Upton St Leonards Church News

September 2007

September Diary

 

2. SUN     TRINITY 13.

Holy Communion 8.00a.m.

All Age Communion 11.00a.m.

Evening Service 6.00p.m.

3. MON.      Upton W.I. Village Hall. 7.30p.m.

8. SAT.       Upton Flower Show. Village Hall and grounds 2.00p.m.

Race Night. B.M.I.  7.30p.m.

9. SUN.    TRINITY 14.

Holy Communion 8.00a.m. and 6.00p.m.

All Age Communion and Traidcraft Stall 11.00a.m.

10. MON.    Twyver W.I. Village Hall.  7.30p.m.

13. THURS.  M.U. Holy Communion. 2.00p.m.

History Group. Village Hall. 7.30pm

14. FRI.    HOLY CROSS DAY,

15. SAT.     Wedding 11.00a.m.

Wedding 12.30p.m.

16. SUN.    TRINITY 15.

Holy Communion 8.00a.m.

All Age Communion 11.00a.m.

Evening service 6.00p.m.

18. TUES.   Coffee Morning,  16, Perry Orchard 10.30a.m.

21. FRI.    ST. MATTHEW.

22. SAT.     Wedding 1.00p.m.

23. SUN.    TRINITY 16.  ONE SERVICE ONLY.

SUNDAY FUNDAY.

Family Church Service 11.00a.m.

At the Rectory at 12.30p.m. for light lunch before sponsored walk.

Family BBQ 3.00p.m.

BBQ and Quiz special 6.00p.m.

24. MON.    Ladies Group Holy Communion 7.30pm

27. THURS.  Get-together Club meet 2.30p.m. Village Hall.

29. SAT.    ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS.

Adult Quiz. Village Hall. 7.30p.m.

30. SUN.    TRINITY 17.

Holy Communion 8.00a.m.

All Age Communion 11.00a.m.

Evening service 6.00p.m.

 

Contributions for the October edition of Church News should reach Mrs. Rumsey, 16 Perry Orchard by 10th September please.

 

September

I am writing this as we are recovering from the floods and the absence of water and I hope the summer has, in fact come before you read this. Thanks go to all in the community who worked hard,

looking out for one another during the difficult time in late July – I guess we all learned the value of water and have come to a greater appreciation for the work of those who provide it for us and restored it. It was really great to see the village pulling together to support and help each other out in a time of need.

September for many families is the month of getting back to a normal routine after the summer lay off from school, and best wishes go to those starting new schools or moving on to College or University this Autumn, 1 hope the new adventure goes really well for you.

This summer was a bit of a wash out and luckily we had decided not to hold our Parish Fun Day in July as we have recently but to hold it over until September. On the 23rd of September we will be holding our Annual Sponsored Walk in which we are joining the Uniformed Organisations. This will start immediately after the 1 lam service, which will be the only service that day. The Uniformed

Organisations walkers will be sharing their Sponsor money with the Church. The walkers will be sent off with a light lunch and welcomed back to the Family Fun Day with a Barbeque, Bouncy Castle, Pony Rides and Games and Quizzes at the Rectory. I hope everyone will be able to join us for this fun day in aid of Church Funds, everyone is very welcome to all or part of the day. I look forward to seeing you all!

 

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:

 

What a dreadful month July was. First the rain, then floods and now all the clearing up.

Being without water wasn’t difficult when I thought of all the people that had suffered from the floods, 

I have seen the damage first hand, as a friend’s house in Cheltenham was flooded up to 4 foot high. She couldn’t save anything it was too late. The water was coming in so quickly she had to be rescued by the fire service, as the currents were so strong. They live in a ground floor maisonette so also lost the bedroom furniture including their 7 month old baby’s cot, clothes and toys so the poor little soul is now without his cosy cot and routine. Everybody has been fantastic including lending her a car for 6 weeks. She has been staying with her mum and thankfully will be moving into a rented ground floor flat as she is due to have a double hip replacement in October.

There are numerous others who have lost everything they had, and it has been wonderful to see everyone helping each other, which I pray will go on for a long time yet as many of those flooded could be out of their homes for 6 months or more.

 

On a lighter note!

As I write this Paul and Matthew Gibbs are on holiday so I have been left to manage on my own for a couple of weeks. Thank goodness for Jenny Davis and Paul Black!

I am very aware now of all those who play a large part behind the scenes. They are keeping me informed of things that I need to know about and would willingly help to sort anything out if I can’t get to the church. Thank you to all.

I am sure everybody knows that Jenny and Peter married on the 4th August. It was a fantastic day and enjoyed by all. Jenny looked so wonderfully elegant; Peter didn’t look to bad either! Jenny’s five grandchildren were baptised the next day, what a lovely way for the family to end the weekend.

It seems crazy that the weather has changed from rain, rain and more rain to such lovely sunny days, which hopefully will last!

Keep up the community spirit, it has opened many eyes to the love we share among us.

 

Take care,

 

Wendy Edgington

A Churchwarden at St Leonards

 

 

From the Deputy Churchwarden:

I have now been one of the Deputy Churchwardens since April and hopefully have helped and supported Wendy (our new Churchwarden) with her duties. As you know, there is now a team of four of us, plus Paul our Parish Priest. Matt and Wendy are the Churchwardens and Paul Black and I are the Deputy Churchwardens. We hope you will see the benefits of having a team such as this, especially when one or more of us is on holiday at the same time (as we have Paul and Matt on holiday at the moment). We wish them a very happy and relaxing break away from home, church and village life.

As you know, Pete and I were married on the 4th August, which was also my 61st birthday. The weather was a little unsettled in $the morning (in fact quite windy and also drizzly) but by the time we left for church, it was much better and also a hint of the sun! Pete arrived at Church in a 1961 red, E-type Jag, which was a surprise for him, while Mum and I had a lovely journey, arriving at church by horse and carriage. It was lovely to see so many neighbours and friends waiting at the Church gates and also in Church to join us, with our two families, to celebrate our marriage. We had one nervous moment when we almost lost one of the little bridesmaids who decided to have 'last minute-nerves', so she walked into church with my brother. Tony and I holding her hand. Everyone thought it was very sweet!

The Marriage ceremony, the Reception and Barbeque seemed to go so quickly, but I hope all of you who shared this very happy day with us enjoyed every minute. Naturally, the day would not have gone so smoothly without all the help and love we received. Our thanks go to everyone who contributed in any way. The first and biggest thanks go to Paul, our Parish Priest for theamount of thought, care and love he put into the ceremony. The flowers in Church, in the Porch, the BMI and also all the 'bridal party' flowers were wonderful and our sincere thanks go to Judy, Jackie and Julie for the beautiful arrangements everywhere you looked. We thank the bell-ringers, whose names unfortunately we don't have, it was lovely to hear the bells before we both left our respective homes. Fred, as always, plays our Church Organ

beautifully and our thanks go to him. Rose and Cam did us proud at the BMI for both our reception and the barbeque in the evening and we say a huge thank you to them both and their very willing band of helpers. We also say thank you to Bob and Ann (Bob's Line) who were kept busy fetching and carrying guests from various addresses. It was no nice to stay within the village for all our celebrations, and we thank everyone so much for helping to make it such a special day. (If we have missed anyone, we are so sorry). We received over 100 cards, for which we thank you all, and the charity money (in lieu of wedding presents) to date has reached over £1000. We are overwhelmed with everyone's generosity.

The next day was another busy one for the family, as Paul and Karen's children were baptised. We had a lovely day and again had the reception/party in the BMI afterwards. All too soon Elaine went back to Australia, and Sarah, Darren and family went home to Cumbria. What a memorable weekend for all of us!

I finish by thanking everyone who continues to support Matthew and Wendy, Paul and myself, and also Paul (Parish Priest) in our duties at Upton Church. With your love and encouragement, we continue to be a strong team, who all look forward to whatever may lie ahead.

Jenny Cunningham – Deputy Churchwarden

55 Huntly Close, abbeymead, Gloucester GL4 4GU

 

Sunday Funday

 

Sunday 23 September is a family Funday for all .

 

You choose which activity you want to take part in.

 

11am. Family service in the Church.

 

12.30pm at the Rectory.

Start with a light lunch of soup and a bread roll before a sponsored 5 mile local hike.

 

We invite Explorers, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers but you can have your own group to raise money for you and the church.

 

 

3.00pm Family BBQ with Pony Rides Bouncy Castle and Garden Games. Kiddies Quiz A drinks bar will be available.

 

6.00pm til 10pm BBQ and Quiz Special.  Licensed Bar

 

Put a note in your diary and enjoy a great day out.

 

For more details contact Paul Black on 01452 618037 or Paulblack@uptonstleoardschurch.co.uk

 

 

 

A Special Harvest Festival

 

A Celebration of Talents

 

Displays of your special gift of

 

Painting - Flower Arrangement - Marquetry -Baking – Poems – Knitting - Photography

 

Sunday 14th October 11am

Family Service at the School

 

Plus Sunday Lunch at 12.30 p.m.

Adults £6.50 - under 16 £3.50.    

Please book early.

 

Tickets from Churchwardens or Tel 01452 618037

 

Upton St Leonards Parish Church

Tower Flood Lighting

Sponsorship Details

September

During the month of September the lights are being sponsored as follows:

  • On Tuesday 18th September the Tower lights are being kindly sponsored  by Sue Evans and Mary Livingston in remembrance of what would have been their parents 70th Wedding Anniversary. Marjorie and Stanley Gurden were married at St Leonards Church in 1937.
  • A donation has been received from Ian Crowe to sponsor the month of September to mark the birthdays of he and his wifes 2 children, Sarah Elizabeth and Alexandra Louise, both born during September.

 

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  or any other reason 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 Matthew Gibbs on 01452 618127 or email matthewgibbs@uptonstleonardschurch.co.uk for more details.

 

 

Upton St Leonards Mothers Union

Dates for July

 

Thursday 13th.        2.00p.m. Holy Communion

Monday 24th           7.30p.m.   Ladies Group Holy Communion

 

LADIES GROUP.

Our first meeting after the summer break will be our communion service in the Church. This

will be led by Anne Morris who is the new Priest at St. Lawrence, Barnwood.

Please note the service will start at 7.30p.m. instead of our usual 7.45p.m. start.

ALL ARE WELCOME.

OLGA TUCKER

 

 

Upton St Leonards

Flower Show Committee

Please note the next Annual Flower Show will be on

8th September 2007

at the USL Village Hall

Schedules available from the Post Office

Please support the Annual Flower Show

 

CHILDREN’S SOCIETY BOX COLLECTION 2007

I have completed this year’s countingof Children’s Society boxes and the total collected was £428.34, a slight increase on last year’s total, which was very encouraging. Thank you very much to everyone who contributed so generously to the work of the Children’s Society.

 

As we have sadly lost several of our original box holders during the past few years, we still need to try to recruit sime new ones. If you are interested in having a collection box, or hearing more about the work of the Children’s Society, please do contact me.

 

RACHEL BALL  01452 619767

 

THE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY AUTUMN FAIR

SATURDAY 20TH OCTOBER 2007 10-12 noon

NORTHGATE HALL, ST. JOHNS LANE, GLOUCESTER

The Parish of Upton St Leonards has been asked to supply items suitable to take Hampers for the Raffle. Can you spare any tins, cans, bottles (no alcohol please) or anything else you may think appropriate. We could even have a ‘bath time hamper’ with soap, shower-gel etc.,

I know I have always had your full support, and would love to be able to take at least 6 hampers to the Fair with me.

Gifts can be left at the Church or 16 Perry Orchard.

JENNY CUNNINGHAM Tel. No. 615858

 

USCAN'S PLANTS & CUTTINGS HUNT !

All our work is voluntary and we need to boost our funds for planting and tidying borders in

the village and for maintaining Cud Hill Common and our 22 miles of footpaths.

Do you have any spare cuttings or plants to 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.

 

PORTWAY PARTIES.

A cheese and wine party for friends and neighbours was held on Sunday 29th July at

Abbots Rill, the home of Christine and Derek Ellson, when the opportunity was taken to

raise funds for the City of Gloucester Flood Relief fund which resulted in a total of £130.

Similarly another cheese and wine evening by Upton St. Leonards Probus Club on Tuesday 31st July at the same venue raised £190 also for the City of Gloucester Flood Relief fund; making a grand total of £320.

Many thanks to all who contributed in any way.

 

TREVOR HALL

 

TRAIDCRAFT

Established in 1979 as a Christian response to poverty, Traidcraft is committed to working with people of all faiths or none, to offer producers and their families hope for a better future. They buy products from people in the developing world, helping them build better lives through trade.

In Upton we run a monthly Traidcraft stall after the 8.00am and 11.00 am services on the second Sunday of the month. The suppliers (St. Andrew's Church, Churchdown) give us a small discount, and this enables us to give this money to a Charity each year.

This year we have given £100 to Medecins Sans Frontieres and £100 to the Darfur and Chad Appeal, bringing our total to £748 since we started in January 2000.

We are grateful to Diana Way and Liz Brownhill for manning the stall after the 8am service, and to everyone who supports us.

Julie Winstamey and Margaret Herbert.

 

 

 

 

A big THANK YOU to Paul Leckey who so kindly visited us (and many others) during the floods in July and offered help.  Believe me it was very much appreciated by both my Wife and I and I know of several others want to say the

same .

DONALD STEVENSON.

To All my wonderful friends and neighbours for their lovely cards and best wishes.

A big Thank-you especially to David Simm for calling the paramedics who saved my life.

Also thank you to the "Get-together Club" for their card and kind wishes.

DOROTHY HILL.

 

 

 

The Mobile Library will be in Upton St. Leonards on the 10th and 24th September at the Village Hall between 1.40p.m. – 2.10p.m.

 

 

 

UPTON ST. LEONARDS VILLAGE HISTORY GROUP.

July proved to be a busy month for the Group, first on the 12th we had our Annual General Meeting.   The meeting voted in the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and committee for the coming year.  The result was no change from last year.  The Chairman in his address thanked Ken Herbert for all his hard work in getting speakers etc., throughout the previous year. The A.G.M. was followed by a panel of villagers whose lives in the Village went back many years and they answered questions concerning the past in the Village.

Our annual outing took place on the afternoon of Thursday the 19th with a coach trip to Stanway House in glorious mid summer sunshine. This proved to be extremely lucky as the next

day the rains came.  Stanway House is described as "perfect and pretty a Cotswold Manor House as anyone is likely to see".  In the grounds it has a 300 ft fountain, the tallest gravity fountain in the world and the second tallest fountain in Europe.

Finally on a Sunday afternoon at the end ot July, Nick Rowles took us on a guided tour of the Spa area of Gloucester.  This is an area with a lot of history not known to many of us.

It proved to be very interesting; thank you very much Nick.

Our next meeting is on the evening of Thursday 13th September when Hugh Conway Jones talks about "Gloucestershire's sites and stories. 7.30p.m. in the Village Hall.

 

DAVID CHAVE

 

WOMENS INSTITUTE MEETINGS FOR SEPTEMBER.

Monday 3rd.  Upton W. I. meet Village Hall

at 7.30p.m. when the Speaker

will be Janet Bollington and her

subject 'Tall Tales and Vampires'

Competition: Halloween Verse.

Monday 10th. Twyver W.I. meet in Village Hall

at 7.30p.m. when they will have a

talk on 'Barnwood Trust'.

GET-TOGETHER CLUB.

Unfortunately the terrible period of floods which we endured put paid to our July meeting, and indirectly to the cancelling of our trip

to The Everyman Theatre.  All is not lost.... we will hopefully reinstate both the speaker, and a trip to the theatre later in the year.

It seems that the Village was most helpful and understanding of the needs of our older Village folk, and on behalf of the Get-together Club we thank everyone for their kindness during a most difficult time.

Our meeting in September falls on Thursday 27th with a talk on Travels in Samarkand. Nicholas dark the speaker has a greed to take

our unused foreign coins in payment for the talk - thanks to everyone for saving them for our Club.

2.30p.m. in the Village Hall with tea to follow.  Do come if only to plan your holiday for 2008.

Tuesday 18th September - a date for your diary - our AUTUMN COFFEE MORNING at the home of our President, Mrs. Rumsey,  16, Perry

Orchard.  All are welcome to this most pleasant social evvent.  10.30 to 12 noon.

ALL VERY WELCOME.

 

MEG JAMES

 

UPTON ST. LEONARDS VILLAGE HALL

ADULT

QUIZ NIGHT

SATURDAY 29th SEPT

7.30pm

Teams of 4 - £5.00 per team

Raffle

Come and join us for a fun evening

Bring your own drinks & nibbles

All proceeds towards the upkeep of the Village Hall

Phone - Marilyn Bannister

01452 610670 with team names

 

District Councillor's Report

As I am writing this report we are just coming to the end of an unprecedented crisis, the great flood of 2007. It certainly was quite an event, one which affected us here in Upton in differing ways.

I must say that I feel extremely sorry for those folk in the village that were affected the most, those whose houses were flooded after the rains of July 20th. We had had a warning of what might happen in

late June, but I am sure that we could not expect the severe problems that were to engulf our lives little more than a month later. From the District Council point of view I can report that the crisis became no. 1

priority, an emergency room was set up in the Council Chamber and manned throughout. They worked hard with Severn Trent to provide water to all those that were without within the District. We also arranged for a drinking water supply to Upton on Saturday 28 which was gratefully received by those who had lost supply. The day before, the Red Cross delivered bottled water to the elderly folk in the bungalows at the top of Woodland Green. I managed, through the emergency centre, to secure an extra bowser at the top end of Woodland Green also on Saturday 28th, unfortunately this was contaminated by some really caring sole who decided to put bleach in it. As soon as it was spotted that the seal was broken Severn Trent replaced it immediately. We also had a visit from our MP, David Drew, who met with a number of residents who had the opportunity to ask questions and comment on the situation. I must also mention the role played by the Church in opening the Sunday School rooms for water supply and refreshments during the period. I am now working with Environmental Health to look at the problems caused by the Twyver and it associated culverts, which wreaked such havoc.

The Parish Council have organised a public meeting, which will have taken place before you read this report. Let us hope this really was a one off occurrence that we will not have to endure again.

 

Keith Pearson

District Councillor.

 

 

A Murder Mystery Evening

Including a 3 course dinner

In a spooky Edwardian manor,

(otherwise known as Upton St. Leonards Village Hall)

on

Saturday 29th September 2007

at

6.30pm for 7.00pm start

£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.

 

 

UPTON ST. LEONARDS TENNIS CLUB ANNUAL QUIZ.

SATURDAY 15th SEPTEMBER.

7.30p.m. in the PAVILION at the

RECREATION GROUND.

Teams of four - £5 per table.

Due to limited number of tables available,

please reserve as soon as possible to avoid

disappointment.

CONTACT DEREK (615505) or JOHN (617673) NOW!

DEREK ALLEN.

 

UPTON ST. LEONARDS FLOWER  SHOW - BARGAIN BAR.

The Bargain Bar, kindly organised by

Mr. & Mrs. G. Chambers for several years, is

one of the most important fund-raisers for the show. 

We do need GOOD QUALITY ITEMS  to sell on this stall.  

If you have any unwanted gifts/raffle prizes or other useful items which are in good condition please think

about the Flower Show when having a clear-out we shall be very pleased to have them to help

our funds.  

THANK YOU.

PETER MACEY.