March 08 Curdridge Parish News - Hampshire County Council

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Who’s Who - Tony Seaman Tony was born in Fulham, London, at the end of the war, and lived there until his late teens. It was here that he joined a church youth club. The love that was shown to him by the members of that church had a great impact on him and he eventually became a Christian and was subsequently confirmed. It was also here that he met and married his first wife, Chris. Tony continued to regularly attend church, and became involved in youth work. He and his wife were Pathfinder and CYFA leaders in Basingstoke, where they first lived, then when they moved to Southampton, he ended up as overall leader in Pathfinders for many years at Highfield Church. This involved meetings on Saturday evenings and exciting 'bog walks' in the dark (ask Tony for details!) By this time his family had grown to five, with the advent of two sons and a daughter. Altogether, Tony spent about twenty years in youth work. He then joined Highfield Church Management Team and eventually became church warden. It was during this time that his wife fell seriously ill. He often found himself looking after three teenage children, managing his civil and electrical engineering job, church work and often spending three nights a week at Papworth Hospital where Chris was awaiting a heartlung transplant which never materialised.. When visiting his wife, he initially stayed with a Christian Polish man, whose own wife had died, then later with a couple in the grounds of the hospital, whose support meant a great deal to Tony when Chris eventually died. Unexpectedly, soon after Chris died, Tony met Joyce for the first time at a homegroup. God very clearly made a promise to him that He would sort out his past, present and future, and that Joyce and he would be friends. Initially Tony could not accept this. As an engineer, his rational mind told him not to rely on such an incredible promise. However, God took control in wonderful, often humorous ways, and during the next year, fulfilled His promise. This greatly heightened Tony’s certainty of how great God is and how intimate He wished to be with him. Joyce and Tony were married at Highfield and a few years later began attending a church in St Denys. However, they felt that they needed to make a fresh start somewhere, and prayed for a place where God might want them to be. At this point, Tony continues in his own words: 'Just over a year ago, after looking to move house for several years, Joyce and I discovered Botley and strongly felt we should give the church a try. The first service we went to was choral evensong, which to be truthful, I did not think would be my 'cup of tea', but the choir were so good and the people really friendly. So we decided to go to the family service, and that clinched it. We were sure that All Saints was where God wanted us to be and that it would be our spiritual home. Then came the matter of where to live! We found Botley quite an expensive place for housing, but God works in wonderful ways and we were led to a house where we knew within minutes that it was where we were meant to set up home. Everything fell into place and we moved in on May 1 st last year, feeling at home straightaway. I had been praying for some time for somewhere I could learn more about my faith and be part of discussions in some of the more difficult areas, even consolidating some aspects of what I believe. This has happened with being able to join with mature Christians at All Saints and at Tool Box. I now regularly attend morning prayer and midweek communion, totally unknown in my past. I am poor at routine, particularly in the mornings! I am sure that morning prayer has transformed a significant part of my Christian life. The regular daily fellowship in reading the Psalms and passages from the Bible has helped me as does the time of prayer. Tony has quickly become involved by leading last year's post-confirmation group, which is now known as the Emmaus group, meeting on alternate Tuesdays. With Joyce, he hosts this year's confirmation group every Thursday, and is also leading a group during Lent. He helps Kathleen Watson with DIY jobs on the church extension project. In fact, with Godfrey, he is presently hoping to set up a taskforce of people to share in odd jobs around the fabric of the building. Tony and Joyce are looking forward to seeing the church grow, with more folk at morning prayer, joining home groups and evangelizing in our parishes. We are glad they have chosen to settle here.
The Club celebrated the New Year slightly differently this year by having party games rather than a work-in. Our secretary. Ellen Barfoot, devised a ‘Flower Drive’ based on the more familiar ‘Beetle Drive’ which was a great success, after which we felt in need of refreshments. The food was much enjoyed and we then got to work on another flower related quiz, this time naming a flower after solving a clue. We didn’t always agree on the official answer, but it was all great fun and we had a most enjoyable evening. Veronica reminded us to take every opportunity to raise plants for the Plant Sale in May and also that it might be possible to arrange a Club visit to the Flower Festival at Chichester Cathedral between 29th and 31st of May. Our demonstrator on 19th March will be Anne Marie Dicker with a demonstration entitled ‘Spring’, and the demonstrator for the 16th April will be Pamela Bryant with ‘Do You Remember’ Margaret Blake Curdridge Floral Club Visitors are always welcome. VILLAGE NEWS Curdridge Gardening Club Our annual meal held in February involved 29 members and friends dining out instead of having caterers. Mr Graham Bowering from the Hedgehog Rescue Centre will be the speaker on Wednesday 5th March at 7.30pm in the Reading Room. He would appreciate any tins of cat or dog food (no fish content), and any old towels you may have please. Visitors & new members welcome. Rosemary Taylor Curdridge Country Show 2008 On a wild and windy evening in January we had our first meeting to plan this year’s Show, which will be held on Saturday 19 th July 2008. We had a great turn out and a lively discussion about how we can make this year’s Show great fun for the whole family. As 2008 is Olympic year we will acknowledge the build up to this great event by reflecting the influence of China and sport in our lives. We always have sport in the programme anyway, as those of you who have won a football or a coconut can testify! But don’t worry, we will also have all the traditional country activities and crafts that you expect as well. We have a meeting arranged for 18 th March at 7.30pm in the Billiard Room at the Reading Room to discuss progress, and everyone is welcome. Come along and let us know your ideas and views. If you can’t attend but would like to say something just give us a call. We always need volunteers before, during and after the show. If you would like to help in any way please let us know. You can call 07722 787338 or e mail curdridgeshow@btinternet.com. Elaine Flower Show Committee BOTLEY & CURDRIDGE LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY In January, the subject was “The Itchen Navigation”. An interesting talk with scenic slides given by Ashley Watt. On March 28th will be “Fred T Jane”, the speaker Owen Neal in the Curdridge Reading Room at 8.00pm. Molly Perry All welcome. Friendship Club On April 23rd the Curdridge Friendship Club will be celebrating their Golden Anniversary. We will be in church from 1pm and then afterwards at the Reading Room from 2.00pm until 4.00pm. Everyone welcome who would like to come. Refreshments will be served. 7
Page 1 and 2: CURDRIDGE PARISH NEWS The End of an
Page 3 and 4: CURDRIDGE PARISH N E W S March 2008
Page 5 and 6: CHAIRMAN Marianne Small Laurence Ru
Page 7 and 8: From the Rectory March 2008 Dear Fr
Page 9: Curdridge Parish Council REPORT FRO
Page 13 and 14: Holy Week and Easter Services 2008
Page 15 and 16: Manor Farm Spring is supposed to st
Page 17 and 18: 40 YEARS OF SERVICE - END OF AN ERA
Page 19 and 20: News from the DIOCESE OF PORTSMOUTH
Page 21 and 22: Curdridge Reading Rooms ‘The Last
Page 23 and 24: A volunteer is required to edit the

March 08 Curdridge Parish News - Hampshire County Council

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