The Parish Magazine - May 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
May 2022 — Ascension
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 - May 2022
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Church of St Andrew
Serving Sonning, Charvil & Sonning Eye
The Parish Magazine - May 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 May 2022
THE VICAR'S LETTER, 5
THE PARISH NOTICEBOARD
— Churchyard mobility, 7
— Platinum Jubilee, 7
— For your prayers in May, 7
— Christian Basics Part 4, 9
— Ascension Day, 9
— STAY, 10-11
— On Reflection: Lamentations, 13
— From the editor's desk, 13
— The Persecuted Church, 15
features
— May matters, 17
— Hedgehog signs, 19
— Platinum events, 20-21
— The War in Ukraine, 22-23
— World Turtle Day®, 25
around the villages
— Art for the Jubilee, 27
— Pearson Hall AGM, 27
— S&SE outing, 27
— Horticultural shows, 29
— Knit a Corgi, 29
— Village Rounders, 29
history, 31
HEALTH
— Dr Simon Ruffle, 33
HOME & GARDEn
— Feeding for the future, 35
— In the garden, 35
THE ARTS
— Dick Bouts meal, 37
— Book Reviews, 37
— Poetry Corner, 38
This ISSUE's FRONT COVER
May 2022 — Ascension
The
Parish
Magazine
the church of st andrew, SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF
CHARVIL, SONNING and sonning eye SINCE THE 7 th CENTURY
The Ark Garden in 'Jubilee purple' bloom.
The Ark was officially opened 5 years ago
on Sunday 7 May 2017.
Picture: Peter Rennie
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 June
issue of The Parish Magazine is:
Friday 6 May 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
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 3
Services at
St Andrew’s
Sunday 1 May
— 8.00am Holy Communion
— 10.30am Family Service
— 4.00pm Choral Evensong
followed by tea in The Ark
Sunday 8 May
— 8.00am Holy Communion
— 10.30am Parish Eucharist with
STAY and Sunday Club
Sunday 15 May
— 8.00am Holy Communion
— 10.30am Family Communion
— 3.00pm Messy Church in The Ark
Sunday 22 May
— 8.00am Holy Communion
— 10.30am Parish Eucharist
— 6.00pm Sunday at Six in The
Ark with refreshments served
on arrival from 5.50pm.
Sunday after Ascension 29 May
— 8.00am Holy Communion
— 10.30am Parish Eucharist
OTHER REGULAR SERVICES
Morning Prayer is held in church
every Tuesday at 9.30am.
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.
the sciences
— Spirit of Humility, 38
PUZZLE PAGE, 39
children's page, 41
information
— Church services, 3
— From the registers, 3
— Parish contacts, 42
— Advertisers index, 42
From the register
BAPTISMs
— Sunday 13 March, Cameron Robert Baer
FUNERALs
— Friday 25 March, Jean Collin, Interment of ashes in the churchyard
— Friday 8 April, Vanessa Louise Jones, at Easthampstead Park Crematorium
4 The Parish Magazine - May 2022
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The vicar's letter
DEAR FRIENDS,
As a child of the 80's I grew up as a huge fan of the TV series, The A Team. On
a Friday or Saturday night it was staple viewing, back when we only had thee
channels and no video machine! My favourite character was Hannibal Smith,
the cigar smoking leader of the group of mercenaries and his famous catch
phrase was 'I love it when a plan comes together.' Bizarrely, from 40 years ago, this
came into my mind the other evening when I witnessed our STAY on Friday
youth group in full flow in The Ark and garden with 62 young people all having
a wonderful time. Indeed, on numerous occasions over the last five years, since
Theresa May opened the Ark on 7 May 2017 in the middle of a general election,
I have had reason to recall Hannibal’s words, whether it be at our Rendezvous
lunches, Messy Church, lively post service fellowship, Sunday Club, funeral and
baptism receptions and much else besides.
In addition, the provision of the parish office, a meeting room and a vicar’s
study has been a literal God send and we are now so much more efficient in
running this busy and growing parish.
A DEEPER MEANING
The name 'The Ark' was an obvious choice but on a personal level it has
a deeper meaning for me. The biblical story of Noah being called to build an
ark, miles from the sea, with all the scepticism and perhaps even ridicule
that resulted, rang a bell or two as we sought to sell the idea of new facilities
and gain permissions and funding. From my earliest days here I was aware
that if we were to become the church that had been aspired to in the Parish
Profile document produced in 2008 to recruit a new vicar, we would need a new
building. It took 8 years to lay the groundwork and bring it to fruition and I
don’t mind admitting that, at times, the anxiety and stress was almost too
much to bear. That said, achieving anything worthwhile is going to be difficult
and so that was no surprise.
I think it is worth restating that every penny of the final cost of the building
and landscaping was raised by the fund raising committee, not, as is sometimes
mistakenly reported, through selling parish land. Through patient hard slog,
grants were awarded, gifts were given and funds were raised at numerous
events. At times, as the costs inevitably increased, it felt almost overwhelming,
but throughout, there was one verse from the Psalms that kept me sane:
'Be still and know that I am God' (Ps 46).
THE PLAN THAT CAME TOGETHER
As I look back on the whole project it is striking how much God was at work.
In October 2013, it seemed like the planning application was in serious trouble
because of the extensive root system of two large trees that were in the middle
of what is now the garden. There was a storm, and as one tree collapsed, it took
the other one with it, without damaging any graves or buildings. Despite the
jokes that I was out there with a chain saw — I was in France at the time! — it
really did feel like things were starting to go our way. Then, the week before
the grand opening, with £150,000 still to raise, I was astonished to receive a
call to tell me that a letter sent many months before to a philanthropist who
I had never met and who had no idea how much money we had left to raise,
was giving us £100,000. Two days later, a cheque arrived for £50,000, again
from someone I didn’t know and who knew nothing of how much we needed.
I remind myself of that miraculous happening when times are tough or when
God might feel remote. Our church was truly blessed through this project
and I believe this is because The Ark has enabled us to now properly fulfil our
calling as Christians to be a blessing to the communities we are called to serve.
However, there can be no resting on our laurels. There is always more to be
done and, under God, I believe we are now well equipped for the task.
Warm wishes.
Jamie
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 5
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the parish noticeboard — 1
Notices
Churchyard mobility
We have a lovely churchyard that
is also rather large. The distance
from our small car park and other
entrances to either the church or
The Ark is not inconsiderable for
those with mobility issues. The PCC’s
‘Everybody Welcome’ agenda focuses
continuously on how we can make
our church more welcoming and
hospitable and with this in mind I
am delighted to tell you of a recent
decision of the PCC.
We will be purchasing a four
seater, electric golf buggy that will
enable those who are elderly or frail
to comfortably make the journey. A
rota of approved volunteer drivers
will be established and all is covered
by existing church insurance.
The total costs are being
generously met by Christina
Goodacre, in memory of her late
husband, Peter, and by Janet
Robson, in thanksgiving for the
work of our church.
The plan is to formally inaugurate
the vehicle as part of our Jubilee
celebrations on 5 June, although it
may be in use before then.
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 7
Mothering Sunday: Thanks t0 (left to right) Ellie, Molly, Penny and Liz, every
lady attending the 10.30am Mothering Sunday service received a posy of
spring flowers. The floral four, helped by Liz's husband Dave, made over 100!
Platinum Jubilee
In addition to the Scarecrow Festival
and other celebrations across
the parish, we will be hosting a
community service of celebration
on 5 June at 11am. The 103rd
Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord
Carey, will be preaching. This will
be followed by a drinks reception in
The Ark garden, all finishing before
the Sonning village street party gets
underway.
Special floral arrangements will
fill the church for the Bank Holiday
weekend, provided by our wedding
and funeral florist, Nicky Watters.
Jamie
Peter Renniee
FIVE YEARS ON: Officially opened 5 years ago this month, The Ark at St
Andrew's Church, and its garden, will be the setting for a Platinum Jubilee
reception after a community celebration to mark Her Majesty The Queen's
Platinum Jubilee. The special service of thanksgiving will start at 11am on
Sunday 5 June in the presence of the 103rd Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord
Carey, who will be preaching.
For your prayers in May
— For all who use The Ark at St Andrew's Church
— For the Falkland Island conflict veterans, 40 years on
— All parish plans for the Platinum Jubilee next month
— For all who are thinking about being confirmed in November
Catwoman10, dreamstime.com
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the parish noticeboard — 2
Christian Basics — Part 4
Rev Paul Hardingham's series on the foundations of the Christian faith
Why the Cross?
Indy Biddulph
The cross is a picture of violence, yet the key to peace;
a picture of suffering, yet the key to healing;
a picture of death, yet the key to life;
a picture of utter weakness, yet the key to power;
a picture of capital punishment, yet the key to mercy and
forgiveness;
a picture of vicious hatred, yet the key to love;
a picture of supreme shame, yet the Christian’s supreme boast.
THE KEY
The cross really is the key to everything! Although a
horrifying instrument of torture and death, it is also a
symbol of love and peace. On the cross Jesus died to deal
with the problem of our sin and defeat the powers of
death and evil. He identified with our sufferings and set
us an example of self-sacrificial love.
As Peter writes, ‘He himself bore our sins in his body on the
tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by
his wounds you have been healed . . . Christ died for sins once
for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God’
(1 Peter 2:24, 3:18)
Jesus died in our place on the cross and took away our guilt,
to pay the full penalty for our sin. Access to God’s presence
is now open to all, symbolised by the Temple curtain being
torn in two from top to bottom. The barrier between us and
God was torn down in order ‘to bring us to God’.
THE BRIDGE
Jesus is the bridge providing access between us and
God. ‘If Jesus Christ is to be our Saviour then he must be
able to place a hand upon a pardoning God and another hand
on a penitent sinner and draw them together in an act of
reconciliation’ (Bishop Handley Moule).
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 9
Ascension: Thursday 26 May
Where
did
Jesus
go?
In Salvador Dali’s
picture of Jesus’
ascension (shown
right on a postage
stamp) all you can
see are his feet! As
we celebrate the
Olga Popova, dreamstime.com
event this month,
it prompts the question ‘where did Jesus go?’ Peter says
Jesus ‘has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand’ (1
Peter 3:22). However, the New Testament tells us three
things about what Jesus is doing at the Father’s side.
At Pentecost Peter said that Jesus is ‘exalted to the right
hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised
Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear…
The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand' (Acts 2: 33 -4).
Peter is affirming Jesus’ position of authority and power
at the heart of the universe. By pouring out the gift of the
Holy Spirit upon us, Jesus gives us a foretaste of the life
of heaven — eternal life, forgiveness, healing, release and
God’s provision for our lives.
LIVING WITH REALITY
When Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was being
stoned to death by the Jewish authorities he points out, ‘I
see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of
God.’ (Acts 7:56). Our experience of heaven is only ever partial,
as we live with the reality of suffering and setbacks. However,
Jesus is still on the throne! We are called to trust him daily.
The Bible also tells us that ‘Christ Jesus who died….is
interceding for us.’ (Romans 8:34, cf Hebrews 7:25).
Even when we don’t know how to pray, we have the
assurance that Jesus is already praying for us! He knows
our needs even better than we do ourselves, so when we
feel condemned or defeated in our Christian lives, we have
somebody on our side!
TRANSCENDS AND EMBRACES
The Ascension reminds us that the risen Jesus lives in
the immediate presence of God, and both transcends and
embraces our present experience. This truth lies at the heart
of the 'up' language used to describe the event.
‘Heaven relates to earth tangentially so that the One who is in
heaven can be present simultaneously anywhere and everywhere
on earth: the ascension therefore means that Jesus is available,
accessible, without people having to travel to a particular spot on
the earth to find him.’ (Tom Wright).
10 The Parish Magazine - May 2022
the parish noticeboard — 3
STAY IN THE CLASSROOM, ON
STAY on Sunday
Our group that meets every 2nd,
4th & 5th Sunday of each month
continues to deepen faith, challenge
world views and grow our confidence
in who God is and who he calls us to
be in the world. Most recently
we have looked at the theme of
relationships and covered
topics such as: ‘Is it ever ok
to judge others?’ and ‘What
is our relationship with
our phone like?’ The young
people were shocked to
learn that the first mobile
phones didn’t have the
internet, didn’t have snap
chat or instagram, they
barely worked as a phone
sometimes with poor
reception in many places!
STAY in Schools
As part of the STAY youth work we
continued this month with our work
in all four local schools through
assemblies and mentoring. Plus we had
the privilege of being part of the values
day at Sonning School and a special
prayer activity with Piggott students.
Values Day at Sonning
On Thursday 24 March, I had the
privilege of helping at Sonning
School with their ‘School Values Day’.
We covered curiosity and respect
with years 3 and 4 and we looked at
courage and aspiration with years
5 and 6. Some of the answers to the
questions were simply brilliant and
at times humorous:
Q: What are you scared of?
A: 'Smelly cheese', 'Spiders' and
'Roller coasters'.
Q: What are you interested in?
A: 'Tech', 'Bugs and insects' and 'God'.
Prayers for Ukraine
Our work at The Piggott School Wargrave continues
to help grow and embed the school's Christian values
and vision among the students. This month we had the
privilege of leading students in writing positive thoughts,
messages of hope and prayers, on blue and yellow leaves,
for the people of Ukraine. We then took their leaves
and added them to the reflection room tree.
To chat to Westy
youthminister@sonningparish.org.uk
0794 622 4106
STAY D
Thursday
lemonade
weather, t
STAY
We ha
fun, ga
want t
We
you wo
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 11
THE STREETS, AND AT HOME IN THE ARK
etached Project
's Detached Project in Charvil moved from serving 45 hot chocolates, to 45 cold
s, back to 45 hot chocolates within a week as we had a few days of balmy 18°C
hen straight back to 5°C the following week!
on Friday
d record numbers at STAY on Friday this month with a whopping 62 young people attending one week. This was a fantastic evening of
mes, yummy baked treats and a final thought on the question; ‘When is it OK to be competitive and how should we behave when we
o win?' Youth club continues to be from 6.45pm-8.15pm in The Ark, every Friday in term time.
also had a wonderful response, so far, to people donating and sponsoring the new equipment for our second upper room in The Ark. If
uld like to donate any amount, please get in touch with Hilary in the church office on office@sonningparish.org.uk — thanks!
12 The Parish Magazine - May 2022
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the parish noticeboard — 4
On reflection . . .
Lamentations
By Elizabeth Spiers
An ancient map ofJerusalem Mihail Ivanov, dreamstime.com
Lamentations is not an easy read. Perhaps you’ve been
tempted to skip it. It’s about the aftermath of a national
disaster caused by sin. Thought to be written by Jeremiah,
it laments — gives passionate expression to sorrow or grief
— the devastating results of God’s judgement.
In five poems, Jeremiah tells of the complete and utter
desolation of the once proud city of Jerusalem. This didn’t
come out of the blue. God isn’t like that. He sent many
prophets, including Jeremiah, with messages to warn the
people to repent but the warnings fell on deaf ears. Now that
it had happened, the results of God’s judgement were raw and
desperate. It is shocking to read in chapter 4:10 that mothers
were so hungry they ate their own children.
The important message of Lamentations is that we cannot
keep disobeying God and his word and think that God will
ignore it. It is right to grieve over the sin that has wrecked
havoc in our lives resulting in a broken home perhaps or a
prison sentence. We don’t do much lamenting these days
but this book shows us that we must take responsibility
for the consequences we are now enduring. We know God
is merciful and gracious. We often overlook that he is also
righteous and holy, wanting obedience from his children
and reserving the right to discipline us when we go astray.
In Ezekiel 34:14, God says he is a ‘jealous’ God. We are not to
worship anyone or anything other than him.
LEARN TO TRUST
In the middle of his lamentations, Jeremiah finds the
strength of hope in the Lord. 'Because of the Lord’s great love,
we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are
new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself,
'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.' The Lord
is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him
(Lamentations 3:22–25). Jeremiah tells us how to pray with
hope in the midst of our self-induced suffering. He clings to
the truth that regardless of the suffering he sees around him,
God is still on his throne and that he still loves his people.
We always have hope in God. Every new morning brings
a new opportunity to start afresh. We are in control of our
time and the decisions we make. We must learn to trust God
while we still can’t see the way forward. And God’s mercies
are new every morning. Great is his faithfulness toward
those who cry out to him and seek him in their sorrows. He is
the binder of broken hearts. He will never turn away anyone
who cries out to him.
From the desk
of the editor
editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk
Why there is always
space for God . . .
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 13
Sitting at my desk before starting work on this issue, I had
in mind to include an article about sea creatures called
manatees which look similar to the walrus but are more
closely related to the elephant. Their history goes back
to the beginning of time and is mentioned in the Bible
frequently in the account of the Israelite's journey from
captivity in Egypt to their Promised Land. In the Bible
manatees are called sea cows and their skins were used as
waterproof coverings to protect valuable items used in the
worship of God. We can only assume that the Israelites ate
them — they are said to taste like 'corned beef' or 'pork',
the latter being strange because pork is a forbidden food
for the Jewish people.
THE INSIDE STORIES
However, as you can see inside, two other articles about
creatures that were around in Biblical times and are also
still with us today, namely hedgehogs (page 19) and sea
turtles (page 25) have come to the top of the list, so the
manatees idea remains on my desk!
Hedgehogs and sea turtles, despite surviving for
millions of years are facing uncertain futures because of
environmental changes and hunting them for food or, in
the case of turtles, their valuable shells. The organisers of
World Turtle Day® on 23 May, say that about 61% of turtles
worldwide are threatened or already extinct. Their aim is
to raise worldwide awareness of the situation and so try to
save them from extinction.
Hedgehogs, although good for our gardens, are facing
a similar decline in numbers but in their case we can help
reverse the decline by simply making our gardens and
community more friendly, and safer, places for them to live
in and to visit.
THE WAY FORWARD
Turtles and hedgehogs, are, of course, only two of the
many serious issues facing our world which are being
caused by human greed and selfishness. The war in Ukraine
and the persecution of millions people because of their
religious beliefs in other parts of the world are prime
examples of even more serious issues. There are so many
bad things going on in our world today that is difficult to
see where we are heading, and what will happen next.
The good news is that despite all the changes going on
around us, there is one unchanging source of hope that has
been with us, not for millions of years like the hedgehogs
and turtles but for about 4.5 billion years when the earth
was created. That source is, of course, God. And this is why
I never limit the number of articles about God's love for us
in this magazine. As Elizabeth Spiers writes in the adjacent
column, 'We must learn to trust God while we still can't see the
way forward.'
14 The Parish Magazine - May 2022
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the parish noticeboard — 5
Below, an impression of the tensions
experienced by Christians in Pakistan
are followed by an appeal giving the
opportunity to support Christian
children going through school in
Pakistan.
An incident in Lahore in February
resulted in a murder case being
brought against 150 to 200 Muslims.
An altercation with a Christian
shopkeeper was reported to the police
and was settled. However, the next day
a mob of up to 200 Muslims went to
the shop armed with clubs, iron bars
and guns. The shopkeeper was hit on
the head with a brick and died of his
injuries.
The previous day Pakistan’s Prime
Minister, Imran Khan, said that his
government had 'zero tolerance' for
anyone taking the law into their
own hands. He was responding to
a mob lynching of a man accused of
'blasphemy' in Punjab.
Mr Khan’s words were echoed by
the special representative to the Prime
Minister on Religious Harmony, Hafiz
Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi,
who said that the culture of being
'judge, jury and executioner' could
no longer continue, and that no one
should think of 'running the country as
per their own desires'.
An article in The Spectator on
1 April suggested that Mr Khan’s
presidency may be coming to an end
since he had lost his majority in the
National Assembly. The writer, Kunwar
Khuldune Sahid, points out that in the
75 year history of the country not one
of the prime ministers has served their
5 year term.
A vote of no confidence was due to
take place on Sunday 3 April.
However, prior to a vote taking
place, Mr Khan dissolved parliament
and called fresh elections. The deputy
speaker had refused to accept the
motion against him. Mr Khan alleged
that the vote was a 'foreign conspiracy'.
The information minister has
confirmed that Mr Khan remains as
prime minister, until elections are held
in 90 days from 3 April.
Kunwar Sahid reported in an earlier
article in The Spectator that there
has been a rise in jihadist attacks in
Pakistan.
He says that the recent spate in
jihadist violence has been claimed by
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
In January a Christian priest was
shot dead by gunmen in Peshawar
while going home from mass. TTP and
affiliated groups bombed churches
across Pakistan in recent years.
A Muslim man tried to break a large
concrete cross on top of a church in the
Christian community of Green Town,
Lahore.
Failing to dislodge it, he sat on it
and chanted 'Allahu Akbar' (God is
the greatest), the traditional Islamic
affirmation which is often used by
jihadists when they attack. A crowd
gathered in the street but there was no
violent response by the people.
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 15
The Persecuted Church by Colin Bailey
Pray for children, peace and stability in Pakistan
FORWARD
Deanpictures, dreamstime.com
Outside Copenhagen Town Hall candles are lit during a vigil for Pakistan peace
FORWARD
Please pray for peace and stability
within Pakistan, in the light of the
political uncertainty, and for security
for all Pakistan’s citizens in particular
at-risk minorities including the
Christian community.
FORWARD
More than 11,000 poor Christian
children attend Christian schools
in Pakistan supported by Barnabas
Fund. Thanks to that support, the
schools can charge minimal fees.
This makes it affordable for the
parents, who work in low-paid jobs
such as labouring, domestic service, or
brick kilns.
The free schools provided by the
Pakistan government are usually very
tough for Christian children, who
are made to feel so inferior and face
pressures so great that some drop out
of education altogether, since their
parents cannot afford private schools.
If you would like to donate to the
Christian Schools in Pakistan project
(Ref. 41-1209), please follow the
bottom link below or call Barnabas
Fund on
0800 587 4006 or 0167 256 5031
References and further reading:
Killing of Christian shopkeeper (Barnabas Fund article) - https://www.barnabasfund.org/gb/news/over-150-pakistani-muslims-face-murder-accusation-following-killing-of-c/
Imran Khan (The Spectator) - https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/is-this-the-end-of-imran-khanapr/03/pakistan-imran-khan-parliament-vote-no-confidence-early-elections
Christian schools in Pakistan (Barnabas Fund article) - https://www.barnabasfund.org/gb/latest-needs/christian-schools-in-pakistan-your-donation-gives-christian-children-hap/
Christians living in terror (The Spectator) - https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/pakistan-s-christians-are-living-in-terrorThe example of Pakistan’s Christians (Barnabas Fund article) -
https://www.barnabasfund.org/gb/news/editorial-pakistan-s-christians-are-example-and-a-witness-to-their-natio/
Vote of no confidence article (The Guardian) - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/03/pakistan-imran-khan-parliament-vote-no-confidence-early-elections
Vote of no confidence article (The Telegraph) - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/
16 The Parish Magazine - May 2022
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feature — 1
Make May the month
that matters for you
and those who matter
Judging by the number of special days and weeks this month, May is certainly
the time when we are prompted to remember and take action about the health
and wellbeing of those we love, those we have special concerns for, those who
help us, others in times of need, and ourselves. It is a month of awareness that
looks at life from beginning to end while thanking some of the people who help
us along the way.
Traditionally in the UK, May begins
with maypole celebrations that date
back 2,000 years to about the time
that Christianity began in the Middle
East. Roman soldiers occupying
the UK celebrated the change from
the cold dark days of winter to the
coming spring and summer, a type
of climate they were probably more
familiar with.
Their response was to dance
around decorated trees to thank
Flora, the Roman goddess of
flowering plants.
Sadly, today, in some parts of the
world, the May Day celebrations are
still celebrated by the military but with
parades and displays of their tools of
war, rather than the gifts of God.
NEW BORN
The new life in nature that the
Maypole celebrates heralds a month
when we think and act for the health
and wellbeing for the young, the
elderly, the dying and the in between.
The international Day of the
Midwife is on 5 May. Sponsored by
the World Health Organisation,
this year's theme is: 'Midwives
with women: celebrate, demonstrate,
mobilize, unite.' The aim, says WHO,
is to emphasize the importance
of mobilizing communities and
maintaining provision of essential
health services, particularly as
countries continue to respond to the
Covid pandemic.
Coupled with this, is Maternal
Mental Health Awareness (2-8 May)
Week which dedicated to talking
about mental health problems
during and after pregnancy. It’s aim
is to raise public and professional
awareness of perinatal mental health
problems, advocating for women
affected by it, changing attitudes
and helping families access the
information, care and support they
need to recover.
CHILDREN
Our minds are then focussed
on the needs of children and
their wellbeing with Foster Care
Fortnight from 9-22 May, in the
middle of which is the National
Children's Day on 16 May.
Foster Care Fortnight is said
to be the UK’s biggest foster care
awareness raising campaign. It is
organised by the Fostering Network.
The campaign began in 1977 to
'showcase the commitment, passion
and dedication of foster carers.' It
also supports fostering services to
highlight the need for more foster
carers. Thousands of new families
are needed every year to care for
children, with the greatest need
being for foster carers for older
children, sibling groups, disabled
children and unaccompanied asylum
seeking children.
The reports we have been
receiving from the Ukraine war
suggest that the demand could be
substantially increased.
ADULTHOOD
May is also the month when
awareness of issues that not only
affect the young, but people of
all ages. For example, The Stroke
Association has designated May as
its annual stroke awareness month
which is being promoted with the
headline 'Make May Purple'— hence
our purple heading above!
The aim is to increase awareness
of stroke, stroke prevention and
treatment and to raise funds for
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 17
Anna Denisova, dreamstime.com
much needed research into this
condition, and support for stroke
survivors.
May has also been declared
the international measure your
blood pressure month, and the
international skin cancer awareness
month.
Led by the International Society
of Hypertension this campaign has,
in the past 3 years, screened around
4 million people in 100 countries
and found over a million people with
inadequately treated hypertension.
The international skin cancer
campaign takes place every May.
It aims to raise awareness of the
dangers of unprotected sun exposure
and educate people about the ways to
help prevent skin cancer.
Also in May is the Big Asthma
Bake Sale so look out for, and
support, groups baking and selling
cakes to raise money for Asthma
and Lung UK, a registered charity
that funds vital research into this
widespread complaint that affects
the lives of over 8 million adults and
children, that's about 12% of the
population.
From 3-8 May, it is also Deaf
Awareness Week and from 17-22
May, Dementia Awareness week
— two further issues that are also
widespread.
TAKE A WALK
But May is not only the month for
raising awareness of several of the
most serious problems facing us, and
donating time and money to help, it
is also about looking after our own
health. Yes, May is walking month
when we are all encouraged to step
outside our cosy homes and enjoy
the beauty of the open countryside
in spring, which is a free gift from
God who created it for our health and
pleasure!
Further information about all the campaigns
mentioned in this article, and how to support
them, can be found by searching online.
18 The Parish Magazine - May 2022
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feature — 2
The signs are
looking good
for Charvil’s
hedgehogs!
By Karen Ostrowski
Have you noticed the hedgehog road
signs that have recently appeared on
Charvil’s roads?
Last year, prompted by an increasing
number of hedgehog fatalities on
our roads and thinking that warning
signs would help, local residents
Sarah Swatridge, Dawn Brenton and I
independently wrote to Wokingham
Borough Council. We were fortunate
to have the support of local councillor
Sam Akhtar, who on our behalf, chased
the relevant department of the council,
and in March all our efforts came to
fruition.
SAFE HAVEN
In the summer, responding to a plea
from our local hedgehog rescue centre,
Sarah, Dawn and I were fortunate to
be in a position where we could each
take on a release hedgehog in the hope
of giving them a safe haven in our
respective gardens.
Dawn collected her hedgehog,
Phoebe, I received another female
called Twinkle and Sarah was given
Arthur who had been orphaned as a
baby and hand reared.
'For my family', Dawn says, 'Seeing
these endearing creatures visiting
our garden and thriving in the area is
one of the great things about living in
Charvil.'
Our release hedgehogs came from
Herbie Hedgehog Rescue in Lower
Earley, which is our nearest hedgehog
rehabilitation centre. It is run by
Shweta Saikumar (details below). We
Karen, Dawn and Sarah, Charvil's hedgehog guardians
happily watch the hedgehogs' nightly
activities on our trail cameras.
However, along with joy comes
concern. Knowing that hedgehogs
travel over a mile in the course of a
night and desperately wanting our
releases, along with our regular prickly
garden visitors, to thrive, we came up
with the idea of applying for the road
signs.
I am happy to report that more and
more houses in Charvil are linking
up their gardens with hedgehog
highways — gaps in fences — to
create a safe wildlife corridor, and I’m
hoping that the new road signs will
help to increase awareness of the local
hedgehog population.
As Sarah says, 'These signs take us
a step closer to becoming Wokingham
Borough’s first hedgehog friendly
parish.'
HOW TO HELP
You can also help hedgehogs by
support feeding with cat biscuits and
leaving out bowls of water. Branded
hedgehog foods are available, however,
they are not regulated, so please
check that they do not contain meal
worms, sunflower seeds, nuts, raisins
or honey, as these can be harmful to
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 19
Janpietruszka, dreamstime.com
15 MILLION YEARS OF HEDGEHOGS
A hedgehog is any of the small spiny
mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae
and the order Insectivora. There are
15 species of hedgehog in four genera,
found through parts of Europe, Asia,
Africa, and New Zealand. There are no
hedgehogs native to the Americas or
Australia. Hedgehogs have changed
little over the last 15 million years
and are mentioned in the Bible — for
example, Isaiah 14:12. Like many of the
first mammals they have adapted to a
nocturnal, insectivorous way of life.
hedgehogs. When gardening, please
check the undergrowth before using a
strimmer, never light a bonfire without
a thorough search, and be mindful
that some dogs attack hedgehogs.
Other useful information can be
found on the website of The British
Hedgehog Preservation Society:
https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/
SICK OR INJURED
If you discover a sick or injured
hedgehog, please contact Herbie
Hedgehog Rescue as soon as possible,
either by phone, 0759 879 4442,
(leaving a voicemail), by text message
or facebook message:
http://www.facebook.com/herbiehedgehogrescue
Arthur Sarah Swatridge Twinkle Karen Ostrowski Phoebe Dawn Brenton
20 The Parish Magazine - May 2022
PLATINUM JUBILEE EVENTS
500 horses and 1,000 performers
in 'very special' Jubilee celebration
IN THE PRIVATE GROUNDS OF WINDSOR CASTLE FROM 12 - 15 MAY
In celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee,
a very special event is being held in the private grounds of
Windsor Castle from 12 - 15 May.
The Celebration will involve more than 500 horses and 1,000
performers who will create a 90-minute piece of spellbinding
arena theatre. Taking part will be actors and artists, musicians,
international military displays from the Commonwealth,
Viacheslav Nemyrivskyi, dreamstime.com
Europe and our own armed forces, dancers and global
equestrian displays.
And the good news is that this special Jubilee celebration
will be open to the public, although you will need to book in
advance.
To find out more, go to:
https://platinumjubilee.com/platinum-jubilee-celebration
A 'great variety' of
Jubilee Scarecrows
are heading for
Sonning . . .
Barbara Carr, one of the organisers of the forthcoming
Scarecrow trail for the Jubilee celebrations in Sonning
Village, sends this update:
Thank you so much to all those who are opening their gardens,
have offered to help, and to all who have registered Scarecrows
— we have a great variety!
There is still time to enter a Scarecrow so get on the phone
or e-mail me now! We have room for more Scarecrows from
individuals and from organisations. The last date to register
is Friday 20 May. If you are not registered your scarecrow will
will not be on the Trail Map that thousands of visitors will be
following on Thursday 2 June and Friday 3 June from 10am
to 5pm. Coinciding with the trail, Sonning Art Group will be
staging an exhibition of their work in Pearson Hall, so don't
forget to call in there on your way round.
2018: The Ark at St Andrew's had a visit from Noah's Ark (made by the
Sunday Club) during the Scarecrow weekend
Sue Peters
Please also phone or email if you can offer to help during the
two days by making cakes, serving refreshments, manning one
of the gardens that will open for visitors, or selling trail maps.
If you have a place on the route for a Scarecrow let me know
as we need display areas from Sonning Bridge up Thames Street,
village end of Charvil Lane, High Street, Pearson Road, Pound
Lane down to Ligugé Way, and Sonning Lane up to Berkshire
Sports.
To register a Scarecrow, offer to help, or find out more, email: Barbara.carr71@hotmail.co.uk or phone 0118 934 5886
Jubilee Street Parties — send us
your pictures for our souvenir issue!
Street parties are at the top of the list of
events that Buckingham Palace asks the
nation to hold as we celebrate Her Majesty
The Queen's unprecedented achievement
of serving the United Kingdom and the
Commonwealth for 70 years.
The village of Sonning's street party is on
Sunday 6 June from 2.30pm in Pearson
Road (near Pearson Hall). The road will be
closed for the street party which is being
organised by the Sonning and Sonning
Eye Society. The names of everyone
attending the party must be registered.
Tickets will be available at Pearson Hall
on 23 April between 10am and 12noon.
The Sonning street party follows the
special parish celebration service in St
Andrew's Church at 11am, when the 103rd
Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey,
will be preaching.
Charvil Parish Council has told us that
it will be supporting local street parties,
although they could not give any details.
They also told us that a treasure hunt
might be being arranged, but again, no
further details were available when we
went to press.
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 21
Below is the Jubilee Calendar for
events arranged in the parish of
St Andrew's Church.
The July issue of The Parish Magazine
will include a souvenir section for the
Jubilee celebrations so please send your
photographs (of the highest possible
resolution please) to us and we will try to
include as many as possible.
Please note: the deadline for our July
issue will be extended by 6 hours to 6pm on
Monday 6 June for your Jubilee photographs
which should be emailed to:
editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk
Parish Platinum Jubilee Diary
SATURDAY 28 MAY — SUNDAY 5 JUNE
SATURDAY 28 MAY SUNDAY 29 MAY MONDAY 30 MAY
Sonning Regatta
on the
River Thames
12 noon - 6pm
Adult Wetland Walk
led by Ali Driver
Meet in St Andrew's
churchyard at 2pm
Children's Tennis
at the
Sonning Tennis Club
2pm - 4pm
TUESDAY 31 MAY WEDNESDAY 1 JUNE THURSDAY 2 JUNE
Put your feet up!
Vladgavriloff, dreamstime.com
Children's Pond Dipping
led by Ali Driver
10am - 12 noon
Children's Football
7 - 11 years, 1pm - 3pm
Berkshire County
Sports Ground
Sonning Scarecrows
10am-5pm
Cherished Car Display
Bishops Close 1pm - 4.30pm
Art Exhibition
Pearson Hall 10am - 5pm
FRIDAY 3 JUNE
Sonning Scarecrows
10am-5pm
Cherished Car Display
Bishops Close 1pm - 4.30pm
Art Exhibition
Pearson Hall 10am - 5pm
SATURDAY 4 JUNE
Sonning Elegant Picnic
Reading Blue Coat
7.30pm - 11.45pm
SUNDAY 5 JUNE
Platinum Celebration
Service for Her Majesty
The Queen at 11am
Sonning Village Street
Party in Pearson Road
2.30pm
22 The Parish Magazine - May 2022
THE WAR IN UKRAINE
'With tears in my eyes and happiness in my heart…'
Responding to the plight of millions of Ukrainians, Twyford resident Debbie Martin (above left), began organising donations of
everyday items that could be sent to Ukraine in a lorry. As we went to press, lorry number 9 had arrived in Folkestone! Each lorry
has between £50,000 to £60,000 worth of donations made by local people. On lorry number 8, which will be driven into West
Ukraine — Lviv and Rivne — was the enormous collection of 'smiles in shoeboxes' (above left) that included gifts and toys for
children. They will then be transported on smaller vehicles and taken where they are very much needed. Here, Debbie tells the
moving story of one of the gifts that had been sent to Ukraine on an earlier lorry . . .
With tears in my eyes and happiness in my heart… Someone kindly gave me Polly
during the early donations. Before Polly was sent to Ukraine, I wrote my email
address on the back of the luggage tag asking if the receiver was able to let me know
that Polly had arrived safely and had found her way into the arms of a child.
I never thought in a million years that I would hear anything, but it is with so much
joy I can share with you all that Polly is safely in the arms of Mariia. Below is the
translation from the amazing letter Mariia has sent me.
Hello dear friend!
I am Nataly. Recently my niece received a gift from you and asked me to help her with sending
a letter to you.
'Hi Debbie!
My name is Mariia. I am 6 years old. I am from Ukraine. Thank you for Polly! I really like it. I
named it Polina [Ukrainian version of the name 'Polly']. When the war is over, I will be glad if
you come to visit me."
Debbie, all Ukrainian people and I personally really appreciate your support and support
from people all over the world. Thanks to such wonderful and careful people we are still alive
and hopefully we will survive in this cruel and senseless war where too many innocent people
are dying every day. I really hope that this madness will be over soon.
Just let me know if some day you decide
to visit Ukraine. We will be happy to show
you our beautiful country.
Stay safe and healthy.
Best wishes from Mariia and Nataly
Look at the difference we are making
— it's never too late to donate and if
anyone would like to donate a small teddy
with a message on a luggage tag let me
know!
debbiemrtn4@gmail.com
#westandwithukraine
Left: Mariia's letter to Debbie
Right: Mariia with Polina (Polly the doll)
Right above: Polly before being shipped to Ukraine
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 23
Fleeing for their lives: ordinary people from Ukraine find themselves forced into becoming refugees.
Nigel Beeton, who retired recently as an NHS radiographer, enjoys writing poetry. He is also editor of the parish magazine for St
Mary with St Peter, Bury St Edmunds. Nigel writes: ‘Now our thoughts are overshadowed by the terrible situation in Ukraine. I
looked at the masses of people on the station platforms, and I thought, only a couple of months ago, each one of those people had
a life, a home, a shop to buy food, perhaps somewhere to grow daffodils, maybe a church to worship God, and their own hopes and
dreams for the future. Now they are just part of a mass of people shuffling towards a westbound train.’ Here's one of his poems . . .
The Refugee
By Nigel Beeton
Palinchak, dreamstime.com
All that I was, I no longer am
All that I have, I hold in my hand
My home, my love, my world are all gone
One among thousands, I shuffle along.
Only last week I knew who I was
All that has gone, and only because
Someone in a land a long way away
Turned life into hell one terrible day.
Palinchak, dreamstime.com
CHRISTIAN CHARITIES HELPING THE
PEOPLE OF 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
He started a war, his heart icy cold
He rained down his hell on the young and the old
I ran for my life for I had no choice
And nobody heard the fear in my voice.
Everything’s gone, and all that is ‘me’
Summed up in a word – the word ‘refugee’.
I have no control, no say in my fate
Just one in a crowd, I stand and I wait.
Waiting for what? The future’s unclear,
For armed men have taken all that I held dear
Along with my hopes, and all I had planned
All swept away by the tanks in my land.
One thing alone puts a smile on my face
A far nicer stranger has come to this place;
A bed for the night? A cup of hot tea?
And – best of all – someone who sees me as me.
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feature — 5
Still alive after
thousands
of years,
but for how
much longer?
World Turtle Day®: 23 May
Throughout my life, writes Bob
Peters, I have collected and kept
things that I thought at the time
might, one day, be useful, or because
they were unusual or interesting —
well, a least to me!
One of my 'treasures' is a large shell
that was once home for a turtle. Such
'trophies' were made illegal in 1977
by the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora. Even so, turtles
continue to be harvested illegally for
human consumption and trade of
their parts. Some are also killed for
medicine and supposedly 'religious'
ceremonies.
HUNDRED YEARS
The shell, which measures 24 x
18 inches, came into my possession
about 50 years ago, but it had been in
my first wife's, family for, it was said,
more than 100 years previously. My
first wife died of cancer, as did most
of her closest family, so the actual
history of the turtle shell has been
lost in time. The story goes that one
of the Victorian family members was
a seafarer who travelled the world
and brought it home with him. It was
thought that he picked it up in the
Caribbean.
The shell had been mounted on a
wooden easel and it stood in several
family homes as an ornament before
my wife's great aunt gave it to us.
I used it to attract the attention of
schoolchildren when leading assembly
and family service talks about God's
amazing creation; it always worked!
The shell came to mind when I
read that there is a special awareness
day for turtles on 23 May. I also learnt
that there are about 356 species of
turtles living in salt and fresh water
in all continents except Antarctica.
The turtle is thought to be one
of the most ancient of creatures and
the word ‘turtle’ is mentioned in the
Bible, which should not surprise us
because today there are thousands of
seas turtles in the waters around the
Middle East. The turtle is mentioned
in the King James version of the Old
Testament book of Leviticus 15:29 as
an offering that a woman could make
to be cleansed after giving birth, ie, if
she could not afford a lamb:
'And if she be not able to bring a lamb,
then she shall bring two turtles, or two
young pigeons; the one for the burnt
offering, and the other for a sin offering:
and the priest shall make an atonement
for her, and she shall be clean'.
Wirestock, dreamstime.com
Later translations of the Bible
changed this to ‘two turtle doves’,
a bird named after the 'tu tu' sound
that it makes, although another
theory is that the name came from a
distinctive black band on the bird’s
neck that makes it look like its head
can be retracted into its body, just as
a turtle does.
We will never know the truth
about the 'turtle' in the Bible,
although it is certainly possible that
it’s the sea creature because the
Israelites lived off the produce of
both the land and the sea — turtle
meat and eggs are still a source of
food and income for many people
around the world — but I like to
think that the Bible referred to sea
turtles because it gives me a good
reason for using it!
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 25
Andibyte, dreamstime.com
SMUGGLING
World Turtle Day® celebrates these
gentle animals that have survived
200 million years, yet they are rapidly
disappearing because of smuggling,
habitat destruction, climate change,
the cruel pet trade, and live exotic
food markets.
The organisers of World Turtle
Day® say that about 61% of turtle
species worldwide are threatened or
already extinct.
According to their experts, they
are the most threatened of the major
groups of vertebrates, more so than
birds, mammals, and fish. It is why
they say: 'Education is so important in
every country globally so that turtles
can be treasured, not eliminated'. To
learn more about World Turtle Day®
visit:
https://www.worldturtleday.org/
Inside the
shell
can be
seen
the
internal
structure of
the turtle whose home it was 150 years ago.
26 The Parish Magazine - May 2022
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around the villages — 1
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 27
Preparing exhibits for the Jubilee show
Sonning Art Group continues to be busy preparing for its exhibition in the Pearson Hall during the Jubilee Scarecrow
Trail. As well as displaying many works of art, they are creating a scarecrow called 'The Queen Bee'. Not only will
it highlight the importance of looking after the bees and other insects in our gardens, it will be a tribute to Queen
Elizabeth's remarkable Platinum Jubilee. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to enjoy a range of the Art Groups
most recent work such as Kay Mottram's Kingfisher in pearlised acrylics and Jill Watkins' cheeky fox painted in
watercolours.
An invitation for all Pearson Hall users
The Pearson Hall AGM will be held in the committee
room at Pearson Hall on Wednesday 22 June, 6.30pm for a
6.45pm start. Everyone who uses Pearson Hall is welcome
to attend.
Sonning & Sonning Eye Society outing
The next outing is a tour of the 'boutique' Fairmile
Vineyard in Henley on 21 June at 10.30am. Make your own
way there (and home again!) and picnic in the grounds or
enjoy a pub lunch. More details and tickets from Penny
Feathers on: penny.feathers@btinternet.com 0118 934 3193
Citizens Advice Woodley
In recent issues we have mentioned local Citizens Advice
Bureaux in Wokingham, Henley, and Reading and have
been informed that there is an even closer office in
Headley Rd, Woodley, Reading RG5 4JA, Tel: 0808 278
7958. We are reliably informed that the team there 'are
very helpful and doing a great job'.
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
28 The Parish Magazine - May 2022
Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
Cruz Kitchens
Bespoke, Made to
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Call 0118 961 1295
Email: info@cruzkitchens.co.uk
Visit: www.cruzkitchens.co.uk
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Since 1984 · 0118 969 3633
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*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
Horticultural shows
are back on the agenda
The Twyford and Ruscombe
Horticultural Association held
its Spring Show for the first time
in two years on 26 March and,
although it was smaller than the
shows of the past, it went well.
The good weather meant that teas
could be taken on the terrace and an
enjoyable afternoon was had by all.
For the first time, some of the entries
were judged by the visitors. It was an
idea that proved successful, so it will
be continued at this year's Summer
and Autumn Shows.
STRIP THE WILLOW
The Summer Show will be held
at Loddon Hall, Twyford, RG10 9JA
on Saturday 11 June. Details are in
the TRHA show schedule, and on the
website: https://trha.org.uk/
In the meantime, this month will
see a willow stripping experience at
the TRHA Store in Loddon Hall Road
on Sunday 1 May. All members and
their families will be welcome.
On Sunday 29 May there's a
bring and buy plant sale at the store
when you can share your cuttings
and seedlings and, perhaps, find
something new for your garden.
The association's store is well
stocked for all your horticultural
needs and you can get advice from
the knowledgeable volunteers.
You can become a member for
only £8 per year, or £7 if you are
over 65. Apply for membership at the
store, or email Jenny Wager:
trhamembership@gmail.com
A newsletter, with information on
the Association’s activities, as well
as topical tips, is published monthly.
Paper copies are distributed to those
members who cannot receive it
electronically. Details of all activities
can also be found on the TRHA
website:
https://www.trha.org.uk
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 29
Knit a Corgi for The Queen
Vladimir Pchela, dreamstime.com
Thousands of people across the country are buying in light brown and white
wool in order to knit a corgi in honour of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. It is a
fun way in which anyone with knitting needles can get involved in the coming
celebrations. Search the internet for ‘knitting patterns for corgis’ and you
will find a wide variety of free patterns on offer. Knitted corgis could help
decorate house windows, local shops and will look great with scarecrows!
Village rounders is
striking out!
King George's
Playing Field
5.30pm, 17 June
Roibul, dreamstime.com
The 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.
The first strike is at 5.30pm!
IN THE ARK AT ST ANDREW'S CHURCH
SUNDAY 15 MAY at 3pm
30 The Parish Magazine - May 2022 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
Louise Amanda Sheppard (BA/Dip)
EMDR Specialist
Hypnotherapist
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Oxfordshire & Berkshire
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History
Was it really . . . ?
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 31
Sunset in Piccadilly makes way for neon lighting
Michal Bednarek, dreamstime.com
May 2017: The Ark opens
Tom Farncombe
. . . 150 YEARS AGO on 18 May
1872 that Bertrand Russell, Welsh
philosopher, mathematician, historian,
and writer was born. He won the 1950
Nobel Prize in Literature.
. . . 125 YEARS AGO on 26 May
1897 that Bram Stoker’s horror novel
Dracula was published.
. . . 100 YEARS AGO on 27 May 1922
that Christopher Lee, British film actor
was born. He was best known for his
his role as Dracula. (Died 2015)
. . . 90 YEARS AGO on 9 May 1932 that
London’s Piccadilly Circus was lit with
electrical lighting for the first time.
It later became famous for its neon
lighting and video advertising displays.
. . . 60 YEARS AGO on 25 May 1962
that the new Coventry Cathedral was
consecrated. The previous one had
been destroyed by German bombing
during World War II.
. . . 50 YEARS AGO on 28 May 1972
that Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor,
died. He was formerly Edward VIII,
until his abdication in December 1936.
. . . 40 YEARS AGO on 27-28 May 1982
that the Battle of Goose Green took
place during the Falklands War.
. . . 25 YEARS AGO on 1 May
1997 that the Labour Party won a
landslide victory, ending 18 years of
Conservative rule. Tony Blair became
Prime Minister.
. . . 15 YEARS AGO, on 3 May 2007
that 3 year old Madeleine McCann
went missing while on holiday with her
parents in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Her
disappearance is the most reported
missing person case in history.
. . . 1o YEARS AGO on 18 May 2012
that social media network Facebook
went public. Its initial public offering
raised $16 billion, the third-largest
amount in US history.
. . . 5 YEARS AGO on 7 May 2017 that
The Ark at St Andrew's Church was
opened by The Rt Hon Theresa May MP
Prime Minister and First Lord of the
Treasury, and dedicated by The Rt Revd
and Rt Hon Lord Carey of Clifton, Lord
Archbishop of Canterbury (1991-2002).
32 The Parish Magazine - May 2022
Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
For a helpful professional service
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57732 AF Jones Parish Magazine Advert.indd 1 19/11/2014 10:43
HEALTH
Dr Simon Ruffle writes . . .
Atishoo! Bless you!
Your chance of getting ill is least if you are born in the
month of May1 (If you are born in New York)
Commentary on the study suggests that the research needs
to be widened. Diseases change throughout the year. They
are often environmentally driven with different parasites,
viruses and bacteria enjoying different conditions. It is also
driven by human behaviour.
After a warm summer we all decide to hot house our children
and cram ourselves into trains and tubes. Respiratory illness
abound and stomach bugs have a feast.
Washing hands, wearing masks and staggering your
journeys or working from home have, unequivocally, shown
to reduce transmission of pathogens.2
It needed a pandemic to show how irresponsible it is to go
to work with illnesses. I know! It’s the economy, stupid.3
I wonder how many hours of lost work are created by
‘soldiering on’ and/or the need of proof of sickness driving
people to seek NHS medical advice when not necessary.
THE MOTHER OF INVENTION
When the pandemic hit us, the rapidity of primary care
service redesign to try to keep a service going, still affects
our staffing numbers quite dramatically.
My surgery very quickly, with our local Clinical
Conditioning Group and other practices gained the ability to
work remotely and online.
In a moment of madness we also changed our whole
system that was more conducive to working in tandem with
other practices. ‘Teams/Zoom’ became the norm. We soon
learnt of their frailties and the benefits which we will smooth
out but it is early days.
MOTHER NATURE FINDS A WAY
Whatever we do, the planet and nature, finds its way to
foil us. The disease that really kicks off at this time of year is
absolutely necessary for life on earth but it makes one in four
of us miserable to varying degrees — hay fever!
We have no cure, we can only make some of the symptoms
more tolerable:
— sneezing and coughing
— a runny or blocked nose
— itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
— itchy, red or watery eyes
— loss of smell
— headache
— earache
—feeling tired
— pain around your temples and forehead
If you have asthma, you might also have a tight feeling in
your chest; be short of breath, wheeze and cough
TREATING HAY FEVER YOURSELF
Hay fever will last for weeks or months, unlike a cold,
which usually goes away after 1 - 2 weeks, and currently there
is no cure and you cannot prevent it. But you can do things to
ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high.
— put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen
— wear wraparound sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 33
— shower and change your clothes after you have been
outside to wash off pollen
— stay indoors whenever possible
— keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
— vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
— buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a
vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
— do not cut grass or walk on grass
— do not spend too much time outside
— do not keep fresh flowers in the house
— do not smoke or be around smoke – it makes your
symptoms worse
— do not dry clothes outside – they can catch pollen
— do not let pets into the house, if possible, as they can
carry pollen indoors5
— Keep a link to the pollen forecast so you can plan your days.6
MEDICATIONS
Simon Ruffle
All commonly used medications for hay fever are available
without prescription. You practice nurse or GP has little more
to offer despite the NHS advice that your GP can prescribe
steroid sprays, which are also available without prescription.
During pregnancy some who suffer get better, others
well, don’t ask! I have no idea who would be who! The normal
therapies are safe in pregnancy, your pharmacist can advise.
There is a lot of talk about hay fever injections. Two different
therapies are being confused. One is a long acting injection of a
steroid into one of your big muscles. While effective these can
open you up to infection, bone thinning, and a deficiency in
your natural steroid production that can cause a problem with
how you respond to illness; it can be fatal.
The other is a repeated set of injections, known as
immunotherapy which is becoming more available on the
NHS but it is expensive in time commitment from patients
and clinicians alike and referral is months. It is reserved for
when other therapies have failed.
Most failure of treatment is because we wait for symptoms
to start. Once this has happened I’m afraid it is too late. The
allergy response has started, the nerve endings and mucous
membranes are already ‘primed to react.’ The best advice is
to know when your own symptoms start in the year. Keep an
eye on the pollen count and start eye drops, nasal spray and
antihistamine before the symptoms are established.
References:
1. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/could-your-birth-month-indicate-your-risk-of-disease/
2. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(21)00003-0/fulltext
3. James Carville 1992
4. Plato (Republic circa 600 BCE)
5. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/
6. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/pollenforecast#?date=2022-04-03®ion=se
34 The Parish Magazine - May 2022 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements
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HOME AND GARDEN
Feeding the Future – an exciting
new study that you can be part of!
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 35
In the garden
Researchers at the University of Oxford are looking for as many volunteers
as possible to complete an online survey to improve future research on the
health impacts of different diets.
How can we know which foods are
good for us, and which ones aren’t?
To investigate this, researchers
use large scale observational
studies which track people over
time to see if certain diets appear
to be linked to a higher risk of
developing disease.
RISKS
But because UK diets have
changed so much over recent
years — for instance, with the
rise of new plant based milk and
meat alternatives — we have very
limited information about what
modern diets actually contain.
This makes it very difficult
to understand why certain diets
may be associated with different
disease risks.
Dr Keren Papier, a nutritional
epidemiologist at the University
of Oxford, explained: 'Studies have
shown, for instance, that plant-based
diets are associated with a lower
risk of heart disease. But these diets
can be interpreted very differently
in real life; some vegetarians and
Fruit and veg: Maria Sokor, dreamstime.com
Burger: Grafvision, dreamstime.com
vegans may eat many nutritious foods
such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables,
and pulses, while others may solely eat
white pasta, tomato sauce, white bread
with margarine, and crisps.'
FEED
To address this, Dr Papier and her
colleagues have launched a new study
called Feeding the Future (FEED),
which aims to generate an up-to date
picture of what UK adults following
different diets are actually eating.
The researchers are looking for
as many UK residents as possible
to complete a short, one-off survey
about the foods they eat, and why.
They hope the results will increase
our understanding of how disease
risks may vary for different diets, and
inform future research and dietary
recommendations.
'Whether you are a carnivore, vegan,
vegetarian, pescatarian or flexitarian,
we would really like to hear from you.
'By taking the survey, you can help
contribute to important research,
without even leaving your home' added
Dr Papier.
HOW TO HELP BY TAKING PART IN THE FEED SURVEY
The survey is open to all UK adults over 18 years old and can be found at:
https://oxford.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/feeding-the-future-study-feed
Klaphat, dreamstime.com
The number one tip from the Royal
Horticultural Society this month
is to watch out for late frosts and
to protect any vulnerable plants.
Writing this at the end of March
when many of us had been lulled
into thinking summer is almost
here because of some unusually
warm temperatures, it was a
surprise to wake up to snow flurries
and frost. We need to take that
RHS warning seriously!
Here is another serious suggestion
from RHS — be nice to slugs and
snails!
The society has recently began a
campaign to encourage us to see the
gastropods in our gardens in a better
light. It says that the species play a
key role in garden ecosystems, and
thus are in need of some ‘positive
PR’. It seems that only nine of the 44
known species in the UK are likely
to threaten our gardens, and that all
of them play a vital role in recycling
dead plant material and animal
waste, and acting as a food source for
hedgehogs (see page 19), frogs, birds,
beetles and flies.
In fact, the RHS’s principal
entomologist says that we should
consider our slugs and snails not as
marauding pests bent on eating our
flowers and vegetables, but rather as
‘garden visitors’.
'Our gardens would be duller
and messier without them,' said Dr
Andrew Salisbury.
You can find out more about the Feeding the Future study here:
https://www.ceu.ox.ac.uk/research/feeding-the-future-study-feed
Andrew Howson, dreamstime.com
36 The Parish Magazine - May 2022 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding this advertisement
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The ARTS — 1
Dirk Bouts
meal to
remember
By Rev Michael Burgess
When we celebrate the Eucharist
and make our communion, we are
remembering that special meal
Jesus shared with his disciples on the
eve of his arrest and death. But do
we always appreciate what we are
doing? Sometimes the monotony of
repetition and distractions will get in
the way. We fail to recognise Christ’s
gift at communion for what it truly is.
In the 15th Century the prosperous
burghers of the Flemish town of
Louvain commissioned the artist
Dirk Bouts to paint a special
altarpiece devoted to the Eucharist
for the church of St Peter.
Dirk Bouts portrayed the Last
Supper in a room looking out to his
own town of Louvain.
The faces of the servers in the
room and the cooks looking through
the hatch were modelled on the
burghers who commissioned the
work. Other faces are modelled on
theologians at the new university
Book Reviews
Celtic Prayer – Caught Up in Love
Edited by David Cole
(Brother Cassian),
BRF, £12.99
This rich collection of
essays, conversations
and reflections from
30 members of the
Community of Aidan and Hilda distils
the ancient wisdom of the Celtic
Christians and applies it to the lived
reality of contemporary readers.
It offers deep spiritual truths woven
beautifully with usable prayers.
101 Great Big Questions about God
and Science
By Lizzie Henderson
and Steph Bryant,
Lion Children’s Books,
£9.99
Have you ever wondered
how the universe began,
who visited the artist. They wanted
to ensure he kept his theological feet
on the ground while his imagination
took flight.
And so around the scene of the
Last Supper, Bouts has painted Old
Testament scenes foreshadowing
that holy communion: Melchizedek
offering bread and wine in return for
Abraham’s offering, the eating of the
first Passover, the gathering of the
manna in the wilderness, and Elijah
wakened by the angel to eat and
drink before setting out for Horeb.
Signs of sacrifice, the Passover of
the old covenant, daily food and food
for the journey — all key aspects of
the communion we celebrate and
share in.
what the point of life might be, or
whether God likes science? Then this
is the book for you! 101 Great Big
Questions asked by children with
fascinating responses from leading
experts in the areas of science,
theology, philosophy and beyond.
End of the Road?
By Michael Pfundner,
Bible Society, £1.20
This handy booklet will
reach people with the
Christian message in just a few
pages. It goes behind the scenes of
Jesus' death and resurrection to
look at the world changing events
leading up to Easter Day and beyond.
It points its readers towards the
archaeological and documentary
evidence of the real political and
religious figures behind the Easter
story in the Bible.
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 37
parishpump.co.uk
Just as the theological faculty
reminded Dirk Bouts of all these
facets, so the artist is reminding us
of the richness of the distinctive
meal we have as Christians.
When we see the bread and wine
taken up and offered, we remember
not only the Last Supper, when Jesus
fed his disciples with the sacrifice
of his life, but those occasions when
God reached out to feed his people
of old.
We rejoice that the food our Lord
gives us in the Eucharist feeds us
now and enables us to make our
journey through life to the eternal
banquet offered in the heavenly
kingdom.
It is perfect for those who would
like to know more about the history
behind the Easter story, and can be
used as a handout in churches or
during outreach.
Together in Mission – from All
Nations to All Nations
By David and Rosemary
Harley, Monarch, £8.99
Have you ever felt the
call of God to go into all
the world? David and
Rosemary Harley
became full-time missionaries in
Africa, and via several unexpected
events helping to run All Nations
College and latterly lead OMF
International. Their story is
a remarkable one, but the heart
of this book is to inspire others to
answer the call of God on their lives
and see where it might lead them.
38 The Parish Magazine - May 2022
THE ARTS — 2
Poetry Corner
THE SCIENCES
A spirit of humility
By Dr Ruth M Bancewicz, church engagement director at The Faraday
Institute for Science and Religion in Cambridge
hairymuseummatt (original photo), DrMikeBaxter (derivative work),
CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Spirit Sealings
By Steven Rolling
Based on John: 14:13-21
Tune: Coe Fen – ‘How shall I sing that majesty’
Whate’er you ask now in my name
It shall be done, the same
Said Jesus, so that Father be
Glorified in Son, see
And if we shall ask anything
He will do it, will bring
To us he things of God’s good hand
To folk of every land
And Christ will pray the Father too
To send Comforter to you
That He may abide for ever
Remain, leave you never
Even the Spirit of truth, He
Shall with you, in you be
He whom the world cannot receive
The not see, know, believe
Comfortless He will not us leave
Nor stay in sadness, grieve
For Christ shall come to us again
The Spirit’s presence then
They that have His commands and keep
Them, they are e’er His sheep
And they are those who do Christ love
Inspired by grace above
Kevin Carden, dreamstime.com
They too be by the Father loved
He holds them, His encoved*
And Christ will love them, and will show
Himself to them, they know
Then of His presence, kindly blessed
In Him they find their rest
Come to our hearts now, holy dove
Spirit of truth and love
*encoved = encovenanted
A few years ago I visited the Smithsonian Museum’s Hall
of Human Origins. Our guide, the curator of anthropology,
was keen to help Christians understand his research.
Whatever you make of the evidence for human evolution,
the fact remains that other species a bit like us were
around before we came on the scene — or in the case of
Neanderthals, at the same time.
Part of the exhibit included lifelike reconstructions of the
face and hair of several different hominins, displayed on
pillars at the right height for each species. So I could crouch
down to ‘meet’ Homo floriensis or stand tall to look into
the eyes of Homo heidelbergensis. Most of these — beings?
creatures? — were on other branches of the evolutionary tree
to us, and we share a common ancestor much further back. I
did, however, feel as if I was meeting my forebears.
As I walked between the statues I asked myself, 'Why us?'
There’s evidence that Neanderthals used symbolism as we
do, and also buried their dead. Did they have the potential
to evolve to a point where they could do similar things to us?
The curator explained how, as the ice ages came and went,
human beings moved around but other species appear to
have stayed put and suffered the consequences — they just
weren’t ready yet for that big change. As I took in the displays
about how we began to gather socially around a fire, make
music or write, I felt humbled. We managed to adapt, but we
could so easily have disappeared with the rest.
AN EQUAL SHARE IN MANKIND
In his book The Message of Creation, theologian David
Wilkinson shares his view that being made in the image of
God has nothing to do with our own cleverness or abilities,
but is a gift. God created us on purpose — I believe through
the long slow process of evolution — and chose to enter into a
relationship with us, making us his representatives on earth.
Thankfully I don’t have to figure out how to interact with
other humanlike hominins today. I do, however, have an
equal share in humankind’s God-given commission to tend
and keep creation.
Am I ready to go further than ensuring my own species’
survival — not necessarily because we have evolved further
than our ice age ancestors, but because I have one of the ‘new
hearts’ promised in Ezekiel 11:19? Can I work together, in a
true spirit of humility, with people from all over the world to
ensure the full diversity of life can flourish?
CROSSWORD
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9
12
16
10 11
13 14 15
18 19
20 21
Across
Across
- (8)
1 Deject (8)
- (4)
5 Pal (4)
8
- Parody
(5)
(5)
9 - Humorous; done in done fun (7) in fun (7)
10 - In a a relaxed manner manner (7) (7)
12 12 - Hammers (7) (7)
14 Majestic (7)
14 - Majestic (7)
16 Ancient warship (7)
16 - Ancient warship (7)
18 Spiny egg-laying mammal (7)
18 - Spiny egg-laying mammal (7)
19 Eg Pacific or Atlantic (5)
19
20
- Eg
Become
Pacific or Atlantic
weary
(5)
(4)
20 21 - Become Continues weary (4) obstinately (8)
21 - Continues obstinately (8)
CODEWORD
17 - Noes (anag) (4)
6 3 19 6 3 14 23 10 9
17 1 1 6 3 18 19 15 3 25
11 1 4 20 17 17 17
17 22 1 6 15 17 19 5 17 20 25
8 17 11 1 3 1
14 17 5 3 25 21 16 15 8 15 8 3
5 11 25 11
3 25 11 16 26 1 25 25 1 8 15 11
14 19 5 4 15 1
1 18 3 25 2 16 8 7 16 5 17
17 15 16 17 2 1 13
26 15 10 10 16 25 3 25 16 3
8 24 14 12 1 18 25 3 25
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
C H
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
T
17
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
PRAY FOR UKRAINE
Lord, we pray for Ukraine, a nation in which
70% of the population call themselves
Christian. You, Lord, make wars cease to the
end of the earth; you break bows, shatter
spears, and burn shields with fire [Psalm
46:9]. And so, we ask you now to save the
lives of many people in Ukraine. De-escalate
this crisis. We hear of wars and rumours of
wars (Matt. 24:6], but you Lord are our rock,
our fortress and our deliverer. Our hope is in
you. And so we address the nations now. In
the name of Jesus we say: 'Be still and know
God! He is exalted among the nations; He
shall be exalted in the earth.' [Psalm 46:10]
Kyrie eleison – Lord have mercy.
The Parish Magazine - May 2022 39
PUZZLE PAGE — the answers will be published in the next issue
Down
Down
1 - Shallow food container (4)
1 Shallow food container (4)
2 - Type of spade (6)
2 Type of spade (6)
3 - Have an effect on 3 Have an effect on another (9)
4 Urges to 4 - act Urges (6) to act (6)
6 Gave out 6 - loud Gave out puffs loud puffs of air of air (6)
7 Our galaxy 7 - Our (5,3) galaxy (5,3)
11 Junctures; events (9)
11 - Junctures; events (9)
12 Fail to look after properly (8)
12 - Fail to look after properly (8)
13 Shrivel (6)
13 - Shrivel (6)
14 Plant with oil rich seeds (6)
14 - Plant with oil rich seeds (6)
15 A way out (6)
17 Noes (anag) 15 - A way (4) out (6)
QUIZ : The Queen's Early Years
UKRAINE
SHIELDS
SPEARS
CRISIS
WAR
CEASE
EARTH
BREAK
BOWS
BURN
FIRE
SAVE
MANY
LIVES
LORD IN
OUR YOU
ROCK BE
HOPE STILL
SHATTER
FORTRESS
DELIVERER
April
Solutions
CROSSWORD
C O U R T E O U S L Y
A P O X N O A
U T U S U R P S I R
D O I N G D I E M
A O H E N E R V E
C O N V E R S E D
I S N S T F
O N E U T R I N O
U N D U E R U G R
S I X R D O R I C
L O T I R A T E E E
Y T S T N S S
P O R T R A I T I S T
CODEWORD
R A G S A P O S T A T E
E R C R U R X
T S U N A M I B E R E T
R F P M J A R
O F F E R A M E R I C A
S I L C G V
P R E A C H S T A N Z A
E A I S I G
C O R R O D E V O D K A
T L U Q I W N
I D O L S U P S W E P T
V B L I M L L
E V E R Y O N E A L L Y
SUDOKU
WORDSEARCH LAST SUPPER
EASTER EGG EXAM?
1. Stone on the Easter tomb
2. About 90 million
3. Joseph Fry
4. The Easter bunny
5. A cuckoo
6. Ukraine
1. Where was The Queen born?
2. What time of day was The Queen born?
3. What is the date of The Queen's birthday?
4. Where did The Queen live as a child?
5. Where was The Queen educated?
6. What did The Queen win at the age of 13 years? Tomert, dreamstime.com
40 The Parish Magazine - May 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 - May 2022 41
42 The Parish Magazine - May 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 - May 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 - May 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
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