The Parish Magazine November 2025

The Parish Magazine — November 2025 1

The

Parish

Magazine

The John King Trophy

and Gold Award

Best Magazine 2018

National Parish Magazine

Awards

Best Overall 2015, 2020, 2022, 2023

Best Content 2016, 2021

Best Editor 2019

Best Print 2018

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

November 2025 — From Remembrance to Advent

the church of st andrew, SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF

CHARVIL, SONNING and sonning eye SINCE THE 7 th CENTURY

2 The Parish Magazine — November 2025 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to this advertisement

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


The John King Trophy

and Gold Award

Best Magazine 2018

National Parish Magazine

Awards

Best Overall 2015, 2020, 2022, 2023

Best Content 2016, 2021

Best Editor 2019

Best Print 2018

information — 1

Contents November 2025

THE VICAR'S LETTEr, 5

THE PARISH NOTICEBOARD

— Meet Archbishop Sarah, 7

— Bible prayers Part Nine, 9

— Remembrance prayer, 9

— For your prayers in November, 9

— STAY and young people, 10-11

— Persecution in Nigeria, 13

— Praying for peace, 13

— The media and Christians, 15

— From the editor's desk, 15

This ISSUE's FRONT COVER

The

Parish

Magazine

November 2025 — Remembrance

the church of st andrew, SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF

CHARVIL, SONNING and sonning eye SINCE THE 7 th CENTURY

Remembrance

pnmagic.com


Services in

St Andrew's

Church Sonning

Sunday 2 November

— 8.00am Holy Communion

— 10.30am Family Service

— 4.00pm All Souls Service

Remembrance Sunday

9 November


— 10.30am Service of Remembrance

6.00pm STAY Youth Service

FEATURES

— BBC Telefon raises £1 billion, 17

— Plan your funeral, 19

— Stained glass part four, 20-21

around tHE VILLages

— Sonning Show results, 23

— FoStAC Diary dates, 23

— Sonning prize winners, 25

— Rotary members welcome, 25

— Sunflower Walkers, 25

— Chatty Cafe, 25

— WI therapy, 27

— Ahoy! All seafarers, 27

— FoSTAC thanks, 27

— Thoughts of the day, 27

— Christmas puddings, 27

EDITORIAL DEADLINE

The editorial deadline for every issue

of The Parish Magazine is 12 noon on

the sixth day of the month prior to the

date of publication.

The deadline for the December 2025

issue of The Parish Magazine is:

Thursday 6 November at 12 noon

Recent issues of The Parish Magazine

can also be read online at

https://theparishmagazine.co.uk

For access to The Parish Magazine

archives which holds copies of the

magazine from 1869, please contact:

editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk

Sunday 16 November


— 10.30am Parish Eucharist

— 3.00pm Messy Church in The Ark

Christ The King Sunday

23 November


— 10.30am Parish Eucharist with

STAY and Sunday Club

Advent Sunday 30 November


— 10.30am Parish Eucharist

— 5.45pm Sunday at Six

HISTORY

— Your favourite hymn? 29

— Was it really? 29

FASHION

— Expect the unexpected, 31

THE ARTS

— The Mill at Sonning, 33

PUZZLE PAGE, 35

OTHER REGULAR SERVICES

Mid-week Communion in The Ark is

held every Wednesday at 10.00am. Tea

and coffee follows the service.

Home Communion at Sonning

Gardens Care Home is held on the first

Monday of each month at 11.00am.

Please note: There will be a special

Remembrance service in the care home

on Tuesday 11 November at 10.30am

CHILDREN'S PAGE, 37

INFORMATION

— Church services, 3

— From the registers, 3

— Classified, 36

— Parish contacts, 38

— Advertisers' index, 38

From the Registers

WEDDINGS

— Saturday 13 September, Harry Peter Hexter-Andrews and Heidi Kate Goff

FUNERALS

— Saturday 27 September, Shirley Teagle, interment of ashes in the churchyard

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The vicar's letter

DEAR FRIENDS

Once again, we enter the season of Remembrance, leading to

national commemorations on both Remembrance Sunday and on

Armistice Day. We no longer have any veterans from WWII in the

parish, as far as I know, but the veteran who has most been on my

mind in recent weeks was called Harold.

I knew him in my last parish, and I visited him regularly at a

Royal British Legion rest home. I could never get him to tell me

about his wartime memories, and it was only after he died, and I

met his family that they showed me his diary from that time. They

let me read it and I quickly realised why he wouldn’t, or rather

couldn’t, talk about his memories.

On 15 April 1945 he was one of the first British soldiers to enter

Bergen Belsen, one of many Nazi concentration camps. What he

witnessed there affected him for the rest of his life, and his only

outlet was to write it all down. It made for utterly horrific reading,

and I particularly remember one sentence: 'Sometimes I’ve wondered

why we’re fighting them. Now I know.'

A BETTER PATHWAY

The reason Harold has been on my mind this past month is

because of the disgusting rise in antisemitic protests and intimidation of the Jewish community,

culminating on Yom Kippur, with the brutal Islamist attack at the synagogue in Manchester. In

recent years, anti-semitic attacks have increased in Britain by 537%. The horrors witnessed by Harold

led to the phrase 'never again' — words which ring somewhat hollow today.

In WWII allied forces were fighting in the defence of 'Christian civilisation', to quote Winston

Churchill, and we surely owe it to their legacy, to stand up and resist persecution of any kind, not

least against God’s ancient people, the Jews. Increasingly in Western society that takes courage, but

we have many fine examples to follow from Harold’s remarkable generation.

In our parish on Remembrance Sunday the solemn event takes place in the context of a Christian

service on a site where Christians have heard the message of the Jew from Nazareth for well over

1,000 years. Man’s capacity to commit evil deeds is nothing new, and we are left with so many

questions as we witness great brutality around our world. However, Jesus’ life, example and teaching,

points us to a better pathway — one of forgiveness, neighbourliness and love.

Although it will forever be a painful and difficult thing to decide whether any emergence of

human brutality requires a forcible and violent response, I will not forget those who chose to give

up all their hopes and dreams in order to oppose an unspeakable evil — even if the only means they

had was dreadful, and the source of a lifetime of nightmares. I will remember, in sorrow and grief,

the countless lives lost in the violence of warfare. I will uphold the truth that ultimately it is the

peacemaker who is blessed, that love is always better than hate, and forgiveness is always better than

revenge.

Finally, I will pray for the day when the incessant carnage finally comes to an end, when war shall

be no more, and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus

Christ.

With warm wishes.

Jamie

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parish noticeboard — 1

On Friday 3 October 2025 the Church of England made

the historic announcement that Bishop Sarah Mullaly

is to be appointed in January 2026 as the first female

Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior position in

the Church.

As the Archbishop of Canterbury she will be

the ceremonial head of the worldwide Anglican

Communion, and the bishop of the Diocese of

Canterbury.

The first archbishop was Augustine of Canterbury,

the 'Apostle to the English', who was sent by Pope

Gregory the Great and arrived in the year 597.

The office has been vacant since 7 January 2025

following the resignation of Justin Welby, the 105th

Archbishop.

Born in Woking in 1962, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame

Sarah Mullally DBE is one of four children, with two

sisters and a brother. She attended Winston Churchill

Comprehensive School and Woking Sixth Form College.

Sarah became a Christian at the age of 16 years and

was educated at South Bank Polytechnic and Heythrop

College, University of London.

Before being ordained as a priest, she worked as a

nurse in the National Health Service, which she has

described as 'an opportunity to reflect the love of God'.

Bishop Sarah specialised as a cancer nurse and became

a ward sister at Westminster Hospital before being made

Director of Nursing at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

In 1999 she was the youngest person ever to be

appointed as the Government's Chief Nursing Officer for

England in the Department of Health.

Bishop Sarah was made a Dame Commander of the

British Empire in 2005 in recognition of her outstanding

contribution to nursing.

It was while working as the Chief Nursing Officer

for England that she had felt called to ordination and

entered training ministry at the South East Institute for

Theological Education.

She was ordained in 2001 and served her curacy in St

Saviour’s Battersea Fields, initially as a self-supporting

minister, before leaving her Government post in 2004,

which she has described at the time as 'the biggest decision

I have ever made'.

In 2012, Sarah was installed as Canon Treasurer at

Salisbury Cathedral and three years later took on the role

as Suffragan Bishop of Crediton in the Diocese of Exeter.

She was the fourth woman to become a Bishop in the

Church of England and was consecrated at Canterbury

Cathedral alongside the Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel

Treweek.


Meet the first Church of England

female Archbishop of Canterbury

NURSING

ORDINATION

On 12 May 2018, she was installed as the 133rd Bishop

of London at St Paul’s Cathedral, the first woman to

hold the role. She sits in the House of Lords as one of

the Lords Spirituals, having been introduced on 24 May

2018.

Her maiden speech paid tribute to the NHS on its

70th anniversary, telling the Lords: 'I am the Bishop I am

today because of that first vocation to nursing, and compassion

and healing are constants at the heart of who I am.'

She was sworn in as a member of the Privy Council in

March 2018 and became Dean of Her Majesty’s Chapels

Royal in July 2019.

SAFEGUARDING

As Bishop of London, Bishop Sarah has spoken

regularly of enabling 'every Londoner to encounter the

love of God in Christ'. Bishop Sarah led the Church of

England’s Living in Love and Faith process from 2020

to 2023. She has served on the Church’s National

Safeguarding Steering Group and is also Lead Bishop for

Health and Social Care issues.

As a Lord Spiritual, she has drawn from both her

pastoral experience and her background in nursing

and healthcare and has played a key role in the ongoing

debates on assisted dying.

This year, she chaired the Triennium Funding

Working Group that developed the Church of England's

three-year spending plan that led to significant

investments in local churches and parish clergy.


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BIBLE PRAYERS PART NINE

Praying when God

does not say yes!


By Rev Dr Herbert McGonigle, a former senior lecturer

in Historical Theology and Church History, Nazarene

Theological College, Manchester

2 Corinthians 12: ‘Three times I asked the Lord about this … but?'

Paul is talking about one of the most

mysterious and one of the most

baffling aspects of prayer — when

God does not say yes.

On the face of it, Paul’s prayer was

very modest. For some time he had

been troubled by ‘a thorn in the

flesh.’

He doesn’t tell us what the

‘thorn’ was and down the centuries

theologians and commentators have

made suggestions.

Most of them have thought that

the affliction was physical because

Paul says it was ‘in the flesh.’

Some have suggested that he

suffered from epileptic fits which

caused him to fall down, while others

have suggested that he was laid low

by constant fevers or that he had

very poor eyesight, the last based on

his remarks in Galatians 6:11.

But in spite of this great servant

of the Lord praying earnestly three

times that the thorn would be

removed, God did not answer as Paul

expected.

A number of things in this

passage (verses 7-10) are very helpful

to all of us in the matter of prayer.

FIRST

Although God’s answer was not

what Paul asked for, God did answer

him.

God is never indifferent to the

prayers we utter from the depth of

our heart.

Unlike the idol Baal in the Old

Testament story about Elijah, (1

Kings 18) the God and Father of our

Lord Jesus is not on a journey, nor is

he busy elsewhere, nor is he sleeping.

He hears our prayers and our cries

when we come to God in our need

and pain and distress.

SECOND

Although Paul did not get the

answer he wanted, God made him

a wonderful promise. He said, ‘My

grace is sufficient for you’ (verse 9).

This was not what Paul asked for,

yet what a promise it was! In effect,

God said:

‘I will not take the thorn away — but

my daily grace is all sufficient.’

In spite of the thorn, Paul will

triumph. When God gives us allsufficient

grace, it will take care of

everything in our lives.

THIRD

Paul learnt that God’s wonderful

grace meant that in his weakness

‘the power of Christ’ (verse 9) would

be with him, the power that would

make him effective and fruitful in

his ministry.

FOURTH

This experience taught Paul that

he could be ‘content with weaknesses

and insults’ (verse 10) because it

was for Christ’s sake, and when he

is weak in himself, he is strong in

Christ (verse 10).

SO WHAT?

Unless our prayer was selfish and

not for our good in the first place,

God does answer our cry. When the

answer is not what we expected, then

it means that our loving Father has

something even better and more

important for us!

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Remembrance

prayer . . .

Peace-loving God, on this

Remembrance Sunday,

Your church remembers

all who have fallen in

war; those who re-live

war daily through injury

or broken spirit, those left

behind, grieving for a loved one.

And as we remember, we pray for

those who seek peace:

for those who are good

negotiators — working with

dedication and persistence;

going the extra mile for peace.

We pray for peace. But also help

us to find new ways of addressing

aggression, constructive ways of

challenging harsh regimes, seeking

justice as well as peace. Amen

Martin Hazell: from Opening Doors,

URC 2014 Prayer Handbook

For your prayers

in November. . .

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10 The Parish Magazine —November 2025


youthminister@sonningparish.org.uk

0794 622 4106

We welcomed Izzy, our first St Andrew's intern. Her family

live in Sonning and she is a teaching assistant in a primary

school. She is brilliant!

Izzy is seeking to gain experience in working with young

people and will be helping to run the STAY groups alongside

Corinne and me. She is already the baking 'extraordinaire' on

a Friday evening!

It is also time to say goodbye to Alex and Sterling, two

special lads who started helping at our Friday Youth Club

four years ago. They were then in year 10 at school and

needed to complete their DoE hours. When they finished,

they continued to help us. They showed such commitment

that we made them young leaders and at 18 years old they

became full adult leaders. They were dedicated, hard working,

studious and lots of fun to have around.

Sadly for us, they have both gone to university and left a

huge hole. We want to say a massive thanks for all they gave

and we hope they have a blast at university — and come back

to help us in the holidays!

I am pleased to say we have space for other hard working

students wanting to do their DoE volunteer hours.

New STAY Youth Service

We are excited to have started our new STAY Youth Service

for all young people. It's on the second Sunday of the month

at 6pm. The next one is Sunday 9 November. However, with

'Beers and Carols' on Sunday 14 December at The Bull Inn,

there will not be a youth service in December. It will start

again on January 11 2026.

Each month we will start in the main church building

for Communion, Bible readings, prayers and worship before

moving to The Ark for a meal together. All young people are

welcome, but please let me, Westy, know on 0794 622 4106 if

you will be there so we can cater for everyone.

Sonning Village Show

On Saturday 13 September I had the privilege of taking our

three young leaders to the Sonning Show at Sonning CofE

School. We ran a 'Wheel of Fortune' type of game and gave

away sweets and flyers for the youth club. We also had free

games to play including a giant Connect 4. It was lovely to see

lots of familiar faces as well as some new ones.

A very warm

STAY

welcome for

Izzy our new

intern

STAY on Sunday

We met twice in September. First we looked at Nicodemus

and the love of God. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a

member of the Jewish ruling council in the time of Jesus.

At the second meeting we held our first youth-led session

where we answered big questions such as: 'If hell is real, what

is it like?' and 'Does God condone war and violence?' What

amazing and deep thinking young people we have!

The new Youth Service means our Sunday programme

will look slightly different, so here's the new plan:

1st Sunday: 10.30am, the Family Service in the church.

2nd Sunday: 6pm, the STAY Youth Service in the church.

3rd Sunday: 10.30am in The Ark for youth led content.

4th Sunday: 10.30am in The Ark for new age-split groups.

5th Sunday: 'Service Sunday' when we choose what act of

service we want to do for the community.

Please get in touch to be involved, or for more information.

STAY on Monday

Having given STAY on Monday a face lift, we meet every

Monday from 6-7.15pm. It alternates between youth led

weeks in their homes and a Bible study the next week in The

Ark. We met four times in September and looked at Judas the

betrayer and thought about how we are sometimes like him.

We also thought about the different books of the Bible asking

what is it, who wrote it and why?

STAY on Friday

It has been epic since the new term began with the number of

young people attending between 54-68. The new year 7’s are

settling in nicely to being welcomed every week, and the new

year 6’s love being allowed on the fourth Friday of the month.

STAY on Friday is our weekly, term time only, youth club.

It is held in The Ark from 6.45-8.15pm with lots of games,

consoles, baking, sports and more for all secondary school

youth to enjoy. We end with a final thought, and a cookie!

STAY in Schools

Our schools work in Charvil and Sonning primary schools

and Blue Coat and Piggott secondary schools continues

to be busy with weekly lunch clubs, CU on a Monday at

Big Pig from 3-4pm, assemblies, worship leading sessions,

prayer meetings and mentoring to over 35 students.

The Parish Magazine —November 2025 11

Corinne@sonningparish.org.uk

0118 969 3298

It has been a busy month with schools back in

session! I enjoyed going into Sonning Primary

and Charvil Piggott to deliver an assembly on

equality and respect.

The students also enjoyed a short film clip which

led us into a discussion about the Disney film

Zootropolis.

We talked about how the city of Zootropolis

was set up to support different types of animals,

and how we can show respect to others by giving

them the specific help or love they may need.

Messy Church was a big hit. We celebrated

the theme 'Love God' and created coin rubbings,

paint beautiful farm scenes, decorated biscuits,

and had our wonderful worship leader Gemma

join us for songs and actions before a meal. We

meet on the third Sunday of every month at 3pm

in The Ark.

LOST AND FOUND

At our Sunday Club sessions we enjoyed

playing lots of games and discussing God and

Faith. At our first session after the summer

holidays we talked about the parables of the lost

coin and the lost sheep. We enjoyed hiding a coin

around The Ark and playing games with balloons

that had an image of a sheep on them.

On the last Sunday of the month we talked

about putting God first and what this can look

like. The children enjoyed talking about the rain

as we had a lot of it that morning!

One of my favourite questions was, 'If God

created the universe, where was God before the

universe was created?'

We enjoyed thinking about this and what God

could be up to at any given point.

Westy and I are currently halfway through

a training programme run by the diocese on

how to move pastoral conversations to spiritual

ones. It has been great to learn more techniques

that will help us with mentoring in schools and

supporting the young people and children we

meet with in church.


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THE PERSECUTED CHURCH – 1

Persecuted Christians – what

one woman in Nigeria faced

The International Day of Prayer for

the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is

held each year, usually on the first

weekend in November. This year

it is on Sunday 2 November. The

following may help us to understand

how the persecution affects just one

family. Our picture (right) is not

Asebe, the subject of the following

story . . .

Asebe’s life was turned upside down

and devastated in one appalling,

never-to-be-forgotten night earlier

this year.

The Nigerian wife and mother’s

home was viciously attacked by

Fulani Islamists, who slaughtered

one of her sons and set fire to their

house, killing other family members

in the process.

ATTACKERS

In total, more than 50 men,

women and children were killed in

the evening attack on Zike village in

Nigeria’s Plateau State.

The Fulani raiders were armed

with guns and machetes.

Asabe’s home was one of the

first to be targeted. The family was

awoken by gunshots.

The attackers forced their way

into the home, dragged Asabe’s 14

year old son Jerry outside and, in

Asabe’s words, ‘killed him like a goat.’

They then ransacked the house,

before setting fire to it — with the

rest of the family still inside.

As the fire took hold, Asabe tried

to stop her six year old daughter

Joanne from crying, fearful as she

was that the militants would return

and kill them all.

But then, as they were trapped

inside and the heat of the blaze

became unbearable, she encouraged

her daughter to cry, reasoning that

if the attackers returned and killed

them it would be a quicker, less

painful death.

Thankfully, other villagers heard

the cries and came to the rescue.

Asabe’s husband, Moses, was

taken to hospital, but later died from

his burn injuries. Their 10 year James

was another victim, having died in

Siempreverde22, Dreamstime.com

An unidentified Fulani girl in headscarf

carries a baby on her back. Fulanis (Peul) are

the largest tribe in West African savannahs

Hyotographics, Dreamstime.com

the fire. Asabe’s mother in law, Talatu

has been left with badly burned

hands.

Many Christian communities have

suffered this year in violent raids by

Islamist Fulani herdsmen.

THANK YOU

Release International partners

have been aiding Asabe and what

remains of her family, providing

practical and medical care.

'I want to say thank you and God

bless you,' said Asabe when Release

International staff and Nigerian

partners met her recently.

Mum and daughter continue to

wear protective coverings over burns

on their arms.

After the attack, one of Release

International’s partners in Nigeria

conducted a funeral service for 51

victims, who were buried in a mass

grave just outside the village.

Other Release International

partners have provided food and

essentials packs to the struggling,

grieving families.


Praying for

peace

A coalition of Christian charities

and aid agencies, working in

partnership with ecumenical church

leaders, organised a dedicated

Day of Prayer for Peace in late

September.

The initiative coincided with the UN

International Day of Peace on 21

September.

The Bishop of Southwark,

Christopher Chessun, Lead Bishop

for the Holy Land said:

'In the face of all that is happening

in Gaza, I appeal for respect for the

value and dignity of every human life.

Christians cannot remain silent —

we must speak out for the rights and

freedoms of both Israelis

and Palestinians and we must be

diligent in prayer for the peoples of the

Holy Land.'

Supporting this effort, the

Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem,

Dr Hosam Naoum, wrote the prayer

below for an immediate end to the

war, the release of all hostages,

help for those suffering hunger and

starvation in Gaza and beyond, and

the resumption of negotiations for a

just and lasting peace:

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son

Jesus Christ came down from heaven to

be the true bread which gives life to the

world:

In your mercy, provide for all those

in Gaza and beyond who suffer from

hunger and starvation, that they may

be given both physical bread to nourish

their bodies and heavenly bread to

sustain their souls.

By the power of your Spirit, bring a

speedy end to this cruel war, the release

of all captives, care for the sick and

wounded, comfort for those who have

lost loved-ones, and the opening of a

pathway for a just and lasting peace

here in the very homeland where your

Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ministered

during his earthly life; who lives and

reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one

God, now and forever. Amen

14 The Parish Magazine — November 2025

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the persecuted church — 2

Why does the media have

a low priority for the

persecution of Christians?

With Artificial Intelligence (AI) taking a major role in

providing information and answering questions, Colin

Bailey asked AI, 'What are the hot spots for Christian

persecution around the world as of October 2025, and why

does the media show a low interest?'

Countries, as of late 2024/early 2025, that were mentioned by

AI were North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, and Sudan —

their sources being the House of Commons Library and Open

Doors’ World Watch List.

To summarise the AI answers to my questions:

North Korea is consistently ranked as one of the most

dangerous places for Christians, with severe state repression

and widespread persecution.

Somalia experiences high rates of reported persecution

due to extremist groups such as Al-Shabaab.

Libya faces ongoing persecution, with high rates of

reported incidents against Christians.

Yemen has high rates of reported persecution, where

owning a Bible can be illegal.

Sudan also experiences high rates of persecution,

including the illegality of owning a Bible.

To this list can be added Nigeria which has experienced an

increase of attacks on Christians because of wider political

violence and the rise of extremist groups.

CHALLENGING

On the question of lack of media interest, according to

AI, major media outlets may give priority to stories that have

a clear political or national security angle, and, religious

persecution can sometimes be framed as a solely religious

matter, making it less appealing for broader news coverage.

Major news outlets often focus on conflicts and regions

where there is existing geopolitical interest from western

countries. This can lead to less coverage of persecution in

other parts of the world.

It is also suggested that obtaining credible and verified

information from highly restrictive countries can be

challenging, making it harder for news organisations to

produce reliable reports.

The situations in these hot spots are often tied to ongoing

conflicts, poverty, and instability. AI says that these can be

difficult to cover in a way that engages a general audience.

Finally, there is, according to AI, a perceived lack of

audience interest: media companies may perceive that

their audience is less interested in stories about religious

persecution compared with other types of news and so they

may not prioritise coverage.

References and further reading

House of Commons Library - Religious persecution;

The World Watch List 2024: https://commonslibrary.

parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2024-0017/

Open Doors World Watch List 2025: https://www.

opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/

Footnote: I am very grateful to Bob, as editor of The Parish

Magazine, for having this topic in every issue so that it is

possible to relay news of the persecuted church to our readers.


FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

It's not

my last

word!

MutareHawk, Dreamstime.com

Next week, as I write this, on Sunday 19 October, I hope

to preach my last sermon because on the next day I

officially retire as a Licensed Lay Minister in the Church of

England.

I can't tell you what I plan to say because I have not yet

written the sermon! That is my next task after this edition

of The Parish Magazine goes to the printers.

The only thing that I know I will say is that I hope

to continue editing this magazine for sometime in the

future, providing the powers that be are happy for me to

do so! The reason I am retiring as a Licensed Lay Minister

is that, at the end of October, on Halloween, I will be

79 years old. It is usual for bishops, clergy and other

ministers in the Church of England to officially retire

from active service at 70 years, which is well past my 'best

before' date!

This is something I have always thought to be very

sensible because it makes way for younger folk to take

on more responsibility for the future of our church, and

it gives those who retire the freedom to do some of the

things that their previous role prevented them from

doing.

Also, I think, those who follow are better placed to

understand and reflect the needs of the world in which

they live and work. The only thing that I am certain of is

that God will have a say in the future of all of us!

My retirement day will also be the 25th anniversary

of when I was licensed as a Lay Minister. If I include the 5

years of the 'on-the-job' training that went on before I was

officially licensed, this means that I have been serving the

church in an official capacity for 30 years.

SPREADING THE WORD

While the number of our regular contributors to

The Parish Magazine has slowly dwindled recently for

many different good reasons, I am pleased to welcome

this month some new contributors, and indeed some

new advertisers. I hope that whenever possible you will

support our advertisers by using their services and buying

their products because without their financial support The

Parish Magazine would not exist in its current form. And

when you contact the advertisers, please mention that you

saw their advert in The Parish Magazine!

I hope that you enjoy this issue as much as I have

enjoyed putting it together and that if you belong to a

local organisation or support a local good cause please

keep sending me your news so that we can share it with

others in the communities of Charvil, Sonning, Sonning

Eye and beyond!

The deadline for editorial and advertising is always 12

noon on the sixth day of the month before the publication

date, and it always helps if you don't leave it until the last

minute. My contact details are on page 38.


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feature —1


Diary date: Children in Need 7pm Friday 21 November

BBC Telethon passes £1 billion

On Christmas Day 1927, the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) made its first ever radio appeal to

raise money for disadvantaged children and young people. The appeal raised over £1,300 — that's about

£70,000 in today's money. It was shared among four UK children's charities. In 1955 the appeal was

televised for the first time and by 1980 the BBC Children in Need Charity was established. By the end of

last year, the charity had raised a total of over £1 billion — and continues on its way for the next billion!

The BBC's main, annual, charitable

fund raising effort, has developed

into what has become known as

a 'telethon' where viewers are

encouraged to participate in their

homes by making donations directly

to the charity.

This year, the main fund-raising

'telethon' will be the Children in

Need Appeal on Friday 21 November

It will mark the charity's 43rd

annual TV appeal to raise money for

disadvantaged children and young

people.

The 'telethon' is broadcast on BBC

One and BBC Two.

For the first 35 years it was hosted

by the late Sir Terry Wogan and in

more recent times it has been hosted

by different celebrity presenters.

This year, the main hosts will be

Vernon Kay and Paddy McGuinness.

Children in Need is one of two

major BBC telethons in the UK, the

other being the Comic Relief's Red

Nose Day that was held on 21 March

this year.

At the time of going to press the

total raised had passed £34 million

Local fund raising events are still

continuing, so that figure is likely to

increase in the future.

MEMBERS

Children in Need remains the

BBC's sole in-house charity and it is

a founding member of a charitable

group known as the Serious Change

Funders Partnership.

The other members include The

Youth Endowment Fund, The National

Lottery Community Fund and Sport

England.

Their aim is to prevent children

from being harmed by, or drawn into,

violence.

It was launched ahead of a Youth

Opportunity Summit hosted by His

Majesty The King, at St James’s Palace

on Tuesday 15 July 2025.

Simon Antrobus, CEO of

BBC Children in Need, said: 'Our

ambition is to give every child the

opportunity to thrive.

'We know that when young people

build positive relationships with

trusted adults in their lives, they are

better able to stay safe, make good

choices and reach their full potential.

'On our own we can deliver change

but when we collaborate, that change

can change lives. We owe it to the

young people of the UK to raise our

game.

We look forward to seeing the

positive and lasting difference working

collectively can bring, and we’re

honoured to launch this powerful piece

of work ahead of a Youth Opportunity

Summit, hosted by His Majesty The

King.'

Jon Yates, CEO at Youth

Endowment Fund, said: 'Every

child deserves to grow up safe and

supported. By coming together and

focusing on what works to prevent

violence, we can make that hope

more real. We’re proud to be part of

this partnership and excited about

the real, lasting change it can bring.

It’s an honour to join King Charles as

we launch this vital work.'

FUNDERS

Each of the funders already

supports vital work in communities

across the country, but this new

partnership recognises that by

working together, they can go further.

They believe that by setting shared

priorities, aligning funding with

evidence and using their collective

voice and influence, they can drive

serious, lasting change.

As David Knott, CEO of The

National Community Fund, said: 'For

too many young people, growing up

feeling unsafe has become a reality. As

the UK’s largest community funders,

we are committed to supporting work

that places young people at its heart

to keep them safe and support them

to thrive. And this is just the start.

In time, the partnership will grow to

include more funders who share the

same commitment to keeping children

safe and helping communities thrive.'

SAFER FUTURE

And Jeanette Bain-Burnett, executive

director for Policy and Integrity at

Sport England, said:

'Access to sport and physical activity

can be life-changing for young people,

helping them build confidence,

connect with others and feel a sense of

belonging.

'For too many, especially in

underserved communities, fractures

and inequalities remain.

'Sport England is proud to be a

founding partner of the Serious

Change Funders Partnership, working

with like-minded organisations on

a shared ambition to bring about

positive change for more young people

across England.

'Together, we can build a safer

future for every child'.

Dmytro Stoliarenko, Dreamstime.com


Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements

ST ANDREW'S SONNING - PARISH MAGAZINE - 2025/26

feature —2

By The Ven John Barton

November is when we remember

the dead during All Saints and

Remembrance services. But what

about your own funeral? It will

happen sometime, whether soon or in

years to come. Some preparation by

you now will save your loved ones a lot

of uncertainty later. This month, why

not spend some time thinking about

what you want for your own funeral?

Most funerals in England are Christian,

though the officially recorded number

of Church of England funerals tends to

be limited to those which are conducted

by parish clergy and licenced lay

ministers.

The minister at others may be

retired, or perhaps a hospital or

military chaplain.

A few funeral events are led by

nominees of the British Humanist

Association or the National Secular

Society, and a growing number are

conducted by civil celebrants, who tend

to devise a format concentrating on

the story of the person who has died.

Often God is an afterthought, however,

Christian prayers or texts from other

religions may be incorporated.

Parishioners may not realise that

they have the right to the services

of the vicar, even if they don’t go to

church. They also have the right to be

interred in the churchyard if it is open

for burials.

YOUR CHOICE

The trend in funerals at the moment

is to make them a celebration of the

life of the deceased person. Although

your wish — and that of your family —

may be to make your funeral a joyful

occasion, it does no one any good to

suppress grief.

A Christian service should make

room for sadness as well as gratitude.

It is also an act of worship, in which

reverence should be paid to God, the

source and goal of life. His judgment,

generosity and mercy and the Christian

hope in resurrection through Jesus

Christ should be central.

A sensitive funeral service will also

help mourners to contemplate the

fundamental issues of our life. The

Christian hope can be an unexpected

encouragement, when people claim to

have little faith of their own.

You can talk all this over with your

Vicar in confidence. You don’t have to be

terminally ill to do so! He or she knows

you are precious to God and will be able

to explain all the options and share

some ideas.

If you are an organ donor, where can

your consent form be found? There is

more about this:

https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Make sure that you tell your

Executor and next of kin where your

Will is kept. Details of your funeral

wishes can also be kept with it or in a

more accessible place.

It is useful to maintain a list

of family, friends, neighbours,

acquaintances and former colleagues

who should be notified of your death

and the funeral arrangement.

My Executor is ......................................

My funeral directors are.......................

I want to be cremated / buried

If cremated, I want my ashes buried or

scattered - if so, where?

If buried, where?

Will it require re-opening an existing

grave?

Do you want a headstone?

Note: churchyard memorials must

respect diocesan regulations.

Funeral Service: in church or at a

crematorium, or both?

What sort of coffin? Wood, or ecofriendly

— cardboard, bamboo, wicker?

Flowers, or donations to a named

charity, or both?


The best time to plan your funeral is today!

ORGAN DONOR?

WHERE IS YOUR WILL?

A CHECK LIST

Who should conduct the service?

Do you want someone to give a tribute?

What music would like?

What hymns/readings do you want?

Wake/reception: where and what type?

Is there anyone who needs to know

that you have forgiven them?

Do you owe an apology to anyone?

What happens to you after death?

AFTER YOUR FUNERAL

Whether your body is buried or

cremated, the remains degenerate

and go back into the earth. That’s

where they belong, for our bodies are

composed of the earth’s elements.

Your dead body expressed the real ‘you’

during your lifetime.

IT'S NOT THE END

When you and your body have

done their jobs, it is not the finish!

Christians say, 'I believe in... the

resurrection of the body and the life

everlasting'. This means that we await

the new destiny which God has for us,

with a transformed body apposite for

its new environment.

Some claim that the human

soul is immortal, but that is not a

Christian belief. We do not become

disembodied spirits floating around

the ether. We will be refashioned as

recognisable human beings. This will be

a momentous event.

In 1 Corinthians 15 St Paul couples

our bodily resurrection with the

Resurrection of Christ. Resurrection

was central to the apostles’ preaching

and teaching: try to find a sermon in

the New Testament which ignores it!

The Christian faith would be valueless

without it, for Christ demands that we

live our lives sacrificially — some will

be martyred as a consequence — with

our hope beyond the horizon.

All this is more than a collection

of statements of faith. They could

seem arid to a dying person. It is an

invitation to take a decision to trust

Jesus the Christ. Our life before and

beyond the grave belongs to him. He

is the pioneer who charted the course

through death; accompanies us on our

journey; is our advocate at the Last

Judgment; is worshipped in heaven,

and is the Saviour who bore the brunt

of human sin and gave his life to

overcome its consequences. Trust him!


FEATURE — 3

Stained glass

in St Andrew's

Part Four by Christopher Bailey

The South Chancel

There are four stained glass windows in the South

Chancel of St Andrew's Church. One window is

on the east wall and the other three are on the

south wall. Aspects of the east wall window are

illustrated on this page, and the three windows

on the south wall of the south wall chancel are

illustrated on the adjacent, right hand, page.

The East Wall Window

This window on the east wall cannot be viewed

from the body off the Church because it is located

in the organ loft and can only be accessed and

photographed, with difficulty, by clambering

behind the structure built for the equipment

servicing the organ that was installed there.

Previously, the organ was installed at the

opposite end of the church. There have, of course,

been many improvements to the organ since then,

and today it is supplemented with a grand piano.

The east wall window was originally created for

the reredos — a large screen, or decoration, behind

the altar.

The stained glass windows of the South Chancel

replaced painted glass that was used prior the

Victorian reconstruction of the church.

The east wall window in the South Chancel was

made by William Wailes (1808-1881) of Newcastle

around 1852-1853. He is a maker who was

mentioned previously in the articles in this series.

It was moved from the reredos to its present

position by Hardman and Company.

It is thought that the figures were considered

too large and 'wanting in refinement', hence the

move.

This lack of refinement is thought to be due to

the haste in production to make it available for

the reopening of the Church in 1869, a year which

is also notable for the first publication of this

magazine, that today, like the window, is still with

us!

The east wall window depicts the

Transfiguration of Christ, (Luke 9: 28-36) with the

apostles John, Peter and James present. With them

also are Elijah, representing the prophets, and

Moses who represents God's Law.

The three south wall Chancel windows are

described on the adjacent page.


The sunnier south wall windows

The three windows on the south wall of the South Chancel benefit

most from the sun’s rays as they face south. Sadly, scant accounts of

who they depict are available.

They receive only passing comment in The Parish Magazine of the time,

which is often the most reliable source of information. However, we

know their installation dates were 1853, 1919 and 1869.

The most recent is the central window a memorial to Lieutenant

Seymour Ingleby of the Royal Navy Air Service who was killed in action

in France in 1919. He joined the Flying Corps at the age of 20. A brass

plaque beneath the window is a dedication to his bravery.

In the left panel of the windows illustrated below, we see St George

slaying the dragon 'overcoming evil in the world'. This is a reference to the

military service of Lieutenant Seymour. In the right hand panel below is

St Michael in his mantling cloak and wreath and below is the badge and

motto of The Royal Air Force 'per ardua ad astra'.

The window on the right below is clearly of two angels and is

presumed to be those mentioned in the story of the birth of Jesus.

What is interesting is they are 'handed' versions of each other, that is

to say identical but mirrored. This trick of designers would have been

employed to cut the cost of producing the finished window.

On the left the window is something of mystery in that strangely

none of the researchers have identified the characters depicted, neither

does The Parish Magazine from where the best information can be

gleaned. We can speculate that the figures may be Christ, John the

Baptist or Apostles. Likewise, the ladies are presently unknown; it

seems that one is making an offering and the other, or both, appear to

be receiving a blessing. Members of the Church might be tempted to

offer their own interpretations of the characters with references to the

scriptures.


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around the villages — 1



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Sonning Village Show 2025 Results

Brutton Cup

Most Points: Rachel Stansfield

B5 Victoria Sandwich

Sonning Glebe WI Golden Spoon: Rachel Stansfield

B11: Men Only

Jubilee Cup: Nick Sawyer

Vegetables

Hillier Cup Most Points: Jackie Holland

Nobby Clark Best Onions Cup: Jackie Holland

Les Moss Tankard Collection of Four Kinds of Vegetables:

Matthew Hartgrove

Best Overall Winner

David Penny Pumpkin Trophy: Matthew Hartgrove

People's Choice Flower Club Award

Yvonne Hatcher

Photography

Sonning Glebe WI Trophy: Mike Evans

Craft

British Legion Cup for best exhibit: Avril Donnelly

Art

Bill Gallimore Trophy for best exhibit: Shilper Kunder

Times Gone By Most Interesting Exhibit

Martha Angel Centenary Cup: Tracy Barrett

E35A, M66

Wethered Flower Cup for overall Winner: Jackie Holland

Childrens Section L-O

White Hart Cup for Most Points: Toby Sawyer

Infants Section

Most Points £10.00: Ernie Wright

Tug of War Trophy

Sonning School Staff

Peg's Egg Challenge

Adults: Stuart Collier and Ryan Pownall

Children: Alice Eden and Leo Belk

Peoples choice

George Lamb Trophy: Carolyn Holding

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Carole Collier, Sonning Village Show organiser writes: The

afternoon started with the Maypole which was performed

by some of the children from Sonning School followed

by singing from the school choir. There were many stalls

from local organisations and various demonstrations in

the arena. There was a demonstration by the Rugby Club.

A tug of war competition and the egg challenge. We were

very lucky with the weather with just a few showers and

a good day was had by all. Thank you to everyone involved

for all their hard work making the day a great success

once again.

Sonning Show Programme

Quiz Answers

1 M A H D One man and his dog

3 M in a B Three men in a boat

40 W Forty winks

30 J in the GN Thirty jumps in the Grand National

4 P B Four poster bed

2 P in a P Two peas in a pod

7 B for S B Seven brides for seven brothers

1930 H P S Half past seven

500 S in a R Five hundred sheets in a ream

1 S D N M a S One swallow does not make a summer

2 Q in a C Two quavers in a crotchet

4 Q in a G Four quarts in a gallon

3 M and a B Three men and a baby

369 The G D W Three six nine, the goose drank wine

8 L on a S Eight legs on a Spider

13 LM in a Y Thirteen lunar months in a year

4 S on a M B Four stations on a Monopoly board

206 B in the AHB Two hundred and six bones in the adult

human body

80 A N of M Eighty atomic number of Mercury

2 S of a L T Shakes of a lambs tail

3 S to H Three steps to heaven

200 P for P G in M Two pounds for passing go in Monopoly

600 R in C of the L B Six hundred riders in the Charge of the

Light Brigade

650 S in the H of C Six hundred and fifty Seats in the House

of Commons

168 H in a W One hundred and sixty eight hours in a week

1977 C C D 1977 is the year Charlie Chaplin died

3 G in a H T Three goals in hat trick

2 W on a B Two wheels on a bicycle

4 S by V Four Seasons by Vivaldi

70 T S Y and T Seventy is three score years and ten

2 H A B T O Two heads are better than one

3 L R Three legged race

568 M in a P Five hundred and sixty eight millilitres in

a pint

12537 C of K G 12 May 1937 is the date of the

coronation of King George

169 T S 169 is thirteen squared


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Top: Carolyn Holding and her prize

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(Below right) Mile Evans with his

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(Below (left) Chris Stainthorpe who was

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or coffee? If so, call in to the

Berkshire County Sports Club

in Sonning Lane RG4 6ST on a

Friday morning from 10.30am

— 12pm where there will be

a cuppa waiting for you and a

friendly volunteer to keep you

company.

The Rotary Club of Reading Maiden

Erlegh has inducted two new

members, Alpesh Patel and Mahadev

(Sam) Semwall, who were officially

welcomed at the club’s business

meeting held at St Nicholas' Church

Hall, Reading.

Club President Mike Phillips presented

Alpesh and Sam with their Rotary lapel

badges and expressed his enthusiasm

for their timely arrival.

'They have joined in time to help

with the busiest season of the year when

we hold our annual Rotary Art and Craft

Fair and have our Christmas activities

on top of our ongoing work helping

young people and the disadvantaged in

our community,' said Mike.

Sam Semwall said, 'I am very much

looking forward to working on various

projects with the team'.

Alpesh Patel added, 'I feel honoured

to be part of such a great team.'

Their addition brings the club’s

membership to 35 active members, who

The organisers of this year's Sunflower

Walk (see the September issue of The

Parish Magazine) attracted over 700

walkers and the latest fund raising

total is now nearly £70,000! The walk

was organised to raise funds for the

Thames Hospice in Maidenhead which

provides compassionate care to those

in need. There is till time to support

the fundraising effort by going to::

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

sunflowerwalk2

New members are welcomed!

are committed to making a difference

in the community while enjoying

strong social bonds.

The Rotary Club of Reading Maiden

Erlegh was founded in 1989 and

since then has raised over £750,000

for local and international causes. It

serves communities in East and South

Reading, including Sonning, Wargrave,

and Twyford. Meetings are on Tuesday

evenings.

Colin Moir: 07799 337472

https://www.readingmaidenerlegh.org



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WI therapy!

Sonning Glebe WI members have

been busy the last few months with

Sunday lunch at Sonning Golf Club,

an evening meal at the Baskerville

Arms at Shiplake and lunch at

Thatcham Garden Centre with some

excellent retail therapy!

They also played in the Sonning

village rounders match and met for

Rummikub, a 'Knit and Natter' and

were pleased to serve teas at the

Sonning Village Show.

Two members also had the honour

of meeting the Prince and Princess of

Wales when they visited Sunningdale

WI in September. It was they said, 'an

amazing experience!'

FoStAC thanks

FoStAC extends a big thank you to

those who attended its inaugural

wine tasting evening Friday 26

September in Pearson Hall.

The well-attended evening included

an interesting presentation by a

wine expert from Majestic Wine, and

two lucky winners of an Heads and

Tails Wine Knowledge quiz won two

generous vouchers donated by The

Bull Inn Sonning and Stanlake Park

Vineyard.

Over £600 was raised to help

FoStAC provide vital funds to help

with various building and internal

projects for the safekeeping of St

Andrew’s Church.

Ahoy! All

seafarers!

Christmas Puddings

FoStAC (Friends of St. Andrew’s Church) are pleased to announce the sale of their delicious

puddings to raise money for the charity. These will make a wonderful Christmas present.

Prices:

Christmas Pudding (serves 4) £10

Sticky Toffee Pudding (serves 2) £7.50

Lemon Pudding (serves 2) £7.50

On Monday 1 December, Reading

Offshore Sailing Club will host a talk

by Iain Tolhurst MBE, a local, awardwinning

organic farmer, entitled ‘The

Birth of Naida’.

He will tell a striking story of his

beautifully crafted 11 metre wooden

yacht built on the lines of a New

England fishing boat.

Iain will speak about the building

of this unique ketch, with all its ups

and downs, starting with the great

storm of 1987.

It took 12 years to build 'Naida' at

Hardwick Estate using locally sourced

timber. It was launched into the River

Thames at Pangbourne.

Reading Offshore Sailing Club is

for all interested in sailing and the

Limited quantity ordered so book early to avoid disappointment.

To place an order for your pudding please email Sally Wilson on:

mustangsallywilson@gmail.com or 0118 9793328


sea, including non-boat owners.

They meet monthly in Sonning when

they gather for a drink and chat

from 7.30 pm. The talk will begin at

8 pm.

For further details of the event

and for information on how to join

Reading Offshore Sailing Club, visit

https://www.readingoffshore.org.uk

or call 0738 089 2870.

Thoughts for the day?

— One person with a steadfast belief is

worth more than a force of 99 who

only have an interest.

— News bulletins today usually begin

with 'Good evening' and then

proceed to tell you why it isn’t.

— People who have not got a sense of

humour should not be put in charge

of anything. (Robert Runcie)

— The only place where success comes

before work is in the dictionary.

— Success is 5% inspiration, 95%

perspiration and 2% attention to

detail!

—Some people are born to be great;

some achieve greatness; some just

grate.


The Magic of Christmas at

The Great House

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HISTORY

What was your favourite

school assembly hymn?

Evgenii Lashchenov, dreamstime.com

The BBC's Songs of Praise team has been seeking the

nation's favourite school hymn. It gave a shortlist of 50

hymns to choose from, and voting was on 20 September.

As we await the results you might like to choose your

own top five hymns from the BBC list:

All Creatures of Our God and King

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Autumn Days

Bind Us Together

Black and White (The Ink is Black, the Page is White)

Cauliflowers Fluffy (Paintbox)

Colours of Day (Light up the Fire)

Conkers!

Cross over the Road

Do not be Afraid, for I Have Redeemed You

From the Tiny Ant

Give Me Oil in My Lamp (Sing Hosanna)

Glad that I Live am I

Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Clapping Gloria)

God Knows Me (There are hundreds of sparrows, ...)

Go Tell It on the Mountain

He’s Got the Whole World in his Hand)

He Who Would Valiant Be (To Be a Pilgrim)

If I had a Hammer

If I were a Butterfly

I, the Lord of Sea and Sky (Here I am Lord)

I Watch the Sunrise

Kum ba yah (Kumbaya)

Lord of all Hopefulness

Lord of the Dance

Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

Mine Eyes have seen the Glory of the coming of the Lord

Morning has Broken

My Lighthouse

Oh Jesus I have Promised

One More Step (One More Step Along the World I Go)

Peace, Perfect Peace

Praise Him (Praise him in the morning)

Shine, Jesus, Shine

Sing it in the Valleys

Spirit of God as Strong as the Wind

Thank you, Lord

The Building Song (All Over the World)

The Lord’s my Shepherd

The Wise Man Built his House upon the Rock

Think of a World (Think of a World without any Flowers)

This Little Light of Mine

Water of Life

We are Climbing

We Plough the Fields and Scatter

When a Knight Won his Spurs

When I Needed a Neighbour

Who put the Colours in the Rainbow?

Who’s the King of the Jungle?

You Shall Go Out with Joy


Was it really . . . ?

. . . 175 YEARS AGO on 19 November 1850 that Alfred,

Lord Tennyson, became Poet Laureate of the UK.

. . . 125 YEARS AGO on 22 November 1900 that Arthur

Sullivan, British composer, died. He was best known

for his collaborations with the dramatist WS Gilbert on

operas including HMS Pinafore and The Pirate of Penzance.

He also wrote the hymn Onward, Christian Soldiers.

. . . 100 YEARS AGO on 10 November 1925 that Richard

Burton, Welsh stage and film actor was born. He was best

known for Cleopatra and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and

for being the 5th and 6th husband of Elizabeth Taylor. He

died in 1984.

. . . ALSO 100 YEARS AGO on 27 November 1925 that

Ernie Wise, TV comedian and actor, was born. He was best

known for his comedy partnership with Eric Morecambe.

He died in 1999.

. . . 90 YEARS AGO on 6 November 1935 that Britain’s

Hawker Hurricane fighter plane made its first flight. It

played a major role in Second World War, especially in the

Battle of Britain.

. . . 80 YEARS AGO on 16 November 1945 that UNESCO,

the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organisation, was founded.

. . . 75 YEARS AGO on 2 November 1950 that George

Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright and literary critic, died.

He was best known for Pygmalion, and for being awarded

the 1925 Nobel Prize in Literautre. He was also co-founder

of the London School of Economics.

. . . 65 YEARS AGO on 2 November 1960 that a British

jury cleared Penguin Books of obscenity for publishing

DH Lawrence’s novel Lady Chatterley’s Lover. It is often

considered to have been the beginning of the permissive

society in Britain.

. . . ALSO 65 YEARS AGO on 8 November 1960, that

John F Kennedy was elected as the 35th President of USA.

. . . 60 YEARS AGO on 9 November 1965 that the death

penalty was abolished in the UK.

. . . 50 YEARS AGO on 3 November 1975 that Britain’s

first North Sea oil pipeline was officially opened.

. . . 40 YEARS AGO on 15 November 1985 that the Anglo-

Irish Agreement was signed by Prime Minister Margaret

Thatcher and Irish President Garret Fitzgerald. It gave

the Irish government a consultative role in the affairs of

Northern Ireland

. . . 25 YEARS AGO on 9 November 2000 that Eric Morley

died. He was known for the ballroom dancing competition

Come Dancing that became today's Strictly Come Dancing.

. . . 20 YEARS AGO on 30 November 2005 that John

Sentamu became Archbishop of York (until 2020). He was

the first black archbishop in the Church of England.



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FASHION

November calls for warmth and

comfort, and from what I've seen on

this winter's fashion runways, there

four key features: comfort, layering,

nostalgia, and a sense of newness.

Coats are the centrepiece of every

outfit. Oversized puffer jackets,

tailored long line coats, and shearling

styles dominate the streets and

runways alike.

Expect the unexpected colourblock

panels, exaggerated collars, and

belted silhouettes that add dimension.

Standout coats can transform simple

outfit into a fashion statement!

Layering has always been a

November staple, but this season's

interpretation is far from ordinary.

According to Vogue UK, 'high-fashion

frump' has taken over.

Think oversized cardigans over

silky slip dresses, A-line skirts and

baggy tops, clashing prints, and

exaggerated silhouettes.

The goal isn't perfection, it's

personality and making a statement.

Layering isn't just functional, it's a

style strategy.

Try pairing loose blazers with

oversized knits, sweater dresses over

trousers, or longline coats with a slip

skirt. Layering enables you to move

seamlessly from indoor to outdoor

environments without compromising

style.

'Undone' elegance also takes hold

of this month's trends, with looks that

feel unfinished and effortless. Think

straps slipping, coats draped loosely

over the shoulders, shirts half-tucked.

It's a reminder that sometimes the

most stylish moments are the least

structured and effortless, especially

when it comes to layering.

STATEMENT

Winter is about versatility.

Outfits should transition, seamlessly,

from daytime errands to evening

gatherings.

A tailored coat over a knit dress can

work in the office by day and dinner by

night. Sleek leather boots, paired with

metallic accents or statement earrings,

instantly elevate a simple ensemble to

a festive look.

This season encourages thoughtful

layering, bold accessories, and playful

combinations that feel effortless yet

deliberate, getting us slowly excited and

ready for the season ahead.

This year's colour palette is anything

but predictable. While the season's

classics: deep burgundy, espresso

brown, forest green, and caramel,

remain timeless, this winter introduces

a more playful edge of colours.

Soft pastels meet bold contrasts:

pistachio green with chestnut, icy blue

with mustard, and blush pink against

slate grey.

These unexpected pairings bring

warmth and a fresh new look to colder

days, breathing new life into both

outerwear and knitwear.

Whether through a statement coat

or subtle accessories that pop against

neutrals, November colours are all

about confident contrast — calm meets

bold.

Trends, such as 'Curious Colour

Combinations', encourage us to

experiment with our wardrobes.

Unexpected pairings breathe new

life into traditional autumn style.

Prints are also having a moment, as

well. Don't forget to add some patterns

into the mix!

Stripes dominate the runways,

from nautical to bold graphic patterns,

making fashion stand out this winter.

And don't forget the patterned

Christmas jumpers hidden in your

wardrobe! Mixed winter patterns are a

fab way to brighten up your style and


BY HARRIET NELSON

Expect the unexpected this winter

November becomes the month

where cosy meets chic, where you can

bundle up in layers and still make a

statement.

also prepare our wardrobes for next

month's festivities.

November is the season of texture.

Faux fur — also known as fake fur—

makes a nostalgic comeback as the

ultimate statement. It brings luxury to

coats, collars, and accessories.

Velvet, leather, lace, and heavy

wool all come together for a tactile

experience that's nostalgic and

forward-thinking and keeps our

fashion choices fresh.

Outerwear becomes the centrepiece

and it's all about drama and detail.

The statement coat reigns supreme,

whether in plush faux fur, sculptural

wool, or buttery leather.

Longline silhouettes dominate,

cinched at the waist or left open for

an effortless flow, while oversized

trenches, shearling jackets, and

tailored overcoats are the perfect

combination of functionality and

fashion transforming practicality into a

stylish look.

Accessories adopt a luxurious. yet

cosy, sensibility with chunky scarves,

wool berets, and structured gloves

adding polish with textured handbags

in deep, moody tones. Gold accents,

statement earrings, and even a flash of

metallic shine on boots or belts inject a

sense of festive sophistication.

November fashion balances cosy

sophistication and understated sparkle,

setting the stage for the season of

celebration ahead.


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.

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THE ARTS

There are some places that become part of the fabric of

a community. Places that hold memories, laughter, and

shared experiences that connect generations. For many

of us in Sonning and the surrounding villages, The Mill at

Sonning is exactly that, writes Adam Rolston.

For over 40 years, this unique riverside theatre has been

a home for great entertainment, warm hospitality, and

a sense of belonging that’s hard to find anywhere else.

Whether it’s the excitement of seeing a new play, the joy

of celebrating a special occasion, or the simple pleasure of

good food shared with friends, The Mill has always been a

place where people come together.

But earlier this year, behind the scenes, the story was

becoming increasingly difficult.

Rising costs, the long shadow of the pandemic, and

changing audience habits have created immense pressure on

theatres across the UK , and The Mill was no exception.

As an independent theatre with no regular funding or

public subsidy, it has always relied on the dedication of its

team and the loyalty of its audiences. Every show, every meal,

every visit matters. But over the past year, those challenges

intensified.

To keep going, the team worked tirelessly, introducing

discounts, special offers, and doing everything possible to

keep audiences coming through the doors. Yet, despite all

their efforts, the financial strain grew heavier.

The last few weeks before summer were the hardest in The

Mill’s history. The beloved theatre came closer than ever to

closing its doors for good.

And then, just when it seemed the curtain might fall,

something remarkable happened.

A group of local people. Friends, neighbours, and long-time

supporters, quietly met. They were driven by their shared

belief that The Mill simply couldn’t be allowed to disappear.

They are not corporate investors or outside backers. Just

people who live in the community, who have celebrated

anniversaries there, watched countless performances, and

who care deeply about preserving something truly special.

Together, they formed a consortium with one clear

purpose: to safeguard The Mill’s future. Their support, made

from love rather than profit, has given the theatre a new lease

of life; a lifeline in every sense of the word.

The Mill has always been much more than a theatre. It’s

a home for creativity, laughter, and connection. It’s a place

where people fall in love with the arts, where friendships are

formed, and where memories are made.

It’s also a proud local employer, providing work for actors,

chefs, technicians, carpenters, servers, and front-of-house

staff and many local residents can proudly say their very first

job was there.

For decades, The Mill has helped young people take their

first steps into the world of work, often inspiring lifelong

careers in theatre, hospitality, and beyond.


Community action keeps The Mill doors open!

CLOSE TO CLOSING?

AN EXTRAORDINARY ACT

INSPIRING LIVES

Left: Sally Hughes

And for audiences, it offers something truly unique. The

only dinner theatre in the UK, where every visit includes a

good meal, warm service, and a professional production in an

intimate, atmospheric setting.

When Artistic Director Sally Hughes and the team learned

that local supporters were coming together to help, the

emotion was overwhelming. It was a reminder of what The

Mill means. Not just to those who work there, but to everyone

who has ever crossed its bridge and felt the magic of the place.

This act of community spirit has given The Mill hope,

stability, and the chance to plan for the future. But it has also

re-ignited something else:

— Pride that a local theatre, built on independence, can

still thrive.

— Pride that the community stood together when it

mattered most.

— Pride that The Mill’s story continues.

HEARTBEAT

This wonderful turnaround is not the end of the story,

but the beginning of a new chapter. The consortium’s support

ensures stability, but the theatre’s heartbeat will always be its

audience. The people who buy tickets, share a meal, enjoy a

drink, and keep The Mill alive with their presence.

The best way to keep this miracle alive is, quite simply,

to keep coming. Bring your friends, your families, your

neighbours. Enjoy the shows, the laughter, the warmth,

and know that every time you do, you are helping sustain

something precious.

Today, The Mill at Sonning stands not just as a theatre, but

as a testament to what can happen when a community comes

together. It’s proof that generosity, love, and shared belief can

overcome even the hardest challenges.

A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS

The Mill team extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone

who has stood by them from the new consortium members

to the loyal audiences who return year after year. Thanks to

that love and support, the stage lights remain on, the laughter

continues, and the magic of The Mill lives on beside the

Thames. So next time you cross the bridge and hear the gentle

hum of voices and the clink of glasses, take moment to smile.

Something truly special has happened there.


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PUZZLE PAGE

RALPH'S 31 ITEMS OF CLOTHING VERSE

The above grid contains 31 items of clothing with the

initial letters: A, 3B, 4C, 2D, F, H, 4J, 2K, L, N, O, 3P, 3S,

3T, and V. The unused letters will spell out a verse from

The Living Bible. Can you find the verse?

CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 The sixth disciple (Matthew 10:3) (11)

9 ‘And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the —

— ’ (Matthew 6:13) (4,3)

10 Love intensely (Song of Songs 1:4) (5)

11 From Mt Carmel to Jezreel, Elijah — all the way (1 Kings

18:46) (3)

13 One of the Midianite leaders who was captured and killed

after Gideon’s victory in the valley near Moreh (Judges 7:25) (4)

16 Metallic element (4)

17 At line (anag.) (6)

18 ‘Cursed is everyone who is — on a tree’ (Galatians 3:13) (4)

20 Where Samson killed a thousand Philistines with a donkey’s

jawbone (Judges 15:14) (4)

21 He succeeded Moses (Deuteronomy 34:9) (6)

22 ‘When he saw him, he took — on him’ (Luke 10:33) (4)

23 ‘For — is the gate and broad is the road that leads to

destruction’ (Matthew 7:13) (4)

25 ‘The god of this — has blinded the minds of unbelievers’ (2

Corinthians 4:4) (3)

28 Fear or terror (Psalm 31:22) (5)

29 ‘We, who are many, are one body, for we all — of the one loaf’

(1 Corinthians 10:17) (7)

30 Assyrian ruler assassinated by his sons while worshipping

his god Nisroch (2 Kings 19:37) (11)

DOWN

2 ‘For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made — ’ (1

Corinthians 15:22) (5)

3 ‘After supper he — the cup’ (1 Corinthians 11:25) (4)

4 The request of a man of Macedonia in Paul’s vision: ‘Come —

to Macedonia and help us’ (Acts 16:9) (4)

5 He disobeyed his father Judah by refusing to impregnate his

dead brother’s wife (Genesis 38:9) (4)

6 I veto me (anag) (7)

7 Fourth king of Judah (1 Kings 15:24) (11)

8 Priest of God Most High, who blessed Abram (Genesis 14:18)

(11)

ANSWERS FOR

RALPH'S OCTOBER

FLOWER VERSE SEARCH

ACANTHUS

AMARYLLIS

AQUILEGIA

BEGONIA

CALENDULA

CROCUS

DAHLIA

DAISY

DANDELION

DAPHNE

GOLDEN ROD

The hidden verse for October was

Psalm 103:15, Good News Bible:

WE GROW AND FLOURISH

LIKE A WILD FLOWER


DELPHINIUM

DIANTHUS

IRIS

JONQUIL

LAVENDER

MARIGOLD

PEONY

PETUNIA

ROSE

TULIP

RHODODENDRON

CHRYSANTHEMUM

NASTURTIUM

LOVE IN A MIST

OCTOBER

Solutions

SUDOKU

CODEWORD

12 ‘I have made you — — for the Gentiles’ (Acts 13:47) (1,5)

14 Implore (1 Samuel 15:25) (3)

15 ‘Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the — , something

sweet’ (Judges 14:14) (6)

19 ‘I am the most ignorant of men; I do — — a man’s

understanding’ (Proverbs 30:2) (3,4)

20 ‘Sin shall not be your master, because you are not under — ,

but under grace’ (Romans 6:14) (3)

24 Native of, say, Baghdad (5)

25 The last word in the Bible (Revelation 22:21) (4)

26 Heroic tale (4)

27 ‘Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you — ’

(John 8:32) (4)



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bighearttreecare.co.uk info@bighearttreecare.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

Landscaping, garden construction,

patios, lawns, fencing, decking etc

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

office@smallwoodlandscaping.co.uk

WATCHMAKER - WE REPAIR THE UNREPAIRABLE

All grades of Watches and Clocks

repaired and restored.

Free estimates and valuations.

0794 485 4378 dncard@ntlworld.com

PROFESSIONAL TREE & HEDGE SERVICES

Tree felling, reduction, reshaping, crown work, hedge maintenance,

removal, stump grinding, green waste recycled PL Insurance BS 3998

(2010) by NPTC qualified staff. Check a Trade and Trading Standards

0134 445 2733 jose@woodchipsltd.co.uk Woodchips.org.uk.

DRONE HOUSE SURVEYS

Surveys on houses with a drone

Most jobs undertaken

Please call Phil on:

0797 950 3908

CHILDREN'S PAGE


38 The Parish Magazine — November 2025 Please mention The Parish Magazine when replying to advertisements

information — 2

Parish contacts Advertisers' index

Abbeyfield Care 36

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

— Youth Minister: Chris West (Westy)

youthminister@sonningparish.org.uk / 0794 622 4106

— Youth and Childrens Minister: Corinne

corinne@sonningparish.org.uk / 0118 969 3298

— Pastoral Assistant/Verger: Richard Hogg, 0118 969 3298

Churchwardens

— Liz Nelson, liz.nelson1@ntlworld.com / 0779 194 4270

— Ruth Jeffery, ruth@jefferyfamily.net / 0797 101 8730

Deputy Churchwardens

— Kevin Wilson, kevinmichaelwilson@gmail.com / 0118 969 3298

— Sue Peters, mail@susanjpeters.com / 0118 377 5887

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

— Richard Meehan MA ARCO

music@sonningparish.org.uk

Safeguarding Officer

— Nicola Riley: nic.nige@sky.com / 0742 517 3359

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

St Andrew's Church Parish Website

https://www.sonningparish.org.uk

The Parish Magazine: https://www.theparishmagazine.co.uk

— Editor: Bob Peters

editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk / 0118 377 5887

— Advertising: Ian and Lauren McCann

ianmacpne@outlook.com / 0776 815 1100

— Print and Distribution: Gordon Nutbrown

gordon@caxtonhouse.co.uk / 0118 969 3282

Abbey School 39

AB Walker Funeral Directors 8

ACG Services Locksmith 36

Active Security 34

All Aerials 36

All Digital TV 32

AMS Water Softeners 12

Avery Collection Care Home 26

Barn Store Henley 22

Berkshire Stump Removals 36

BHR Maintenance 30

Big Heart Tree Care 36

Blandy & Blandy Solicitors 12

Blue Moose Quality Graphics 24

Bridges Meals on Wheels 22

Canon Tree Care 34

Clark Bicknell Plumbing and Heating 36

Crosfields School 8

Drone House Surveys 36

Gardiner’s Homecare 6

Good Oaks Home Care 24

Handyman and Decorating Services 40

Handyman and Decorating Services 36

Haslams Estate Agents 2

Hicks MOT and Service 16

Home Stairlifts 22

I Plumber 8

Kingfisher Bathrooms and Kitchens 36

Lock Fit 22

MC Cleaning 36

Mossinator Roof Cleaning Systems 6

Muck and Mulch Garden Supplies 30

Professional Tree and Hedge Services 36

Physiocare 14

Reading Blue Coat School 12

Richfield Flooring 8

Right at Home 18

Shiplake College 22

Smallwood Landscaping 36

Smoove Ride 30

Sonning Golf Club 16

Sonning Scouts 28

Thames Chimney Sweeps 36

Thames Valley Water Softeners 18

The Bull Inn Sonning 28

The French Horn 4

The Great House Coppa Club 28

The Mill at Sonning 40

The Window Cleaner 30

Tomalin & Son Funeral Directors 12

Tudor Chimney Sweeps 6

Watchmaker 36

Water Softener Salt 22

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

Sarum Graphics Ltd, Old Sarum, Salisbury SP4 6QX.

The Parish Magazine template was designed in 2012 by

Roger Swindale rogerswindale@hotmail.co.uk

and David Woodward david@designforprint.org

Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to this advertisement


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AB0076_The_Abbey_PGF_Ads_SS_255x175.indd 1 20/05/2025 15:45


Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to this advertisement

Plays, Musicals, Comedy, Magic, and Childrens Events...

From side-splitting laughter to jaw-dropping illusions and heartwarming stories, there's something for everyone in

this unique venue. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the magic and enjoy a captivating performance paired with

a delicious two-course meal in our restaurant (included unless otherwise specified).

20 NOV 2025 - 17 JAN 2026

The Parish Magazine November 2025

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