The Parish Magazine is printed every month and welcomes contributions from parishioners.
If you would like to advertise and event, write a story, or article on anything of interest to the parish you can give it to Pete Bowker or John Kinchenton or e-mail it directly to : Lady Julia Reilly
Local Area Representatives for the Magazine:
Helen Page -Smannell
David Hayward - Enham
Guy Chant - Little London
We are always short of articles so don't hide your light under a bushel send it to us.
The Oak FEBRUARY 2012 Issue
NOTICES
Quiz Evening at The Oak, Smannell
Friday 24th February from 7:30pm
£6 per ticket which includes a cheese or ham ploughman’sTeams of six
For information and tickets please contact Debbie on 332616
PARISH REGISTERBaptism
Sunday 22nd January 2012: Brook and Summer Dabbs of Hedge Row Walk, Augusta Park, at Christ Church
We welcome you into the Lord’s family,
We are members together of the same heavenly Father.
Wedding
Saturday 14th January 2012: Hollie Wilson and Connor Jarvis of Ridges View, Little London, at Christ Church
God is love, and those who live in love, live in God and God lives in them.
Funerals
Thursday 12th January 2012: Mrs Susannah Grace Cook of Picket Piece, Andover, at Christ Church
Monday, 16th January 2012: Mr Stewart Tom Erskine of Loveridge Close, Andover at St. Mary’s
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived
What God has prepared for those who love him.
EDITORIAL
I am ashamed to admit that it took me until mid January to finally lug my boxes of Christmas decorations back up into the loft. I love Christmas, but I often feel as if I need a holiday to recover from it afterwards. One of the things I enjoy most is the traditional children’s nativity play, though my own children are, sadly, becoming too old to participate.
At the age of six, I yearned to play Mary in my own infant school’s nativity play. This was the only “meaty” role open to brunette girls in small town Hampshire in 1973. Boys could be shepherds or kings, and, of course, blonde girls could be angels. Doesn’t stereotyping start early? To my great dismay, I lost the role to Julia Plumtree and was relegated to the back row of the band to play the triangle. Despite this ignominy, I survived the experience with only a minor dent to my ego. After all, how would the audience know the star was twinkling, if no-one played the triangle?
My own daughter, Anna, exceeded all my aspirations for her dramatic career when she was cast as Mary, in her nursery nativity, aged just three. This was a rather avant garde production with a “Bob The Builder” theme. Those of you with toddlers among your family and friends may be familiar with Bob (who is a builder) and his friend and colleague, Wendy. The fact that Joseph was a carpenter, may lend some legitimacy to this interpretation. As Mary/Wendy, Anna’s costume included a belt with small, plastic tools attached to it. These came in very handy when, in mid-performance, she decided that baby Jesus (mercifully played by a doll) was under threat of abduction by an overly inquisitive shepherd. Fortunately, she had a plastic hammer to hand with which to beat off the would be kidnapper. I’m relieved to report that this incident was resolved without injury to any of the parties involved.
Children act out the nativity at Christmas to help them remember the story, and to understand what we are celebrating. In a wider sense, I think there are parallel lessons to be learned. My experiences in 1973 taught me a valuable lesson early in life; you can’t always have what you want, and, when you don’t get it, it’s not the end of the world. More broadly, life is an ensemble production. Most of us will never have starring roles, but we all have to work together to pull it off, and it can be great fun.
As for Anna; she continues to pursue an interest in acting, an appropriate channel for her (sometimes) melodramatic proclivities!
Katharine Heppenstall
To Each is Given
Isn’t it strange that Princes and Kings
And clowns that caper in sawdust rings
And ordinary folk like you and me
Are builders of eternity.
To each is given a bag of tools,
An hour glass and a book of rules
And each must build e’er life is flown
A stumbling block or a stepping stone
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From church notice boards:“Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.”
“Due to the high cost of maintaining the church, it would be appreciated if parishioners would cut the grass round their own graves.”CATS PROTECTION SOCIETY
This month we are lucky to have a two week slot at ‘Rotations’, the charity shop in Whitchurch, starting Friday 10th February. This is one of our more successful fund raising events of the year. We would welcome donations of clean, good quality books, bric-a-brac and clothing, preferably beforehand though goods will be accepted at the shop.
Enquiries 01256 892019 or www.andovercats.org.ukHigh Speed Broadband comes to Little London
After a long campaign, led by Margaret Henstock, high speed broadband carried by fibre optic cable became a reality in Little London on the 16th January. The initial customers were converted to the new system in a mostly smooth operation with the assistance of engineers from Magdalene, who installed the fibre optic cable from Smannell.
Most of the village struggled to get even 1Mb before the changeover, the new download speed of around 37 or 38Mb seems lightning fast by comparison and opens up a whole range of opportunities for households and those running businesses from home.
The Magdalene team on changeover day with Loic Flageul,
the Account Director for the project, on the right.
This rural broadband pilot project has been supported and funded by Hampshire County Council and others and we look forward to continued success as other customers are connected in the coming weeks both in Little London and Smannell. If anyone would like information on the project and our initial experience in Little London then Jonathan Blake will be happy to help. He can be contacted by telephone on 01264 333606 or by email at jsb@jsblake.co.uk.FROM THE VICARAGE
A spring clean?
February is here, the snowdrops and daffodils have had an early start after a mild winter, the days are lengthening and the sounds and sights of spring are not far away. Looking around my study and at my desk, the phrase ‘spring clean’ comes to mind. No matter how many times I get the duster out, the next time I look there always seem to be fresh layers of dust piling up. A spring clean is definitely on the cards. Being February and with Lent starting on 22nd Feb (Ash Wednesday), it might be an opportunity for me to do a little internal spring cleaning too. Dust out the old cobwebs of being complacent, accepting second best and not making the most of every opportunity. Freshen up with more quality time spent with family, neighbours and the Good Lord upstairs. Tidy out and sweep with attention given to others and going the extra mile with people in need. Not a bad idea. I wonder how much I will persevere?
Lent Lunches
You are warmly invited to join us for our Lent Lunches on Wednesdays starting at 12.30pm on the following dates:
22nd Feb St. George’s, Enham Alamein
29th Feb St. George’s, Enham Alamein
7th March Christ Church, Smannell
14th March Christ Church, Smannell
Lunch will consist of various delicious soups, bread rolls, cheese and tray bakes. There is no entrance fee but any donations you make will be split equally between two charities. (Subject to confirmation these will be Naomi House Hospice and the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Madi West Nile, Uganda)
7Up will meet next on Wednesday 29th February
5.30pm – 7pm at Smannell School.SERVICE
If you are not involved in any service or ministry, what excuses have you been using? Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was co-dependant, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric, Peter was hot tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zacchaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health and Timothy was timid. That’s quite a variety of misfits, but God used each one of them in his service. He will use you too, if you stop making excuses!
(Rick Warren)
Deadline for March’s Parish Oak
will be Friday, 18th February
Contact 352393
ENHAM ALAMEIN PARISH COUNCIL
At the January meeting concern was raised regarding residents who may not have immediate family or friends available to help in the case of emergency. It has been suggested that a Neighbour Watch Group be established to care and support those that may need help.
If you are interested in joining the scheme or wish to hear more about the idea please contact any Parish Councillor or attend the next Enham Alamein Parish Council meeting. This will be held on Wednesday 8th February at 7.15 p.m. in the rear room of the Shop.
There will be a Street Party for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee held in Landale Wilson Close on Tuesday 5th June. There will be more details to follow and anyone who wishes to become involved should contact any Parish Councillor. Make a note in your diary to join us for another Great Bank Holiday Celebration.
The Parish Council will hold a “Cake and Conversation” in the Landale Wilson Hall between 10 am and 12 noon on Saturday 4th February combined with the monthly Police Beat Surgery which takes place from 11 am until 12 noon that day. Please come along to meet your Parish Councillors and Beat Officers, and enjoy some morning refreshments too. A nominal charge will be made as the event replaces the Community Luncheon for January.Leslie Barry
Chairman
Forthcoming Events At Enham
February 2nd Overton Historical Society – Liz Cosgrove talks about
Enham’s history
March date TBA Sponsored Zumbathon in Winchester by the students of
TheUniversity of Winchester
March 23rd Fun Quiz at the Shoosmith Centre in Enham, enter your
team of four now! Quiz Master Dave Cosgrove
March 31st Kentwood Choir concert at The Lights. Songs from
blues to ballads, show stoppers to swing, classics to
chart toppers, the Choir creates a sound that can take
your breath away. Tickets from the Box Office
on 368368
For more information or to reserve tickets
call Liz Cosgrove on 01264 345848
FRED’S PIECE
First of all, best wishes for a Happy New Year.
In this episode of Life in Pre-war Enham, we think back to the years in which the village enjoyed the visits of Joe and Mary Bush. They were hubby and wife and came for a few weeks each Spring under the title of ‘Caravan Mission to Village Children’. Their travelling home was a horse-drawn caravan. This was moved from village to village by the generosity of the local farmers, including good old Teddy Ewers (Sue Foord’s father) and with Enham’s assistance. The caravan rested in the meadow by the grass tennis courts (the present site of the new ‘Coopers Close’).
A large marquee was erected by local volunteer men from the village just behind ‘Withells Garage’ in the middle of the village and here, in the evenings and Sundays, services were held. These were very popular and well attended especially by the children. Two memories are still vivid in my mind: the lusty singing on the evening air and the smell of crushed grass in the marquee.
Jo and Mary were a lovely couple and well liked around Andover. Their permanent home was a nice house on the corner of Salisbury Road and Millway Road, Andover. They were a great comfort to a family in the village when their daughter was very ill and passed away. Marion was a well-liked girl and one of our school pals.
These memories show our age, but as there are still three or four lads about from the old village, and about six girls, we hope they are of some interest to you all.
Fred Hall
ENHAM VILLAGE NEWS
A big thank you to all those who very kindly made a donation towards Charlie’s new trike, and in particular to PC Pete Nelson for organizing the Quiz Night at the local Rugby Club which was well attended by both locals and those from further afield.
With the Police sometimes coming in for unfair criticism in recent times, it is quite refreshing to witness first hand the other side of what their job entails, in terms of community work and helping out with local projects. When PC Nelson heard about Charlie’s mobility situation, he was only too pleased to step in and raise the majority of the funds needed to purchase the custom-built tricycle, enabling Charlie to gain his freedom out on the open road – well, with me running behind desperately trying to keep up, emergency brake in hand!
It was whilst out on one of these such jaunts recently that we managed to pick up not one, not two or three, but four punctures, in a combination of all three tyres! It turned out that the farm track we had chosen as our cycle route had recently had its blackthorn hedges cut on either side, thereby rendering travel by bicycle somewhat hazardous, with a more than likely chance of picking up a thorn or four along the way.
On hearing of our plight in the tyre department, thanks go to a certain employee of a large motoring organization, living in Enham Chase, for providing – free of charge – a bottle of green slimey stuff with which to fill the inner tubes, thereby preventing more air loss in the event of any further encounters of the thorny kind.
In these increasingly difficult financial times in which we all find ourselves, it is reassuring to know that there will be certain people willing to give their time and help for free and, without them the world would be an even poorer place. The look on Charlie’s face when he takes off at speed on his pride and joy says it all. And without the help of such people none of it would have been possible.
David Hayward
From My Saucer
I’ve never made a fortune
And I guess it’s too late now;
But I don’t worry about that much
Because I’m happy anyhow.
As I go through life’s journeys,
I’m reaping better than I’ve sowed.
For I’m drinking from my saucer
Because my cup has overflowed.
I don’t have lots of riches,
And sometimes the going’s tough,
But I’ve a family who loves me
And that makes me rich enough.
So I just thank God for His blessings
And the mercy he’s bestowed.
I’m drinking from my saucer,
Because my cup has overflowed.
I remember times when everything went wrong
And my faith grew kind of thin;
But after a while, those old dark clouds broke
And the sun pressed through again.
So. Lord, help me not to gripe
About the tough rows I’ve hoed.
I’m drinking from my saucer
Because my cup has overflowed.
And if God grants me strength and courage
When the ways grow steep and rough
I’ll not ask for other blessings,
‘Cause I’ve been blessed enough.
And may I never be too busy
To help another bear his load.
And I’ll keep drinking from my saucer,
Because my cup has overflowed.
CHURCH SERVICES FOR FEBRUARY 2012CHRIST CHURCH SMANNELL
5th Feb (3 before Lent) 8.30am Holy Communion
12th Feb (2 before Lent) 10.00am Parish Communion
19th Feb (1 before Lent) 8.30am Holy Communion
26th Feb (Lent 1) 10.00am Family Communion
4th March (Lent 2) 8.30am Holy Communion
ST. GEORGE’S ENHAM ALAMEIN
5th Feb (3 before Lent) 10.00am Parish Communion
12th Feb (2 before Lent) 8.30am Holy Communion
19th Feb (1 before Lent) 10.00am Parish Communion
26th Feb (Lent 1) 8.30am Holy Communion
4th March (Lent 2) 10.00am Parish Communion
ENHAM SERVICES
12th Feb (Sunday) 3.00pm Shoosmith
ASH WEDNESDAY
22nd Feb (Team Service) 7.00pm St. Michael’s
Enham Shop & Post Office
With our best wishes for 2012 and along with any possible New Year resolutions we invite you to use your Village Shop & Post Office as much as possible. All custom is welcome and we do hope you can make some time to call in and see the products and services we offer. Please let us know if we could improve at all too.
The Post Office offer great deals throughout the year so pick up some leaflets or please go on line at www.postoffice.co.uk, when you have any insurance renewals or are thinking of savings
products.
Best wishes,
Leslie & Tim
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