The Parish Magazine November 2022

The Parish Magazine - November 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 

November 2022 — Remembrance — Advent Sunday 

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 - November 2022 

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The Parish Magazine - October 2022 1 

The John King Trophy and Gold Award 

Best Magazine of the Year 2018 

National Parish Magazine Awards 

Best Content 2021, 2016 

Best Overall 2020, 2015 

Best Editor 2019 

Best Print 2018 

information — 1 

Contents November 2022 

THE VICAR'S SERMON, 5 

THE PARISH NOTICEBOARD 

— Junior chorister robes, 7 

— Goodbye to Celeste, 7 

— Rendezvous Christmas, 7 

— Service for the departed, 7 

— Confirmation service, 7 

— Deputy warden appointed, 7 

— Claude's view from the pew, 7 

— For your prayers, 7 

— Christian Basics, 9 

— From the editor's desk, 9 

— My favourite, 11 

— Andrew, the first disciple, 13 

— The Persecuted Church, 13 

— STAY, 15 

FEATURES 

— Jellyfish day, 17 

— Odd sock day, 17 

— Singing for fun or career, 19 

— Churchyard VCs, 21 

— Chelsea Royal Hospital, 22-23 

— Bell ringers wanted, 25 

—around the villages 

— Tidying the river, 27 

— Inner Wheel riverside walk, 27 

— WI village walk, 27 

— Sonning Show report, 29 

— Art Group winners, 29 

— Sonning Society AGM, 29 

health 

— Dr Simon Ruffle, 31 

This ISSUE's FRONT COVER 

November 2022 — Remembrance 


Parish 

Magazine 

the church of st andrew, SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF 

CHARVIL, SONNING and sonning eye SINCE THE 7 th CENTURY 

Picture: Indy Biddulph 

EDITORIAL DEADLINE 

The editorial deadline for every issue 

of The Parish Magazine is 12 noon on 

the sixth day of the month prior to the 

date of publication. 

The deadline for the December 

issue of The Parish Magazine is: 

Sunday 6 November 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 


Services at 

St Andrew’s 

Sunday 6 November 

— 8.00am Holy Communion 

— 10.30am Family Service 

— 4.00pm All Souls Service for 

the Faithful Departed 

Remembrance 13 November 


— 10.30am Royal British Legion 

Remembrance Service 

Christ the King 20 November 


— 10.30am Confirmation Service 

presided over by the Rt Rev Dr 

Steven Croft Bishop of Oxford 

— 3.00pm Messy Church in The Ark 

Advent Sunday 27 November 


— 10.30am Parish Eucharist with 

STAY and Sunday Club 

— 6.00pm Sunday at Six in The Ark 

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. 

HOME & GARDEn 

— Recipe of the month, 33 

— Remember Will Aid, 33 

— In the garden, 33 

— Christmas last post, 33 

THE ARTS 

— Thank God for food, 35 

— Poetry Corner, 35 

— Book Reviews, 35 

history, 37 

THE SCIENCES 

— Wonder and worship, 37 

PUZZLE PAGE, 39 

children's page, 41 

information 

— Church services, 3 

— From the registers, 3 

— Parish contacts, 42 

— Advertisers' index, 42 

From the Registers 

weddings 

— Saturday 10 September, Jack Stanley Evans and Jenna Anne-Marie Noad 

— Sunday 25 September, James David Goddard and Stephanie Louise Gardner 

— Saturday 1 October, James Andrew Preston and Genevieve Alexandra 

Callaghan 

funerals 

— Monday 12 September, Gwendoline Iris Clark, service in Church followed by 

cremation at Reading Crematorium 

— Friday 16 September, Kathleen Margaret Judd, interment of ashes in the 

churchyard 

— Wednesday 21 September, Florence Elizabeth Cruise, interment of ashes in 

the churchyard 

— Friday 30 September, Wendy Gertrude Coomber, interment of ashes in the 

churchyard


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The vicar's letter 

Dear friends, 

In my September letter I wrote briefly about my concerns for, and I quote, 

'little children' of 'younger and younger ages' who I believe are in danger 

of losing their innocence because of an exposure to sexualised social 

media and themes around sexual and gender identity which I don’t 

think they are ready for at such a tender age. On reflection, I should have 

explicitly stated that the children I was referring to were of primary 

school age and younger. That some on social media have interpreted my 

comments as ‘transphobic’ is most regrettable and a source of distress to 

me as this is not the case. As the father of two girls under 16 I know all 

too well how tricky parenthood is in this present climate and I need to 

stress that I was not referring to teenagers or adults who may have gender 

identity issues. I was merely suggesting that younger children should 

be protected from these complex and sensitive issues that have clearly 

caused much confusion and many misdiagnoses, as have been evidenced 

in a number of recent reports, and in the forced closure of the Tavistock 

clinic. In this I was giving voice to widespread concerns, as presented in 

parental legal actions, most recently by Nigel and Sally Rowe against the 

DofE (details can be found on the Christian Concern website). It is a live issue 

for our society, and we will all have our own views. Freedom of speech is a 

vital part of a healthy democracy, and an airing of these views in calm and 

constructive discussions is surely a good thing? 

This month we gather to remember our loved ones departed at a special memorial service for All Souls 

on Sunday 6 November, and then the following Sunday, being Remembrance Sunday, our community comes 

together at St Andrew's to give thanks for the millions who have lost their lives in the defence of freedom. 

A special mention will this year be made of the campaign to liberate our Falkland Islands 40 years ago, 

remembering the 255 service men who did not return. Please come 'to remember'. 

We are all looking forward to a big celebration of faith on Sunday 20 November when the Bishop of Oxford 

will lead a Confirmation service at St Andrew’s. Presently some 16 young people and 12 adults from our church 

are preparing to take this important and public step of commitment and we thank God for that. In addition to 

this, the service will also mark the 800th anniversary of the first recorded vicar of Sonning. My predecessor, 

Vitalis, is the first on the list, with me coming in at 59th! However, this is not the whole picture as there were 

clearly clergy ministering here before then as there has been a church on this site since the late 600s, but there 

are no records before 1222. So, in the interests of not wasting an opportunity for a celebration, this service will 

also feature this important milestone for our church and will end with a celebration in The Ark. 

Finally, a word about Rendezvous, our lunch club, which meets every second and fourth Tuesday in The Ark. 

We have come back to life after covid, and it is a great pleasure to see The Ark being used to foster friendships 

and hospitality. The lunch has moved away from its original intention of being purely for pensioners, and so 

anyone who is able is very welcome to come along. We have such a diverse range of attendees and I always enjoy 

the fellowship and often a jolly good laugh. I heartily recommend it and invite you to give us a try. To book, call 

the parish office on 0118 969 3298. 

Warm wishes. 

Jamie 

DEPARTED LOVED ONES 

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the parish noticeboard — 1 

Rev Jamie was recently pleased to present surplices (white robes) to some 

new choristers and to formally admit them to the choir. Pictured (left to 

right): Joshua, Martha, Johnny, George, Joss, vicar, director of music). 

Hwyl fawr Celeste: On Sunday 11 

September Celeste Hexter (right) sang 

at her last service as head chorister. 

She was a founder member of our 

junior choir in 2009 and has been an 

inspirational influence for many of 

our junior choristers. A presentation 

was made after the service by the Rt 

Hon Theresa May MP, patron of our 

choral foundation. Celeste has won a 

scholarship as a chorister at Llandaff 

Cathedral as well as beginning a 

degree in English and music at Cardiff 

University (see page 19). 

Rendezvous Christmas dinner: This will be on Tuesday 13 December at 

12pm. It is always a popular event and spaces are limited so book early. 

All Souls Service to remember the departed: We will gather at 4pm on 

Sunday 6 November for this moving and poignant act of worship. Candles will 

be lit as the names of the departed are prayerfully read out. All those who have 

died in the last 12 months will be automatically included on the list, but if you 

would like to add anyone then please give their name when you arrive. Drinks 

will be served after the service and all members of the ministry team will be on 

hand to meet with you all. 

Confirmation and 800th anniversary of first recorded vicar of 

Sonning: We shall welcome our Diocesan Bishop, the Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft 

on Sunday 20 November at 10.30am for our Confirmation and commemoration 

of this historic milestone for St Andrew’s. 

New deputy warden: The PCC has co-opted former churchwarden, Terry 

Hunt, as a member and deputy warden. He has kindly agreed to assist the 

wardens with the extensive task of building and churchyard maintenance. 

For your prayers in November 

— His Majesty King Charles III and the Queen Consort 

— The work of the Royal British Legion 

— All being confirmed this month 

— The Bishop of Oxford 

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Claude's 

view 

from 

the 

pew 

We are all creatures of habit, 

whether we like it or not. It's a part 

human nature. A habit of mine is to 

arrive in church in good time and to 

sit and watch the pews slowly fill up. 

I was born in the Reading area and 

have called it home all my life. With my 

wife Barbara, who died recently, I have 

worshipped regularly in four different 

Reading churches — I was a church 

warden in one of them — and I have 

witnessed people's habits in church; 

the way their clothes have changed 

and what they do while waiting for the 

service to start. 

CABBAGES 

The modern day habit is without 

doubt, the mobile phone. You can see 

some people sharing photographs, 

sending messages or even playing 

games, although I have to say, it is not 

unusual for some to sit and read this 

magazine! 

My habit is to sit, listen to the 

musicians warming up and to think. 

Of late my thoughts have taken me 

back to my youth and the time I first 

met Barbara, or rather, was told by her 

father to walk her home after a party. 

And that was that, as they say! 

It was during another walk, that I 

proposed to her as we walked through 

a cabbage patch! It was probably a 

good thing that there were not the 

usual cabbages in church for this 

year's harvest service because we were 

collecting tinned and dry food, and 

cash, for Woodley Food Bank. If there 

had been, my mind would have been 

distracted from what was a very joyful 

and uplifting service as we thanked 

God for the many different gifts he 

shares among us, for the food he 

provides for us, and for our habits!


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Christian Basics — Part 9 

By Rev Paul Hardingham 

Why belong to 

the Church? 

Many people are struggling to connect with church today 

following the pandemic. However, we should ‘not give 

up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing’ 

(Hebrews 10:25). The church is not simply a building or 

services, but a shared friendship with Jesus, as the New 

Testament makes clear. 

THE FAMILY OF GOD 

The church is a community united by their love for God 

and readiness to sharing this love with others: ‘a people 

belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who 

called you out of darkness into his wonderful light’ (1 Peter 2:9). 

It is in the life of the church that people can connect with 

God’s love. 

THE BODY OF CHRIST 

The church is also Christ’s body on earth: ‘The body is a 

unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its 

parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ’ (1 Cor 

12:12). We all have a unique contribution to make, using 

our different gifts, experience and passion. However, 

beware of those attitudes that stop us representing 

Christ: inferiority — ‘I have nothing to offer’ — or 

superiority — ‘I don’t need you’. 

A HOLY TEMPLE 

In the Old Testament the temple, was God’s home on 

earth; now the church has become his home: ‘In him the 

whole building is joined together … in him you too are being 

built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his 

Spirit.’ (Ephesians 1: 21,22). Church is a place where people 

can be loved, accepted and welcomed home. Is this our 

experience of church and what changes would make it 

more as God intends? 

Don’t forget: 

‘The local church is the hope of the world’ (Bill Hybels). 

Indy Biddulph 

From the 

editor's desk 

editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk 

A new beginning . . . 


In a recent talk at a family service, Rev Kate used a series of 

words to explain to the children — and us adults! — that 

every ending marks a new beginning. This came to mind 

when I sat at my desk to work on this issue. 

The Church of England lectionary — which is best 

described as the church calendar — lists the seasons of the 

church year and gives day by day suggestions for readings, 

psalms, special services and holy days. 

One of the first things I do when planning an issue is to 

glance through the lectionary for the month in question to 

remind me of what I might include. It is never possible to 

include every annual event or special religious day, so if I 

include something one year I try to cover something different 

the next. There are, of course, some things that can't be left 

out such as Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Remembrance, 

which is one of the themes of this issue which includes two 

articles which I hope you will find interesting. 

A FAVOUR RETURNED . . . 

On the centre spread Chris Bailey, who lives in Charvil 

with his wife Sue and worships in St Andrew's, gives us 

an interesting insight into the redevelopment of part of 

the Royal Hospital Chelsea which is famous throughout 

the world for the care they provide for ex-servicemen and 

women. 

And, on page 21, Brian Hunt reminds us of the heroic 

contributions that many local people have given through 

serving our country in the armed forces. Brian lives in 

Woodley and often walks through our churchyard on his 

way to the lock. As a member of the Rotary Club of Reading 

Maiden Erlegh he was asked to give a presentation to its 

members on the two generals who are buried there. He 

based his talk on information that he found in The Parish 

Magazine archives that I had given him access to. He said, 'I 

thought I could repay your favour by contributing an article to the 

magazine'. I hope you find it as interesting as I did. 

. . . AND A FAVOURITE REQUEST 

November brings the church year to an end. Having 

looked back and given thanks to God for all who have gone 

before us, we come to the last day of the church year on 

Sunday 20 November when the church celebrates 'Christ 

the King' and, in Sonning, we will be welcoming the Bishop 

of Oxford and a large number of young, and not so young 

people who are making a new beginning by being confirmed 

as members of the Church of England. And, just as Rev Kate 

reminded us, the end of the year is quickly followed by a new 

beginning, in this case it is a week later, when we celebrate 

the first Sunday of Advent and begin planning for Christmas. 

If you have a favourite carol please let me know about it for 

the 'My Favourite' column (see page 11). This month I have 

chosen my favourite hymn which it seems is also a favourite 

of the Royal family. I will be very pleased to hear about yours!


Planning Your 

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discuss the possibility of 

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If so, call the vicar, Jamie 

0118 969 3298 

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we will work hard to provide you with a memorable and 

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the church of st andrew SERVING CHARVIL, 

SONNING & sonning eye since the 7 th century 

IN THE ARK 

Sunday 20 November 

3pm 

Fun, Free Food, 

Art & Craft, and Family 

Worship for children 

of all ages! 

In 

The Ark 

This month our theme is 'St Andrew' 

revkate@sonningparish.org.uk


My favourite hymn . . . 

Jehovah the Redeemer 

By Bob Peters 

In 1970, walking past a pub in Sketty on the outskirts of Swansea I had one of 

those 'hair standing on the back of the neck' moments. Wales was dominating 

the rugby world with what is arguably their greatest team ever and they had 

just made their latest triumph overseas. Through the open door of the pub 

came the rousing sound of men singing in English, 'Guide Me O Thou Great 

Jehovah'. 

In those days, it was rare to hear 

the Welsh language in that part 

of Wales, the only time I heard it 

was when I met a family friend 

who lived 10 miles away in Llanelli 

— she even had a bilingual 

dog! — and the only time I saw 

Welsh written was when it was 

painted on street signs that had 

the English language directions 

blotted out. A campaign to restore 

the Welsh language was just 

beginning to gain wider support. 

Today it is spoken and written 

throughout the whole country. For 

the year ending 31 March 2021, 

the Annual Population Survey 

reported that 29.1% of people aged 

three or over were able to speak 

Welsh. This figure equates to 

883,300 people. English is still the 

dominant language. 

JEHOVAH? 

Guide me O thou Great Jehovah 

was originally written in Welsh 

by William Williams in 1745 — 

Arglwydd arwain trwy'r anialwch 

— and translated into English 

by another Welshman, Peter 

Williams in 1771. 

Both had been ordained in 

the Church of England but later 

both became disillusioned with 

the Anglican Church in Wales and 

became members of the Calvinist 

Methodist Church in Wales. 

The hymn is based on the 

Israelites journey from Egypt to 

the Promised Land and recalls 

how God guided them through 

the desert, gave them a stream of 

flowing water from a rock, and fed 

them with manna, the bread of 

heaven. 

It is set to the tune Cwm 

Rhondda, written by another 

Welshman, John Hughes in 1905 

and today the hymn is widely 

known as the second national 

anthem of Wales — a little like 

Land of Hope and Glory has become 

the patriotic hymn for the English. 

In case you are wondering, I 

am not Welsh, both my parents 

were cockneys, my father claimed 

his ancestors were French circus 

folk and my mother's family were 

German refugees. I lived in Swansea 

for four years while studying at the 

University of Wales. 

REDEEMER? 

Today the Welsh hymn is better 

known as Guide Me O Thou Great 

Redeemer. According to a Welsh 

Anglican minister, Sandy Grant, 

'Many people believe the word Jehovah 

is a mistranslation for the personal 

name for God, Yahweh (YHWH) — I 

am who I am. It was revealed to Moses 

at the burning bush in Exodus 3:13-15 

To avoid confusion, Redeemer is 

substituted to rightfully depict the God 

who led the Israelites out of bondage.' 

The word 'Redeemer' appears 

throughout the Old and New 

Testament and just as God the 

Father and Jesus, are revealed as one 

and the same person united with 

the Holy Spirit, Jesus is called the 

Saviour and Redeemer. (John 11:26) 

As well as being my favourite 

hymn — I chose it as the final 

hymn when I married Sue in St 

Andrew's Church — it seems to be 

a favourite among the members of 

the Royal Family, including the late 

Queen Elizabeth II. It was sung at 

the funeral of Diana Princess of 

Wales, the Queen Mother's funeral, 

the wedding of Prince William and 

Catherine Middleton, (now Prince 

and Princess of Wales) and most 

recently in Llandaff Cathedral, 

Cardiff, to commemorate the death 

of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

While I prefer the original 

translation of 'Jehovah', 'Redeemer' 

makes no difference to the 'hair 

tingling' effect that my favourite 

hymn always creates! 


The Persecuted Church by Colin Bailey 

'Open thou the crystal fountain, whence the 

healing stream shall flow'; Pistyll Rhaeadr 

Waterfall, Powys, Wales that half way down 

appears to come out of the rock. 

Steve Allen, dreamstime.com 

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE HYMN, 

PSALM, BIBLE PASSAGE, OR 

CHRISTMAS CAROL TO SHARE? 

CONTACT THE EDITOR 

(Contact details on page 42) 

lifeposters on pinterest.co.uk


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The first disciple 

Andrew, whose 

feast day ends 

the Christian 

year on 30 

November, is 

probably best 

known to us as 

the patron saint 

of our church, 

and of Scotland, 

though his only 

connection with 

the country 

is that some 

of his bones 

were said to be 

transported 

there in the 

8th Century 

and preserved 

at a church in 

St Andrew's. 

There are so many legends about him 

that it’s safest to stick to what the 

Gospels tell us, though the tradition 

that he was martyred by crucifixion 

is probably true and is perpetuated in 

the ‘St Andrew’s Cross’, the saltire of 

Scotland. 

The Gospels tell us he was one of 

the first disciples of Jesus, and the first 

to bring someone else to Christ — his 

brother. Like many Jews at the time, 

Andrew and an unnamed companion, 

had been drawn to the desert to be 

taught by the charismatic prophet, 

John the Baptist. Many thought that 

John was the Messiah, but he insisted 

that he was not. ‘I am the voice crying 

in the wilderness,’ he told the crowds. 

‘Prepare the way of the Lord! One comes 

after me who is greater than I am.’ 

LIFE-CHANGING 

Peter Rennie 

One day John pointed out Jesus to 

Andrew and his friend and described 

him as the ‘Lamb of God’, the two 

young men followed him. 

The result was life-changing — for 

themselves, and many others. Andrew 

took his brother, Peter, to Jesus. The 

next day Jesus met Philip and called 

him to ‘follow‘. Philip then brought 

Nathaniel. The little apostolic band 

who would carry the message of 

Jesus to the whole world was being 

formed. They came, they saw, they 

were conquered! And at the front was 

Andrew, the first disciple of Jesus. 


The Persecuted Church by Colin Bailey 

Christian suffering in Qatar 

highlighted by World Cup 

Under construction the 2022 World Cup stadium 

The Men’s Football World Cup takes place every four years and is scheduled 

to start on Sunday 20 November in Qatar. This will be the first time an Arab 

country has hosted the competition. Tony Manfred writing in 2015 for Yahoo! 

Sports Business Insider about Qatar’s 2010 bid declared that the country’s lack 

of infrastructure and soccer tradition made it the most controversial World 

Cup host nation ever. In the building of the soccer-related infrastructure it was 

estimated that several thousand construction workers would die, and Manfred 

cited the International Trade Union Confederation’s report that 1,200 migrant 

workers from Nepal and India died in Qatar from December 2010 to March 2014. 

Qatar was under Ottoman rule until it became a British protectorate during the 

First World War. The country became independent in 1971. It has a population 

of 2.8 million, of whom 'barely 380,000', according to The Guardian, are Qatari 

nationals. Of the 2.8 million population, 372,000 (13.1%) are Christians, according 

to Open Doors. Wikipedia broadly concurs, giving the population figures on 

religion as 65.5% Islam (the state religion), 15.1% Hinduism, 14.2% Christianity, 

3.3% Buddhism, and 1.9% Others. 

PRESSURE AND DISCRIMINATION 

christophe tausch, dreamstime.com 

Most of the Christians in Qatar are migrant workers. They face 'pressure and 

discrimination' with their churches often heavily monitored by government, 

but they are freer to worship than indigenous believers. A new believer from the 

indigenous community is likely to face extreme pressure from their Muslim family 

and community if their Christian faith is discovered. Qatar does not officially 

recognise conversion from Islam, and a Christian from a Muslim background is 

not permitted to marry a non-Muslim. 

Christians can have a hard time witnessing in Qatar. 'Pastor Samuel' (name 

changed for security reasons) talking to Open Doors says how Christians are 

limited in evangelising too openly. 'But', he says, 'nobody can stop us from talking 

to our fellow workers and witnessing to them in our everyday lives. Every day God 

gives us opportunities to show our love to others.' 

In Open Doors’ World Watch List, the annual ranking of the 50 countries where 

Christians face the most extreme persecution, Qatar ranks number 18. It jumped 

11 places this year - one of the countries that rose the most, compared to last year. 

The main reason was an increase in violence and most house churches having 

to remain closed. They were closed during Covid-19 restrictions, but when those 

restrictions were lifted, house churches were not permitted to re-open. 

Please pray for a strengthening of the Christian population in Qatar, and that 

the FIFA 2022 World Cup may be used to draw attention to the challenges facing 

Qatar’s Christians and bring about greater religious freedom. Amen. 

References and further reading 

The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/27/qatar-calling-diplomatshome-for-military-service-at-world-cup 

Yahoo! Sports: https://sports.yahoo.com/news/14-reasons-qatar-world-cup-174400894.html 

Open Doors: https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/qatar/ 

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar#British_period_(1916%E2%80%931971)



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St Andrew's Youth 

STAY Confirmation Classes 

We have 16 young people doing the youth confirmation 

classes on Monday evenings when we meet in a different 

young person's home. We gather, play a game, eat pizza, 

watch an Alpha youth video, cover a church life topic 

such as what the Lord’s Prayer means or why people cross 

themselves, then we finish with a prayer. 

STAY on Friday 

Our weekly youth club has been super fun since starting back 

in September. We have new leaders T-shirts and hoodies with 

rules written by the young people and we have the new, fully 

equipped upper room, and we have recruited new leaders and 

lots of new young people. Plus we’ve invested in some new 

games, including spike ball, volleyball and can off. 

In our 'final thoughts' we recently interviewed the four 

young leaders. It was great to show what being a young leader 

can be like and help others aspire to becoming one. 

On top of the new stuff, we’ve had the usual 40-65 young 

people doing activities — baking amazing cakes and cookies 

with Liz, pool, table tennis, air hockey, Xbox, football, four 

square, frisbee, kubb, badminton, skipping, table tennis, 

table football, nail bar, tuck shop, beer pong — without the 

beer — and loads of board games! The funny thing is, with all 

that choice, you still see groups on their phones! 

STAY on Sunday 

STAY on Sunday finished the summer term theme on 

‘relationships’, when we looked at: from what are our 

relationships with food, family and friends to what are our 

relationships with celebrities, humour and our screens. 

This September we started a new parables series where we 

began looking at the parables Jesus told and what their 

hidden, or not so hidden, meaning is. 

We still have a regular 10-15 young people attending on 

Sundays, but if they all turned up the same week we would 

have 22 and need to split into the second upper room. It's an 

amazing problem to have! 

SPIKE BALL 

BEER PONG MINUS THE BEER 

BAKING 

TUCK SHOP 

STAY Detached Project 

We have kept walking around Charvil every Thursday to 

build positive relationships with young people on their turf. 

We regularly see 40-50 young people every week and always 

take some sort of game or discussion questions with us. 

In the warmer months we hand out lemonade and ice 

pops and in the colder months, hot chocolate with whipped 

cream and marshmallows. This is now so popular as I walk 

through Piggott on a Wednesday I hear, 'you coming shops 

and muga Thursday, Westy?' 

STAY in Schools 

Our work in schools has been steady and consistent. We have 

continued with regular assemblies in all four local schools 

and mentoring around 25 students in the two secondary 

schools. We are also privileged to offer additional things such 

as staff prayer meetings, lunch clubs and Christian Unions. 

TWISTER 

Mentoring Training 

With lots of local youth workers picking up their schools 

work again I was asked to lead some mentoring training. 

So I teamed up with Rich Kay from Chapter 2, https://www. 

chapter2.org.uk and we delivered training to six local youth 

workers, covering the philosophy to mentoring, the best 

approach, what to do when it comes to safeguarding, while 

sharing stories of success and failure. The attendees feedback 

was of great appreciation and thanks. 

For any feedback or to chat, email me, Westy, on: 

youthminister@sonningparish.org.uk



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feature — 1 


Put some time aside for the humble jellyfish 

What has no heart, bones, eyes or brain, is made up of 95% water, and yet is 

still a remarkably efficient ocean predator? Answer: the jellyfish. 

xiang Gao, dreamstime.com 

While special days for raising 

awareness of the many serious issues 

facing the world — the climate, 

underprivileged people, the hungry, 

deprived children, homeless and 

those with physical and mental 

health problems, and so on — are 

usually very worthy ideas that in 

many cases are changing the lives 

of millions of people, animals, and 

the world in which we live, there are 

some 'special' days that remain a 

mystery. Held on 3 November each 

year is probably the strangest ever 

special day, World Jellyfish Day. 

No-one seems to know why it 

was started, or who started it. There 

does not seem to be any underlying 

commercial reason other than 

perhaps boosting the number of 

visitors to aquariums, and no-one 

knows what we are meant to do to 

celebrate it other than going to the 

seaside and trying to see one. 

However, jellyfish have been 

around for between 500 million to 

700 million years, they appeared 

on Earth more than 250 million 

years before the first dinosaurs, but 

because they are boneless, softbodied 

and almost all water, their 

fossils are extremely rare. While they 

are common throughout the world 

and, especially in the warm waters 

around the Middle East they are not 

specifically mentioned in the Bible - 

but then few sea creatures are given 

specific names in the Bible. 

More than 2,000 different species 

have been identified and some 

scientists believe there could be as 

many as 300,000 more! 

They come in many different sizes 

– some as large as 200 feet long – and 

they have an amazing variety of 

beautiful colours and shapes. 

Only a relatively small number of 

species, about 70, can be harmful to 

humans. 

Perhaps the humble jellyfish is 

entitled to much more than one 

special day a year for us to ponder 

in awe on the amazing beauty and 

longevity of God's creativity. 

Monday 14 November is a very 

special day for the many children 

who are nagged by their parents 

for wearing odd socks to school 

because this is the day that we are 

all encouraged to wear them. 

Odd Socks Day marks the start of 

Anti-Bullying Week 2022 and is 

supported by cBeebies presenter and 

ABA patron Andy Day and his band 

'Andy and the Odd Socks'. It's not just 

for children, everyone 

can take part by wearing odd socks 

at school, work, out shopping or at 

home, it couldn’t be simpler! 

If you take part you are also 

invited to make a £1 donation — or 

any donation you think appropriate 

— to support the campaign. 

Last year over 5 million children, 

thousands and hundreds of 

parents and workplaces, and lots 

of celebrities and influencers got 

involved. 

Vetre Antanaviciute-meskauskiene, dreamstime.com 

You can donate online at: 

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ 

aba?success=true or send a cheque, 

made payable to ‘Anti-Bullying 

Alliance’ anti-Bullying Alliance, 

National Children's Bureau, 23 

Mentmore Terrace, Hackney, 

London, E8 3PN. 

For more information see: 

https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullyingweek/anti-bullying-week-2022-reach-out



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feature — 2 


Singing for fun or a career? You could start here! 

St Andrew's Church junior and senior choirs (above) are seeking new 

members! If you love to sing, or would like to give singing a try, our friendly 

and welcoming choirs would be delighted to welcome you at one of their 

rehearsals — no prior experience required. Joining a church choir is a great 

way to develop musical skills and make new friends. It can even be a stepping 

stone into a career in music as Celeste Hexter has discovered. . . 

Celeste Hexter 

Celeste has been awarded a music 

scholarship with Llandaff Cathedral 

while reading Music and English at 

Cardiff University. She said: 'I have 

been part of the junior choir since I 

was 7 years old. 

'The music department at St 

Andrew's Church has supported me 

constantly through my 11 years of 

singing with the choir. 

'I was appointed as head chorister 

3 years ago and since then I have 

supported new members of the 

junior choir and worked closely with 

the director of music. 

'I have had opportunities to 

sing solos, sing in large celebration 

services, conduct at services and lead 

the choir through rehearsals and 

warm ups. 

'Being a part of the junior choir 

has helped with my teamwork and 

listening skills as I work closely with 

singers of many different ages. 

'My music theory and sight 

reading skills have also improved 

tremendously since being involved 

with the choir and singing regularly. 

I have been able to attend choral 

courses and obtained my gold award 

from the Royal School of Music'. 

COMPATIBILITY 

Choir rehearsals are compatible 

with STAY — St Andrew's Youth 

— activities on Fridays, so if your 

child is a member of STAY, why 

not bring them to church earlier so 

they can sing with the junior choir 

beforehand? 

And parents, if you’re looking for 

something to fill the time while your 

child is at STAY, then come and sing 

with the senior choir! 

JUNIOR INFORMATION 

Rehearsal: Friday, 5.30-6.45pm 

Services: Morning services on the 

first and third Sunday of the month. 

Evensong on first Sunday of the month. 

Payment: Junior choristers are paid for 

every rehearsal and service they attend, 

and there are generous bonus fees for 

special services such as weddings. 

Awards: With specialist training 

from our director of music, junior 

choristers can work towards RSCM 

singing awards to develop skills and 

earn ribbons. 

SENIOR INFORMATION 

The senior choir will enable you to 

try something new, develop a love of 

singing and find a new community. 

Rehearsal: Friday, 6.45-8pm 

Services: Sunday mornings and 

Evensong on first Sunday afternoon 

of the month. 

Payment: for weddings and funerals. 

For more information, or if you would like to go to a rehearsal, 

get in touch with the director of music: 

Hannah Towndrow BA(Oxon), MA(RAM), LRAM 

music@sonningparish.org.uk



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FEAture — 3 

REMEMBRANCE 

Our churchyard of distinction 


By Brian Hunt 

(Above left) Edmund John Phipps-Hornby, (centre) Inspecting the Sonning Local 

Defence Volunteers and (above right) his grave in St Andrew's churchyard 

St Andrew’s churchyard has the distinction of having the graves of two 

Victoria Cross holders — Edmund John Phipps-Hornby VC and 

Llewelyn Alberic Emilius Price-Davies VC. Both recipients 

served their country for decades and were retired Generals 

when they moved to Sonning. Their Victoria Crosses were 

awarded during the Second Boer War for ‘most conspicuous 

bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self 

sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy’. 

EDMUND JOHN PHIPPS-HORNBY VC 

Edmund John Phipps-Hornby was a 42 year-old major in charge of a battery of 

the Royal Horse Artillery when he was awarded his VC in 1900. 

His battery was part of a large column of troops that was ambushed by Boers. 

The battery opened fire and remained in action under intense rifle fire until ordered 

to withdraw. The Boer rifle fire was so heavy that the battery’s horses could not 

be used to pull the guns away, so the guns and their limbers were dragged away 

manually — an exhausting effort over a long distance under fire. It was decided 

that the whole battery was conspicuously gallant, and four VCs were awarded. 

Phipps-Hornby retired from the army in 1918 as a 60 year old Brigadier-General 

after 40 years service. With his wife Anna and their two daughters they moved 

to Sonning in 1922. Phipps-Hornby and his wife served in many of Sonning’s 

community activities, including St Andrew’s PCC, Royal British Legion, Sonning 

Cricket Club and Sonning Golf Club. In 1940, at the age of 82, Phipps-Hornby was 

commander of the Sonning platoon of the Local Defence Volunteers which became 

the Home Guard. He died at his home in Sonning Lane in December 1947 aged 89, 

and his wife died in 1953 aged 84. 

LLEWELYN ALBERIC EMILIUS PRICE-DAVIES VC 

Llewelyn Alberic Emilius Price-Davies was a 23 year old Lieutenant in the King's 

Royal Rifle Corps when he was awarded his VC in 1901. 

He was in a column of British troops that was attacked by a large Boer force. His 

citation says: 'Lieutenant Price-Davies, hearing an order to fire upon the charging Boers, 

at once drew his revolver and dashed in among them, firing at them in a most gallant 

and desperate attempt to rescue the guns. He was immediately shot and knocked off his 

horse, but was not mortally wounded, although he had ridden to what seemed to be almost 

certain death without a moment's hesitation'. 

Price-Davies survived that injury and served in several countries throughout his 

army career. He retired from the Army in 1930 as a Major-General aged 52. 

He served as a senior officer in the Home Guard during World War II and moved 

to Sonning in 1952 with his wife Eileen. 

They lived in Holme Park Farm Lane and were both active members of St 

Andrew’s Church, the Royal British Legion, and other village organisations. 

General Price-Davies died on Boxing Day 1965 aged 87 and his wife died in 1973 

aged 95 years. 

The Victoria Cross is the highest 

and most prestigious award for 

military gallantry in the British honours 

system. It is awarded for valour 'in the 

presence of the enemy' 

Picture: Pixilated Planet, dreamstime.com. 

(Above) Llewelyn Alberic Emilius Price- 

Davies and (below) his grave in St Andrew's 

churchyard being refurbished in 2016.


FEAture — 4 

REMEMBRANCE 

A new home for old soldier 

By Christopher Bailey, project manager for a new infirmary at the Royal Chelsea Hospital. Christopher lives in Charvil and h 

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II thanks Christopher Bailey 

and his wife at the laying of the foundation ceremony 

Prince Charles (now Charles III) opens the Margaret 

Thatcher Infirmary in 2008 

Sir Christopher Wren’s Grade 1 

Under a Royal Warrant, in 1681, Charles II commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to provide a home on 

the Chelsea embankment for sick and elderly soldiers 'broken by age and war'. He had been influenced 

by the Institution Nationale des Invalides in Paris which Louis XIV initiated in 1671. The Royal 

Hospital Chelsea was completed in 1692, and by March of that year the full complement of 476 Chelsea 

Pensioners were in residence. 

As well as living accommodation, the building 

contained an infirmary for the care of sick and 

elderly 'In Pensioners' as they became known. Over 

the ensuing 330 years the infirmary and additional 

care accommodation had been modernised but, on 

the passing of the 2000 Care Standards Act, a large 

1950’s building became no longer fit for purpose. 

In 2003 I was privileged to be selected as project 

manager by the Commissioners of the Royal 

Hospital to procure the design construction and 

commissioning of a new infirmary on the site of 

the old one. 

EMINENT ARCHITECTS 

The brief of the Commissioners was to build 

the new infirmary to accommodate about 70 'In 

Pensioners' in self-contained suites, together with 

other facilities expected to give the old gentleman 

— and latterly ladies — the best possible 

recuperative and end-of-life care. 

Designs were to incorporate kitchen and 

dining facilities, a gymnasium and exercise pool, 

lounges, administrative offices and nursing staff 

accommodation. 

Safety and security systems with stand-by 

electricity generation were essential and facilities 

that acknowledged the mental decline of the 

patients were also important, together with a 

Chapel of Rest where private funeral services could 

take place. 

Designs for the building were sought from 

eminent architects among them Norman Foster, 

Terry Farrell and Michael Hopkins. An initial 

planning application was turned down by the 

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea as 

its modern approach did not properly reflect 

the historical importance of the site and the 

appearance of Sir Christopher Wren’s Grade 1 

Listed building. 

As a result, Quinlan Terry, the UK’s most 

distinguished classical architect, and a favourite 

of King Charles III, was engaged to provide what 

was eventually agreed to be a very acceptable 

but costly alternative. Quinlan Terry’s other 

important work includes the Richmond-on- 

Thames river front, the refurbishment and interior 

design of 10 Downing Street and several new fine 

classical villas in Regent's Park and abroad. 

An appeal by Norman Foster and others on 

the grounds that the site should have a modern 

solution rather than that of Quinlan Terry was 

turned down by the Secretary of State. As a result, 

the project was extended by some 18 months. 

During the delay a design team and contractor 

were selected and appointed. Wates Ltd, a wellrespected 

family firm, won the building contract. 

Her Majesty the Queen laid the foundation 

stone during the 2006 annual Founders Day 

celebrations. At the ceremony Her Majesty and 

the Duke of Edinburgh were shown a model of the 

proposed building to which the Queen remarked, 

'Charles would approve'. 

In common with most construction projects, 

difficulties arose as the work proceeded; some 

were rather unexpected. Procurement of some 

materials proved particularly challenging. 

Portland Stone would be the natural choice for 

the pilasters, walls, and stone dressings as with 

Wren’s building, but sufficient quantities were not 

available when required. A quarry near Dijon was 

The completed Royal Hospital I 

The Chapel of Rest within in the


s 'broken by age and war' 

e, and his wife, worship in St Andrew's Church 

Listed building 

nfirmary 

Royal Hospital Infirmary 

Chelsea Pensioners 

Anizza, dreamstime.com 

found to be the only alternative source of stone of 

similar appearance. 

Likewise, the favoured traditional green 

Westmoreland roofing slates were not available in 

sufficient quantities so, sadly, a similar alternative 

had to be obtained from Vermont in North 

America. 

The design process was not exempt from 

difficulties either. The architect was implacably 

against double-glazing the windows which he 

held spoiled the external appearance, and the 

Commissioners were equally insistent they had to 

be specified for understandable reasons of comfort 

and economy. A decision became critical to 

programme, however a compromise was eventually 

reached that did not offend the sensibilities of the 

architect. The individual panes of the hardwood 

windows were double-glazed at great additional 

expense giving a more authentic appearance. 

Work commenced on site in 2006 and the 

building was delivered 2 years later. It was only a 

week late due to the addition of a sprinkler system. 

The cost of the project was £23,000,000, funded 

largely by public donation and by grateful nations 

where British soldiers have served. 

TRADITIONAL SKILLS 

Thanks to the Royal Borough’s intervention 

the building stands as a fitting complement 

to Wren’s Grade 1 Listed building, and was 

realised using traditional skills and methods of 

construction that are not easily procured these 

days. The Commissioners decided to name the 

building 'The Margaret Thatcher Infirmary' in 

recognition of her long and generous support for 

the Royal Hospital and the Chelsea Pensioners. 

A bold Latin inscription carved into the stone 

frieze of the Inner Courtyard reads: 

THIS BUILDING WAS ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION 

IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION OF VETERAN SOLDIERS IN 

THE REIGN OF ELIZABETH II 

AND THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2008.


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feature — 5 

The Bell 

Ringers 

need 

you 

for 

gentle 

social 

exercise! 

By Rob Needham 

Paul Maguire, dreamstime.com 

Help continue a very English tradition of bell ringing by becoming a ringer. It’s a 

gentle, social exercise that everyone, young and old, male and female, can enjoy. 

You will be trained safely by experienced teachers, all you need is a sense of 

rhythm! We hope that you will find this article interesting and will want to join 

our friendly band of ringers. 

WHAT RINGERS DO 

We ring the bells before the main 

Sunday service, but it is not obligatory 

to attend the service, and we 

sometimes ring for the evening service. 

We are paid to ring for weddings, and 

we ring for the occasional funeral. The 

picture (above centre) shows the bell 

ringers contribution to the Sonning 

scarecrows trail. 

From time to time we have a 

ringing outing to ring at other towers 

and to enjoy a good lunch together. 

Our practice night is a Thursday 

evening for one hour and a half, and 

beginners’ sessions can be arranged on 

other days and times. 

NATIONAL EVENTS 

We mark important national events, 

and we were very busy in September 

ringing to mark the death of Her 

Majesty the Queen and the accession 

of King Charles III. 

On the Thursday evening of the 

Queen’s death we tolled a fully-muffled 

bell 96 times — the Queen’s age — 

and on Friday we rang all eight bells 

fully-muffled, which gives a sombre, 

resonant quality. Also on Friday we 

rang the bells open (the usual bright 

and strident sound) to celebrate the 

accession of King Charles III. 

The bells were then fully muffled 

again until after the burial of the 

Queen. On that Monday we rang all 

eight bells for an hour leading up to 

the service; for the last half-hour we 

took turns to toll the tenor bell at a 

slow, respectful speed. 

WHY MORE RINGERS? 

The Covid pandemic reduced bell 

ringing activity in the country, and 

in Sonning two of our ringers never 

returned after lockdown ended. More 

recently we lost a ringing family who 

moved to Dorset, but we have gained 

two learners who are progressing well 

through the national training scheme 

called Learning the Ropes. 

There is a critical size of band that 

is needed to be self-sustaining, with 

enough experienced ringers to teach 

and support newer ringers. We are 

nearing this critical size and we very 

much want to keep the traditional bell 

ringing skills alive at St Andrew’s. 

Also, not all ringers are able to ring 

every Sunday; we each have weekend 

events and holidays when we can’t 

ring, so we need more ringers than just 

one for each of the eight bells. 


Bell ringing for some can become an 

absorbing lifetime hobby. If you would 

like to find out more about bell ringing 

and are interested in sociable exercise 

and a new circle of friends, please 

contact either of: 

Pam Elliston, tower captain 

0118 969 5967 

pam.elliston@talktalk.net 

Rob Needham, vice captain 

0118 926 7724 

r06needham@gmail.com 

Or come up the tower at 7.30pm on a 

Thursday, meet us, and see what goes 

on. Absolutely no obligation. 

COULD I BE A RINGER? 

Yes, almost certainly, if you want to 

learn this traditional skill. All you 

need is some physical coordination 

and a sense of rhythm. If you can 

push a swing and count up to eight 

you can ring a bell! You don’t need 

any special kit and the instruction is 

free. 

Although each bell is several times 

the ringer’s weight a ringer does not 

need to be strong — it’s all about a 

good ringing technique. All ages of 

men and women can ring, they don’t 

need to be brainy and they don’t need 

to read music. 

WILL I ENJOY RINGING? 

— You would become part of a very 

English tradition that has lasted 

for centuries 

— You could learn to ‘play’ a musical 

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— It provides healthy, gentle exercise 

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by visiting the local church on 

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— It provides mental exercise if you 

want to progress that far with 

your ringing 

— Enjoy the team feeling of joint 

success when we ring well.


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around the villages — 1 

Over 45 local volunteers met on 

Saturday 24 September to clean up 

the footpaths and River Thames from 

Shiplake, through Sonning to Thames 

Valley Park. 

The 'litter pickers' were supported 

by the Thames Request Service, who 

also undertook one of two surveys 

of the river as part of a ‘plastic 

blitz’ campaign organised by the 

environmental group Thames21. 

The litter pickers included 

members from Loddon Vale Rotary 

Club, Winnersh and Binfield Rotary 

Club and Thames Rescue Service. 

Other groups who organised some 

activities or lent equipment included: 

Shiplake College, Reading Blue Coat 

School, the street litter clean up 

group (WASP), Wokingham Borough 

Council, Surfers Against Sewage, and 

Woodley Town Council. 

Peter Lewis, Loddon Vale Rotary 

Club president said, 'It has been 

wonderful to see so many people out 


Local groups Thames river tidy and plastics blitz 

today to support this important 

event to clean up our stretch of 

the Thames. It is part of a series of 

similar events along the full length 

of the Thames that are supported by 

over 50 Rotary Clubs'. 

A Remembrance message from Mark Green, 

chairman of the Royal British Legion Sonning Branch 

The annual Service of Remembrance at St Andrew’s is a moving reminder 

of the sacrifice made by so many who have served their country during two 

World Wars and other conflicts. 

It is often thought that the Royal British Legion is all about Remembrance, but 

the work carried out by the Legion in the 21st Century remains as crucial today 

as it has been in years gone by. Recent conflicts in Northern Ireland, The Falkland 

Islands, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other smaller conflicts where UK 

Forces have been involved, have left a huge need for support for the many who have 

been left affected by injuries both physical and mental. 

YOUR LEGION NEEDS YOU! 

The Royal British Legion continues to provide that support for servicemen and 

women affected, not just at Remembrance time but, all year round. 

We would like to encourage you to expand your support, not just by donating 

for one day in November, but by joining the Sonning Branch of The Royal British 

Legion and supporting this important work throughout the year. 

From only £18 per year your contribution will go a long way towards supporting 

those who have given so much as well as securing the unique nature of our local act 

of Remembrance, here in Sonning. 

You do not need to have served in the military to join the Royal British Legion. 

In fact, it is becoming increasingly the norm for many Legion branches to have few 

or even no ex-military in their membership so please don’t hold back — join the 

Royal British Legion to secure the future of our Sonning Branch and show your 

support for our armed forces community today! 

Details on joining the Royal British Legion can be obtained from 

Mark Green at chairman@sonningrbl.co.uk or 0782 444 6500 

or the Royal British Legion website — search Royal British Legion 

. . . and we enjoyed 

our riverside stroll 

So said the Inner Wheel Club of Reading 

Maiden Erlegh ladies who strolled along 

the towpath in Reading to raise money 

for the Legal Aid Refugees fund. They 

said that during their 10k sponsored 

walk they found the Reading section 

'surprisingly interesting'. 

The ladies were also delighted to 

meet the Mayor in the Forbury Gardens 

and asked to pass on their thanks to all 

who supported them. 

. . . while WI strolled 

around Sonning 

Sonning Glebe WI enjoyed a pleasant 

village walk as one of several summer 

activities that included a visit to the 

Mill, making hundreds of cups of tea 

during the Scarecrow weekend and 

celebrating the Queen's Jubilee with 

a delicious supper. Then came their 

summer supper, a BBQ in the garden of 

Rodney and José Huggins, and making 

tea at the Village Show before holding 

their Harvest supper! 

WI meets in Pearson Hall at 7.30pm 

on the third Monday of the month, and 

you can be sure of a warm welcome.



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around the villages — 2 


Sonning Show 2022 By Carol Collier 

The Sonning Show committee had a difficult decision to make as to whether we went ahead 

this year but we believed that The Queen was a supporter of village communities and their 

events so we left it to individuals to decide if they wanted to attend. 

The show opened with a minute's 

silence for The Queen before some 

Sonning Primary School children 

put on an excellent demonstration of 

maypole dancing. 

There were a variety of stalls 

provided by village organisations 

and the PTA, including tea and cake 

served by Sonning Glebe WI, a Scouts' 

BBQ and Sonning Club's always 

popular beer tent. 

By courtesy of Sonning Village 

Fire Brigade Trust, we enjoyed live 

music throughout the afternoon from 

the Craigievar Ceilidh Band. The show 

ended with an auction of produce, 

prize giving and the raffle. 

Thank you to all who entered their 

cookery, art, photographs, vegetables, 

flowers and craft work, everyone that 

helped, and all who attended. 

Sonning Village Show Winners 

Preserves & Cookery: Brutton cup - Barbara Carr 

Victoria Sandwich: Glebe WI Golden Spoon - Barbara Carr 

Men only: Jubilee Cup - Nick Sawyer 

Vegetables: Hillier Cup - John Gale 

Best Onions: Nobby Clark Onion Cup - John Gale 

Four Kinds of Veg: Les Moss Tankard - Mark Holland 

Overall Winner: David Penny Pumpkin Trophy -John Gale 

People's Choice: Prize by Flower Club - Catherine Penny 

Photography: Sonning Glebe WI Trophy - Ali Payne 

Craft H&O: British Legion Cup - Judith Hart 

Art: Bill Gallimore Trophy - Sue Sheppard 

Bygone Days: Martha Angel Centenary Cup - Judith Hart 

Overall Winner: Wethered Flower Cup - Mark Holland 

Children's Section: White Hart Cup - Toby Sawyer 

Infant's Section: £10.00 - Sonning School Gardening Club 

Pegs Egg Challenge: Richard Pownall and Dan Anderson 

Art Club: George Lamb Trophy - Lynda Tolworthy 

What interesting bodies 

we have quiz answers 

Ammunitions: ARMS 

Receptacle: CHEST 

Two tall trees: PALMS 

Employees: HANDS 

Holiday requisite: TRUNK 

Shellfish: MUSCLES 

Saltwater fish: SOLES 

Ships: BLOOD VESSELS 

A deer: HEART 

Found in marble: VEINS 

Two berries: HIPS 

Extravagance: WAIST 

Plumber has to deal with: JOINTS 

A measurement:FOOT 

Parts of a chair: LEGS 

Two young animals: CALVES 

Sacred building: TEMPLE 

Most buildings have one: ROOF 

Instrument in jazz band: DRUMS 

Fruit:ADAM’S APPLE 

Scholars: PUPILS 

Personal pronoun:EYE 

A cover: LID 

Used to cross a river:BRIDGE 

Negatives: NOSE 

Parts of a hill: BROW 

Boat propeller: SKULL 

Part of a saw: TEETH 

Prolific animals: HAIRS 

Essential for carpenters: NAILS 

Two flowers: TWO LIPS (TULIP) 

Two more flowers: IRISES 

This is where you stick: GUM 

Art group wins 19 prizes 

Speaker change for society's AGM 

Sonning & Sonning Eye Society has announced a change of 

speaker for its annual meeting and supper in Pearson Hall 

on 19 November. The new speaker will be Niki McCann 

whose talk will cover the history of the Oppenheimer's 

last 100 years - farm and gardens, outreach and education. 

For further information and to book tickets: 

Penny Feathers 0118 934 3193 

penny.feathers@btinternet.com 

Sonning School's new head teacher, Phil Sherwood 

(above left and right!) was kept busy at the Sonning 

Show by the Sonning Art Group winners, including Sue 

Sheppard (left) who won the Bill Gallimore trophy, and 

(right) Lynda Tolworthy who won the George Lamb 

Trophy for the artwork most enjoyed by the visitors to 

the group's exhibition at the show. By the end of the day 

the art group members took home 19 awards including 

10 first prizes — not all of them in the art section. 

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HEALTH 

Dr Simon Ruffle asks . . . Where are we from? 

This question can be interpreted in 

many ways. A clergyman, geologist, 

biologist, geneticist, genealogist, 

and layman may all have a different 

starting point on how to answer it. 

In today's multicultural Society this 

question can also be misconstrued 

if somebody is asked where they are 

from? However, the 2022 Nobel Prize 

for Medicine is bringing us closer to 

an answer to this very interesting 

question. 

DNA was first discovered in 1869, 

the year that this magazine was first 

published! 

A Swiss chemist Friedrich 

Miescher was investigating the 

proteins and substances found 

inside of our white blood cells. He 

was taking pus-laden bandages from 

hospital and extracting what was 

inside ourselves. 

He discovered that there were 

proteins inside the nucleus of the cells 

which he called nuclein. This was later 

changed to nucleic acid and eventually 

to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). 

In scientific circles regarding 

genetics the giant of Darwin, 

Mendel, Watson and Crick are 

mentioned, but poor old Friedrich is 

not. 

Rather more disgracefully, the 

name Rosalind Franklin is also left 

out, and it has been now accepted 

that she deserves the Nobel prize as 

much as Watson and Crick both for 

her work and the discovery of the 

double helix structure of DNA. 

Today's scientists are moving 

forward with DNA research and we 

A glass ampoule vial with DNA strand, 

molecule of two polynucleotide chains 

forming double helix carrying Coronavirus 

genetic instruction. 

Milosdrn, dreamstime.com 

The Denisova Cave in Siberia 

are finding more and more links 

to disease and illness through our 

genes. However, it is a delicate 

protein and looking at genes from 

the past relies on the quality of the 

specimen. 

Real life can seem to mimic 

science fiction. Scientists have 

almost recreated the DNA structure 

of a woolly mammoth; let’s hope they 

create enough to feed the T-Rex! 

HOMININS 

This year’s Nobel Prize has been 

awarded to a Swedish scientist who 

has been able to recover ancient DNA. 

Svante Pääbo sequenced the 

genome of the Neanderthal. It has 

long been theorised that we came out 

of Africa and our ancestors mingled 

with our cousins. The hominins 

broke away 7 million years ago from 

chimpanzees and the other great 

apes. 

Approximately 1 million years ago 

Homo sapiens split. The two groups 

developed on their own until us 

pesky Homo sapiens left Africa. Then 

there was a genetic flow from the 

Neanderthals back to Homo sapiens. 

Pääbo’s work on extracting 

ancient DNA led him to a 40,000 

year old finger bone. Extracting 

this DNA without the problems of 

contamination and degradation that 

was encountered before led him to 

new discoveries. 

He found a new hominin. The 

bone came from the Denisova 


Salcido, dreamstime.com 

Swedish geneticist 

Svante Pääbo 

Laurence Agron, 

dreamstime.com 

cave in Siberia. So, the two groups 

of Homo were three. Denisova 

moved eastwards through Asia and 

Neanderthals through Europe. Up to 

6% of DNA in Tibet is Denisova. 

Why is this important? A gene 

that confers an advantage to 

people living in high altitude is 

seen in Denisova DNA and modern 

Himalayans. We know that lactose 

tolerance flowed from the 13th 

Century Mongols as they moved 

from East to West. Other discoveries 

await and the application into 

modern medical research is exciting. 

WHO WE ARE 

We are all genetically related 

with differences that have led to 

advantages and disadvantages. 

White skin is needed in the Northern 

Hemisphere so we absorb sunlight 

and thus Vitamin D. Sickle cell 

disease is a painful illness but 

its trait confers protection from 

malaria. Some of the genes that 

cause us problems must also confer 

advantages and being able to study 

the genome of our ancestors may 

shine a light on this. 

So, the question is not just where 

we are from, it’s who we are from, 

where we have been and where are 

we going to unless the velociraptors 

don’t get us first!



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

Christmas at 

Sonning Golf Club 

Whether you are looking for a Shared Party Night, 

a Private Event or to dine in our Restaurant, we've got 

everything you need to make the Festive Season one to enjoy! 

2 & 3 course Lunch and Dinner options available inclusive of 

Christmas Novelties, Tea/Coffee & Warm Mince Pies 

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN 

For more information, please call 0118 969 3332 

or email office@sonning-golf-club.co.uk

HOME AND GARDEN 

Recipe of the month — Carrot Cake 

A well used recipe from the 1980 Good Housekeeping Mixer 

Cookbook that was enjoyed in The Ark after Evensong! 

Ingredients (Serves 8) 

— 8oz carrots, peeled — 1 tbsp Kirsch 

— 4oz blanched almonds — orange food colouring 

— 8oz butter 

— 8oz icing sugar 

— 8oz caster sugar — 3oz marzipan 

— 4 eggs 

— angelica 

— 8oz self raising flour — grated rind & juice of a lemon 

Method 

Grease and line an 8 inch round cake tin. Grate the carrots. Chop the almonds finely. 

Cream the butter and caster sugar together until light and fluffy and beat in the eggs. 

Mix in the flour, lemon rind and juice (reserving 2tsp of juice), Kirsch, grated carrot and 

almonds. 

Spoon the mixture into the cake tin. Bake in oven at 1800C for 1½ hours until well 

risen and golden brown. After 1¼ hours cover with foil to prevent over browning. The cake 

is cooked when a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Preferably keep the cake 

until the following day before icing and serving. 

Sift the icing sugar into a bowl, and stir in the reserved lemon juice with about 1 tbsp of 

warm water. The icing should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Spread the icing 

on top of the cake. Colour the marzipan with the orange food colouring and shape into 

small carrots; use the angelica for carrot tops. Decorate cake with the carrots. 

Don't miss the 

last post for 

Christmas! 

Within the United Kingdom 

Royal Mail Bulk Mail Economy: 

2nd Class delivery including signed-for: 

First class and Royal Mail Tracked 48 mail: 

Royal Mail Tracked 24: 

Special Delivery Guaranteed: 

Friday 16 December 

Monday 19 December 

Wednesday 21 December 

Thursday 22 December 


International Economy 

Cyprus, Eastern Europe, Greece, Iceland, 

Malta and Turkey: Friday 25 November 

Western Europe: Monday 28 November 

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International Standard and International Tracking and Signature 

Australia and New Zealand: 


China (People's Republic): 


Caribbean destinations other than British Virgin 

Islands, Dominica & Anguilla which have passed: Monday 5 December 

Africa, Asia except China, People's Republic, 

Central & South America, Far & Middle East Wednesday 7 December 

Cyprus and Malta: 


Greece, Eastern Europe and Turkey except 

Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia: Friday 9 December 

Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Poland, 

Sweden and USA: 

Saturday 10 December 

Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, 

Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain 

and Switzerland: 


Belgium, France and Luxembourg: 

Wednesday 14 December 

HM Forces Mail – British Forces Post Office (BFPO) 

Operational HM Forces: 

Monday 28 November 

Static HM Forces: 


For more information about the last posting dates for Christmas go to: 

https://www.postoffice.co.uk/last-posting-dates 


Remember, remember 

Will Aid in November! 

Will Aid, the UK's most enduring and 

successful charity will-making scheme, 

is running again in November. If you 

haven’t written your will, now is a 

good time to think about it! 

Will Aid has solicitors around the 

country who will write basic wills 

during November, without charging 

their usual fee. Instead, the solicitors 

raise as much money as possible 

for the Will Aid charities, by asking 

will-makers for a donation, which 

reflects the time and expertise they 

have devoted to writing the will. The 

suggested donation is £100 for a single 

will, £180 for two basic ‘mirror wills’. 

The first step is to find out more at 

https://www.willaid.org.uk where there 

is information on wills and inheritance 

issues as well as a useful planner to 

help you prepare your will. 

In the garden 

Timaj, dreamstime.com 

If you are planting trees this autumn 

here's an idea you might not have 

thought about — a strawberry tree. 

The Arbutus Unedo, or strawberry 

tree, was originally grown in the 

Mediterranean, Canary Islands and 

North America, but it is now popular 

in Europe. The Arbutus Unedo is 

also hardy enough to grow here in 

the UK. They are very slow growing 

so are ideal for small gardens where 

they can be planted in full sun or 

partial shade, ideally with shelter 

from strong winds. Younger plants 

may need protection in harsh winters 

until they are more mature. Arbutus 

Unedo is an attractive evergreen, 

shrubby tree, with white or pink 

flowers that produce strawberry-like 

edible red fruits in the autumn. And 

the good news is that Sheeplands say 

they have some for sale!


Simply 

stunning, 

simply 

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THE ARTS 

Thank you, Lord, for our food 

By Rev Michael Burgess 

There is a character in a Russian novel who says, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, let 

us assume that man is not stupid…but if he isn’t stupid, he is monstrously 

ungrateful all the same — a creature that has two legs and no sense of 

gratitude.’ That is certainly true in a world where carping and criticising 

come more easily than praise and thanksgiving. It is an attitude which rubs 

off on all of us, and is like Aesop’s fable of the donkey, who was never happy 

with his lot, whatever the weather, whatever the season. 

public domain wikimedia 

Poetry Corner 

Refreshing Rest 

By Steven Rolling 

Psalm 37 v.7-11 

Tune: St Margaret: 

‘O love that wilt not let me go’ 

Rest in the Lord, wait patiently 

For Him, fret not, nor troubled be 

At those who prosper in their ways 

With evil plans they spend their days 

They shall not last always 

Cease from anger, and wrath forsake 

They only more troubles do make 

Fret not yourself to do evil 

But continue, serve God, do well 

And of His goodness tell 

For evildoers shall have end 

Shall not e’er to wicked works tend 

But they that upon the Lord wait 

Shall inherit the earth not late 

By God’s grace, not by fate 

A little while, then the wicked 

Shall not be, and then it be said 

They not here, though you may them seek 

They gone, and so it be the meek 

Shall thrive and not be weak 

And they shall then themselves delight 

In abundance of peace, and light 

Of the Lord which shall on them shine 

With His heavenly rays divine 

All be clear, bright, and fine 

Cammeraydav, dreamstime.com 

Aesop told the story to remind us 

of the need to cultivate a spirit of 

gratitude — not to put blinkers on 

our eyes and be negative about life, 

but to open both eyes and hearts 

in thanksgiving for the world in 

which we live. We do that each time 

we celebrate the Eucharist. We do it 

when we say grace before meals. This 

month’s painting (left), An Old Woman 

Saying Grace by Nicoleas Maes brings 

this truth to mind. 

Maes was a pupil of Rembrandt 

and he lived from 1632 to 1693. He 

spent most of his life in Dordrecht in 

Holland, and, apart from portraits, 

he delighted in painting women — 

women spinning or reading the Bible 

or preparing meals. 

Here the woman is sitting down to 

a simple meal of soup, bread, butter 

and fish. But before she enjoys it, she 

puts her hands together and, as simply 

as the food in front of her, says a 

prayer of thanks to God. 

The artist tells us that this offering 

of prayer was a daily pattern for the 

woman. For on the ledge at her side is 

an open Bible, a lamp and an hourglass, 

and on a nail some keys. Signs 

that such prayer can be a light to 

illuminate the days of our lives and the 

key to open our hearts to the kingdom, 

just like the woman in the painting. 

MERCIES AND GIFTS 

It is a tender moment, concentrated 

and intimate. At first glance, there is a 

tinge of sadness for the table is set just 

for her. She will eat alone. 

And then our eyes catch sight of the 

cat’s paw reaching up to enjoy the food 

as well. Who knows? — something 

may spill over the edge of the table for 

the cat to enjoy. 

Simplicity and humour go hand in 

hand to remind us all of the need to be 

thankful. And thankfulness for food 

can spill over into thanksgiving for all 

the mercies and gifts that come our 

way in life. 


Book Reviews 

God In Number 10 – the personal 

faith of the Prime Ministers, from 

Balfour to Blair 

By Mark Vickers, 

SPCK, £25.00 

This acclaimed 

volume on the 

faith of the 20th 

Century Prime 

Ministers casts a 

new perspective 

on these holders of 

the highest political office in the realm. 

While there are biographies aplenty 

on the 18 men and one woman who 

took up residence behind the famous 

black door, it is notable that many fail 

to reflect an important — sometimes 

the most important — aspect of the 

life of their subject. 

The book offers intriguing 

insights into Margaret Thatcher’s 

legendary ‘Sermon on the Mound’, 

Tony Blair’s perception of Jesus as a 

modernizer, Arthur Balfour’s recourse 

to spiritualism, Stanley Baldwin’s 

mystical experiences, and Winston 

Churchill’s involvement with astrology. 

The book considers the role of 

religion generally in the political 

classes of the period, the reasons for 

the declining influence of faith in the 

public forum, and the relationship 

between Church and State. 

The Unexpected Gift Activity Book 

– Creative Christmas Activities 

By Annie Kratzsch 

and Tessa Janes, 

10Publishing, £6.99 

The activity book for 

youngsters aged 4 - 7 

helps to make the 

story of Christmas 

hands-on and 

tangible. 

It contains 25 activities to make, 

as well as 25 Bible verse ornaments 

to decorate. Templates to create a 

nativity scene, plus other crafts, can be 

torn directly out of the book, making 

it much easier to get creative with 

decorating and assembling the crafts. 

Each activity pairs up with 

a corresponding page from the 

storybook, so they can be used 

together to explore the Christmas 

story with your family.

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

RESIDENTIAL | NURSING | DEMENTIA CARE | RESPITE 

Relax - you’re in great company 

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 . . . ? 

. . . 175 YEARS AGO, on 4 November 1847 that Scottish 

obstetrician James Young Simpson discovered the 

anaesthetic properties of chloroform. He helped popularise 

its use in medicine. 

. . . 125 YEARS AGO, on 15 November 1897 that Aneurin 

‘Nye’ Bevan was born. He was the Minister of Health 1945-51 

who established the National Health Service. 

Tutankhamun's gold mask 

Dieter Hawlan, dreamstime.com 

. . . 100 YEARS AGO, on 4 November 1922 that British 

archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of the 

Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. On 26 November he 

discovered the famous treasures behind a sealed door. 

. . . 80 YEARS AGO, on 5 November 1942 that the WWII 

Second Battle of El-Alamein ended. British troops led by 

Generals Alexander and Montgomery defeated Rommel’s 

German forces in Egypt. On 10 November, Winston Churchill 

announced: 'This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the 

end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.' 

. . . 75 YEARS AGO, on 20 November 1947 that the marriage 

of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten, Duke of 

Edinburgh, took place at Westminster Abbey. 

. . . 70 YEARS AGO, on 1 November 1952 that the USA 

carried out the first successful detonation of a hydrogen 

bomb, in a test on the Pacific island of Elugelab, Marshall 

Islands. The island was completely destroyed. 

. . . 60 YEARS AGO, on 20 November 1962 that the Cuban 

missile crisis ended and US President John F Kennedy lifted 

the military blockade of Cuba. 

. . . 30 YEARS AGO, on 11 November 1992 that the Church 

of England voted to allow women to become priests. The first 

women were ordained in March 1994. The first female bishop 

to sit in the House of Lords with the full title 'The Rt Rev' was 

Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester, on 7 September 2015. 

. . . ALSO 30 YEARS AGO, on 20 November 1992 that the 

Windsor Castle fire broke out in a private chapel and spread 

to a large part of the building. Damage was extensive and 

took five years to repair, at a cost of £40 million. Buckingham 

Palace was opened to the public for the first time to help raise 

the money. 


the sciences 

Wonder and worship 

By Dr Ruth Bancewicz, The Faraday 

Institute for Science and Religion in 

Cambridge. 

'I was travelling, and out 

early in the morning: at first 

there was a vast fog; but, 

by the time that I was seven 

or eight miles from home 

towards the coast, the sun 

broke out into a delicate warm 

day. We were then on a large 

heath or common, and I could 

discern, as the mist began to 

break away, great numbers 

of swallows (hirundines 

rusticae) clustering on the stinted shrubs and bushes, 

as if they had roosted there all night. As soon as the air 

became clear and pleasant they all were on the wing 

at once; and, by a placid and easy flight, proceeded on 

southward towards the sea'. 

How many church leaders today have time to enjoy their 

surroundings? Gilbert White was a vicar who became 

famous for his observations about the flora and fauna of 

his parish. 

His letters about the local wildlife through the seasons 

were so beautifully written that they are still in print 

today, more than 200 years after they were first published 

as The Natural History and Antiquities of Selbourne. 

APPRECIATING CREATION 

White is a great example of someone who saw science 

and faith in harmony. He writes that he hopes his readers 

will be inspired to 'pay a more ready attention to the wonders 

of the Creation'. 

His stories are often so vivid that he gets away with 

packing in quite a bit of scientific detail, painting a more 

accurate picture of the wonderful events he observed as he 

travelled around the countryside. 

White’s book is one of the classics of nature writing, 

and there’s even an apocryphal story online that this is 

one of the most printed books in the country, after the 

Bible and Shakespeare. 

White may have been one of those people with a 

capacity for endless activity, or perhaps he took rather 

more care over natural history than his vocation. Either 

way, I think that anyone — from the parish priest to the 

youngest member of the congregation— could learn from 

his appreciation of creation. It is well worth spending 10 

minutes every now and again staring into a bush, pond 

or tree — especially in winter when it’s easy to hurry 

indoors and put the kettle on. 

Experiencing wildlife first-hand is wonderful fuel for 

our worship of God and care for his creation. As Psalm 111 

says, Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all 

who delight in them (NIV). 

*White’s book can be downloaded for free at 

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1408



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 

11 

13 

18 19 20 

22 23 

24 

9 10 

16 17 

12 

14 15 

ACROSS Across 

Down 

11. - Endpoint of a journey of a (11) journey (11) 

99. - Type of leather of leather (5) (5) 

10. Container for a drink (3) 

10 - Container for a drink (3) 

11. Military trainee (5) 

11 - Military trainee (5) 

12. Fault; mistake (5) 

12 

13. 

- Fault; 

Expensive 

mistake (5) 

fungi (8) 

13 16. - Expensive Squid fungi dish (8) (8) 

16 18. - Squid Charges dish (8) (a sum of money) (5) 

21. Reason for innocence (5) 

18 - Charges (a sum of money) (5) 

22. Goal (3) 

21 - Reason for innocence (5) 

23. Speak in public without preparation (2-3) 

224. - Goal Not (3) having a written constitution (11) 

23 DOWN - Speak in public without preparation (2-3) 

24 

2. 

- Not 

Tympanic 

having a written 

membrane 

constitution (11) 

(7) 

3. Bear witness (7) 

4. Sewing instrument (6) 

5. Subject of a talk (5) 

6. Academy award (5) 

7. Disturb the status quo (4,3,4) 

8. Substance that arouses desire (11) 

14. Competent (7) 

15. Afternoon performance (7) 

17. Person who fishes (6) 

19. Unit of light (5) 

20. Reduce prices substantially (5) 

CODEWORD 

21 

2 - Tympanic membrane (7) 

3 - Bear witness (7) 

4 - Sewing instrument (6) 

5 - Subject of a talk (5) 

6 - Academy award (5) 

7 - Disturb the status quo (4,3,4) 

8 - Substance that arouses desire (11) 

14 - Competent (7) 

15 - Afternoon performance (7) 

17 - Person who fishes (6) 

19 - Unit of light (5) 

20 - Reduce prices substantially (5) 

18 7 19 6 21 15 3 20 9 12 3 9 

26 6 24 19 7 9 17 

7 6 15 22 10 5 9 9 8 13 15 20 

15 12 7 25 7 14 18 

19 6 18 7 5 10 1 9 7 7 18 12 

13 18 17 8 18 3 

11 15 18 25 11 9 12 13 19 11 9 15 

14 5 21 9 15 1 

13 5 20 14 9 9 12 3 23 15 20 9 

7 6 6 16 15 5 12 

15 7 10 12 4 10 18 14 19 18 2 9 

3 7 21 4 9 26 3 

14 7 18 1 9 7 3 9 2 9 26 3 

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 Q E 

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

SUDOKU 

Each of the nine blocks has to contain all the 

numbers 1-9 within its squares. Each number 

can only appear once in a row, column or box. 

WORDSEARCH 


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

LOOK FORWARD 

November is a wistful month, tinged 

with sadness and good-byes. The 

last of the leaves are falling, as the 

trees go to sleep for winter. It is a 

month of remembrance, of poppies, 

of remembering lost loved ones, and 

of letting go. It is a month of bonfires 

for the 'Guy', and Thanksgiving 

for Americans. It is a month of 

remembering Saints and looking 

forward to triumph - the church 

year ends with the joyful Sunday 

of Christ the King. And then 

Advent begins looking forward 

to a very special baby! 

POPPIES 

REMEMBRANCE 

COURAGE 

BRAVERY 

FLANDERS 

DEAD 

GUNS 

WAR 

PEACE 

AFGHANISTAN 

IRAQ 

THANKSGIVING 

TURKEY 

ALL 

SAINTS 

ANGEL 

MARY 

GUY 

ADVENT 

LEAVES 

SADNESS 

ELIZABETH 

BONFIRE 

GUNPOWDER 

October 

Solutions 

CROSSWORD 

U N D O I N D U L G E D 

N R D O N L E 

D A I S I E S A G A P E 

E L C H S C P 

R E L A T I O N S H I P 

L A W U A G 

I N C I T E A M B L E R 

E A O W I A 

A P P R E H E N S I O N 

C S S I G N D 

H U T C H T A L E N T S 

I A I E Y E O 

C O N S P I R E I R O N 

CODEWORD 

H I G H L Y J M R 

U O A N I M A T E D 

N U B R G C V 

T L A P D O G A V O W 

E I S I R K 

D I N E R U N L O V E D 

M P G N 

C L O B B E R V I R A L 

I L R S U A 

A Q U A T R A N C E R 

U Z A T F L Y 

M I N O R I T Y U N 

D N N R E F L U X 

SUDOKU 

WORDSEARCH WEEDS 

OUT! 

START 

HERE!


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 - November 2022 41

42 The Parish Magazine -November 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 

— Terry Hunt terencehunt@me.com / 0773 470 7368 

— 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 3298 

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 

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 - November Please mention 2022The 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 November 2022

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