December 2012/January 2013 - Watlington Parish Council

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present, known as a Bronze Sergeant, will call on them to go and stand with someone. Neil comments, ‘Frequently we are seen picking up glass from broken bottles – to avoid temptation for use as a weapon’. ‘People do query what the church is doing our there?’ says Neil. ‘and ask why we are doing this? I reply it is the work of Christ on the streets. Sometimes people want more of an answer so I invite them to take a seat’. Neil says that with a little drink inside them, some of them are able to talk more freely about their worries or perplexities and get into a deep conversation but will only do this is they ask and offer any prayers if asked for that too. However one passer-by, a Catholic, fell to his knees and insisted on giving a confession to the group leader. It takes all sorts! Because these Pastors are from all walks of life and across the breadth of Christian belief, they enjoy meeting others and get to know them without preaching at each other. Neil claims that one girl walked out of a nightclub some years ago and disappeared. This was the catalyst for his interest. ‘We do get our hands dirty; we are not just sitting in pews! We are the practical side of Christianity as well as carrying water bottles, lollipops and flip flops as girls can’t walk in high heels and the threat of broken glass.’ On one night two chaps were in conversation with Neil and his partner on theological arguments near a car. An immaculately, well-dressed, but drunk woman, came out of the shadows of a door. The chaps and this lady walked with them back to her club. At some point there was a change in attitude from the young men as they became aggressive and abusive. He says ‘my partner and I were concerned she didn’t know what she was doing and that they might take advantage of her. We stayed with her to protect her until she got back to the club’. Unfortunately, she was not allowed back into the club so they continued to stay with her until she was sober enough to get home. Asked how he’d like to see the Street Pastor service enhanced, he commented an opportunity to extend to a Saturday as well, and some cover for Christmas and New Year. But it needs enough people to help. There are plenty of opportunities for younger people to join in but he thinks they need the qualities of patience, endurance, and ability to be out in all weathers, understanding, and commitment as well as the ability to work in mixed aged teams. Just a breeze then! He does get a break in the middle, but at the end of the night the team meet up, discuss any issues and the team leader writes up a report to include their comments. At about 4am Neil heads home. His last comment is that ‘Sometimes everything happens at once, ‘God’s in charge and these people go on to the next link. We are not dealing with people who are the finished article, so we don’t want to be the weak link’. Ozanna Duffy 12
News from Pyrton As the first frosts of winter are approaching, we are relieved and pleased that the Stage 1 repairs on St Mary’s church have been completed. All of the external flintwork on the West wall has been reset and repointed and the internal wall replastered and painted. Whilst the scaffolding has been in place, close examination of the condition of the leaded West window showed that it too was in need of restoration, which is taking place as I write. Our thanks go to our architect, John Radice, and the contractors, Owlsworth IJP, for their excellent work. Plans are now being made for Stage 2 – restoration of the other walls during 2013. We are now looking forward to Advent and Christmas. The Carol service takes place on Sunday December 16th at the earlier time of 4pm and will be followed by refreshments. The ever popular Children’s Candlelit Carols on Christmas Eve will take place at 5pm and Christmas Day Eucharist at 10am. Improvements at the Village Hall are continuing. New sound insulation panels have been fitted to improve the acoustics – the wooden floor had increased the amount of reverberation making it difficult for some people to hear clearly. Plans are being made to replace the curtains to reduce the reverberation even further. Hope fully this will allow everyone to enjoy functions in the Hall. After the extremely successful social events this summer and autumn – BBQ, Aunt Sally evening, Bingo Night and Harvest supper – plans have been drawn up for the next 12 months. There is a Quiz Night on November 2nd, Pub Nights with food on December 7th and February 1st. We are delighted that the Watlington Band will once again be playing carols in the Village Hall on Monday December 17th at 7pm. Mulled wine, mince pies and sausage rolls provided. In January, following the success of last year’s Annual Dinner, this year’s will take place on Saturday 11th. Tickets cost £15 for a 2 course meal with drinks. Invitations will be sent out before Christmas. Places are limited to 54 so please book early – payment with reservation please. Pyrton PCC and the Village Hall committee wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you at some of the events. Jenny Lockwood 13
Page 1 and 2: Watlington • Pyrton • Shirburn
Page 3 and 4: Contents St.Leonards p.26-27 Pyrton
Page 5 and 6: England Church of England The Churc
Page 7 and 8: Church, St Botolph’s Swyncombe &
Page 9 and 10: WATLINGTON SURVEYED IN NATIONAL REP
Page 11: TRAIDCRAFT - Fighting poverty throu
Page 15 and 16: Forthcoming Methodist Services 2 De
Page 17 and 18: In 1923 while touring America, suff
Page 19 and 20: WATLINGTON WI Have you thought abou
Page 21 and 22: The service was held at St Michael
Page 23 and 24: FUNDRAISING IN MEMORY OF PHILLIP BO
Page 25 and 26: POP IN CAFE Name: Venue: Pop in Caf
Page 27 and 28: much from our younger generation, a
Page 29 and 30: Christmas Carol Services Throughout
Page 31 and 32: moved outside our comfort zone, and
Page 33 and 34: NEWS FROM THE REGISTERS Holy Baptis
Page 35 and 36: • RIGID KITCHEN CABINETRY GUARANT
Page 37: John Howell MP writes... A look bac
Page 41 and 42: WATLINGTON OPEN FOR YOU! Opening Ho
Page 44 and 45: 01844 354744 www.chinnorwebdesign.c
Page 46 and 47: Watlington & District Nursing Home
Page 48: Samantha Swanson 07712 052860 www.a
Page 51: Altom Tree Care Ltd For a reliable,
Page 54 and 55: L B Plumbing Toilets, taps, showers
Page 56: Friends of St Leonard’s Church Ch

December 2012/January 2013 - Watlington Parish Council

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