Upton St Leonards
Church News
July 2007
July Diary
1. SUN. TRINITY 4.
Holy
Communion
All
Age Communion
Evening Service
2. MON. Upton W.I. Village Hall.
3. TUE
7. SAT
Brass on Grass. Village Hall.
8. SUN
TRINITY 5.
Holy
Communion
All Age Communion and
Traidcraft Stall
9. MON. Twyver W.I. Village Hall.
12. THU. M.U. Holy Communion
14. SAT.
Wedding
15. SUN. TRINITY 6.
Holy
Communion
All
Age Communion
Evening Service
22. SUN. TRINITY 7. ST. MARY
MAGDALENE.
Holy
Communion
All
Age Communion
Evening Service
23. MON.
Ladies Group meet Church Room.
25. WED.
ST. JAMES.
26. THU
Get-together Club meets in Village Hall.
29. SUN. TRINITY 8.
Holy
Communion
All
Age Communion
Evening Service
Contributions for the
August edition of Church News should reach Mrs. Rumsey, 16 Perry Orchard by 10th
July please.
July
Summer is with us and many
of us have our minds turned to holidays and a well earned rest. I hope all went
well for those who have recently finished exams.
The next few months
promises to be an exciting time here in St Leonards At the time of writing we
are just putting the final touches to plans to introduce Communion for Children
before Confirmation with Preparation due to start in September It has been a
great pleasure to watch the children in Church as they have grown more fully
into our Church family and it will be a huge joy to welcome those whose parents
desire it to fully participate in receiving Communion at St Leonards. The
anomaly of not fully including children is believed to have been introduced way
back in the 12th Century to try to encourage parents to present
their children to the Bishop for Confirmation, which is the completion of the
Baptism rite. Baptism is the true rite of admission into the Church, and all Baptised
people ought to have access to Holy Communion.
We are also planning to
begin the next Confirmation Classes in September aiming for Confirmation in
November in the Cathedral. This is the opportunity to take on the commitment
made on your behalf by godparents when you were Baptises, or if you haven't
been Baptised and are old enough to take this
commitment for yourself to do so. The Confirmation Services at the Cathedral
are really
spectacular events a great celebration of Christian growth and
commitment.
If you are interested in
either of these please get in touch with me in the near future.
Paul
If you would appreciate a visit from the Parish Priest
or someone from the Church please let us know, either in person at one of the
Services, in writing to The Rectory, 12 Bondend Road, Upton St Leonards, GL4
8AG or by phone (01452 627828) or e-mail: rev_leckey@blueyonder.co.uk
A Churchwarden writes:
As a
newly elected churchwarden I have been asked to tell you all a little bit about
myself!
Firstly,
I am looking forward to the challenges ahead of me. I know that Matthew Gibbs
will make things easy for me in my new role. We are also lucky to have Jenny Davies
and Paul Black in our team so that we can work together making things more
flexible.
I
was brought up in Hatherley,
My daughter. Grace, was at a school in
After
moving here I met Matthew and now have 3 children, Grace, Lewis and Toby. I am
now a full time mum, which I love, its hard work but very rewarding to be able
to see them making a new step every day.
Matthew
and I share a love of gardening, so this is a busy and exciting time of the
year for planting our vegetables and flower baskets and then sit back and watch
how quickly they grow.
Some
of my other roles in life involve being the Church Youth Officer and also the
PCCs School Governor at Upton St Leonards Primary School.
As
Church Youth Officer I am busy trying to encourage the younger members to feel
comfortable at Church and
want to come back for more services.
As
School Governor I have been attending many meetings and actively promoting
links to the Church, ensuring that our Events, News and Services are advertised
in the school Weekly Newsletter which the children take home in their book
bags. Recently the school has held their Easter services at the Church and
Reception and Year 1 classes have spent an afternoon there being introduced to the
sorts of things that happen at Church and what it all means. Rev'd Leckey was
apparently a great hit with the
children and proved very entertaining.
I
look forward to playing a more proactive role within St Leonards and I hope
that I will be able to rely on you to assist all of us whenever needed.
In
the meantime, take care and keep healthy.
Wendy
Edgington
A
Churchwarden at St Leonards
From the retired Churchwarden:
I would like to begin
with a big thank you to everyone who signed my 'thank you' card and also
generously contributed to my gift and flowers. I am looking to buy something
for the garden, probably some new shrubs. Being Churchwarden for the last three
years has been a privilege and pleasure, and I know Wendy - your new
Churchwarden - will be an asset to church life in
deputies (myself and Paul Black) and together with Paul, our parish
priest, and the support of the congregation, we can look to
the future and hopefully accept the changes in church
life, which are beginning to take place.
On a personal note,
you will all be aware Pete and I are getting married
on the 4th August. We would like to invite you to share part of our day with
us. It would be lovely to see you in church to witness our marriage, we have so
many friends in the village and the church and you are all most welcome. In the
evening, after our reception, we are having a barbeque at the BMI and you are
most welcome to join us. The BMI is the building next door to the Church room.
We are having a small, family wedding and reception, but you are all welcome at
the church and also at the evening reception. PLEASE no presents, only your own
presence. We are having donations in lieu of presents for Macmillan Cancer
Support, and cheques can be given to the editor of the magazine, Mrs Rumsey,
made out to the Macmillan Cancer Support.
I will close by
wishing Wendy a very happy and enjoyable time as Churchwarden. I know you will
welcome Wendy and give her all your love and support whenever she needs it.
Thank you again for
you love, care and support during my time as Churchwarden and I know you are in
very capable hands with Matthew and Wendy.
Jenny Davies - Deputy
Churchwarden
SMALL WORLD
11
Bellringers from
One
lady saw a photograph on our notice board of Paul Timmel and
mentioned that it was the spitting image of Paul, to which I said No
- it
is him. He was here for 3 years and used to ring at
said that she started bellringing at the same time as Paul.
A
lot of Upton Church members knew Paul and will be interested to
know that Stephen is 11 now and can handle a bell - so we will look
forward one day to him coming to
Roger
Fry
Tower Sponsorship
Details
June
The Tower lights have been
kindly sponsored by Keith and Brenda Davies on the 10th June in
celebration of the baptism of their Grandson, Charlie Davies, aged 10 months at Upton St Leonards Church.
July
During the month of July the
Tower lights are being graciously sponsored as follows:
·
From the 1st
until the 7th July the lights are being sponsored by Dorothy Cox in
memory of all her relatives.
·
On Tuesday the 31st
July the Tower lights are being sponsored by Sally Ponting in birthday memories
of Michael Ponting.
Thank you to all those who have
kindly made a donation or sponsored the lights at St Leonards.
Your gifts are gratefully received.
If you or your family wish to have the lights
sponsored in celebration of a birthday or anniversary or for a loved ones life
then please contact Matthew.
There is no set amount for this, just what you
would like to gift to the Church in order to help cover running costs. If you
are able to gift aid any donation this will help us too.
If you would like to sponsor the Church Tower Flood
Lights then please contact
Smoke
Free
The Following is an excerpt from the official
website of the SmokeFree England:
‘From
1st of July 2007 virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces
will become smokefree. A smokefree
Some of you will probably seen
some of the publicity with regard this new legislation in the past few weeks.
The Church is officially designated as a public
building and as such falls in the legislation ruling. We must adhere to the
rule of the land and are required to display the standard no smoking signage at
every public entrance to the buildings we are responsible for.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
The
Churchwardens and PCC of
Upton St Leonards Mothers
Dates for July
12th. Holy Communion
23rd. Ladies Group meet in
Church Room at
given on Water Aid.
Christian Aid Week 2007
…….was the best ever in the village!!!
The door-to-door collection raised over
£1,400 – comfortably beating our previous best of £1,200. The ‘Stitchers’ group
also held a coffee morning which raised £120, so far we have sent off over
£1,520.
Very many thanks to those who made generous donations to this
wonderful charity, and to the Stitchers Group for their effort.
Andy Russell
THE
STITCHERS, would like very sincerely to thank those who supported in any way
the Coffee Morning held recently to support
Christain
Aid. As you will see from above the sum of £120 was raised which has been added
to the House to House collection.
THANKS
AGAIN - your support was very much appreciated.
USCAN'S PLANTS & CUTTINGS HUNT!
As our organisation is entirely voluntary, we need to boost our funds
for all the work that we do in and around the village, with planting tidying
borders, maintaining Cud Hill Common and our 22 miles of footpaths.
We would like to ask you all whether you have any spare cuttings or
plants that you could donate to our fundraising table at the Flower Show on 8th
September?
If you think that you could help us, then please
contact Kathryn on 01452 612775.
THANK YOU.
UPTON ST. LEONARDS VILLAGE HISTORY
GROUP.
Because
of Bowden Hall, the B.M.I, and the Village Hall most people in
At
the last meeting in May, Mr. Piers Birchall came along to tell us about the
Birchalls; he is the great grandson of Dearman Birchall who was
the first member of the family to live at Bowden Hall.
The Birchalls. we were told, were successful merchants
in
1770
was related to us.
John
Dearman Birchall was born is 1828 in
moved to BOwden Hall. On his marriage
to Clara Jane Brook, Dearman was baptized into the Church of England. One daughter was born
to the couple, however tragedy struck the following year when Clara died.
In
1869 Dearman moved to Bowden Hall and a few years later he married for the
second time to Emily Jowitt. Four
children were born as a
result of this marriage and once again tragedy struck when two of
the sons were killed in the first World War.
Dearman finally died in
1897
and in 1898 the B.M.I, was built in his memory.
In 1919 Sir John Dearman's Son, gave the Village Hall to the Village in
memory of
his two brothers, who were killed in the war and his own son who had died.
The
Birchalls finally left Bowden Hall in 1925 and sold the estate. They have however, still participated in
Gloucestershire affairs
up to the present day. A fascinating story about a well known family.
The
next meeting is the annual meeting on Thursday July 12th in the Village Hall.
DAVID
CHAVE.
The
Upton St Leonards Church website has recently been completely revamped.
If you
have access to a computer please log onto www.uptonstleonardschurch.co.uk
and
have
a look.
If you
do not have access to a computer and would like to have a look at St Leonards
Church website then please talk to a Churchwarden, who can then arrange for a
preview of the site in the comfort of your own home.
Any
thoughts and comments are always welcomed.
Request for help:
It is
hoped to further develop part of the site dedicated to photographs of the
Church and village.
If
anyone has any interesting vintage or recent history photographs or postcards
of the Church and surrounding area/land marks and would like to allow the
publication of these images onto the website then please contact a Churchwarden.
UPTON ST. LEONARDS W.I.
Shimmying,
shaking, stretching, figures of 8 from the hips our lovely speaker, dressed in red
and gold, Yvette Cowles from Cashes Green,
Stroud,
gave a wonderful insight into 'Belly Dancing’
Belly
Dancing was an initiation of good manners socialising at all festive occasions,
in the Harem, even weddings, it was looked on as a
source of fertility. Not that families
wanted their girls to join as it was frowned on and immoral. Street entertainers, usually country girls or
gypsies were likened to prostitutes.
At
the end of the 19th century Belly Dancing caught the public's attention. In the
Golden Age of Cinema during the 20's and 30's
Egyptian
dancers from
Abdon
put her talents on show. In 1952 President
Nasser came to power outlawing skimmying, floor work girls were all covered up. Lots had to give up on moral grounds, police
making sure it was a difficult time for them, they are also under threat by fundamentalists. A revival came as people travelled becoming
interested in middle eastern culture, their music and
dancing. Westerners like the glitzy, sequined clothes, hip belts and all the eastern mystic that evolves, health benefits of
mind, body and spirit, also after childbirth.
Belly dancing can uplift, restoring confidence, help Mothers regain their
figures but also having fun. Many dance clubs
are now established and well used.
Sarah,
Jackie and Kathy joined Yvette to demonstrate - we are 'hooked’ and hope to
book some workshops. WATCH THIS SPACE!!
Finishing
with a very high pitch 'Zaghreet' an appreciation cry, a warm applause followed
by a vote of thanks from Kathy Quant to Yvette for such a fantastic evening's entertainment.
Judy,
our President, welcomed all ladies including two visitors. Carole Fowler and Barbara Byrne were welcomed
into membership.
Daphne
took the minutes as Diane was indisposed.
Our
Treasurer reported a healthy balance.
The
milk debate continues, farmers are struggling to make a living an average price
is 18 pence per litre, the average retail price for milk is 53 pence per litre.
Last year 900 dairy farmers left milk production.
Members
were reminded to put their names on the boards for the various outings also
those wishing to attend the Social evening on Monday
6th August when Sausage, Mash & peas will be served at a
cost of £5.
We
meet again on Monday 2nd July when the Speaker will be Jonathan Faulkner on '
can you find from the latters name'
Everyone
is very welcome - Upton St. Leonards Village Hall -
KATHY
QUANT.
GET-TOGETHER CLUB.
Half way through the
year... How 2007 is racing by.
Get Together
meets on the afternoon of the 26th at
The speaker is Robert
Axworthy whose hobby is the study of BUTTERFLIES.
His talk is illustrated
with slides, so we will, I am sure, find the talk
informative and interesting.
Do come and join
us. Ours is such a friendly and cheerful
Club and you will be most wecome.
MEG JAMES.
11th
June at
We began our meeting
with the thrilling sound of forty or so ladies singing
last line:...till we
have built
we proceeded with the business of the evening. (Think
you Joan for the pretty vase of yellow roses).
A enthusiastic welcome
was given to four new menbers, and Mr & Mrs Shepherd, together with their
family of Teddy Bears. We would look forward to hearing what
they had to say. Members were
asked to support the WI raffle - Tracey, in a pretty lacy
top, would be coming round shortly. There
were vacancies at the New Speakers' Evening, the
"aster Day on 23rd June, and the Flower
Arranging
competition at the Staunton Garden Party, on 26th July. The embroiderers amongst us
would be interested in the Embroiderers' Guild exhbition
and sale at the old town hall in Stroud,
which would end this Saturday, beginning at
The Evesham trip went
ahead as planned despite ths weather and a delay due to an esteemed person
having a leisurely start! Thanks to Daphne for organising
it. Pam advised that the next trip would be
to Westood Hay on Saturday, Please be at the V.H, by
9.a.m. The Summer Walk would be on
Aug. 15th, time and
place to be confirmed.
The front page of the
Newsletter detailed choices for the
taking a car to the nearest one at Huntley, please ses her
if you would like to go. (24th Sept). Also
she would be taking her car to Kemble for the Dairy Farm
visit. Attention was drawn to the article
by Sue Wilson about Denman, and an invitation to
Quedgeley for a talk about re-cyling, again please
contact Jo if interested. Our next WT walk will start from
the village hall at 9.30 on Thursday July
5th, and will be to
Sapperton Woods.
Orders are now
beingtaken for the 2008 Calendars£2.75 and Diaries £3.20 each.
The meeting was then
given over to Margaret Shepierd, who had arranged her huge collection of
Teddy Bears on tables for us all to see. The first pa-son to make
a teddy bear as a toy was Margaret
Steiff,
a German tov maker, and as the idea caught on her business grew from strength
to strength.
and different sized and coloured bears were produced.
Others toy makers, the main one being the
Miller family, also produced bears. The Miller bears had more
character and included Rupert,
Paddington,
Pudsey, and Hieronomous, to mention a few. Merrythought produced a more cuddly
bear, rather like a Koala, which was made by error, but
which proved to be one of their most popular
lines.
Margaret introduced us
to her family one by one and they were passed round to be appreciated. She
is still an avid collector being aided and abetted by
ler willing husband and all who know her.
Marylyn thanked
Margaret for her interesting and aithusiastic talk and we all retired for a
drink and
biscuit. What a pleasant way to spend a summer evening!
Dog training as in
Crufts, will be the topic of our next meeting - to music, I understand. See you
there!
Jane Swann
(GCAB)
Having been placed on
the Sight Impaired Register last year I became a member of 'The Iris Club' for
similarly affected people which meets locally once a month to socialise and
obtain information on visual aids etc. It was my pleasure to host a coffee
morning on 3rd May at
I would also like to
thank those who so generously gave to the GCAB collection day at Morrisons on
1st and 2nd June. You may have seen the collectors with bright yellow tabards
and buckets in the doorway - trust me to drop the bucket with coins spinning in
all directions - customers were most helpful in getting
it together again and in my 2 hour stint we collected £157, it was a pleasure to
see adults and children give so spontaneously, once again a big Thank You to
all.
Margaret Lonie.
The Keep-Fit
Association would like to thank all
who supported the Garden Party at Wyndel,
The
donations still to come.
Once
again a very big THANK YOU.
EILEEN JENKINS
A Murder Mystery Evening
Including a 3 course dinner
In a spooky Edwardian manor,
(otherwise known as Upton St. Leonards Village Hall)
on
at
£15.00 per head - Bring your friends
Edwardian costumes encouraged,
prize for best dressed couple
Bar available
Tickets available from Jackie Lord on 01452 613246
Book early please and avoid the last minute rush
(it also helps the caterers)
All proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the Village Hall.
USCAN NEWS
Village walks
This
is a very easy short walk without stiles (1 mile) and will include a guided
tour of St Leonards church and churchyard by David Chave Chairman of the Upton Village
History Group.
Walking
boots or strong shoes should be worn.
Dogs
are not permitted on this walk.