Honeycomb-On Line

Onge again I am standing in my garden, tears streaming down my face and I am screaming at God. I am angry and hurt. I have just learned that a very close and dear friend not only is terminally ill with mesothelioma (asbestos caused lung cancer) but she also has only a very short time to live (as it turned out, from diagnosis to death there were only 14 days). What am I screaming at God? It is mainly questions starting with the word “why”: “why her?” “why is it always good people?” “why do you let diseases happen?” “why so short a time?“ When I run out of “why“ questions my screams turn to demands: “stop it God” or “if it has to happen let it be me not her”.

In the long run my faith and my understanding of the nature of God does help me cope with the emotional pain that comes with suffering be it the suffering of someone else or my own suffering. However, the depths of a crisis is not the time to try to work out what we believe. We are far to emotionally stirred up to think things through. Trying to make any sense of suffering needs to be done quietly over time. There are many ways of doing that and I hope that some of the things I have said to some of you have helped you make sense. I am always aware though that what I say might well not be enough.

I have recently read a brilliant book that explores the nature and heart of God in the midst of human suffering. It is called “The Shack“ written by W P Young (ISBN: 9780340979495). It is a page-turning novel that explores the issues of suffering. The story starts when Mack takes his three of his five children on a camping holiday whilst his wife has to attend a conference. Two of the children get into trouble in a canoe and Mack jumps into the lake to rescue them. When they get safely back to the shore they find that the youngest, a girl of five, is missing. She is never found but the police do find her blood-stained dress in a remote shack. That, with other indications, lead the police to conclude that she is the latest victim of a serial killer.

Four years later Mack is still struggling with his grief and guilt. He then receives an invitation, apparently from God, to meet up at the shack where his daughter′s dress was found. Mack goes there and meets God. God reveals Godself in three ways. God the Father is a large Afro-American woman. God the Son is a modern day carpenter of middle-eastern appearance and God the Holy Spirit is a wiry far-eastern woman who is hard to see clearly. Mack then has a series of adventures and conversations with the three/one God. Deeply serious issues are addressed but in an easy way that kept me reading as I wanted to find out what happened next.

The book ends with some surprising twists in the lives of Mack′s family and friends.

I cannot recommend this book too highly. If you are one of the 70%; are Christians (70% according to the last census) then this book, whilst entertaining you, will help you to know where God is in human suffering. If you are an atheist, you will find it is a good read and give you some insight into how those of us with faith try to cope with human suffering. Reading this book will not take away human suffering and I doubt if it will stop you screaming at God the next time you are caught up personally in human suffering. However it might well help you to cope when that happens. I hope so.

Jan Brookshaw

Motor Neurone Disease

Many of you will have been shocked to learn that Peter Morgan (of Yelden)has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. Those close to Peter have been doing everything they can to support Peter and Rosie. Sometimes it can be hard to know exactly what to do to show your care. Sam Rhodes (daughter of Martin Rhodes formerly of Yelden now of Dean) is going to show her care by running the Bristol half-marathon on 6th September for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA). The MNDA is already providing support for Peter and Rosie and will continue to do so.

If you would like to show your support for Peter and Rosie please sponsor Sam Rhodes. The easiest way to give is on line through the Just Giving website. Sam′s address there is: www.justgiving.com/Sam-Rhodes23. Money donated that way goes direct to the MNDA and if you are a taxpayer the MNDA can reclaim the tax you have already paid. If you do not use the web then you can send a cheque made payable to MNDA to Sam Rhodes at 356b Frome Road, Trowbridge, Wilts., BA14 0EF. If you send a cheque to Sam and are a taxpayer please put a note in saying you want MNDA to reclaim the tax.

TGI Sunday

Since late 2004, there has been special worship and Sunday School for children, called TGI Sunday, at 10.30am on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Anna Phillips has run it with great support from Annie Leishman and the mothers whose children attend. After almost five years of dedicated work Anna has decided that it is time to step down after the August TGI Sunday. At present there is no one available to step into the breach so TGI Sunday will have to stop at least for the time being. A huge thanks goes to Anna and Annie and everyone who has helped over the years. Hopefully someone else will be willing to take this on in the future. The main service of Morning Praise will continue on the 3rd Sunday of the month. You and your children will be very welcome at that service.

Jan Brookshaw

The amazing story of Cyril the baby barn owl’s lucky escape

We are very lucky in Yelden to be surrounded by countryside that supports a wide range of birds and animals and I’ve observed over 50 different species of birds from the kitchen window alone. My favourite though has always been watching the barn owls cruising over our garden and fields around the village.

A few weeks ago after observing the adult owls going backwards and forwards with mice and voles to a small copse in the neighbouring field I decided to take my binoculars and see if I could spot where the nest was. I was just watching a woodpecker chick sitting in the entrance to it′s hole in the old ash tree when one of the barn owls flew down and landed on a nearby branch. Part of the tree had recently fallen down leaving a jagged trunk open to the sky and I suspected that the nest was in there but she flew off when she saw me watching.

A few days later I returned with the idea of observing from the hedgerow but to my horror found that half of the tree had split down the middle exposing the hollow interior which must have been rotten for years. What was fascinating was that there were 3 very large nests at different levels inside the tree trunk which had obviously been used as a nesting site by the barn owls over many years. I assumed that the baby owls had fallen out but to my surprise I saw a little white head appear above the topmost nest and started preening itself and flapping its wings.

One baby owl at least had survived and I had the amazing privilege of seeing inside the nest because of this unusual disaster. Several days later in the early hours of the morning there was an almighty crashing sound and my worst fears were realised when I looked out of the window to see the rest of the tree had fallen down leaving just a small section of trunk sticking up in the air.

I didn′t hold out much hope for the owl when I saw the wreck and the pile of twigs at its base and I was just about to go home when I saw a movement deep beneath the pile. Clearing away the twigs there he was, a very shaken looking owlet covered in dust and looking very sorry for himself. After all his world had fallen apart not once but 3 times in as many days.

Advise from the RSPB says that the baby owls have the best chance of survival if they stay in the area where they were nesting so we put him in a cardboard box as far off the ground as we could but fearing that any passing foxes might have him for lunch. We all watched nervously over the next few days to see if the parents had found Cyril, as we now called him, and were feeding him. I am delighted to tell you that they did, they have and 3 weeks later they still are. He sensibly got himself out of the box and into a hole at the base of the tree and by the time you read this will have fledged and be on his way.

BUT next year if we want to see these lovely birds in our village again we need to put up a nesting box in their territory preferably in the copse where their original nest was if we can get permission. Boxes are about £90. If anyone is interested in helping with the project can you please e-mail me on caseybramble@aol.com

Jinny Casey

How fast do you go?

Sitting by the side of the road one day, on the lookout for speeding drivers, a police officer spotted a car puttering along at 20 mph. He thought to himself: “That driver is just as dangerous as a speeder!” So he turned on his lights and pulled the driver over.

Approaching the car, he noticed that the four passengers were all old ladies, and all wide-eyed and white as ghosts. The driver, also a very elderly lady, was upset at being stopped. “Officer, I don’t understand, I was doing exactly the speed limit!”

“Madam,” the officer replied patiently, “you weren’t doing the speed limit, you were driving at 20 miles an hour. That can be dangerous to other drivers.”

“But it says A20 on the sign over there - and so I was doing it!” she protested.

“But that is the road number, not the speed limit.”

“Well, I never! That explains a lot,” said the old lady in evident relief.

“Before I let you go, madam, I have to ask, is everyone in this car okay? Your passengers seem awfully shaken.”

“Oh, they′ll be all right in a minute, officer. We just got off the A120.”

190 Bedfordshire walks - download and print for FREE!

There’s no doubt about it, walking is good for you. It′s good for your heart, it′s good for your lungs, it′s good for the muscle and bone growth of your children and it′s good for your feeling of wellbeing! Strong scientific evidence now supports the many benefits to health of regular walking – it is recommended that we take at least 10,000 steps a day.

Studies show that walking can:

– Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke

– Lower blood pressure

– Reduce high cholesterol

– Reduce body fat

– Enhance mental well being

Walking offers a great way to help kids get the active habit. If parents express excitement about the prospect of a walk in the countryside, they are more likely to transmit this feeling to their children. It′s important to treat the walk as an exploration or adventure and to go at the child′s pace, no matter how often they want to stop and look at things; take treats to eat and plenty to drink; and head for some landmark that will appeal to them such as a castle, a playground, an ice cream van or a boating pond. If children experience walking as part of a fun activity they are more likely to want to go again.

So, how do you find out what is on offer? John Harris, a keen walker, got fed up with the lack of information on walks that were going on in the County. So, he decided that if he couldn†t find what he was looking for – he had better create it! So www.walkinginbeds.co.uk came into being.

www.walkinginbeds.co.uk gives you all the information you need for the best walking in the County:

Details of more than 190 walks to download and print free, details of all the Bedfordshire walking groups, maps and walk books – plus loads more information.

So check out the website and get walking!

Have you tried Britain′s olive oil?

Do you get hay fever? Then those yellow fields of rapeseed that illuminate the English countryside each summer may seem a real nuisance. But if you like olive oil, here is some good news; you may at least enjoy the oil that comes from rapeseed.

Cold-pressed, rapeseed oil has a grassy “green” taste. It contains Omegas 3, 6 and 9, essential fatty acids that reduce cholesterol, keep your heart healthy, your joints moving, and your brain functioning. Rapeseed oil is rich in vitamin E and high in mono-unsaturated fats. It has about half the saturated fat found in olive oil. Rapeseed oil is one of the very few unblended oils which can be heated to deep-frying temperatures without spoiling its antioxidants, colour and flavour. It is also good for roasting and for use as a table condiment for dipping bread. It costs about £3.99 for half a litre, and is the oil of choice in the House of Lords. It is not known if anyone in Parliament has yet claimed it on expenses...

1st Upper Dean Brownies

New term begins on Tuesday September 8th . We meet from 6 - 7.30pm at the Dalton Hall, Upper Dean. New members very welcome. For more information contact Mandy Pippard 01480 860845.

WEA

The next WEA course begins on Wednesday 16th September 2009 at 10.15 till 11.45 at Riseley Village Hall when Mrs Elizabeth Carter will talk about “In and Out of the Workhouse”.

Enrolment starts at 9.45 on the 16th September and the course is a 10 week one.

Phone 01234 708518 or 014840 861231 for further information.

When a man gets “manflu”.... does he really suffer?

From now on, when your man has flu, you mustn’t tease him and tell him to get a grip: he really does feel far more poorly than his wife understands. Recent studies seem to show that men suffer from “manflu” because they have weaker immune systems and so are more susceptible to infections.

These findings will not surprise most women, who have known for years that they can have a cold, and yet still carry on working, looking after the children AND nursing their husband who has gone to bed with the same sniffles. But now scientists have asked for some sympathy for the men: they say that the female sex hormone, oestrogen, may be the secret of their wife’s extra strength. Oestrogen, it seems, can boost a woman′s defences against infections and viruses such as influenza. Surveys have found that up to 30 per cent of men take sick days because of colds and flu, compared to just 22 per cent of women.

The research was carried out at McGill University′s Health Centre in Montreal. Earlier research into “manflu” at Stanford University in California had concluded it was all in the man′s mind... we couldn′t possibly comment!

Blooming Theft

These are true stories: a woman went down to her local garden centre and bought 20 hardy fuschias. She spent an entire day carefully planting a fushia hedge across the front of her property. It looked great. Next morning she went down to make her breakfast tea and stared out the window in sheer disbelief: her brand new hedge was gone. Simply gone.

Another family spent two days laying a new lawn... on the morning of third day, it was gone.

Garden theft is on the increase. In the summer it soars by 63 per cent. Thieves these days help themselves to everything from your flowers, pots, shrubs, vegetables, turf, (and even lawns!) rockeries, tools, barbeques and furniture. They take olive trees, ornamental trees, huge garden ornaments, posh hoses, ride-on mowers, fish and flagstones. About the only thing they don’t bother with are the weeds and the water in your garden pond. Also, no one has yet reported any slugs stolen...

Now Dareen Black, head of insurance at the financial comparison site Confused.com advises people to check their insurance policy very carefully indeed. “They vary very widely.” Churchill covers garden loss up to £250, while Lloyds TSB Options covers up to £2,000, but not the lawn. It always pays to check that the cover you have bought really does meet your needs.

Teenagers around your house..?

Have you ever thought how much they have in common with cats?

• 1. Neither teenagers nor cats turn their heads when you call them by name.
• 2. No matter what you do for them, it is not enough. Indeed, all humane efforts are barely adequate to compensate for the privilege of waiting on them hand and foot.
• 3. You rarely see a cat walking outside of the house with an adult human being, and it can be safely said that no teenager in his or her right mind wants to be seen in public with his or her parents.
• 4. Cats and teenagers can lie on the living–room sofa for hours on end without moving, barely breathing.
• 5. Both cats and teenagers eat some very odd things – at very odd hours.
• 6. Cats are obsessed with themselves and their appearance. Teenagers....!
• 7. Cats have nine lives. Teenagers act as if they did.

MELCHBOURNE

Correspondent- Philip Pahl

Village web site - www.mmmatmelchbourne.synthasite.com

Feast Day 2009

Well this Feast Day is going to be a hard act to follow! Although it was a very last minute decision to change the location it meant that we had a perfect venue. We were blessed with beautiful sunshine and a surge of visitors especially as the fete had been announced on Radio 2. It was an excellent Feast Day and we raised around £3000 – more importantly we all had fun doing it!

Grateful thanks are in order – to Ashley Mosscrop at Green Graphics for providing the new roadside signs. To Bob Richardson of Estate Management and Alex and Tom Luddington for putting up and taking down the signs. To the nursery nurses at Inn Farm Nursery who worked on what should have been a day off.

To all the families with Mums, Dads and kids involved over Saturday and Sunday when there was so much to set up in such a short space of time – the Crofts, Foster-Colliers, Tustings , Gordons , and Beatys. Adrian and Lana, Maggie and Dee, Dave Pearson, Matthew Kirk, Malcolm McBratney and Martin Hudson all made a tremendous contribution to setting up as well. To Judy Stewart for providing such a beautiful setting for the fete.

To Sarah who was house-sitting and only found out on Friday afternoon that the fete would take place on the lawns.

To Gayle Taylor and Ian Rowland for coming up with flowers, vegetables and cards .To everyone who was serving teas in the bright sunshine after the tent blew over! To Sarah Kennedy for providing us with food for thought when she opened the Feast Day at such short notice, and not forgetting Nick Edwards our MC.

To everyone who took a turn wearing the high vis jacket standing in the middle of the road especially Lyn.

To this year’s committee members – Helen Bone, Ross and Pam Cousens, Sue Farrow, Di and Tone Lamm, Chris Murray, Jill Rata and William Tusting. And finally to everyone who baked, planted, donated a prize, and ran stalls.

As some of you may be aware Ross Cousens has had the job of sorting Feast Day out for the the past six years and I think he should be awarded some sort of medal for that! Thank you Ross for guiding me through Feast Day planning.

All in all we had a wonderful day – now for next year!

Cathy Rowland

Safari Supper

The Safari Supper which took place in June was again a great success. The evening was filled with delicious food accompanied by fine wines and very lively conversations; part of its success was the opportunity for old and new neighbours to spend time together and get to know each other better. A special thanks to Ann and Nick for their kind hospitality, where we ended the evening for coffee and nightcaps, and also to all the wonderful hosts.

Pam Cousens

Melchbourne Gardening Club

There are a number of residents in the village who have taken to growing their own this year and a “growing” feeling that we should ”bunch” together to form some sort of village club. The idea, at this stage, is fairly simple - that interested people, no matter how large, small, beginner or expert, growing floral or vegetable, will meet quarterly, or whatever, to share information, swap excess produce, join in bulk purchasing of mulch, seeds, bulbs etc., help one another with watering or any exceptional problems and, perhaps, share equipment. In the future there is the possibility of trips out to some wonderful gardens or inviting guest speakers in for a bit of entertainment. Anyone interested in taking this idea forward and becoming involved should contact me, Philip Pahl, by phone on 01234 708730 or email santapodphil@aol.com.

Mobile Post Office

Did you know there is a mobile Post Office? I did not. Well there is one in Dean at the following time weekly:-

Monday 2:20pm to 3:20pm

Wednesday 12:45pm to 1:45pm

Forthcoming Events

Saturday 3rd October Jumble Sale Village Hall 11:00 am

Saturday, 31st October Halloween Bonfire Party Details to be advised!

Saturday 21st November Christmas Bazaar Village Hall 11:00 am

Saturday 12th December The Quiz Night Village Hall

YELDEN

Yelden Chapel Service

Sunday August 9th at 11.00am Service led by Barbara Smith

The Yelden Chapel Coffee Morning

The Yelden Chapel Coffee Morning held at Top Farm Cottage on July 11th raised £257. Thanks to all who contributed and braved the drizzle to attend this annual fundraiser for chapel funds.

St Mary′s Patronal and Thanksgiving Service

Sunday 23rd August, Pimms and Pate Please join us at 10.30

This service will be lead by Mike Parsons, who many will remember was a mainstay of St Mary′s when he lived in Yelden, and who now has been ordained in the Boscastle group. We look forward to welcoming him back to our village for this occasion.

Martin Rhodes, another ex-villager but still within the Stodden Parish, has kindly agreed to give a small recital on our newly restored organ. The restoration was undertaken by Robert Shaftoe who will be there to hear it played in its original surroundings.

And the third reason for thanksgiving is Joe Dawes and Jenny′s sympathetic restoration of our pulpit and font cover. Joe and Jenny will be there to celebrate with us.

So, what a line up. Please come and join in our Thanksgiving Service to see and hear all our good news.

Strawberry Fayre

The weather was with us undoubtedly. Spring Lane seemed jammed even at 2 o′clock and queues were forming for strawberry teas. Ice creams, cakes, oysters and burgers all sold out in record time and all this made for a very happy atmosphere and at the end of the day and a handsome – and well earned – profit for St Mary′s of just over £4,000.

There are over 30 stalls, all of which have to be manned; bunting and marquee to be hoisted; stall tables to be delivered; notices to be positioned around the area; flyers to be posted in local towns and villages not to mention all those strawberries to be hulled! All these tasks are undertaken willingly under the guidance of a few people. Thanks is a “thin” word for all these helpers but good weather and a good profit go towards their satisfaction.

May I thank all my “unknown” donors of bottles for their generosity.

Sue

Bike Ride

The second Saturday in September (12th) will be an opportunity to raise funds and see some interesting buildings, by cycling round a group of churches. Half your sponsored money will go to the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust and the other half to your designated church.

THINK BIKE

Smiley Tots – Thank You,/b>

Vicky Perkins of Smiley Tots would like to thank everyone who came to the fundraising evening in aid of Smiley Tots, and for the very generous support and raffle prizes.  We raised £125 for the group and now have a new ball pool, sand pit and various other toys. A further £45 was given to the Crazy Hats Charity.  So a very big thank you to you all! 

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DEAN

Correspondent -Annette Brooks

Chapel

Services will be on Sundays 2nd; 16th; and 30th August and 13th September.

The Chapel was pleased to be host for a wedding in July and also work has begun on restoring the windows to the main Chapel.

Endurance GB,/b>

On Sunday 2nd August there will be many more horses around as they tackle the route from Oak Farm around North Beds. Visitors will be welcome to visit Oak Farm during the day but please be sensitive to the horses and riders.

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PERTENHALL

Correspondent - Chloe Reid

Pertenhall 100 Club

June Draw
No.35
No.59
No.88
No.79
No.68
No.116
July Draw
No.90
No.27
No.128
No.78
No.20
No.21

Mr N Everett
Mrs V Edwards
Mr P Collini
Mr M Stapleton
Mrs J Vasmer
Mrs E A Wheeler

Mrs J Strand
Mr P Goodge
Mr A Clayton
Mr G B Williams
Mr & Mrs T Kingham
Mrs E Stapleton

£20
£10
£7
£5
£5
£5

£20
£10
£7
£5
£5
£5

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SWINESHEAD

Correspondent - Jenny Leishman

Swineshead 100 Club

July Draw Winners (Drawn Thurs. 9th Teas)

1st Prize
2nd Prize
3rd Prize
4th Prize

£20
£10
£5
£5

Abigail Smith (8)
Pat Patrick (48)
Jean Constant (Vicky) (51)
Edna Nicholson (74)

Please note that the next draw will take place on Friday 7th August Bar Night, not as previously published.

Pilates and Yoga

Swineshead Village Hall

Pilates and Yoga classes take place at the following times:-

Pilates: Tuesday evening 7.30 – 8.30pm.

Yoga: Friday afternoon 2.30 – 4.00pm.

There will be a few vacancies in each class from Sept. 2009. Anyone interested in joining one or both of these two friendly groups please contact:

Fran Nicholson (Pilates) Tel. 01234-709655 or

Pat Tate (Yoga) Tel. 01234-708171 for further details.

Village Hall

Sixth Bell Bar open from 8p.m. on Fridays 7th August and 4th September.

Afternoon Teas in the hall from 3p.m. Thursdays 6th & 20th August and 3rd & 17th September.

The Annual Parochial Church Council

The Annual Parochial Church Council meeting took place on the 23rd April in the Village Hall. The Parochial Church Council for 2009/10 is set out below:

Mr Clive Seddon
Mr Barry Morse

Mrs Lesley Salter

Mrs Anne Leishman
Mrs Clarissa Burgess
Mrs Avrill Hanson

Mrs Jan Herdan
Mrs Pauline McManus

Churchwarden & Lay Chair
Churchwarden & Secretary & JPCC Representative
Lay Vice Chair & Treasurer & JPCC Representative
Deanery Synod Representative
Electoral Roll Officer
Lay Member & JPCC Representative
Lay Member
Lay Member

Many thanks to all those who have supported, & continue to support, the upkeep of the Church & the Churchyard. The time and effort generously given for cleaning, flower arranging, mowing & pruning enhances the enjoyment of everyone in the village, and is very much appreciated. We are also most grateful to the Village Hall Management Committee for their continuing support.

Date
August 2
August 16
August 30
Sept 27

Cleaning
Pat, Jenny E, Jean
Frances, Anne, Anne
Pauline, Clarissa, Wendy
Pauline, Clarissa, Wendy

Flowers
Clarissa
Julie
Jan
Jan

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Forthcoming Attractions

22nd August Evening	Swineshead	Sarai Supper
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9th August	Melchbourne	Summer BBQ
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13th September	Swineshead	Fun Run
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