The Parish Magazine - April 2022 1
The
Parish
Magazine
The John King Trophy and Gold Award
Best Magazine of the Year 2018
National Parish Magazine Awards
Best Content 2021, 2016
Best Overall 2020, 2015
Best Editor 2019
Best Print 2018
Serving the communities of Charvil, Sonning & Sonning Eye since 1869
April 2022 — Holy Week and Easter
Church of St Andrew
Serving Sonning, Charvil & Sonning Eye
the church of st andrew, SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF
CHARVIL, SONNING and sonning eye SINCE THE 7 th CENTURY
2 The Parish Magazine - April 2022
Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to this advertisement
Sold STC
We have a proven track record for successful sales in
Sonning. Our properties for sale in this popular area
have recently received multiple offers, with many more
buyers waiting to make their next move.
Feel at home with Haslams
0118 960 1000
Serving the communities of Charvil, Sonning & Sonning Eye since 1869
Church of St Andrew
Serving Sonning, Charvil & Sonning Eye
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 1
The John King Trophy and Gold Award
Best Magazine of the Year 2018
National Parish Magazine Awards
Best Content 2021, 2016
Best Overall 2020, 2015
Best Editor 2019
Best Print 2018
information — 1
Contents April 2022
THE VICAR'S LETTER, 5
THE PARISH NOTICEBOARD
— Easter lilies, 7
— Easter services, 7
— Royal Maundy, 7
— Confirmation, 7
— For your prayers in April, 7
— Christian Basics Part 3, 9
— Christian Ukraine appeals, 9
— STAY, 10-11
— Claude on friendship, 11
— On Reflection: Leviticus, 13
— From the editor's desk, 13
features
— Easter in a nutshell, 15
— April outings, 17
— A game for all ages, 19
— Platinum memories, 20-21
— All welcome at Easter, 22-23
— Acrostical Easter, 25
around the villages
— Toys and Teens smiles, 27
— FoStAC music evening, 27
— Chairman's Cup, 27
— Thames Crossing Talk, 27
— Village Rounders, 29
— Scarecrows are coming, 29
— Sanctuary Hosting, 29
— Charvil Brunch for Karun, 29
history, 31
HEALTH
— Dr Simon Ruffle, 33-35
HOME & GARDEn
— April in the garden, 35
— Recipe of the month, 35
THE ARTS
— The Kiss of Judas, 37
— Book Reviews, 37
— Poetry Corner, 38
the sciences
— PCR tests, 38
PUZZLE PAGE, 39
children's page, 41
information
— Church services, 3
— From the registers, 3
— Parish contacts, 42
— Advertisers index, 42
This ISSUE's FRONT COVER
April 2022 — Holy Week and Easter
The
Parish
Magazine
the church of st andrew, SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF
CHARVIL, SONNING and sonning eye SINCE THE 7 th CENTURY
The Easter Fun Day is back this year!
Picture: Indy Biddulph
EDITORIAL DEADLINE
The editorial deadline for every issue
of The Parish Magazine is 12 noon on
the sixth day of the month prior to the
date of publication.
The deadline for the May
issue of The Parish Magazine is:
Wednesday 6 April at 12 noon
The Parish Magazine online
The most recent issues can be viewed at:
http://www.theparishmagazine.co.uk
Earlier issues from 1869 onwards are
stored in a secure online archive. If you
wish to view these archives contact the
editor who will authorise access for you:
editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk
From the
register
BAPTISMs
— Sunday 13 February
Jacob David Knopp
FUNERALs
— Thursday 10 February
Bridget Foley, Burial in churchyard
— Monday 14 February
Jean Collin, Funeral service in
church followed by cremation at
Reading Crematorium
— Tuesday 15 February
Ronald Mark Emmanuel, Funeral
service in church followed by
burial in churchyard
— Wednesday 23 February
Patricia Irene Prance, Interment
of ashes in churchyard
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 3
Services at
St Andrew’s
Sunday 3 April
— 8.00am Holy Communion
— 10.30am Family Service
— 4.00pm Choral Evensong
followed by tea in The Ark
Palm Sunday 10 April
— 8.00am Holy Communion
— 10.30am Parish Eucharist with
the Passion Reading
STAY and Sunday Club
Maundy Thursday 14 April
— 7.30pm Holy Communion with
the stripping of the Altar
Good Friday 15 April
— 2.00pm The Final Hour with
readings, prayer and silence
Easter Eve 16 April
— 8.15pm The First Communion
of Easter with the lighting of
the Easter fire
Easter Sunday 17 April
— 8.00am BCP Holy Communion
— 10.30am Parish Eucharist
Sunday 24 April
— 8.00am Holy Communion
— 10.30am Parish Eucharist
— 6.00pm Sunday at Six in The
Ark with refreshments served
on arrival from 5.50pm.
OTHER REGULAR SERVICES
Morning Prayer is held in church
every Tuesday at 9.30am. During Lent
this will include a reflection on the
Lord's Prayer. Tea and coffee is served
in The Ark after the service.
Mid-week Communion in The Ark is
held every Wednesday at 10.00am. Tea
and coffee is available following the
service.
Home Communion at Signature at
Sonning is held on the first Monday
of each month at 11.00am. Visitors
must comply with the care home's
Covid restrictions so please check with
Signature at least four days before.
4 The Parish Magazine - April 2022
Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to this advertisement
BOOKING NOW
DIRECTED
BY
BRIAN
BLESSED
28 APR - 25 JUN 30 JUN - 20 AUG
THE WATERWHEEL BAR
Open Tuesday - Sunday 11am - 5pm
for Hot Bar Food, Homemade Cakes
& Artisan Coffee.
Come and treat yourself to a scrumptious lunch
in the most beautiful setting.
8 SEP - 5 NOV
FIND (0118) OUT 969 7082 MORE
PLEASE FIND FULL MENU ONLINE
millatsonning.com/millang
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 5
The vicar's letter
DEAR FRIENDS,
After the non-event of Easter 2020 and the tentative half celebration in
2021, we are now able to fully celebrate Easter again which is just as well
as it is so central to our faith. The writer, C S Lewis, referred to our faith
as one unashamedly based on miracles, and called the resurrection the
central miracle. His friend and fellow writer, J R R Tolkien, referred to
Easter as a 'eucatastrophe,' or good catastrophe, a radical and miraculous
turn in human history.
There's no way around the resurrection in Christianity. If it were not
true, it would be up to us to abandon Christianity and seek some other
way to serve God. If this central fact were not the core of our confession,
we would be wasting our time. The most incredible thing in the world
happened and people were willing to die horribly in the early years of
the faith to uphold that witness, and others, having seen the sincerity of
their deaths, were willing to die as well. That tradition continues today.
More Christians have been martyred the world over in the past century
than in all the Christian centuries before. Why, for a fairy-tale? I think
not.
THE FUNDAMENTALS
However, in order to celebrate Easter, we have to know about it.
Some people simply don't even know who Jesus is. Some people in the
world today have never heard the good news about Jesus Christ. They
don't know about the manger, about the baptism, the temptation, the
Sermon on the Mount, the triumphant entry, the upsetting of the money
changers, the contentions in the temple, and the breaking of the bread.
They know nothing of the plotting, the conniving, the betraying, the
arresting, the condemning, the torturing, the murdering, the burying
and then the resurrection. This is why the church must constantly strive
to teach the fundamentals of our faith, not just taking knowledge for
granted.
Our Alpha course was a great opportunity for this last year, and this
year, from September, we shall have two Confirmation groups for young
people and adults, both seeking to instruct and nurture. In addition,
Sunday Club and STAY on Sunday offer ongoing teaching, three times a
month, for children and young people and Messy Church does the same
for our littlest ones.
OVERWHELMINGLY IMPORTANT
The resurrection is not just a trick or a wonder. It's an alteration to the
world, to society, to us. It's either the most important thing that has ever
happened, or it is time to be honest about things and do something else
on Sundays. Archbishop Michael Ramsey once said 'I see no escape from
the dilemma: either Jesus is fraudulent, or his claim is true: either we judge
him for being terribly amiss, or we let him judge us'.
For me, I am convinced the resurrection happened. The Bible tells
us that over 500 people witnessed the resurrected Jesus and they were
changed, emboldened to spread the news, even in the face of violence
and death. They knew that there was nowhere they couldn’t go, no place
they dare not go, to take this overwhelmingly important message. It was
not something to be kept to themselves. The church today needs to learn
from them. It is imperative that we get the word out, not just this Easter,
but every day of every year! Christ is risen!
Happy Easter! Warm wishes, Jamie
6 The Parish Magazine - April 2022 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
Winter Issue
| Hair Cutting and Beauty Therapy
| Experts in Colouring and Permanent Waving
| Hairdressing for Men, Women and Children
@stylebyjulieReading
@stylebyjulie
@stylebyjulieRG
Private Hair
and Beauty Salon
Badgers Rise,
Woodley, Reading,
RG5 3AJ
0118 4378178
salon@stylebyjulie.co.uk
www.stylebyjulie.co.uk
Banish limescale with a
TwinTec Water Softener
• Enjoy a scale-free kitchen and bathrooms
• Protect and improve the efficiency
of your boiler
• Lower your energy bills
• Reduce time spent cleaning
• Enjoy softer skin and shinier hair
No buttons or routine maintenance: it’s easy
Call for a free installation
survey or quote
Twyford: 0118 9344485
Finchampstead: 0118 9733110
thamesvalleywatersofteners.co.uk
10
YEAR
GUARANTEE
THAMES VALLEY
WATER SOFTENERS
the parish noticeboard — 1
Notices
Confirmation
The Bishop of Oxford will lead our
parish Confirmation on 20 November.
Confirmation is the process of becoming
a full member of the Church of England.
Preparation groups begin for young
people and adults in September. If you
would like to find out more about what
is involved, please speak to a member of
the Ministry Team.
The Royal Maundy
Some months ago, I was asked by the
Bishop of Oxford to nominate a worthy
recipient of the Royal Maundy money at
Windsor Castle this Maundy Thursday.
This is the third time I have been asked
during my time in the ministry, the
first such service was at Canterbury
Cathedral in 2002, the second, at Oxford
Cathedral in 2013 and now Her Majesty
has decided to hold the service each year
at St George’s Chapel.
Without hesitation I nominated the
editor of this magazine, Bob Peters. I
was delighted to hear recently that he
had received a letter from Buckingham
Palace and so he and Sue will go to
Windsor for the special service later this
month.
Bob has served as a Licensed Lay
Minister here for over 20 years and
also assisted the Diocese with training
new LLM’s, but my main reason for
nominating him was for his work these
past 10 years editing this multiple
national prize-winning magazine.
In this month which marks the
140th anniversary of the death of the
founder of the magazine, and its first
editor, Canon Hugh Pearson, I feel there
is something very appropriate about
this, not least because he was a Canon of
Windsor and he served Queen Victoria
as deputy Clerk to the Closet.
Many congratulations Bob and
thank you for your continued service.
Jamie
Easter Lilies
For your prayers in April
Indy Biddulph
Each year we display lilies in the church
for Easter in memory of loved ones.
We ask for a donation of £5 per stem
and we will record names of those to be
remembered in the sanctuary. The lilies
will be displayed from Easter Saturday in
church.
Please contact Hilary in the church
office by phone or email or place the
donation in an envelope in the office
letter box giving your name and the
name to be remembered.
If you prefer to pay by bank transfer
please mark your payment ‘Lilies’ with
your surname and make the payment to
Sonning PCC account number 00011793
sort code 40-52-40 and email Hilary the
relevant name to be included.
The closing date for names for the lily
display is Palm Sunday 10 April.
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 7
Palm Sunday 1o April, 10.30am
We meet at The Ark Garden before
processing via The Ark to Church
for a Parish Eucharist with the Passion
Reading.
Maundy Thursday, 14 April, 7.30pm
Holy Communion which celebrates the
Last Supper. The service concludes with
the stripping of the altar, after which
there is silent reflection before the
congregation depart in silence.
Good Friday, 15 April, 2-3pm,
The Last Hour, a service of Bible
readings, prayers and silent reflection.
Easter Saturday Family Fun, 2pm
Meet inside the Church for a welcome
and short service before moving outside
for an Easter egg hunt, bouncy castle,
riverside walk, egg and spoon races, trips
up the tower, Messy Church activities in
the Church, and a free BBQ. Please book
with the Parish Office 0118 969 3298.
Easter Eve, 8.15pm
The First Communion of Easter. We meet
outside the Church north door where the
Easter fire will be lit. The congregation
will be given candles, which are lit from
the Easter fire. We then move into the
dark church carrying 'the Light of Christ'
to celebrate the first Holy Communion
of Easter. If you have been to this service
you will know that it one of the most
meaningful services of the year.
Easter Day
BCP Holy Communion at 8am
Parish Eucharist at 10.30am. Children
will make the Easter Garden in The Ark.
Please note: There will be not be an evening
service, or Messy Church on this day.
— For the people of Ukraine
— For the Karun School and Children's Home in South India
— For those planning special events to mark The Queen's Platinum Jubilee
— For all who are thinking about being confirmed into the Church of England
Ricardo Reitmeyer, dreamstime.com
8 The Parish Magazine - April 2022 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
BOOK A BEAUTIFUL
NIGHT STAY WITH
US.
RECEIVE 15% OFF
QUOTE THE CODE
FST1845
Gardiner’s Homecare is an established family
business that has been serving the local community
since 1968. Proudly supporting people to continue
to enjoy living independent lives in their own homes
for as long as possible.
TAKE AWAY
FISH AND CHIPS £10
The Bull Inn, Sonning on Thames
Berkshire RG4 6UP, T: 0118 969 3901
e: bullinn@fullers.co.uk www.bullinnsonning.co.uk
Our team of experienced care workers can provide
help with personal care, medication, overnight stays,
housework, companionship and much more. You will be
assigned your own Care Manager who will work closely
with you to ensure you receive the care and support
that is tailored to your personal wishes and needs.
For more information, contact us on
0118 334 7474
www.thebmgc.com
Large Format Print Operators Required - Permanent Positions
Immediate start for the right candidates
We are looking to recruit two new members of staff; large format pre-press / print finisher operatives.
The candidates must have previous experience in large format print.
The responsibilities will include:
· Ensuring all machines are set
· Operating various printers
· Reviewing orders
· Handling pre-press work for print projects
· Lamination, mounting and CNC cutting
· Trimming and finishing
The ideal candidates for the roles will have knowledge of:
· Large format printing
· Customer liaison experience
· UV and latex printing
· Good understanding of quality processes
· Adobe suite
· Print trimming and finishing
Benefits:
· Permanent role with an attractive package offered
· Progression opportunity
· On site car parking
· Competitive salary offered per annum depending on experience, plus benefits.
If you are interested in either of these positions, please apply with a CV via email, (mike@thebmgc.com),
or for more information contact Mike Gleeson or Martyn Allen at The Blue Moose Graphic Company.
Tel: 0118 934 5016
The Homestead, Park Lane, Charvil, Reading RG10 9TR
the parish noticeboard — 2
Christian Basics — Part 3
Rev Paul Hardingham's series on the foundations of the Christian faith
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 9
Ukraine appeals for help
The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem
Resurrection?
‘Easter is not primarily a comfort, but a challenge. Its
message is either the supreme fact in history or else a
gigantic hoax.’ (CS Lewis).
As we celebrate another Easter, what is the significance of
Jesus’ resurrection for us? As Paul writes, ‘if Christ has not
been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins’. (1 Cor
15:17).
What does the New Testament affirm about the
resurrection? It affirms that Jesus’ death on the cross was
not a defeat but a victory over sin, death and Satan, in
which we share.
‘But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the
agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its
hold on him’ (Acts 2:24).
BODILY RESURRECTION
It points to our own bodily resurrection after
death, ‘The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised
imperishable’ (1 Cor 15: 42).
FORGIVENESS
It guarantees the forgiveness of our sins, ‘if Christ has
not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your
sins’ (1 Cor 15:17).
THE REALITY
Andreykr, dreamstime.com
It ensures that we can know the reality of his risen life
today, ‘just as Christ was raised from the dead through the
glory of the Father, we too may live a new life’ (Rom 6:4).
The story is told of Russia under the Communist
regime. A member of the Communist Party addressed
a packed audience at length, seeking to discredit the
resurrection of Christ. At the end an Orthodox priest rose
and asked if he might reply. He was warned that he only
had five minutes. ‘Five seconds is all I need!’ He turned
to the audience and gave the traditional Easter greeting:
‘Christ is risen!’ Back with a deafening roar came the
traditional reply: ‘He is risen indeed!’
23 Feb 2022: Residential building in Kyiv damaged by Russian aircraft.
Palinchak, dreamstime.com
In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Barnabas
Fund is sending funds, donated by its supporters, to
churches in the neighbouring countries of Ukraine as they
care for refugees, writes Colin Bailey.
At the time of writing over 2 million people have arrived in
the border regions of Ukraine’s neighbours. The majority
have fled to the 12 border crossings into Poland, and others
to Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova. The UN has
warned that more than 4.5 million refugees could follow.
Food is running short. One Moldovan pastor appealed to
Barnabas Fund for food, clothing and shoes, given that some
people had left their home without shoes or with only light
clothing. Barnabas Fund is appealing for:
— Tinned food that can be opened without a can opener,
cup-a-soup packets and energy bars
— Blankets
— Good quality winter clothes, particularly coats
Donated items should be taken to a collection point, see
https://www.food.gives/gb/ukraine/#map for nearest details.
Volunteers are also sought for supplying and/or driving
a van or lorry to the borders of Ukraine in Poland, Romania,
and Moldova. Call 0179 331 7778, or sign up at https://www.
food.gives/gb/ukraine-volunteer/
Funds are also needed by Barnabas Fund’s partners in the
region, particularly for heating the church halls and other
buildings housing refugees. Donations may be made via
https://tinyurl.com/2p8daued
Thank you for any support — prayer, financial or
practical — that you can give in support of Ukraine.
CHRISTIAN CHARITIES
HELPING UKRAINE
Christian charities that are helping the people
of Ukraine would welcome your support:
Barnabas Fund: https://www.barnabasfund.org/gb/
Christian Aid: https://www.christianaid.org.uk
Methodist Church UK: https://www.allwecan.org.uk
Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk
Transform Europe: Network: https://www.ten-uk.org
World Vision: https://www.worldvision.org.uk
Operation Mobilisation: https://www.uk.om.org/Appeal/
ukraine-in-crisis
10 The Parish Magazine - April 2022
the parish noticeboard — 3
STAY on Friday
We had a couple of fantastic youth
club sessions in February. We had the
usual games and fun, plus our final
thoughts on justice and fairness. The
main question was around; How is it
fair that we are born into a country
of affluence, free healthcare, free
education and access to plenty of
opportunities. Yet someone born
in another part of the world isn’t.
So what are we going to do to bless
others who have less?
STAY on Sunday
We have continued our theme on
relationships during February.
Previously covering topics like;
friendships, romantic relationships,
family, celebrities, the persecuted
church and toxic relationships.
Most recently we looked at our
relationships with the LGBTQ+
community and bullies. Each time we
think about the influence and impact
of these relationships plus the kind
of people we want to be.
February Half Term
STAY Detached Project
Our detached work continued
with serving over 40 hot chocolate
mountains to the young people of
Charvil on Thursdays after school.
This work builds hugely on the other
areas of the STAY youth work in
schools, at youth club and during the
school holidays.
STAY Schools Work
Our work in schools has been
wonderfully fruitful recently with
mentoring around 20 students each
week. Lots of pupils making positive
steps towards positive choices
and independence plus assemblies
continue to give us the opportunity
to tell young people about a God who
believes in them and loves them.
For youth related ideas, chats
or musings, email Westy on:
youthminister@sonningparish.org.uk
It was wonderful so many young people and parents were asking after February ha
families it is so important to have time away together. So I took my wife Gem and d
on a ski mission. We stayed for the week with Altitude Mission and the Ski Angels (
but on the slopes. We loved our time skiing and serving with the altitude team! Nee
information on the mission see https://www.altitudemission.com — Westy
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 11
Friends for life
'Who needs a lift up to the church?'
called the farmer sitting in his four
wheel drive off road truck, writes
Claude Masters.
Although only about 100 metres away
the church was at the end of a muddy
farm track and up a steep hill. The
church, St Mary Frome St Quinton, is
part of a team benefice and only has
one service a month, but with such
difficult access there would not be
many in the congregation when the
weather is foul.
The service on this occasion
was the funeral of a friend who
had moved from Reading with her
husband to a delightful thatched
cottage in rural Dorset about 20
years ago.
It was a bittersweet occasion as it
was a joy to meet her family again.
Her son, who played the organ for
the service is a highly respected
musician in the city of Hull.
The music played before and
after the service was chosen by
him and some of it was a recording
of the choir he conducts. After the
coffin left the church none of the
congregation moved from their
seats but respectfully listened to
the music. It was a very touching
moment.
The friendship between them
and my family had developed many
years earlier in the choir vestry and
sacristy at St Bartholomew’s Church
in London Road, Reading.
Many of our friendships were
made in that church and my wife,
offspring, and I still meet up with
many of them occasionally even
Claude's
view
from
the
pew
though they now live in different
parts of the country.
These are lifelong friends
but many of our friends and
acquaintances change from one
decade to another as we progress
though our lives. We don’t fall out
with them, they just drift out of
our lives. It is often said we choose
our friends but are stuck with our
relatives and it is sadly the case that
we are more likely to fall out with
our relatives than we are with our
friends.
The church is a fine place to meet
and make friends, especially as we
now have The Ark to meet each other
after a service, and to be able to sit
in a comfortable and welcoming
environment.
Youngsters attending the family
services and other events at St
Andrew’s will be making life long
friendships and let us pray they will
also become regular worshippers in
God's family.
lf term activities. But as with all
aughter Phoebe to Meribel in France
pictured above). Think Street Pastors
ded a holiday on return! For more
The Parish Church of St Mary Frome St Quinton
Mike Searle
12 The Parish Magazine - April 2022
Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
Independent And FREE Advice For All Individual & Company Members
• Switch to an alternative scheme – If you are currently insured, switching to a competitor can mean substantially lower rates
• Pre-existing conditions covered – It is often possible to include pre-existing medical conditions currently covered by your existing provider
• Improve your coverage – We can frequently improve your cover whilst also lowering the cost of your premium
• Complexities of different schemes – In many cases, people are over insured – we can ensure you are covered with a scheme that
meets your individual needs and requirements
• Full cover for cancer treatment – Many polices do not cover cancer in full – we are able to advise on your current level of coverage
For further information, please call Steve Maguire at M&L Healthcare Solutions:-
PHONE 01628 945944 or 01223 881779
Email: steve.maguire@mlhs.co.uk
quoting ref: The Parish Magazine
M&L Healthcare Solutions is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA Reference number 554206)
A.D.D. Plumbing & Heating
THE FUNERAL PEOPLE
A FAMILY BUSINESS SERVING
SONNING SINCE 1826
READING 0118 957 3650
HENLEY 01491 413434
CAVERSHAM 0118 947 7007
ALSO AT MAIDENHEAD, BRACKNELL, WOKINGHAM, THATCHAM
TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY FUNERAL
SERVICE AND DIRECT CREMATION
FLORAL DESIGN & MONUMENTAL MASONRY
PRE-PAID FUNERALS, LATER LIFE LEGAL SERVICES
BEREAVEMENT CARE
WWW.ABWALKER.CO.UK
SELECTED
Independent
FUNERAL HOMES
Heating installation, servicing & repairs
All domestic plumbing
Free written estimates
No job too small
Local and fully insured
References available
0118 934 4624 or 07932 072912
www.addplumbingsolutions.co.uk
In-Home Services for
Seniors by Seniors.
We provide friendly and dependable seniors to help
with services such as light housework, transportation,
shopping, personal care, companionship...and much
more. It’s like getting a little help from your friends.
Contact us today 01628 302 132
For more information contact:
steve@seniorshelpingseniors.co.uk
www.seniorshelpingseniors.co.uk
the parish noticeboard — 5
On reflection . . .
Leviticus: Being holy
By Elizabeth Spiers
Romolo Tavani, dreamstime.com
Have you tried to read from Genesis to Revelation?
If you have, I can imagine that when you arrived at
Leviticus, you found it dry and boring. What can this
book possibly have to say to us? It was written to
another culture thousands of years ago and focuses on
animal sacrifice. So why would God put it in the Bible?
You’ve heard the saying 'you can take the girl out of Liverpool
(or wherever) but you can’t take Liverpool out of the girl'. That’s a
picture of how it was for the Israelites. They had been slaves
in Egypt for so long that their Jewish heritage and their
understanding of God was highly compromised. God wanted
to remind them of who he was and more than that, of how
holy he is. He wanted them to know how to worship him.
Some of the laws given in Leviticus may have been for
health to protect the people but most were so that they
would be reminded of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
And of his faithfulness, holiness and power. God had made
an everlasting covenant, with Abraham and the Jewish
nation. As with any contract, there were benefits if you kept
to the agreement and sanctions if you didn’t. As humans
they were unable to keep their part of the agreement. They
kept sinning, just as we do. They needed a Saviour, as we do.
RELATIONSHIP
It wasn’t time for Jesus to come, so God introduced
animal sacrifice. This was his way for the people to repent of
their sins and appease his wrath. It may seem horrific to us
in our age of animal rights, but think of Jesus’ death.
That too was horrific. He was bloodied, broken, thorns
in his head, nails in his hands and feet, open back from the
lashes and he was naked as he hung on the cross. But he gave
his life to buy us back from a sinful world. Until then, God’s
wrath was appeased by the shedding of an innocent animal’s
blood.
In Leviticus 10, two of Aaron’s sons, who had been
ordained as priests, went to minister and got it wrong. Verse
2 tells us they offered profane or ‘unholy’ fire to God and as a
result they lost their lives.
God is holiness. It’s not an attribute, it is who he is. Sin
comes between us and God. And yet, he wants a relationship
with each of us.
That’s why we have Leviticus. It teaches us the lengths
God will go to be able to live with his chosen people and why
at the right time, he sent his Son so that the need for animal
sacrifice would be over.
We are precious, blood-bought children of God. Let us try,
as God asks us in Leviticus 11:44 to 'be holy, as he is holy'.
From the desk
of the editor
editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk
Sharing burdens is
good for you . . .
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 13
Sitting on my desk — or rather, there would be if
there was room! — is a pile of parish magazines from
churches around the UK. When I have sent this issue to
the printers my next job will be to read all the waiting
magazines and score them according to agreed criteria. I
will also be making suggestions about how each magazine
could be improved.
One of my roles outside St Andrew's Church is with the
Association for Church Editors (ACE). We have about 850
members, all of whom, edit their church magazine.
I joined ACE 5 years ago and, after winning its annual
award for the best church magazine in 2018, I was invited
to join its management committee, which currently has six
members. Each committee member will be reading the same
magazines in order to choose a winner.
Like me, the other committee members have experience
of the commercial world of publishing which is unlike the
majority of ACE members who previously had very little
editing or writing experience before taking the role of editor
of their church magazine. Thus, much of the committee's
time is taken up with encouraging members to develop and
improve their publications. Running an annual competition
is one way we try to do this.
Each month I also write a newsletter for the ACE
members which includes stories, and ideas for stories, that
the members can include in their own magazines., and it
offers tips on how to edit and design magazines.
FUNDAMENTAL
Through the newsletter, we also encourage members to
share their editing and production problems with each other.
Knowing that someone else has been in a similar situation
and having someone to share experiences and solutions can
also reduce the stress — meeting deadlines, and finding
and writing stories can be stressful for all church editors.
Having a channel to share problems also helps to relieve the
loneliness that many editors experience.
Whether sharing our problems or helping others it
is, of course, not unique to church magazine editors, it is
something that can help us in all walks of life.
Sharing our burdens is a fundamental Christian
characteristic. When Paul wrote to the Galatians he said:
'Carry each other's burdens and so you will fulfil the law of Christ.'
The good news here is that no one need do anything alone.
You can help friends and family get through life's big and
small obstacles, and they can do the same for you.
There is great deal of wisdom in the proverbial saying: 'A
problem shared is a problem halved.'
If you have a problem, and no-one to share it with,
contact a member of the St Andrew's ministry team (details
on page 42) and if we can't help we will help you find someone
who can. It's good to share your burdens!
14 The Parish Magazine - April 2022
Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
Follow Us
@ShiplakeCollege
Welcoming
Year 7 girls
from 2023
• Top brand name flooring at the lowest price
• Samples to view in your home/office day/evening
• Free Advice / FreeQuotes
• Old flooring uplifted & furniture moved
• Fast turn around on fitting if required
• Carpet, design and wood flooring specialists
We supply and install: Amtico
Carpets - Laminate - Wood - Vinyl
Non-slip and more...
Year 7 Experience Event
Thursday 5 May 2022
www.shiplake.org.uk/visit
Tel: 0118 958 0445
10 Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 8EQ
info@richfieldflooring.co.uk/www.richfieldflooring.eo.uk
feature — 1
The Easter message in a nutshell
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 15
By Rev Canon David Winter*
Part of the St Andrew's churchyard where local people have been buried since the 7th Century
'When you die, that’s it. Nothing.
Out like a light.' That’s what the
man in the pub said, and his mates
all nodded, though the one whose
mother had died the week before
wasn’t really quite so certain. Still,
it seemed to make sense.
After all, we know what ‘dead’ means:
dead leaves, dead batteries, dead fish,
dead pets . . . and dead people, to be
honest.
While we recognise that it’s all
too easy to go from alive to dead,
we’ve got serious doubts about the
possibility of any return journeys.
RETURN JOURNEY
Which is why Christians have an
uphill task at Easter. Jesus was a great
man, and people want to remember
how he died. Fair enough.
But it starts getting complicated
when Christians insist that Jesus died
— but didn’t stay dead — in fact, that
he’s alive now. That ‘return journey’
has happened, they say.
That’s the problem about Easter,
Christians persisting in what sounds
like a ridiculous belief. If they just
dropped the resurrection bit and
concentrated on the wonderful
teaching of Jesus and his example of
generosity, compassion and love then
everybody would find Christianity
much more believable. Wouldn’t that
make sense? And wouldn’t that fill
the churches again?
Well it might (or, more likely,
it might not). But in any case,
the trouble is that it wouldn’t be
Christianity at all. The faith of
Christians actually depends on the
resurrection of Jesus, and always has
done, right from the earliest days.
After the crucifixion the body of
Jesus was taken down from the cross
by some of his friends and put in a
rock tomb with a heavy stone rolled
across the doorway.
Yet the following Sunday,
the third day after his death, his
followers claimed that they had met
him, seen him, talked with him.
CONVINCED
So certain was their belief that
nothing could make them recant it.
Not ridicule, not torture, not even
death itself. They couldn’t deny his
resurrection, because they were
absolutely convinced that it had
happened.
Plenty of clever and powerful
people at the time had a vested
interest in proving them wrong. It
shouldn’t have been difficult to prove
Peter Rennie
that a dead man had stayed dead,
especially when you have at your
disposal the resources of the greatest
empire in history. Yet they didn’t do
it, because it couldn’t be done.
Still today millions of people all
over the world believe that Jesus
did in fact rise from the dead. They
include brilliant scientists and
philosophers as well as plenty of
‘ordinary’ men and women of all ages.
They believe it because they
respect the witness of those first
Christians, and because in many
cases their own lives have been
transformed by a relationship with
Jesus — a relationship that wouldn’t
make sense if he were dead!
Christians don’t put their faith
in a dead hero from the past, but in
someone who is alive and active in
their own lives and in the world.
That, in a nutshell, is the real
message of Easter.
*Rev Canon David Winter has worked
as a teacher, journalist, BBC radio & TV
producer, head of religious broadcasting
and as a parish priest. He lives in
Berkshire, has written 44 books and
writes a diary column for 'Church Times'.
He also contributed to Radio 4’s ‘Thought
for the Day’ for 20 years.
16 The Parish Magazine - April 2022
Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
The Window Cleaner
• Interior & exterior
• All windows, frames, sills & doors
• Conservatory cleaning
• Fully insured
We provide a reliable, professional service, ensuring that your home
will sparkle. For a free quote call or email
07967 004426
thewindowcleaner1@googlemail.com
Whatever you want to store...
...for whatever reason - house sale and purchase
not coinciding, travelling, house building work,
paperwork overload or even “de-cluttering” to
sell your house more quickly - we offer a
friendly and flexible local service.
With competitive rates, secure storage
and hassle free 24/7 access,
contact us now!
0118 940 4163
www.barn-store.co.uk
Only 5 minutes
from Henley on
the Reading road!
With 35+ years of experience, the Active Domestic
Appliances team have built an excellent
reputation in and around the local area.
Specialising in the repair of all makes and models
of washing machine, washer dryer, tumble dryer,
dishwasher, oven, hob and refrigeration they are
Gas Safe registered and offer a 12 month
warranty on parts and labour.
Active Domestic Appliances have an extensive
customer base working with letting agents,
landlords, private schools, colleges, care homes
and residential property owners.
Fully insured and DBS checked.
Contact us on:
0118 931 2071
0777 080 6129 (no sms)
repairs@activedomestic.co.uk
feature — 2
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 17
What will you be doing this April?
While Holy Week and Easter dominate April this year, you can find lots of
other things — from unicorns to Shakespeare and Jazz — to keep you busy
during the other three weeks of the month. Here's a few for starters . . .
Unicorns
are not a
joke!
Because April
begins with All
Fools Day you may
be thinking that this is a ruse, but
it's true, 9 April is National Unicorn
day. It's a chance, we are told, for
fans of the mythical creatures
to celebrate by making rainbow
cupcakes and decorating them with
lots of sprinkles and glitter.
Stories of unicorns have, of
course, been around for thousands
of years and although none have
ever been seen we are told they can
be recognised by their single large,
pointed, spiralling horn which
projects from their forehead. But
let's not spoil the children's fun;
there is too much suffering in the
lives of many of them which is why
three days later on 12 April we have
the International Day for Street
Children.
DESPERATE NEED
First held in 2011, this special day
is a response to the desperate need
of hundreds of millions of children
world-wide who are forced to live
or work on the streets. We can only
wonder what will happen to the
thousands of children caught up in
in the invasion of Ukraine.
The United Nations admits that
although there are millions of street
children, official figures are virtually
non-existent. Tragically, these
children are virtually invisible, living
without rights and protection on
some of the most dangerous streets
in the world. Record levels of
inequality, violence, migration, war
and natural disasters have caused the
problem. The children often run away
to escape abusive, dysfunctional
homes and end up on the streets
after being displaced or trafficked.
Among those trying to help the
street children is Toybox, a Christian
charity which has worked with street
children, first in Latin America and
now in Asia and Africa, for more
than 25 years.
'We want to help children
marginalised and abused by those who
should be protecting them,' the charity
says.
Toybox grew out of a Christian
couple’s compassion for the children
they saw suffering on the streets of
Latin America. 'Today, we continue to
act, motivated by that same Christian
faith, to see a world in which no child is
forced to live or work on the streets.'
To support Toybox:
https://toybox.org.uk/support
PET MONTH
April is also National Pet Month, at
the centre of which, is an educational
campaign that brings together
animal welfare charities, professional
bodies, pet business, schools, youth
groups and pet lovers.
The campaign is coordinated by
the National Office of Animal Health
and the Pet Food Manufacturers’
Association and it aims to raise
awareness of responsible pet
ownership throughout the United
Kingdom.
http://www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk
Patrickwang, dreamstime.com
OXFORD v CAMBRIDGE
The Boat Race, probably the most
famous amateur sporting event, takes
to the Thames on 3 April. The Women's
Boat Race starts at 2.23pm and the
Men's Boat Race begins at 3.23pm.
First raced in 1829 by crews from
Oxford and Cambridge Universities, it
is considered the epitome of amateur
sport, and each year attracts more than
250,000 spectators to the banks of the
Thames, as well as many millions more
on television.
It is raced over the Championship
Course, which is over 4.25 miles of tidal
Thames between Putney and Mortlake.
This year will see the 167th Men’s Boat
Race and the 76th Women’s Boat Race.
WORLD EARTH DAY
World Earth Day on 22 April started
50 years ago with the mission to invest
in the future by taking action, not
because we care about the natural
world, but because we all live on it.
World Earth Day’s message is that
every one of us needs a healthy Earth
to support our jobs, livelihoods,
personal health, survival, and
happiness. ‘A healthy planet is not an
option — it is a necessity’. Our local
event is being organised by Imperial
College, London who are raising
money for the Berks, Bucks and Oxon
Wildlife Trust. More at:
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/events/
description/index.php?route=132532/5k-/
MORE APRIL EVENTS
2 April: World Autism Awareness Day
18 April: World Heritage Day
22 April: National Shakespeare Day
23 April: St George’s Day
30 April: International Jazz Day
18 The Parish Magazine - April 2022
Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
Thinking about
Equity Release?
Then speak to us first!
Mortgage Required is a local, friendly award
winning Equity Release Specialist who puts
their clients first.
We don’t spend thousands on expensive TV
advertising or employ celebrities to represent us.
This enables us to pass these savings on to you.
We tick all the boxes
Compare our low fees
Whole of market
Free first
appointments
Mortgage and Equity
Release Advice
Initial chat without providing
personal details
5 star
Google reviews
Typical
Fees
£599
mortgagerequired.com
01628 507477
Finance House, 5 Bath Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 4AQ
This is a lifetime mortgage to understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration. There will be no fee for Mortgage Advice. There may be
a fee for arranging a mortgage. The precise amount will depend upon your circumstances, but we estimate it to be £599. Mortgage Required Ltd, Finance
House, 5 Bath Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4AQ is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority reference 573718 at www.fca.org.uk.
feature — 1
CHESS!
A game for
all the ages
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 19
Inara Prusakova, dreamstime.com
Although it has been suggested that the ancient game of Chess was invented by King Solomon (c990-c930 BC), who
was known as the wisest of all the wise people of his time, there is evidence that it was played about 250 years before
he was born. In this brief history of chess, Vic Ballard, a Rendezvous Club member and President of the Reading Chess
Club, suggests that chess, which is still enjoyed by the young and old alike, goes even further back in time. It is truly a
game for all ages and the ages — young and old, ancient and modern!
FACT OR FICTION?
To be a fact there must be proof. Is it
fair to assume the chess as we know
it today evolved over the centuries
from a variety of war games played by
moving pieces over a chequered board?
Here are a few facts:
In Kannak, on the tomb of Queen
Nefertari of Egypt, is a fresco depicting
the Queen sitting at a board game in
which figures resembling castles are
used. This is dated 1250 BC.
There is evidence of early war
games played on a chequered board
displaying a variety of different styles
of game.
Some of the early Egyptian games
were played on boards with 144
squares and 48 pieces. The Egyptians
also played on a board of 30 squares
with 12 pieces. Today we play with 64
squares and 32 pieces.
In the 5th Century AD, in Persia
there is evidence that a war game,
known as 'elephant chess' was played
on an 8x9 board with flat pieces —
one of the pieces was marked with an
elephant to denote a general.
There is also historical proof that
elephant chess was played in India in
the 4th Century.
A LIVING GAME
Chess is a living game that has
evolved over the centuries. It spread
to many parts of the world long before
easy communications could have
taken place. As travel became possible,
so the game adjusted to merge the
finer details of the different cultures of
the world.
From 500 AD, the old Sanskrit
name for chess is 'tesch aturanga',
meaning 'four sides'. This indicates
that the pieces could move in all
directions on the board.
The old Persian word 'shah-mat'
meaning 'the King is dead' evolved
into 'checkmate'.
In Indian elephant chess, the
elephant was the forerunner of the
bishop. The rook was a chariot of war
and pawns were soldiers.
HOW MANY BOOKS?
When asked on the old radio
programme, The Brain Trust, the
question: 'How do you define the skill
levels of one game compared to another
such as chess and draughts? an eminent
professor answered: 'By the amount of
literature that is written on the subject'.
Compare the number of books written
on chess with any other board game.
Some estimates for chess books are
about 100,000! The earliest books
were by Arabs who had learnt the
game from early Persia in the 8th
Century. The elephant was retained,
while the knight replaced the rook,
and the castle appeared.
An antique chess set including Julius Caesar (centre)
MASTERS
It was during this period that the
earliest masters of chess emerged. The
greatest player being an Arab, Ar-Razi
in 850 AD. He wrote a book wth the
descriptive title, 'Playing with Elegance'.
In the 8th Century when the Arab
world spread into Europe, chess was
introduced to Sicily and Spain.
The oldest written reference with
the name 'chess' is dated 1008. It is a
bequest made on a battlefield in Spain
by Count Er-Mengaud of Urgel who
stipulated that his rock crystal chess
set should be given to the Cloister St
Gilles-du-Gard.
The first western European chess
book was published in Spain in 1283.
It linked innovations to the Arab rules
of play.
The first chess book printed in
English was published in the 14th
Century by William Caxton. Today,
there are enough chess books to fill the
Louvre in Paris, yet still the demand
grows.
Final fact: chess has taken the
computer in its stride and confirms
that it is still the game for all the ages!
Sjankauskas, dreamstime.com
20 The Parish Magazine - April 2022
PLATINUM MEMORIES
Proud to be part of a very
memorable (but very wet)
worldwide celebration
London 1953: The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret pass through Parliament Square during the Coronation parade where Tony Whitwam (above) was part of
the guard of honour, and for which he received the Coronation Medal
Parliament Square picture: Alamy
It rained that day, quite hard and I stood
out in the rain all day. About eight and
a half hours. It was Tuesday 2 June 1953
and I was lining the route for the Queen’s
Coronation, writes Tony Whitwam, a
member of the Rendezvous in The Ark
Club.
I was a cadet at the Royal Air Force College
Cranwell and all three service cadet
colleges, the others being Sandhurst (Army)
and Dartmouth (Navy) had gathered at
Sandhurst for training together and to be
near London.
We got up early and went by train to
Waterloo. I can’t remember whether we
marched to Parliament Square or not but
that was our patch. I don’t think it rained
when we arrived on site but it soon did —
and we were in our best uniforms and kit.
I was on the inside of the square and
that side had no people behind us. Our
colleagues, on the other side of the road,
had the public right behind them. Before
the ceremony the road in front of us was
crowded with very grand cars with earls
and other grandees and their ladies
in their robes with crowns of various
patterns. You can tell the rank of the
wearer by the pattern of the crown that
they wear.
I particularly remember seeing a
small 1928 Austin Seven among all
the grand cars. It held four people
without robes and had a big sign in the
windscreen saying 'CHOIR'.
The road was crowded for hours. I
think the people attending had been
given special times to arrive so that they
could gradually fill the Abbey in order
and allow the cars to be driven away.
At lunch time we were allowed
to leave our position one or two at a
time and to eat a packed lunch for a
few minutes then return to our kerb
side place. I don’t remember any toilet
facilities being available.
In the afternoon the troops formed
up in the road ready to be part of the
procession that followed the Queen after
the ceremony. They were as wet as we
were; the whole parade was steaming.
Eventually our duties finished and we
returned to Waterloo station and went
back to Camberley by train.
We thought we had finished for the
day but we were wrong: the kind citizens
of Camberley had granted all three cadet
colleges permission to march through
Camberley with 'bayonets fixed and
colours flying'. It was a great privilege
which we didn’t appreciate at the time,
but I am sure we gave the citizens a good
show.
My friend who had stood opposite
me with the public behind him even
managed to get back to London for a
date with a girl who was behind him
most of the day. Some people have all
the luck!
It was a very memorable day and I'm
proud to have received one of the 129,051
Coronation medals that were presented.
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 21
2.5 billion people will be flying their flags for
Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee
Photo 48135706 © Steve Allen |
Dreamstime.com
It's not just the 67 million population of the
United Kingdom that are celebrating The
Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Around the world
2.5 billion people in the Commonwealth of
Nations also call her Queen.
In February 1952 when Elizabeth II
acceded to the throne following the death
of her father, George V, she also became
Head of the Commonwealth. Although
it is not hereditary, Prince Charles was
appointed her designated successor at the
Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting in 2018.
In 1952 the Commonwealth was a body
of eight states, including Canada, Australia,
India, and Pakistan, which had been empire
territories. The organisation now has a
membership of 54 countries, with nearly a
third of the world’s population. Only two
members — Rwanda and Mozambique
— were not formerly part of the British
empire. In addition to the UK, the Queen
is Head of State of 14 other countries
which are often referred to as ‘Realms’.
Here the constitutional functions of the
Crown are exercised on the advice of
local representatives known variously
as Governors-General, Governors and
Lieutenant-Governors. The Realms are:
— Antigua and Barbuda
— Australia
— Bahamas
— Belize
— Canada
— Grenada
— Jamaica
— New Zealand
— Papua New Guinea
— Saint Kitts and Nevis
— Saint Lucia
— Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
— Solomon Islands
— Tuvalu
Steve Allen, dreamstime.com
RENDEZVOUS
IN THE ARK
We meet every
second and fourth
Tuesday
of the month
for lunch and
conversation
To reserve your
place call
0118 969 3298
EVERYONE
feature — 4
GOOD
THE LA
15 Apri
MAUNDY
THURSDAY
14 April 7.30pm
Peter Rennie
PALM
SUNDAY
10 April at 10.30am
Alleluia! He is Risen I
EASTER SUND
17 April at 8.00am and 10.3
FRIDAY
ST HOUR
l 2-3pm
WELCOME!
EASTER EGG
HUNT
Egg & Spoon
Races
EASTER
SATURDAY
FAMILY FUN
16 April from 2 pm
Easter Activities
BBQ
Peter Rennie
Indy Biddulph
EASTER
EVE
16 April at 8.15 pm
ndeed!
AY
0am
For more details
of these events
and services
see page 7
Indy Biddulph
Background image: Indy Biddulph
24 The Parish Magazine - April 2022 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
Pearson Hall Sonning
is an ideal venue for
your parties, regular
classes or meetings
Complete Pest
Solutions
WASPS • RATS • MICE • SQUIRRELS
BED BUGS • FLEAS • BIRDS & RODENT PROOFING
Leslie Parker
parkerleslie65@aol.com
0125 624 2135 0799 081 4143
PROFESSIONAL PEST
CONTROLLERS REGISTER
2 Vyne Lodge Farm Cottage, Bramley, Tadley, Hampshire RG26 5EA
24 hours service | Private client parking | Private chapel of rest
Free home visits | Pre-paid funeral plans | Full written estimate
Woodland funerals | Religious and non-religious services
Find out more and check availability
using our online booking system
www.pearsonhall.org.uk
Tel: 01491 573370
www.tomalins.co.uk tomalin@btconnect.com
Anderson House, 38 Reading Road, Henley-On-Thames, RG9 1AG
A Family Run Independent Funeral Service
A SPRING
AWAKENING
reception@thegreathouseatsonning.co.uk
0118 969 2277 | www.greathousesonning.co.uk | @the_great_house
feature — 5
Acrostical Easter
In this issue we have looked at Easter in words and
images, but here is an unusual approach — acrostics. An
acrostic uses the first letter of each line to spell a word
or phrase which relates to the text itself. They are often
written as poetry. Our special thanks goes to Harry
Hunter — https://faithacrostics.org — for his kind
permission to print his Easter acrostics.
PALM SUNDAY
People pack the streets to hail their Messiah
Adversaries keep their distance, out of the way,
Lying in the wings they plot and conspire,
Mobs are fickle, not too difficult to sway.
Scattered with palms, the way is strewed,
Upon the colt of an ass, Jesus prays yet grieves.
Now Israel divides, leaders collude,
Daringly, Joseph of Arimathea believes.
Ajudgement awaits you, you vipers’ brood,
You who made the temple a den of thieves.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Meeting for Passover one final time,
A sacrifice awaiting a traitor’s crime,
Upstairs, far from the madding crowd,
Night wrapped you tight in its ink black shroud.
Dipping your matzah in the blood red wine
You became quick branches in the Saviour’s vine.
Take, eat of my body, drink of my blood
He commanded. How little you understood;
Uneasily, you let him wash your feet.
Remembrance, from now, would be bittersweet –
Suffering in joy, receiving in giving,
Death to self as a new way of living.
A final command, ever old and ever new –
You were to love one another as He had loved you.
GOOD FRIDAY
Golgotha was a wretched place that day.
One passer-by had helped him bear the cross,
Others had succoured him on the way,
Despairing their victory had turned to loss.
Flogged, mocked, spat upon, betrayed
Rejected, stripped, despised, disowned thrice –
In between thieves he hung. One, unafraid,
Deprecated Him for his futile sacrifice,
And the other, penitent, with whom Jesus prayed –
You shall be with me this day in Paradise.
On the road to Emmaus
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 25
Pavel Kusmartsev, dreamstime.com
EASTER
Even though the cross had staunched his breath,
And the tomb had set its seal on brutal death,
Sins of men yet stung in wounds still fresh,
The word no longer dwelt with us as flesh –
Even these could not prolong that darkest night.
Resurrected life kindled the world alight.
DOUBTING THOMAS
Didymus, the twin, was not in the room
On the Sunday of the empty tomb.
Unless he witnessed flank and limb
Believing wasn’t an option for him.
Then the Lord returned, dispelling doubt:
In front of all, he pointed out
Nailmarks and the spear’s
Gash, recalling God-forsaken tears.
Thomas rarely grasped things first time round –
His doubt was real, his faith profound.
Overwhelmed, humbled he confessed
My Lord and My God – and then was blessed.
And the twin became a saint of steel:
Sincere doubts oft make faith more real.
EMMAUS ROAD
Every Sabbath they’d heard the age-old story
Many times the rabbi had read from Isaiah
Maybe this year, with great pomp and furore
Armies would arise, led by the Messiah.
Unwary, on the road, they encountered dirty glory
Suddenly the travellers’ hearts were afire.
Religious routine rarely reaps reward,
Only through relationship can our walk begin
And when you first encountered the risen Lord
Didn’t your heart strangely burn within?
26 The Parish Magazine - April 2022
‘Excellent’ School
An independent company
rated good
by Care Quality
Commission, our customers
and staff alike.
Home Carers Wanted!
Bridges Home Care is growing...
Rated highly by customers... Staff and the profession...
Providing quality care in the Oxfordshire area...
Why not join our close knit team?
I love care work
and being around
to help people
The managers
are approachable
and supportive
My main carer
is very good, she
is wonderful,
like a friend
The training gives
you confidence to
learn more
‘Pupils’ social development and collaboration skills
are excellent.’
‘Pupils make an outstanding contribution to
the lives of others.’
ISI Inspection, November 2019
Register online: rbcs.org.uk
An Independent Day School for Boys 11-18, and Girls 16 -18
Bridges ticks all the boxes
n✔ Full training given
n✔ Existing skills
& experience valued
n✔ Guaranteed work,
local area
n✔ Flexible hours or
shifts available
n✔ Supportive hands-on
management
If you think this might be for you, find out more...
call Bonny or Wendy on 01491 578758
or email bonny@bridgeshomecare.co.uk
visit www.bridgeshomecare.co.uk
UKHCA
Supported by Oxfordshire County Council
Oxfordshire Association
of Care Providers
Interior & exterior blinds,
shutters, awnings
& screens
Always excellent service
and great value
www.blinds-reading.co.uk
Call John at Blinds Direct
on 0118 950 4272
johndacre@blinds-reading.co.uk
Bathrooms &Kitchens Ltd
Plumbing, Plastering, Tiling
and all associated work
Contact us today for a
FREE
No obligation Consultation
and Quotation
0778 897 2921
markt@kingfisher-bathrooms.com
http://www.kingfisher-bathrooms.com
167 167 Fairwater Kingfisher Drive, Woodley, Reading, Berks RG5 3JQ
around the villages — 1
Toys and Teens means
2,558 smiling faces!
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 27
Chairman's Cup challenge still
going strong after 14 years
The 2021 Toys and Teens Appeal that St Andrew's Church
supported by collecting gifts during the December Family
Service, put 2,558 smiles on deprived children’s faces!
The Toys and Teens cash appeal raised over £15,000 and
hundreds of toys to help 2,558 children enjoy Christmas. The
campaign began in October and over the next few months
involved pop-up donation points, fundraising and donations
by local businesses, schools and places of worship, gift
sorting, online purchases, and last but definitely not least,
the distribution of packed toy sacks.
The organisers said that so many people — from those
who donated to sponsors and volunteers — went out of their
way to put smiles on children’s faces on Christmas morning.
You can read more about the campaign at: https://www.
readingfamilyaid.org/our-blog/toys-and-teens-2021-2558-smiling-children
Friends of St Andrew’s Church Sonning
Musical Evening
featuring
Ascot Brass Band
Bulmershe School Choirs
Church Junior Choir
Soloist – Celeste Hexter
Saturday 30 April
7.30pm
St Andrew’s Church Sonning
Tickets: Adults £10, Children free (with accompanied adult)
Bob Hine 0118 969 8653 bob.hine@btopenworld.com
Keith Nichols 0118 969 4628 keith.daphnenichols@gmail.com
Proceeds in aid of FoStAC seeking to ensure sufficient funds
are available for any future emergency repairs.
Charity No: 1101944
Zurijeta, dreamstime.com
2,000 years of crossing the Thames
Tony Weston is the Sonning and Sonning Eye guest speaker
in Pearson Hall on 22 April at 7.30pm. His chosen subject is
'From a Ford to a Flight — over, under and above 2,000 years of
getting across the Thames'. Tickets are £4 members, £5 guests.
They are available on http://sonning.org.uk or from Penny
Feathers 0118 934 3193 or penny.feathers@btinternet.com
After a Covid enforced gap of over 2 years, the Sonning Art
Group Chairman's Challenge Cup has been awarded once
again. The much treasured cup dates back to 2006 when it
was introduced by the, then chairman, George Webster.
The cup was first mentioned in The Parish Magazine in
December 2005: 'A new feature for 2006 is the introduction
of the Chairman's Challenge Cup to be awarded quarterly for
'Best Picture' on a chosen subject. The first subject picked for
this new initiative is 'A Local Scene'. The cup will be awarded
on 13 January at the start of the new season.
The idea behind the cup is to encourage local artists to
experiment with different subjects and mediums, and to
display work that is ready for exhibitions. Accordingly this
time the theme was the Natural World which produced
excellent entries from sea horses to snow leopards. The
winner voted for by the members was Lynda Tolworthy
(pictured above holding her painting) who produced a forest
scene in mixed media using ink and watercolour.
Some of the pictures in the competition, along with
others produced by members, will be displayed in Pearson
Hall in June as part of the Scarecrow trail.
EASTER ACTIVITIES IN
ST ANDREW'S CHURCH
SATURDAY 16 APRIL FROM 2pm
revkate@sonningparish.org.uk
28 The Parish Magazine - April 2022
Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
Cruz Kitchens
Bespoke, Made to
Measure Kitchens
Designed | Supplied | Installed
Call 0118 961 1295
Email: info@cruzkitchens.co.uk
Visit: www.cruzkitchens.co.uk
studio dfp
complete graphic
and web design
service on your
doorstep
Since 1984 · 0118 969 3633
david@designforprint.org
WATER SOFTENER SALT
Tablet/Granular Tablet/Granular Harvey Block
10kg * 25kg* Salt 2 x 4kg*
• 5x10kg=£35
• 10x10kg=£65
• 20x10kg=£130
• 3x25kg=£35
• 5x25kg=£49.95
• 10x25kg=£95
• 5 Packs £35
• 10 Packs £60
• 20 Packs £115
FREE LOCAL DELIVERY
Email: Martyncollins@portmanpm.com
FOR OFFERS & PRICES ORDER ON LINE AT
www.salt-deliveries-online.com
Tel 07785 772263 or 0118 959 1796
Unit 2, 6 Portman Road Reading RG30 1EA
*Prices are subject to change please check our website
Planning Your
Traditional Wedding?
Then you might like to
discuss the possibility of
marriage in our ancient and
beautiful parish church.
If so, call the vicar, Jamie
0118 969 3298
He will be pleased to help!
In addition to the stunning and historic location in Sonning,
we will work hard to provide you with a memorable and
moving occasion. We can provide a choir, organ, peal of
eight bells, beautiful flowers, over 100 lit candles set in
ornate Victorian chandeliers and the use of our beautiful
churchyard as a backdrop for your photographs.
Church of St Andrew
Serving Sonning, Charvil & Sonning Eye
the church of st andrew SERVING CHARVIL,
SONNING & sonning eye since the 7 th century
around the villages — 2
Charvil brunch
to raise funds for
Karun School
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 29
Scarecrows are
coming . . .
One of Karun's teachers visits a local village
to provide essential supplies during the covid
outbreak in South India
The Inner Wheel Club of Reading
Maiden Erlegh is holding a charity
brunch on Saturday 14 May at
Charvil Village Hall in aid of Karun
school and children's home in South
India. It is gradually recovering
from the covid pandemic that swept
across the entire country.
Karun will be well known to many
readers through the support that
St Andrew's Church and the local
Rotary Clubs have given them for
several years.
While the school was closed
during the pandemic, the teachers
continued to come to school daily
and provide support to the local
communities. This included some
teachers travelling to surrounding
villages to visit children in their
homes for one to one coaching on the
core subjects, providing text books,
and food.
UPDATE
Karun's trustees continue to work
closely with the staff of the school
and we hope to bring you a full
update on the situation in the next
issue of The Parish Magazine.
In the mean time, you can help
them by booking an English brunch,
cooked and served by the Inner
Wheel in Charvil Village Hall on
Saturday 14 May at 10.15am. Tickets
are £15 from 0118 934 2883
http://www.innerwheelrme.org
Katarzyna Bialasiewicz, dreamstime.com
Sanctuary Hosting is looking for
new hosts and volunteer support
workers in the Reading area.
Sanctuary Hosting is a scheme
that started in July 2015 to provide
temporary accommodation in
Reading and across Berkshire. Todate
it has provided over 25,000
nights of accommodation.
Sanctuary Hosting matches
refugees, asylum seekers and
vulnerable migrants with kindhearted
hosts who offer a free bed,
a warm welcome and a chance
to tackle the causes of their
homelessness from a place of safety
and security.
Every host and guest is in turn
supported by a team of dedicated
volunteers.
If you would like to join the
volunteer team, contact:
info@sanctuaryhosting.org
For more information about the
scheme, visit:
http://www.sanctuaryhosting.org
Village rounders is
up and running!
King George's
Playing Field
5.30pm, 17 June
Roibul, dreamstime.com
The annual Sonning Village rounders
match for teams from local organisations
is returning this year on Friday 17 June
at 5.30pm on King George’s Playing Field.
Sonning Cricket Club will be opening its
bar and Sonning Primary School PTA will
be cooking a BBQ so don't have tea before
arriving at 5.30pm!
2018: Trumpty Dumpty! What scarecrows
will be popular this year? Sue Peters
Entries for the Jubilee Scarecrow
Trail — Thursday 2 and Friday 3 June
— around Sonning are already being
registered. If you have not registered
yours yet, now is the time to do so.
You can register as an individual,
group or organisation.
And, if you can help on the day —
make a cake, serve refreshments, man
a garden, sell trail maps or offer your
garden to display a scarecrow — the
organisers would welcome your offer
on, contact@sonningscarecrows.co.uk
The trail is from Ligugé Way, along
Pound Lane, to Pearson Road, High
Street, Thames Street and the village
end of Charvil Lane. If you don’t live
on the route, the organisers will find a
home for your scarecrow on the trail.
30 The Parish Magazine - April 2022 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
Louise Amanda Sheppard (BA/Dip)
EMDR Specialist
Hypnotherapist
Mobile Therapist covering
Oxfordshire & Berkshire
EMDR Therapy
(Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing)
A powerful tool, proven to be extremely useful in the
treatment of traumatised individuals, which can give
people back control in just a few sessions
Trauma . Victims of Rape . Assault
Combat . Drug Addiction . Bereavement
Fears/Phobias . Anxiety . Depression
Hypnotherapy
Pain . Anxiety . Fears . Phobias
Smoking . Weight Management
Age Regression/Past-Life Regression
Gestalt Therapy/Dreamwork
Parts Therapy
07842 262 583
lasheppard61@gmail.com
History
Was it really . . . ?
. . . 150 YEARS AGO on 2 April
1872 that Samuel Morse died. This
American artist and inventor helped
develop commercial single-wire
telegraph systems and co-developed
Morse code.
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 31
. . . 125 YEARS AGO on 3 April 1897
that Johannes Brahms, German
composer, piano virtuoso and
conductor, died.
. . . 1oo YEARS AGO on 3 April 1922
that Joseph Stalin became leader of
the Soviet Union, in succession to
Vladimir Lenin.
Sir Patrick Moore
wikimedia.com
Nicku, dreamstime.com
. . . 90 YEARS AGO on 23 April 1932
that the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
opened in Stratford-upon-Avon,
replacing one burnt down in 1926.
. . . 75 YEARS AGO on 1 April 1947
that the school leaving age in the UK
was raised to 15 years.
. . . 75 YEARS AGO on 16 April 1947
that the term ‘Cold War’ was first
used when American financier and
presidential adviser Bernard Baruch
described the relationship between
the USA and the Soviet Union.
. . . 65 YEARS AGO on 24 April 1957
that the first episode of the British
astronomy series The Sky at Night
was broadcast on BBC TV. It became
the world’s longest-running TV series
with the same presenter — Patrick
Moore (above) — until his death in
December 2012.
. . . 50 YEARS AGO on 11 April 1972
that the first episode of the radio
comedy panel game show ‘I’m Sorry I
Haven’t a Clue’ was broadcast on BBC
Radio 4. It is still running.
. . . 40 YEARS AGO on 2 April 1982,
that the Falklands War began when
Argentina invaded the Falkland
Islands. Argentina continues to claim
sovereignty.
. . . 30 YEARS AGO on 27 April 1992
that Betty Boothroyd became the
first female Speaker of the House of
Commons.
. . . 25 YEARS AGO on 5 April 1997
that the Grand National steeplechase
was disrupted after the IRA sent
coded bomb warnings. 60,000 people
were evacuated from the Aintree
course and the race was postponed
until Monday 7 April.
. . . 20 YEARS AGO on 1 April 2002
that the Netherlands became the first
country to legalise euthanasia.
32 The Parish Magazine - April 2022
Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
For a helpful professional service
FIELDSPHARMACY
Wide range of health advice provided
including private consultation area
www.etsheppard.co.uk
01491 574 644
36 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames RG9 1AG
1a LONGFIELD ROAD, TWYFORD RG10 9AN
Telephone: 0118 934 1222
Fax: 0118 932 0372
Email: fields.pharmacy@gmail.com
www.afjones.co.uk
0118 9573 537
33 Bedford Road, Reading, RG1 7EX
Established in 1858
A.F. Jones
Stonemasons
Limited
CHRIS the plumber
I offer the same friendly, reliable service as
always but in addition to general plumbing
I now offer domestic and commercial gas
work — boiler repairs, installations, fault
finding, power flush.
Repairs not covered by Homeserve?
Speak to a tradesman, not a salesman!
Emergency call out available
Ask Chris Duvall for a FREE quote
christheplumber75@gmail.com
0785 095 6354
3584769
57732 AF Jones Parish Magazine Advert.indd 1 19/11/2014 10:43
HEALTH — 1
Dr Simon Ruffle writes . . . Big Yellow Taxi
I’m breaking from my monthly
themed article, I apologise. The song
mentioned in the title written in the
60’s is very pertinent to today’s world.
Taking areas of nature, sustainability
and loved institutions and turning
them derelict — ‘they paved paradise
and put up a parking lot.’
I write as a GP who has had the
privilege of working for the people of
Twyford and the surrounding areas,
including Charvil and Sonning, for
the last 25 years — from a trainee
at the practice to a contract holding
partner.
I am not a Berkshire native and,
honestly, had never expected to live
and work here until fate intervened.
I now cannot imagine working
anywhere else, having come to know
many of you and your families. It
may not always be obvious, and we
may not always get everything right,
but the concern I and my fellow GPs
share for your lives and health is deep
seated. The effort we put in to ensure
high quality care at the practice is
relentless.
GREAT CONCERN
I'll add at this point that in the
UK, full time working constitutes
37.5 hours, legally. I regularly work
at the practice for more than 50
hours a week, in addition to time
spent working out of hours doing
administrative work at home and my
role representing local GPs at the Local
Medical Committee and the BMA.
My 'part-time' colleagues often do
more than 30 hours. We also advocate
tirelessly for better services in hospital
and elsewhere for you.
Why? because we want things to
work — if they don't, you suffer.
It is therefore with great concern
that I read of the proposal by a
Conservative linked think tank, The
Policy Exchange, with a foreword
by Sajid Javid, secretary of state for
health, to end the ability of GPs to
work as independent contractors and
to make them employees of larger
organisations, including tax avoiding
overseas firms. 1,3
I think many local MPs of every
‘colour’ will see that the existential
threat to family practices with these
proposals is wrong as a wholesale
policy 2 and will lead to higher costs and
a poorer service.
I fear this not for my own income,
or, even that I am a patient of the NHS,
but because this threatens to destroy
the long term link between GPs and
their patients.
The proposal refers to GPs in
Birmingham managing patients in
Essex, digitally, and GPs working
in other countries consulting with
English patients. For example, the
future envisaged is you, speaking to a
GP in Australia, who you have never
met and never will.
Please think about this. Decide if
this is what you want for you? For your
elderly parent? For your child?
CIRCUMSTANCES
The value of knowing your area and
patients is immeasurable but I know
what it is like to consult a patient when
you have no idea what their area is like
or their family circumstances. I risk
25 years of gained knowledge being
thrown away.
Imagine our church being run by a
minister in New Zealand and having
different clergy taking services each
week in person or by video link.
Hospital and secondary care
services are expensive, so moving
these costs into a primary care sector
could be seen as value for money.
However, the Covid pandemic has
seen many issues that the Hospital
would normally deal with sent out
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 33
Derelict, Simon Ruffle
into primary care. We have not been
able to effectively soak up this work as
there has been no additional funding
for us to do this. I suspect you have
seen the results of this in the fact
that it is even more difficult to get an
appointment with us than it was before
the pandemic.
SECONDARY CARE
The changes proposed will see
hospital trusts essentially being our
contract providers and primary care
being at the beck and call of secondary
care for following up work that they
have started, investigating things that
they wish to be done that is outside the
expertise of a general practitioner.
We are expert in community care
and a jack of all trades which is highly
cost effective for the health service. We
will be unable to do the vital work we
do should secondary care bodies, that
have no idea how to run primary care
services, suddenly take over.
They seem to ignore the fact that
90% of all NHS contacts are made in
primary care already. We cannot do
more without extensive resources being
shifted into our service.
I know some people don’t like
me or my style of medicine, but we
are a diverse group at Twyford, who
support each other in learning about
our patients, their circumstances, and
medical conditions. How I do that with
a colleague in Birmingham, let alone in
Australia effectively is beyond me.
turn to page 35
34 The Parish Magazine - April 2022 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
Happy 9th
Birthday,
Sabella
Interiors
SONNING - ON - THAMES
Joanna
Harvey
SBID
Thank you to all our customers for your ongoing support and business
Celebrating our 9th anniversary with the opening of
our new base in Alderley Edge, Cheshire
Interior designers, internationally recognised
Call us for an informal chat or visit The Studio (by appointment only)
www.sabellainteriors.com | 0118 944 9629 | 07780 836747 | enquiries@sabellainteriors.com
from page 33
HEALTH — 2
Dr Simon Ruffle
So far, these proposals and the
proposals to integrate primary
care into integrated care service
organisations have not been open to
public consultation. Some of these
will go ahead in April 2022. I am
sure that the sunny uplands of what
they propose will be what they will
tell you; they have a much bigger
communications budget than your
general practitioner and the BMA
have.
I fully appreciate online and remote
consultation for simple medical
conditions, and, indeed, most of these
that we see could be dealt with by good
patient education/information and
well-trained pharmacists. But we are
struggling to cope with the complex
needs of our community as it is.
WRITE AND TWEET
I urge you to consider the above
and make your feelings known. Write
to Mr Javid. Write to your MP. Tweet.
Tell your friends.
Think about how much or how
little you want you and your relatives
to be looked after by a rotating army
of strangers, largely over the internet,
and rage against this proposal.
In the words of Joni Mitchell you
don’t know what you have got until it
is gone.
Dr Simon Ruffle MB.BS (London 1992)
DRCOG MRCGP (1998) DOccMed
GP Partner Twyford
With thanks to Dr Paul Evans,
(Gateshead LMC) for the idea.
1. https://policyexchange.org.uk/
publication/at-your-service/
2. https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/
news/breaking-news/governmentofficials-visit-wolverhamptonshospital-run-gps-to-exploremodel/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_
medium=email&utm_
campaign=pulse%20breaking
3. https://www.transparify.org/
blog/2018/11/16/pressure-grows-onuk-think-tanks-that-fail-to-disclosetheir-funders
HOME AND GARDEN
In the garden in April . . .
Olesia Bilkei, dreamstime.com
C Bridgwater, dreamstime.com
Recipe of the month for Easter
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 35
PLANT POTATOES . . . . . . .SHALLOTS . . . . . .PRUNE FIG TREES
Dotlock, dreamstime.com
AND, DO ALL THE OTHER JOBS TO PREPARE FOR SUMMER!
April is a busy time for gardeners. It's time to finish tidying up after winter and to
prepare for the new season. Weeding is one of the first jobs to get in hand — there's
an old saying: 'A season’s seeding means 7 years of weeding!' Beware of late frosts.
It is not unknown to have snow in April, so keep vulnerable plants and new shoots
protected at night if necessary. Delay planting tender bedding until later in the
month, and be prepared to cover them if necessary. As well as frost, keep an eye out
for slugs and snails and deal with them before they become established. Then it's time
to start sowing seeds and planting out. First early potatoes can be planted by the
first week of April, followed by second earlies, and maincrop, towards the end of the
month. Finally check your garden furniture by having a well earned rest!
If you gave up chocolate for Lent here is an indulgent recipe from BBC Good Food:
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/
Ingredients
— 150g unsalted butter
— 50g golden syrup
— 1 tsp vanilla extract
— 400g dark chocolate, finely chopped
— 60g Cadbury's Dairy Milk chocolate
— 60g extra dark or milk chocolate
— 150g salted pretzel sticks, broken
into small pieces
— 100g shredded wheat, crushed
— 100g chocolate-covered raisin
—100g salted peanut
— chocolate eggs, to serve
Method
Line a 20cm round cake tin with a
large paper cake tin liner, or cling
film. Heat the butter and golden
syrup in a large heavy-based
saucepan over a gentle heat. Once
melted, add the vanilla extract and
all the chocolate. Continue heating
gently until the chocolate has
melted, stirring every now and then
to combine.
Remove the pan from the heat and
mix through the pretzel sticks,
shredded wheat, chocolate-covered
raisins and peanuts. Transfer to the
prepared tin, pressing in and around
its sides, creating a dip in the centre
to produce a nest shape. Chill for 1 hr
or until set. To serve, remove from
tin, scatter with extra pretzels and
fill with an assortment of chocolate
eggs. It should keep in an airtight
container for up to 5 days.
36 The Parish Magazine - April 2022 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding this advertisement
ASSISTED LIVING | NURSING | DEMENTIA CARE | RESPITE
Delivering peace of mind - the Signature way
Our award winning care team are on hand 24 hours a day providing care that
is responsive to individual preferences and needs. We take pride in going above
and beyond for your loved ones.
We encourage and empower residents to live independent lifestyles, providing discreet
assistance as and when needed. From a little assistance with washing, dressing and
taking medication to those residents who have greater needs, all our residents receive the
tailored support they need delivered in their own apartment.
To find out more, please contact the Client Liaison Manager at a Signature home near you:
Cliveden Manor, Marlow
01628 702310
Sonning
0118 338 2986
signature-care-homes.co.uk
The ARTS — 1
‘In a grove lit only by a kiss’
Holy Week, as its name tells us, is the most important,
holiest week in the Church’s year, when we follow
Jesus from his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to
the Upper Room, to Calvary and to the garden of the
tomb. As we make that journey each year, we are not
just remembering past events. We are celebrating how
eternity touched Jerusalem in that first Holy Week and
how eternity can touch our lives now.
To create that impact and that realisation, the week is
brim full of colour and variety in its worship, full of action
and movement, full of processions and music. But we
might think it is a week with very little silence.
Yet the silences are there if we look at the Gospels
closely. We enter an upper room and catch our breath
when Jesus announces a betrayer. Peter denies our Lord, a
cock crows, and a bleak stillness falls on that scene. In the
palace Jesus stands accused, no words are spoken, and the
governor wonders in the silence. And there is silence by
the cross until the ninth hour.
AMAZING FRESCOES
The silence does fall during Holy Week, punctuating
the crises of these tense days. It is conveyed with dramatic
force in this Gethsemane scene: Peter Firth’s poem
describes it as ‘a grove lit only by a kiss.’ The painting is by
Giotto, ‘The Kiss of Judas’ and is part of an amazing series
of frescoes he painted for the Arena Chapel in Padua from
1305-06.
At first glance it is a scene of frenzied activity: burning
torches wave in the sky, weapons are wielded, and a ram’s
horn blown. The cohort of soldiers advance on Jesus, and
Peter tries to defend him by cutting off a soldier’s ear in
his anger. One of the religious leaders points to Jesus in
the centre of the painting.
Book Reviews
The Easter Story
By Karen Williamson, illustrated by
Marie Allen, Candle Books, £6.99
A book for sharing with toddlers
and young children, leading up to
Easter. It is written as a continuous
journey, from ‘A noisy entry’ where
Jesus is walking to Jerusalem, ‘A
meal to remember’ where Jesus ate with 12 special friends,
through to him appearing to his friends and his ascension.
The Print of the Nails – the Church
Times Holy Week and Easter
Collection
By Hugh Hillyard-Parker, Paula Gooder,
Sam Wells, et al, Canterbury Press, £16.99
Reading and resources for the build-up
to Easter, including: meditations on
the Stations of the Cross; a short story
set in Gethsemane; Pilate; the art of
Good Friday; Judas; starting Easter
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 37
By Rev Michael Burgess
Reprinted by kind permission of the Arena Chapel, Padua
And it is there that the tragic stillness falls as our eyes
focus on the eyes of Jesus: that steady, discomforting gaze
into the eyes of Judas the betrayer. Judas’ cloak seems to
engulf Jesus, but it cannot blot out the look of our Lord.
The face of Judas is troubled, and the look of Jesus
seems to burrow deep into that anxiety, beneath the
surface into his heart.
In Holy Week they are eyes that look out to us. The face
of Jesus is turned in our direction, saying, ‘Yes, you may
follow Me in the heady excitement of Palm Sunday. But will
you also follow Me into this garden, on the way of my cross to
the foot of Calvary, and beyond to the empty tomb of Easter
morning?’
celebrations in the dark; Easter carols; poetry of the cross;
and on why the Resurrection is central to faith.
All royalties will go to the Church Homeless Trust.
On Earth as in Heaven – Through the
Year with Tom Wright
By Tom Wright, SPCK, £19.99
Christians of all traditions regard the
writings of Tom Wright as a rich source
of guidance for living faithfully in
today's world. His bestselling books,
including Simply Christian, Simply Jesus,
and Surprised by Hope, have encouraged
millions worldwide. Now, you can enjoy
their wisdom each day with this thoughtful selection of
365 daily meditations from his classic works. The devotions
begin on Easter Day, the first day of new creation, and follow
the seasons of the Christian year to end with a second Easter
and the invitation to begin again.
Reflecting on the biblical themes of beauty, power,
spirituality, justice, truth, freedom and love, these daily
meditations will invigorate and sustain you as you cultivate
a Christ-like life on earth as in heaven.
38 The Parish Magazine - April 2022
THE ARTS — 2
Poetry Corner
THE SCIENCES
The wonder and the
sorrow of PCR tests
By Dr Ruth M Bancewicz, church engagement director at The Faraday
Institute for Science and Religion in Cambridge
Iago Lopez, dreamstime.com
Occasions For Oils
A poem by Steven Rolling based on ‘Blessing of the Oils’, a Holy
Week ritual found in some service books for Maundy Thursday.
Tune: St Peter – How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
Lord, bless the oils of anointing
That they peace, comfort bring
As channels of your Spirit pure
May they bring healing sure
Oils as symbol of your Spirit
Flow, be outpoured, each whit
To meet the depths of human need
Each from their sins be freed
God the Father he did anoint
His Son, and did appoint
Him with the Spirit, he did go
The power of God did show
He did do good and went about
Bringing haling no doubt
To those by the devil oppressed
They were set free and blessed
Work how you will, heal, sanctify
The healing oils apply
‘Tis all by your grace, mercy, love
Your Spirit, holy dove
Oscar C Williams, dreamstime.com
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests are a fact of life for
us. As a biologist who was doing this procedure long before
most people had heard of it, I take secret delight in people’s
use of the acronym. Let me open the laboratory door and
share the wonders it conceals.
The swab from your throat and nose goes into a tube
containing a little liquid. The liquid is heated or mixed with a
chemical to kill any live virus particles, and then purified to
remove every part of the virus except ribonucleic acid (RNA).
This test is called RT-PCR. Reverse Transcription (RT) by an
enzyme converts RNA into DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).
Multiple copies of the DNA are then made using Polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR). Reverse transcription produces one
half of a DNA helix, like one side of an unzipped zip.
The enzyme DNA polymerase is a little like the zipper
except as well as zipping up it also manufactures the other
half of the zip using DNA subunits that have been added to
the tube. Like a zip, the two sides of the DNA helix are mirror
images of each other. If that new helix is unzipped, DNA
polymerase can then make a new strand on both sides.
LEARNING FROM THE PAST
The beauty of PCR is its simplicity. Multiple rounds of
heating, which melts the DNA helix strands apart, and
cooling, which allows the enzyme to make new DNA,
produce more and more mirror image DNA strands.
Scientists often tell stories about the wonders they study,
or make use of, in the lab. Sadly, if this particular process
works it means that there was probably Covid-19 in the
sample, and someone may become ill.
Do you live with similar tensions in your own life?
Perhaps you sell a fantastic product that most people in the
world can’t afford, or you love taking care of people, but your
role only exists because others live with great physical or
mental challenges. For the Psalmists, a relationship with God
was forged in the confusing space where the struggles of life
mingled with praise for creation and trust in him. How can
we learn from these ancient writers, celebrating the wonders
we experience in our lives while also lamenting the world’s
brokenness, praying for healing and justice?
This article is produced, with permission, from licc.org.uk.
CROSSWORD
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8
11
13
18 19 20
22 23
24
9 10
16 17
Across
ACROSS
- (11)
1 Politely (11)
- (5)
9 Take illegally (5)
10
- Polite
address
address
for a man
for
(3)
a man (3)
11 - Undertaking something something (5) (5)
12 - Courage; boldness boldness (5) (5)
13 - Talk with with (8) (8)
16 Particle with negligible mass (8)
16 - Neutral particle with negligible mass (8)
18 Unwarranted (5)
18 - Unwarranted (5)
21 Greek architecture (5)
21 - Style of Greek architecture (5)
22 Auction item (3)
22 - Auction item (3)
23 Angry (5)
23 24 - Angry Type (5) of artist (11)
24 - Type of artist (11)
CODEWORD
12
14 15
21
Down
DOWN
2 - Choices (7)
2 Choices (7)
3 - Coarsen (7)
3 Coarsen (7)
4 Discharges
4 - (6)
5 Unfasten 5 - Unfasten a garment a (5) (5)
6 Not 6 a - winner Not a (5)
7 Boldly 7 - Boldly (11) (11)
8 The military (5,6)
8 - The military (5,6)
14 Learner (7)
14 - Learner (7)
15 Female big cat (7)
15 - Female big cat (7)
17 Printed mistakes (6)
19 Mark of repetition (5)
20 Be 19 alive; - Mark of be repetition real (5)
17 - Mistakes in printed matter (6)
20 - Be alive; be real (5)
3 23 19 7 23 26 11 7 14 23 14 9
9 3 15 3 24 3 6
14 7 24 17 23 20 10 21 9 3 9 14
3 1 26 20 13 23 3
11 1 1 9 3 23 20 9 3 10 15 23
7 10 12 15 19 22
26 3 9 23 15 4 7 14 23 17 8 23
9 23 10 7 10 19
15 11 3 3 11 16 9 22 11 16 25 23
14 12 24 18 10 5 17
10 16 11 12 7 24 26 7 5 9 26 14
22 21 12 10 20 12 12
9 22 9 3 2 11 17 9 23 12 12 2
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Y X Z
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
SUDOKU
Each of the nine blocks has to contain all the
numbers 1-9 within its squares. Each number
can only appear once in a row, column or box.
WORDSEARCH FOR LAST SUPPER
On the night before he died, Jesus ate his last
Passover meal with his disciples. He then
transformed the Passover into the Lord’s
Supper, saying of the bread and wine that,
‘this is my body’ and ‘this is my blood’. Jesus,
the Lamb of God, was preparing to die for the
sins of the whole world. John’s gospel makes
it clear that the Last Supper took place the
evening before the regular Passover meal,
and that later Jesus died at the same time
that the Passover lambs were killed.
Jesus then astonished the disciples by
washing their feet. He said: 'A new command I
give you: love one another. As I have loved you,
so you must love one another.' His disciples
were to love through service, not domination,
of one another. In Latin, the opening phrase of
this sentence is ‘mandatum novum do vobis’.
The word ‘maundy’ is thus a corruption of the
Latin ‘mandatum’ (or command).
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 39
PUZZLE PAGE — the answers will be published in the next issue
EASTER EGG EXAMINATION
PASSOVER
WASHING
DISCIPLES
COMMAND
SERVICE
MAUNDY
SUPPER
BREAD
GOSPEL
WORLD
KILLED
LORD
TRANSFORMED
1. Why do we have Easter eggs on Easter Sunday?
2. Approximately how many Easter eggs are eaten in the UK every year?
3. Who made the first Easter egg in the UK?
4. Who delivers Easter eggs in the UK?
5. Who delivers Easter eggs in Switzerland?
6. What country started the tradition of dyeing Easter eggs?
WINE
BODY
BLOOD
LAMB
GOD
DIE
SINS
JOHN
FEET
ATE
LOVE
LAST
March
Solutions
CROSSWORD
C O N N O T A T I O N
I N E E O U F
N E E X E R T S P A
T U N E D M E T S
E E F E M U S I C
M I S G U I D E I
P S L A B N
E T O R T I L L A
R I O J A W H U T
A C D N E N N U I
T E E O R I B I D N
E A P N S E G
I N S T I G A T O R S
CODEWORD
A D J U N C T S L A N E
L O E R B X
A S K E W U N C L A S P
S I S S C O
N W T O R Q U E S
P I G E O N S E S I
R M M N
O S A M A I L B A G
P O L E N T A N A
O E N I T Z
S H E R I F F S U E D E
E V U C A T
D Y E S A L L E L U I A
SUDOKU
WORDSEARCH LENT
WHO DOES WHAT AND
WHERE QUIZ?
1. Haslams
2. Gardiners Homecare
3. Peter Freebody & Co
4. Seniors Helping Seniors
5. Signature Care Homes
6. St Andrew's Church
Romolo Tavani, dreamstime.com
40 The Parish Magazine - April 2022
Local Trades and Services
ACG SERVICES - LOCKSMITH
Locks changed, fitted, repaired and opened
Door and window locks fitted, UPVC door lock expert
Checkatrade member - Which Trusted Trader
Call Richard Homden: 0149 168 2050 / 0771 040 9216
Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
CHIROPODY AND PODIATRY
Linda Frewin MInstChp, HCPC member
General foot care and treatments
25 Ashtrees Road, Woodley RG5 4LP
0118 969 6978 - 0790 022 4999
CLARK BICKNELL LTD - PLUMBING & HEATING
Qualified Plumbing and Heating Engineers Gas Safe
25 years experience - local family run company
Office: 0118 961 8784 - Paul: 0776 887 4440
paul@clarkbicknell.co.uk
COMPUTER FRUSTRATIONS?
For jargon free help with your computer problems
PC & laptop repairs, upgrades, installations, virus removal
Free advice, reasonable rates
0798 012 9364 help@computerfrustrations.co.uk
INTERSMART LIMITED
Electrical Installation and Smart Home Automation
intersmartuk@gmail.com
Elliott — 0777 186 6696
Nick — 0758 429 4986
HANDYMAN & DECORATING SERVICES
Reliable and affordable
Small jobs a speciality!
Call Andy on 0795 810 0128
http://www.handyman-reading.co.uk
JAMES AUTOS
Car Servicing, Repairs and MOT
Mole Road, Sindlesham, RG41 5DJ
0118 977 0831
http://www.jamesautos.co.uk
ALL AERIALS
A local business based in Sonning. TV - FM - DAB aerials etc.
Sky dishes. Communal premises IRS systems, TV points.
Free estimates - All work guaranteed
0118 944 0000
MC CLEANING
We are a family business with excellent references
and we are fully insured
All cleaning materials provided
For free quote call: Maria 0779 902 7901
PROFESSIONAL HOME VISIT SERVICE
Thames Valley Will Service
Also Lasting Powers of Attorney and Probate Service
We are still working during the pandemic period
0134 464 1885 tvwills@yahoo.co.uk
THAMES CHIMNEY SWEEPS
0779 926 8123 0162 882 8130
enquiries@thameschimneysweeps.co.uk
http://www.thameschimneysweeps.co.uk
Member of the Guild of Master Sweeps
CALLAGHAN CARPETS & FLOORING
Thirty-six years local experience
Family run company
0118 962 8527 0779 223 9474
callaghancarpets@btinternet.com
WANT HELP WITH AN ‘ODD JOB’?
For local odd jobs please call Phil on
0118 944 0000
0797 950 3908
Thames Street, Sonning
BIG HEART TREE CARE
Reliable and friendly service for all tree care
NPTC qualified — Public Liability of £10million
0118 937 1929 0786 172 4071
bighearttreecare.co.uk info@bighearttreecare.co.uk
SMALLWOOD
Landscaping, garden construction,
patios, lawns, fencing, decking etc
0118 969 8989 https://www.smallwoodlandscaping.co.uk/
office@smallwoodlandscaping.co.uk
ALL WASTE CLEARANCE & DISPOSAL
Waste clearance from office, house, garden, loft
Licensed waste carriers, no job too small or large
Contact: John
0771 021 2056 j.garmston@ntworld.com
BERKSHIRE STUMP REMOVALS
Stump grinding and tree stump removal
Latest narrow access machinery
Contact: Mark
0798 495 7334 http://www.berkshirestumpremoval
PAINTER and DECORATOR
Roger McGrath has 25 years experience
Restoration painting work of any size undertaken
For a free quotation call
Roger 0742 332 1179
CHILDREN'S PAGE
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 41
42 The Parish Magazine - April 2022 Please mention The Parish Magazine when replying to advertisements
information — 2
Parish contacts
Ministry Team
— The Vicar: Revd Jamie Taylor (Day off Friday)
The Parish Office, Thames Street, Sonning, RG4 6UR
vicar@sonningparish.org.uk / 0118 969 3298
— Associate Vicar: Revd Kate Wakeman-Toogood
revkate@sonningparish.org.uk / 0746 380 6735
On duty Tuesday, Friday and Sunday
— Youth Minister: Chris West (Westy)
youthminister@sonningparish.org.uk / 0794 622 4106
— Licensed Lay Minister: Bob Peters
bob@sonningparish.org.uk / 0118 377 5887
Children's Ministry
— Alison Smyly office@sonningparish.org.uk / 0118 969 3298
Churchwardens
— Stuart Bowman sdbowman73@aol.com / 0118 978 8414
— Liz Nelson liz.nelson1@ntlworld.com / 0779 194 4270
Deputy Churchwardens
— Simon Darvall sdarvall@businessmoves.com 0793 928 2535
— Sue Peters mail@susanjpeters.com / 0118 377 5887
— Molly Woodley (deputy churchwarden emeritus)
mollywoodley@live.co.uk / 0118 946 3667
Parish Administrator
— Hilary Rennie
office@sonningparish.org.uk / 0118 969 3298
Parochial Church Council
— Secretary: Hilary Rennie 0118 969 3298
— Treasurer: Richard Moore 0118 969 2588
Director of Music, organist and choirmaster
— Hannah Towndrow BA (Oxon)
music@sonningparish.org.uk
Sonning Bell Ringers
— Tower Captain: Pam Elliston
pam.elliston@talktalk.net / 0118 969 5967
— Deputy Tower Captain: Rod Needham
r06needham@gmail.com / 0118 926 7724
Parish Website: http://www.sonningparish.org.uk
The Parish Magazine: http://www.theparishmagazine.co.uk
— Editor: Bob Peters
editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk / 0118 377 5887
— Advertising and Distribution: Gordon Nutbrown
advertising@theparishmagazine.co.uk / 0118 969 3282
— Treasurer: Pat Livesey
pat.livesey@yahoo.co.uk / 0118 961 8017
— The Parish Magazine is produced by St Andrew’s PCC and delivered
free of charge to every home in Charvil, Sonning and Sonning Eye.
— The Parish Magazine is printed in the United Kingdom by The Print
Factory at Sarum Graphics Ltd, Old Sarum, Salisbury SP4 6QX
— The Parish Magazine is distributed by Abracadabra Leaflet
Distribution Ltd, Reading RG7 1AW
— The Parish Magazine template was designed in 2012 by Roger
Swindale rogerswindale@hotmail.co.uk and David Woodward
david@designforprint.org
Advertisers index
ABD Construction 6
ACG Services Locksmith 40
Active Domestic Appliances 16
Active Security 30
ADD Plumbing 12
All Aerials 40
All Waste Clearance 40
Barn Store Henley 16
Berkshire Stump Removals 40
Big Heart Tree Care 40
Blandy & Blandy Solicitors 14
Blinds Direct 26
Blue Moose 8
Bridge House 43
Bridges Home Care 26
Bull Inn 8
Callaghan Carpets & Flooring 40
Chimney Sweep, Thames 40
Chiropody, Linda Frewin 40
Chris the Plumber 32
Clark Bicknell 40
Complete Pest Solutions 40
Computer Frustrations 40
Cruz Kitchens 28
Design for Print 28
EMDR Hypnotherapist 30
Freebody Boatbuilders 6
Fields Pharmacy 32
French Horn 44
Gardiners Nursing 8
Great House Sonning 24
Handyman and Decorating Services 40
Haslams Estate Agents 2
Hicks Group 16
Intersmart Electrical Installations 40
James Autos 40
Jones & Sheppard Stone Masons 32
Kingfisher Bathrooms 26
MC Cleaning 40
Mill at Sonning 4
M & L Healthcare Solutions 12
Mortgage Required 18
Muck & Mulch 28
Odd Jobs 40
Painter and Decorator 40
Pearson Hall Sonning 24
Reading Blue Coat School 26
Richfield Flooring 14
Sabella Interiors 34
Seniors Helping Seniors 12
Shiplake College 14
Signature Care Homes 36
Sonning Golf Club 32
Sonning Scouts Marquees 30
Smallwood Garden Services 40
Style by Julie 6
Thames Valley Water Softeners 6
Thames Valley Wills Service 40
Tomalin Funerals 24
Walker Funerals 12
Water Softener Salt 28
Window Cleaner 16
Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding this advertisement
The Parish Magazine - April 2022 43
BRIDGE HOUSE
of TWYFORD
Because you deserve
the very best
Welcome to Bridge House Nursing Home
Established for 35 years, the elegant Georgian Grade II listed Bridge House has extended its facilities to
include a beautiful, light-filled and airy purpose built nursing home.
Our philosophy is built upon helping residents maintain their independence and dignity, whilst ensuring
their needs and expectations are fully met. We believe that being independent means having the freedom
of choice and flexibility over how the day is spent. Working closely with families and professionals
is fundamental in delivering and maintaining the required level of health and wellbeing.
At Bridge House, our comprehensive facilities and care provision is designed to deliver skilled,
professional and individually planned care in an unobtrusive manner.
Call 0800 230 0206
Visit www.bridgehouseoftwyford.co.uk
INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • NURSING HOME
190821 - Bridge House Ad Parish Mag v01.indd 1 21/08/2019 18:06
44 The Parish Magazine - April Please 2022 mention The Parish Magazine when responding this advertisement
The French Horn,
Sonning. Quality.
A continuing commitment to
wonderful food and wine.
0118 969 2204
www.thefrenchhorn.co.uk
Change language