for ladies only, on Tuesday evenings and we play on the short mats indoors if the weather is bad. There is plenty of club equipment that newcomers can use, so just turn up a little before 2.00pm or 6.00pm, or ring the secretary for more information on 01420 563495.
Wilf Robinson
Related Links:
Medstead Bowls Club, Jan-Mar 2013
The Church Room is the building on the right side of the drive leading to Medstead Rectory on Trinity Hill.
It is owned by the Diocese and has been used recently as a site office. Before the completion of the Church Hall, it was also used on a frequent basis for youth groups and meetings. It is now vacant and the Diocese are encouraging the use of it for meetings or for hire.
The Church Room comprises a large room with kitchenette and toilet facilities, entered via a small enclosed doorway, with four car parking spaces outside.
If you are interested, or know of anyone in the village who might be interested, in using it for meetings or for an office, please contact Debby as soon as possible.
The Diocese of Winchester Communications team will soon be advertising for a new intern, to begin in September 2013. Anyone seeking paid work and a wealth of experience in a busy team can get in touch with Nick Edmonds, for an informal chat.
The Diocese of Winchester is organising a pilgrimage for young adults aged 17-25, led by Jonathan Frost, Bishop of Southampton, to Taizé from 6th-15th July. The theme of the pilgrimage is vocation: fulfilling our call and will help participants explore where God may be taking them in their lives.
Synonymous with peace, reconciliation and communion, Taizé is an ecumenical Christian community in the heart of France. Founded during the Second World War and now consisting of over 100 brothers, the community welcomes over 100,000, predominantly young, people each year.
The cost, including coach travel to and from London, accommodation and meals should be around £150-175. For more information and an application form please see the Winchester Taizé Pilgrimage website. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, 30th April.
Related Links:
Application Form & Brochure
Taizé Community
Winchester Cathedral Refectory is a purpose built restaurant with a high vaulted glass roof and steel structural supports and has won several awards for both its design and food. It offers a full range of refreshments every day from 9.30am until 5.00pm (March to October) and 9.30am to 4.30pm (November to February).
The Cathedral Refectory offers a full range of refreshments every day from 9.30am until 5.00pm (March to October) and 9.30am to 4.30pm (November to February). A welcome is provided by parish teams from the diocese. All profit from this catering division is covenanted to the Chapter of Winchester for the maintenance and mission of the Cathedral.
You could be part of our Refectory team. The next duty for the St. Andrew's team is on Tuesday, 18th June, further duty dates to follow. If you can help for either a whole day or half a day please contact Mary Spinks. No previous experience is needed and this is an equal opportunity job!
The Coffee Morning at Mary Spinks' house on Saturday, 8th June, was a great success, raising over £200 for the Kathryn Mercy Home, which offers support for deprived Dalit children and Joan's Grace Home Hostel which provides girls the chance of a secondary education, in Devakottai, Tamil Nadu, South India.
This was also Mary's House Cooling, as she will be moving when she sells her house.
Mary would like to thank all those who came and especially to the many helpers on the day.
Related Links:
Kathryn Mercy Home
The week of 1st-7th June is National Volunteers' Week and this year it is all about saying Thank You to the millions of volunteers who regularly contribute to society and celebrating the great work they do.
Winchester Churches Nightshelter, which is supported by St. Andrew's Church, for example through donations at Harvest Festival, is kicking off the week on Saturday, 1st June with a special pop-up café serving delicious drinks and food prepared by their guests.
The Nightshelter simply could not exist without it's band of loyal volunteers of which three are needed every night for the shelter to stay open. There are many varied volunteer roles including cooking, administration, building maintenance and overnight support for the duty supervisor.
If you would like to join the team and give something back to the community, or simply show your support then please do come along to see the work they do. Drop into the Nightshelter Café on Saturday, 1st June between 11.00am and 3.00pm, behind the Discovery Centre on Jewry Street, Winchester.
Related Links:
Winchester Churches Nightshelter
Canon Simon Baker has been appointed the new Archdeacon of Lichfield. Simon is currently the Director of Discipleship & Ministry and Warden of Readers in the Diocese of Winchester and for the past ten years has taken many services in our Benefice.
He will be taking up a newly created post, splitting his time between the churches of St. Michael and St. Mary in Lichfield together with the congregation of St. John's at Wall, fulfilling the duties of Archdeacon.
Simon was ordained in 1981 and served in parishes in Herefordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire. He has been Director of Discipleship & Ministry and Warden of Readers for the Diocese of Winchester since 2002. He is also a member of Medstead Parish Council.
Simon and Diana will be moving in July and Simon will conduct his final service in the Benefice at St. Andrew's on Sunday, 7th July, the day following the Hog Roast. Simon will be formally collated as Archdeacon of Lichfield in Lichfield Cathedral on 18 July and inducted as Rector at St. Michael's on 1st September.
After the service at St. Andrew's, all are welcome to join Simon and Diana back at Medstead Rectory for a glass of wine and finger food. If you can join, please would you let Debby know so we have an idea of the numbers involved. We are also taking a collection for a leaving gift for Simon and Diana. Please pass your contributions to one of the Churchwardens.
Related Links:
Diocese Of Winchester: Winchester Director to be Archdeacon of Lichfield
St. Andrew's Church Fête on Saturday, 11th May was a great success, despite the weather.
It featured a real ale tent, barbeque, coconut shy, old fashioned sweet stall, Doctor Who display, bowling for the pig, splat the rat, tombola, coin drop, afternoon tea and cakes, ice creams and plenty more, including the opportunity to throw wet sponges at not one, but two, Reverends!
A very special mention and thank you needs to be given to Kerry who masterminded the Fête.
Later that evening, we held a Barn Dance in Medstead Village Hall with live music, dance caller, supper, and licensed bar which was well attended and enjoyed by all.
The two events made a profit of £1,067.65 for church funds.
Related Links:
Events
Alton Deanery's Karamoja Link Committee (KLC) met on 17 January and 23 May. Following a technical appraisal and quotations for a solar-powered submersible pump and elevated storage tank for the St Philip's guest house, £5,650 has been sent to cover the borehole, constructed in March 2013.
Karamoja (South) Diocese is seeking funding to cover the remaining elements: pump, storage tank and pipework; up to £20,000 is likely to be needed to complete the project.
The KLC aims to offer financial assistance to the two Karamoja dioceses on an equal basis. In North Karamoja Diocese, future funds, once raised, will support a Tearfund Participatory Evaluation Process project, in line with discussions held with Bishop James during last year's visit.
Three new students at the Diocesan Training Centre (DTC) Lotome need bursaries. The Alton Parish of the Resurrection will sponsor one student and it is hoped two additional sponsors can be found.
Almost 100 guests attended the bring and share Karamoja Supper at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Friday, 19th April, which raised around £1,400, including Gift Aid tax refunds, for Alton Deanery's Karamoja Link Fund.
The evening included a presentation from David Hayward, Helen Ellison from Hartley Mauditt and Christopher Ogilvie Thompson from Binsted who visited Karamoja in November 2012.
Related Links:
Faith In Action: Karamoja
Our annual spring jumble sale, held on Saturday, 13th April in the Church Hall, made a profit of £856 thanks to an excellent turnout. People were queuing for an hour before kickoff!
A very big thank you to all who helped by sorting goods before, running the sale and cleaning up afterwards. Without you, it would not be possible. Let's try and break the elusive £1,000 profit barrier next time!
Related Links:
Events
My choice of book for members to review on 12th March, A Gathering Light by Jennifer Donnelly, was warmly received and provided us with a stimulating discussion. By listening to others opinions we go away with increased appreciation of the book. The novel won many awards for best young adult read, including the Carnegie Medal in 2003 and was declared by many reviewers to be an equally good read for adults of all ages.
It is difficult to put the book into a genre, for it deals, within an historical period, with the difficulties of growing up, racism, the need for female emancipation, loyalty in many forms from community and family to self - loyalty, bereavement, morals, ethics and guilt. It also includes a real life murder mystery of the time and romance. Underlying it all is the power of words in life and the need for hope. Hope in Mattie, the heroine's, opinion, sadly, is the eighth deadly sin, for whenever she is given reason to hope it is dashed to despair.
The novel takes place in New York State's Adirondack mountains in the early nineteen hundreds. It demonstrates how difficult life was for these pioneers trying to hack farms out of the lower parts of a wooded, mountainous area. These were poor people trying to work with but, more often than not, struggling against the elements. On the whole they saw little importance in academia; it had little relevance to their lives.
At the start of the book Mattie, who has experienced her mother dying of cancer and her brother leaving, is faced with helping her father raise her younger sisters. She must also care for the home, which includes putting by food from the summer to last the winter or the family will starve, and she must help on the farm. However, she is determined to finish her schooling. She learns a new word every day and squashes in time to read and write.
Mattie is expected to marry locally and work alongside her husband. She must also produce a crop of children, many of whom will die, as well as fulfil promises made to her mother. She sees no other future, but she longs for education, so unimportant to her father. Writing is her passion.
Mattie's experience of the outside world comes from a teacher and from contact with holiday makers coming into the area via the new railway. A murder of a girl staying in the hotel and Mattie's access to the letters of the murdered girl, give her a lot to think about and hard decisions to make.
It is a beautifully written book. I think the way the author has used metaphors, similies and allegories from nature and farming is so in keeping with the story. When Mattie is shown a different future which she knows cannot be hers she says: "If you have ever heard a cow cry for her calf, you know how it feels to have something new and beautiful put into your hands, to wonder and smile at it, and then have it snatched away." There is so much that is thought provoking in this book and all so elegantly written and down to earth.
The next meeting is on Tuesday, 23rd April at 8.00pm when Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene will be discussed. New members are always welcome!
Valerie Stubbington & Gill Siddall
The funeral of Pat Smith, late of South Town Road, took place at Basingstoke Crematorium on Tuesday, 11th June. May she rest in peace.
The funeral of Jim Norris, late of Greenstiles, took place at Basingstoke Crematorium on Monday, 10th June. May light perpetual shine upon him.
On Trinity Sunday, 26th May we welcomed the family and friends of Mollie May Smith as her parents Stewart and Karlee brought her for baptism.
In the symbolism of Baptism, Mollie's parents thanked God for his gift of life and they decided to start their daughter on a journey of faith, asking the Church for its support.
We have great pleasure in welcoming Mollie into the family of our Church and pray for God's blessing on her, her parents, godparents, family and friends.
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