The Parish Magazine October 2022

The Parish Magazine - October 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 

October 2022 

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 - October 2022 

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Serving the communities of Charvil, Sonning & Sonning Eye since 1869 




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 October 2022 

THE VICAR'S SERMON, 5 

THE PARISH NOTICEBOARD 

— Harvest motivation, 7 

— Molly's 90th cake, 7 

— For your prayers, 7 

— Christian Basics, 9 

— From the editor's desk, 9 

— My favourite, 11 

— The Persecuted Church, 13 

— STAY, 15 

FEATURES 

— Further Sonning lad tales, 17-19 

— Lord Shaftesbury, 21 

— Harvest 2022, 22-23 

— Word Smile Day, 25 

— Bibles for Ukraine, 25 

—around the villages 

— Matt Allwright quiz master, 27 

— Christmas singing, 27 

— Shaw House talk, 27 

— Art Club winners, 27 

HOME & GARDEn 

— Recipes of the month, 29 

— Wasps in the garden, 29 

— BBC 100 years, 29 

health 

— Dr Simon Ruffle, 31 

THE ARTS 

— Poetry Corner, 33 

— Looking at nature's glory, 33 

— Book Reviews, 35 

— Art & Craft Fair, 35 

history, 37 

THE SCIENCES 

— Agri-Tech on the farm, 37 

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 

October 2022 


Parish 

Magazine 

the church of st andrew, SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF 

CHARVIL, SONNING and sonning eye SINCE THE 7 th CENTURY 

Photograph taken by Peter Rennie soon 

after the flag was lowered to half mast 

to commemorate the death of 

Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II. 

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 November 

issue of The Parish Magazine is: 

Thursday 6 October 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 Registers 

BAPTISMs 

— Sunday 14 August, Mia Faith Platt 


Services at 

St Andrew’s 

Harvest Sunday 2 October 

— 8.00am Holy Communion 

— 10.30am Family Service 

— 4.00pm Choral Evensong 

Sunday 9 October 


— 10.30am Parish Eucharist with 

STAY and Sunday Club 



— 10.30am Family Communion 

— 3.00pm Messy Church in The Ark 





— 6.00pm Sunday at Six 

Bible Sunday 30 October 

— 2.00am Turn clocks back 1 hour 

Timfly, lovethispic.com 




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 follows the service. 

Home Communion at Signature at 

Sonning is held on the first Monday of 

each month at 11.00am. 

weddings 

— Saturday 20 August, Hugo Quentin George Davis and Charlotte Ann Bushnell 

— Saturday 27 August, Laurence William Cann and Joanne Elizabeth Boseley 

funerals 

— Wednesday 10 August, Wendy Gertrude Coomber, service in church followed 

by cremation at Reading Crematorium 

— Thursday 11 August, Linda Hall, memorial service in church 

— Tuesday 16 August, Shirley Rose Gray, service at Reading Crematorium 

— Wednesday 17 August, Mavis Barbara Surridge, graveside funeral in churchyard 

— Friday 26 August, Charles Martin-Bates, interment of ashes in churchyard


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The vicar's sermon 

This sermon was preached by Rev Jamie Taylor, Vicar of Sonning, Charvil and Sonning Eye, at the 

service of Commemoration of Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday 11 September 

In these last few days we have heard a number of public figures, including our Member 

of Parliament, the Queen’s 13th Prime Minister, say words to the effect that we have all 

known that we would have to face the loss of our beloved Queen one day, but that does not 

diminish the sadness and yes, the emotion, that so many of us have been experiencing since 

last Thursday’s sombre news. There is a sense of unreality because so many of us have only 

ever known one Sovereign, but nonetheless, I have found it fascinating and somewhat 

reassuring to witness the seamless transition to a new reign, with all the traditional 

protocols and customs dusted off and put to good use — representing such a powerful link 

with our nation’s long and noble history over the last 1,000 years. 


Of course, no vicar of this parish has had to preach on an occasion like this in the last 70 

years, and we have to go back to Canon Sidney Groves who last stood here and attempted to 

do justice to such a consequential loss; the loss of a monarch and supreme governor of our church, in February 1952. The televised 

speeches and sermons that are given at national occasions at such times are usually given by those who have known and worked 

with the departed Sovereign. They have the advantage over us tuppence ha’penny clergy, and I will admit to a slight sense of 

trepidation as I prepared this sermon yesterday. That is one reason why I asked our good friend, Lord Carey, to preach at the 

Queen’s 90th birthday service and at the recent Platinum Jubilee. Perhaps I should have invited you Theresa to give the sermon 

today — I for one want to hear more about your culinary accident at the Balmoral picnic! 

THREE GREAT VIRTUES 

In my parish magazine letter in the Jubilee month of June I wrote of three great virtues that to me the Queen has demonstrated 

in an exemplary fashion for all these years. In the interests of not reinventing the wheel I will restate them today. I believe they are 

particularly commendable because they are rare in our age. 

— Firstly, Service: In 1947, at the age of 21, she said this in a broadcast to the nation: ‘I declare before you all that my whole life, whether 

it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.’ Many of us were deeply 

moved as we heard that broadcast played at our Platinum celebration. Well, the Queen more than kept that promise. Sometimes we 

may have taken her service to the nation for granted but it’s worth remembering that we live at a time when putting yourself first 

is almost universally taken to be the first rule of life. Denying this, the Queen served her peoples around the world in a remarkable 

and selfless manner, and what an extraordinary photograph, her last ever, we all saw on Tuesday of our frail yet smiling Monarch, 

greeting her 15th Prime Minister, two days before her death. 

— The second virtue, Faithfulness: We had a Queen on whose shoulders fell enormous responsibilities at a very early age, yet who 

remained committed for seven decades to fulfilling them. This lifelong commitment is striking, given how unpopular duty is in 

our age. One of the overriding trends in Western culture has been the gradual erosion of commitment and obligation in almost 

every area of life. Whether in private or public life, we find that where there were once solemn bonds there are now only loose, 

breakable and disposable links. Behind this trend is the belief, now celebrated as a universal truth, that we human beings can only 

find the true purpose of life if we have the freedom to seek our own pleasure. Here, too, the Queen went against the flow. 

— Finally, the third great virtue, Determination: In one sense determination is the least of virtues. In another, it is the rarest. 

After all, we can all do a bit of duty and service for a few hours or even a few days; the challenge is to do it for a lifetime. And that 

is exactly what the Queen did. Here again we find that determination is not one of the values of our unsettled age. During her 

long reign the currents of shifting values and fashion have flowed so fast and fierce through British life that age-old traditions and 

social patterns have been swept away. Amidst it all, the Queen persevered, enduring as a fixed element in the tumult of our time. 

Indeed, as the bonds that unite the peoples of Britain seem to become fewer and more strained, her role as the embodiment of 

what we are as a nation became even more vital. I am sure that King Charles III will seek to emulate this and we assure him of our 

prayers and loyalty as he takes on the mantle of Kingship. 

SOMETHING ELSE? 

The Queen demonstrated service, faithfulness and determination. That she was able to do this against the spirit of the world 

is surely because she took her bearings not from the world and its wisdom, but from something else. That something else was her 

strong Christian faith, something that Her Late Majesty openly and unashamedly talked about. The qualities she displayed were 

Christian virtues, lived out to the full in Jesus Christ who came to serve and to give his own life for the world. The Queen exhibited 

those virtues not simply because she sought to imitate Christ but because she had a relationship with him, now brought to ultimate 

fulfilment in heaven, as spoken of in our epistle and gospel reading. She knew, I believe, the great truth that in order to live out 

Christ’s teaching you must live in Christ. In the Queen we witnessed a great Monarch, perhaps our greatest ever, but her greatness 

came from the fact that she trusted in an even greater King. 

Just a few short months ago, the Queen’s fifth Archbishop of Canterbury stood here and celebrated our Platinum Queen. 20 

years previously, he stood in the pulpit of Westminster Abbey and preached at the funeral of Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, 

the Queen Mother. He concluded his sermon with some verses from Proverbs which were appropriate for her and clearly even more 

so for her eldest daughter. There are many reasons why he was an Archbishop and I am not and never will be, so I shall conclude 

with his choice of an ending as I cannot put it better myself: 'Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come.' 

'Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.' O Lord may your servant Elizabeth rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.

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Harvest motivation 

For your prayers in October 

— King Charles III 

— All who grow, harvest, prepare and distribute 

our food 

— All who translate, edit, produce and distribute 

the Holy Bible 

— Those considering Confirmation 

By Rev Kate 

At the start of October we celebrate Harvest in our 

churches and schools. It is a time of giving; giving food or 

money to charitable causes or local food banks, and also, 

for Christians, giving thanks to God for his creation. 

This year, however, it is hard not to link the tradition of 

giving at Harvest with the cost of living crisis that is affecting 

many people, some of whom, will not have struggled 

financially before. 

These are precarious times. I am still shocked at the price 

of fuel for my car and the amount that regular household 

items have increased in cost. I, like many others, have been 

thinking about cutting costs — changing brands, shopping 

in cheaper places, reducing outgoings, etc. But, of course, 

for many there are no corners left to cut and people simply 

cannot afford their bills or the food they need. 

This cost of living crisis will affect all of us, directly or 

indirectly, and I would argue that it should affect us all. 

Let me explain ... in the Bible St Paul uses the image of the 

‘Body of Christ’ to describe the Church. We are all different 

members of one body. But we know that when one part of a 

body suffers, the whole body suffers. 

Whether you have a faith or not, you are part of some 

communities or bodies. We exist in families, extended 

families, neighbourhoods, workplaces, schools, friendship 

groups and so on. We exist in relationship with one another 

and so we all have a responsibility to support one another. 

When one part of the body is struggling then we should feel 

that and help where we can. For many this will be the first 

winter they need to use a food bank 

A RESPONSIBILITY TO CARE 

There is always a Harvest collection at church but perhaps, 

for some, giving tins, money or other items may feel far from 

home. It is easy, even when we are doing good, to see people 

as ‘other’. But by thinking about ourselves as part of a body 

can change the way we give. 

I believe we all have a responsibility to care for one 

another, both locally and globally. It is sobering to remember 

that we will all have times of worry. We will have times when 

we need help and support. Changed circumstances can mean 

that people can start to suffer financially very unexpectedly. 

I encourage us all to make a change this Harvest. Perhaps 

by thinking about supporting others, or by reaching out and 

asking for help if we are struggling. 

When Jesus said ‘love one another as I have loved you’ he 

was talking about a love which translates into action, service, 

generosity and compassion. It’s that love for one another that 

I pray will motivate us all this Harvest time. 

— A peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine 

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Molly took a 

break for her 

90th birthday! 

Molly Woodley, the 

deputy churchwarden 

emeritus at St Andrew's 

Church, who can often 

be found behind the 

scenes helping to 

organise hospitality in 

St Andrew's Church, 

Messy Church and 

Rendezvous in the Ark, 

was forced to take a 

break to celebrate 

her 90th birthday in 

September. And no, 

she didn't make 

the cake that 

members of the 

congregation 

enjoyed in The 

Ark after the 

10.30am Sunday 

service! 


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Christian Basics — Part 8 

By Rev Paul Hardingham 

Prayer 

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Most of us identify with the disciples’ request: ‘Lord, 

teach us to pray’ (Luke 11:1); having seen Jesus pray, 

they wanted to know how to pray! 

A LOVING RELATIONSHIP 

Jesus begins with Father: ‘When you pray, say: Father’ 

(Luke 11:2). Prayer is like a child asking their parent for 

help. This reflects Jesus’ own intimate relationship with 

his father. He invites us to share this relationship using 

the Lord’s Prayer, as the way into his presence (Luke 11: 

2-4). Imagine using this prayer as a child sitting on a 

parent’s lap. God delights to hear us! 

A LOVING READINESS 

Jesus’ parable makes the point that God is always ready 

to hear our prayer. When the man turns up at midnight 

asking for bread, his friend inside gives him whatever 

he needs because of his ‘shameless boldness’ (Luke 11.8). 

If the man answers despite all his family being asleep, 

how much more will our Father in heaven respond to our 

prayers. We should never give up! 

A LOVING RICHNESS 

Jesus concludes with a threefold promise: ‘ask and it will 

be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door 

will be opened to you.’ (Luke 11:9). Does this mean that 

God will give us whatever we ask for? As earthly parents 

only give good things to their children, how much more is 

this true of our heavenly Father: ‘Which of you fathers, if 

your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or 

if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?’ (Luke 11: 

11,12). He doesn’t give us everything we want, but what is 

best for us. 

GOD'S CHOICE 

‘If God were to say to me, ‘I want to give you a special 

love gift, what would you like?’ I would say: ‘you choose’ 

(Samuel Dickey Gordon, author and evangelical lay minister). 

From the 

editor's desk 

editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk 

What's your favourite? 


For the past 18 months we have been publishing a series of 

reflections written by Elizabeth Spiers, an editor of a parish 

magazine who I met through the Association for Church 

Editors. ACE is a nationwide organisation that encourages 

the more experienced editors to share their magazine 

publishing knowledge with those who often have little, or 

none, but who are keen to serve God and their churches 

through the printed word. 

I hope that you have enjoyed Elizabeth's reflections and 

found them helpful, but sadly, all good things must come 

to an end — we published her last one of the series in the 

September issue, which, by the way, you can always refer to 

online at http://theparishmagazine.co.uk 

If you are wondering what I will be replacing Elizabeth's 

articles with turn to page 11 where I have written an 

example of what I hope will become a series under the 

heading of 'My Favourite . . .' It could be 'My Favourite 

Hymn', 'My Favourite Psalm', or with Christmas rapidly 

appearing on the horizon, 'My Favourite Christmas Carol'. 

As you can see on page 11, I have started with a Bible 

passage. It would be good to hear about your favourite Bible 

passage — it could be a verse — or psalm, hymn or carol, 

and I'm sure that other readers would like to hear about it. 

NOT SURE? 

If you feel uncomfortable with writing about your 

favourite Bible passage, verse, hymn, psalm or carol, do not 

worry, I will be happy to turn your thoughts into an article, 

just jot down some of the reasons — it may have been a 

special time in your life, or it may do something special for 

you — or have a chat with me, and I will prepare a draft for 

you to comment on and hopefully agree to share it with our 

readers. You can find my full contact details on page 42. 

We print 2,400 copies of this magazine each month. 

All are given away free of charge with the majority being 

delivered free of charge to every home in the parish of 

St Andrew's Church or taken from the church by visitors 

and church members who live outside the parish. Some 

copies are sent by readers to friends and family around the 

country, and indeed, the world, so you will be sharing your 

favourite with more people than you might have imagined. 

You will become an internationally published author! 

And finally, but only if you agree, I will include your 

favourite, in a monthly newsletter that I write for ACE 

members. It has two aims: to give tips and advice about 

writing and editing church magazines and to share articles 

and other content that our members can publish in their 

magazines — the reflections by Elizabeth Spiers are a good 

example of the type of material that we share. 

And don't forget, if you are a Christian, you are called 

to share the good news of the gospel message with others, 

so by writing about your favourite you will be fulfilling one 

the main things that we are called by God to do!


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My favourite Bible passage 

From a trickle to a river 

By Bob Peters 

About 30 years ago I decided Ezekiel 47:1-12 was my 

favourite Bible passage — and it still is today. 

I was having difficulty understanding the Holy Spirit, 

in fact the subject scared me, so I went to a series of 

talks about 'pictures of the Holy Spirit in the Bible' given 

by a Baptist minister who is best described as an Old 

Testament scholar. 

His great love was to relate the Hebrew scriptures 

directly to the life and teaching of Jesus that we find in 

the New Testament, and to do this, he studied the deep 

rooted traditions of the Jewish faith to understand why 

Jesus did, and said, the things he did. 

PRAYERS FOR RAIN 

Ezekiel was a prophet who had been taken into exile in 

Babylon in 597BC. The first 12 verses of chapter 47 are part of 

a vision he had about the Temple in Jerusalem and the future 

return to it of the exiles. 

My favourite passage relates to a ceremony on the last 

day of the Feast of the Tabernacles, also known as the 

ingathering, when the annual harvest was complete, and the 

people prayed for rain to water next year's crops. This month 

we celebrate it as the Harvest Festival, and prayers for rain at 

suitable times will no doubt be on our minds! 

BUBBLING UP 

The ancient Jewish ceremony began at the Pool of Siloam 

(pictured above right) where pilgrims to Jerusalem purified 

themselves before climbing the steep steps to the Temple. 

According to John 9:1–11, it was at this pool, which had 

been created by King Hezekiah of Judah about 700 years 

previously, that Jesus healed a man who had been blind since 

birth. I was told by a Jewish guide when I visited the Pool of 

Siloam during a Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land that 

when the water of Siloam is disturbed, as it is from time to 

time, it is the Holy Spirit of God bubbling up. On the last day 

of the Feast of the Tabernacles a Rabbi would gather some of 

the disturbed water in a container and, leading the crowds of 

Jewish pilgrims, he carried it up the steep Southern Steps to 

the Temple. 

It was a huge occasion with pilgrims from all around the 

world crowding in and around the Temple. The Rabbi would 

then pour the water bearing the Holy Spirit from the Pool 

of Siloam over the altar and allow it to drain away through 

special channels that took it out of the Temple to soak into 

the dry ground outside. 

LIFE-GIVING FORCE 

In Ezekiel's vision instead of soaking away the water 

bearing the Holy Spirit turns into a spring that flows down 

the mountain towards the Dead Sea. A trickle becomes a 

stream, and the stream becomes a powerful deep river that 

flows into the deepest and deadest part of the world where it 

brings new life to everything. It is surely a wonderful picture 

of the Holy Spirit of God that, unlike water that soaks away 

and dries up, it grows more and more powerful as it spreads 


The Persecuted Church by Colin Bailey 

The Pool of Siloam, Jerusalem 

Buurserstraat386, dreamstime.com 

into the world. It even spreads into to the darkest and 

most sinful parts of the world, appropriately symbolised in 

Ezekiel's vision by the Dead Sea. 

It is into this scene, about 600 years after the vision, that 

John 7:37 tells us: 'On the last day, the climax of the festival, 

Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, 'Anyone who is 

thirsty may come to me'. 

You can understand why the religious leaders and many 

of the crowd became angry with Jesus, but time has shown 

that by following him and accepting his parting gift of the 

Holy Spirit in our lives is like the water in Ezekiel's vision 

that became a life-giving force. As the Holy Spirit comes into 

our lives she — in the Old Testament the Hebrew name for 

the Spirit of God is Ruach, which is a feminine word meaning 

'an invisible moving force' — not only grows more powerful 

but can overcome even the darkest and most sinful parts of 

our world. 

In The Ark 


at 3pm 

Fun, Food, Art & Craft, and 

Family Worship 

for children of all ages 

revkate@sonningparish.org.uk 

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE HYMN, PSALM, BIBLE PASSAGE, OR CHRISTMAS CAROL TO SHARE? SEE PAGE 9



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The Persecuted Church by Colin Bailey 

Disinformation and hatred drives the persecution 

of Hindu converts to Christianity throughout India 

November 2019: Christians praying in a Roman Catholic church in Kerala State, South West India 

In the Open Doors’ World Watch 

List, the annual ranking of the 50 

countries where Christians face 

the most extreme persecution, 

India ranked number 10 this year. 

The country has a majority Hindu 

population, with the number of 

Christians standing at just under 69 

million — 5% of the population. 

Open Doors reports that the driving 

force for persecution of Christians by 

Hindu extremists is the ideology of 

Hindutva. 

Hinduism is the name given to 

the most ancient and persistent 

religion on the Indian subcontinent. 

Hindutva is the name by which 

the ideology of the Hindu right is 

known, represented by the political 

party BJP (Indian People’s Party). 

In an Open Doors blog this 

summer it was noted that anticonversion 

laws are on the rise in 

India and that they are often used 

as a weapon to harass and persecute 

believers from a Hindu background. 

They have been introduced in 11 

Indian states and while the wording 

of the law is different in each, they 

generally state that ‘no person should 

convert or attempt to convert, either 

directly or indirectly, any person from 

one religion to another by means of force 

or by allurement or by any fraudulent 

means’. 

In practice, these laws are used 

in making false accusations of 

coercion against those who have 

come to Christianity from a Hindu 

background and against those who 

have told them the good news about 

Jesus. This is despite a constitutional 

promise of religious freedom, 

to ‘profess, practise and propagate 

religion’. 

At the time of the publishing of 

the blog in June this year there were 

nine states with anti-conversion 

laws and in those states there were 

more incidents of violence against 

Christians than in all the other 20 

states combined. 

An Open Doors spokesperson 

on persecution in India said that 

attitudes were hardening and that it 

was no longer small extremist groups 

attacking converts but rather entire 

communities ‘attacking and expelling 

them, beating them or handing them 

over to the police on false accusations’. 

Open Doors asks us to pray for 

India: 

Aliaksandr Mazurkevich, dreamstime.com 

— For the persecuted Christians 

there to stand strong in their faith 

and 'shine as stars' (Philippians 2:15) 

in their local communities 

— For the Lord’s love and power to 

be manifested through healing and 

miracles 

— For social media companies to 

do more to combat the use of their 

platforms to spread disinformation 

and hatred 

— For influential local leaders’ 

hearts to be softened towards 

Christians so that greater protection 

is given to them. 

Amen! 

REFERENCES & GIFTS 

Open Doors World Watch List and 

opportunities to give a gift: 

https://www.opendoorsuk.org/ 

persecution/world-watch-list/india/ 

Anti-conversion laws in India: 

https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/ 

latest-news/anti-conversion-laws-india/ 

Violent persecution spiralling in India: 

https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/ 

latest-news/persecution-indiaprecipice/



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St Andrew's Youth 

STAY for Summer Activities 

We finished STAY for Summer activities with two favourites: 

paddle boarding and a water park trip! The youth love having 

fun together, pushing each other in and sharing stories for 

weeks to come of how much they enjoyed it! The next fun 

activities will be in the October half term. Watch this space! 

STAY Reflections on the past year 

As we start this new academic year I thought it would be good 

to reflect on the past year and what has been exciting and 

worth thanking God for: 

— Young leaders has really taken off. Our current four 

young leaders are taking responsibility, learning how to 

lead and seeing their own potential as leaders in new and 

amazing ways. They even designed the young people's rules 

into hoodies for the leaders to wear! Our hope is that they 

continue to grow in confidence, leadership and potential. 

— STAY on Friday has grown with numbers regularly seeing 

50-60 youth attending each week. The young people love 

being together, having fun and making friends. With the 

pandemic behind us, it is important now to have young 

people socialising, playing together and enjoying time 

outside. Our hope is that we continue to see young people 

taking the time to respect each other’s differences, learn to 

love everyone as equal and grow in confidence in themselves. 

— STAY on Sunday. This group of young people wanting to 

grow in their Christian faith has also grown with up to 16 

attending. When I started the group 4 years ago there were 

only four young people so that’s been amazing to see. It has 

grown so much that we needed a second upper room for extra 

space. Our hope is that these young people will have the 

confidence to share their faith and know that they are loved 

so much by a God who is close and a God who cares. 

— STAY Detached Project has seen us out and about each 

Thursday building relationships with young people, parents 

and local neighbours, with numbers staying consistently 

around the 45-50 mark. The young people scream our names 

as they see us walking up the road and they engage so well in 

conversation, games and sports. Our hope is that we would 

continue to deepen positive relationships with young people 

and the local community for the good of us all. 

— STAY in Schools has also been positive and uplifting this 

past year. In one month of assemblies, lessons, mentoring 

and lunch time activities I will have been in front of 2,000 

young people. It is both an honour and a privilege to be able 

to tell stories, share encouragements and bring the Bible to 

life for so many children and young people. Our hope is that 

they will all know their worth, know they’re loved and know 

that they have a voice. 

The water park, scene of our last summer activity 

— STAY Holiday Activities are always amazing because we 

see young people outside of the usual settings, and see how 

they cope with new experiences and challenges. They are 

more resilient than they know and more able than they’re 

given credit for! The amount of youth who step up to new 

challenges and overcome fears always amazes me! Our hope 

is that the activities we do in the holiday periods would show 

the young people just how brilliant they are and what they’re 

able to achieve! 

— STAY Upper Room. Before the summer we sat with a group 

of young people and designed the new upper room (pictured 

above). We took their ideas to the rest of youth club and they 

added their thoughts. We then did some fund raising and had 

some very generous donations from people in the church, the 

community, parents of the youth and the office of Theresa 

May. We are so thankful to all who gave and now the new 

upper room has been kitted out with new equipment for 

the youth to enjoy! Our hope is that the space is used to its 

full potential and the young people respect and enjoy it and 

remain grateful for all that they’ve been given. 

STAY Confirmation Classes 

As an Anglican Church it is good practice, but not 

compulsory, to be confirmed. Often parents make the choice 

to baptise their children at a young age and so confirmation 

offers individuals the chance to confirm their Christian 

faith in Jesus for themselves. The youth classes run each 

Monday, from 12 September, and continue through to the 

confirmation service on Sunday 20 November when Bishop 

Stephen Croft will lay hands on them and sign them with the 

cross in oil. It is both exciting and a pleasure to see over 15 

young people choosing this for themselves. 

Final Thanks 

I wanted to thank all those who stand with us and support 

the young people we work with. For the prayers you pray, 

the time you give, the money you donate and the effort you 

make, it doesn’t go unnoticed and it will forever make a 

difference! 

Email me on youthminister@sonningparish.org.uk for a chat, 

coffee or to ask any questions, Westy!



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feature — 1 

Further tales of 

By Ian Clarke 

For the many readers who told us they enjoyed Ian's 

memoirs published last month, here's a few more . . . 

Sonning was such a different place in 

the 60's. None of the traffic that we 

see queuing in Thames Street today. 

It was a quiet, the peace was only 

disturbed by the Thames Valley buses 

which plied their trade through the 

village and would take me, and my 

brother, to school in Wargrave. 

TRANSPORT HOBBIES 

Can you believe that at 8.30am three 

double deckers would trundle through 

the village as most people went to 

work by bus. 

We thought the buses were 

pretty special and we collected their 

numbers, an obsession shared with 

collecting railway engine numbers, 

mainly at the Duffield Road Bridge 

in Woodley. I think we used to collect 

the numbers of almost anything that 

moved, including registration plates 

on cars and the lorries that came 

through the village from the gravel 

pits by the river. 

Train spotting, however, was the 

main obsession and we would spend 

many a happy hour collecting their 

numbers and, in quieter moments, 

putting pennies on the railway track 

so that the trains would squash 

them out of shape, with some very 

interesting results. Great fun but 

highly dangerous and illegal! 

Another risky business was leaning 

over the side of the bridge when a 

steam engine came along. When it 

reached the bridge we would run to the 

Ian Clarke aged 12 years 

other side to see if we could get there 

before the smoke rose up. How we were 

not hit by a car, I'll never know! 

I remember going up to London 

with my friend David for a serious 

day's train spotting. However, due to 

catching the wrong trains in London 

we eventually arrived back in Sonning 

at 11.30pm. Being both only 11 years 

old, waiting at the bus stop at the top 

of Pound Lane was my mother who 

went absolutely mad because we were 

so very late. We weren't allowed to go 

to London again in a hurry! 

FIRE ENGINES 

Sonning had two fire engines at 

the fire station at the bottom of Pound 

Lane, it is now a private house. It was 

great fun watching the part-time 

firemen racing to the station when the 

extremely loud siren sent its wailings 

across the village. It meant Roly, Ken, 

or one of the other part-time firemen 

had to quickly down their pints in the 

Sonning Working Men's Club and run 

up to the fire station in order to catch 

the engine before it left. 

We were all very excited if we 

managed to see the fire engine as it 

came out of the station and would 

wondered where it was going. 

Sonning had a unique fire engine 

that had been designed by Tommy 

Edwards — it was the first to be fully 

enclosed and it's now in a museum. 

Every time we walked past the fire 

station we would look at the top of the 

pole where the siren was, hoping that 

it would go off. I still imagine that I 

can hear that siren whenever I'm in 

Sonning. 

We were sometimes lucky enough 

to see the firemen demonstrating their 

skills at an annual event in the 'rec'. 

Sadly so many of these part-time fire 

stations have disappeared into history. 

BONFIRE NIGHT 

One of the most exciting days of 

the year in the 60's was Bonfire Night. 

This was in the days when Halloween 

was hardly celebrated. 


a Sonning lad 

There was always a big bonfire at 

the top of the recreation ground where 

Ali's pond is now situated and we were 

always very excited as we made our 

way to see it. 

After it had finished burning we 

made our way over to the Berkshire 

County Sports Ground where there 

was an even bigger bonfire, and a 

spectacular display of fireworks. They 

always had the most enormous rockets 

we had ever seen. The display was truly 

spectacular and afterwards, and also 

on the next day, we would go round 

trying to find the large sticks that had 

been attached to the rockets. 

They even had an enormous bonfire 

at the old Adwest ground at the top of 

Sonning Lane where they burnt large 

parts of old aircraft from the former 

Woodley Aerodrome. I can still vividly 

see it now. It was like an air crash! 

Nowadays you would struggle to 

find a proper bonfire and the fireworks 

are far too sophisticated. We were 

happy with Catherine wheels, jumping 

jacks, rockets and bangers. We even 

had small bonfires and some of those 

simple fireworks in our gardens. It 

certainly wouldn't be allowed now. 

CELEBRITIES 

In my last article I wrote about 

what we got up to down by the river, 

however the most exciting event was 

the making of the film Alfie in 1966 

starring Michael Caine. We were really 

excited as we watched scenes being 

filmed at the White Hart (now the 

Great House) and also on the lawn at 

the French Horn. 

Hollywood had come to Sonning, 

well not quite! Alfie and his lady friend 

took a boat trip and stopped on the 

riverbank to take part in activities not 

suitable for this magazine! Not that 

we actually saw anything, much to our 

disappointment! 

Over the years I think Sonning has 

featured more than once on TV, in film 

and in the media. 

It has always been popular with 

celebrities such as Jimmy Page, Robert 

Beatty, Uri Geller, George Clooney and 

it is even rumoured that, in the past, 

John Lennon and Taylor Swift wanted 

to buy houses here. 

turn to page 19



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feature — 2 


from page 17 

Further tales of a Sonning Lad 

SPORTING EVENTS 

When we lived in Pound Lane 

we were opposite the 'rec' as it was 

known. It was a busy place with a 

new scout hut being built and the old 

cricket pavilion being refurbished. The 

primary school was still a few years 

away. 

Sonning had very good adult cricket 

and football teams, but there were not 

enough of us kids to form teams. We 

kicked a ball about at the top of the rec 

and practised our cricket skills using 

the base of the old flag pole which 

replicated the stumps. I'm not sure if 

the pole is still there and, if so, whether 

it is used to fly flags any more. 

There used to be an old pavilion 

or changing room in the field next to 

Ali's pond but I'm not quite sure who 

played there. The wreck of the pavilion 

fascinated and scared us as there were 

rumours it was haunted! It certainly 

contained certain objects which we did 

not need to know about! 

RIVER BRIDGES 

It is hard to believe when we were 

young that the 250 year old Bridge 

(above) was two-way with no traffic 

lights! We frequently watched vehicles 

getting stuck, or sometimes scraping 

their paintwork on the sides of the 

bridge. It's just as well it is so well built 

that 250 years of traffic has passed over 

it and it's still doing well. 

We used to run from one side of 

the bridge to the other by running 

under the arches. I vaguely remember 

it was the smallest arch we ran under 

but I may be mistaken. We certainly 

had to change arches as we grew taller 

because we could no longer get under 

the small one. 

Further over the brick bridge 

was a metal structure which I think 

has now been replaced with a newer 

one. However, it was a place of great 

intrigue for us kids as it was said that a 

grey lady haunted the bridge. 

We spent many hours in the 

evenings waiting and watching to see 

if the grey lady would appear. We were 

never lucky enough — or should that 

be unlucky enough? — to witness her 

walking across the bridge. Apparently 

she still haunts the bridge, so beware! 

RURAL AFFAIRS 

Incredible as it seems, as 16 year 

olds in 1966, we were able to get 

summer jobs on Reading University's 

Sonning farm. Health & Safety would 

have a fit today if they had known that 

we drove tractors and trailers from the 

farm, across Charvil Lane and down to 

the fields to collect hay or straw bales. 

I remember the summer was hot 

and dry, much as it has been this year. 

We had to load the bales onto the 

trailer, which was hard, thirsty work, 

and then drive back to the farm. We 

had little training in driving tractors 

and I remember many miscalculations 

with the loaded trailer and the narrow 

gateways! That's why I became a 

teacher and not a farmer! 

A Massey Ferguson tractor like the one Ian 

drove on Sonning Farm 

Ian Clarke 

Tom Farncombe 

Another memory that stands 

out for me was a piece of technology 

that was very advanced for the time. 

Roly Hunt, who worked in the farm 

workshop, had developed a system 

of driverless tractors where a cable 

was buried under the ground and 

the tractor followed it without being 

steered by anyone. 

I remember a group of us watching 

the trial, however, the tractor didn't 

always understand what it was 

supposed to do and constantly veered 

off course! Hence it has taken another 

50 years to develop driverless cars! 

Roly's invention was, however, very 

advanced for the time. 

Closer to home, when my family 

lived in Pound Lane we lived next to 

Percy Forward and his family. The 

gardens were much longer then and 

Percy used to keep pigs at the end of 

his. It seems incredible that anyone 

would keep pigs in their garden but 

that was the case. My brother and I 

were fascinated by them and spent 

many hours watching them wallowing 

in the mud. We never knew what 

happened to them! 

Our dad could only compete by 

keeping chickens. Not quite in the 

same league! How times have changed! 

Now the area is occupied by houses in 

Little Glebe where once there was a 

large allotment that we could explore 

and play and get up to mischief! We 

were even responsible for a fire there 

once. They never caught the culprits! 

SIXTY YEARS ON? 

The village has changed a great 

deal over the years and yet some 

things remain which give Sonning its 

great appeal. I hope my memories are 

accurate and may stir some of your 

own. I wonder what it will be like in 

another 60 years?



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feature —3 

The victim of a loveless 

childhood, he became the 

best man of his age 

Think of Piccadilly Circus and that small statue of the angel 

poised with bow and arrow (right). Most people think it represents 

Eros. It does not. It is Anteros, his brother, the god of selfless love. 

It is a memorial to the greatest Christian Victorian philanthropist, 

politician and social reformer of his generation – Lord Shaftesbury 

(left) — the Poor Man's Earl. 


Anthony Ashley Cooper, the 7th Earl of 

Shaftesbury (1801 – 1885) was a devout 

Christian who spent his life fighting to 

help ease the plight of lunatics, 

chimney sweeps, children in factories, 

women and children in the mines, 

opium addicts, and children without 

any education. 

His own early life was loveless and bleak — 

his parents formal and frightening, his early 

school days a ‘horror’ of ‘cruelty and starvation’. 

The only love came from the family’s housekeeper, 

Maria Millis. A biographer wrote: ‘She provided for 

Ashley a model of Christian love that would form 

the basis for much of his later social activism and 

philanthropic work.’ 

The reality and homely practicality of her 

Christian love were a beacon for the young 

Ashley. She told him Bible stories and taught him a 

prayer. 

After Christ Church Oxford, where he proved an 

outstanding scholar, Ashley turned to politics. In 1826, 

aged 25, he was elected as Tory MP for Woodstock. 

He was eager to serve on parliamentary committees 

that got things done; his great life’s work had begun: 

Lunatics: In 1827 lunatics were kept chained naked in 

straw, forced to sleep in their excrement. They were washed 

in freezing cold water, with one towel for 160 people and 

no soap. There was gross over-crowding and inedible food: 

asylums were places to die in. 

Shaftesbury’s maiden speech in Parliament was in 

support of a Bill to improve conditions. He wrote: ‘By God’s 

blessing, my first effort has been for the advance of human 

happiness.’ 

It took years: from 1827 to 1884 he fought for a 

succession of Lunacy Acts, writing later of ‘the years of toil 

and care that, under God, I have bestowed on this melancholy 

and awful question.’ 

Child Labour and Factory Reform: Again, reform took 

years. Shaftesbury fighting for the Ten Hours Act from 

1833, 1842, 1844, 1846 and 1847 – when it finally got 

through Parliament. No child under the age of 9 should 

Image credits: 

Left: Parish Pump 

Right: Anizza, 

dreamstime.com 

work in the cotton or woollen industries and no one under 

18 must work more than 10 hours a day. 

Miners: In 1842 he fought to outlaw the employment of 

women and children in coal mines. 

Climbing Boys: Thousands of young boys were dying in 

terrible pain— scorched, blinded and suffocated by soot, 

or with cancer of the scrotum. Ashley fought for Bills in 

1840, 1851, 1853, 1855, 1864 until finally the Chimney 

Sweepers Act 1875 closed the practise down. 

Education Reform: 1844 Ashley became president of the 

Ragged School Union that promoted education for poor 

children. He wrote that if it were to fail, ‘I should die of a 

broken heart’. 

Religion: Lord Shaftesbury was a devout Christian who 

became a leading figure in 19th Century evangelical 

Anglicanism. He was President of British and Foreign 

Bible Society for nearly 30 years. He was very sympathetic 

to the Jews, and advocated their return to the Holy Land. 

POOR MAN'S EARL 

Lord Shaftesbury’s funeral service at Westminster 

Abbey on the morning of 8 October 1885 drew thousands 

of people. The streets along the route were thronged 

with the poor: costermongers, flower-girls, boot-blacks, 

crossing sweepers, factory hands and many more. 

They waited for hours just to see his coffin go by. He 

was dearly loved by them as the ‘Poor Man’s Earl’. 

One biographer wrote: ‘No man has in fact ever done more 

to lessen the extent of human misery, or to add to the sum total 

of human happiness.’ 

The great preacher Charles Spurgeon called him ‘the 

best man of the age’. He ‘lived for the oppressed’, he was a 

‘moral anchor in a drifting generation’, ‘friend of every living 

thing’, he had a ‘fervent love to God, and hearty love to man.’


feature — 4 

Join us as we celebrate 

Harvest and seek to 

help local people in need 

There can be little doubt that celebrating a plentiful harvest this year 

might seem difficult, or even inappropriate, especially in many parts of 

the world where crops have not grown as expected, and in some places 

failed completely. However, this does not diminish the part of the Harvest 

celebrations that remind us of God's creation and why we give thanks for 

that, and why it is more important than ever to share what we have. 

202 

CELEBRATE HARVEST AT ST ANDREW'S CH 

10.30am Family Harvest Service when we wi 

4.00pm Harvest Choral Evensong fo 

The recent, and ongoing, droughts, wildfires and floods in the UK, Europe, 

Africa, America, Australia, and Asia – to name but a few – and the war in 

Ukraine which has reduced the world's grain supplies to a trickle, raises 

difficult questions about the appropriateness as we prepare for our annual 

Harvest celebrations that traditionally involves giving thanks to God for 

all the good food that has been safely gathered in. 

In Biblical times, however, Harvest was also the time when people came 

together to pray for the right combination of rain and sunshine during the 

coming year so that the next season's harvest will also be plentiful. 

This was what the last day of the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was all about. 

It was a time when prayers were offered to God for rain in the coming months 

to water next year's crops. It was the time when Jesus appeared in the Temple 

and shouted that the thirsty should come to him. (John 7:37) Jesus, of course, 

was referring to those who were thirsty for the Holy Spirit, while the people 

and the religious leaders were focussing on more worldly things such as water, 

the most valuable worldly item in that part of the world. 

SHARING WHAT WE HAVE 

So, let's not hold back on our harvest celebrations this year — join us in 

St Andrew's Church at 10.30am on Sunday 2 October for our Family Harvest 

Service and/or our Harvest Choral Evensong at 4pm, and let's thank God for 

both the spiritual and the worldly food that we have received, and pray in 

earnest that all the world takes climate change more seriously because it is 

clearly climate change that is not only causing this year's poor harvest but the 

disastrous floods in Pakistan and other places where thousands of lives have 

been lost and even more left starving. 

So, if we feel less inclined this year to celebrate a harvest that was below 

par, let us remember another Biblical theme that God set out in the Old 

Testament and that Jesus taught in the New — we should share what we have 

with those who have less. 

Usually at St Andrew's our Harvest collection is donated to an overseas 

good cause, but this year we have decided to look closer to home and share 

what we have locally. Hence at our Harvest services we will be accepting food 

and money for the Woodley Food Bank which is facing increasing demands 

on its service to the needy in our neighbourhood but struggling to fufil that 

demand because donations of food have also been declining. So this year we 

are asking for people to bring to church donations of food — see list on the 

right — or cash that will also be given to Woodley Food Bank. 

If you are not able to join us for the Harvest services, you can always 

deposit your food and toiletry gifts, between 10am and 4pm everyday in the 

Food Bank collecting box just inside the main entrance to the Church 

The Harvest Sunday cash collections to be given to Woodley Food Bank 

will enable them to purchase food and toiletries to pass on to those in need. If 

you are unable to be in church for the services, you can always leave your cash 

donations for our Woodley Food Bank Harvest Appeal in the Parish Office. 

Edwin Muller, dreamstime.com 

Failed tomato (left) and bean (right) crop 

as droughts and floods destroy what w 

Woodley Food Bank urgently needs: 

— Tinned Soup 

— Tinned Potatoes 

— Custard 

— Dried spaghetti 

Other items they will always be 

pleased to accept are: 

— Baked Beans 

— Tinned Tomatoes 

— Tea Bags 

— Tinned Spaghetti 

— Coffee 

— Sugar 

— Beans/Chickpeas 

— Cereal 

— Toiletries/Sanitary Pads 

— Pasta Sauce 

— Tuna 

— Toilet Rolls 

— Fruit Juice 

— Fruit Squash 

— Plastic Bags 

— Other Tinned Fish 

— Tinned Meat 

— Tinned Fruit 

— Biscuits 

— Rice 

— Rice Pudding 

— Long Life Milk 

— Cooking Oil 

— Tinned Vegetables 

— Dry Pasta 

— Dry Noodles 

Donations can be placed in the bin inside 

St Andrew's Church from 10am — 4pm every day


2 

URCH SONNING ON SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER 

ll receive donations for Woodley Food Bank 

llowed by Harvest Tea in The Ark 

Lorraine Addy, dreamstime.com 

s are a common sight around the world 

ould usually be plentiful food crops 

Don't forget spiritual food! 

Harvest and Creation go hand in hand 

Harvest is a time when we thank God for his Creation, for making 

everything we can see and not see around us, for the food we grow and 

eat, for the seasons of the year, the rain and the sunshine, the heat 

of summer and the coldness of winter. Here is a poem about God's 

Creation written by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1848. Most of us are 

probably more familiar with the hymn version of her poem that was 

put to music in 1887 by William Henry Monk. 

1. All things bright and beautiful, 

All creatures great and small, 

All things wise and wonderful: 

The Lord God made them all. 

2. Each little flower that opens, 

Each little bird that sings, 

He made their glowing colours, 

He made their tiny wings. 

3. The rich man in his castle, 

The poor man at his gate, 

He made them, high or lowly, 

And ordered their estate. 

7. He gave us eyes to see them, 

And lips that we might tell 

How great is God Almighty, 

Who has made all things well. 

4. The purple headed mountains, 

The river running by, 

The sunset and the morning 

That brightens up the sky. 

5. The cold wind in the winter, 

The pleasant summer sun, 

The ripe fruits in the garden, 

He made them every one. 

6. The tall trees in the greenwood, 

The meadows where we play, 

The rushes by the water, 

To gather every day. 

2 October is also Animal Welfare Sunday 

One of the most important ways we can help 

victims of the world food shortage is through 

prayer. Here a Harvest prayer from Christian Aid: 

Loving and compassionate God 

When famine stalks the land, nothing grows. 

Plants cannot, people cannot, 

ideas and dreams cannot. 

Everything withers and dies. 

It is a violent aberration of your will for the world 

and it is multiplied by conflict, 

climate change and Covid. 

God of the flourishing field, 

there is enough to feed us all. 

Call us to that sacred sharing neighbour, 

to global neighbour. 

Your gifts of food, water, 

a chance to live the life so delicately crafted 

by your divine spirit. 

We will not turn away, but turn towards each other 

with generosity and a justice-driven compassion 

that searches for solutions. 

Famine stalks the land, so may our outrage grow, 

may our determination steel itself, 

may our solidarity spur us into action 

God of the flourishing field, 

help us feed each other. 

Amen 

https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/harvest-appeal 

St Francis, patron saint of animals and the natural environment 

Oliver Perez, dreamstime.com 

This year, Animal Welfare Sunday falls on Sunday 2 October, which is 

the nearest Sunday to St Francis’ feast day on Tuesday 4. It is a good 

opportunity to thank God for the animals and the environment, and 

to consider how we might help them. 

Christians have been involved in animal welfare reform throughout 

history — RSPCA, the first animal protection society, was founded 

by Rev Arthur Broome, an Anglican priest and many well-known 

Christians such as C S Lewis, John Wesley and William Wilberforce 

also spoke out against animal cruelty. 

As Psalm 148 reminds us, animals in their amazing variety of 

species were all created for the glory of God and to praise his name. 

They were not created for exploitation and domination. 

But sadly, Creation has been abused, and continues to be abused. 

The economics of providing low-cost chicken, pork, beef and milk can 

often result in cruelty towards millions of animals. 

The Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals works to raise 

awareness of animal welfare issues within the Anglican Church and 

the wider Christian community. 

To find out more: https://www.aswa.org.uk


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feature — 5: WORLD SMILE DAY 

Smile please! 

It's 7 October! 

Friday is often said to the happiest day 

of the week. Traditionally it was pay day, the end of 

the working week. If this is true, then Friday 7 October 

could be the happiest day of the year because it is World 

Smile Day 2022, the day when we are all asked to do a 

small act of kindness that will put a smile on someone 

else's face! 

And faced this autumn and winter with the worrying 

threat of the biggest ever cost of living crisis driven by the 

Russian invasion of Ukraine, the ever increasing threat 

of volent crime, the continuing worry of pandemics, and 

the increasingly serious repercussions of climate changes 

that are having a devastating impact on millions of lives 

throughout the world, there is a greater need than ever to 

share a little happiness. 

WEAR A SMILEY 

The World Smile Day organisers quite rightly point out 

that what we can all do is to focus on the small things we 

can control, like taking a little extra time to help someone 

with something, or to make them laugh. 

The idea is that if we all make an effort to do one small 

act of kindness this World Smile Day, then, together, we 

can make a huge change in the world. 

Why not start by wearing a smiley face emoji that 

was designed in 1963 by an artist called Harvey Ball. He 

created the smiley face design for a local company that 

wanted to boost the morale of their employees. 

Over time, the design grew and grew in popularity 

until it became the international symbol of cheer and 

good will it is today. 

BE KIND 

Harvey never copyrighted nor trademarked the design, 

so, despite the symbol's enormous popularity, the only 

money he ever made from the smiley face was the $45 he 

was initially paid for it. Harvey, however, maintained a 

philosophical attitude about this, and was happy to see 

his design becoming used so much. 

In the late 1990's, Harvey decided that we should all set 

aside one day to simply smile and be kind towards each 

other, which is how World Smile Day came about. 

On this day, we can forget all our differences and just 

focus on being cheerful towards everyone we meet. When 

he died in 2001, the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation 

was set up to honour his name and memory by raising 

money for small, grassroots charities that would 

otherwise receive little attention or funding. 

WHEN YOU'RE SMILING 

There's a lot of truth in that well known song recorded 

by jazz pianist Seger Ellis in 1928, Louis Armstrong in 

1929 and numerous famous singers ever since: 

When you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you! 


BIBLE SUNDAY 30 OCTOBER 

Light in the darkness: 

Bibles arrive in Ukraine 

By Hazel Southam, Bible Society, 22 August 2022 

Chernetskaya, dreamstime.com 

During the summer, some 168,000 Bibles and other 

Scripture-based books have been delivered to war-torn 

Ukraine. 

Bibles have been in increasing demand since war broke out. 

'Living surrounded by death has caused people to ask questions 

about life,' said Anatoliy Raychynets, deputy general 

secretary of the Ukrainian Bible Society. ‘I have personally 

delivered several thousands of Bibles from hand to hand,’ said 

Anatoliy. ‘It is light in the darkness.’ 

Among the recent delivery were 34,000 compact Bibles 

in Ukrainian, 7,000 New Testaments and 57,000 booklets 

entitled Beyond Disaster which enable people to look at the 

trauma they’ve experienced through the light of the Bible. 

‘These are excellent for people on the move, who can’t take 

much with them,’ said Anatoliy. 

Being able to give away small copies of the Bible is 

important when 14 million Ukrainians are internally 

displaced by the war. Since it began, the Bible Society of 

Ukraine has been delivering bread, first aid and Bibles, 

but stocks soon ran low as demand outstripped supply. 

THE DARKNESS IS DEEP 

Anatoliy explained how the Bible speaks into daily 

life. ‘Daily life is heavy,’ he said. ‘You feel so tired. But, 

together with churches, we’re doing our best to bring light to 

the darkness. The darkness is very deep. I want to express 

gratefulness for all the support.’ 

Donations to the Bible Society have helped to make 

this possible, with more than £1 million raised for Bibles 

for people in and fleeing Ukraine. This has meant that 

since the war began, some 655,700 Bibles and other 

Scriptures such as New Testaments in Ukrainian and 

Russian have been delivered to people fleeing the conflict. 

So far they have been delivered to Hungary, Moldova, 

Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, as well as to Ukrainian 

refugees in the UK. 

Bible Society’s Oldi Morava said, ‘We are incredibly 

touched by the generosity of our supporters and the 

unwavering commitment of our colleagues in Ukraine, who 

have made this delivery of Bibles to the people of Ukraine 

possible, and in so doing, bring words of hope to people living 

in unbelievable circumstances.’ 

https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/


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around the villages 

And my next 

question is . . . 

Matt Allwright (right), the tv presenter, 

journalist, and musician who was born in 

Wokingham and was head boy of Reading Blue 

Coat School in the 1980's, will be Me2 Club's 

quiz master at The Oakwood Centre, Woodley 

on Friday 7 October. The night will raise 

money for local children having additional 

needs. 

Matt is also well know for his work with 

SANDS, the Stillborn and Neonatal 

Death Society, and Launchpad, the 

Reading based charity fighting 

homelessness. The Me2 quiz night 

is being held from 7-10pm for teams of no more than eight people — no under 

16's — and includes a fish and chip supper. Tickets, which must be booked in 

advance, are £22.15, including the booking fee. Early bird tickets are £18.37 for 

the first 50 registered. For more details and to buy tickets go to: 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/me2-clubs-charity-quiz-night-tickets-398863540587 

Shaw House insight, and maybe Downton Abbey! 

Shaw House, Newbury, Berkshire 

Simon Burchell, wikipedia 

Sarah Somerville, visitor services officer for Shaw House, one of the best 

preserved Elizabethan mansions in England, will be in Pearson Hall on 28 

October to give an insight into this historic property built for Thomas Dolman 

in 1581. It has seen royal visitors, and played an important part in the Civil War 

and World War II. Sarah previously worked at Highclere Castle and so Downton 

Abbey may also be on the agenda! The evening will be hosted by Sonning and 

Sonning Eye Society and starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £4 and can obtained from: 

https://www.sonning.org.uk/ or penny.feathers@btinternet.com 0118 934 3193 


Book now for your 

Christmas and 

spring singing! 

A 'Twelve Songs of Christmas' fun 

singing afternoon for female voices 

led by local music teacher and choir 

director Suzanne Newman will be 

held on Saturday 3 December, 2-4pm, 

in Charvil Village Hall. 

The afternoon will include 

singing a medley of seasonal 

favourites arranged for 2-part choir, 

including: Deck the halls, What child is 

this, Silent night and Joy to the world 

Tickets, £10, including music 

and light refreshments, can be 

obtained from Suzanne Newman on 

suzanneynewman@btinternet.com or 

0118 934 058. 

PROJECT SINGERS 

You can also find out more from 

Suzanne about the The Project 

Singers spring project — 'And 

wherever you go!' — for which 

booking is also now open. 

The Project Singers have a section 

for girls in years 5-13 who rehearse 

on Sundays from 6.15-7.45pm, and 

for ladies who rehearse on Mondays 

from 8-9.30pm. 

The spring project has a travel 

theme with songs such as: All aboard, 

Homeward bound, The water is wide, 

Wheels of a dream and Route 66. 

The Project Singers will be taking 

part in Woodley Music Festival 

and perform a concert at St Mary's 

Church, Twyford in March. The 

ladies' choir will also be taking part 

in Cheltenham Music Festival, and 

the girls' choir will have a pizza party! 

Sonning 

Show 

Art Club 

cup 

winners 

Sonning Art Group's Chairman's Cup competition with the theme, 'A favourite picture 

to be entered in the competition at the Sonning Show' was won by Sue Sheppard (left) 

with an accomplished oil painting of a young girl. Second was Pauline Simpson with her 

acrylic painting of a 'Good Mooring' and third was George Gallocker with his watercolour 

depicting '3 Little Ducks'. Congratulations to each artist!



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HOME AND GARDEN 

Recipe of the month 

Zesty Turkey One Pan 

From http://www.goodhousekeeping.com 

Ingredients 

— ½ tbsp olive oil 

— 4 turkey breast steaks, 

total about 500g 

— 12 fl oz chicken stock 

— Zest and juice of 2 lemons 

— 1 oz capers, rinsed and chopped 

— 4 tomatoes, roughly chopped 

— Large handful fresh curly parsley, roughly chopped 

Method 

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over high heat and 

add the turkey steaks. Fry for 2 minutes, turning once, to 

brown the steaks. 

Add the stock, lemon zest and juice, the capers, tomatoes 

and some seasoning. Simmer for 8 minutes until the 

turkey is cooked through. 

Add the parsley and check the seasoning. 

Serve with rice, seasonal vegetables or salad. 

Today there is hardly a home in the UK without a radio or tv which 

100 years ago were in their infancy. There were, however, some 

innovative engineers and business people who recognised the 

potential of theses new 'inventions'. Here, Tim Lenton, a retired 

journalist, writes about an organisation that soon became a 

household name that is respected throughout the world: 

The BBC 

100 years ago, on 18 October 1922, the BBC was officially 

founded as the British Broadcasting Company (now the 

British Broadcasting Corporation). 

It was originally a private company in which only British 

manufacturers could hold shares. Three years later it was 

liquidated and in 1927 replaced by a public corporation — 

the British Broadcasting Corporation — which had almost 

complete independence and, until the 1954 Television Act, a 

monopoly of the television service in Britain. 

That year saw the birth of commercial television. The 

BBC’s monopoly of radio ended when the Government 

permitted local commercial broadcasts, starting in the 1970's. 

The BBC is not allowed to advertise or broadcast 

sponsored programmes. It should also not broadcast any 

opinion of its own on current affairs and matters of public 

policy, and be impartial on controversial issues. In recent 

years the BBC has been criticised for not keeping to these 

rules, but they were foremost in the mind of Lord Reith, the 

BBC’s first Director General – a Scottish Presbyterian with 

strong Christian convictions whose influence lingered for 

many years. 

The BBC has a public service broadcasting requirement to 

produce 115 hours of religious content on tv and 370 hours 

on radio each year. This, of course, leaves open the definition 

of religious content: atheists have complained that there is 

too much religion on the BBC, while Christians point to the 

overtly secular assumptions of its output. 

In the garden 


Maciej Olszewski, dreamstime.com 

Forgive the wasps — and 

learn to understand them 

The chances are that you were irritated by wasps this 

summer — there were a lot of them about (and I was 

after being stung by one in my garden — editor). But did 

you know what the wasps were really looking for? 

According to Prof Seirian Sumner, a behavioural ecologist 

and entomologist at University College London, we should 

try to 'understand what wasps want, and what they’re doing 

at certain times of the year.' 

In early and mid-summer 'they’re not that interested 

in sugar, they want meat. The adults are vegetarian, but 

they hunt prey to feed to the larvae, who give them a sugary 

reward,' she says. 

'Then, when the larvae pupate in late summer and early 

autumn, there are fewer that need feeding, and they don’t need 

to hunt, so wasps are sort of furloughed. And then they go in 

search of sugar, usually in flowers. But your Prosecco, or beer, 

or jam sandwich is just as appealing.' 

MEAT, JAM OR CIDER? 

Prof Sumner's advice is to try to distract wasps from 

you by offering them meat in early to mid-summer, and 

a saucer of cider or some jam on a lid in late summer and 

early autumn. 

She also stresses that the world would be much worse 

off without wasps: they are excellent at pest control and 

are also fine pollinators. 

There's more on wasps in her book: Endless Forms: The 

Secret World of Wasps (HarperCollins) 

Distract wasps in the autumn with jam 

Victorass88, dreamstime.com


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Symptoms are not ‘just’ feeling 

a bit down. That is normal and is 

transient and recovers daily or can be 

overridden. 

SAD is persisted depression 

symptoms. Feeling hopeless, guilty 

or frustrated about trivial things that 

you’d normally deal with. A paralysis 

of decision making, anger, irritability 

and despair. 

Biological/physical symptoms 

associated with SAD are slightly 

different to other depressive 

illness but are no less stressful. 

With SAD, people often do not lose 

their appetite, and indeed, it often 

increases. Sleep patterns cause more 

sleep being less refreshed, whereas 

other depressive illnesses cause early 

morning wakening. 

Sex drive disappears and the 

combination of the above leads to 

poor performance at work and home, 

loss of interest in hobbies and the 

increase in bad habits. All in all, I feel 

we should look at this as a ‘proper’ 

depressive illness and treat it just as 

seriously. 

Treatment suggests a pill and a 

cure. This is not the case. Medicines 

such as anti-depressants can alleviate 

some symptoms but does not remove 

the cause — most raise serotonin 

availability. 

Removing some of the factors that 

lead to SAD can help: 

— Light. Get out in the day if you 

can, exercise to remove fatigue. A 


HEALTH 

Dr Simon Ruffle writes . . . Forever Autumn SADness 

October. The eighth month of the 

old calendar before the Romans 

changed it. This meant our seasons 

became related to the calendar in a 

more constant way. October in the 

Northern Hemisphere makes us 

forget the summer and ‘welcome’ in 

Autumn. 

War of the Worlds is still one of the 

most iconic science fiction works 

ever. Written in 1898 by HG Wells 

it has been made into films, musical 

and radio versions. And 40 years 

after publishing, Orson Welles used 

the piece in his radio show Mercury 

Theatre on the Air broadcast by CBS.He 

caused panic across America as people 

panicked that the show was reporting 

news events from far away! 

40 years further on Jeff Wayne 

produced the musical version of this 

that is still selling today. 

One of the popular tracks of this 

album is Forever Autumn sung by 

Justin Hayward. But what else does 

autumn usher in? 

THEORIES 

Lots of illnesses emerge in 

autumn. There are many theories 

as to why. Some include the use of 

central heating, closing windows, 

hot housing children and workers in 

poorly ventilated areas, such as trains, 

tubes, buses, schools and offices. No 

doubt this contributes. Vitamin D 

levels fall as we are exposed less to 

UV light. Vitamin D is vital for the 

immune system. 

Also, less exposure to natural 

light causes our melatonin levels to 

be lower and this changes our sleep 

patterns and thus our circadian 

rhythm. Serotonin production in the 

nervous system is also affected. 

Many viral infections arise, 

influenza, common cold, Norovirus 

(D&V) and parasitic infections such 

as thread, hook and round worms. 

However, these are minor illnesses, 

mostly self limiting, some requiring a 

pharmacist's advice and of course, flu 

is mostly preventable. 

Seasonally Adjusted Disorder, 

(SAD), on the other hand, is far 

less talked about but pervasive and 

debilitating. SAD is also known as 

seasonally adjusted depression or 

winter depression. 

Autumn Leaves 

HELP 

S Ruffle 

light box can be useful. Sleep patterns 

are important to maintain and that 

nagging fatigue and low mood after a 

poor night's sleep cannot be pandered 

too. Get up and get going. 

— Vitamin D supplement (1,000 IU 

a day will not cause any harm) and is 

available at pharmacies and health 

food shops. 

— Melatonin. This is a knotty 

question. Melatonin is a food 

supplement in most countries and 

is available as such. However it is 

regulated in the NHS as a medicine 

and is normally not allowed to 

be prescribed. This is because the 

evidence behind its use is poor and 

not cost effective. 

However in my experience some 

people really benefit: 3mg or 5mg at 

night is the usual dose. 

If your symptoms worsen and 

changes in your lifestyle do not help, 

most areas of the country allow you to 

self refer for counselling services, for 

example Berkshire’s service is: https:// 

talkingtherapies.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ 

SSRI medicine can be prescribed. 

CURE 

The SAD ‘cure’ is in the name 

— seasonal. But 4-6 months of 

feeling awful a year really needs to 

be challenged. Don’t put SAD down 

to being a bit down! As in the song 

our protagonist believed he’d lost his 

Carrie and his life would be Forever 

Autumn but for fans of the War of the 

Worlds we know (spoiler alert) things 

turn out alright in the end.



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57732 AF Jones Parish Magazine Advert.indd 1 19/11/2014 10:43 

Christmas at 

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THE ARTS — 1 

National Poetry Day is on Thursday 6 October 

Pleasant Praises by Steven Rolling 

Psalm 149:1-16 Tune: Lasst Uns Erfreuen – All creatures of our God and King 


Looking at nature's glory 

Rev Michael Burgess lifts his eyes to the hills 

Praise you the Lord, sing a new song 

Unto Him be it day, night long 

Alleluia, Alleluia! 

Make praise among His people here 

In the congregation draw near 

And worship Him with godly fear 

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! 

Rejoice in Him who has you made 

His creation’s great works displayed 


Let His people be joyful in 

Their Lord and King, fresh praise begin 

Holy Spirit, rise up within 


Let them praise His name in the dance 

Musical instruments enhance 


Of His glory, for the Lord takes 

Pleasure in His people, He makes 

Them joyful, each to Him awakes 


For the Lord He will beautify 

The meek with salvation, no lie 


Let people rejoice in glory 

Sing aloud on their beds, so be 

Or walking, sitting, standing free 


Let the high praises of God be 

In their mouths, and expressively 


A two-edged sword in their hand be 

Word of God defeats enemy 

In the battle spiritually 


Mpfphotography, dreamstime.com 

Wikimedia public domain 

'The artist should not only paint what he sees before 

him, but also what he sees within him.' These are the 

words of a German romantic painter, Caspar David 

Friedrich, who lived from 1774-1840. 

The inspiration for most of his paintings was the countryside 

and the world of nature around him. As he looked at its 

beauty and grandeur, it awoke in him feelings of wonder and 

awe, which he expressed through his art. 

At the age of 34 he painted a cross in the mountains 

as an altarpiece for a church in Dresden: the first time a 

pure landscape had been used for an altar. Later in 1811 he 

painted a similar, but more profound and more moving work: 

Morning in the Riesengebirge (pictured above). 

Friedrich was a great walker and climber, and he loved 

the mountains of East Saxony depicted here. The first rays 

of the sun are coming over the horizon to illuminate both 

the beauty of the hills, and the tall crucifix placed on the 

mountain top. 

WE CAN LOOK TO THE HILLS 

Friedrich looked at the glory of nature at sunrise and saw 

there a sign of God the Creator, and God the one who sent his 

Son to redeem that Creation. 

Like Caspar David Friedrich, and like the psalmist*, 

we can look to the hills and see the glory and greatness of 

God. This will be the theme for many of us this month with 

Harvest celebrations. But we give thanks for creation and 

the bounty of the world at a time when we hear reports 

of glaciers melting, water levels rising, greenhouse gases 

warming up our planet, and resources of food and fuel 

wasted and depleted. It is too easy to take this world for 

granted and imagine it is here solely for us. 

Caspar David Friedrich invites us to look at the world, its 

beauty and greatness, as a gift to cherish, not to manipulate 

and exploit for our own use. As we look at this earth with 

eyes of wonder and gratitude, then we shall find the God 

who created and redeemed it, and ask what service and 

stewardship we can offer him in the world. 

*I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come 

from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and 

earth. He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you 

will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither 

slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your 

shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor 

the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will 

watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and 

going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121)


Simply 

stunning, 

simply 

Sabella 

If you have a love of original art, Sabella Interiors can source, curate and display your 

artwork and bring beautiful pieces direct to your home to consider, with no obligation. 

We work with galleries, art dealers and experts, all with the knowledge to create the 

perfect art collection for you. 

Sonning-on-Thames, Berkshire and Alderley Edge, Cheshire 

Call us for an informal chat or visit The Studio (by appointment only) 

www.sabellainteriors.com | 0118 944 9629 | 07780 836747 | enquiries@sabellainteriors.com

THE ARTS — 2 

Book Reviews 

Bible Sunday 30 October update 

Wycliffe Bible Translators latest report, as of 2021, says: 

— There are now 3,495 languages which have some 

Scripture available to 7.04 billion people. 

— There are 717 languages with a complete Bible giving 

5.75 billion people access to a Bible in their own language. 

— 1,582 languages have a complete New Testament (some 

also have Old Testament portions) - 830 million people 

— 1,196 languages have some translated Bible portions - 

457 million people 

Meanwhile, there are a further 828 languages which have 

work in progress – 67.6 million people. And also, there are 

1,892 languages still waiting for translation (or preparatory 

work) to begin – 145 million people. As for the remaining 

need for Bible translation: 1.51 billion people, speaking 6,661 

languages, do not have a full Bible in their first language. 

And 145 million people, speaking 1,892 languages, still need 

translation work to begin, this includes: 

— Africa with 558 languages, 16 million people 

— Americas with 119 languages, 2.4 million people 

— Asia with 751 languages, 124 million people 

— Europe with 59 languages, 2.3 million people 

— Pacific with 405 languages, 0.43 million people 

More at: https://www.wycliffe.net/resources/statistics/ 

Abba Amma– Improvisations on the Lord’s Prayer 

By Nicola Slee, Canterbury Press, £14.99 

The Lord’s Prayer is the first, and perhaps only prayer, 

that we learn by heart. However, its patriarchal and 

kingdom imagery do not resonate universally today. How 

do we pray the prayer Jesus taught us in ways which 

are authentic and life-giving? This book offers a series 

of prayers and poems written in response to it. Each 

prayer uses the address Abba or Amma: Aramaic terms of 

intimate address to God as father or mother which reflect 

Jesus’ usage, drawing on the Abbas and Ammas of the 

desert tradition as well as our own parental relationships. 

Invest Your Future – Listening to God’s Voice 

Without Abandoning Your Bible or Your Brain 

By Paul Mallard, 10Publishing, £8.00 

Making big decisions can be difficult. Often, we end 

up paralysed with indecision, afraid that making the 

wrong choice will ruin our lives. So how do we make good 

decisions? When does the Bible guide us, and when should 

we just use our common sense or talk things through 

with friends and family? Using his huge experience and 

pastoral heart, Paul Mallard shows us where to find 

wisdom and how it works in God’s economy. He helps us 

find the balance in what is, for many of us, a constant 

challenge. He teaches us how to understand God’s 

purpose, so we can see the truly important factors in 

making our decisions. You don’t have to spend your life 

in indecision, confusion, guilt or regret. You can cultivate 

spiritual discernment in order to grow in maturity and 

wisdom, and know where to turn for guidance when 

making decisions. 


Arts & Craft Fair to 

reduce food poverty 

The main beneficiary of this year’s Reading Charity Art 

and Craft Fair will be the Thomas Franks Foundation’s 

Feeding Communities which aims to reduce food poverty 

by providing free packaged meals for those in need. The 

ingredients for the meals are collected from surpluses in 

catering sources and so also reduces food wastage. 

The Art & Craft Fair, organised by the Rotary Club of 

Reading Maiden Erlegh, will be held from 29-30 October 

at Leighton Park School. Income from the fair will help 

Feeding Communities to increase its production of food 

parcels for local support organisations such as food banks, 

the Churches Together in Reading Drop-in Centre, and 

others in the Reading, Woodley and Earley communities. 

The Maiden Erlegh Rotary Club supported these 

organisations throughout the pandemic and its aim now 

is to help reduce food waste, and the increasing burden of 

food poverty expected during the difficult months ahead. 

FOOD PARCELS 

Thomas Franks is a top-quality catering contract 

company serving restaurants of prestigious companies 

in the UK and Europe. In the Reading area the company 

also provides catering at various independent schools, 

including Leighton Park where the Art & Craft Fair is 

being held in the Oakview centre which, during school 

time, is a spacious restaurant. 

Feeding Communities was created to aid as many 

people as it could through the early months of the Covid 

pandemic, its main focus being on vulnerable people who 

were struggling or suffering from food poverty. 

Using its clients facilities, Feeding Communities 

began producing food parcels and freshly prepared meals 

in response to the food shortages that were happening 

globally. It states that as long as food poverty exists, it will 

continue to provide free meals to all who need them — 'It 

doesn’t take much to change a life and it can start with as much 

as a meal'. 

Entry to the Art & Craft Fair is free and visitors can 

enjoy a hot or cold drink and a cake in the Art Café run by 

the Inner Wheel Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh as well 

as viewing a wide range of paintings and craft exhibits. 

There will also be the opportunity to purchase art and 

craft items produced by local artists and artisans with 25% 

of the purchase price being given to Feeding Communities 

and other local community support organisations. 

For more information: 

http://www.readingcharityartfair.org www.thethomasfranksfoundation.org 

http://www.feedingcommunities.co.uk/home

36 The Parish Magazine - October 2022 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding this advertisement 

RESIDENTIAL | NURSING | DEMENTIA CARE | RESPITE 

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We pride ourselves on our family-like community, where residents interact with each 

other as well as our Signature staff who are always on hand for a warm drink or just 

a chat. It’s the little gestures that can make the biggest difference. We appreciate that 

knowing and being known within your home provides comfort, ease and reassurance. 

We recognise the richness that good company and friends bring to our lives, 

not to mention visits by family and friends or excursions in company 

to local shops, galleries or theatres. 

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

History 

Was it really . . . ? 

. . . 250 YEARS AGO, on 21 October 1772 that Samuel 

Taylor Coleridge was born. He co-founded with William 

Wordsworth the Romantic Movement of poetry. 


the sciences 

Continuing the Celebration! 

. . . 200 YEARS AGO, on 20 October 1822 that the Sunday 

Times newspaper was first published in the UK. 

. . . 150 YEARS AGO, on 11 October 1872 that Emily 

Davison, British suffragette, was born. A militant fighter 

for her cause, she died after being hit by the King’s horse 

at the 1913 Derby. 

. . . 100 YEARS AGO, on 18 October 1922 that the BBC was 

officially founded as the British Broadcasting Company 

(now the British Broadcasting Corporation). 

. . . 80 YEARS AGO, on 30 October 1942 that crew 

from the British destroyer HMS Petard retrieved 

codebooks from the German submarine U-559, enabling 

cryptographers at Bletchley Park to decipher the Enigma 

code used by U-boats. 

. . . 70 YEARS AGO, on 6 October 1952 that the world 

premiere of Agatha Christie’s play, The Mousetrap 

opened in Nottingham. It then opened in London on 25 

November, and is still running, making it the world’s 

longest-running play. It has been performed more than 

28,000 times. 

. . . 65 YEARS AGO, on 9 October 1957 that the 

Lovell Telescope began operating at the Jodrell Bank 

Observatory in Cheshire. It was the world’s largest 

steerable dish radio telescope and played an important 

role in the early days of space launches. 

. . . 60 YEARS AGO, on 15 October 1962 that British 

weather forecasts switched from the Fahrenheit scale to 

Celsius. 

. . . 40 YEARS AGO, on 11 October 1982 that Henry VIII’s 

flagship the Mary Rose was raised from the bottom of the 

Solent, off the coast of southern England, 437 years after 

it sank. 

The Mary Rose 

Pjgibson, dreamstime.com 

By Dr Ruth Bancewicz, The Faraday Institute 

for Science and Religion, Cambridge. 

Kostia Osypov, dreamstime.com 

From 9-16 October this year many people around 

the world will be celebrating the Jewish festival of 

Tabernacles, or Sukkot. They will celebrate the Harvest, 

and also remember God bringing the Israelites out of 

Egypt and through 40 years in the desert. 

The book of Deuteronomy contains a description of what 

Tabernacles should have been like: 'Celebrate… for seven days. 

Be joyful… you, your sons and daughters, your male and female 

servants, and the Levites, the foreigners, the fatherless and the 

widows who live in your towns.' 

These festivals were not just a celebration, they were also 

an expression of gratitude to God: 'celebrate the festival to the 

Lord your God...For the Lord your God will bless you in all your 

harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be 

complete.' Tabernacles was a proper holiday, with two whole 

days off normal work and seven days of feasting. 

AGRI-TECH REVOLUTION 

Farming is different today. Very few of us sweat long 

hours over crops, so we’re not as ready for (or deserving of) 

a rest and a party as our ancestors were at this time of year. 

That might be even more the case in future, as the agri-tech 

revolution unfolds. For example, small autonomous tractors 

are already becoming available that do less damage to the soil 

and make better use of steep or oddly shaped fields. 

Many arable farms already hire contractors to do the 

routine work with large specialist GPS-equipped machinery. 

In future years those people might find themselves using 

very different kinds of high-tech kit, acting more as landmanagement 

advisors, helping farmers to gather data and 

to find ways of improving soil quality, biodiversity and the 

water cycle. 

I’m very grateful for the food that arrives on my shelves. 

Instead of worrying about whether or not we earned it, our 

modern-day Tabernacles or Harvest celebration could include 

ways of encouraging those involved in agriculture and 

developing new agricultural technologies, as well as enjoying 

how we can learn about and benefit from God’s creation 

through science. 

So, after you celebrate Harvest, why not make a trip to 

a local farm this month? Why not learn from the ancient 

Israelites, and follow it up with a meal together? It stands to 

reason that those of us who live in countries where food is 

plentiful could do with being proportionately more generous 

in our gratitude and giving. Should we throw better parties? 

Probably!



One of the country’s foremost 

independent girls’ schools from 3-18 

Leading with confidence, learning with purpose, living with joy 

We would like to invite you to attend 

any of our forthcoming events 

Little Knellies - Stay and Play - 14 October 

Junior School - Open Event - 4 November 

Little Knellies - Stay and Play - 8 November 

To register your place, please visit: 

www.theabbey.co.uk/events 

Abbey Events 125H x 175W.indd 1 02/09/2022 14:27

CROSSWORD 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 

9 10 

11 

13 14 15 

19 

17 18 

16 

20 21 

22 23 

ACROSS Across 

1 -- Reverse (4) (4) 

3 - Took - Took pleasure pleasure freely (8) freely (8) 

9 - Flowers with white petals (7) 

- Flowers with white petals (7) 

10 - Pure love (5) 

10 - Pure love (5) 

11 - Connection or association (12) 

11 - Connection or association (12) 

13 - Provoke (6) 

13 15 - Provoke - Marble (6) (anag) (6) 

15 17 - Marble - Foreboding (anag) (6) (12) 

20 - Cage for small pets (5) 

17 - Foreboding (12) 

21 - Skills (7) 

20 - Cage for small pets (5) 

22 - Plot (8) 

21 - Skills (7) 

23 - Metallic element (4) 

22 - Plot (8) 

Down 

12 

1 - Form the base for (8) 

2 - Bore into (5) 

4 - Person who fails to turn up (2-4) 

5 - Modestly (12) 

6 - Extremely cold (7) 

7 - Profound (4) 

8 - Absolute authority in any sphere (12) 

12 - Male relation (8) 

14 - Motor-driven revolving cylinder (7) 

16 - Paler (6) 

18 - Interior (5) 

DOWN 

23 Metallic element (4) 

1 - Form the base for (8) 

2 - Bore into (5) 

4 - Person who fails to turn up (2-4) 

5 - Modestly (12) 

6 - Extremely cold (7) 

7 - Profound (4) 

8 - Absolute authority in any sphere (12) 

12 - Male relation (8) 

14 - Motor-driven revolving cylinder (7) 

16 - Paler (6) 

18 - Interior (5) 

19 - Stylish (4) 

CODEWORD 

19 - Stylish (4) 

13 22 10 13 20 5 2 11 19 

1 12 4 25 22 11 4 8 15 24 

25 1 9 19 10 16 7 

8 20 4 3 24 12 10 4 7 12 14 

15 22 26 22 19 21 

24 22 25 15 19 1 25 20 12 7 15 24 

11 3 10 25 

16 20 12 9 9 15 19 7 22 19 4 20 

22 20 19 26 1 4 

4 18 1 4 8 19 4 25 16 15 19 

1 23 4 8 6 20 5 

11 22 25 12 19 22 8 5 1 25 

24 25 25 19 15 6 20 1 17 

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 

H 

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

X Q 

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 

ALL HALLOWS EVE 


PUZZLE PAGE — the answers will be published in the next issue 

With October, autumn is underway – 

the leaves are turning gold, the chilly 

nights are closing in and the shops are 

full of Halloween things. Our ancestors 

were frightened of the dark and cold 

of winter, and feared that evil things 

might attack them. So they lit fires and 

wore frightening masks, to ward off evil 

spirits. But Christianity taught a much 

better way: it taught that Jesus Christ 

is the Son of God, and that when He 

died for us on the cross, he overcame 

all the powers of evil that there are. So 

we don’t need charms to ward off evil, 

we just need to turn to Jesus in prayer. 

He will protect us from any power of 

darkness that menaces our lives. The 

Psalms say that he is our shield and 

protector! 

AUTUMN 

GOLD 

NIGHT 

DARK 

PUMPKIN 

SWEETS 

SAINTS 

GOODNESS 

SAVING 

PRAYER 

PROTECTION 

LIGHT 

JESUS 

SON 

FEARLESS 

SCHOOL 

EXAMS 

HALF TERM 

COAL 

LEAVES 

BONFIRES 

SNEEZE 

SCARVES 

SOUP 

September 

Solutions 

CROSSWORD 

I T E M B L A S T O F F 

N J C E U U E 

C H E V R O N P A S T A 

O C O G E T T 

R I T E S T A R N I S H 

R S H N N E 

U N L O C K D A G G E R 

P I O A T W 

T O N G U E S U N C L E 

I E N T R H I 

B E A S T H E A R I N G 

L G R M L N H 

E V E R Y D A Y H O O T 

CODEWORD 

S Q U A D R O N L O C O 

A S E U N P V 

S H E E N T I N U R E 

H D O F G L R 

S M O O T H N E S S 

M J I X T N E 

Y E A R N S A C A C I A 

T B A S L E S 

H A B I T A T I O N 

I E I R T S D 

C A R G O I H A I K U 

A E N F E Z E 

L A D Y N E W S R E E L 

SUDOKU 

WORDSEARCH WEEDS


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 


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@ntlworld.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 - October 2022 41

42 The Parish Magazine - October 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), MA(RAM), LRAM 

music@sonningparish.org.uk 

Sonning Bell Ringers 

— Tower Captain: Pam Elliston 

pam.elliston@talktalk.net / 0118 969 5967 

— Deputy Tower Captain: Rob 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 

Abbey School 38 

Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society 20 

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 

Comfort in Care 10 

Complete Pest Solutions 24 

Computer Frustrations 40 

CPS Fuels 28 

Cruz Kitchens 28 

Design for Print 28 

EMDR Hypnotherapist 30 

Freebody Boatbuilders 6 

Fields Pharmacy 32 

French Horn 44 

Gardiner’s Homecare 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 

Nutrition & Health Consultant 38 

Odd Jobs 40 

Painter and Decorator 40 

Pearson Hall Sonning 24 

Queen Anne’s School 10 

Reading Blue Coat School 26 

Richfield Flooring 14 

Sabella Interiors 34 

SecureHeat 20 

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 

The 50 Plus Home Repairs 28 

Tomalin Funerals 24 

Walker Funerals 12 

Water Softener Salt 28 

Window Cleaner 16

Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding this advertisement 


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 - October Please mention 2022 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

The Parish Magazine October 2022

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