Stambourne

In this issue:

• STAMBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL
• CHEESE AND WINE EVENING — THANK YOU
• ST. PETER & ST. THOMAS BECKET PARISH CHURCH
• SERVICES AT STAMBOURNE FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS
• RECTOR’S RAMBLINGS
• STAMBOURNE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
• WHAT’S ON AT THE CHAPEL
• STAMBOURNE LADIES GROUP
• STAMBOURNE ACTIVITIES
• OTHER ACTIVITIES
• STAMBOURNE DEFIBRILLATOR

Pavilion

The next stage of improvement works at the Pavilion is just about to start with repainting of the main room, kitchen and hallway. Once this is complete new flooring will be installed ready for the summer.

Highways

Essex Highways have now unblocked the drains in Church Road. There were no other issues reported. If you have any highways issues they can be reported online at essex.gov.uk/highways.

Footpaths

Essex County Council are aware of the blocked footpath on Finchingfield Road and efforts continue to resolve the situation.

Stambourne Children’s Party

Sadly, given the rise in Covid cases, the decision was taken to cancel the party for 2022.

Platinum Jubilee – a date for your diary

A committee made up of representatives from village groups has been formed to arrange a celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The date is Thursday, 2nd June 2022 – more details will follow.

Parish Council Meeting Dates 2022
• 31st March 2022
• 19th May 2022
• 21st July 2022
• 22nd September 2022
• 23rd November 2022 (Wednesday)

All are Thursdays at 7.30pm in the Village Hall unless shown otherwise.

More details may be found here »

Full minutes are available on the village website: stambourne.com/parish-council.

Debbie Hilliard, Parish Clerk

debbiehilliard614@gmail.com, 01440 785 629

MICHAEL GERRARD
I start my update with some sad news. Michael Gerrard, who until about four or five years ago lived in Stambourne, has sadly passed away.

Michael used to be a Churchwarden here alongside Maurice Hamblin for quite a few years, so I have been told. His first wife Margaret is buried in our Churchyard.

Can we hold Michael’s family in our prayers at this sad time.

The apostle Paul had it right when he talks about ‘running with perseverance’. It’s no good throwing in the towel part way round a park run course, or part way through dealing with a
problem, you have to see it through to the end. But, like the parkrun where there are lots of people, he knows that when we are running our race of life we are not alone. Paul writes:-

‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.’ Hebrews 12:1

Each generation that has gone before us has welcomed new life, enjoyed abundance, experienced joy and yet has also known grief, endured hardship and at times felt immense sorrow. Being human invariably means that we will all experience these things (and more) in our lifetime. We enjoy the good times but when more challenging seasons roll in, we can become despondent and perhaps fail to see the possibilities in a new dawn. Yet, this passage invites us to remember that great cloud of witnesses —ordinary people throughout history that the Lord has worked in and through to do extraordinary things — and not only to dare to dream of a brighter future, filled with possibility and hope, but to be people that the Lord will use today to make those dreams and visions a reality here and now.

We just need to shake off all that holds us back from seeing and believing and then step forward at pace into the future that the Lord has prepared for us.

I am certainly not naïve about the challenges that we face this year, both as individuals and as church, and yet these words from the letter to the Hebrews is surely just the encouragement that we need in such a time as this.

So, whatever is going on in your life right now, hear the Lord whispering these words to you and with faith, prayer and a good sense of humour let’s run together with perseverance the race marked out for us as God’s family here in the Stambourne, and look forward to how the Lord will bless us — and others through us — in the months and years to come.

Our last book sale (in January) made a profit of £110 which will go toward the Chapel funds.

Our thanks to all those who came along and enjoyed a cuppa and a cake! Our thanks to helpers and bakers too!

Our work now heads toward Easter and looking toward the Lent preparations which remembers three things all in one event.

Firstly it is the build-up to the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and represents the 40 years they spent in the wilderness as God guided their wanderings – something that He still does today as we are all apt to go wandering!

Isaiah 53:6 says ”For we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way;”. And through this Lent period we remember the 40 days that the people spent preparing for that exodus, eating only unleavened bread. We also remember that Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness at the start of His ministry before being tempted.

After 40 days without food I think I would have turned stones into bread, but not Jesus. It is also the 40 days when we prepare for Easter, which is all about the other thing that Isaiah said…” and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” That is Jesus has taken away the guilt we feel for wandering away our own way. Jesus gave His life on the cross for each of us as a sacrifice for our wanderings from the ways of God.

Cycle Ride

After Easter we will be cycling round Notley Park and you can join us and get sponsored to do the number of 2 mile laps you think you can achieve – so you have
February to get the wheels turning on your bicycle again! The date will be in the April Newsletter!

Plant Sale and Swap

Also we start our preparations for this event which will be in early May! We have some spare pots so do call if you would like some in which to grow your plants for the sale!

We’re back — save these dates!

If you’d like to know more than please visit the Stambourne Ladies Group section or contact Vicky on 07908 099 904 or Lorna on 07980 922 636.

Stambourne Ladies Group meet-up »

• 9th March 2022 – 7pm for 7.30pm at the Stambourne Village Hall
• It’s time to enrol. £20 secures your place
  for the rest of the year.
• SLG bar and buffet (provided courtesy of SLG).

Meet Shelley »

• 20th April 2022 – 7pm for 7.30pm at the Stambourne Village Hall
• Meet Shelley Hull with an uplifting story about facial disfigurement
• Bring friends (nominal charge for non-members)
• Refreshments available

Create a floral work of art »

• 11th May 2022 – 7pm for 7.30pm at the Stambourne Village Hall
• Learn how to create a floral work of art to take home!
• SLG bar and buffet (provided courtesy of SLG)

Art with Kirsten »

• 8th June 2022 – 7pm for 7.30pm at the Stambourne Village Hall
• SLG bar and buffet (provided courtesy of SLG)

Fish and chips supper »

• 13th July 2022 – 6pm for 6.30pm at The Pavilion
• Fish and chip supper, guests welcome
• Bring your own drinks

Village Hall available for hire »

Cost:

• For residents: £8 per hour
• For non-residents: £10 per hour

To hire the Hall, ring Rosemary on 01440 785 339. More info »

Village Hall Committee

The Village Hall AGM is on 16th February 2022 at 5.30pm. If you’d like to join the Committee, please go along.

Women’s workout »

Low impact, women’s only fitness class, improving strength, flexibility, balance and core. Suitable for any ages and ability, exercise seated or standing.

• This friendly group meets every Tuesday at 6pm at the Stambourne Village Hall (please book in advance).
• For more details, contact Lara on 07471 105 210.

Silver Link Club »

• Stambourne Chapel from 2pm to 4pm every two weeks.

• Dates for next meetings: 15th February, 1st March, 15th March, 29th March, 12th April, 26th April.
• If anyone would like to come along please just turn up or if you need a lift just give Vanessa a call on 01440 785 122 or Lois on 01440 578 720. We love to welcome new members.

Recycling bags

Don’t forget: if you need recycling bags, ring Cath on 01440 785 678 or Sian on 07505 355 944 to arrange collection, or they can be delivered.

See the current Recycling calendar.

Bingo »

This is fortnightly on Wednesdays at 6.30pm. Bring your tipple!

Old postage stamps

Old postage stamps are collected by Sian on 07505 355 994 for Breast Cancer Charities.

World Scout Jamboree Fundraiser Race Night

On 26th March 2022 we are hosting a race night in the Stambourne Village Hall. The evening will be packed full of exciting horse betting and nail-baiting races!

Entry will cost £5 per head and will include snacks (under 14’s come free).

All profits made on the night will go towards funds for Elliott Sparkes to travel to South Korea on the 25th World Scout Jamboree in 2023.

For tickets, please email ellsparkes05@gmail.com.

Ridgewell Airfield Memorial Museum

The Ridgewell Airfield Memorial Museum will be open the second Sunday of the month from 13th March 2022 until October. Free admission.

Open from 11am – 4pm. Refreshments available.

rafcamuseum.co.uk
Oaker Hill, Great Yeldham CO9 4RG
Alan 01440 785 473

Stambourne has a defibrillator located next to the front door of the Chapel in Chapel End Way. The access code is written on the right hand side of the box and comes with clear instructions so anyone can use it. In doubt, while waiting for the ambulance service, please use it.

A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest.

This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it’s an essential lifesaving step in the chain of survival.

If you come across someone who has had a cardiac arrest, it’s vital to call 999 and start CPR. Then you should find out if there is a defibrillator nearby.