The Parish Magazine March 2024

24 The Parish Magazine - March 2024
around the villages — 2
'I knew someone
who would walk the
streets of Reading '
By Trish Hayes
Some time ago, I was asked by a good friend if
if I would consider training to be a Street Pastor
with her group in Reading Town Centre. I knew
I would not make an effective Street Pastor, but
I told her I knew just who would be friendly and
empathetic with a gift for putting all kinds of
folk at their ease; a born communicator, endlessly
interested in people. That person is my husband
Ron!
The Street Pastor movement was started in
Brixton in 2003 by Rev Les Isaac with the aim,
in the words of patron of Street Pastors David
Burrows MP, of '..rolling up their sleeves and getting
involved in practically responding to the problems of
crime and safety on the streets of our cities.'
That first night, 18 volunteers took to the streets of Brixton with a mission
to help anyone out there, whether homeless; in the grip of addiction; alone in
a strange city or simply needing someone to talk to. Today there are 11,000
trained Street Pastors in over 240 towns and cities in the UK. The Reading
group began their mission in October 2009.
Ron began his training last Autumn, learning ‘on the job’ from experienced
Street Pastors, going to lectures and talks by interested parties eg local council
and Thames Valley Police, and taking a course on emergency first aid.
As you can see, it was a proud moment for Ron when he first donned his
uniform and set off to 'care, listen and help' people in Reading town centre. .
If you would like to learn more about the work of Street Pastors go to:
https.//www.ascensiontrust.org.uk or https://streetpastors.org/locations/reading
Sonning Scarecrows 2024
Sunday/Monday 26/27 May
Sonning Parish Council is following
the National Pageant Master's
commemoration plans for the 8oth
Anniversary of D-Day on Thursday
6 June.
The national plans include a National
Proclamation at 8.00am that will be
followed with a similar proclamation
in schools at 11.00 am, and at 6.00pm
churches around the UK will ring
their bells.
Sonning Parish Council is also
planning a celebration at the King
George V Playing field to raise money
for the Royal British Legion and
other military charities. Gates will
open at 6.00pm with free entry.
The Syd Lawrence Orchestra has
been booked to play big band music
of the period.
The Last Post and the lighting of a
beacon will be at 9.15pm.
As Thursday 6 June is also the
National Fish and Chip Supper
Day, arrangements are being made
to have it delivered to the ground.
Alcohol will also be on sale.
Watch out for further details in
future issues.
Barbara Carr writes: Hopefully you have been thinking about your 2024 Scarecrow
which will be as splendid as the one you did two years ago! Thank you to those who
have already registered a Scarecrow … we know Barbie will be there!
If you have a garden on the route from the bottom of Pound Lane, Pearson Road,
High Street, Thames Street or bottom of Charvil Lane, for displaying a scarecrow
please let me know, or if you would like to open your garden.
To find out more, to register an entry, offer help with refreshments — making or
serving — manning a garden, marshalling, selling maps or generally helping in
any way, come to Sonning Club, by Pearson Hall, on Monday 25 March at 7.45pm.
contact@sonningscarecrows.com or Barbara.carr71@hotmail.co.uk
Pearson Hall talks
Sonning and Sonning Eye Society's
latest programme of events in
Pearson Hall at 7.30pm include:
— March 1: Lionel Williams talk on
'The History of Reading Hospitals'
— March 29: Terry Grourk talk on
'Hidden History of Wargrave Hall'
— April 26: Graham Horn talks on
'The thankful villages of WWI whose
soldiers returned'
— May 23: Amy Stocker talk on 'The
Great Fire at Windsor Castle'
Tickets for each event are, £4 for
members and £5 for guests. They are
available at: https://sonning.org.uk or
by contacting Penny Feathers 0118
934 3193 penny.feathers@btinternet.com