May 2012 - Ollerton with Marthall

Well worth a visit on a rainy day
Concorde at Manchester Airport!
May 2012
www.ollertonwithmarthall.org.uk

Letter from the Vicar
May 2012
We mark Rogationtide each year- this
year we will do so on 13th May. I was
asked the other day to explain what it
is. Certainly in a rural community such
as our’s it has real significance which
previous generations would have understood.
Rogationtide comes from
the Latin verb rogare meaning to askadapted
by Christians from the Graeco-Roman
religion, where an annual
procession invoked the gods favour to
preserve the crops from mildew- traditionally
a time when Christians prayed
for God’s blessings on their crops and
other aspects of their work on the land.
The Rogation procession - which had
been suppressed at the Reformation was
restored in 1559and developed into a
procession of worship in which prayers
were said- quite often concluding with
the Mass. Rogation would have been
celebrated on the three days before the
Ascension; these days would have been
days of fasting. A service could be followed
by a visit to various places in the
neighbourhood. “The Beating of the
Bounds” service might also have been
combined with the Rogation Service,
an old custom enabling people to mark
the boundaries of their parish; often a
way for people to resolve boundary issues-
where boundaries had been violated
and situations needed to be resolved.
I lived for four years in the next parish to
where the priest and hymn writer George
Herbert ministered. He would have
been familiar with these customs and
their importance. The reasons for believing
in their importance were as follows:
“To bless God for all the fruits of the fi elds.”
“Justice in preserving the bounds.”
“Charity in loving walking, and neighbourly
accompanying one another, with reconciling of
differences at that time, if there be any.”
“Mercy in releeving the poor by the liberall
distribution of largesse which at the time is, or
ought to be used.”
(George Herbert, The Country Parson,
ch.xxxv, “The Parson’s Condescending”)
Today we may not have the same understanding
that Herbert and others had
but we have the same needs and Rogationtide
is a good time to give thanks
to God for all that we have and ask his
blessing for our land and parish. We can
pray, this Rogationtide, for all who live
and work in our Parish and the Parishes
which neighbour ours. We might pray for
those involved in the supplying our food
(those working in shops or transport,
for example). We could use it as a time
for reconciling any differences we have
with one another- as we walk together,
symbolised by sharing food and drink.
We can show our concern for those
who are in more need than we are and
need our support. Christian Aid Week
is in May; we might think of supporting
that organisation .We can remind ourselves
of all the good gifts we have been
given and be thankful to God for them.
God Bless, Lynette
Thank you
We would like to thank Terry Woods and his students in the Woodworking
Department at the David Lewis for making such a suitable cross to use on
the recent ecumenical Good Friday Procession of Witness at Chelford; it
was much appreciated by all and will be used on other occasions.
Thank you to Jane McKenna, Jenny Lea and Beryl Bailey for the most
attractive and suitable kneelers for the Church; very appropriate for this
Diamond Jubilee Year of the Queen’s Accession.

INFORMATION www.ollertonwithmarthall.org.uk
CHURCHES
All Saints’ Marthall Rev’d Lynette Sweet
Sunday Worship 10-30am
Methodist Church
Sunday Worship 10-45am
St. Vincent’s R.C. Church Father J. Joyce
Sunday Mass 9-00am, 11-00am, 5-30pm
Gt. Warford Baptist Church Mr H. Horry
Sunday Worship 10-00am, 6-00pm
Thursday Bible Study 7-30pm
DOCTORS
Chelford Elmstead Road Surgery
Knutsford Toft Road Surgery
Knutsford Manchester Road Surgery
Knutsford Annandale Medical Centre Mobberley Road
SCHOOLS
Over Peover Primary School
Lower Peover Primary School
Chelford C of E Primary School
Knutsford County High School (Upper)
Knutsford County High School (Lower)
Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School
TRANSPORT
Knutsford/Macclesfield Buses Every two hours
No 27 and 27A stop at Ollerton
27B goes via Over Peover and Beggerman’s Lane
Times shown in bus shelter at Ollerton or ring
Amber Taxis Community Service
THE HALL AT MARTHALL
Booking Secretary for parties, dances etc. (Mon-Fri)
Bridge Club Tuesdays (weekly)
Womens Institute First Tuesday in month
CHELFORD VILLAGE HALL
Girl Guides, Brownies, Boy Scouts, Cubs
01625 860618
01565 872957
01565 633040
01565 873132
01625 861316
01565 632681
01565 633101
01565 755222
01625 861384
01565 722529
01625 861351
01565 633294
01565 632277
01477 689500
01625 534850
01565 621222
01625 890652
01565 651613
01565 652448
01625 861815
KNUTSFORD Borough Council/Tourist Office 01565 632611
PARISH COUNCIL The Clerk
E-mail: theparishclerk@btinternet.com
01565653844
or 07973681226
KNUTSFORD Citizen’s Advice Bureau 01565 651310
SAMARITANS 0845 790 9090
ALCOHOL DRINKSLINE 0800 917 8282
POLICE The new number for non emergencies
101

CHURCH SERVICES
10.30am
6.30pm
10.30am
10.30am
10.30am
10.30am
10.30am
10.30am
6th
13th
20th
27th
JUNE 2012
3rd
10th
17th
24th
Holy Communion
Rogation Service @ Kell Green Farm,
(Ollerton. No service @10.30am)
Holy Communion
Holy Communion (Pentecost)
Community Jubilee Thanksgiving Service
Family Service
Holy Communion
Morning Prayer
CHURCH CLEANING ROTA in April/May 2012
May 5th Rosemary Kellett and Jenny Lea
June 16th Barbara Burton and Margaret Fogden
MAY 2012
BIRTHS MARRIAGES BAPTISMS & DEATHS
In the villages of Marthall, Ollerton & Little Warford
Rest in Peace
Elsie Henry (94) Over Peover (27th February 2012)
Mary Robinson (92) Great Warford (11th March 2012)
Stewart MacDonald (89) Ollerton (30th March 2012)
Kenneth Brookes (90) Knutsford (10th April 2012)
Obituaries
Sadly, we have had occasion to include obituaries in recent issues,for friends and
neighbours who have had close ties to the community in Ollerton, Marthall and
Lower Warford. We are mindful of the fact that other lives could be remembered
in the Parish Post and, if you would like to contribute a short obituary regarding
someone from the community, please feel free to do so. Please send the piece to
peterruff.sketches@gmail.com.
The sub-editors.

OLLERTON &
MARTHALL W.I
May 2012
Lots of laughter could be heard in the Hall at Marthall on Tuesday 3rd April,
thanks to the wonderful speaker for the evening Jean Williams. Her talk “Behind
the scenes at Little Moreton Hall was very amusing and entertaining. She worked at
the hall for six years and thoroughly enjoyed being a tour guide at the finest Tudor
House in Europe.
Americans were often amongst the visitors to the hall and on one occasion & man
was heard to say “Gee, I just love the fact that your cows match the colour of the
historical buildings over here,” Everyone enjoyed her talk very much and she was
thanked most warmly by Elaine Boyling. Teas were provided this month by Sue
Grassby, Chris Stubbings and Tess Barnham and the raffle was won by the treasurer
Margaret Walley.
The competition for an old kitchen gadget was won by Angela North, with Patsy
Hewlett in second place and Amy Hodkinson third. Next month’s meeting is on 1st
May at the Hall at Marthall commencing at 7.30pm. Visitors and new members
are most welcome.
Lent Lunches
Many thanks to all those who came to the Lent lunches and a special thank
you to those kind people who made the soup. We enjoyed pleasant company
and friendship, delicious soup and were very pleased to raise £216 which is
to be shared between Christian Aid and All Saints Marthall.
Tea and Chat
Monday 21st May 2pm at 7 Chapel Road

Charles and Emily Wood lived at Oak
Tree Farm positioned roughly where
there is now a row of garages belonging
to the residents in Woods Close.
The Wood forefathers had busy lives and
passed on their rewards in Knutsford.
Without exception the male members
of the family followed the occupation
of iron manufacturing. John Wood who
died in1899 had a large machine shop
and foundry and manufactured agricultural
and other implements, his oldest
son Harry Wood was born in 1856 and
had a public school education. From a
small boy he learned the trade of a machinist
and was determined to sustain
the family reputation for excellent work.
His ambitions for the sea were strongly
commingled with those of mechanics
and in 1873 went to sea as a member of
the engineering crew of the Allen Line
Steam Ship Company, and for four years
worked as second assistant to the Chief
Engineer of the Company and became
recognised as one of the finest engineers
ever to manipulate an engine. This
training admirably fitted him to take
charge of his father’s business in Knutsford
when he decided to return to dry
land. He finally decided to immigrate to
America in 1880, carried on with engineering
and became one of the best manipulators
of mechanical and electoral
devices in the States. He married and
had six children and explains the many
letters which past between England and
America which outline the family history
related to Knutsford.
I now refer to a letter ( in part) dated
September 1936 from Mrs Emily Wood
wife of Charlie, sent in reply to their
niece Helen Wood living in California
who had previously written to them :-
‘’ The portion of your letter is just like
the struggle we had to get the business in
Knutsford going and to keep on our feet,
there have been many ups and downs but
the downs have got short of wind and
we decided to give up the struggle and
we have bought a small farm in Ollerton.
We now have an old house inside
old beams, perhaps anything from 300
to 400 years old, restored and altered on
the outside walls but on the whole antique
– part of our lives in fact.
Charles loves his new home, its land
and way of life and is summed up in his
phrase ‘’Lemon Grove ‘’. He sees Oak
Farm as something of a rural idyll after
the ups and downs of the business as
makers of agricultural implements. The
idea of early retirement is not really in
Fashion (Charlie was 56 When he came
to Ollerton pre 1936) but Charlie is keen
to do things his own independent way.
Our farm in Ollerton is on the Knutsford
–Macclesfield road just a little over
two miles from Knutsford with its Parish
Church. To begin we had the House,
farm buildings and about ten acres of
land, and following a sale of local land
we know have 37 acres. To make a living
we do the occasional agricultural job and
anything involving metal. We have poultry,
cattle and a horse to do the work,
or should do. Hedge rows of thorn, wild
rose’s oak trees holly and fields of greenhow
green, only the seeing of it tells you
of a carpet of green underfoot. Charles
pride in his small farm and his love of
nature and the seasons and sense of
traditions goes with his love of the writings
of Elizabeth Gaskell and her book
CRANFORD.
Charlie died in 1960 and predeceased
his wife, what went wrong in the latter
stages of his life?, resulting in them having
to leave Ollerton and Oak Farm, and
the loss of their property and land, to go
and live in Rusholme Manchester. ----
George Littler

ARTHUR CRIMES
RECOGNITION OF LONG SERVICE
A l tree planting ceremony took place at the Hall at
Marthall prior to the Council meeting, to plant a
Himalayan Birch in recognition of the services of
Arthur Crimes to the community over 42 years.
Arthur was clerk to the Ollerton Parish meetings,
the Ollerton parish council and then
Ollerton with Marthall Parish council
following the two councils merging together.
Mrs Betty Derbyshire a relative of Arthur Crimes
carried out the planting on behalf of the family,
and was pleased that Arthur had been
recognised in this way.

Jubilee Celebrations
Garden Party
Put the date in your diary so you don’t get double booked.
It will be a fun, community event. We will have a brass band
playing during the event and there will be games, stalls, afternoon
teas, entertainers........ You’ll enjoy it.
In the meantime, perhaps you could provide some items for
the Tombola Stall please, or maybe you could donate a
prize for the raffle or volunteer to help on the day. Please
contact Tony Walley 01625 861804 for more information.
The
Could you help please?
Don’t forget the Jubilee Garden Party on
Monday 4 June
at the Hall at Marthall.
Tatton
Singers
Sat 19th May 10am to 5pm
Join us for a Singing Day. All welcome
Get a day-long singing lesson from a professional
St John’s ParishChurch Knutsford
Stanford and Vaughan Williams
Check website or ask Rosemary or John Haines
For your diary:
Sat 23rd June 7.30pm • Music for a Summer Evening
Sun 18th November 7.30pm at RNCM • Brahms Requiem + Bruckner Motets
Sat 15th December at Knutsford Methodist Church • Christmas Carol Concert
HYPERLINK “http://www.thetattonsingers.co.uk”
www.thetattonsingers.co.uk

Prune spring-flowering shrubs immediately after flowering, such as forsythia, ribes,
chaenomeles, pyracantha and kerria
If you haven’t done so already plant Lilly bulbs in pots - you can either enjoy them on
the Patio or drop them in to any empty spaces in your borders.
Plant out potted alliums in groups to add interest to flower beds
Sow your Sunflowers outside just where you want them to flower.
Now is the time to plant out your Sweet Pea seedlings that is if you were successful with
your seed planting last year and the mice haven’t eaten all your seeds !!!
Install water butts to down pipes on your house, shed or greenhouse to collect valuable
rainwater.
If you have concerns about Mosquito larvae then all you need to do is put in a couple
of toads (two for company) into your water butt I believe they are quite happy popping
up for air periodically and enjoying the delights of the larvae ( not tried this yet) I’m
told it works.
Clean out pond pumps and filters
Start to spray Roses that are vulnerable to disease a weak solution of washing up liquid
is as good as any shop bought spray.
Tie in young delphinium growth to plant supports
Secure emerging Clematis shoot to supports, take great care as they snap so easily
Plant Herbs of your choice.
Keep large sheets of fleece available, to cover young and tender plants should frost be
forecast.
Build Log piles at the back of borders for wildlife to shelter
Water clumps of tulips and spring bulbs with liquid feed
You can’t relax - keep your eyes peeled for the slugs and snails they are out there hiding,
just waiting for the first leaves of your Hosta to show - and they will have them the
minute you RELAX !
Plants are able to make their own food by capturing the energy from sunlight to convert
carbon dioxide and water into sugar. But in order to stay healthy and give the best
results they take additional nutrients out of the soil or compost, so it’s important to
provide them with supplementary fertiliser. The basic nutrients required by plants are
nitrogen (N) for leaf and stem growth, phosphorus (P) for root growth and potassium
(K) for flowers, fruit and to maintain healthy growth.
THE GARDENER’S PRAYER
I’ve weeded day by day. Judge that my sins I east away and am now shriven.
And here Your sunbeams come to play, and moonbeams on this path do stray.
Your stars look down from heaven. Will You not take this pattern bright as handiwork
for Your delight and bless this little garden?
See how the lilies tall and white stand unafraid within Your sight, and ask, for me, Your
pardon.
by Wilhelmina Stitch

SUPERFAST BROADBAND UPDATE
Thank you to all of you who have registered your interest in
superfast broadband. Based on the 50 responses we have
received so far, we have established that:
BT is the largest provider of broadband in our area.
60% of us have a download speed below 2Mb/s and half of those
are less than 1Mb/s.
Most people feel their current speed is inadequate for their household
needs.
We are currently in discussions with Cheshire East and Connecting
Cheshire regarding options that may be available to us will keep
you updated as things progress. For the latest information (or to
register your interest) please visit the village website: HYPERLINK
“http://www.ollertonwithmarthall.org.uk/broadband”www.ollertonwithmarthall.org.uk/broadband.
Neil Hanlon and George Littler
ROAD CLOSURES 31 MAY 2012
DUE TO OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY
Just to remind you that a number of roads in the area will be closed on the morning
of 31st May. Cheshire East Council, in conjunction with the local police force, have
decided, for safety reasons, to close roads where the Olympic Flame is being carried by
Torchbearers whilst it passes through Crewe, Congleton, Macclesfield and Knutsford.
If you have journeys to make during the morning of 31st the Council recommend
that you leave plenty of time as, in addition to the road closures listed below, public
Transport will be significantly disrupted as will access to some railway stations including
Crewe and Knutsford stations.
Most significantly for Marthall and Ollerton residents the A537 will be closed from
Macclesfield to Knutsford between 8.35 and 11.50 am on 31st May. More details of the
closures are given below.
MACCLESFIELD Roads closed approx. 08.35 – 11.10 am A536 Congleton Road,
B5088 Oxford Road, A537 Chester Road, A537 Broken Cross, A537 Chelford Road.
KNUTSFORD Roads closed, approx. 9:25 – 11:50am A537 Chelford Road, A537
Brook Street, A50 Toft Road, A50 King Edward Road, A50 Manchester Road.
There will be no access to the roads listed above from any side roads or at any junctions.
Cheshire East Council confirm that they will do their utmost to reduce the disruption by
reopening the roads as soon as it is safe to do so. Maps for the specific sections of roads
to be closed are available on
HYPERLINK “http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk”
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk or,
for more information call: Cheshire East Council
on 0300 123 50 35.

HOMEWATCH
Homewatch started in Cheshire
Home Watch History
A senior police officer in Cheshire has described Home Watch as “a major contributor to
the fight against crime”
The first Home Watch in Britain was launched just thirty years ago in the Cheshire village
of Mollington when local people were concerned about a spate of burglaries.
Cheshire’s Assistant Chief Constable Janette McCormick says, “From the success of that
first scheme in an area with a total population of nine hundred, the Home Watch movement
spread across Britain. It has had a real impact on preventing crime
and catching criminals.
“Thirty years on, we can appreciate the value of Home Watch. It has adapted to a changing
world and adopted new technology but, at the core, it is still about people making a constructive
effort to protect their local community.”
Thirty years ago, Harold Cooper, Chairman of the Mollington Residents Association,
approached Chester Crime Prevention Office about the burglaries. Inspector Grahame
Andrews (Ret’d) was then the Crime Prevention Sergeant. He had been passed American
Neighbourhood Watch papers by the then Chief Constable, George Fenn.
Mollington readily took on the concept of a similar scheme but called it ‘Home Watch’.
After the launch in March 1983, the burglaries stopped and representatives from thirty four
police forces came to Cheshire to look at the operation of Home Watch.
Grahame Andrews says, “We made it clear that it did not involve snooping on your neighbours
and it was certainly not about creating a vigilante outfit.
The guidelines set up back then are just as important now; improving the security of your
home, security marking property and knowing who to contact if something suspicious is
seen. The fact that the approach was ‘from the bottom up’, rather than ‘from the top down’
was a real reason for its success. Initially Mollington did not want any window stickers or
street signs but later on groups could see the advantage of deterring burglars
by advertising schemes locally.”
Leaflets were produced and the local community spirit was strengthened by a series of
meetings. The project was promoted at the Cheshire County Show that year.
One of the big challenges was how to communicate the latest information to the Watch
members. In 1992 Inspector Andrews, then serving at Crewe, utilised the latest available
technology – the Oracle teletext system on ITV. When Home watch started in Crewe there
were eight pages on Oracle dedicated to Crewe for displaying recent crime, people arrested,
stolen vehicles and major crimes. Grahame Andrews says the local people
found this worked well.
Today, email provides the ideal route for rolling out information. Whether it is alerting people
about a pattern of crime in a particular area or locating a stolen vehicle, the details can
be sent to hundreds of people in seconds.
Grahame Andrews said, “Although the technology has advanced, the basic principles of
Home Watch from when it started back in 1982 are still relevant to the scheme now. It is
based on people being good neighbours in a local community.”

PLANNING APPLICATIONS MONITOR

UPDATED 17th APRIL 2012

OLLERTON WITH MARTHALL PARISH COUNCIL
Clerk - Liz McGrath
Telephone – 01565 653844
Chairman – Alan Street
Vice Chairman – Robert Weston
Extract from the minutes of meeting held at 7.30pm on Monday 30th January
2012 at The Hall @ Marthall. [Full minutes available on the website.]
It was decided to plant a Himalayan Silver Birch at the Hall @ Marthall in line
with the original planting schedule for the hall. This tree will be planted to commemorate
Mr Crimes. A planting ceremony will be organised once a delivery date
is agreed.
High speed Broadband survey: There will be a leaflet produced and sent out to all
residents asking for their help to secure high speed broadband in the parishes.
Highways: The Clerk updated the meeting on the outstanding issues; no action
to report other than the removal of the Car Boot Signs as requested. An issue with
the Drains on School Lane has been reported since the last meeting. The Clerk
was asked to follow up why the promised resurfacing of Marthall Lane at Ollerton
Cross roads, which was due to take place in December, has not taken place. *[Subsequently
advised work to commence on 8th March 2012]
The Sign on Percival’s Lane has been further damaged and so is to be re reported
to the highways department by the Clerk.
Affordable Housing: The S106 is now to be compiled and the Parish council has
asked to be involved and allowed to comment. After much discussion the Parish
council clarified their position regarding further action. The Parish Council position
is that the council is very disappointed that its views and subsequently those of
the parish were disregarded in the decisions taken to approve the affordable housing
on Marthall Lane. However the council feels that to continue to fight the application
would be more costly and it wouldn’t be a responsible use of parish funds. The
meeting resolved to continue to work with the Borough Council and Cheshire Peaks
and Plains to secure the best design, cascade and Section 106 agreements for the
parish.
Diamond Jubilee: Plans are progressing with a civic service on Sunday 3rd June
followed by a cake cutting celebration and the commissioning of the Flag Pole. A
family fun day will take place on Monday 4th June as an extension of the Church
Garden Party.
Recreation Area, Oakland’s Road: An action group has been formed to improve
the recreation area. Councillor Brodrick is representing the council on this action
group.
Chelford Activity Pathway: Chelford PC have put together a proposal for a multiuse
games area (MUGA) for children aged 11 plus. They are seeking local parish
council’s views on their plans and their support of the plans for the benefit of all in
the area. The parish council will write supporting Chelford’s initiative and wishing
them well.
Policing and Home Watch: The Clerk proposed to contact PC Simon Warr in
future prior to the meeting to ask for a crime report specific to Ollerton and Marthall.
PCSO Andy Dolan has been promoted. The home watch scheme is to be
discussed at a future meeting.
Budget and Precept for 2012/13: The meeting had a thorough discussion of the
proposed budget and precept needs. The meeting approved the budget and set the
precept for 2012/13 at £8000 to enable the Diamond Jubilee Plan to be funded.
Next Meeting 16th April 2012

Diamond
Jubilee
Mon.4th June 2pm
For your entertainment –
Brass Band • Traditional games
Afternoon Teas • Tombola • Raffle
Lots of stalls and other attractions.
at The Hall @ Marthall
Sandlebridge Lane WA16 7SB

We would like to welcome a new member of staff to pre-school, Hannah Lawson,
who is a qualified primary school teacher. Both of her children attended the preschool
and are now pupils at Chelford Primary School.
Our theme for this half term is “Growing” which will involve lots of activities based
on the stories of “Jack and the Beanstalk” and “The Very Lazy Ladybird”. The
children will be helping to plant flowers, in our new planters located in our outside
area and planting their own beans in pots, carefully watering them and monitoring
their growth.
Towards the end of the half term we will be celebrating the Queen’s “Silver Jubilee.”
Lots of dressing up and tea parties in the role play area.
Our school Leavers have now started to go into Class 1 for the last 20mins of the
Wednesday “School Leaver” session. Mrs Adams encourages them to take part in
white board games, reads them a story and sings some songs.
We are now collecting Sainsburys and Tesco vouchers. We used them last year to buy
lots of art and craft resources and a new scooter.
We are taking the names of children who would like to start pre-school next September
2012. Most morning sessions are now taken so if you would like your child to
attend please contact the pre-school and fill in application forms as soon as possible.

JACKIE BETTS
MINISTER
SNELSON
METHODIST
CHAPEL
Telephone 01565 872957
As part of our 130 Anniversary celebrations of our present building, at Mobberley
Methodist Church; we are having a concert on 12th this month given by The
Laurence Singers.That’s the free publicity!!- but as I was thinking about their visit
the other day and looking forward to hearing them again-(I heard them for the first
time just after I moved to Mobberley) I was thinking about how much practice they
need to put in, in order to perform as well as they do.This is true, of course, of any
musical instrument not just our voices; playing well requires regular practice.We
can’t just turn up for the performance without having put the effort in beforehand.
And what’s true of music is of course true of other hobbies-the bowling green, the
cricket field as a new season starts;and the exams which many of our young people
will be sitting at this time.And what is true of hobbies and exams, is also true of so
many other things in life; not least those things which are the foundations of the
Christian faith-worship Bible reading prayer conversation with others.
Before Easter I enjoyed meeting together with a group of people from different
churches to follow this year’s Lent Course with its appropriate title for this year of
Handing on the Torch.I am looking forward to seeing the Olympic Torch when it is
carried through Knutsford.at the end of the month.We know that all those who will
be taking part in the Olympic Games later on this year will have put in hours and
hours of practice in order to perform their best.
So what about us- what about you and me ?.How willing are we to practice prayer,
Bible reading, worship, conversation with others about the example Jesus gave us to
follow and to put into practice all the ways in which he encouraged us to show our
love towards others. If we are ready to put in some effort on these things then like
the concert which I mentioned at the beginning of this article- not only will we get
a lot of benefit from it ourselves but we will also bring pleasure, bring help to lots
of other people as well.
And by the way for those who have been asking I have unpacked the first box.!!
TICKETS FOR CONCERT
12 MAY 7.30.p.m.
£7 incl refreshments available from Jackie
ASTLE COURT COMMUNION.
The May communion service will be held in the newly re-furbished
community room at Astle Court on Tuesday May 15 at 2.p.m.Everyone is very welcome
to join us for this service which will be followed by a cup of tea and a chat.

La Basilique du
Sacré Cœur de Montmartre
The name signifies “ mount of martyrs “
because by tradition it is the place of the
martydom of Saint Denis, the first bishop of
Paris (late 3rd century) and his companions.
Many saints have come to this hill (Saint
Germain - Saint Clotilde - Saint Bernard -
Saint Joan of Arc - Saint Vincent de Paul,
…) and, of course, Saint Ignatius of Loyola
and Saint François-Xavier who, with their
companions, founded the Society of Jesus
(Jesuits) here in 1534.
A big benedictine Abbey occupied the
whole hill until the French Revolution at
which date the nuns were guillotined and
the Abbey destroyed. A village called Saint
Peter’s survived in this former lime quarry in
the late XIXth century; the working people
were short of employment.
The background: In 1870, war broke out
between France and Germany. The Council
taking place at the Vatican broke up and the
Pope, no longer protected by French troops,
felt himself to be a prisoner in the Vatican
City. France faced military defeat and occupation
of part of the country by German
troops. The response of MM. Alexandre
Legentil and Hubert Rohault de Fleury was
spiritual. They vowed to build a church consecrated
to the Heart of Christ in reparation
(in penitence for sins commited) since for
them, the misery of France stemmed more
from spiritual than from political causes
Late 1872 : Cardinal Guibert, archbishop of
Paris, approves this vow and chooses Montmartre.
Late 1873 : he obtains a parliamentary declaration
of the public utility of the Basilica,
thus enabling the land to be used to build
the church
At the time, the building of a Basilica dedicated
to the Heart of Christ is unusual compared
with the series of Basilicas dedicated
to Mary built during the same period : Lourdes,
Notre-Dame of Fourviere at Lyon, Notre-Dame
of la Garde at Marseille.
The work was financed by gifts, often modest,
from all over France.The names of the
donors are carved in the stone.

La Basilique du
Sacré Cœur de Montmartre
(see article inside)