Stambourne

In this issue:

• STAMBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL
• STAMBOURNE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
• SUNDAY SERVICES
• ST. PETER & ST. THOMAS BECKET PARISH CHURCH
• SERVICES AT STAMBOURNE FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS
• RECTOR’S RAMBLINGS
• STAMBOURNE ACTIVITIES
• STAMBOURNE DEFIBRILLATOR
• NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
• NEED ADVICE?

The latest meeting of the Parish Council was held on Thursday 17 September 2020 at 7.30pm. As with many other things, Parish Council meetings have moved to a virtual format via Zoom. This is likely to be the case for some time to come. Parish Council meetings are open to the public and you are welcome to attend.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 19th November 2020 at 7.30pm via Zoom

If you would like to attend please contact me or any of the Parish Councillors and we will arrange for an invitation to be issued.

We were pleased to welcome our Braintree District Councillor, Richard van Dulken.

Pavilion

After some delay due to Covid, I am pleased to say that the extension to the veranda of the Pavilion which should make wheelchair access easier, has now been completed. This project was possible due to the Braintree District Councillors’ Community Grant which is available for small projects to improve the local community.

Another grant, the Community Initiative Fund run on behalf of Essex County Council by the Essex Association of Local Councils, has made it possible to replace the fridge and freezer in the Pavilion with new.

It was the final piece needed to finish the kitchen refurbishment. The old fridge and freezer are still in working order. If anyone can make use of them they are available free of charge. Please contact me if you are interested.

Sadly, the Pavilion is still closed due to Covid and it is likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future.

Playing Field

One of the memorial oak trees has died and will be replaced over the winter. You will also have seen that new gates have been fitted to the entrance of the Field.

Footpaths and Highways

We continue to monitor the state of highways and paths in the parish. If you notice a problem please let us know or you can report it direct to Essex County Council via their website at essex.gov.uk. Photos are always useful as evidence of the problem.

Planning

There has been one application to consider – Application No 20/01321/FUL – Congregational Church.

Bonfire Night

It has also been decided that our annual Bonfire Night cannot be held this year, again due to Covid-19. Given the most recent news that Covid cases are on the increase again, it was agreed that cancelling was the only option for this year. Hopefully, it can return in 2021.

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

Stay safe everyone.

Debbie Hilliard, Parish Clerk

debbiehilliard614@gmail.com, 01440 785 629

The good news is that we have been able to open our Churches for worship. The first service at Stambourne was on Sunday 5th July and it was lovely to see such a good congregation.

However, until the end of the year most of the Churches in our benefice will be on reduced services but this will be reviewed at the start of the New Year.

So for Stambourne from July there has been a service on the 1st Sunday of the month of Morning Prayer and on the 2nd Sunday of the month a Holy Communion service. Both start at 9.30am. Singing is not allowed but David Starr, our organist, comes along and plays music in place of our hymn singing. Face coverings are to be worn in Church, but can be taken off if you are reading or saying prayers.

If anyone would like to go into the Church for private prayer please contact me so I can unlock the Church.

On a happy note on 26th September we celebrated the wedding of Kirsten Askew to Andrew Wright of Great Yeldham.

It was a beautiful ceremony despite several family members and friends being unable to attend. The church was decorated with floral displays from Jane and David Waller’s garden and arranged by Heather Hay, ably assisted by Ian.

We send the happy couple our love and very best wishes for their happiness and future life together.

Like many others that I have met in the quiet paths in and around Stambourne many of us have spent significantly more time this year in our countryside. Of course, dog walkers have trodden these paths regularly for years, but it is very normal these days to encounter people out walking on their own or in couples without the need for a dog as an excuse.

We have heard many articles on TV and in the papers about the health benefits of getting out for a walk, both in our physical and our mental health. But I will argue that it is often our spiritual health that feels the greatest benefit, something that we don’t appreciate until we think about it. The moment we engage with the natural landscape, we see signs of God’s care for his creation – in the detail of plants and flowers, the infinite variety of weather conditions, the vast expanse of skies and seas (if you walk far enough!).

A few days away that I spent near Saxmundham appreciating the different vistas there, despite relatively poor weather in early August, was a great blessing as a complete contrast to our soft rolling hills of Stambourne Parish.

As we go walking and journey on, we too become captivated by our surroundings and see our own place within them – and thus God’s great love for each one of us.

Many great journeys are undertaken in order to seek healing or understanding or simply to escape – not always successfully. One of the most important lessons we are taught by walking along the road is that wherever we journey we take ourselves with us; our first priority should be to forgive and love ourselves, seeing ourselves as God sees us. It is only then that we will be able to reach out to others and show by our words and actions that they too are infinitely precious to God.

In this time in particular, we need to take care of our own physical, spiritual and mental health, in order that we can look after our families and friends. So I am praying for a glorious autumn where we can continue to explore our countryside for many weeks to come. Remember, there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing!

May God bless you in your journey this month, no matter how far or how close your travels take you.

Blessings,

Rev. Liz Paxton, Rector

The Benefice of the Hedinghams and Upper Colne
revlizpaxton@gmail.com
07932 160 594 or 01787 277 270

Village Hall Committee

I hope you are all doing well! Most of you already know that the hall is closed for the foreseeable future.
I’d like to say thanks to those who played outdoor, socially distanced bingo – even in the rain and hot sunshine!!
Look after yourselves, Cath

Silver Link Club

Silver Link is cancelled until further notice.

Let’s get started

This now takes place every week on Tuesday’s at 6pm via ZOOM or when weather (and light!) permitting on the Playing Field.

For details of how to take part in these friendly fun workouts contact Lara on 07471 105210.

Stambourne Ladies Group

Although our schedule for this year has taken a huge knock, we have managed to meet up on the playing field on two occasions, bringing our own chairs, drinks and nibbles. It’s been absolutely great to catch up and this is probably the way forward for the foreseeable future. Our playing field is a great asset and is beautiful at any time of the day and so, for the time being, we’ll be guided by the weather forecasts and meet up that way. We’ll also listen to Government advice and make arrangements accordingly. Keep an eye on WhatsApp for dates and times. No doubt we’ll have to wrap up warm!

Anyone reading this who would like to come along, please contact Vicky (07778 410376) or Lorna (07980 922636) and you can be assured of a warm welcome.

Creative Art Group

We’re still meeting up and of course following Government guidelines. We’ll now be meeting outside at the Pavilion on the first and third Thursday of every month at 12.30pm — weather permitting.

For more information on how to get involved contact Kirsten 07469 237 330 or Heather 07800 915 346

Homemade deliveries

OZES are offering a made to order range of homemade pies, pasties, plaits, flans, pastries and cakes for home delivery to your door. Please order by / on Wednesdays of each week. Orders will be delivered on Fridays / Saturdays.

All the best, stay safe, Zoe
Contact: Tel: 01440 785778 or call / text 07740723057

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.

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.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

The Neighbourhood Watch WhatsApp Group continues to be used to share information and concerns in and around our village.

To join the NW WhatsApp Group please contact Vicky on 07778 410376.

Of particular note is an increased number of telephone / text / email scams related to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Need Help with a Problem?

Our friendly team is here to help you. You can contact us in a number of ways

Telephone: 0344 499 4719
Website: citizensadvice.org.uk
Help to Claim: 0800144 84444

We’re Citizens Advice and we’re here for everyone

These are very different times which can lead to anyone having questions they
would like to have answered or to need advice on new tricky situations.

Braintree District Council would like to remind everyone that Citizens Advise is available for all.

The local branch is contactable by phone or through their website.

The website has very useful pages on Coronavirus as well as many other topics.

Finally, a reminder

Unfortunately the Stambourne Bonfire and Fireworks are cancelled this year. If you are thinking of having a private family one in your garden please consider your neighbours. Particularly if they have horses or other pets please let them know in advance so they can make the necessary arrangements to keep their animals safe.

Thank you!