Harvest Time - David Mason
As I write this it is past the middle of August, the weather has been warm
and dry, and as I drive to Felmersham I notice that almost all of the
grain harvest has now been gathered in. The fields are being prepared for
the planting of next year's crops. What a contrast this is to the pictures
we see on the television and in the newspapers of many parts of the world,
where the ground is dry and dusty, and the crops are non existent. A large
part of Africa has had years of failed rains and harvests. Many people are
going hungry, illness is rife, and the outlook is poor for those who live
there.
I have just received information from the organizers of the Bishop of St
Albans' Harvest for the Hungry Appeal, further details of which appear
below.
The Bishop's Appeal is concentrating its efforts on supporting rural
communities on the Malawi/Mozambique border who have been badly affected
by drought and crop failure. We have had a dry spell for a few weeks, and
the grassy areas are beginning to look brown. Just try to imagine how it
would be if we had very little rain for a whole year, or for several
years, as has been the case in these parts of Africa. At the beginning of
October we will be having our traditional Harvest Festival Service in the
morning, and a special service of Thanks and Praise in the evening. After
the evening service there will be refreshments, and a Harvest Produce
Tombola will be held. The proceeds of the Tombola will be given to the
Bishop's Appeal.
Jesus stressed the importance of loving and caring for our neighbour,
whoever and wherever that neighbour may be. It is our Christian duty to
care for those who are in need, and it is all too obvious from the news
and the pictures from that part of the world that there are very many
people there who are in desperate need. In our rejoicing at our good
fortune we must not forget those who are in need, they must also share in
the bounty the we have been given. Please be generous in you gifts and
giving at our harvest celebrations
Companion Dog Show -
Theo Gibbs
Dog Diary!! Don't forget the Show on the riverside grounds of Sharnbrook
Mill Theatre on Sunday 7t September from 11am Judging 12 noon. 5 Pedigree
& 14 Novelty classes including Fancy Dress. Trophies to keep, rosettes to
6th place, stalls, refreshments, licensed bar.
Harvest for the Hungry - Rev David Mason
Each year we send the proceeds of the Harvest Festival to the Bishop of St
Alban's 'Harvest for the Hungry Appeal'. This year the focus of the appeal
is a food security programme on the Malawi/Mozambique Border. The
programme is responding to immense hardship in the region, helping rural
communities that are facing serious food and water hardships after years
of droughts and failed harvests. Please support this appeal as a way of
thanking God for our successful harvests. In addition to our usual morning
Harvest Festival Service we will be having a special evening Service of
Thanks and Praise followed by refreshments and a harvest produce tombola
in aid of the Bishop's Fund
Sponsored Cycle Ride - Stephen Hill
The annual sponsored cycle ride and walk organised by Beds and Herts
Historic Churches Trust takes place on 13th September. Cyclists choose
their own route visiting local churches, so you can make the ride as long
or as short as you like. Sponsorship proceeds are divided equally between
the Trust and the church of the rider's choice. This is an ideal
opportunity to exercise yourself and your bike while contributing to St
Mary's restoration fund. Contact me on 781064 if you would like a
sponsorship form or for further details, or if you would like to man the
checkpoint at St Mary's for an hour to sign through visiting cyclists.
Coffee Morning - Jane Wells
The Church Coffee Morning for September is to be held at the home of Tony
and Jo Morris, on Saturday 6th September at 10.30am.
Next month's, also in aid of the Church Heating Fund, will be hosted by
Laurie and May Mills, on Saturday 4th October 2003 at 10.30am. Home made
cakes, toiletries, produce and bric-a-brac for the bring and buy stall
will be greatly appreciated. All welcome
"And the Winner Is....." - Candace Rankin
The Sunflower Extravaganza Tea Party held on 24 August saw Ken Shrimpton
receive the coveted First Prize Award. Thunderous applause echoed
throughout the village as he accepted a hand-crafted birdhouse, trophy,
and experienced the thrill of having the much sought after "First"
medallion slipped around his neck (a bit too tightly I thought) by last
year's winner, his wife, Lorraine.
Before this moving moment, Lorraine delivered her last speech as Sunflower
Chump (Champ) adorned in a resplendent sash and a fairy wand that would
have made Julian Clarey quiver with covetous thoughts. She explained that
her year as Queen of the the Sunflower had taken her to many exotic
places. She was a huge hit in the North Pole, Finland, and Outer Mongolia.
She performed many good deeds, and has decided to devote her life to
children, but let slip that the favourite thing she opened all year was a
bottle of gin! She did a final "Sunflower Catwalk" parading past the 34
entrants lined up ;n a row for judging
For those statistical buffs, there were 29 winners called forward during
the Awards Ceremony, and we would like to say a huge congratulations to
Sue Middlemas for 2nd place, and Leanne Turton for 3rd. The Teddy Bear
Hunt was won by Fraser Hocking and Chloe. Anna and Joan Ure did magical
things with face painting for the children. An unforgettable image of the
day in my mind was the removal of the Middlemas' sunflower by a tractor at
the end of the day! So huge was its height and perfect its flower and
foliage in the glorious summer sunshine as it drove away! A resplendent
specimen !!
Many entrants arrived with flair and pride as they steadied their pot and
stepped back with a smile of satisfaction. Those smiles made it all worth
the effort! Some made a couple of feeble excuses as to why their sunflower
was not the winner. David Cook insisted that his truly WAS bigger than
Ken's, but couldn't bring it along as a squirrel had nested in the flower
and he could not disturb it! Jeff Stokley claimed that 10 feet of his
sunflower had been left in the ground at home!
Judge Marjorie Pipe arrived with Dolly, resplendent in her diamante
collar. Dolly looked nice, too. There was a bit of excitement early on
when Dolly fell into a bowl of crisps! Apparently she had just had a
pedicure at Pretty Pooch Emporium and her nails were still wet; she lost
her balance whilst airing them. Dolly had her own minder for the day,
Chloe, so her mother would not be distracted from the serious work and
reflection called for as our esteemed judge.
The children were kept busy all afternoon with a Teddy Bear Treasure Hunt,
and an assortment of ingenious games thought out by my child at heart
husband!
An enormous thank you goes to those who helped with cakes, sandwiches,
wine, chairs, tables, pouring tea, minding the bar, and all those other
essentials that make for a great village affair! In the 3 years of this
event we have gone from 2, to 12, and now to 34! Shall we try for 70
entrants next year?! One of the nicest things said to Peter and me was
that the afternoon was what village life used to be like and still can be.
We are a community of and for each other that deserves celebration, so
come join us next year
W. E. (Ron) Draycott M B E - Chris and Joan Ure
It is with much sadness that we have to announce the death of Ron
Draycott, who lived in Felmersham for many years and died on 1st September
2003 at Kettering General Hospital at the age of eighty-seven. The funeral
will be held at St Mary's, Felmersham at 2pm on Tuesday 9th September.
Ron, will perhaps best be remembered for his comprehensive history of
Felmersham and Radwell: 'Grain and Chaff', which was reprinted in 2001.
Ron spent most of his working life in the Royal Air Force, during which
time he was awarded the MBE. He also worked for Hunting Engineering in
Ampthill. Ron leaves his wife Greta, their two daughters, Diane and Lynn
and their grandchildren, Donna and Jenny. Ron also leaves a surviving
sister Gladys, who lives in Nottingham.
Messages of condolence can be sent to Greta and her family.
Felmersham Yoga Club - Hilary Foot
Yoga classes restart at Pinchmill Village Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 1st
September. You are invited to join us for eight sessions on Monday
evenings from 7.30 to 8.30. Please bring a yoga mat, large towel or
blanket.
All ranges of ability are welcome, from beginners onwards. Even if you
can't make the first session, we will be pleased to see you for some or
all of the others. If you have any queries, please telephone me on 781340.
Save the Children Quiz - Andrew Evans
The postponed quiz in aid of the Save the Children Fund has been
re-arranged for Friday 26 September at Sharnbrook Upper School with a
7-30pm start. Teams of between 6 and 8 members are most welcome and
tickets can be reserved from Andrew Evans on 782523 at £5 per player
including a glass of wine and table nibbles. Chris Spoor has kindly agreed
to be the question master ably assisted by Maggie so it promises to be an
entertaining evening with all the proceeds going to this worthy cause. A
bar selling wine and soft drinks will be available. I look forward to
seeing a number of teams from Felmersham.
Save the Children Fund - Jacky Phipps
In giving advance notice of the annual SCF weekend for the sale of
Christmas cards and gifts, I apologise for mentioning the dreaded word so
early! The sale will take place on October 11 and 12 at East Grange. More
details will appear in the next issue.
I shall be distributing catalogues around the village in the very near
future. Even if you aren't able to come to the open weekend, you can order
through me at any time between now and the end of November and save the
postal charges (increased this year). I was very grateful for your support
last year and hope that we can raise even more this year for this
excellent cause.
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