PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – THURSDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 201The latest meeting of Stambourne Parish Council held on Thursday 20 September 2012 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall, Stambourne.

We were pleased that the two PCSO’s for Stambourne attended to report crime figures for the area and to introduce themselves as the local police team. They reiterated the 101 number for non-emergency calls.

Pavilion - Martyn Fall reported that the Pavilion had been broken into. One lock had been broken and needed replacement. Although it appeared nothing had been damaged or taken it later transpired that some diesel for the lawnmower had been taken.

Playing field - The annual safety inspection has been carried out on

the playing field. A small number of items require attention and Debbie will order the necessary items for this work to be carried out.

Bonfire night –It was agreed that the bonfire evening will take place on Saturday 3 November 2012 at 6.30pm on the playing field. We hope that you will all come and support the annual event.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 22 November 2012 at 7.30pm in the village hall, Stambourne.




Debbie Hilliard
Parish Clerk
Tel: 01440 785629
Email: Debbie.Hilliard@Duffields.co.uk


ST. PETER & ST. THOMAS BECKET PARISH CHURCH

Church Wardens’ Report

There were two weddings in the Church this summer. The first on the 16th June between Lee Michael McCormack and Annie Spellman, whose parents live at Dyers End. The second took place on the 8th September between Aaron Titmus and Rominta Knowles.

The church was full on both occasions, the weather was sunny and the congregation was able to enjoy talking in the churchyard after the service.

The departures from the church were elegant and old fashioned. Annie and Michael McCormack set off to the reception in a carriage with a pair of white horses while Minty and Aaron walked back to The Grange for the reception with all the guests following on foot.

Votive Stand in the Church
The votive stand, designed by Jenny Gallagher has been in the church for some years and the church has been open between 10am and 5pm every day.

At the Vicar’s suggestion it has been placed in front of the alter, with a prayer book on a table to write in your own prayers. You may also like to light a candle.

The churchyard has been maintained to a high standard with the help of Oscar and Jane Pickess and the graves cleared and tidied up by Ray Cook. This work was carried out in the spring and summer with aid from the Brenneman Trust and the Parish Council.

The rather tattered curtain on the North Door has been replaced with new fabric made by Mrs. Simpson at no charge and in time for the wedding of Minty and Aaron Titmus.

Richard Day & Val Kerrison

Service Times

October
Sunday 7th 9.30am Morning Prayer, Ministry Team
Sunday, 14th, 9.30am Holy Communion The Vicar
Sunday, 21st, 9.30am No service
Sunday, 28th, 9.30am Holy Communion, Rev. Richard Caink

November
Sunday 4th, 9.30am Morning Prayer, Ministry Team
Sunday, 11th, 9.30am Holy Communion, the Vicar
Sunday, 18th, 9.30am Morning Prayer, Ministry Team
Sunday, 25th, 9.30am Morning Prayer, David Brown

STAMBOURNE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Adrian Burr 07983 656166


From the Chapel

This summer the chapel hosted the Summer Holiday Club for three days based on the subject of “On Your Marks” – an Olympic theme for an Olympic year!  We looked at various Olympic sports, and learnt a few facts, found a few sports we could actually do (including getting very wet carrying water) and learnt about being part of a team.  We had a larger team of helpers than children this year, but adults and children had great fun.
 
We also celebrated Harvest Festival and held a Harvest supper for the first time in the Chapel.  We were entertained by Flickie Chapman reciting John Betjeman’s “The Church Mouse” and relaying a first hand monologue of the story of Ruth. Our speaker was Rev Canon Sally Fogden MBE, who is the Agricultural Chaplain to the Bishop of Bury St Edmunds.  She spoke about the work of the Farm Crisis Network that was set up in 1985 to help farmers who were suffering due to various animal diseases such as Swine fever, BSE, Foot and Mouth and where suicide had become the highest of any industrial sector. Sally spoke of the work they do and gave anecdotes, some highly amusing, of the work she has been involved with.  A Harvest quiz was also provided and we enjoyed Hotpots and crumbles all produced locally.
 
Over the coming autumn months we are planning a Novi Most Quiz to support the children’s work in Bosnia Herzegovina and we will have the Samaritan’s Purse packing day on 27th October. We pack over 100 shoe boxes for children who will not have a Christmas as we know it.
 
We are also asking the Question “why salvation?” – a key question for understanding Christianity, and looking to find out how the Bible explains this.  The meetings will be on Thursday afternoons at 2:30pm and will finish by 4pm in the chapel.
 
As we head into autumn we will be holding a light party again.  Last year several children enjoyed finding out about light and what it means.  Did you know a cigarette can be seen 25 miles away on a clear night?  Well, that and many other things to do with light will be enjoyed in games and other fun activities in the chapel.  Watch for the adverts!!!
 
A date for your diary – come and celebrate Christmas at the Carol Service which this year is on 16th December and will be in the afternoon.
 
I do hope you will all enjoy this autumn time.

 
Adrian Burr
 
Services and Events
 7th October     Mark Inman
14th October    Linda Edwards
21st October    Communion Service
28th October    Family Service & band
4th November  Communion Service
11th November   Remembrance Service at the memorial at the CofE at 9:30 and then at the chapel at 10:45 with a 2 minute silence at 11:00am
18th November   Penny Bloom
25th November   Family Service & band
2nd December    Mark Inman
 
Events
4th October      

WHY SALVATION? BIBLE STUDY at Stambourne Chapel at 2:30pm
A six week course asking the question with Session 1 asking the question “What is the Bible?”

27th October      Shoe Box Packing day
24th November   Novi Most Quiz night
16th December   Carol Service
 


JUMBLE SALE

 3rd November 2012 at 2pm in the Village Hall

We will be open for Jumble on the 2nd of November.

We will have a raffle and a cake stall so any donations will be very much appreciated
        
             All proceeds to Essex Air Ambulance.

If anybody has jumble to be picked up Please ring Lois Hunter on 01440 785720

Toppesfield School Kim Hall, Headteacher

A warm welcome back to the start of a new academic year, especially to our new Foundation Stage children and Class 3 teacher Mrs Bagshaw.

It was a busy summer with the new extension to Class 1 being built. This extension has provided the children with a wonderful area to learn and play in.

I would like to thank all those that support our school, the many members of our community that give up their valuable time not only in raising money but also those that support the children in school by reading with the children and supporting curriculum based events.

Due to your generosity and the support of the Toppesfield School Association (TSA) we were able to purchase a quiet area for the children which has been situated in the playground; providing a much needed place for the children to relax and spend quiet time.

At school we have many school clubs that are run voluntarily by both staff and local members of the community. I am looking at setting up a Christian based club after school on a Friday and am seeking volunteers who feel they are able to either commit to being a regular helper, or those that have a few hours spare to help set up the club and attend the occasional session.

The club will be a fun, hands on club with different activities each week to take part in, for example, arts and crafts.

Each week will have an underlying theme to support our Christian values which will be exemplified through the different activities on offer.

If you feel you would be able to help or would like more information, please contact me at school on 01787 237354 or you are welcome to attend the drop–in session I will be holding in school on Thursday 4th October at 10.30.

Finally, we are holding our annual Harvest Festival Service at St Margaret’s Church, Toppesfield on Friday 4th October at 1.30pm and I would love to see you there.

Kim Hall

PICNIC IN THE PARK – JUNE 2013

CELEBRATE THE CORONATION – 60 YEARS AGO

Advanced Notice for your diaries.
 
A Picnic in the Park - to celebrate the Coronation 60 years ago!
Sunday June 2nd, 2013 from 3pm onwards.
 
Anybody who has any ideas or can help, please contact E. Fall on 01440 785289. Please can somebody arrange for sunshine this time?

“SUPERFAST” FIBRE BROADBAND AND STAMBOURNE

As many of us know, broadband speeds in Stambourne haven’t increased since the introduction of ADSL in 2005 when our exchange, Ridgewell, was upgraded. We typically get speeds of 1–2Mbps - a slow speed largely due to the long, poor quality copper telephone wires from Ridgewell to the green BT roadside cabinets in Stambourne.

BT are now spending £2.5bn nationally to upgrade these lines to fibre-optics which means much faster broadband connections – up to 80Mbps.

Whilst the Ridgewell exchange, and hence Stambourne, is not currently on these plans, we can monitor the situation and show our interest below:

http://www.superfast-openreach.co.uk/where-and-when/

The link towards the bottom of the page “Register your interest” will at least show that some people in Stambourne would like to get our exchange upgraded!

Halloween Quiz & Pumpkin Carving Competition Stambourne Village Hall
Saturday 27th October – 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Food provided – bring your own drinks
£7.50 ticket per person, team tables of 6 Fancy Dress optional
Contact: Liz (788658, zibby@live.co.uk) , Cath (785163) or Doreen (785210) for tickets or more detail


BONFIRE AND FIREWORKS EVENING
SATURDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2012, 6.30PM
On the playing field, Stambourne

DIARY DATES
OCTOBER
27th Halloween Quiz and Pumpkin Carving, Village Hall, 7.30pm

NOVEMBER
3rd Jumble Sale, Village Hall, 2pm
3rd Bonfire Night & Fireworks, Playing Fields, 6.30pm

Items for the next Newsletter by 17th November please
Steve Platt Tel : 01440 785638 or Mobile : 07767 357016
email : me@stephenplatt.com