Stambourne

In this issue:

• STAMBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL
• GREAT BARDFIELD BRIDGE CLOSURE
• EXTENDED GP SURGERY HOURS
• ST. PETER & ST. THOMAS BECKET PARISH CHURCH
• RECTOR’S RAMBLINGS
• SERVICES AT STAMBOURNE FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS
• STAMBOURNE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
• WHAT’S ON AT THE CHAPEL
• STAMBOURNE OPEN GARDENS
• STAMBOURNE ACTIVITIES
• STAMBOURNE LADIES GROUP

Pavilion

Work on the new kitchen is now complete and feedback from people who have used it is very positive. This work would not have been possible without grant funding from the Community Initiative Fund of Essex County Council.

Community Speedwatch

A member of the village has suggested that a Community Speedwatch scheme be put forward for the village. If you would like to volunteer to help with this, please contact me (see my email or telephone number below) and I will put you in touch with the co-ordinator, Mr Richard Bambridge.

Parish Council Meeting Dates 2019
• 19th September 2019

All are Thursdays at 7.30pm in the Village Hall unless shown otherwise.

More details may be found here »

Full minutes are available on the village website: stambourne.com/parish-council.

Debbie Hilliard, Parish Clerk

debbiehilliard614@gmail.com, 01440 785 629

With effect from 29th July 2019, Great Bardfield Bridge will be completely closed for a period of 5 weeks and some of our bus services will be affected, and operating a revised route and shuttle service.

There are changes to the service 16, with a change of route operating due to the bridge closure. The bus will now be running between Finchingfield and Bardfield via Wethersfield. This will enable passengers using the service 16 to travel beyond Great Bardfield to Braintree and Chelmsford.

Passengers will also be able to connect with a short wait for the 9B shuttle service between Bardfield and Blake End.

Our Extended Access Hubs are staffed by experienced GPs, Nurses and other healthcare professionals who offer most of the routine services you might expect at your own GP surgery, such as stop-smoking support and smear tests.

How do I book an appointment?

You can book by contacting your own GP surgery’s reception team and asking for an Extended Access appointment. Outside your Surgery’s opening hours you can book by calling NHS 111.

I am writing this on Bridget’s Day – she was the head of a nunnery in the 14th century and this nunnery became famous for living very simply and frugally, but unusually for the time, the nuns were allowed to have as many books as they liked! The 14th century equivalent of social media!

She was also very famous for her acts of kindness which benefitted everyone around the places she visited on her many pilgrimages to Rome and Avignon.

So let me encourage all you kind people to be even kinder this summer, look out for those who are wilting in the heat, share the abundance of your gardens and pass on a little kindness.

Heaven knows we don’t get good role models from our politicians and media who are intent on bringing each other down day after day. So let’s be radical – be kind, give praise, smile at people – do lots of happy faces on social media.

Almost every piece of news could be challenged by asking ‘where is the generosity in that’? Do whatever you can think of to be radically counter to the negativity we hear in our political arena.

In a nutshell, to think about our generosity; to challenge ourselves on our own giving is something I believe we should do more of. Even if we don’t consider our possessions, there is also the question of our generosity of spirit.

How willing are we to give of our time, our love and ourselves?

So – as we enter those lazy, hazy days of summer, how about we each think about how we just might take a lesson from Bridget and give more of ourselves to others, by leaving our phones alone, spending more time and energy and love on each other and engaging with charitable causes that can truly help those in need or distress. Spread Joy.

Enjoy the summer, and for all around these villages I offer you my love and prayers and a warm welcome in all our churches.

Blessings,

Rev. Liz Paxton, Rector

The Benefice of the Hedinghams and Upper Colne
revlizpaxton@gmail.com
07932 160 594 or 01787 277 270

A Date for your Diary

Saturday, 28th September 2019 at 7pm
An evening concert in the Church
Featuring the return of the Dutch music group

Danza

Plus other attractions
Tickets: £5 each, children free

Available from:
Val Kerrison — Tel: 01440 785 752
Heather & Ian Hay — Tel: 01440 785 590
Jane & David Waller — Tel: 01440 785 484

Entry includes a glass of wine and light refreshments

There is an advert going the rounds at the moment talking about the uncertainty of 2019 and talks of vote upon vote upon vote. And asks the question “are they listening?” I wonder! Maybe you will be one of those who will benefit from the higher tax threshold tax break. Maybe not. Is it this that swayed the vote in our new Prime Minister’s favour? If so what does it say about society generally?

So many times we trust in people, but find that people are not able to deliver. And often we ask the question “is this all there is to life?” We enjoy ourselves, we seek pleasure and happiness, we seek to help others, we seek… In the Bible Jesus is teaching about what we should seek first.

The Open Garden Days on the 8th and 9th June 2019 were a great success, despite the poor weather on the 8th, and the competition from other villages on both days.

We made a profit of over £800, which will go towards the provision of toilet facilities in the Church, disabled access in the Chapel, and benefit The Little Princess Trust charity.

The organisers’ thanks go to the householders who opened their
gardens, to those who provided the barbecue and the teas, and especially to the local businesses who advertised in the brochure and contributed significantly to the financial success of the event.

Village Hall available for hire »

To hire the Village Hall, contact Rosemary Horton on 01440 785 339. More info »

Don’t forget you can use the Village Hall for your celebrations or clubs. If it’s not used there is a risk of this great amenity being lost.

Silver Link Club »

Stambourne Chapel from 2pm to 4pm every two weeks.

For more information, contact Vanessa on 01440 785 122 or Lois on 01440 578 720. We love to welcome new members.

Women’s workout »

Low impact, women’s only fitness class, improving strength, flexibility, balance and core. Suitable for any ages and ability, exercise seated or standing.

This friendly group meets every Tuesday at 6pm at the Stambourne Village Hall (please book in advance).

For more information, contact Lara on 07471 105 210.

Stambourne Chat WhatsApp group

If you’d like to join this new WhatsApp group then message Erika on 07944 916 644.

It’s already proved a success in finding help clearing weeds from a brook, advertising school fêtes, finding a puppy trainer, messaging the success of our jumble sale in May, finding a milkman who delivers to your door and a local lawn mower repairer. It’s our new Notice Board but without the drawing pins!

In June we visited RHS Wisley in Surrey. The weather was beautiful and the venue was spectacular. We ended a perfect day with dinner at Loch Fyne, Cobham.

Molten Wonky was a huge success in July and we all received our works of art from Katie after she’d taken them away for firing. The delicious buffet was supplied by Carolyn, Fiona and Liz K and we managed to eat whilst creating our masterpieces with Katie serving refreshments to us in between teaching us all.

In August it’s our bookswap on 7th at Newlands, Chapel End Way. On 14th August we have our picnic at the pavilion with caricaturist Steven Garner attending to give us lessons in how to capture a likeness on paper. A two course buffet is being laid on by the members. Why not come and join us?

In September we have our regular bookswap on 4th. On 11th Amanda Sutherland returns (amandasutherland.co.uk). Amanda has gone from being a costumier to running a successful accessories empire.

Don’t feel shy about coming along. If you’d like to know more than please visit the Stambourne Ladies Group section or contact Vicky on 07908 099 904 or Lorna on 07980 922 636.