St Mary's Parish Magazine - August 2001
Readings for Sundays and Festivals in September
What's on this month? - August
The Master of the Bellringers has asked the Editor of the
Magazine to pass on to everyone his grateful thanks for their expressions of
goodwill and congratulations as he passed 50 years of being a ringer at St
Mary’s. He wishes to thank also those who laid on the “happenings” in the
Church Centre on the Sunday morning. He says he had a wonderful day.
Betty Walker sends her thanks for the good number of stamps
collected this year. They all go to help the work of the USPG. Please continue
to collect special issues and foreign stamps, also special issue stamp books.
A reminder that on Wednesday August 1 12 new roads
became part of St Mary’s parish. We shall be praying for them on the Sunday
mornings during August.
There will be visiting presidents on a few of the coming
Sundays. That on August 19 has yet to be arranged; on the 26th
Revd Bill Turnbull will preside and on September 2 we shall be led by
Canon Joan Collinson. We hope that the regular Wednesday morning and Friday
evening Eucharists will be maintained during this three weeks, but as we go to
press this remains to be finalised. Please watch the Sunday notice sheets.
Chris Holmes is organising a visit to Charles Darwin’s house
just across the Kent border in Downe on Wednesday August 15. Have a word
with him or Pat Kingsbury for more details or watch the weekly notices.
Evening prayer will be said at 6.30pm on all the
Sundays in August and on Sunday September 2 while the choir is away on
its summer holiday.
Monday August 27 brings another Bank Holiday, with
the church open from 11.00am onwards. We hear Betty has a whole load of new
books for us to pore over - and the ringers will be keeping the tower open to
visitors no matter what the weather. If you have visitors that weekend why not
bring them along.
The bellringers are off on their usual annual jaunt by coach
into the English countryside on Saturday September 1. This year they’re
exploring some of the very attractive countryside to be found between Beddington
and Chichester. If anyone would like to join them on an excellent day out
please have a word with one of the Kimber family (or any of the ringers). The
total cost is expected to be no more than £20, including a fairly sumptuous
evening meal.
We shall be keeping our Patronal Festival, celebrating the
Blessed Virgin Mary, on Sunday September 9, and Harvest Thanksgiving on
the 23rd. That, for a change, will be a very traditional harvest
celebration. The preacher at 9.30 that morning will be Captain Ray Khan,
speaking about the work of the Church Army.
At 7.30pm on Saturday September 22, the choir will
present another concert. Such was the huge interest and success of last
autumn’s evening, in which they largely showed how talented they were in using
other instruments apart from their voices, that this event will be more of the
same. Come and hear how thay have all progressed in the past 12 months! As that
is harvest weekend, the refreshments during the interval will have a suitable
harvesty theme. We hear rumours of apple pies and cider . . .
Amanda Holmes (Clara in last year’s Pygmalion) has
completed her PhD at London University. Her thesis was on the subject of
anxiety. This may be of use to the treasurer! Congratulations too to Rhodri
Flower on gaining a 2:1 in music technology at Surrey University.
The autumn/winter talks season will start on Wednesday
October 10 in the Church Centre with a talk on family history and
spirituality, presented by Selwyn and Cassie Tillett. Put a note in your diaries
for what promises to be a most interesting evening. The September magazine will
contain full details of subsequent talks and speakers.
Sing the night away!
The ringers are organising a
KARAOKE EVENING
on Saturday November 10
If you are prepared to sing (solo, duet or
group) and have a favourite song or particular era, please tell Chris Kimber
NOW so that he can prepare the backing track. There will be a selection of tracks
for you to choose from on the night but he can only produce your special
requests with advance notice
Call 8660 4254 with any queries
At its meeting on Monday July 16 the Parochial Church
Council learned that “Project Churchyard” has at last moved one stage further
with the re-siting of the standard lamp. It needs painting and a new timer
switch will be required before the dark days of autumn set in, but at least the
path will be better illuminated than hitherto.
The news relating to the improvement of the paths was not so
good, however. The Diocesan Advisory Committee had rejected some of the PCC’s
proposals and requested that it consider alternative surfaces. This will involve yet another quote from the
contractor and further consultation with Sutton Council, since the response
from the DAC is at odds with advice received from the Council. This lack of
progress is very disappointing, especially as much of what the PCC is trying to
do is a consequence of the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.
The PCC heard, too, that there had been a hitch over the
provision of a clear direction sign to the Centre. Although the DAC was happy with
the design submitted for approval, it was pointed out that the wall to which it
would be attached was part of a listed building, and this would need the
consent of English Heritage. Past
experience of dealings with English Heritage led to the withdrawal of this
application. It is hoped that, with a small refinement of the original design,
a free-standing sign can be put in place.
The Disability Audit Group having reported in January, the
PCC reviewed progress made in implementing their recommendations. The clear marking of the edges of the steps
from the South Porch, and the new portable handrail at the chancel steps are
examples of what has been done so far. The current exit signs will soon be
replaced with “running man” signs, and the steps into the Vestry will be
clearly marked. Large print editions of the “blue book” used on Sunday mornings
are also in the pipeline. The PCC plans to look at one section of the report at
each of its meetings so that by the time the Disability Discrimination Act comes
into force in 2004, all the recommendations will have been considered and, if
appropriate, implemented.
There was sad news of the demise of the Vestry gas fire.
Having been dismantled in order to retrieve assorted dead birds and animals,
not to mention years of dust, which had accumulated behind the fire, it was
found that it would not go back.
Investigations are in hand as to the most appropriate way of heating the
Vestry in time for winter.
The PCC had a site inspection of the medieval brass Gothic
Knight which is normally hidden under the choir stalls. It really is in a
pretty poor state from damp damage as a result of having been re-set in stone
at some stage in its life. The PCC will be seeking professional advice (the
Monumental Brass Society has been suggested) regarding its condition and
whether, once restored, it should remain where it is or moved elsewhere in the
church.
On the matter of car parking, the PCC is far from happy with
the lack of consultation on occasions such as the “Fun Run” and the Carew Manor
concert. It also felt that the provision of three disabled spaces in Church
Path, none of which is designated for church use, is somewhat excessive, and in
the wrong place. Selwyn will be taking up
the cudgels (again) with Sutton Council in an attempt to get some sensible
parking provision in Church Road.
In her Treasurer’s report, Cassie Tillett confirmed that the
Shopping List is currently running about £1,000 behind target, and the overall
budget is about £3,000 down on the year. There are the usual seasonal “swings
and roundabouts” - eg additional weddings bringing in fees at this time of the
year, and lower heating bills. On a positive note, Centre bookings have
generated more income than expected, the budget figure for the year having been
reached half-way through the year.
Cassie has also discovered that we are paying a higher rate
of VAT on gas and electricity than we should be, and this will be rectified on
future bills. The difference between 5% and 17.5% won’t produce an enormous
amount, but every little helps.
The next meeting of the PCC is scheduled for Tuesday,
September 25.
Diana Harries
… it turned out to be (and not in the generally accepted
sense of that phrase). In the true British fashion - if he who dares wins -
Eileen and Gerald England dared all and, completely disregarding anything that
Michael Fish had to say on the subject, decided that the advertised “Pudding
and Plonk” evening on July 7 would go ahead in their garden as planned.
OK, it rained a little, but so what? Two thoughtfully
provided and strategically placed gazebos gave shelter for many around the
large tables underneath and other folk dispersed themselves into the
conservatory, lounge, kitchen and breakfast room so everyone found a seat
somewhere.
We were promised pudding and plonk. Puddings there were
aplenty - mouth-watering creamy ones, dangerously indulgent chocolate ones,
through to hot comforting ones such as bread and butter pudding. We were
promised wine and this flowed generously (second glasses providing a touch of
extra income on the side).
But it didn’t stop there. There were cheese and biscuits,
coffee and then the cabaret and the raffle. Having enjoyed listening to Leslie
Cozens on the piano during our gastronomic excesses, the table was cleared and
way made for Selwyn, Cassie and Carolyn. We were all glad to relax and not to
have to struggle to think of answers to the quiz which was on offer during
supper. We had a musical feast - ranging from Flanders and Swann to Joyce
Grenfell and Carolyn’s blues. Finally it was back to Les and a nostalgic
sing-song, which even those of us who couldn’t supply all the words thoroughly
enjoyed.
Then - with bated breath - the raffle was drawn. Doris
Potter had manfully sat nearly all
evening tearing and folding tickets but at last we knew who would win Chris
Holmes’ head massage and other useful prizes.
Quite suddenly it was time to depart and we must again record
our thanks to Eileen and Gerald and their band of helpers. The financial result
of £460 gave tangible evidence of the success that the evening had been.
Mary Tapp
Seven or eight members of St Mary’s branch of the Mothers’
Union, together with friends, assembled in the church hall of All Saints,
Banstead, on Wednesday July 11. We had been invited by Rosemary Whipp,
Enrolling Member and Reader, to come to their branch meeting and to join with them
in honouring Jane Robson’s 65 years’ membership of the MU.
Jane had been a “St Mary’s person” for many years - along
with her late husband Tom, one-time churchwarden. After leaving her home in
Croydon Road she moved to a flat in Banstead and thence to one of the beautiful
“Rose” homes (“Roselands”), also in Banstead.
Rosemary opened the afternoon with prayers (which she said
would be short) and notices (which she said would be long) - it all sounded so familiar!
We were then treated to a delightful interlude of beautifully read poetry,
accompanied by and interspersed with music played very competently on the flute
- a really lovely half-hour.
We were then served tea with strawberries and portions of
the delicious presentation cake in which Jane had made the initial cut. Then
came the high point of the afternoon. Pam, Jane’s daughter-in-law and a priest
in Ewell, brought Jane forward and to the accompaniment of flashes from many
cameras, the presentations were made. Mrs Lesley England, the MU Guildford
Diocesan President, gave Jane a framed certificate recording her 65 years of
membership and thanked her for her support and example over so many years.
Rosemary gave Jane a beautiful basket of flowers from her own branch and, on
behalf of St Mary’s MU branch (in Gwen Whiting’s unavoidable absence), I
presented Jane with a posy of flowers in the MU colours of blue and gold.
Jane also had many beautiful cards and I’m sure she will
look back on that particular Wednesday afternoon branch meeting with pleasure.
Mary Tapp
The London Outer Orbital Pathway, known to its friends as
the Loop, makes a grand circuit round London. It is a network of carefully
prepared and signposted walks through some of our most attractive local
countryside.
The route is divided into reasonable lengths, all near
public transport, and the guide book highlights places of interest, including
pubs, toilets, tea places and mid-way exit points in case tiredness overcomes
you.
Our nearest sections run from West Wickham Common to Hamsey
Green (8½ miles), Hamsey Green to Banstead Downs (10 miles) and Banstead Downs
to Kingston Bridges (10¼ miles).
The Treasurer has reminded us that the long summer break is
here - and that time includes the school holidays. Why not spend a day
exploring a section of the Loop? Your friends might even sponsor you in aid of
St Mary’s or any other favourite charity. And you might become enthusiastic
enough to go on and loop the whole Loop!
I have a copy of the guide book which you are welcome to
consult or borrow.
Pat Kingsbury
Not being too sure what to expect, but having been encouraged
to “support your local music-makers”, I made my way to St Elphege’s church on
the evening of Sunday July 1 for the Christian Music Festival. I was relieved
to find I was not alone - indeed I bagged the last space in the car park - and
discovered there was good support from St Mary’s. I also spotted some fellow
commuters from the 7.55am train to Victoria which I found encouraging.
A glance at the programme revealed some familiar and less
familiar pieces interspersed with hymns for everyone to join in. My initial
reaction was “a surfeit of Rutter” - but then he is a very prolific, and
popular, composer.
The evening began with St Patrick’s Children’s Orchestra,
consisting of 12 young people, which made a pretty good attempt at the Radetsky
March - a tune for ever associated in my mind with my year at secretarial
college. To aid our typing rhythm, we had to type in time with the music.
A rousing rendition of The Church’s one foundation
followed and then it was time for the first contribution from St Mary’s.
Beautifully sung, as ever, by our choir we were treated to Let all mortal
flesh keep silence by Bairstow, followed by And I saw a new heaven
by Bainton. The choir’s final offering (introduced by Andrew as “and now for
something completely different”) was Somewhere over the rainbow. It was
magnificent and obviously well received by the audience. As a voice to my right
said: “Follow that!”
It was probably as well, therefore, that another hymn, Be
still for the presence of the Lord, served as a cushion between items.
Lydia Kwon, a young cellist from St Patrick’s, performed Glazunov’s Minstrel’s
Song Op 71 - a delightful piece and easy on the ear.
Next on were St Michael’s choir - a mixture of men and women
- with the first two Rutters of the evening. Open thou our eyes and The
Peace of God were followed by O Come ye Servants of the Lord by Tye.
The third hymn, accompanied by Andrew Wilson on the organ,
was Crown him with many Crowns - a particular favourite of mine. Well
done all those who were word perfect in the last line of the second verse -
despite it being missing off the hymn sheet!
The final offering before the interval was from Wilson’s
School, accompanied on the piano by our own (but not for very much longer) Sam
Hudson. Vaughn Williams’ Five mystical songs were well delivered, with a
special mention for the tenor soloist, Daniel Joy - a member of Croydon parish
church choir, I understand.
On an extremely hot and sticky evening, the chance for a
leg-stretch in the fresh air and a drink or two of squash was very welcome.
The hymn Shine, Jesus, shine opened the second half,
followed by St Elphege’s choir with the familiar Veni Creator Spiritus. The three male voices singing from the back
of the church, and the five female voices from the front, was extremely
effective.
Andrew Mitchell moved effortlessly from choir member to
organ soloist for Buxtehude’s Praeludium in D. This was slightly
familiar - no doubt played as a voluntary at St Mary’s sometime in the past. Being
rather partial to organ music, it made pleasant listening to me. To round off
St Elphege’s contribution to the evening, the programme indicated “10-30 Music
Makers”. Strange age range, I thought. I then realised that the seven musicians
and eight singers provide the music for their 10.30 service. Although, once
again, not entirely to my taste, their performance of The Lord is my
Shepherd from David Palmer’s “Holy Boy” was well received by the audience.
The penultimate hymn, I, the Lord of Sea and Sky, was
followed by St Mary’s second slot - this time from the handbell ringers. The
layout of the performance area meant that the ringers were playing directly to
the part of the church which had been vacated at half-time by the young members
of the choirs that had already sung. No matter, the other three-quarters of the
“auditorium” thoroughly enjoyed Alla Danza from Handel’s “Water Music”, He
is an Englishman from “HMS Pinnafore” and I don’t know how to
love him from “Jesus Christ,
Superstar”. A great pity, then, that a child in the audience chose that moment
to start his own alternative “performance”. However, the arrival of Chris
Kimber to accompany the ringers’ final piece with what I can only describe as a
drum which looked like a tambourine but without the bells [actually it was an
Irish bodhran - Ed], soon shut the child up. I had never heard of Medieval
Dances from “Danserye” by Tylman Susato, but once it began it was very familiar indeed.
Another organ solo followed, this time from Graham Brown from
St Patrick’s. (I was beginning to think you had to be named Andrew to be an
organist.) His chosen piece was Sinfonia (Cantate No 29) by JS Bach.
And so to the final two “Rutters”. The choir of Bandon Hill
and Wallington Methodists sang For the beauty of the earth and The
Lord bless you and keep you -
probably two of the best-known of Rutter’s works. The latter is another
particular favourite of mine, and I have to say I would have preferred to hear it sung by men’s voices only. This
is a purely personal opinion and not to be taken as a criticism of the choir,
which was predominantly female, and who sang both pieces well.
Before we sang our final hymn, All people that on earth
do dwell, Revd Patrick Grant, who had been MC for the evening,
thanked the organisers of the Festival and paid tribute to their trust in the
project. I certainly enjoyed the evening and, judging by the “buzz” as the
audience made its way out, so had everyone else. The programme offered
something for everyone whatever their taste in music, and whatever their
preference for hymns. I hope the organisers will be encouraged by their first
attempt and that another Festival will be arranged in the future.
Diana Harries
Baptisms
July 8 Jessica Sarah Hunt, 29 Meller Close
Joseph
Barry Atkin, 48 Chiswick Close
Holly
Joanne Carpenter, 23 Southway
Johnny
Keys, West Lodge, London Road
Weddings
July 21 Vincent Sean Michael Moore to Wendy
Jeannette Helena Dunning, 5 Hinton Close
John
McFadden to Louise Jean Lilian Langley, 41 Bridges Lane
25 Anthony James Jackson to Olivia Jane
Turrell, 55 Queenswood Avenue
Funerals
July 5 Thomas Clement Oliver, aged 90, of 29
Cedars Rd
16 John Kenneth Cosgrove, aged 78, of 41 Bond
Gdns
Seasoned travellers frequently come across quaint signs in
“English”. Here are some which have been spotted:
Our wines
leave you nothing to hope for - Swiss restaurant
It is forbidden
to enter a woman even a foreigner if dressed as a man - Bangkok temple
When
passenger of foot heave in sight, tootle the horn. Trumpet him melodiously at
first, but if he still obstacles your passage then tootle him with vigour - Tokyo
car rental brochure
Teeth
extracted by the latest Methodists - Hong Kong dentist
Sun Sept
Trinity 12
Ecclesiasticus 10, 12-18 (page 976)
Hebrews 13, 1-8 & 15-16 (page 979)
Luke 14, 1 & 7-14 (page 980)
Sun Sept 9
Blessed Virgin Mary (Patronal Festival)
Isaiah 61, 10-11
Galatians 4, 4-7
Luke 1, 46-55
Sun Sept 16
Trinity 14
Exodus 32, 7-14 (page 988)
1 Timothy 1, 12-17 (page 990)
Luke 15, 1-10 (page 991)
Sun Sept 23
Harvest Thanksgiving
Deuteronomy 26, 1-11
Revelation 14, 14-18
John 6 25-35
Sun Sept 30
Trinity 16
Amos 6, 1a & 4-7 (page 998)
1 Timothy 6, 6-19 (page 1000)
Luke 16, 19-31 (page 1002)
Wed 1 Those roads becoming part of the parish
today
Thu 2 Local musical and theatrical groups
Fri 3 Those being married here this summer
Sat 4 All parish clergy
Sun 5 Inspiration in our fund-raising
Mon 6 Thanksgiving for the revelation of Jesus
to his disciples
Tue 7 Our parents and toddlers group
Wed 8 Our finance committee meeting tonight
Thu 9 All those on holiday
Fri 10 Those recently ordained deacon
Sat 11 All Saints, Hackbridge
Sun 12 Those being baptised today
Mon 13 The recently bereaved
Tue 14 All who suffer on account of their faith
Wed 15 Thanksgiving for the life of the Blessed
Virgin Mary
Thu 16 Those unable to go on holiday
Fri 17 Diocese of St Albans
Sat 18 Local clergy in their work
Sun 19 The needs of all the parish
Mon 20 Projects providing respite care for the
families of disabled children
Tue 21 Local lawyers and social workers
Wed 22 Our local authority
Thu 23 Universities and colleges
Fri 24 The diocese of St Asaph
Sat 25 The bishop’s adviser on rural ministry
Sun 26 The work of the Children’s Society
Mon 27 Our Open Day and visitors
Tue 28 Students training for ordination
Wed 29 Those researching the needs of very young
children
Thu 30 Adopted people seeking their birth
families
Fri 31 The diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich
Wed 1 Ethelwold, Bishop of Winchester, died at
Beddington 984
Sat 4 John Vianney, priest, 1859
Wed 8 Dominic, religious, founder of the Order
of Preachers, 1221
Fri 10 Laurence, deacon and martyr, 258
Sat 11 Clare of Assisi, religious, founder of the
Poor Clares, 1253
Tue 14 Maximilian Kolbe, priest, martyr, 1944
Wed 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mon 20 Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, teacher of
the faith, 1153
Fri 24 Bartholomew the Apostle
Mon 27 Monica, mother of Augustine of Hippo, 387
Tue 28 Augustine, bishop and teacher of the
faith, 430
Wed 29 Beheading of John the Baptist
Fri 31 Aidan, abbot, Bishop of Lindisfarne,
missionary, 651
|
Wed |
1 |
St Mary’s Guild: “Who was William Robinson?” A talk by
Pat Kingsbury. St Mary’s Court |
2.00pm |
|
Sun |
5 |
EIGHTH AFTER TRINITY |
|
|
|
|
“Sausages and Sangria” at 16 Wandleside |
12.30-2.00pm |
|
Mon |
6 |
Feast of the Transfiguration: Eucharist |
9.30am |
|
|
|
Magazine Panel meets: 2 Peaks Hill |
10.15am |
|
Tue |
7 |
Parents and Toddlers meet for Teddy Bears’ Picnic.
Church |
10.00am |
|
Wed |
8 |
Eucharist at St Mary’s Court |
10.00am |
|
Sat |
11 |
Mothers’ Union “Wave of Prayer” |
|
|
Sun |
12 |
NINTH AFTER TRINITY |
|
|
Wed |
15 |
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY |
|
|
|
|
MU Corporate Eucharist |
10.00am |
|
|
|
Outing to Downe House |
|
|
|
|
Social Committee meets, 2 Caraway Place |
8.00pm |
|
Sun |
19 |
TENTH AFTER TRINITY |
|
|
Sun |
26 |
ELEVENTH AFTER TRINITY |
|
|
Mon |
27 |
Late Summer Bank Holiday |
|
|
|
|
Church open |
11.00am-5.00pm |
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