Stambourne Newsletter: February / March 2022

Digital version of the February-March 2022 Stambourne Newsletter, the bi-monthly printed newsletter published and distributed by Stambourne Parish Council – No: 266


STAMBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL

The first Parish Council meeting of 2022 took place on 20th January at the Village Hall. We were pleased to welcome both Essex County Councillor Peter Schwier and Braintree District Councillor Richard van Dulken to the meeting.

The Pavilion on the Playing Field, Stambourne, North Essex

Pavilion

The next stage of improvement works at the Pavilion is just about to start with repainting of the main room, kitchen and hallway. Once this is complete new flooring will be installed ready for the summer.

Highways

Essex Highways have now unblocked the drains in Church Road. There were no other issues reported. If you have any highways issues they can be reported online at essex.gov.uk/highways.

Footpaths

Essex County Council are aware of the blocked footpath on Finchingfield Road and efforts continue to resolve the situation.

Stambourne Children’s Party

Sadly, given the rise in Covid cases, the decision was taken to cancel the party for 2022.

Platinum Jubilee – a date for your diary

A committee made up of representatives from village groups has been formed to arrange a celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The date is Thursday, 2nd June 2022 – more details will follow.

Parish Council Meeting Dates 2022
• 31st March 2022
• 19th May 2022
• 21st July 2022
• 22nd September 2022
• 23rd November 2022 (Wednesday)

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

CHEESE AND WINE EVENING — THANK YOU

Cheese and wine

A big thank you to Cath for organising a lovely evening in December.

The band, Reflection, played 60’s music while everyone enjoyed their cheese and wine. The evening concluded with the grand draw taking place.

It was lovely to see people in the village coming together again; none of which would have been possible without Cath’s hard work.

ST. PETER & ST. THOMAS BECKET PARISH CHURCH

MICHAEL GERRARD
I start my update with some sad news. Michael Gerrard, who until about four or five years ago lived in Stambourne, has sadly passed away.

Michael used to be a Churchwarden here alongside Maurice Hamblin for quite a few years, so I have been told. His first wife Margaret is buried in our Churchyard.

Can we hold Michael’s family in our prayers at this sad time.

Stambourne Church - Winter 2021

Looking back to December, I would like to thank those who helped in any way to make our Carol service on 12th December such a lovely occasion. It was well attended and the refreshments and mulled wine went down very well!

SERVICES AT STAMBOURNE FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS

DateTimeService
6th February9.30amMorning PrayerDave Brown
13th February9.30amHoly Communion Rev. Liz Paxton & Rev. Caroline
6th March9.30amMorning PrayerDave Brown
13th March9.30amHoly CommunionRev. Liz Paxton & Rev. Caroline
3rd April9.30amMorning Prayer with BaptismDave Brown & Rev. Liz Paxton
10th April10.30amBenefice PALM SUNDAY Walk
Starting at Sible Hedingham Church (with a 15 minute short service) and finishing at Castle Hedingham Church with refreshments. ALL WELCOME
17th April9.30amEASTER SUNDAYRev. Mike Bursell

Val Kerrison, Churchwarden

valeriekerrison@outlook.com
01440 785 752 or 07879 816 362

RECTOR’S RAMBLINGS

Some of you will know that Val (our Churchwarden) and I like running. Well, that might be a bit of an overstatement. Val likes running and does it a lot, whereas I just shamble round the Park run in Clare Country Park most Saturday mornings (when it’s not too muddy or cold). It takes my mind off my busyness in the week, the problems I face in my work and stops me dwelling on some of the distressing stories I hear as I go through my week.

The apostle Paul had it right when he talks about ‘running with perseverance’. It’s no good throwing in the towel part way round a park run course, or part way through dealing with a
problem, you have to see it through to the end. But, like the parkrun where there are lots of people, he knows that when we are running our race of life we are not alone. Paul writes:-

‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.’ Hebrews 12:1

Each generation that has gone before us has welcomed new life, enjoyed abundance, experienced joy and yet has also known grief, endured hardship and at times felt immense sorrow. Being human invariably means that we will all experience these things (and more) in our lifetime. We enjoy the good times but when more challenging seasons roll in, we can become despondent and perhaps fail to see the possibilities in a new dawn. Yet, this passage invites us to remember that great cloud of witnesses —ordinary people throughout history that the Lord has worked in and through to do extraordinary things — and not only to dare to dream of a brighter future, filled with possibility and hope, but to be people that the Lord will use today to make those dreams and visions a reality here and now.

Running

We just need to shake off all that holds us back from seeing and believing and then step forward at pace into the future that the Lord has prepared for us.

I am certainly not naïve about the challenges that we face this year, both as individuals and as church, and yet these words from the letter to the Hebrews is surely just the encouragement that we need in such a time as this.

So, whatever is going on in your life right now, hear the Lord whispering these words to you and with faith, prayer and a good sense of humour let’s run together with perseverance the race marked out for us as God’s family here in the Stambourne, and look forward to how the Lord will bless us — and others through us — in the months and years to come.

Blessings,

Rev. Liz Paxton, Rector

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

STAMBOURNE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

News from the Chapel

Book sale

Our last book sale (in January) made a profit of £110 which will go toward the Chapel funds.

Our thanks to all those who came along and enjoyed a cuppa and a cake! Our thanks to helpers and bakers too!

Our work now heads toward Easter and looking toward the Lent preparations which remembers three things all in one event.

Firstly it is the build-up to the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and represents the 40 years they spent in the wilderness as God guided their wanderings – something that He still does today as we are all apt to go wandering!

Isaiah 53:6 says ”For we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way;”. And through this Lent period we remember the 40 days that the people spent preparing for that exodus, eating only unleavened bread. We also remember that Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness at the start of His ministry before being tempted.

After 40 days without food I think I would have turned stones into bread, but not Jesus. It is also the 40 days when we prepare for Easter, which is all about the other thing that Isaiah said…” and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” That is Jesus has taken away the guilt we feel for wandering away our own way. Jesus gave His life on the cross for each of us as a sacrifice for our wanderings from the ways of God.


Sponsored Slim

And so through Lent we will be “fasting”, or at least slimming — if you would like to slim we will meet on Tuesday to weigh in and will have forms for sponsorship. We start on Pancake Day, 1st March.

Cycle Ride

After Easter we will be cycling round Notley Park and you can join us and get sponsored to do the number of 2 mile laps you think you can achieve – so you have
February to get the wheels turning on your bicycle again! The date will be in the April Newsletter!

Plant Sale and Swap

Also we start our preparations for this event which will be in early May! We have some spare pots so do call if you would like some in which to grow your plants for the sale!

Plant sale and swap

So we look forward to what the next few months will bring! We pray you will all stay safe and keep well. We are here to help and to pray for you all!

Every blessing,

Adrian Burr, Minister

WHAT’S ON AT THE CHAPEL

DayActivity
SundaySunday Services
10.45am in the Chapel, but if you can’t come and would like a printed version we will be happy to deliver or email a copy each week.
Tuesday & ThursdayCoffee morning
10am – 12pm. The Chapel is open for a chat and coffee and for a time of private chat and for prayer.
Tuesday eveningBand practice
From 7.30pm our band practices their songs. You are welcome to come along and listen or sing along with us. If you play an instrument we would love to share with you!
WednesdayWednesday Club
10am – 2.30pm. For people with learning disabilities.

STAMBOURNE CHAPEL CARE

Established a year ago Stambourne Chapel Care now has a number of volunteers who are willing to pop in to see people for a friendly chat, do some shopping, pick up prescriptions, provide transport, walk dogs, or discuss needs and find appropriate resources to help you.

We are working in all the local villages between Braintree, Halstead and Haverhill, so if you know of anyone who needs care and support do call and we will visit and assess what we can do to reduce loneliness, provide or find appropriate support, and assist with life through changing circumstances.

Call Jill Holmes on 07883 423 528, or email at holmesjill30@gmail.com

Prayer

The Chapel prays regularly for many people, but sometimes you may feel a need for an urgent prayer as you face some difficult situation, or in need of comfort or strength to face life’s ups and downs. Please call either Adrian or Margaret, or just drop a prayer request note through the Chapel post box. We don’t need a name or details, but promise we will pray for whatever you feel able to share.


Contacts
Adrian Burr, Minister, stambournechapelminister@gmail.com, 07983 656 166
Margaret Mead, Secretary & prayer request, margaretannmead@gmail.com, 07561 283 587
Jill Holmes, Project Lead & Stambourne Chapel Care, stambournechapelcare@gmail.com, 07883 423 528

Find us on Facebook: Stambourne Chapel or Stambourne Chapel Care

Stambourne Ladies Group

We’re back — save these dates!

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.

Stambourne Ladies Group

Stambourne Ladies Group meet-up »

  • 9th March 2022 – 7pm for 7.30pm at the Stambourne Village Hall
  • It’s time to enrol. £20 secures your place
    for the rest of the year.
  • SLG bar and buffet (provided courtesy of SLG).

Meet Shelley »

  • 20th April 2022 – 7pm for 7.30pm at the Stambourne Village Hall
  • Meet Shelley Hull with an uplifting story about facial disfigurement
  • Bring friends (nominal charge for non-members)
  • Refreshments available
Shelley Hull

Create a floral work of art »

  • 11th May 2022 – 7pm for 7.30pm at the Stambourne Village Hall
  • Learn how to create a floral work of art to take home!
  • SLG bar and buffet (provided courtesy of SLG)
Create a floral work of art

Art with Kirsten »

  • 8th June 2022 – 7pm for 7.30pm at the Stambourne Village Hall
  • SLG bar and buffet (provided courtesy of SLG)
Art with Kirsten Wright

Fish and chips supper »

  • 13th July 2022 – 6pm for 6.30pm at The Pavilion
  • Fish and chip supper, guests welcome
  • Bring your own drinks
Fish and chips

STAMBOURNE ACTIVITIES

Village Hall available for hire »

Cost:

  • For residents: £8 per hour
  • For non-residents: £10 per hour

To hire the Hall, ring Rosemary on 01440 785 339. More info »

Stambourne Village Hall

Village Hall Committee

The Village Hall AGM is on 16th February 2022 at 5.30pm. If you’d like to join the Committee, please go along.


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 details, contact Lara on 07471 105 210.
Fitness class

Silver Link Club »

  • Stambourne Chapel from 2pm to 4pm every two weeks.
  • Dates for next meetings: 15th February, 1st March, 15th March, 29th March, 12th April, 26th April.
  • If anyone would like to come along please just turn up or if you need a lift just give Vanessa a call on 01440 785 122 or Lois on 01440 578 720. We love to welcome new members.
Silver Link Club

Recycling bags

Don’t forget: if you need recycling bags, ring Cath on 01440 785 678 or Sian on 07505 355 944 to arrange collection, or they can be delivered.

See the current Recycling calendar.

Recycling bags

Bingo »

This is fortnightly on Wednesdays at 6.30pm. Bring your tipple!

Bingo

Old postage stamps

Old postage stamps are collected by Sian on 07505 355 994 for Breast Cancer Charities.

Old postage stamps

OTHER ACTIVITIES

World Scout Jamboree Fundraiser Race Night

On 26th March 2022 we are hosting a race night in the Stambourne Village Hall. The evening will be packed full of exciting horse betting and nail-baiting races!

Entry will cost £5 per head and will include snacks (under 14’s come free).

All profits made on the night will go towards funds for Elliott Sparkes to travel to South Korea on the 25th World Scout Jamboree in 2023.

For tickets, please email ellsparkes05@gmail.com.

Horse racing

Ridgewell Airfield Memorial Museum

The Ridgewell Airfield Memorial Museum will be open the second Sunday of the month from 13th March 2022 until October. Free admission.

Open from 11am – 4pm. Refreshments available.

rafcamuseum.co.uk
Oaker Hill, Great Yeldham CO9 4RG
Alan 01440 785 473

Airplane

STAMBOURNE DEFIBRILLATOR

Defibrillator

Stambourne has a defibrillator located next to the front door of the Chapel in Chapel End Way. The access code is written on the right hand side of the box and comes with clear instructions so anyone can use it. In doubt, while waiting for the ambulance service, please use it.

A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest.

This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it’s an essential lifesaving step in the chain of survival.

If you come across someone who has had a cardiac arrest, it’s vital to call 999 and start CPR. Then you should find out if there is a defibrillator nearby.

Stambourne Newsletter

Ideas and contributions for the next newsletter to Karen Crago at kcrago@btinternet.com or the post box at Tagley Farm by Friday, 8th April 2022.

Thank you.

Stambourne Newsletter

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Support the Stambourne Village website

For almost 15 years the Stambourne website has been entirely funded by one single person. Now we are asking for a small token donation, to keep things running smoothly. If you find value in our website and in what it offers, consider buying us a virtual coffee

Use the button below to make a contribution, however small, to the upkeep and running costs. We would be immensely grateful for the support. Thank you! And cheers!

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