PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – THURSDAY 26th SEPTEMBER 2013The latest meeting of the Parish Council took place on Thursday 26 September at 7.30pm in the village hall.

Pavilion – Oscar has arranged for two estimates for the roof to be submitted. Debbie reported that an application to the Community Initiative Fund would be considered, however the deadline for the latest round had passed.

Playing field – The beech tree will need some pruning and Oscar will undertake this. It was also agreed to purchase 3 new trees to put on the playing field. Wicksteed Leisure have been booked to carry out the annual safety inspection.

Highways – As you are all no doubt aware the state of our roads is a continuing problem and despite our reporting potholes on a regular basis, no repairs appear to have been carried out. Martyn Fall has written to our Essex County Councillor, David Finch, about the situation and has only just received a short reply. Debbie will now compile a list of the potholes reported and a suitable response will be sent. As before, any highway problems can be reported to me or direct to Essex County Council on www.essex.gov.uk and follow the links.

WINTER SALT BAG SCHEME

As may have been mentioned here previously, Stambourne Parish Council have joined Essex County Council winter saltbag scheme whereby Essex CC will supply 1 tonne of salt to the parish for use on the roads which are not part of the normal gritting routes. To this end, we are now asking for any volunteers who would be prepared to help with this scheme. This would be of great help for Church Road and Chapel End Way which does not get any gritting at all in bad weather. If you think you might be able to help please contact any of your Parish Councillors or myself for details. Please remember that this salt is for use on the roads only and not on private drives or paths.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 21 November 2013 at 7.30pm in the village hall, Stambourne.





Debbie Hilliard
Parish Clerk
Tel: 01440 785629

Email: Debbie.hilliard@duffields.co.uk
ST. PETER & ST. THOMAS BECKET PARISH CHURCH
CHURCH SERVICES

9.30 Sunday 6th October - No Service
4pm Sunday 13th October HARVEST FESTIVAL - The Vicar
9.30 Sunday 20th October Holy Communion - Rev Richard Caink
9.30 Sunday 27th October Holy Communion - The Vicar
9.30 Sunday 3rd November - No Service
9.30 Sunday 10th November Remembrance Service @ Memorial - The Vicar
9.30 Sunday 17th November Holy Communion - Rev Richard Caink
9.30 Sunday 24th November Morning Prayer - David Brown
9.30 Sunday 1st December - No Service
9.30 Sunday 8th December Holy Communion - The Vicar
9.30 Sunday 15th December Holy Communion - Rev Richard Caink
4pm Sunday 22nd December - CAROL SERVICE
9.30 Wednesday 25th December CHRISTMAS DAY COMMUNION - Rev Richard Caink
10.00 Sunday 29th December Benefice Service - The Vicar
CALLING ALL SPORTS COACHES
Would you like to be a sports coach?  Do you already do some sports coaching and want to improve your skills? 
 
Active Essex is running a programme of training courses from 25th October to 7th December 2013.  There are National Governing Body coaching awards in a variety of sports as well as Workshops for sports clubs.  Examples are:
Coaching Awards: Hockey, Handball, Boccia, Badminton, Bowls, Tennis, Netball, Basketball.
 
Sports Club Workshops: Business Essentials, Marketing Essentials, Safeguarding & Protecting Children, How to Coach Disabled People.
 
A full list of dates and venues is on the website http://www.activeessex.org/Coaching/coaches-week  
 
Book a place on line: the courses are reasonably priced and bursaries are available (apply via the website).  For more information contact Rebecca Rowley, Coaching Development Manager on 01245 438612 or email rebecca.rowley@activeessex.org
 

STAMBOURNE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Adrian BurrFrom the Chapel

In recent months we have been watching the news of what is happening across the world. We see battles going on in Syria and Egypt, between nations and supporting factions. I looked into who is involved in the Syrian conflict and who supports whom and it appears whichever side our government supports we are likely to benefit the enemies of our free way of life.  It's complicated and difficult and so I can clearly understand why the government backed out of military involvement.  As a Christian I find it even more difficult because one side clears a Christian area and then another goes in and claims it back and the Christian families are allowed to return until the next cycle comes round.  No wonder so many have left the country and are seeking to live elsewhere.

So what can we do?  There are many appeals from organisations such as Open Doors and Barnabas Trust who have people on the ground and can get food and essentials to those who have remained in the country.  There is the Red Cross and many other charities who are involved in the refugee camps.  We can campaign for increased diplomatic efforts, and these days even write to the Governments concerned (via email) and ask that they act in humane ways.

As Churches we can also pray.  For we know that prayer changes things.  We know that our God listens and answers our prayers in His way and in His time.

Our Holiday Club theme this year was Groundbreakers and a dozen children turned up to events over the three days in August and enjoyed fun activities to do with people who broke ground in the Bible. They made models (anyone like to buy a RALPH - an earthmoving machine that flies and goes across water and is made of an innovative material Carboardium? - I'm told it’s only £1000!!!)  In the afternoons we had a fun afternoon on the recreation ground, and the second day making those strange machines and then finally on the last day we enjoyed a BBQ.

It was a fun three days that concluded on the Sunday with a time sharing the stories together.


Our next events are:

Remembrance Service 10th November - this year we join our friends at the Church round the memorial and then we will have a short service in the chapel starting at 10:45am with a silence leading up to 11am.   We would like to celebrate with the families whose relatives died in the Great War and with any who have lost friends or relatives over the last years whether in war or not, for a time of reflection and remembering ...

It is Shoe Box time again and we will be packing our 100 boxes to send to Samaritans Purse with essentials such as a flannel and soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, paper and pencils, a hat, scarf and gloves, a toy and a few other items. These get sent to Eastern European countries where children receive no toys and often can't afford the essentials for healthy living. The packing day is on 19th October at 10am until 12 noon so please come along and help! We also still need some shoe boxes!!

Christmas is coming along fast and so we will be offering items for sale at a Christmas Coffee morning and sale on 30th November. Watch for the adverts.

Our Christmas services will include:
A Christmas Celebration ...  Carols and songs on 8th December

A Christmas service for all...  A traditional Service on the 22nd December

A short Christmas day service at 9:30 am

Our Sunday Services start at 10:30 am for 15 minutes pre-service prayer and 10:45 for the main service.  Every 2nd Sunday of the month is a communion service and every fourth is a service led by the Reach Worship Group.

We are happy to Baptise, and Christen adults and children and are licensed for marriages and available to provide funeral services.

All details are on our Facebook page - Stambourne Chapel so "like" us to keep up with what is going on!

Hope you can keep warm as the autumn weather approaches!!

God bless, Adrian Burr

HALLOWEEN QUIZ NIGHT



26th October 7.30pm

Prizes for winning table

2 Course Hot Meal

Bring a carved pumpkin. Best one wins a prize

Dress Up if you want

£8.50p per person

Quiz will not be as hard as last year, Liz promises

For tickets: Cath 01440 785 678
Joyce 01440 730 502




CHRISTMAS FAYRE

CHRISTMAS FAYRE - Sunday 8th December 2013
11am until 3pm

Stambourne Village Hall

Christmas Wreaths, Traditional & Fancy Candles

Cards for good causes

Free mince pies and mulled wine

If you would like to sell your home-made wares on the day give me a call. Cath 01440 785 678
WHAT’S ON LOCALLY

LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS – CLARE – SATURDAY 12th OCTOBER
"Last Night of the Proms". Conductor Nigel Partridge. Come and listen to music and sing your favourite songs from "The Last Night". Bar available before and during the concert. Tickets available (from the end of August) from Hudgies Hardware,Clare Pharmacy and Nigel Partridge. £6 (children under 14, £4) Contact: nrpartridge@googlemail.com

KING HAROLD DAY Did you know King Harold of Battle of Hastings Fame was buried at Waltham Abbey? Waltham Abbey Gardens Saturday 12th October 2013 Activities, stalls, music, re-enactments, living history and a procession to the King Harold memorial stone

KENTWELL HALL, LONG MELFORD – SCARESVILLE. A chance to be scared whilst walking round the ground in the dark of Kentwell Hall. It makes its welcome return on selected dates from Friday 11 October to Saturday 2 November, after dark! http://www.scaresville.co.uk


8:00 PM - THE MAGIC OF MOTWN – SATURDAY 26th October
Live on stage the music of the... FOUR TOPS : TEMPTATIONS : SUPREMES : JACKSON 5 : STEVIE WONDER ; LIONEL RICHIE ; MARVIN GAYE and many more. Set in a Las Vegas style cabaret bar but be sure to bring along your dancing shoes to what is one of the very best Motown nights out you'll ever see.
Web Site: www.sturmerhall.com/events
Contact: dph@sturmerhall.com on 01440 705 368
Venue: Sturmer Hall in Sturmer .


7:30 PM - CLARE FLOWER CLUB OPEN EVENING - Friday 8th November 2013
Our popular open evening! This year we have a demonstration entitled "Seasonal Anticipation" by National Demonstrator - Nick Grounds. Tickets £10.00 includes buffet supper and glass of wine or fruit juice. Raffle! Tickets available from Sandra Beverly 01787 278670 or Hudgies Hardware.

Contact: sherrywilson@btinternet.com on 01787 277119
Venue: Clare Town Hall in Clare.

ART CLASSES IN STAMBOURNE

Calling all budding artists

Hello, my name is Jenny Wood and I am calling for any interest in a series of art classes to be held in the near future in Stambourne. I propose to hold 6 x 2 hour sessions one evening per week over 6 weeks and offer a class to beginners and improvers which will include drawing, watercolour, pastels, acrylic, landscapes and still life, and self-expression (an experiential Art Therapy session). They will be held in an evening and the day and cost is yet to be arranged, but it is hoped to be a minimal charge to cover costs. Some materials may be available, and some could be available for purchase – or feel free to bring your own. All of this is subject to numbers of expressed interest. If you would like to express an interest please email me at: jannah_arttherapist@yahoo.co.uk or phone 07760263758 I look forward to hearing from you.

I am an artist, trained at Cambridge College of Arts and Technology in Illustration and Design; I regularly exhibit and sell my work and undertake commissions in my spare time. The last 20 years of my life has been dedicated to the NHS as an Art Therapist working with people with learning disabilities and enabling people experiencing mental health difficulties to recovery. I also offer a private practice and a number of other services associated with my professional role as an Art Therapist and Systemic Practitioner.

STAMBOURNE LADIES GROUP
Village Hall – 7.30pm

October 9th - Open Meeting - Anybody including Men allowed - Ashley Cooper talking about Captain Oates
 
November 13th - Open Meeting - The Royal Butler - Patrick Thompson
 
December 11th - Christmas Party
BONFIRE NIGHT – SATURDAY 2ND NOVEMBER


The Village Bonfire Night will be on Saturday 2nd November

From 6.30pm







PILATES CLASSES
Pilates classes take place every Tuesday from 1100 until 1200 in Stambourne Village Hall.  

If you are interested in attending please call Michelle for details on 07956 256924.

TOPPESFIELD CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TRIP TO NORWICH

25th year of the  Christmas Shopping or sight-seeing  bus trip to Norwich on Sat 16th Nov 2013....

Leaves Toppesfield pump at 8.00am, returns back at 6.30pm......

Only £16.00 a seat...

Book your place early with a £5:00 deposit...(as Ruffles coaches is no more and the new bus company Turner of Essex needs a deposit) PLEASE with your full payment due by 2nd Nov.

Contact Zoe on 01440 785778

Also a 50/50 cash raffle will be held all proceeds over will go to Toppesfield School
CHURCH WEDDING – 31 August

Kate Manchee married Dave Walker on 31.08.13.  Reverend Barbara Hume carried out the service beautifully and we had the Stambourne Singers accompanied by Michael Hynds on the church organ.  They were brilliant.  Cath Pouchin decorated the church with flowers and the venue at the White Hart Hotel, Great Yeldham.  

Everything was so beautiful and the day was just perfect.



JUMBLE SALE


2nd November at 2 o'clock.
 
We will be in the village hall sorting on 1st of November morning afternoon and evening. Saturday we will be in the hall from 10 o'clock.
 
Jumble sale starts at 2 O'clock. With cake stall.

Entrance 50p.

All donations, jumble or cakes will be very much appreciated. Helpers needed.
 
For more information please ring Lois Hunter on 01440785720.
Thank you very much. All proceeds to Essex Air Ambulance.

CHURCH BELLS

It is said that cleanliness is next to Godliness, and an effort has now been made to bring the two together.

A parishioner, who does not wish to be named (for fear that he may be asked to clear out everyone’s attic!) has given the bell loft and clock chamber at the church their first and much-needed clean-up in many years. Twelve large bags of accumulated dirt, dust, bird droppings and nesting materials have been removed. During the cleaning two masons’ marks were found in the reveal of the bell loft east window, and what are thought to be vestiges of a master carpenter’s mark on the bell frame.

The bell chamber, immediately below the roof of the Norman tower, contains a ring of five bells, the oldest of which dates from 1583, and the newest from 1734. They were all made relatively locally, four in Sudbury, by Henry Pleasant and Thomas Gardiner and the oldest in Thetford, by Thomas Draper. None of those bell-foundries now exists.

The bell frame is mostly of oak, and is believed to be the only one of its kind in this region. It dates from the 15th century with later additions, and was constructed for full circle ringing of the bells. Sadly the tower is no longer strong enough to permit this, and the bells have been fitted with hammers for chiming.

The clock chamber holds a turret clock made by John Smith of Derby in 1888, and bought by the people of Stambourne to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887. Originally it had to be wound by hand every five or six days, but recently it was converted to automatic winding.

Further pictures are available on the Stambourne website at www.stambourne.com/ChurchBells. If anyone can work out the mason’s or carpenter’s marks, please email info @ stambourne.com
ONLINE COMMUNITY WEBSITE – www.streetlife.com

You may have had a flier through the letterbox from www.streetlife.com, which is a site that brings local people together. It’s been featured on the BBC and other news sites and whilst it’s clearly a company that exists to make money, it may be of interest to local residents.

DIARY DATES

OCTOBER
2nd, 16th & 30th, Mobile Library, Chapel End Way (16.35), Village Hall (16.55)
9th, Stambourne Ladies Group, Open Meeting - Anybody including Men allowed - Ashley Cooper talking about Captain Oates 7.30pm, Village Hall
26th, Halloween Quiz Night, 7.30pm Village Hall

NOVEMBER
2nd Jumble Sale, 2 o’clock, Village Hall
2nd Bonfire Night & Fireworks, from 6.30pm
13th & 27th, Mobile Library, Chapel End Way (16.35), Village Hall (16.55)
13th Stambourne Ladies Group - Open Meeting - The Royal Butler - Patrick Thompson, 7.30pm Village Hall
16th Toppesfield Shopping Trip, see article
21st, Parish Council Meeting, 7.30pm Village Hall

DECEMBER
8th CHRISTMAS FAYRE, 11am – 3pm, Village Hall



Items for the next Newsletter by 17th November Steve Platt Tel : 01440 785638 or Mobile : 07767 357016 Email : me @ stephenplatt.com