1 January 2005 The Rectory Dear All, What are you going to do with ...

Dear All,
The Rectory
What are you going to do with the new year What new year’s resolutions are
you going to make What are you going to do differently What difference are
you going to make to the world
There is an old story about a Native American chief who was nearing the end of
his life. Even though he had tried many times, he was not able to decide which of
his sons should succeed him as chief. One day, he gathered his sons together and
told them, ‘Do you see that mountain in the distance I want you to journey to
that mountain, climb to its summit and bring back the thing you think will be most
helpful in leading our people.’
After several days, the first son returned with a load of flint stones, used to make
arrow tips and spear points. He told his father, ‘Our people will never live in fear
of their enemies. I know where there is a mound of flint.’
The second son climbed to the top of the mountain, and on the way found forests
rich with wood for making fires. When he returned, he said to his father, ‘Our
people will never be cold in winter. I know where wood can be found in
abundance to keep them warm and to cook their food.’
The third son returned late and empty-handed. He stated, ‘When I got to the
summit, I found nothing worth bringing back. I searched everywhere, but the top
of the mountain was barren rock and useless. Then I looked out towards the
horizon, far into the distance. I was astonished to see new land filled with forests
and meadows, mountains and valleys, fish and animals, a land of great beauty and
peace. I brought nothing back, for the land was still far off and I didn’t have time
to travel there. But I would love to go there some day; I delayed coming back
because I found it very difficult to return after seeing the beauty of that land.’
The old chief grasped his third son in his arms, proclaiming that he would succeed
him as the new chief. He thought to himself, ‘The other sons brought back
worthy things, necessary things. But my third son has a vision. He has seen a
1 January 2005

etter land, the promised land, and he burns with the desire to go there’.
It is fine to make resolutions to change oneself for the better, to give up bad
habits. To do something you always wanted to do. To buy something you always
wanted to have. But as we look out into the new year do we have vision Do we
have a vision of a better world and burn with desire to see it become a reality
Jesus had such a vision. He called it the Kingdom of God. And he longed for the
day when it would become a reality on earth. As his followers we are called to
strive to fulfil his vision.
As you look into the New Year, into the future, resolve to make this world a better
place, a place of great beauty and peace.
May I wish you all a very happy and peaceful New Year.
God Bless
Stephen
Sunday
St Mary’s
Buckland
St Michael’s
Betchworth
2nd January
Epiphany
9th January
Baptism of
Christ
16th January
2nd of
Epiphany
23rd January
3rd of Epiphany
8
9.30
9.30
HC (BCP)
Parish Communion
Sunday School *
9.30 Parish Communion 8
11
8
10
11 Parish Communion
HC (BCP)
Matins
HC (BCP)
Joint Family
Service 5pm Choral Evensong
9.30 Parish Communion 8
11
HC (BCP)
Parish Communion
30th January
4th of Epiphany
10 Joint Parish
Communion
Mondays at 7.30pm in St Mary’s: Meditation Group
* Reading Room
2 January 2005

Wed 5th 7.30 Breaking Through talk (p.4)
Thur 6th W.I. Meeting (p.24)
Sun 9th St Adrian of Canterbury (p.15)
Sat 15th 10am Composting party (p.9)
Sun 16th Deadline for items for magazine
Thur 27th 12.30 Winter lunch (p.5)
Fri 28th 8pm SMOAT and George Alagiah (p.23)
A very Happy New Year to
all our readers
“I AM”. (God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM” – Exodus 3:13,14)
I was regretting the past and fearing the future.
Suddenly, my Lord was speaking: “My name is ‘I AM’ ”.
He paused. I waited. He continued.
“When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets, it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WAS.
When you live in the future with its problems and fears, it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WILL BE.
When you live in this moment, it is not hard. I am here. My name is I AM."
Helen Mallicoat (Quoted at a ‘Breakthrough’evening at St Matthews)
3 January 2005

At St Matthew’s Church, Station Road, Redhill
Wednesday 5th January
JAMES BUXTON
“EASTERN AND ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCH”
Coffee and tea at 7.30 pm for 8pm start (9.30 pm finish).
Retiring contribution from £2.
Parking is available in the church’s on-site car park, on the roadside (no parking
restrictions after 6pm) or at Linkfield Corner Car Park (free after 6pm).
For further information contact David Rowbotham, 765415
or Rev Nicky Tredennick, 761568
TUESDAY EVENING PRAYER...
...is discontinued between Christmas and Lent, when the weather is usually
coldest, and will start again on 15th February.
HYMN BOOKS
Our set of new hymn books was given by members of the congregation. Because
baptism parties have grown so large, and there are usually two baptisms at each
Family Service, we need 20 more hymn books. Would you, of your kindness,
give another hymn book (or two) Each costs £6.25. Mrs Gregory is again
willing to write the labels. Please would you put the money in an envelope (any
cheques to Buckland P.C.C.) and on the envelope write the words to go on the
label: eg. “Given by.... or Given in memory of....”. Then please bring your
donation to church or send it to the Treasurer, Philip Haynes.
Thank you.
P.V.
4 January 2005

FROM THE REGISTERS
HOLY BAPTISM
On 21st November
Charlie Augustus Dart Bedford, son of Neil
and Sue Bedford of Dedham, Essex, and
grandson of Peter & Doreen Dart
Calum Michael Christopher Jordan, son of
Michael and Nicola Jordan, of Colley Orchard,
Clifton’s Lane, Reigate
On 5th December
FUNERAL SERVICE
On 16th November
On 3rd December
Madeleine Lucy Rimer, daughter of
Christopher and Rosemary Rimer, of
Allingham Road, Reigate
Mary Beatrice Neat, formerly of Buckland
Court and Little Mead. Aged 94.
George Noel Strafford, of Sondes
Farm, Dorking. Aged 80.
YOUR CHURCH NEEDS YOU!
To run a church effectively needs a lot of people with a multitude of different
skills - things like flower arranging, coffee making, DIY, churchyard
maintenance, admin, cleaning; as well as the various things that need to be done
in the service such as lesson reading, intercessions, sidesman’s duties, singing in
the choir, etc. At the moment all these jobs are being done by the gallant few. If
you would like to offer your services for any of the above please contact the
Rector. The wages are terrible but the long term benefits are out of this world.
WINTER LUNCH
The last for this year is on Thursday 27th January at 12.30 in the Reading Room.
After that, there will be weekly Lent Lunches on Thursdays from 10th February
until Easter.
5 January 2005

Obituary
MARY NEAT
A lovely tribute was given by one of her family to this lady of ‘charm, grace,
dignity and kindness.’
Her father was serious; her mother artistic and slightly bohemian. Mary was both
serious and fun-loving. She was no puritan. As a young woman she worked in
the city, joined the tennis club and learnt to drive - a soft-top sports car, with a
cigarette in a long holder! In 1935 she married Stanley.
During the war she drove a Naafi mobile canteen, often to an air base. She once
said, “It was awful when the boys didn’t come back”. Later, for many years, she
did Meals on Wheels in this area.
In 1954 she and Stanley came to Buckland Court. Her enthusiasms were for the
W.I., bridge and crosswords. She was a ‘ferocious knitter’. She loved beautiful
things. She was proud of her extended family. She was an intensely private
person with a strong sense of what was right.
Mary Bishop, who visited Mary frequently and faithfully to the end, writes: Mary
was one of the kindest of people, extremely good to her neighbours and always
prepared to help anyone. She was determined not to be a nuisance. As well as
doing Meals on Wheels she also helped at Buckland School as Supervisor of the
Bicycle Proficiency Tests. I think very few people knew much about her as she
never talked about herself. I never heard her say anything nasty about anyone.
M.M.B. & P.V.
THE MAGAZINE COVER
For the last few months (excluding December) the picture on
the front cover of the Magazine, and shown here, has been of St
Peter. It is a drawing by Rev. Pattie Vigers of part of a stained
glass window in the church, the one facing you as you come in.
This month we change to St Paul, again by Mrs Vigers, and
again copied from the window opposite the main door to the
church.
Many thanks to Mrs Vigers for these beautiful drawings.
6 January 2005

BUCKLAND PARISH ANNUAL JUMBLE SALE
The annual Jumble Sale will be held on Saturday 26th February 2005 at 10.30 am
in the Buckland Reading Room.
As usual Jumble will be received and sorted on Friday
25th February from 2 pm. We need plenty of willing
helpers for both days: believe it or not it is fun and is
something of a social event!
We cannot accept items that are too large, but if you need anything collected
please phone Carol Leeds on 225576. Would volunteers to help also phone
this number or else just turn up on the day.
CHURCH COFFEE ROTA
We are short of helpers to make and serve tea and coffee
after church services. It is only for one hour a couple of
times a year. If you would like to be involved please phone
Carol Leeds on 225576. Look forward to hearing from
you!!
RESULTS OF THE ST MARY’S CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
1. Black Russell & Bromley handbag: Mrs. Haynes 2. Brown Russell &
Bromley handbag: Mrs. Chapman 3. Food hamper from Buckland Stores: Rev.
S. Bailey 4. “Ortak” Celtic silver bangle: Mrs. Cranfield 5. Bottle
of Verve Champagne: Mrs. Evans 6. Bottle of Verve Champagne:
Mr. Heyhoe 7. Bottle of Verve Champagne: Mrs. Docking 8.
Bottle of Johnny Walker Red Label Whisky: Mrs. Harris 9. Bottle
of Port: Patrick Wheen 10. Handmade calligraphed Christmas
Cards: Mrs. Ingram 11. Christmas Floral Decoration: Mr. Goddard
12. Christmas Pudding: Mrs Forsyth 13. Two hours’ gardening
work: Christopher Wheen 14. Portable TV: Mr Ellis 15. Box of Chocolates:
Mrs. Chivers
The Rector, Churchwardens and the PCC would like to thank all those, who
kindly presented the prizes, particularly the Village shop for their hamper.
7 January 2005

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS
Potential Quarries in Buckland & Betchworth
The Action Groups against more quarries between Brockham
and Reigate have united under one banner with the name
C.A.M.E.L. - Campaign Against Mineral Excavation and
Landfill. The Buckland hump is headed by Nicolas Snook, of
Heath Cottage, Reigate Heath, with particular interest in the
Shagbrook/Reigate Heath potential zone PMZ 60.
C.A.M.E.L. have commissioned R.P.S. Group Plc, the largest environmental
consultancy in Europe, to produce a report to be submitted to Surrey County
Council. This being a formal response to their proposal to include PMZ 60
Buckland and PMZ 55 Betchworth as potential mineral zones.
It is not too late to write to the County Council expressing your views on the
Mineral Plan: every letter counts. Address your letters to Roger Hargreaves,
Head of Planning, Surrey County Council, County Hall, Kingston-upon-Thames,
KT1 2DY.
ANOTHER LOST CHAPTER OF GENESIS
Adam was wandering around the Garden of Eden, very unhappy and lonely. So
God said: “I will make you a companion – I’ll make you a woman.”
“What will she do” asked Adam.
And God said: “This pretty lady will gather food for you, she will cook for you,
and when you discover clothing, she will wash it for you. She will always agree
with every decision you make and she will not nag you, and will always be the
first to admit she was wrong when you’ve had a disagreement. She will praise
you! She will bear your children, and she will never ask you to get up in the
middle of the night to take care of them. She will NEVER have a headache and
will freely give you love whenever you need it.”
And Adam asked God, “Wow! What will a woman like this cost”
God replied, “An arm and a leg.”
And Adam said, “Well, what can I get for a rib” Of course, the rest is history…
8 January 2005

COMPOST CORNER
Now that the old year is over and the garden is definitely not at its best, we
thought it about time that we got some things sorted out for the New Year.
Therefore we are tackling the new “Buckland Compost Site” first of all: this is a
new initiative by the Parish Council to turn you all green. As a trial this is to be
situated within Buckland Nursery by kind permission of Mr. David Hogg and his
father, as a “community composting site” for those without the space to do it
themselves.
The site is to the side and rear of the Shop within the enclosure of Buckland
Nursery. This facility will have ten (10) Composting Bays and they will use the
“wet method” for composting (water and heat). Therefore we are looking for
volunteers that will supervise the site during the nursery opening hours on a
weekend throughout the year. (Please contact Iain Laurenson with your details).
We will need to keep it watered throughout the year just like a large plant and also
keep the site neat and tidy as well. We will be doing all of the hard work of
setting the site up on Saturday morning, 15th January: all volunteers to meet at 10
a.m. at Buckland Nursery.
We have also invested in a shredder, a machine that chops up all of your sticks
and twigs so that you can mix it into the other general garden waste and compost
it all down together. This machine can be hired by Buckland residents later in the
year. We will introduce a ticketing system: buy a ticket and hire it for the day.
You can then bring all your twigs and sticks and any other compost-able garden
waste to the community compost site at Buckland Nursery or keep it at home with
your other garden waste if you so wish and have the space.
An atheist has no invisible means of support.
Councillor Howard Longstaff
The way Bernard Shaw believed in himself was so very refreshing in these
atheistic days when so many people believe in no God at all. I. Zangwill
9 January 2005

SURREY POLICE NEWS
There has been an increase of offences involving dogs biting other [sic] people or
worrying livestock. It is the owner/person in charge of the dog/s to ensure that
they are not given the opportunity to carry out such acts.
This week officers apprehended poachers in the area. Thank you to everyone
whose vigilance and continued liaison with police paid off in this particular
instance.
A blue transit van index M667MUY has been seen in the general
areas of Dorking and surround and may be linked to thefts from
insecure/secure outbuildings. If you see this van, please do give us
a call either on the non emergency number 0845 125 2222 or
999 if it is an emergency, with any information you have.
Again Christmas is a time when people may go away for the holidays and again
home security should be borne in mind. Anyone wishing security advice can
contact their local beat officer or PC Bessent on 01306 676823.
Don’t forget to check out our website addresses for other information at
www.surrey.police.uk, in your area and click on Mole Valley.
Surrey police non emergency number 0845 125 2222. Surrey police website:
www.surrey.police.uk For Graffiti damage to BT public phones call 0800
661610 For graffiti damage to green junction boxes call 0800 1610 or E-mail
repair-econtact@bt.com. Mole Valley District council graffiti E-mail -
Graffiti@mole-valley.gov.uk Crime stoppers 0800 555 111 Abandoned
vehicles - Mole valley district council 01306 885001
Dorking rural North - Acting Sergeant 2411 Lisa Wells. Tel: 01306 676351 or
07967 988208 E-mail: wells2411@surrev.pnn.police.uk
Anne Boleyn the Queen was sacked.
She had her bags already packed
And neatly marked in letters large
“The Bloody Tower by Royal Barge”.
Her friends admired her savoir faire
Until they missed their underwear,
For Anne Boleyn was no one’s fool.
There is no substitute for wool!
Submitted by Wendy Lane
10 January 2005

THE ACORNS INFANT SCHOOL
The Christmas decorations and
nativity costumes are packed away,
and any sign of tinsel or tree needles
have been well and truly
hoovered up, and so to a new
year ......
A New Year and a chance to
look forward, to plan and
move onwards, after what
can only be described as a difficult
year for us all, following the untimely
death of Jill Crowley. Move on we
must - our “young clients" would
expect nothing less of us: they only
get one bite of this educational apple
and we must ensure it's the best
start possible.
This term’s activities take on a
somewhat culinary flavour, with
Shrove Tuesday and the delights of
tossing pancakes, to the
smells and tastes of spices
associated with Chinese
cooking during the
celebrations of the Year of
the Rooster. We also plan to
hold a Numeracy Week where
we will be setting up maths workshops
not only for our pupils but for their
parents as well!
Our mothers' assemblies later in the
term will give our children the
opportunity to express their feelings
in poetry, prose and song in the lead
up to Mothering Sunday on 6th March.
If you would like to visit The Acorns Infant School, please
ring for an appointment with Mrs Jenny Hudlass 843211
(Betchworth) 01306 611336 (Leigh)
The agnostic
The vicar was very ill, and was told by his doctor not to have too many visitors.
However, when his agnostic friend called, the unbeliever was ushered into the
vicar’s bedside. “I do appreciate,” said the agnostic, “your seeing me when so
many of your friends have not been able to see you.” “Well, it’s like this,”
said the vicar. “I feel confident that I shall see my friends in heaven, but I
was worried that this might be my last chance to see you!”
11 January 2005

BETCHWORTH AND BUCKLAND CHILDREN'S NURSERY
Happy New Year to all our friends and clients, old and young. The Nursery
continues to flourish, and numbers are buoyant. Sadly we
are losing Carmel Stenton from the staff after many
years of dedicated service and enthusiastic support on the
building development. We will miss her. Heather Fuller
has joined us again after several years and it is a pleasure
to see her back. Carmel’s work will be covered by
applications from inside the Nursery.
The Nursery made a representation to the Parish Council raising concerns
about the possible sandpit in the Common Field, Betchworth. However it is
clear that it will be several years before anything happens, and it may be
successfully opposed by the pressure groups.
The Nursery’s next project is to develop an environmental area adjacent to
the Nursery site which will provide the School and Nursery with an exciting
new outside learning environment. There will be fundraising involved including
a Ball similar to the one held in June 2002. This time it will be on Saturday
14th May in Gildings Barn, in Partridge Lane Newdigate. Dessy Harris has
offered to mastermind it, supported by Sally Stimson and Jane Shakeshaft.
Once again it should be a great event as well as creating a new and valuable
learning environment for the young learners. So put the date in your diaries
now and look forward to an enjoyable evening.
Anne Forrest
Little Alex was staring up at the large brass plaque that hung on the side wall
of the church. The plaque was covered with names, and seemed to fascinate
the seven-year old. “All those names,” he said to the minister. “Who are
they”
“Well, they were people who used to go to this church,” explained the
minister. “This is a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the
services.”
Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque. Little Alex’s voice
was barely audible when he asked, “Which service, the 9 o’clock, or the 11
o’clock”
12 January 2005

BROCKHAM SCOUTS SUMMER CAMP - JULY 2004
This year the troop camped on the
outfield of the village cricket pitch at
Little Bredy, Dorset between
Dorchester and Bridport. An advance
party travelled down the day before,
on the Friday, with the
main equipment and were
met by the bus and its
passengers on the Saturday
at dinner time. We were
40 people in total, made up
of 20 scouts, 5 senior
scouts and the rest were
leaders and helpers. The
land belongs to Sir Philip Williams who
allows scouts to camp on this field.
He resides within sight of the field in
a beautiful mansion called Bridehead.
On the Sunday we attended Church at
Litton Cheney where we were greeted
with enthusiasm by the locals and
were entertained by a Guitar wielding
vicar. In the afternoon we watched
cricket and supplied the hot water for
their tea. There were various outings
including West Bay and a visit to the
Lime Stone quarry caves at Beer. We
also hiked from Maiden Castle to
Abbotsbury, stopping off at the
Hardy Monument and ending up with
fish and chips at Chesel Beach.
Freeday was spent at Weymouth with
the boys splashing around in the sea
and some flying their kites.
Earlier in the week three of the older
scouts set off on an overnight
expedition starting at Musbury and
stopping to camp for the
night on a farm at Uplyme
owned by Jim Alexander,
formerly of Lower Box Hill
Farm. The next day they
walked to Lyme Regis where
they met their lift back to
camp.
This year saw ten new campers who
coped extremely well, as a whole.
Everybody just got on with everything
and made the week enjoyable. We
were visited by a former Brockham
scout Jack Meadows and his wife who
were on holiday nearby. They took
the opportunity to catch up on old
times. The week ended with a grand
camp fire and the last day gave us a
scorcher enabling us to pack away dry.
Farewell to Little Bredy but we shall
hopefully return in a year or two. My
thanks to the leaders and helpers,
without whom camps would not be so
easy to run, and to a group of boys,
namely the scouts, of which Brockham
should be proud.
Simon Long
13 January 2005

LIKE SHEEP
A WHOLE LOT OF
There are quite a few sheep in the
Bible, in fact they are mentioned over
500 times! They were kept for their
meat and wool, their skins were made
into clothing and tents, and even their
horns were used a musical
instruments.
Sheep were an important part of
everyday life and Jesus used everyday
things in his stories to help people
understand. One time, Jesus
explained just how important children
are and he said ‘If a shepherd has a
hundred sheep and one is lost, doesn’t
he leave the 99 and go and look for
the lost sheep’And you can bet that
all the people listening to Jesus were
nodding their heads and saying, ‘Yes,
that’s what we would do!’You can read
this story, or parable, in Matthew’s
Gospel, chapter 18, verses 10 to 14.
* * * * * * *
Where do sheep go on holiday
The Baahaamas.
A group of sheep are called a flock: do
you know what to call a whole lot of...
1. lions
2. gulls
3. stairs
4. bees
5. grapes
6. asteroids
7. actors
8. fish
9. lorries
10. kangaroos
(Answers below.)
* * * * * * *
What keeps sheep warm in winter
Central bleating.
1. a pride 2. a colony 3. a flight 4. a
swarm 5. a bunch 6. a belt 7. a cast
8. a school 9. a convoy 10. a mob
ANSWERS
An infants class was discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the
picture had a different colour hair than the other family members. One child
suggested that he was adopted and a little girl said, "I know all about
adoptions because I was adopted."
"What does it mean to be adopted" asked another child.
"It means," said the girl, "that you grew in your mummy’s heart instead of her
tummy."
14 January 2005

S
aint Adrian of Canterbury (9th January) was born in Africa,
but at some stage moved to Italy, where he became abbot of
Nerida, near Maples. On the death of Deusdedit, archbishop of
Canterbury, the Pope twice asked Adrian to take over the job.
He declined, on the second occasion recommending St. Theodore
instead. The Pope duly appointed Theodore, but Adrian went with him
to Canterbury, as his adviser and assistant, and the flourishing state of
the English church under Theodore owed much to Adrian. Adrian, a very learned
and devout man, became abbot of the monastery in Canterbury later known as St
Augustine’s, which became a great seat of learning. He himself taught the
scriptures, Latin and Greek, whilst others taught Roman law, astronomy and
poetry. Adrian died in 710 AD in Canterbury.
The Magazine 50 years ago
The Rector points out that 16th January is plough Sunday, and that “the vital work
of agriculture, and all those engaged in it, specially need our prayers after the
many set-backs of the summer and autumn of 1954”. At the service of the
blessing of the plough the preacher will be the Bishop of Southwark, and
representatives of our farmers and farm workers will take part. A couple pf
weeks later, at the patronal festival, the speaker will be the former Bishop of
Kingston.
At the WI it is reported that Mrs Banham has collected 1 cwt of tinfoil and milk
tops for the “Blind Aid Dog in Prospective”. [No, I don’t know what that title
means either, but that is a mighty lot of tinfoil.]
The following gems are from the “Weekday Page for Women” in the enclosed
Southwark Diocesan Leaflet:
“When a window is broken and you are ready to insert a new pane, pass a red-hot
poker slowly over the old putty and it will come out easily.” “Brandy snaps are
easy to roll if you use a clean peg. Place the snap between the lips of the peg,
twist the peg and withdraw the snap”. “For keeping blazer badges clean I bought
a nylon sandwich bag (price 3d.) and covered the badge before sewing it on the
15 January 2005

THE TABLECLOTH - A TRUE STORY
The new pastor and his wife - newly
assigned to their first ministry in New
York to reopen a church - arrived in
Brooklyn in early October and were
very excited about the opportunities that
their calling might present. At the sight
of their new church their hearts sank,
for the building was very run down and
needed a lot of work. However they set
to, aiming to have everything done in
time to hold their first special service on
Christmas Eve.
They worked hard, repairing, plastering,
painting and generally decorating
everywhere in sight. On 18th
December they finished and, feeling
very pleased. they began to prepare for
their first service. The next night a
terrible storm hit New York and the
driving rain lashed the city, keeping
everyone indoors for a couple of days.
On 21st December the pastor went to
his church and his heart sank again.
The roof had leaked, causing a large
area of plaster to tall from the wall of
the sanctuary just behind the pulpit.
With a heavy heart he cleared the mess,
concluding that the restoration must
now remain unfinished.
On the way home he noticed a local
business was having a flea market for
charity so he stopped to see what was
on offer. One of the items was a
beautiful handmade, ivory-coloured
tablecloth with the most exquisite
needlework in fine colours and, in the
centre, an elaborate cross was
embroidered. He picked it up and
spread it out. It was exactly the size of
the hole in the church wall! He bought
it and headed straight back to the
church to hang it up.
By this time the snow had started to
fall. An elderly lady was running from
the opposite direction to catch a
bus - and she missed it. The pastor
invited her to wait in the warm church
until the next bus came along.
Thanking him, she sat herself in a pew,
not taking much notice while the pastor
got on with the job of hanging the
tablecloth as a tapestry. He stepped
back to admire his handiwork and it
looked wonderful! It was then that he
noticed the elderly lady walking
towards him - her face drained and
white.
“Pastor”, she said “Where did you get
that tablecloth” The pastor explained
the lucky find at the charity sale. The
lady asked him to see if the initials EBG
were embroidered in the right-hand
corner. They were. These were the
lady’s initials and her fingers had
worked the cloth 35 years earlier when
she lived in Austria before the war. She
explained that she and her husband had
been fairly well off before the outbreak
of war but when the Nazis came they
were forced to leave. She had left first,
leaving her husband to clear the house.
He was to follow her a week later.
However in her flight she was captured
by the Nazis, imprisoned and never saw
her husband again.
The pastor wanted to give her back the
tablecloth, but she insisted that he keep
16 January 2005

it for the church as it did, indeed, look
very good on the damaged wall. So the
pastor insisted on driving her home - it
was the least he could do. She lived on
the other side of Staten Island and had
only been in Brooklyn for the day to do
a house-cleaning job.
What a wonderful service they had in
the church on Christmas Eve! The
pews were full and the music and the
atmosphere were great. At the end of
the service, the pastor and his wife
stood at the door to greet everyone.
However, one elderly gentleman, whom
the pastor recognised from his own
neighbourhood, continued to sit in his
pew, head still, eyes staring ahead. The
pastor went to gently say it was time to
leave. The gentleman turned and said,
“Where did that tapestry come from”
So, once again, the pastor explained the
story of his find. “Do you know” said
the gentleman, “it is identical to the one
my wife made many years ago in
Austria before the war.” Then he
continued the tale of how he had forced
his wife to flee for her own safety ...
that he was supposed to follow her ...
that he was arrested by the Nazis and
put in a concentration camp ... that he
never saw his wife or his home again...
it had been 35 years but he had never
forgotten her.
The pastor asked the gentleman to go
with him for a little ride in his car.
They drove to Staten Island and
returned to the same flat where the
pastor had delivered the lady a few days
before. He helped the man climb three
flights of stairs and struck the
doorknocker. Then the pastor stood
back as the door opened and, with tears
in his eyes, he watched the greatest
Christmas reunion he had ever seen.
Submitted by Judith Forsyth, who points
out that the story appeared in a
magazine produced by RUKBA, a
charity which does wonderful work for
elderly people on low incomes who
have worked to help others or been in
the Services etc. Anyone who would
like further information about RUKBA
is invited to phone Judith on
842359.
Letter to God
A Sunday School teacher challenged her children to take some time on Sunday
afternoon to write a letter to God. They were to bring their letter back the
following Sunday.
One little boy wrote, “Dear God, We had a good time at church today. Wish you
could have been there.”
* * * * * * * *
A little girl told her mother, “We went to a confirmation service at the cathedral
and I saw the bishop. Now I know what a crook looks like!”
17 January 2005

Greetings once more from St Petrifieds.
ST PETRIFIEDS
Well, Christmas is over for another year, and January feels so flat.
I loved the advent excitement as the weeks sped by towards Christmas. Cards to
write, presents to buy, Christmas concerts, mulled wine, the nativity play, the
wonderfully moving Midnight Communion service, eating too many mince pies…
turkey, silly hats… the Queen’s Speech, the Christmas cake… .
It is all marvellous, and I think that housewives with young children and elderly
parents make entirely too much fuss about Christmas being exhausting. One such
family invited me for Christmas dinner, and I said this to the hostess when I
arrived, because I thought she was looking far too harassed on Christmas Day.
“It is a time of peace and goodwill, Gill,” I said, bending over her. It was hard to
get her attention because she was on her hands and knees cleaning up the mess
left when one of her son’s toys had collided with the Christmas tree. “You should
reflect on the meaning of this day and put aside petty concerns.”
Gill got to her feet, and handed me the dustpan and brush with such a wild look in
her eyes that I thought it prudent not to say anything more. Not that she would
have heard me, anyway, as there was suddenly a crash in the kitchen and a howl
from one of the children. Gill rushed off, leaving me to have to pour myself
another sherry, and join her various aged relatives in front of the telly.
Speaking of the telly, may I make one complaint in this season of goodwill. I
love everything about Christmas EXCEPT the soaps on TV.
Whether its Albert Square or Coronation Street, I don’t want to go there. Both
plots are equally puerile. But incredibly, even St Petrifieds succumbed.
It was over the Old Folk’s Christmas Party, and what time we should hold it. Rev
Keen suggested a time which was met by looks of dismay. It was pointed out
that this would clash with a bumper edition of Eastenders in which suicide
bombers disguised as carol singers blow up the Queen Vic during a quadruple
wedding service.
So then someone suggested another time, which again sounded fine to me. More
consternation: this time would clash with an extended episode of Coronation
Street in which Dreary Deirdre goes berserk in the Rovers Return with an AK47
assault rifle after discovering that Ken has run away with Roy Cropper.
18 January 2005

In the end we held the party at the one time there was something on TV that I
wanted to watch. But nobody ever considers my feelings in these things. Am I
complaining Do I ever Happy New Year!
LAMBETH CROSS FOR
BROTHER ROGER
“HOW FAR IS IT TO
BETHLEHEM”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr
Rowan Williams, has awarded a
Lambeth Cross to Brother Roger of
Taize for exceptional services to the
causes of Christian unity.
Brother Roger founded the Taize
community in 1949 with seven brothers,
committing themselves to a life of
celibacy, the common life, simplicity
and reconciliation. Now over 50 years
later there are over 100 brothers made
up of Catholics, Anglicans and various
Protestant traditions from over 25
countries. The community has spread
to other parts of the world, with small
groups living in poor areas of Africa,
Asia, South and North America.
Regardless of location the community’s
life is always based on prayer three
times a day. Since 1958 the
community has welcomed young adults
in increasing numbers to Taize, drawing
up to 6,000 each week in summer
months.
How far is it to Bethlehem
Not very far.
Shall we find the stable-room
Lit by a star
Can we see the little Child
Is He within
If we lift the wooden latch,
May we go in
May we stroke the creatures there –
Ox, ass, or sheep
May we peep like them and see
Jesus asleep
If we touch His tiny hand,
Will He awake
Will He know we’ve come so far
Just for His sake
Great kings have precious gifts,
And we have naught;
Little smiles and little tears
Are all we brought.
For all weary children
Mary must weep;
Here, on His bed of straw,
Sleep, children, sleep.
God, in His mother’s arms,
Babes in the byre,
Sleep, as they sleep who find
Their heart’s desire.
F. Chesterton
19 January 2005

IS YOUR FRIDGE WASTING ENERGY
Your fridge works more efficiently if it is freestanding and in a cool environment.
Do not site it next to a boiler or cooker. Keep temperature between 3 and 5
degrees centigrade. Below this, the fridge wastes energy. When dust gathers on
the condenser coils behind your fridge, up to 30% energy can be wasted.
You could save 20% of your fridge’s running costs by buying a SAVERPLUG to
replace your existing plug. When the appliance is first switched on, full system
power is needed: this is subsequently unnecessary. The plug senses this and cuts
power accordingly in short bursts without changing the operation of the fridge.
Plugs cost £17.50 from Savawatt UK Ltd, Sava Building, Waterloo Industrial
Estate, Bidford on Avon, B50 4SH 01789 490 340. www.savawatt.com
You can now buy 100% ozone-friendly fridges. The Electricity Association has
shown that two German “Greenfreeze” models were 39% and 55% more energy
efficient than equivalent British models. An energy efficient fridge can mean a
saying in energy of up to 70%. Look out for the energy consumption ratings. A
is best. Contact the Energy+ Project at www.energy-plus.org or on 01865
281211. They can provide details of energy efficient fridges and freezers.
GOOD NEWS FOR CHOCOLATE LOVERS
If you love chocolate, here’s an excellent excuse to eat some: recent research has
found an ingredient in chocolate that can help stop persistent coughs, and lead to
more effective medicines.
The study at Imperial College London found that theobromine, found in cocoa,
was nearly a third more effective in stopping persistent coughs than codeine,
currently considered the best cough medicine.
The researchers said the discovery could lead to more effective cough treatments.
They also found that unlike standard cough treatments, theobromine caused no
adverse effects on the cardiovascular or central nervous systems, such as
drowsiness.
So just think – next time you have a chocolate bar, you are keeping a cough at
bay.
Observing a missionary on his mountain bike, one cannibal turned to the other
and said, “Oh good! Meals on wheels!”
20 January 2005

THE STUPIDITY OF MAN
GOD: Frank, you know all about
gardens and nature. What in the world
is going on down there on the planet
What happened to the dandelions,
violets, thistle and stuff I started eons
ago I had a perfect, no-maintenance
garden plan. Those plants grow in any
type of soil, withstand drought and
multiply with abandon. The nectar
from the long lasting blossoms attracts
butterflies, honey bees and flocks of
songbirds. I expected to see a vast
garden of colours by now. But all I see
are these green rectangles.
St.Francis: It’s the tribes that settled
there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They
started calling your flowers “weeds”
and went to great lengths to kill them
and replace them with grass.
As soon as it grows a little, they cut it -
sometimes twice a week.
GOD: They cut it Do they then bail it
like hay
ST. FRANCIS: Not exactly, Lord.
Most of them rake it up and put it in
bags.
GOD: They bag it Why Is it a cash
crop Do they sell it
ST. FRANCIS: No, Sir. Just the
opposite. They pay to throw it away.
GOD: Now let me get this straight.
They fertilize grass so it will grow.
And when it does grow, they cut it off
and pay to throw it away
GOD: Grass But it’s so boring. It’s
not colourful. It doesn’t attract
butterflies, birds and bees, only grubs
and sod worms. It’s sensitive to
temperatures. Do these Suburbanites
really want all that grass growing there
ST. FRANCIS: Apparently so, Lord.
They go to great pains to grow it and
keep it green. They begin each spring
by fertilizing grass and poisoning any
other plant that crops up in the lawn.
GOD: The spring rains and warm
weather probably make grass grow
really fast. That must make the
Suburbanites happy.
ST. FRANCIS: Apparently not, Lord.
St. FRANCIS: Yes, Sir.
GOD: These Suburbanites must be
relieved in the summer when we cut
back on the rain and turn up the heat.
That surely slows the growth and saves
them a lot of work.
ST. FRANCIS: You aren’t going to
believe this, Lord. When the grass
stops growing so fast, they drag out
hoses and pay more money to water it
so they can continue to mow it and pay
to get rid of it.
GOD: What nonsense. At least they
kept some of the trees. That was a
sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so
myself. The trees grow leaves in the
21 January 2005

spring to provide beauty and shade in
the summer. In the autumn they fall to
the ground and form a natural blanket to
keep moisture in the soil and protect the
trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the
leaves form compost to enhance the
soil. It’s a natural circle of life.
place of the leaves.
GOD: And where do they get this
mulch
ST. FRANCIS: They cut down trees
and grind them up to make the mulch.
ST. FRANCIS: You’d better sit down,
Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a
new circle. As soon as the leaves fall,
they rake them into great piles and pay
to have them hauled away.
GOD: Enough. I don’t want to think
about this any more. St. Catherine,
you’re in charge of the arts. What
movie have you scheduled for us
tonight
GOD: No. What do they do to protect
the shrub and tree roots in the winter
and to keep the soil moist and loose
ST. FRANCIS: After throwing away
the leaves, they go out and buy
something which they call mulch. They
haul it home and spread it around in
ST. CATHERINE: Dumb and Dumber,
Lord. It’s a real stupid movie about...
GOD: Never mind, I think I just heard
the whole story from St. Francis.
Submitted by Everett Leeds
BUCKLAND ONE WORLD GROUP
Madagascar has again been blessed with a stable government and progress has
been made in rebuilding roads and restoring the railway network. Inflation is still
a major problem, which is particularly hard on the very poor. In
addition to existing schemes, Money for Madagascar has helped to
fund a number of new projects eg a two-year bee-keeping and treeplanting
scheme in the Midwest, a Rice store, a Bakery School for
handicapped children, extra classrooms for a school on the outskirts
of the Capital, and an emergency grant of £5,000 to counter malnutrition on the
West Coast.
For the last few years, one of the pleasures of the Christmas season - and a very
profitable one for the Group - has been a visit by Joan and Peter Davalle to
entertain us in their own delightful way. This year their visit had to be postponed,
but it is now fixed for Friday, 4th February at 8pm in the Reading Room. Their
title will be Tchaikowsky, a strange Love Story.
22 January 2005

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION POPPY APPEAL
Thank you everyone in Betchworth and Buckland for your generosity in
supporting The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. As you know, ex-Service
men and women, young and old, benefit from the funds we raise.
The Legion is the major voice for ex-Service people throughout
the year, campaigning on issues such as Gulf War related illnesses,
war pensions and providing practical assistance and employment
within the Legion and its related companies. This year we have
collected a magnificent £1,687.44. Thank you all and my gratitude
too to the team of stalwart collectors who go round door to door
each year and those local businesses - garden centres, pubs, post offices,
hairdresser, garage and communication business - who are a vital part of the
Appeal.
ST MARKS OVERSEAS AID TRUST
St Marks Overseas Aid Trust (SMOAT) is hosting George Alagiah at the
Harlequin Theatre, Redhill on 28th January 2005 at 8 p.m. Tickets are now
available from the box office direct at £12 each, £10 for concessions. This is a
great opportunity to hear a clear informed discussion about Aid to the Developing
World from a very experienced speaker.
Anne C. Forrest
ST CATHERINE'S HOSPICE - 3B’s AREA COMMITTEE
We were treated to a lovely evening on Friday 26th November
at Betchworth Village Hall by the Golden Girls with their
words and music. There were approximately 60 people present
and we raised just under £500 for St Catherine’s. A big thank
you to all who attended and supported us, and of course very
many thanks to the Golden Girls and their pianist who made it
an evening to remember.
On behalf of the Committee I would like to wish everyone A Very Happy and
Peaceful New Year.
Moreen Gardiner (842260)
23 January 2005

BETCHWORTH W.I.
On 2nd December, our Christmas Lunch held at Denbies was a very enjoyable,
successful and relaxing occasion for all but especially for the Committee
which generally hosts everything themselves for members.
Twenty-seven attended and were greeted at the entrance by a welcome
poster which in turn prompted one or two other visitors to approach us
with a view to membership.
Forthcoming events: 11th January Resolution Selection Meeting at Bletchingley;
28th January Celebrity Lunch at Reigate; 3rd February Mah Jong at 2 Denmark
Road; 14th February ‘Food of Love’ at East Horsley.
Our next meeting will be on Thursday 6th January 2005 in the Village Hall. New
visitors and/or members are made very welcome. Make it a New Year’s
Resolution to make enquiries.
M.H.
BETCHWORTH DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY
Our November lecture was given by Mrs. Rachel Layton Elwes, an American,
who is a curator of the Gilbert Collection. Her talk, “The Art of the
Party and Dining in the Gilded Age”, covered many of the aspects of
the protocol of dining in America in the second half of the 19th Century
and the first quarter of the 20th. This was a period when a very few
people had enormous wealth while the great majority were very poor.
Rachel showed many slides of luxurious houses and their dining rooms
and, with much humour and flair, explained the required standards of behaviour.
As this was the last talk before Christmas the (larger than usual) audience
enjoyed a splendid tea, with sandwiches, mince-pies and Christmas cake produced
by the hardworking committee and friends - to whom much thanks.
May we wish you all a happy and healthy 2005.
M. Emery/L. Lewis
WELCARE
THANK YOU - all the people who so generously donated to Welcare’s Christmas
and celebratory events through gifts at the Toy Service.
Anne C. Forrest
24 January 2005

MUSIC IN DORKING
6th, 13th, 20th, 27th at 8.30, Watermill Jazz at Friends Provident, £9-11,
210454
15th at 7.30, Ashtead Choral Society at Dorking Halls, £8-14, 01372 274870
16th at 4.00, Lucy Crowe at Woodhouse, 01306 730403
22nd at 7.30, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Dorking Halls, £10-24, 01306
640579
Happy New Year! And welcome to another year of great
music in and around Dorking. There is an enormous variety of
good music to be heard in 2005, presented by various local
orchestras, choirs and other groups, whom we should support
enthusiastically. So please do make the effort and go to some
of their concerts.
Ashtead Choral Society begins the year with a programme of Romantic Classics,
including Grieg’s piano concerto played by the exciting young Korean pianist
Kyung-Won Lee. There will also be operatic choruses by Verdi and Bizet, and
waltzes by Strauss.
The Dorking Concertgoers Society continues its season with a concert given by
the RPO including a couple of favourites. Haydn’s Surprise Symphony is one of
his most well-known; if you don’t know what the surprise is, I shan’t spoil it now!
Sibelius’ fifth symphony is a powerful and original work with a massive finale
that has been described as ‘the great god Thor swinging his mighty hammer’, and
Mozart’s fifth violin concerto features some intriguing Turkish-style music.
Watermill Jazz resumes after its December break with a
concert every Thursday evening. January’s performers
are: pianist Ann Odell and trio, with saxophonist Paul
Booth (6th) , drummer Dylan Howe and quintet (13th ),
saxophonist Tim Whitehead and pianist Giovanni
Mirobassi with quartet (20th), and organist Mike Carr
and trio (27th).
And at Woodhouse, near Holmbury St Mary, the soprano Lucy Crowe, winner of
the Wigmore Awards finals, will be singing music by Schubert, Debussy and
Wolf.
Have you heard about the agnostic dyslexic insomniac who lay awake at night
wondering “Is there a Dog”
25 January 2005

PRAYER OF THE MONTH
Lord, make me an instrument of your
peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, let me sow
pardon.
Where there is doubt, let me sow faith.
Where there is despair, let me give
hope.
Where there is darkness, let me give
light.
Where there is sadness, let me give joy.
O divine master, grant that I may
not try to be comforted, but to
comfort;
not try to be understood, but to
understand;
not try to be loved, but to love.
because it is in giving that we receive,
in forgiving that we are forgiven,
and in dying that we are born to eternal
life.
Francis of Assisi (1182 – 1226)
POEM OF THE MONTH
There’s snow on the fields,
And cold in the cottage,
While I sit in the chimney nook
Supping hot pottage.
My clothes are soft and warm,
Fold upon fold,
But I’m so sorry for the poor
Out in the cold.
Christina Rossetti
GRACE OF THE MONTH
For the company we keep,
And the food which we are about to partake,
We thank thee Lord.
THOUGHT OF THE MONTH
Do not squander time, for it is the stuff of which life is made.
Benjamin Franklin
26 January 2005

ACROSS
7 Any group of human beings (6)
8 The abode of God (6)
9 Aspect (4)
10 Circular flower arrangements (8)
11 Give to, in marriage (7)
13 Adversary (5)
15 Wide (5)
17 Dried grapes (7)
20 An agreement between God and
His people (8)
21 Mixture of ground animal feeds
(4)
23 Roman procurator at the time of
Jesus’ trial (6)
24 Unit of money in Israel (6)
DOWN
1 Where Samson slew a thousand
Philistines with a jawbone (4)
2 Come into view (6)
3 Used to balance or assign relative
value (7)
4 A combination of three or more notes
that blend harmoniously (5)
5 The fourth son of Ham (6)
6 A keeper of cattle (8)
12 Formerly called Abyssinia (8)
14 An act, experience, or ordeal by
which one is purified, sanctified,
initiated, or named (7)
16 Roman Emperor (6)
18 Prophet and judge who anointed Saul
(6)
19 One of the two over-20’s to survive
the Wilderness (5)
22 Oracle (4)
CROSSWORD
SOLUTIONS ON
NEXT PAGE
BRIDGE
North to lead, with Hearts trumps.
North/South to make 5
tricks against any defence.
Warning: this is a very
difficult problem, even
though there are only 5
cards in each hand.
NORTH
8 7
-
WEST 3 2 EAST
K 6 5 5 -
-
K Q SOUTH A
- 4 3 2
27 January 2005

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS ON PREVIOUS PAGE
BRIDGE
North leads a , ruffed by South, who
now throws East in with his
last trump, North discarding
a . East has to return a .
South discards a low on
this and West is squeezed. If he comes
down to K singleton, South wins the
last two tricks with A and 3. If West
throws his last Diamond, North’s
remaining and South’s A win the
last two tricks.
CROSSWORD
ACROSS 7 People, 8 Heaven,
9 Side, 10 Garlands,
11 Betroth, 13 Enemy,
15 Thick, 17 Raisins,
20 Covenant, 21 Mash,
23 Pilate, 24 Shekel
DOWN 1 Lehi, 2 Appear,
3 Weights, 4 Chord, 5 Canaan,
6 Herdsman, 12 Ethiopia,
14 Baptise, 16 Caesar, 18 Samuel,
19 Caleb, 22 Seer
Having a party, bit short of space We have the solution...
Modern marquee for hire - 28ft x 38ft. £160 for max 2 nights.
We will erect and dismantle
For details call 844874. Book early to avoid disappointment
GAZEBO FOR HIRE
St Mary’s, Buckland, have acquired
a gazebo, base measurement 3m x
4m. It is fitted with side and back
wall flaps and is available for hire at
the rate of £10 per day. All
enquiries to Carol Leeds 225576.
Sign seen in a church car park:
FOR MEMBERS ONLY.
Trespassers will be baptised.
28 January 2005