The Reverend Hugh Bonsey Great Wishford Rectory

FEBRUARY 2017

The Reverend Hugh Bonsey Great Wishford Rectory

TEAM LETTER

“For we are God’s servants, working together;

you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Cor. 3: 9

It’s February - a month in limbo when Spring is eagerly awaited, but Winter still has us in its grip. So, we might well be feeling a little jaded, and there’s only so much pleasure one can draw from counting birds for an hour for the Big Garden Birdwatch! Why not count our blessings instead, I thought to myself. We live in a gorgeous part of the country, dotted with picture-postcard villages and beautiful churches. How much more are our village churches, these places of worship, than just bricks and mortar; more than a beautiful setting for baptisms, marriages and funerals, a haven in the maelstrom of life. A village church is its people, “God’s servants working together”. And it takes the work of a huge range of people, churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike, to keep our churches going. All who contribute to that task are the life blood of the church, often quietly working unnoticed. It is to these that I dedicate this month’s Team letter, for they are as much a part of the Team as the clergy and lay ministers. As I go from church to church, I am frequently taken aback by the quality of the flower arranging, the gleaming brass work, the well-kept graveyards and finely shaped yew trees. And there is a huge amount of bureaucracy that also has to be dealt with, requirements to be met and forms completed. Our villages abound with skills and gifts freely given so that our churches can remain open as places of worship. I think that John Betjeman probably sums it up better than I in these words from a poem called ‘Septuagesima’.

Let’s praise the hard-worked he or she / The treasurer of the PCC. / Let’s praise the cleaner of the aisles, / The nave, the candlesticks and tiles. / Let’s praise the organist who tries / To make the choir increase in size, / Or if that simply cannot be, / Just to improve its quality. / Let’s praise the ringers in the tower, / Who come to ring in cold and shower. / But most of all let’s praise the few / Who are seen in their accustomed pew / Throughout the year, whate’er the weather, / That they may worship God together. / These like a fire of glowing coals, / Strike warmth into each other’s souls, / And though they be but two or three / They keep the church for you and me.

It is sometimes all too easy to lose count of our blessings. Yvonne Allen

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BENEFICE CHURCH SERVICES FOR FEBRUARY 2017

Sunday 5th February – 4 before Lent

9.00am Steeple Langford Holy Communion (BCP)

9.30am Berwick St James Parish Communion (CW Traditional)

10.30am Wylye Parish Communion (CW)

11.00am Stapleford Parish Communion (CW)

6.00pm Little Langford Evensong + Holy Communion (BCP)

6.00pm Great Wishford Evening Prayer (BCP)

Sunday 12th February – 3 before Lent

9.00am Wylye Holy Communion (BCP)

9.30am Berwick St James Parish Communion (CW Traditional)

9.30am Great Wishford Parish Communion (CW)

10.30am Steeple Langford Family Communion (CW)

11.00am South Newton Parish Communion (CW)

6.00pm Stockton Evening Praise

Sunday 19th February – 2 before Lent

8.00am Great Wishford Holy Communion (BCP)

10.30am Little Langford Group Communion with hymns (BCP)

10.30am Winterbourne Stoke Parish Communion (CW)

11.00am Stapleford Mattins (BCP)

3.00pm South Newton Sung Evensong (BCP)

Sunday 26th February – Sunday next before Lent

9.00am Stockton Holy Communion (BCP)

9.30am Great Wishford Parish Communion (CW)

10.00am Berwick St James Mattins (BCP)

10.30am Wylye Mattins (BCP)

6.00pm Steeple Langford Evensong + Holy Communion (BCP)

Wednesday 1st March – Ash Wednesday

7.00pm Team Eucharist at Stapleford with Imposition of Ashes

Sunday 5th March – Lent 1

9.00am Steeple Langford Holy Communion (BCP)

9.30am Berwick St James Parish Communion (CW Traditional)

10.30am Winterbourne Stoke Family Service (CW) New Service

10.30am Wylye Parish Communion (CW)

11.00am Stapleford Parish Communion (CW)

6.00pm Little Langford Evensong + Holy Communion (BCP)

6.00pm Great Wishford Evening Prayer (BCP)

CW = Common Worship, BCP = Book of Common Prayer

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BERWICK ST JAMES

Ian and Jackie Fisher thank all from Berwick and around who sent messages of good wishes for Ian’s recent 80th birthday. The many cards, presents, and the large official photograph were hugely appreciated.Get well soon to everyone suffering from the horrible cold virus, also to everyone who is unwell, and especially George Sherman-Haggaty, Carol Scott and Barbara Last.Goodbye and good luck to Jacky Webb who will be very much missed in the village.Welcome to Brian and Wendy Armstrong, we do hope you enjoy living in Berwick.

THANK YOU to everyone who helps in the village, those who run the church, the Reading Room, the Village Meeting, the Cricket Club, Yoga, Zumba, Speedwatch, the Parish magazine, Neighbourhood and Farm Watch, and all the many other events. Special thanks to all who quietly help, the good neighbours, those who pick up litter, look after the defibrillator, and do the thingsthat make this such a great community.

CHURCH NEWS: CAROL SERVICEThe 2016 Carol Service was a magic occasion as not only were all the readings read superbly well, but we were fortunate to have Martin and Rosie Gairdner’s grandson to sing for us. Marcus is a chorister at Kings College Cambridge and he sang the first verse of Once in Royal David’s City, the first verse of Away in a Manger and a verse of In the Bleak Mid-Winter for us on 18th December. Marcus sang the first verse of Once in Royal on Christmas Eve at Kings College Cambridge for the live BBC World Service radio broadcast of nine lessons and carols listened to by millions of people. Marcus also sang a solo of We Three Ships on the televised version. What a privilege to have Marcus sing for us in St James Church.

CHRISTMASThe church was packed for the marvellous Candlelit Carol Service and the Christmas Day service. A great many thanks to the Choir, flower arrangers, candle organizers and everyone who helped.

PLANT AND PRODUCE TABLE

Hello Villagers and Friends. I am pleased to tell you that together we have raised £530.50p for Cancer Research. Our Fund-raising certificate will follow in due course. What an amazing result for our first time. It all started with the Manure – thank you Greenacres. The plants, vegetables, fruit, flowers and preserves followed. Thanks to everybody who supported the table: Mrs Hibberd and Bob, The Boot for the table, the board and letting me raise funds in the Pub, Tim and his wife from South Newton for the group hug. Too many people to mention.Unfortunately, we all know of someone who has been touched by cancer. Let’s do it again this year, together we can make a difference. SO JUST GROW IT. What a great village we live in.Yours Aye Christine.

A303 WINTERBOURNE STOKE BYPASSMost people will know that public consultations are being held about the re-structuring of the A303 from Amesbury to Berwick Down. The “Tunnel” option looks as if it has been confirmed, but two options have been presented for the bypass around Winterbourne Stoke, and the residents of the local villages have been asked to comment and express their preferences. Highways

England will determine the most suitable route for the A303 and they say that public opinion was required to help chose the more acceptable route.The selection of the Southern Bypass option would have a major effect on the tranquillity of Berwick St James and would adversely affect the commercial and the social aspects of the village

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and surrounding countryside. Unlike Winterbourne Stoke where public opinion may well be divided, the opinion in Berwick is almost entirely against the southern route. Discussions will be held to decide how to address this issue, and responses must be provided to Highways England by 5th March 2017. The decision will be made mid-2017. Let us hope that the southern route is not selected. We need every individual to respond independently as well as a whole village. Please see public information events are continuing, where you can meet the project team, ask questions and view more details of the proposed solutions.

Friday 27th Jan 2 -8pm Manor Barn Winterbourne Stoke; Saturday 28th Jan 11am – 5pm The Guildhall Salisbury; Saturday 4th Feb 11am – 5pm Grove Hall Church St Mere; Wednesday 8th Feb 2pm- 8pm Antrobus House Salisbury Rd Amesbury.

AVIAN INFLUENZA (Bird Flu)Bird Flu is a disease of birds, and risks to public health are very low and do not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.If you keep poultry – whether on a commercial scale or simply a small backyard flock – you are now required by law to house them or otherwise keep them separate from wild birds. This requirement has now been extended until 28th February 2017. This applies to all poultry, even three or four in your back garden.Avian flu has been found in the wild bird population – including at Abbotsbury. Members of the public are encouraged to report dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) gulls, and birds of prey, to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.A guide for keepers of backyard flocks –

CAROL SINGING AROUND THE VILLAGE A good bunch of us walked around the village and sang carols, especial thanks to those who sang the descant. We had a great time, keeping up the village tradition, and finished with mulled wine and mince pies at the Reading Room. We collected for Wiltshire Air Ambulance, I don’t yet know how much we collected – hopefully it will be in the next magazine. Thank you to Martin Gairdner for leading the singing, and to James and Claire Whatley and Nicky Street. And thank you to all who came and sang!

THE BOOT INNWe are going on holiday. Our kitchen will be closed from the 31st January to 13th February. It will reopen on Tuesday 14th February. However, our bar will be open as usual. To book for Valentine’s Day please call 01722 790243. “Pie and Pint” night returns! Every Tuesday our popular “pie & a pint” night returns (excluding our holiday period). For more details see the advert elsewhere in the magazine.

PINK ELEPHANTS AND CREATURES OF NIGHTWatch out for the new date for this talk about the Moths of Berwick, we are sorry that we have had to postpone.

We wish Barbara a speedy recovery.Barbara has been trapping moths and other night creatures for nearly 20 years. The records she keeps go to the County Biological Records Office, contributing to national records. Sadly, the figures have shown significant decline in recent years. Barbara was formerly a warden for the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve at Broadchalke for 30 years.

COME JOIN ZUMBA AND FITNESS PILATES CLASS IN BERWICK ST JAMES

Come and join a very friendly small community fitness group in Berwick St James with

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age ranges of current attendees from 20s to 70s. Classes are run by Girls Love Fit.Zumba and Fitness Pilates run every Thursday at The Girl Guides Centre, Berwick St James. If you fancy trying a taster class, please get in touch by emailing or phoning 07900 982 861.

GREAT WISHFORD

SINGING THE FAITHAbout nine of us (including two pianists, Hurray!) from our parishes met each week during Advent to look at different hymns and think about when and why they, and often their tunes, were written. Every week someone prepared one or two hymns to share with the rest of us, we all talked about them and sang one or two verses. Which hymn do I think is our favourite in the Wylye and TillValley? Simple. When someone chose ‘What a friend we have in Jesus’, there was a chorus of ‘But that’s my favourite hymn, that’s my favourite hymn’. I think the sessions were a lot of fun for everyone, and I at any rate learnt a lot, and thought a lot about how we sing our faith. There was a very wide variety of hymns chosen, from ancient to modern, there are, of course, hundreds more to choose from if anyone wants to do this again. Louisa

VOLUNTEERS WANTEDA group of us clean the church in pairs, choosing the month we can manage, & spending just 2 hours chatting whilst we sweep, cobweb & polish. (less chat when vacuuming!).We would welcome more people to join us, or if you prefer your own company we would welcome someone to clean the brass! Contact Alana

LENT LUNCH, GREAT WISHFORDin aid of Salisbury Hospice, on Tuesday 21st March, 12-2pm at Station House.Everybody welcome.

CHURCH FLOWERS

We are desperate for more flower arrangers. Could you help?This is only a commitment for 2 weeks a year, which you choose.Contact Daphne.

CRIB SERVICE 24th DECEMBER 2016Mary & Joseph arrived safely at St Giles Church, Great Wishford in spite of the fact Joseph had to have his head stuck on part way through the journey around the village. Perhaps we could use this as a symbol of Mary & Josephs’ difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem! During the service the children found the crib figures & we all listened to the reading of the Christmas story & sang appropriate carols.By the end of the service the crib was beautifully made & a collection of £200 was sent to the Church Army, whose whole idea the concept of Posada & the crib service is.It is lovely to know that as I receive letters from the Church Army throughout the year, they are praying for us at St Giles Church, & they ask us to pray for them in their work, also.This is a good time to thank everyone who read so beautifully at this service, & a very special thank you to David whose playing we all so enjoy; it is with sadness that this will be his final crib service, as many of you will know he has now retired from playing the organ for services. Louisa.

CHRISTMAS CAFÉ AT ST GILESOur third Christmas café was really well supported, both by our amazing bakers, who provided a wonderful array of festive cakes, and by villagers, mums and children who came to enjoy them. We also had a huge number of raffle prizes donated. The mulled wine and hot chocolate with marshmallows helped warm up hands and contributed to the festive atmosphere. What a

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way to end the year – with cheerful chatter and church funds boosted by a fantastic £147.80. Go to to view the great selection of cakes, and read about the journey of one particular cake… If anyone would like to bake for the café, just now and again or more regularly, please contact me, or David and Eileen Boler. Thanks to all who helped make that Café so successful. Yvonne Allen

WISHFORD OAK APPLE CLUB CHRISTMAS SUPPEROn 17th December, South Newton Village Hall was once again festively decorated and filled with the sound of chatter, munching and carols. The turkey, roast potatoes, pigs in blankets and stuffing, followed by lovely tarts and puddings, cheese and biscuits, went down a treat. The ‘play wot Ruth wrote’, Hansel and Gretel, sent a shiver down the spines of our audience, so menacingly scary were the characters (and that was before

they got dressed up! – see pictures at It was a real team effort, with too many people to thank individually, but to Ruth for her planning and her play, to Sophie for her music, to Guy on the bar and to everyone who heroically served in the kitchen on the evening, thank you very much! Yvonne Allen

SOUTH NEWTON & STOFORD

ST ANDREW’S–DAISYWe were greatly saddened by the death of Daisy Henstridge before Christmas. She and husband Henry have always loyally supported St Andrews Church all their lives. She was always in the thick of things when events were being organised and was a staunch helper at fetes, suppers and celebrations of all sorts. She cooked, cleaned and provided flowers. She, and Henry, made quiet but considerable financial contributions for particular projects, and right to her end she set aside, on a regular basis, items of food for the Trussell Trust.She was not one for seeking the

limelight, but many of us have been touched by her quiet warmth and love.Sadly, her last years did her no favours. It was hard for her family to watch her deterioration. She had so many family members and friends who were by her side. With standing room only at her funeral, that was surely an indication of the place Daisy had in our hearts and in the community.Our love and condolences go to Henry and all the family.

CHRISTMAS AT ST ANDREW’SIt all goes by in a flash, after so much anticipation and preparation.The three services at St Andrew’s were celebrations of joy. Thanks I think to Neil’s leafletting and persuasion, the Carol Service was a particularly well attended occasion. Coffee and mince pies afterwards were a further inducement. (Thank you again to Neil for the provision of refreshments.)Rosemary’s Crib Service was another happy occasion, with young people finding the characters of the Christmas story, placed around the church, to be brought to the stable. For many, especially children, this service, quietly round the crib and Christmas tree, marks the beginning of Christmas.Though the congregation on Christmas morning was very sparse, it was a happy start to the day’s celebration.Finally, a sincere thank you to all who made the church look so lovely. The number who do this is diminishing but still everywhere looked festive and beautiful. Thank you. Rather late, but a Happy New Year to you all.