The Parish Magazine May 2023

The Parish Magazine - May 2023 1 

The 

Parish 

Magazine 

The John King Trophy and Gold Award 

Best Magazine of the Year 2018 

National Parish Magazine Awards 

Best Overall 2015, 2020, 2022, 

Best Content 2016, 2021 

Best Editor 2019 

Best Print 2018 

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

May 2023 — Pentecost 

Church of St Andrew 

Serving Sonning, Charvil & Sonning Eye 

the church of st andrew, SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF 

CHARVIL, SONNING and sonning eye SINCE THE 7 th CENTURY

2 The Parish Magazine - May 2023 

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Best Overall 2015, 2020, 2022, 




information — 1 

Contents May 2023 

THE VICAR'S LETTER, 5 

THE PARISH NOTICEBOARD 

— Coronation Service, 7 

— Cake glorious cake, 7 

— Churches Together, 7 

— STAY, 8-9 

— Help Heather to jump, 9 

— Handel's Messiah, 11 

— From the editor's desk, 11 

— Seven purposes of Creation, 13 

— Claude's view from the pew, 13 

— For your prayers in May, 13 

— The Persecuted Church, 15 

— Easter Photo Album, 17-19 

FEATURES 

— Take a Coronation break, 21 

— The Coronation, 22-23 

— Why go to church? 25 

— Why Alpha? 27 

This ISSUE's FRONT COVER 






CHARVIL, SONNING and sonning eye SINCE THE 7 th CENTURY 

Flying the flag for the Coronation 

Images: 

Coronation emblem: Sir Jony Ive KBE 

Flag: Oleksandr Lutsenko, dreamstime.com 

EDITORIAL DEADLINE 

The editorial deadline for every issue 

of The Parish Magazine is 12 noon on 

the sixth day of the month prior to the 

date of publication. 

The deadline for the June 

issue of The Parish Magazine is: 

Saturday 6 May at 12 noon 


Services at 

St Andrew’s 

Sunday 7 May 

— 8.00am Holy Communion 

— 11.o0am Community 

Coronation Celebration 

(details on page 7) 



— 10.30am Parish Eucharist with 

STAY and Sunday Club 



— 10.30am Family Communion 

— 3.00pm Messy Church 

Pentecost Sunday 28 May 


— 10.30am Parish Eucharist with 

STAY and Sunday Club 

— 5.45pm Sunday at Six in The Ark 

—around the villages 

— Sonning School, 29 

— Maiden Erlegh Rotary, 31 

— Singing in July, 31 

— FoStAC events, 31 

— Sonning Art Group, 31 

THE ARTS 

— Life and Light, 33 

— Poetry Corner, 33 

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 

OTHER REGULAR SERVICES 

Morning Prayer is held in church 

every Tuesday at 9.30am. Everyone is 

welcome. 

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. 

health 

— Dr Simon Ruffle, 35 

— Popular health myths, 37 

history, 37 

PUZZLE PAGES, 39 

children's page, 42 

information 

— Church services, 3 

— From the registers, 3 

— Local Trades and Services, 40 

— Parish contacts, 42 

— Advertisers' index, 42 

From the Registers 

funerals 

— Friday 10 March, Joan Marie 

Brown, interment of ashes in the 

churchyard 

— Friday 17 March, Rita Mahalah 

Plumb, cremation at Reading 

Crematorium 

— Friday 24 March, Olive Horne, 

interment of ashes in the 

churchyard 

— Friday 31 March, Alison Christine 

Sharma, funeral service in church 

followed by cremation at Reading 

Crematorium 

Please remember 

your donations for 

the Woodley Food 

Bank inside 

St Andrew's Church



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The vicar's letter 

Dear friends, 

It is 25 years since I was ordained at Guildford Cathedral and 15 since I 

was inducted as your vicar. I well remember feeling quite self-conscious 

at both occasions, particularly at the induction with a sense of all eyes 

on me as I entered the church. As I recall this, I am left wondering quite 

what will be going through the minds of the King and Queen as they 

enter Westminster Abbey on the 6th of this month. There will be 2,000 

in the congregation and if the late Queen’s funeral is any guide, billions 

watching on television. Rather them than me! 

I must admit to a slight sense of trepidation as we approach the great 

event and I am very pleased not to be on the staff of the Abbey as they 

navigate all the intricacies of such an ancient and sacred occasion. We 

all know how much our country has changed since Queen Elizabeth II 

was crowned. That was a 3 hour ceremony, complete with Sir Winston 

Churchill in garter robes and the peers with their coronets. 

The King’s Coronation mercifully will be shorter, although I am 

unsure as to what has been removed. It will be interesting to see how 

the occasion has been adapted, 70 years on from the last one. Central 

to the rite is the anointing with holy oil and the King and Queen taking 

communion and much of that ritual comes from the Old Testament. 

How will this be viewed in multifaith Britain? I really am not sure, but pray that it can be an opportunity both 

to unite us as one people, and to give thanks for the Christian foundations of this nation. A hopeful indicator 

was Her late Majesty’s funeral service. It was a true act of witness to her faith, with all the pomp and ceremony 

that she deserved, but it was, in the end, an Anglican Book of Common Prayer funeral, yet with the largest 

worldwide viewing audience in history. 

SPECULATION 

There has been speculation in the press as to what the King will wear. This hasn’t been keeping me up at 

night, but dare he wear the silk knee britches and ornate coat of his predecessors? Certainly, the King Edward 

Crown will be used, as will the Imperial State Crown, but what else will remain? For over 1,000 years our kings 

and queens have been invested with ring, sceptre, rod and orb. The ring is marked with a cross, and the other 

objects are each topped with one, symbolizing the authority of Christ. A dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit, 

perches on the cross at the top of the rod. Together they remind us that Jesus Christ is King over all. The crown 

is a symbol of royalty rooted in the Hebrew scriptures. It proclaims the sovereignty of God and the monarch 

as regent on earth, administering the law of God. If we strip away all the tabloid tittle-tattle surrounding the 

Royal Family, it is good to remember these things as we prepare to watch this timeless ritual, so infused with 

the sense that Christ is Lord of all. 

LONG LIVE THE KING! 

I have looked back at previous parish magazines, going back to the reign of Queen Victoria, to read what my 

predecessors have written at the time of those coronations. All speak of it as an opportunity to come together 

as a parish and wider community for a jolly good celebration! Our part in that will be a special service on 7 May 

at 11am where music from the Coronation will feature and the 103rd Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, 

will preach. This will be followed with a reception in The Ark garden. I warmly invite you to join us. 

I was amused that one previous vicar spoke of how he was thrilled to have 110 attending their special 

Coronation service! That would be modest turnout for an average service morning these days, so it’s good to 

know that church attendance is not in decline here! It is great to see all the community plans for celebrating 

and I feel sure we will all do justice to this hugely significant event. 

I conclude with a quote from the Book of Kings, written sometime between 560 BC and 540 BC. 'Then the 

priest brought out the King’s son, put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant; they proclaimed him King, and 

anointed him; they clapped their hands and shouted, ‘Long live the King!’' (2 Kings 11,12) From across the millennia I 

heartedly respond, 'Amen to that'! 

Warm wishes, Jamie

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the parish noticeboard — 1 

Lord Carey to preach at 

Community Coronation 

Celebration Service at 

11am on Sunday 7 May 

After attending the Coronation on Saturday 6 May in 

Westminster Abbey of Charles and his wife Camilla as 

King and Queen of the United Kingdom and the other 

Commonwealth realms, The Rt Rev and the Rt Hon the 

Lord Carey of Clifton will preach at a special service of 

celebration in St Andrew's Church Sonning on Sunday 7 

May at 11am. 

Following the service the celebrations will continue in The 

Ark and The Ark gardens. Everyone is welcome to both 

the service and the following drinks reception in The Ark 

gardens. 

Lord Carey was the 103rd Archbishop of Canterbury 

from 1991 to 2002 and is always a very welcome visitor 

to St Andrew's. His last visit was to preach at our special 

service to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II's 

Platinum Jubilee in June last year. 

Cake glorious cake! 

In the penultimate week of the spring term, the Reading 

Blue Coat chaplaincy held a cake sale and raffle to raise 

money for the Aldworth Partnership, which is the umbrella 

term for the school's outreach work. 

The stalls were run by the chaplaincy prefect as well as 

other younger pupils who attend the weekly chaplaincy 

lunchtime club. 

Rev Kate said: 'What was particularly special is that 

it wasn't just a school event, a number of members of St 

Andrew's also baked cakes and flapjacks for us to sell. I am 

very grateful for the support from the church and it was lovely 

to see my two 'worlds' of school and church come together.' 

Churches Together! 

By Rev Kate 


Behind the scenes on Mothering Sunday . . . 

Left to right: Penny Feathers, Rosemary Nutbrown and Molly Woodley 

who made Mothering Sunday bunches of flowers. Liz Nelson 

. . . and front of house on Palm Sunday . . . 

Members of St Andrew's music group 

Indy Biddulph 

On 19 March I was delighted that we were able to host 61 adults and children from a variety of local Roman Catholic 

congregations at the halfway point of their charity walk. The annual walk called ‘The Big Lent Walk’, raises money for 

the charity CAFOD. It was a wet and windy day so everyone was grateful for the warmth of The Ark and a hot drink! But 

it wasn’t just warmth and hospitality that we offered, it was also fellowship. We sang hymns and it was lovely to meet so 

many new people — at least 14 different nationalities represented by flags which they carried on the walk.



STAY on Monday 

St Andrew's Youth 

Hanging out at STAY on Friday! 

STAY on Friday 

Our Friday night Youth Club continues to be a 

positive space for around 70 local young people 

to gather, play games and enjoy each other's 

company. We’ve had all the usual fun and games, 

plus a dodgeball night where we witness the 

competitive side of everyone, even the leaders! 

We met throughout March with a games night 

and a cake and questions session. We had a great 

chat about what happens when we die, who goes to 

heaven and does God choose who gets in! 

STAY on Sunday 

Our STAY on Sunday sessions saw the young 

people learning about the parable of the hidden 

treasure. There’s only one way to learn about what 

Jesus meant and that’s to bury money in the 

ground and set up a treasure hunt for the young 

people to follow and then dig it up! Here’s them 

striking gold ...! 

STAY in Schools 

We had the privilege of delivering assemblies 

across all five local schools on Esther, being a 

disciple in todays culture and an end of term 

Blue Coat assembly on Easter. Our mentoring 

also continued with 28 students across the 

two secondary schools — and with one major 

breakthrough for a sixth former! 

STAY Easter Holid 

. . . are underway as th 

printed — for a full repor 

A special thanks to all the parents and volu 

email or text me for ideas, a chat or to e 

youthminister@sonningpar


ay Activities . . . 

e magazine was being 

t see next month's issue 

Mental Health First Aid Course: 

A wonderful local trainer called Rekha offered 

some free mental health first aid training to 

all local groups and youth workers. Eight of us 

gathered in The Ark for the two days of invaluable 

training. Learning how to spot the signs, how 

to listen, support and sign post young people to 

professional help and services, while also giving 

them ongoing support and care. 

Chapter 2 Practice Walk 

In preparation for the 100km walk on Father’s Day in 

June a few of us went for a 22km and a 26km practice 

walk to Henley and back, and around the beautiful 

countryside of Goring and Streatley. You can still 

sponsor me through my just giving page on: 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ 

westy2023?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_ 

medium=fundraising&utm 

content=westy2023&utm_campaign=pfpwhatsapp&utm_term=830d1c01b97144cb856209f8 

75e44c4f 

Soulscape Object Day 

As part of our schools work we had the privilege 

of partnering with Soulscape at Piggott and 

Emmbrook Schools. 

Soulscape is a Wokingham based schools work 

charity that delivers hard hitting topics such 

as the effects of porn and how to tackle low self 

esteem. 

nteers who make STAY activities happen! 

ncourage what we are doing — Westy. 

ish.org.uk 0794 622 4306 

Help me 

to jump 

for teenage 

mental health 

issues asks Heather Hexter 

Speedfighter17, dreamstime.com 

I am passionate about young people in our church 

and community, and about helping them to reach 

their fullest potential so I am hoping to raise 

money and awareness for teenage mental health, 

especially among girls, by making a sponsored 

Tandem skydive. 

The money I raise from sponsors will go to the 

St Andrew's youth group and a charity called 

Mad Millennials that focuses on mental health in 

teenagers. 

NO ESCAPE 

With the rise of social media on the Internet 

young people are experiencing even more pressure 

to conform to societal norms. They cannot escape 

the constant bombardment which can be 24 hours a 

day asking them whether they’re beautiful enough 

or smart enough. Children are cruel when they can 

comment anonymously online leading many to self 

harm or to have anxiety. This has to stop. The only 

way we can do this is to raise awareness, help put 

in boundaries that are healthy, and support each 

young person as best we can. 

FEMALE YOUTH WORKER 

STAY youth group has around 70 members on a 

Friday and are now seeing a need for a female youth 

worker. 

I’m hoping that as I plan my skydive I will be 

able to raise enough funds to ensure a female youth 

worker will have the financial support for her to 

provide the support our young people need. 

It is only by supporting the young today that the 

church will flourish tomorrow. I’m reminded of the 

story of the starfish on the beach. I can’t change 

the world for all the starfish on the beach, but I can 

help to start to change the world for the one. 

I hope that you will support me and once I have 

my go funding pages up and running, I will let you 

know the details. 

ALL TIME HIGH 

Westy commented: 'The pressure social media 

puts on young people to conform, look a certain 

way and be a certain type of person is greater than 

ever. Poor mental health among teenagers is at an 

all time high! 

At STAY we believe every young person has been 

created unique, special and talented. The money 

raised by Heather's amazing skydive will help us 

to instil this belief in our young people every week 

through our schools work, small groups and youth 

club!


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Handel's 

Messiah 

'I did think 

I did see 

all Heaven 

before me, 

and the 

great God 

himself.' 

By John Barton 

A carved marble statue of Handel at the 

Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 

created in 1738 by Louis-François Roubiliac 

The original idea was not Handel’s, but, Charles Jennens, 

a passionate Christian who wanted to demonstrate that 

Jesus really was the Christ, or Messiah. This was being 

denied by Deists in the 18th Century, who believed God 

created the world and then stayed distant from it. 

Jennens combed the Old Testament for texts which 

anticipated God’s continuing activity in the world with the 

expectation of greater things to come: 

Comfort ye my people; Every valley shall be exalted; 

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed ... and so on. 

Then there were poignant passages anticipating suffering, 

with deep significance for Christians: 

Behold the Lamb of God; He was despised; 

Surely he hath borne our griefs. 

Throughout the work there is the strong sense that God 

is both omnipotent and also intimately involved with the 

human race: How beautiful are the feet; the kingdom of this 

world is become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. 

The Hallelujah Chorus, the best known of the work, 

concludes the second part of Messiah, before the focus shifts 

mainly to the New Testament and Christ’s resurrection and 

triumph: 

The trumpet shall sound; Death where is thy sting; 

and finally, Worthy is the Lamb. 

Handel composed the music in 24 days, writing across 

the final manuscript, To the glory of God. As he finished the 

Hallelujah Chorus, he said, 'I did think I did see all Heaven before 

me, and the great God himself.' 

The work caused a stir by being presented in concert halls, 

rather than churches where some felt sacred works belonged. 

The first performance was in Dublin in 1742 and raised 

funds for charities. One of the soloists was Susanna Cibber, 

a woman of questionable reputation, whose rendering of 'He 

was despised' so moved Rev Patrick Delaney, that he cried out, 

'Woman, for this be all thy sins forgiven thee'. 

German-born Handel, who became a British subject and 

whose finances were sometimes precarious, didn’t always 

get on with the wealthy Jennens, but the two men shared a 

single mission. The oratorio Messiah is the result. 

From the 

editor's desk 

editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk 

Flying the flag! 


I can date one of my earliest memories to 6 February 1952, 

the day that King George VI died. I was 5 years old and at 

the end of my road was a shirt factory that always fascinated 

me. Above the main entrance was a tall flag pole on which 

various flags flew depending on what anniversaries or special 

occasions were being marked. I considered it a challenge 

to work out what the event was and gradually I came to 

recognise quite a large number of different flags, although 

I'm no expert on flags today! 

On 6 February 1952 I was puzzled why the flag, a union 

jack, was at half mast. I knew that if it was upside down it 

was a sign of disaster, but half mast was a mystery until my 

dad told me that the King had died. 

According to the Royal Family website, the term 'Union 

Jack' possibly dates from Queen Anne's time (r 1702-14), but 

its origin is uncertain. It may come from the 'jack-et' of the 

English or Scottish soldiers, or from the name of James I 

who originated the first union in 1603, or the name may be 

derived from a proclamation by Charles II that the Union 

Flag should be flown only by ships of the Royal Navy as a 

jack, a small flag at the bowsprit; the term 'jack' once meant 

small. 

Today it is more common to use the original name, 'union' 

but for me it will always be 'jack' which is what it was called 

when I was a flag bearer in the Boy Scouts. 

Whether you call it jack or union, you will have seen it on 

our front cover to mark the Coronation of Their Majesties the 

King and Queen. 

SHARE IN OUR HISTORY 

Throughout this issue there are many references to 

this historic event and I hope in our next issue to include a 

photographic record of the local celebrations that are being 

planned. Because the Coronation is on the 6 May, which is 

our usual editorial deadline, I am extending the deadline to 

12 noon on 8 May so please try to get your photographs and 

stories to me by then. 

Although you will you be able to share your pictures 

online, the beauty of having them published in this magazine 

is that they will become part of the historical record of our 

parish that has been built since 1869 when the first issue was 

published. Just as we now are able to look back to see how 

coronations have been celebrated from Victorian times, so 

generations to come will be able to see how we did it in 2023. 

One of the prime reasons for starting this magazine was 

to create a record of life in the past, one that could be enjoyed 

by generations to come. So please help us to continue this 

objective and not only send us pictures of the Coronation 

celebrations but also every other village event in the future 

so that generations to come can see how well - or not - we did 

things in the past. 

The best way to send us your news and pictures is by 

email to editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk 

High resolution images are best and these should be 

attached to your email. Thank you!



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FROM EASTER TO ASCENSION AND PENTECOST 

God's seven 

purposes for 

Creation 


Claude's 

view 

from 

the 

pew 

For your prayers in May 

— Their Majesties the King and Queen 

— All pupils preparing for examinations 

— The work of Christian Aid 

— Those recently bereaved 

Romolo Tavani and Empire331, dreamstime.com 

The number seven is at the centre of God's Creation which took six days of work 

plus a day of rest, hence the Sabbath, the day put aside for spiritual refreshment 

through worshipping God, and resting the body and the mind. 

The ancient Jews recognised this 

through the seven branches of the 

menorah oil lamp (pictured above) 

used inside the temple. It has six 

lamps inclined inwards towards, and 

symbolically guided by, the light of God 

represented by the central lamp. 

It also symbolizes the creation 

in seven days, with the centre lamp 

representing the Sabbath. The 

seven branched menorah is not to 

be confused with a nine branched 

menorah used outside the temple. 

Musicians will tell you that there 

are seven harmonics; seven phases 

of the moon, seven days in the week, 

surfers look for the seventh wave 

because it is the biggest; there are seven 

colours in a rainbow; seven diatomic 

elements that are fundamental 

to life on earth; seven deadly sins 

of lust, gluttony, greed, laziness, 

wrath, envy, and pride; seven ancient 

natural wonders of the world, and 

seven continents. There can be little 

doubt that seven is God's number for 

Creation! 

In the Hebrew Bible, the word seven 

means wholeness and completeness, 

thus we see that 7x7, which equals 

49, is the greatest wholeness and 

completeness possible. For Jesus, his 

ministry on earth was completed in the 

49 days that included his crucifixion, 

resurrection and ascension to heaven 

and the next day, the 50th day, God's 

gift of the Holy Spirit came down on his 

disciples. It was not by chance, it was 

the Jewish feast of Shavuot celebrated 

on the 50th day after Passover. Shavout 

is also known as the 'Feast of Weeks' 

or the 'Feast of 50 days' hence the 

adoption by the Christian church of the 

Greek name for 50th, pentēkostē, from 

which derives the name, Pentecost. 

In the UK, in the days when 

Christians were baptised and confirmed 

into the Church at Pentecost it also 

became known as Whit Sunday or 

Whitsun, the name being derived from 

the fact the candidates being baptised 

and confirmed would wear white 

clothes, a symbol of purity that dates 

from ancient Egypt and Rome. The 

Pope, for example, has worn white since 

1566, as a symbol of purity and sacrifice. 

Likewise, the day Jesus ascended to 

heaven is sometimes known as Whit 

Thursday, or Holy Thursday. 

The timing of the Ascension 

and Pentecost is clearly a powerful 

message of God's purpose for his 

Creation revealed to us through the 

completeness and wholeness of Christ. 

Natalia Bachkova, dreamstime.com 

New challenges 

Life sometimes throws curved balls 

at you, but usually only one at a 

time. However, sometimes they 

arrive from all directions and can 

throw you right off your feet! 

My stroke last year, a day after losing 

my dear wife, was one such occasion. 

I was in the company of family who 

spotted the immediate symptoms 

and were able to act FAST, following 

the advice we are all familiar with 

from the TV adverts. This enabled 

a very quick provision of health 

services from local hospitals and 

prevented what could easily have 

been devastating and life changing. 

The process has stolen my ability to 

read and write which are two pastimes 

that I had taken for granted through 

life and, coming to terms with the loss 

of this along with Barbara, has been a 

very hard travelled path. I was unable to 

understand my loss and this delayed the 

grieving process. It has taken me time to 

come to terms with it all and I continue 

to proceed in my slow but steady pace. 

It is only recently that I have learned 

how much of my capacity to control my 

own life has changed. Simple tasks such 

as using a bank app are impossible when 

you can’t read, as is scrolling through 

the TV listings. I have been introduced 

to reading apps via my iPad, but that 

requires a technical prowess which 

doesn't come easily after a stroke. 

The caring services are wonderful 

but can be overwhelming and this 

is something that I don’t believe 

is understood following a stroke. 

Concentration is very difficult and, 

without family present at some of the 

meetings, I would not be able to make 

use of all of the services on offer. 

turn to page 15



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From page 13 

PARISH NOTICEBOARD — 5 

Nigeria stands at number 6 in the 

Open Doors World Watch List of the 

top 50 countries where Christians 

face the most persecution and they 

are hardly a minority — Christians 

account for 100 million, almost half, 

of the country’s population of 216.7 

million. Yet Open Doors has calculated 

that more Christians are killed for 

their faith in Nigeria than anywhere 

else: 'out of a total of 5,621 Christians 

killed for their faith in 2022, 89% were in 

Nigeria'. 

The country moved up one place 

in the World Watch List this year, 

reflecting increasing jihadist violence 

across the country. Persecution has 

mostly affected believers living in the 

Muslim majority north and middle 

belt, but it is spreading to the south. 

One horrific story is of a Nigerian 

church minister who was burned to 

death in January after his home was 

set alight by suspected Islamists. 12 

years earlier he had survived a Boko 

Haram bombing on the church he was 

pastoring and where as many as 45 

were killed and 73 injured. 

Another Nigerian pastor was shot 

dead in March after gunmen stormed 

his home and kidnapped his wife. 

The chairman of the Christian 

Association of Nigeria has asked the 

government to do more to halt the 

kidnapping and killing of Christians in 

the state. 


THE persecuted church by colin bailey 

'Even soldiers are afraid to get into my community' 

Claude's challenges 

Fortunately, my hearing appears 

to be unaffected and I enjoy spending 

many hours listening to my extensive 

collection of classical music CD's 

accompanied by my equally impressive 

collection of fine malt whiskies! 

I have much to look forward to with 

the warmer summer days when I can 

enjoy my garden, and I have varied 

concerts to attend as my grandchildren 

continue their studies. I am also 

planning a holiday in Scotland to visit 

one of my granddaughters once she 

relocates with her job. 

So, life after Barbara would have 

been considered as a new chapter, but 

my stroke has led to me having to create 

a new book. Although it is without the 

benefit of an introduction or an index, 

I am continually rewriting and editing 

it as I explore the new challenges and 

adventures of life. 

The National Christian Centre is a Christian place of inter-denominational worship in Nigeria's 

capital, Abuja. 

Miroslav Pavicevic, dreamstime.com 

The Nigerian government continues 

to maintain an official position of 

denial of religious persecution, but 

it is known that Christians are often 

specifically targeted because of their 

faith. 

There were presidential elections 

in Nigeria on 25 February but this 

appears to have had no impact in 

restoring peace and tackling Islamist 

extremism. Barnabas Aid report that 

more than 70 people were killed in the 

Christian majority areas of Benue and 

southern Kaduna states in the first 

half of March. 

ISWAP 

Boko Haram began its insurgency 

in 2009 aimed at overthrowing the 

secular government and establishing 

an Islamic state. More than 35,000 

have been killed since then. In 

March 2015, Boko Haram declared its 

allegiance to ‘Islamic State in Iraq and 

Syria’ and renamed itself ‘Islamic State 

in West Africa Province’ (ISWAP). A 

split gave rise to the Nur/Al-Barnawi 

faction. Both groupings have been 

responsible for attacks on Muslims and 

Christians, murders, and kidnappings. 

Other perpetrators of violence 

include militant Islamist Fulani 

herdsmen. The Fulani are a diverse 

group of millions, with hundreds 

of clans. There is a sub-group of 

individuals of Fulani ethnicity who 

carry out attacks. 

At least 10,000 Christians have 

died in violence since 2015 and huge 

numbers made homeless. The danger 

continues. One resident in a camp for 

displaced people has said, ‘We don’t 

have anything…Even soldiers are 

afraid to get into my community now.’ 

Barnabas Aid is appealing for money to 

build homes for Christians displaced 

by violence in Nigeria. Please see link 

below or telephone 0179 374 4557 to 

donate (quoting project 39-772 Victims 

of Violence in Nigeria). 

PLEASE PRAY 

Please pray for the Lord to comfort 

the grieving, guide the government, 

restrain the extremists and sustain the 

faith of his people in Nigeria through 

these difficult times. 

References and further reading 

Pray for Nigeria - https://www.barnabasaid. 

org/gb/news/editorial-pray-for-nigeria-aselection-controversy-continues/ 

Persecuted Church updates - https://www. 

barnabasaid.org/gb/news/updates-on-thepersecuted-church-29-march-2023/ 

World Watch List Nigeria - https://www. 

opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watchlist/nigeria/ 

Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect 

- https://www.globalr2p.org/countries/ 

nigeria/#:~:text=Violence%20perpetrated%20 

by%20armed%20extremist,mass%20 

atrocities%20in%20northern%20Nigeria. 

Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust report https:// 

www.hart-uk.org/blog/long-read-violencein-nigerias-middle-belt-states-ethnic-andreligious-dimensions/ 

Barnabas Aid appeal for homes for displaced 

Christians - https://www.barnabasaid.org/ 

gb/latest-needs/build-homes-for-christiansdisplaced-by-violence-in-nigeria/



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PARISH NOTICEBOARD — 6 

Our Easter Photo Album 2023 

Palm Sunday 


Palm Sunday: Blessing the palm crosses 

Indy Biddulph 

Palm Sunday Procession to church 

Indy Biddulph 

Easter Saturday Family Praise and Fun 

Peter Rennie 

Gathering for the great Easter Egg hunt . . . 

Peter Rennie 

Peter Rennie 

Peter Rennie 

turn to page 19




Best Overall 2015, 2020, 2022, 





feature — 2 


Homecare 

you can rely on 

Our local team of care 

professionals can help with: 

• Meal Preparation 

• Medication 

• Personal Care 

• Companionship 

• Help around the home 

• And much more… 

To find out more call or visit: 

01182 371 573 

goodoakshomecare.co.uk/ 

reading 

Planning Your 

Traditional Wedding? 

Then you might like to 

discuss the possibility of 

marriage in our ancient and 

beautiful parish church. 

If so, call the vicar, Jamie 

0118 969 3298 

He will be pleased to help! 

In addition to the stunning and historic location in Sonning, 

we will work hard to provide you with a memorable and 

moving occasion. We can provide a choir, organ, peal of 

eight bells, beautiful flowers, over 100 lit candles set in 

ornate Victorian chandeliers and the use of our beautiful 

churchyard as a backdrop for your photographs. 



the church of st andrew SERVING CHARVIL, 

SONNING & sonning eye since the 7 th century 










CHARVIL, SONNING and sonning eye SINCE THE 7 th CENTURY 

Would you like to be part of our award 

winning, non-profit making church and 

community magazine's success? 

We are looking for a volunteer to 

manage the well established business 

side. It will mean liaising with our loyal 

advertisers, printer, and distributor 

to keep our smooth running operation 

running smoothly! 

Interested? Talk to Bob Peters, editor 

0118 377 5887 

editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk

PARISH NOTICEBOARD —7 

from page 17 Our Easter Photo Album 2023 


And in case the children and young people did 

not have enough Easter eggs at our Saturday 

Fun Day they were given 

a Real Easter Egg with 

with the Easter story 

on Sunday morning! 

All the 

photographs 

on this page 

are by 

Peter Rennie



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feature — 1 

In need of a break from the Coronation? 

We will probably never know how many hundreds of 

millions of eyes around the world will be turned towards 

London during the first week of May when King Charles 

and Queen Camilla are crowned. In 1953 when Queen 

Elizabeth was crowned it was estimated that in the UK 

alone 27 million people from a population of 36 million 

watched her Coronation on television. 


It was 40 years later that the World Wide Web was opened 

for everybody by the European Organization for Nuclear 

Research (CERN). In January this year there were 5.16 

billion internet users worldwide, that's almost 65% of the 

world's population and almost all of them will have the 

opportunity to watch the Coronation. 

While we are all enjoying the good news and 

Frank Roeder, dreamstime.com 

celebrations of the Coronation during the first week of May, there will probably be some charities and associations who 

would have preferred it to be held at a different time of the year because it clashes with their fund and awareness raising 

events that they have been planning for the same period of time. 

So if you would like a welcome break from the Coronation take a look at how you might be able to support any of the 

following events that are all being held from 2-8 May: 

Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, 1–7 May: Organised by the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership 

UK (PMHP UK), each day will have a different theme designed to raise public and professional awareness of perinatal 

mental health problems; advocating for women and families impacted by it; changing attitudes; and helping people access 

the information, care and support they need to recover. More details from: 

https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/news/maternal-mental-health-awareness-week-2023/ 

Sun Awareness Week, 1–7 May: Organised by the British Association of Dermatologists, it marks the start of a 

summer long campaign to provide people with information so they can practice sun safety. This year’s focus will be on the 

need for sun protection in the UK and aims to tackle misconceptions that sun protection is rarely needed in the UK. 

https://www.bad.org.uk/sun-awareness-week-2023/ 

Deaf Awareness Week, 2–8 May: run by the UK Council on Deafness. The theme this year is deaf inclusion within 

our communities and access to communication. The aim is to highlight the impact of hearing loss on everyday life and 

increase visibility and inclusion of deaf people. 

https://ukcod.org/deaf-awareness-week-2023/ 

National Gardening Week, 1–7 May: Organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, this annual event started in 

2012 and is now the nation’s biggest celebration of gardening. It aims to raise awareness of the difference that gardens 

and gardening can make to the lives of everyone in the UK. It inspires more people, particularly the young, to experience 

the joy of growing and creating beautiful green spaces. This year it has a royal theme. 

https://www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/national-gardening-week/ 

Viral Meningitis Awareness Week, 2–8 May: The organisers' vision is that in the future no-one in the UK loses 

their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need to rebuild their lives. More details from: 

https://www.meningitisnow.org/support-us/news-centre/public-affairs/campaigns/viral-meningitis-week/ 

Monday 8 May — Volunteering Day in Pearson Hall 

Back to the Coronation, don't forget Big Help Out on Monday 8 May when 

communities around the country will be staging a volunteer awareness day for 

clubs, organisations and local charities who will have representatives available 

to talk about the many and various ways that people can get involved with their 

local communities by volunteering. Our local Big Help Out will be in Pearson 

Hall from 11.30am – 2.30pm for local charities, societies and organisations to 

showcase their activities and attract new members and volunteers. Teas and 

cake, served by members of Sonning WI, will be available to buy. At the time of 

going to press there was no information available about a Big Help Out being held 

in Charvil.


feature — 2 

Praying for our new King and Queen 

By The Rev Canon Paul Hardingham, vicar of St Peter’s Halliwell, Bolton in the diocese of Manchester 

On 6 May His Majesty King Charles III will be crowned alongside Her Majesty Queen Camilla, in 

Westminster Abbey. How can we pray for them, as they approaches this important event? Paul 

says: ‘I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made 

for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and 

holiness.’ (1 Timothy 2:1,2). Thus we can pray . . . 

For God’s presence to guide every aspect of King Charles life as he prepares for his Coronation and 

future roles. At his Accession, he was proclaimed Defender of the Faith and the Supreme Governor 

of the Church of England. Charles has talked about ‘the Sovereign's particular relationship and 

responsibility towards the Church of England - the Church in which my own faith is so deeply rooted.’ 

For God’s wisdom as he provides leadership that will honour God and promote the wellbeing of our 

society. King Solomon prayed for wisdom for himself: ‘So give your servant a discerning heart to 

govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.’ (1 Kings 3:9). 

For God’s love to strengthen all relationships within the Royal Family; for reconciliation, 

understanding, forgiveness and good communication. 

For God’s purpose to be fulfilled through the work of the King and Queen and their family in the years 

to come. He has said: ‘and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you 

with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.’ 

A prayer for the new King and Queen: Everlasting God, we pray for our new King and Queen. Bless 

their reign and the life of our nation. Help us to work together so that truth and justice, harmony and 

fairness flourish among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Ten facts about King Charles III 

1. He was born at 9.14pm on 14 November 1948, to Princess 

Elizabeth and Prince Philip, at Buckingham Palace. 

2. He has been heir-apparent to the throne since he was 

three years old. 

3. He is the first monarch in British history to have earned 

a university degree. From 1967 - 1970 he studied history at 

Cambridge University. 

4. He can speak Welsh. He spent two months learning the 

language in 1969, as he prepared to become the Prince of 

Wales. He still speaks it today. 

5. He is a qualified pilot and diver. While serving in the 

military in the 1970s, he trained as a jet and helicopter pilot 

and became a confident diver. 

6. He is a keen watercolour painter, a published author, and 

a music lover. He played the cello at Cambridge. 

7. As Prince of Wales, he founded nearly 20 charities. 

Together, they raise £140 million each year for good 

causes. He is passionate about the environment, speaking 

out against plastic pollution as early as 1970. He has 

planted many trees during royal engagements. 

8. Aged 73, King Charles III is the oldest monarch to 

be crowned in British history. He became King on 8 

September 2022, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. 

9. As head of the Commonwealth, King Charles III is 

monarch of each of the 14 Commonwealth realms: Antigua 

& Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, 

Jamaica, New Zealand, Papau New Guinea, Saint Kitts 

& Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, the 

Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. 

10. King Charles III has two children, Princes William and 

Harry, and five grandchildren. Prince William is next in line 

and was named the Prince of Wales in 2022. 

From a religious ceremony to 

a theatrical public celebration 

The early history of coronations is lost in time 

and myths — they emerged in Europe as a 

religious rite. In the Roman Catholic tradition, 

Virgin Mary, was crowned Queen of Heaven. The 

ceremony was depicted in a stained glass window 

in Florence Cathedral designed by Donatello and 

dated 1438 (pictured right). 

The first UK documented account is when William 

the Conqueror was crowned in Westminster on 

Christmas Day in 1066. King Charles III will be the 

40th monarch to be crowned in Westminster. 

There have only been two monarchs who did not 

have a Coronation: Edward V, presumed murdered 

in the Tower of London before he could be crowned, 

and Edward VIII who abdicated 11 months after 

succeeding his father and before his Coronation. 

William III and Mary II were the only joint monarchs 

to be crowned. 

Although British coronations have at their centre 

an Anglican service conducted by the Archbishop of 

Top: Official Coronation 

Centre: Statue of Edward 

by Basphoto, dr 

Bottom: Florence Cathed 

by Natletic, dre 

Canterbury, they combine religion with aspects of the UK’s uncodified constitution, a 

The contemporary form dates from 1902, when King Edward VII was crowned. It con 

from Buckingham Palace to the Abbey, another procession inside, the Recognition, th 

Coronation Oath, the Homage and finally another procession back to the Palace. 

The Coronation Oath, in which the monarch swears to govern the peoples of the U 

Commonwealth Realms 'according to their respective laws and customs' is the only aspec 

required by law.


picture by Chris Jackson 

VII near Reading Station 

eamstime.com 

ral stained glass window 

amstime.com 

nd a degree of theatre. 

sists of a state procession 

e Anointing, the 

nited Kingdom and the 

t of the ceremony that is 

Worship, sports, teas, 

dancing and ice cream 

Queen Victoria, who was on the throne when 

The Parish Magazine was first published in 1869, 

has something in common with her great grand 

daughter, Queen Elizabeth — they were both 

succeeded by their eldest sons, Edward VII and 

Charles III. They both reigned for the longest times 

for any British monarch, Victoria for 67 years 217 

days, and Elizabeth II for a record 70 years 215 days. 

Edward VII was 59 years old when he came to the 

throne, Charles III is 79 years old and is the oldest 

person to become the British monarch. 

Just as today, the nation celebrated Edward VII 

who interestingly is the subject of a statue close to 

Reading Station. In our parish, his Coronation was 

celebrated with enthusiasm and great expense. 

In those days, the accounts had to be published in 

our magazine — today they are published separately 

— and they reveal an expenditure of £91 18s 2d, the 

majority of which was paid for through donations. 

The equivalent in today's money is about £8,000. 

The population then was much smaller and the 

parish boundaries larger so it quite a substantial 

amount. One of largest sales seems to have been ice 

cream for which T Wall & Son Ltd had sole rights and 

contributed £2 to the village funds from their sales. 

£2 today would probably buy one ice cream! 

As well as special, well attended church services, 

houses were decorated and there were village sports 

events on and off the river, sideshows, dances, gifts 

for the children who had a special tea party, and adult 

celebrations that went on into the night. 

Below is an extract from the vicar's letter 

following the Coronation of Edward VII — we 

wonder what our current vicar will write next month! 

My dear Sonning People, 

Though not first in time, the Coronation must take 

first place in my letter this month. The day began 

here with the Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m., when there 

was a most encouraging number present, mostly 

young people, including 12 of our lads. The Choir, 

C.L.B., Girl Guides and Brownies came to the 11 

o’clock Service, which was preceded by a merry 

peal of bells. After which all moved to the Recreation 

Ground, where Sports of various kinds were held, 

some really humorous, owing to the ingenuity of Mr. 

Hoyle. At 4, Mrs. Arthur Rose planted a beech tree 

close to the Pavilion, Jimmy Edwards presenting 

her with a small silver spade, and little Marion 

Lamb offering her a charming bouquet. At 4.30, the 

Children’s Tea followed in the Pearson Hall. Then 

came more sports, distribution of prizes, the King’s 

Speech, and finally a dance in the Pearson Hall. The 

weather held up splendidly for the greater part of 

the day, though rain came down in the evening. 

On the Saturday before the Coronation we had the 

great pleasure of welcoming Mrs Maud, who came 

over to open our new and splendid Recreation 

Ground, dedicated in memory of His Gracious 

Majesty King George V, always the devoted friend of 

children and the young. 

Your affectionate Vicar, R. WICKHAM LEGG. 

Our parish 

Coronation 

celebrations 

Coronation Day Saturday 6 May 

The Coronation will be televised and those wishing 

to view the event with their friends can see it on 

the big screen in Sonning Club. The Club will be 

open all weekend with food being served in the 

garden by TACITO Street Food. 

The Sonning and Sonning Eye Society will be 

holding a celebratory dinner in Pearson Hall 

on Saturday evening with a three course meal 

provided by Emma’s Kitchen. The cost will be £25 

per ticket and includes a glass of champagne to 

toast the newly crowned King and Queen. Wine 

will be available at £10 per bottle. Tickets will be 

available on https://www.sonning.org.uk from 10 

March or from Penny Feathers on 0118 934 3193. 

Sunday 7 May — Celebration Church 

Service, followed by the Big Lunch and 

Family Entertainment 

There will be a celebration service in St Andrew's 

Church at 11am on Sunday morning when Lord 

Carey, who will attend the Coronation on the 

previous day, will be preaching. (see page 7) He was 

Archbishop of Canterbury from 1991 - 2002. 

Pearson Hall will be open for families to get 

together from 12 noon. Tables will be set up to seat 

about 100 inside with a similar number in marquees 

in the gardens of Sonning Club. Bring your own 

picnic — prizes will be given for the best decorated 

hampers. Alcohol will be available in Sonning Club. 

Two AbbaStars singers will perform from 1pm. 

The first 45 minute session will be while tables are in 

place for lunch. Most of the tables will be removed for 

the 2.15–3 pm session to allow dancing to take place 

near the stage. This will be followed by children from 

Sonning CofE Primary School choir performing in 

the hall and maypole dancing in the Sonning Club 

gardens. A professional caller will organise barn 

dances in the hall for children and adults from about 

4-8pm with prizes awarded for the best dancers. 

Sunday 7 May — Charvil Children's Party 

Charvil Village Hall, 2-4pm for children aged 3-11, 

accompanied by an adult. More details at: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/charvil-childrenscoronation-party-tickets-595821176177 

Monday 8 May — Volunteering Day 

Pearson Hall will be open from 11.30am–2.30pm 

for local charities, societies and organisations to 

showcase their activities and attract new members 

and volunteers. Teas and cake will be available to 

buy, served by members of Sonning WI. 

Apart from the dinner on Saturday evening and teas and 

cakes on Monday there will be no charge for participating 

in the Sonning events. This is made possible courtesy of 

the Sonning Volunteer Fire Brigade Trust and the Sonning 

and Sonning Eye Society.

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feature — 3 

Why go? 

By Deidre Morris, editor of the St John’s 

Parish Church, Wakefield, parish magazine 

In 1967 I was working in an office 

in Liverpool, my first job after 

university. A chance remark led to a 

colleague looking at me in disbelief. 

‘Do you mean you go to church?’ 

‘Yes.’ ‘What, every week?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘I 

didn’t know you were a Catholic!' 

The only reason he could 

understand for anyone going to 

church every week was because your 

church required you to — Liverpool 

had many Roman Catholics. That I 

went because I chose to go was quite 

beyond his comprehension. 

‘I can be a Christian without going 

to church!’ is a phrase some people 

use, and they are quite right. Being a 

Christian is to be a follower of Christ, 

believing in him and trying to live 

accordingly. You do not need to go to 

church to read your Bible, pray, read 

spiritual books, listen to, and perhaps 

join in, sacred music or songs or 

discuss your faith. 

SO WHY DO WE GO? 

To do what Jesus asked us to 

do and behave as the first of his 

followers did in Luke 22:19: And he 

took bread, gave thanks, and broke 

it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This 

is my body given for you; do this in 

remembrance of me.' 

And according to Acts 2:42 /46–47: 

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ 

teaching and to the fellowship, to the 

breaking of bread and to prayer. Every 

day they continued to meet together … 

They broke bread… and ate together with 

glad and sincere hearts, praising God. 

BUT WHY DO I GO? 

I go to worship the God I believe 

in, and to do so alongside other 

people. I can be a Christian without 

going to church. But by joining with 

others who also believe, my faith is 

expressed more fully, particularly in 

the sacraments and in singing. 

My spiritual knowledge is increased 

by listening to the Bible and sermons, 

by discussions, or just by hearing 

of other people’s experiences of 

God at work in their lives. I grow 

in my understanding of what being 

a Christian can be when I find my 

St Andrew's Church on Palm Sunday 

skills, knowledge, or insights can 

be of use to others, or that we just 

value each other’s company and 

conversation as we seek to follow 

Christ. 

I appreciate how generous other 

people can be to me when I need help 

in some way, and they offer it freely. 

By going to church, and joining 

in, I become part of a Christian 

community seeking to follow Christ 

in this place, at this time. It is 

sometimes more challenging, but also 

much more fulfilling, than being a 

‘lone’ Christian. 

WHY GO ON GOING? 

I have gone to church — except 

for illness or similar cause — every 

Sunday for nearly 60 years since Jesus 

came into my life. Some people might 

say, ‘How boring! It’s just a habit!’ It is 

not boring, because every Sunday is 

different, and each act of worship is a 

unique experience. 

I will not pretend they are all 

wonderful, because they are not. 

Sometimes I am tired, or not feeling 

well, or just plain out of sorts with 

life, so what I bring to the service is 

much less than I might. 

Sometimes it is not me but what 

else is happening — an incompetent 

organist, a difficult sound system, 

being too cold, noisy distractions, or 

finding the seats very uncomfortable. 

When I was accompanied by 

children it was not always easy! But 

just as family life has its good days 

and its bad ones, so worship can 

be amazing, awful, magnificent, or 

mundane. 

As I have grown in my faith, going 

to church has become more, not less, 

important. I am more aware of how 

much I owe to God, and how he is 

with me each and every day, in both 

the very small things of life as well 


Indy Biddulph 

as the big ones. I can look back on my 

life and see how influential he has 

been, even when I was unaware of it. 

Going to wor(th)ship every week is 

one way to acknowledge his worth to 

me. 

Every day I take time to care for 

myself physically — brushing my 

teeth, keeping clean, taking exercise 

etc for two hours a week, in addition 

to daily prayer etc, to worship God 

with other Christians is a vital part of 

caring for my spiritual health. 

AN ONLOOKER 

Being deprived of weekly worship 

during lockdown was a great loss. 

It was not practical to follow the 

‘streamed’ services, but the TV 

services during lockdown were some 

consolation, particularly those from 

cathedrals I am familiar with. But 

they are a poor substitute for the real 

thing. I felt more of an onlooker than 

a participant. Being unable to receive 

communion for so long was a great 

loss. 

Since worship has resumed it has 

been good to share in communal 

worship, and to sing hymns again, 

and take communion. 

Just to be with fellow Christians 

is good, but it’s also painful to miss 

those who have died or are unable to 

come to church due to health issues. 

Many of the things that mean a lot 

to me are not yet possible: receiving 

wine from the cup; passing the peace 

physically; having a water-focussed 

prayer station; prayers for healing; 

congregational participation in 

intercessions, communion, etc. 

However, I am truly grateful for all 

the blessings of being able to worship 

again in church every week and to 

give that regular time to a God who 

has been so generous to me in so 

many ways.



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EXPLODE

feature — 4 

'I feel blessed to 

have rediscovered 

what faith means 

to me personally' 

Developed as a short course to 

allow people to consider and 

explore the Christian faith, Alpha 

has gained international renown 

and now runs in every part of the 

global church, including Roman 

Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant 

denominations. 

Millions of people have experienced 

Alpha in over 100 countries and over 

100 languages. It offers an opportunity 

to ask the big questions of life: why 

am I here, where am I heading, is there 

more to life than this? 

At St Andrew’s, we have run two 

Alpha courses during the past two 

years, and they have been engaging, 

fun, informal sessions where we meet 

on Zoom. Meetings begin with an 

ice breaker before watching an Alpha 

video that prompts conversations, 

and questions while giving space for 

discussion. 

Katherine and Tsering Karalus 

joined our Alpha course in 2022 and 

have become Alpha leaders who help 

others to navigate a journey to faith. 

WHO ARE YOU? 

We moved to Sonning from Windsor 

just before the lockdown of 2020. It was 

really hard to feel part of the village 

knowing we couldn’t meet anyone, 

especially with two young kids in tow! 

We had previously lived in London and 

never felt part of a community but we 

travelled extensively. 

When we had our kids Eddison, 5, 

and Arlie 3, we felt it was time to put 

down some roots. We love living here 

and being outdoors in the beautiful 

countryside — we are still learning all 

there is to do here with a young family! 

WHY ALPHA? 

Tsering: When we had our children, 

we knew we wanted to bring them up 

with strong values. As I was from a 

Catholic background we thought we 

would give church a go, however we 

were slightly disappointed. I had lost 

my interest in faith from my teenage 

years and we were both looking for a 

Katherine, Tsering and their family 

place that invigorated us with relevant 

reflection for our daily lives as well as 

welcome us into a community. 

A friend came to faith after losing 

her husband at a young age, and we 

found her journey inspiring and 

curious. Their church was so fresh and 

cool, we wanted to be part of something 

similar! 

Alpha let me find faith again in a 

relaxed and friendly atmosphere, it 

truly opened my eyes and heart again to 

Jesus. We really feel part of something 

so special here. 

Katherine: I was looking for 

a greater purpose and a sense of 

belonging. I was drawn to Rev Kate as 

a fellow young mum, who was really 

supportive and recommended Alpha. 

As someone who had never read the 

Bible and didn't call myself a Christian, 

going to church for me felt a bit 

uncomfortable, almost fraudulent. 

I am not going to lie, I was nervous 

about Alpha! What if everyone goes to 

church already? What if I’m not sure I 

believe in God? 

However, the short virtual format 

was so easy for us as busy working 

parents, we decided to do it together 

and from the first session I was put 

at ease and was reassured that all 

views, experiences and journeys were 

welcome. 

St Andrew's was great at welcoming 

us in a way that suited us as a young 

family — there's Messy Church, Sunday 

Club, and Sunday at 6. But I needed 

to stop and make the time to really 

understand what it was all about at 

a deeper level; to make sense of it for 

myself. My heart was curious but my 

head needed the chance to explore it. 

WHAT APPEALED? 

Tsering: We loved the videos, how 

they were made and covered the topics. 

They were open, visually interesting, 

unique and provided the foundation 

for us to make our own decisions. I 

feel blessed to have rediscovered what 


faith means to me. I feel more confident 

about it. Before I felt dragged along by 

parents and family. It also helped that 

we really loved our Alpha group, we 

love seeing familiar faces at church and 

around the village and now feel that we 

really belong somewhere. 

Katherine: I soon realised that noone 

has all the answers! And in fact lots 

of questions is totally normal. Faith at 

its simplest isn’t black and white it’s not 

about being a Christian or not, going to 

church or not, it’s a journey. 

The videos do a great job of talking 

logically to the head as well as the heart! 

We all have the opportunity to know 

God in a relationship that is personal 

and this helped me to explore what it 

meant without fear or shame. Like any 

relationship, we are still learning but 

I am thankful to the Alpha groups for 

helping me explore and understand in a 

way I had never made the time to do. 

I’m really proud that our kids are 

now on their own journey as we are 

better equipped to talk about life’s big 

stuff with them. We enjoyed it so much 

we went on to support with the second 

Alpha, had the children baptised and 

cemented our journey so far by being 

confirmed as members of the Anglican 

Church last year alongside 24 others 

at St Andrew's. We would encourage 

anyone even slightly curious to come 

and join us! 

WHAT OTHERS SAID 

'Alpha at St Andrew's covered a wide 

variety of people questioning their faith so 

you heard many different points of view. It 

opened new ways of looking at one’s faith 

and exchanging views help deepen my 

certainty of Christ’s love.' — Sue 

' Thought-provoking and memorable. 

An opportunity to discuss faith with and 

get to know members of the congregation.' 

— Chris 

'A very comfortable and supportive way 

to explore one’s faith.' —Wendy 

To join Alpha with Chris and Gem West, Helen Craig, Katherine and Tsering Karalus on Tuesdays at 8pm, email: office@sonninparish.org.uk



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around the villages — 1 

Easter worship and fun 


SONNING CofE primary school update 

As a Church of England school, Easter is an important 

time of year. As well as engaging in the fun and more childfocused 

aspects of Easter — egg hunts! — we also focus 

throughout the term on the events leading up to Holy 

Week. In our collective worship each week since January, 

we have learned about and discussed different parts of the 

Easter story, culminating in our Easter service. 

Due to adverse weather, we held our Easter service at the 

school instead of walking to St Andrew's Church. However, 

we were delighted to welcome Rev Kate to lead our service 

during which each class sang or spoke and we came together to 

celebrate the key events of Easter and its message for us from 

Jesus' sacrifice. 

This term, as well as Lent and Easter, also features 

Ramadan and Eid, and we have enjoyed understanding more 

about these important events in Islam and, with many Muslim 

pupils in the school, it has been a wonderful way to show our 

respect and curiosity — two of our school values — for other 

religions and faiths. 

As a key part of our Easter celebrations we finished the 

term with our annual Easter Hat Parade, which produced a 

range of very creative hats! The children, and staff, all walked 

our ‘cat walk’ and showed off their hats to the rest of the 

school by dancing, strutting, bouncing and sliding down the 

cat walk to music! It certainly was a feel-good end to the term. 

Performing arts needs your help! 

At Sonning Church of England Primary School, we are seeking 

angel investors for our exciting building project that will become 

our Performing Arts Studio. 

The vision and objective is to promote and deliver rich experiences 

and development in acting, dance, music, song, art and general 

cultural appreciation. Located within the school grounds it will be 

used by the pupils during the day and at weekends, evenings and 

school holidays, it will be available for the communities of Sonning, 

Charvil, Sonning Eye, Wargrave, Woodley and Twyford. 

To make our dream a reality, we need the support of our 

community and would welcome discussions on how you can help 

us — practically or financially — and how we can help you. Please 

contact the school office via spsadmin@sonning.wokingham.sch.uk 

for the attention of Phil Sherwood, headteacher. 

Our thanks to Indy Biddulph for taking the photographs!



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around the villages — 2 

Reading Maiden 

Erlegh Rotary put 

down 400 roots 

Volunteers from the Rotary Club 

of Reading Maiden Erlegh have 

planted a further 400 tree saplings 

for Just Around The Corner (JAC), 

bringing the total number to 1,200 

so far. 

Based at Reheboth, Forest Road 

Wokingham, JAC is one of the 

charities supported by the club, 

in which some physical as well as 

financial aid is included. 

JAC is a Christian charity 

providing equine assisted learning 

programmes for children with 

challenges such as ADHD, anger, 

self-esteem, trauma and depression. 

Set in 15 acres, it is a unique 

centre providing personal learning 

and professional development 

therapies. 

Father and son, Simon and Tim 

Thorpe from Woodley (pictured 

above) planted some lovely bushes to 

enhance the area near the beehives 

and members of Maiden Erlegh Club 

and the newly-formed Winnersh 

and Binfield Club took on the mixed 

hedgerow planting on the boundary. 

TO FIND OUT MORE . . . 

You can meet some of the Maiden 

Erlegh Rotary Club members 

in Pearson Hall at the Monday 

Coronation celebrations in Pearson 

Hall. See the Big Help Out on page 17 

of this issue. 

It's time to book 

your summer 

singing sessions 

Charvil's female voices singing 

programme for June and July will 

feature great songs from the Beatles 

and top country and western numbers: 

Thursday 15 June: 10.30am-12.00am 

'Love, laughter & legends' with - medlies 

including: Can't buy me love, Penny Lane, 

Let it be and Hey Jude 

Saturday 1 July: 2-4pm 'Oh Shenandoah' 

and other US folk songs including 

Simple gifts, Polly Wolly Doodle, Old Dan 

Tucker and Buffalo girls 

Both sessions are in Charvil Village 

Hall with the music arranged for 2-part 

female voice choir. 

Tickets are £10 per session and 

includes music and light refreshments. 

They will be led by local music 

teacher and choir director Suzanne 

Newman with accompanist Mary 

Daniels from Checkendon. Places 

need to be booked and paid for in 

advance by contacting Suzanne on 

0118 934 0589 or 

suzanneynewman@btinternet.com 

. . . Also in July 

The Friends of St Andrew's Church 

(FoStAC) are holding a sponsored 

cycle and walk from The Ark (and 

back) on 1 July, and its annual 

Garden Party on 9 July starting at 

3pm. For more details contact Sally 

Wilson on: 

mustangsallywilson@gmail.com 

 

 

 


Artist's significant 

birthday portrait 

cup win for Lynda 

Following a successful Sonning 

Art Group portraiture tutorial the 

coveted Chairman's cup was won by 

Lynda Tolworthy for her beautiful 

and sensitive picture of a lady drawn 

to celebrate a significant birthday. 

The next chairman’s cup is in May 

and, unsurprisingly, the subject will 

be the Coronation. 

 

Near Tetbury, Gloucestershire 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew’s 

 

 

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32 The Parish Magazine - May 2023 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements 


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THE ARTS — 1 

Life and light 

and life eternal 

By Rev Canon Michael Burgess 

Each year as we look at Creation 

we see the cycle of the seasons. The 

earth comes alive in spring, blossoms 

and bears fruit in summer, gives up 

its goodness and glory in autumn, 

and seems to die in the sleep of cold 

winter. Each of those seasons has its 

moods and feelings, which we find 

mirrored in the turn of human life. 

The joy of spring and summer go 

hand in hand with the sadness and 

resignation of autumn and winter in 

all that life brings us. When we look 

at our Lady in the Gospels, and this 

month of May is Mary’s month, we see 

that mixture of joy and sadness. 

In the Annunciation and at 

Christmas we share in the wonder and 

happiness of motherhood and new 

birth. A son is born, but that birth 

brings anxiety and strain. 

Those strange words of Simeon 

in the Temple, losing the child in 

Jerusalem, watching her son grow, 

only to be rejected and crucified — 

these experiences brought Mary 

heartache and sorrow. 

But her maternal love sustains her 

through it all, and Mary is with the 

disciples at the glorious moment of 

Pentecost. 

EVERYDAY LIFE 

This range of moods in creation and 

in the life of Mary is caught up in the 

painting, The Madonna of the Meadow 

by Giovanni Bellini. He came from a 

family of Renaissance painters, and 

this work was created around 1500. 

It hangs in the National Gallery in 

London. 

The background is full of the details 

of the world of nature and everyday 

life. We see some cows grazing and 

others resting. A farmer tends the 

livestock on one side of the painting, 

while a herdsman relaxes on the other. 

Mary in the centre is part of that 

creation with the blue of her robe like 

the sky above, while the russet shades 

beneath that blue mirror the earth on 

which she rests. 

As we look more closely, we can see 

some disturbing signs of ‘nature red in 


‘The Madonna of the Meadow’ by Giovanni Bellini Public domain: Wikimedia Commons 

tooth and claw.’ There is a bird to our 

left — perhaps a crane or egret — that 

is fighting with a snake. Above, on the 

top of a tall, thin, leafless tree there is 

another bird as black as death. We look 

at the babe sleeping in his mother’s 

arms and sense his vulnerability for all 

her protective love. 

Some 30 years later Mary will 

cradle her son in that same pose as his 

body is taken down from the cross: 

that heart-rending moment we know 

as the Pietà. 

The Venetian landscape is like a 

peaceful May afternoon where spring 

is dissolving into high summer amid 

those contented signs of a clear sky 

and cows grazing. The serpent and the 

raven tell us that struggle and death 

can easily invade that scene. But they 

somehow pale into insignificance as we 

ponder that luminous affirmation of 

new life in the mother and child that 

dominate the canvas. 

They proclaim life; they proclaim 

life after death. The babe sleeping 

in Mary’s arms will wake and grow 

through the seasons of life. Too soon 

we know his body will hang on a 

barren tree like the one where that bird 

of death perches. 

But that cycle of birth and spring 

leading to death and winter will be 

transformed as his risen body will 

walk into another landscape — the 

garden of Easter where the leaves 

never wither and the sky never 

darkens, for in that resurrection joy, all 

is life and light and life eternal. 

Poetry Corner 

Pentecost Preaching 

By Steven Rolling 

Acts 2:14-21 Tune: Wolvercote — O 

Jesus I have promised 

Peter at Pentecost did preach 

To all nations did reach 

When the Spirit came there then 

They all in Him did share 

It was prophecy fulfilled 

Of Joel, as God willed 

That He would pour out freely 

His Spirit on us, see 

And your sons and daughters shall 

Prophesy, this know well 

And young men, women, visions 

Shall see, smoothly each runs 

And old men, women, dream dreams 

Enlightened by light’s beams 

Even to servants, handmaids 

The Spirit poured, displayed 

And they too shall prophesy 

High and low, no deny 

And the Lord will show wonders 

Heaven, earth, active stirs 

Wonders in heaven, and signs 

In the earth, all aligns 

With His purposes, vapour 

Of smoke, blood, fire concur 

The sun shall turn to darkness 

And moon shine blood-red, yes 

Before that great, notable 

Day of the Lord to all 

Shall appear, yet they who call 

On Him be saved, not fall 

The coming of the Spirit sure 

Abides now evermore



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HEALTH 

Recently the habitants of ‘Bedside 

Manor’ had the huge privilege of a 

private tour of St George’s Chapel and 

the Lower Ward of Windsor Castle. 

Although open to visitors, our guide 

opened the ropes and we wandered 

through areas not usually accessible, 

while trying to avoid the furious gazes 

of those queuing. None of us threw a 

royal wave! 

Like all humans, no matter how 

royal you are does not exempt you 

from disease and death. There are 

a few Royals whose disease came at 

the end of a sword, axe or poison but 

there are other notable examples, most 

famously, Queen Victoria who passed 

on Haemophilia B. 

Haemophilia B is carried by women 

but they rarely suffer from the disease 

itself. Boys will demonstrate prolific 

bleeding from any injury including 

painful joints as they bleed internally. 

Many die young. 

Alexey Nikolaevich of Russia, 

the Tzarevich, had haemophilia. His 

parents tried to hide the disease as 

he was the only son of the last Tzar. 

His great grandmother was Queen 

Victoria. It is known that diseases 

linked to the X-chromosome are more 

prevalent in children of older fathers. 

Queen Victoria was conceived when 

her father was 50.1 

Made famous by Alan Bennett, 

King George III was believed to have 

suffered from porphyria, which has 

many variants. Essentially, the body 

can create porphyrins, believed to have 

anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer 

properties. If you cannot get rid of 

them or produce too much they can be 

deposited in the skin and nerves. Sun 

exposure causes acute burning and 

pain once known as bronze diabetes. 

As the nerves are affected abdominal 

pain, constipation begins and this is 

followed by confusion and symptoms 

that mimic psychosis. Repeated 

episodes can lead to dementia. 

However, bi-polar disease can also 

be intermittent and accumulative 

but would not cause any physical 

manifestations that mimic porphyria. 

Porphyria is also a disease seen on 

the X chromosome and in gene pools of 

a limited size. However it is in dispute 


Dr Simon Ruffle writes . . . Royal diseases 

KING GEORGE III 

as to whether George had the disease 

or not. It did, and may still, run in the 

royal families and decedents. 

A number of our monarchs died due 

to diseases of excess. Notably Henry I 

& VIII and George IV. 

Mary I, George VI and Edward VIII 

died of cancer, as did Philip II, a King 

of England by marriage. 

Queen Victoria and Queen 

Elizabeth I & II died of old age. 

KING HENRY VIII 

One of our most famous monarchs, 

Henry VIII, was also famous for being 

a hypochondriac. This is quite a severe 

neurotic disorder that can have a major 

impact on a person’s life, but we throw 

the word about flippantly. 

Henry’s anxieties were based in 

realities for him. Having a number of 

head injuries and a chronic leg ulcer 

from jousting injuries he suffered 

with recurrent infections from the leg, 

headaches from likely brain damage 

or chronic subdural haemorrhages 

— blood clots underneath the skull 

— and due to the lack of exercise and 

a penchant for fine food and alcohol, 

he developed obesity, gout and likely 

diabetes. 

Another theory was that he also 

suffered from tertiary syphilis. It is 

likely that poor Edward VI was born 

with syphilis. He was a sickly child and 

king, and died of TB. This was ironic as 

his father was paranoid about illness. 

Pain and an inability to fight 

infection made Henry VIII more 

paranoid, leading to his change in 

behaviour but also a very logical desire 

to avoid illness. 

PICARDY SWEAT 

During Henry VIII's reign, a 

European wide illness known as 

sweating sickness came in episodic 

epidemics. It came on very quickly, 

spread like wildfire and killed. The 

person developed high fever, sweated, 

thus losing fluid. It also caused kidney 

problems that meant losing more fluid 

and protein. Death followed. 

It is thought to be a virus carried 

by rats known as hantavirus, although 

there is no evidence of this. 

However Henry was on the ball 

here! Monasteries were affected 

more so than others. This was due 

to the large storage of food that the 

rats thrived on. Dockland areas 

were similarly affected. Any sniff of 

sweating sickness and Henry bolted 

from the capital to the gentler, safer 

Hampton Court. It also helped him in 

his decision to feather his worn out 

coffers with the monasteries money. 

In the photo above, the red brick 

room is said to be where Henry first set 

eyes on Anne Boleyn. It is in the Lower 

Ward of Windsor Castle. But seeing 

how small some of these chargers were 

I am not surprised that illness spread 

quickly around the Royal Court. 

1Royal maladies: inherited diseases in the ruling house of Europe By Alan R. Rushton Trafford Publishing: Victoria Canada. 2008 

Simon Ruffle

36 The Parish Magazine - May 2023 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to this advertisement 

RESIDENTIAL | NURSING | DEMENTIA CARE | RESPITE 

Care, compassion and complete wellbeing 

At Signature, we know that the only person who can decide what a luxurious care home 

looks like is you. That’s why we’re inviting you to come and visit us for yourself. 

While you’re here, you’ll have the opportunity to view our spacious apartments, 

well-appointed gardens, and many social and wellbeing spaces, from resident lounge 

and café to the activities lounge and hairdressers. 

You’ll also be able to speak to our compassionate care team, who provide our residents with 

the highest standards of practical, medical and emotional care. 

“ 

The staff are always very helpful and friendly. My mother has gone back to her 

old self since arriving and enjoys her lovely room, wonderful meals, activities 

and interaction with staff and other residents very much. 

” 

DAUGHTER OF RESIDENT, CAREHOME.CO.UK 

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 

Follow us on Facebook for a window into our homes

HEALTH — 2 

Some popular health 

myths debunked 

The best ways of staying fit and healthy may be different 

from what you thought. Here are some fitness dictats which 

were originally based more on marketing than on science. 

TEN THOUSAND STEPS A DAY? 

This goal has been popular for years, and it has been adopted 

by the World Health Organisation. However, the number 

was chosen arbitrarily in a Japanese boardroom in the 1960s. 

Yamasa dreamt up the figure in its effort to promote the 

world’s first step counter, ahead of the Tokyo 1964 Olympics. 

Instead, recent studies at the University of Alabama, have 

found that just 6,000 to 8,000 steps a day may be fine. And 

even if you take far less, then just adding an extra 500 steps a 

day will bring you significant health benefits. Research does 

suggest that it is not a great idea to take less than 5,000 steps 

a day. 

FIVE A DAY? 

Eating daily fruit and veg came from the UK government in 

the late 1980s, and is one of the best public health advices. 

However, recent studies suggest that five a day is unlikely to 

be enough. Scientists at Imperial College London suggest it 

is more like seven or 10 helpings a day, if you are to get all the 

nutrients and fibre you need. A scientist at the University of 

Leeds says we need to make dietary fibre the majority of our 

daily diet, rather than processed foods. 

EIGHT HOURS SLEEP A DAY? 

This notion is from Victorian times. During the industrial 

revolution, it was thought that the best daily regime was 8 

hours labour, 8 hours recreation, and 8 hours rest. But in fact, 

modern studies have found that the amount of sleep you need 

is highly individualised. Some people get along fine on less 

than 6 hours, while others need 10 hours. 

TWO LITRES OF WATER A DAY? 

For decades, the advice has been to drink 2 litres of water a day, 

or about 8 glasses. But our fluid requirements vary, depending 

on exercise, the weather, climate, and age. You may need as 

many as six, or as little as one. According to a professor of 

nutritional sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 

'a lot of your water comes from what you eat.' 

BREAKFAST IS BEST MEAL OF THE DAY? 

This advice began to be spread in the 1920s when cereal 

companies were running marketing campaigns to get people 

to eat their products for breakfast. But nutrition experts 

point out that breakfast is only good for you if you eat the 

right kind of foods. Highly processed foods and a large sugar 

content is likely to do you more harm than good. 

TWO THOUSAND CALORIES? 

The NHS recommends a daily intake of 2,000 calories a day 

for women and 2,500 for men. But your actual calorie needs 

depend on your age, gender, height, weight and physical 

activities levels. Some of us need to eat less, and some more. 

History 


Was it really . . . ? 

250 years ago, on 10 May 1773 that Britain passed 

the Tea Act, which favoured the British East 

India Company over the American colonies. This 

led to the 'Boston Tea Party' in December, which 

escalated into the American Revolution and the 

establishment of the USA. 

Demerzel21, dreamstime.com 

. . . 150 YEARS AGO on 1 May 1873 that David Livingstone, 

Scottish missionary and explorer, died. He is best known for 

his search for the sources of the Nile, and for going missing 

— and being found — in Africa. 

. . . 100 YEARS AGO on 26-27 May 1923 that the first Le 

Mans 24 hours endurance motor race was held. 

. . . 90 YEARS AGO on 2 May 1933 that the first modern 

sighting of Scotland’s Loch Ness monster was reported in the 

Inverness Chronicle. 

. . . 80 YEARS AGO on 16-17 May 1943 that the RAF 

launched Operation Chastise, which became famous as 

the ‘Dambusters’ raid. Bouncing bombs were used to 

bypass anti-torpedo nets and breach dams, which caused 

catastrophic flooding in Germany’s Ruhr Valley. 

. . . 75 YEARS AGO on 14-15 May 1948 that Israel was 

declared an independent state as the British mandate in 

Palestine came to an end. The next day the Arab-Israeli War 

began with the invasion of Israel by Egypt, Transjordan, 

Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. 

. . . 70 YEARS AGO on 29 May 1953 that New Zealand 

mountaineer Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay 

became the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest. 

. . . 60 YEARS AGO, on 27 May 1963 that the folk/blues 

album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan was released. It included 

the hit song Blowin’ in the Wind. 

. . . 50 YEARS AGO on 17 May 1973 that the Watergate 

hearings began in the US Senate. 

. . . 25 YEARS AGO on 23 May 1998 that the people of 

Northern Ireland voted to accept the Good Friday Agreement. 

75% were in favour of a Northern Ireland Assembly. 

. . . 15 YEARS AGO on 12 May 2008 that the Sichuan 

earthquake in China killed more than 69,000 people. Over 

370,000 were injured, and nearly 5 million made homeless.

38 The Parish Magazine - May 2023 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to this advertisement

Rev Kate's 

May Quiz 

PUZZLE PAGE 

CROSSWORD 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 

9 10 

11 12 

13 14 15 

17 18 19 

16 

20 21 

22 23 

Across 

1 - 

Steep 

Steep 

and 

and 

rugged 

rugged 

rock (4) 

rock (4) 

3 - Food of the gods (8) 

3 - Food of the gods (8) 

9 - Beautified (7) 

10 9 - Beautified - Person (7) who flies an aircraft (5) 

11 - Attach (5) 

10 Person who flies an aircraft (5) 

12 - Process of wearing away (7) 

13 

11 -- Attach 

Entry 

(5) 

pass (6) 

15 12 -- Process Hurries of wearing (6) away (7) 

17 - Highest vantage point (7) 

13 - Entry pass (6) 

18 - Musical speeds (5) 

20 15 - Hurries - Implant (6) (5) 

21 17 -- Highest Done vantage in full point awareness of a building (7) (7) 

22 - Splashing with water (8) 

18 - Musical speeds (5) 

23 - Linger (4) 

20 - Implant (5) 

CODEWORD 

21 3 - Done 12 in 17 full awareness 23 26 (7) 15 24 18 24 

22 - Splashing with water (8) 

14 11 11 

23 - Linger (4) 

13 26 24 12 17 26 17 

11 2 5 16 20 9 2 

8 20 2 5 25 5 19 9 11 11 23 

25 15 21 26 4 24 

21 24 20 17 17 12 5 9 11 21 23 17 

10 6 15 1 

17 20 9 12 15 26 4 18 26 17 11 3 

8 20 9 17 25 20 

22 9 26 4 9 12 3 18 20 24 5 

11 24 25 25 26 19 19 

25 3 3 11 4 26 17 15 5 9 

18 5 17 7 20 17 17 9 26 

Down Down 

1 - Dull 1 and - Dull and uninteresting (13) (13) 

2 - Remote in manner (5) 

2 - Remote in manner (5) 

4 - Make angry (6) 

4 - Make angry (6) 

5 - Duplication (12) 

6 - Concerned 5 - Duplication with (12) oneself (7) 

7 - Amazingly (13) 

8 - By 

7 

chance 

- Amazingly 

(12) 

(13) 

14 - Hit hard (7) 

8 - By chance (12) 

16 - Uttered (6) 

14 - Hit hard (7) 

19 - Damp (5) 

6 - Concerned just with oneself (7) 

16 - Uttered (6) 

19 - Damp (5) 

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 

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

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

M 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

23 

25 

26 

G 

I 

SUDOKU 

Each of the nine blocks has to contain all the 

numbers 1-9 within its squares. Each number 

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

WORDSEARCH FOR KING CHARLES 

Total marks = 15 


answers in the next issue 

April Solutions 

Facts about King Charles 

He was born at 9.14pm on 14 November 

1948 at Buckingham Palace. He has been 

heir-apparent to the throne since he was 

three years old. He is the first monarch in 

British history to have earned a university 

degree. He can speak Welsh. He is a qualified 

pilot and diver. He is a keen watercolour 

painter, a published author and played the 

cello at Cambridge. As Prince of Wales, he 

founded about 20 charities which raise about 

£140million each year for good causes. Aged 

73, King Charles III is the oldest monarch ever 

to be crowned in British history. He became 

King on 8 September 2022, after the death of 

his mother, the Queen, in Balmoral. As King, 

he is also now head of the Commonwealth. 

AUTHOR 

PILOT 

CELLO 

DIVER 

KING 

HEIR 

BALMORAL 

PALACE 

WELSH 

CHARLES 

THRONE 

UNIVERSITY 

BUCKINGHAM 

CAMBRIDGE 

OLDEST 

MONARCH 

CHARITIES 

NOVEMBER 

WATERCOLOUR COMMONWEALTH 

CROSSWORD 

C L I P P I N G U R D U 

A N A E C E N 

N I G E R W R I T E R S 

T R T R V E 

B E W I L D E R M E N T 

T S C E O T 

H A S U N I T S A L L 

O L S T N E 

U N F L A T T E R I N G 

G A R A O H 

H U R T L E S T H Y M E 

T E Y I U E A 

S I D E C R U S A D E R 

CODEWORD 

J A C K P O T S D A S H 

A R I O N A 

W H I Z Z S T A D I U M 

S N Z S M M 

G I E N S N A R E 

F L E E C E S C L R 

E A O E 

A S T P Y R A M I D 

S E Q U O I A E I 

I U S C X S 

B R I S K E T A L I V E 

L S O R N A 

E C H O P R O D I G A L 

SUDOKU 

BIBLICAL CROSSWORD 

REV KATE'S QUIZ 

1. Anne of Cleves 

2.Saturn 

3. 2022 

4. Fibonacci 

5. Princess Beatrice 

6.The Secret Garden 

7. Botswana 

8. Les Miserables 

9. .Guinea Pig 

11. Maundy Thursday 

12. John 

13. Ascension 

14. 1875 

15. Hop 

M 

To mark the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen our quiz has a Royal Family theme with general knowledge questions at the end. 

G 

Royal Family 

I 

8) Before Elizabeth II, who was the longest reigning British 

1) What is the name of the King’s second oldest 

Monarch? 

grandchild? 

9) Which royal residence is in Norfolk? 

2) In what year did the Prince and Princess of Wales get 10) Which royal residence is in Edinburgh? 

married? 

General knowledge 

3) What is the name of the youngest grandchild of Queen 11) Who played James Bond in the film Goldfinger? 

Elizabeth II? 

12) What is the surname of fictional brothers Scott, John, Virgil, 

4) In what year did Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, die? Gordon and Alan? 

5) Who was the older brother of King George VI? 

13) Bubo bubo is the scientific name for which type of owl? 

6) Who succeeded Queen Elizabeth I as Monarch? 14) The original Orient Express train ran between which two 

7) Who is known as the ‘Nine Days Queen’? 

cities? (2 marks)


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 

SMALLWOOD 

Landscaping, garden construction, 

patios, lawns, fencing, decking etc 

0118 969 8989 https://www.smallwoodlandscaping.co.uk/ 

office@smallwoodlandscaping.co.uk 

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 

BERKSHIRE STUMP REMOVALS 

Stump grinding and tree stump removal 

Latest narrow access machinery 

Contact: Mark 

0798 495 7334 http://www.berkshirestumpremoval 

THE BARBER SHOP 

177 Wokingham Road, Earley 

Since 1969 (opposite Fire Station) 

Open: Wednesday – Saturday 9.00am – 5.00pm 

Call John – 0118 966 6100 

Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements

CHILDREN'S PAGE 

The Parish Magazine - May 2023 41

42 The Parish Magazine - May 2023 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 / 0744 747 8048 

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 Office Manager 

— Hilary Rennie 

office@sonningparish.org.uk / 0118 969 3298 

Parochial Church Council 

— Secretary: Hilary Rennie 0118 969 3298 

— Treasurer: Jerry Wood 0118 969 3298 

Director of Music, organist and choirmaster 

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

music@sonningparish.org.uk 

Safeguarding Officer 

— 0118 969 3298 

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 26 

Abbeyfield Wey Valley Society 18 

ACG Services Locksmith 40 

Active Security 26 

AJ Wealth Management 28 

All Aerials 40 

AMS Water Softeners 28 

Barber Shop 40 

Barn Store Henley 16 

Berkshire Stump Removals 40 

Big Heart Tree Care 40 

Blandy & Blandy Solicitors 14 

Blue Moose 30 

Bridge House 43 

Bridges Home Care 10 

Bull Inn 30 

Canon Tree Care 28 

Chimney Sweep, Thames 40 

Chiropody, Linda Frewin 40 

Clark Bicknell 40 

Computer Frustrations 40 

Design for Print 32 

Freebody Boatbuilders 6 

French Horn 44 

Gardiner’s Homecare 30 

Great House Sonning 10 

Handyman and Decorating Services 40 

Haslams Estate Agents 2 

Heathium Clinics 18 

Hicks Group 16 

Home Stair Lifts 28 

Intersmart Electrical Installations 40 

James Autos 40 

Jones & Sheppard Stone Masons 32 

Kingfisher Bathrooms 12 

MC Cleaning 40 

Mill at Sonning 4 

M & L Healthcare Solutions 12 

Muck & Mulch 32 

Odd Jobs 40 

Queen Anne’s School 34 

Reading Blue Coat School 10 

Richfield Flooring 14 

Sabella Interior Design 24 

Seniors Helping Seniors 28 

Shiplake College 14 

Signature Care Homes 36 

Sonning Golf Club 34 

Sonning Scouts Marquees 32 

Smallwood Garden Services 40 

Style by Julie 6 

Thames Valley Water Softeners 6 

Thames Valley Wills Service 40 

The 50 Plus Home Repairs 32 

Tomalin Funerals 16 

Walker Funerals 12 

Water Softener Salt 16 

Window Cleaner 16



For the very best in 

later living care 

At Bridge House we care passionately about enabling our residents to live their best lives. 

Every day is different, but our exemplary standards of care 

remain constant, delivered by a highly trained and dedicated 

team of clinical nursing and care staff that ensure our 

residents maintain their independence, dignity and enjoy 

a fulfilling day. 

Our welcoming, elegant Georgian country house on the edge 

of Twyford offers a timeless calm with stunning views across 

the grounds to the river Loddon, whilst our newly built 

rehabilitation centre provides access to short term recovery 

and recuperation though the in house team of therapists. 

To discuss your nursing, residential or rehabilitation 

needs, or a visit, please contact our new Care Home Manager 

Rachel Stoneman at info@bridgehouseoftwyford.co.uk 

or 01189 340777 

Visit bridgehouseoftwyford.co.uk 

BRIDGE HOUSE

44 The Parish Magazine - May Please 2023 mention The Parish Magazine when responding to 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 May 2023

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