1

2

Grapevine Subscriptions One year’s subscription (10 issues) £5

Postal subscription to accommodate

increase in postal charges: £10

Large Print Editions are available in

church or may be pre-ordered.

Please contact Janet or Roy Presland,

35 Lodge Rd, Rushden, NN10 9HA

tel: 01933 314831.

Rector: Rev Stephen Prior

The Rectory, Rectory Road, Rushden, NN10 0HA

01933 312554

Curate: Rev Matthew Taylor

36 Meadow Sweet Drive, Rushden NN10 0GA

01933 311164

Readers: Mick Bantin, David Brandford,

Ruth Compton, John Dixon, Tony Smith

Licensed Evangelist: Mickey Bell

Youth & Children’s Worker Intern: Stephen Fenwick

Hall Bookings: Pam & Paul Bailey

7 Kenilworth Close, Rushden, NN10 0QH

01933 313195

St Mary’s Churchwardens:

Lynne Prior, 330 Newton Rd, Rushden, NN10 0SY

Martin Cromwell, Pyghtles Cottage, 9 Pightles Tce, Rushden

01933 353655

01933 358355

St Mary’s Church Office Tues-Thurs: 10.00-12noon:

Pam Bailey, Marion Bates, Jude Curtis, Sonia Stocks

Webmasters: Anthony Sutton and Matthew Taylor

01933 412235

email: stmaryschurchoffice@btinternet.com

St Mary’s Website: www.stmaryschurchrushden.org

Priest in Charge of Newton Bromswold: Rev John Tye

29 Kingsmead Park, Bedford Rd, Rushden, NN10 0NF

01933 353274

Newton Bromswold Churchwardens

Bob Lines, 25 Church Lane, Newton Bromswold, NN10 0SR:

Alan Fuller, 252 Newton Road, Rushden, NN10 0SY

01933 315864

01933 356415

Newton Bromswold Website: www.newtonchurch.co.uk

Editor: Margaret Akroyd

3

contents

Who’s Who 2

A Note to those who write for

Grapevine 3

Seedtime and Harvest 4

From the Registers 5

Margaret’s Editorial 6

St Mary’s News 8

News from Newton 11

Quips & Quotes 12

Letter from Bishop Donald 13

Around the Diocese 14

Diary 17

Meet the Congregation 18

Bellfry Gossip 20

East Northants Faith Group 22

110/50 years ago 28

News from our

Mission Partners 29

Crossword 30

Heaven Sent 31

Church Services for October 32

Grapevine welcomes

contributions: Items for the

November Magazine should be

sent by Sunday

October 14 to Margaret Akroyd, 132 Wymington

Rd or left at the back of church clearly

marked ’Grapevine’ or sent by email to

stmaryschurchoffice@btinternet.com

with “Grapevine” in the Subject Line.

Please include your name and a

phone number with any submission in

case we need to contact you.

grapevine October 2012 A NOTE

to those who write for

Grapevine

Your contributions to Grapevine are

very much appreciated! Even on

those occasions we get items in late

or have to work into the night (yes,

really !) to get the copy to the office in

time for printing, we try to make sure

that everyone’s effort is included. A

magazine in paper form is still viable

despite having news on our website—

and after 150 years it would be sad to

abandon it. Please continue to

support the Grapevine!

Perhaps an explanation of how the

deadline is decided might help you to

understand what may appear an

arbitrary date; it is always two

Sundays before the last Sunday in the

month. For the July edition, therefore,

the deadline was 10 June as

Grapevine needed to be on the

bookstall on 24 June, i.e. the last

Sunday in the month. The date could

be as late as the 16th if the last

Sunday is the 30th as in December.

We always try to accommodate late

entries, and if there is a special

reason, such as a meeting taking

place within a few days of the

deadline, we can usually save you a

space if you tell us beforehand how

much you think you will need.

Thank you for all you do

for St Mary’s Church!

The Editor

4

Now don’t get the idea I’m an

inner city boy, but I have never

witnessed an empty field change

from seedlings to tall golden

wheat.

After all, I grew up amongst the

Staines Massive alongside Ali G,

low flying aircraft and enormous

four-by-fours driven by small

women who could barely see over

the steering wheel. Though the

town has now been renamed

Staines-upon-Thames*, hoping to

take it up-market, it changes

things very little - certainly not my

memories of it.

However, the sight

of a golden field,

high and full of

wheat, is always a

potent reminder to

me of how reliant

we all are on the harvest and

God’s provision for our basic

necessities.

When you read this article harvest

will have been taken in and the

festival will be over, but our

thankfulness for God’s provision

is not only a once a year affair.

Thankfulness should be part of

* At one stage it was going to be

St Aines. I mean, really?

our daily routine. But this is not

the thought that struck me most.

In my imagination, I go back to

the first century; a young Jewish

Rabbi walks alongside a field of

wheat that sways in the cool

Galilean breeze. He is followed by

a group of perplexed disciples who

listen to him tell stories about the

Kingdom of Heaven. That’s the

context I have in mind when I read

the following verse from the

Gospel of John. I can almost smell

that wheat baking in the warm

sunshine. Jesus said; ‘Don’t you

have a saying, ‘It’s still four

months until harvest’? I tell you,

open your eyes and look at the

fields! They are ripe for

harvest.’ (John 4.35)

Some think that Jesus is

remarking on a contemporary

saying that highlighted the time

between sowing the seed four

months ago and the harvest which

was about to take place - a great

visual aid, of course, for the

ultimate teacher.

With Jesus’s arrival the time had

come for the harvest to be

gathered. History had been

preparing for this moment: the

prophets and those before him

had planted the seed, but he was

Seedtime and Harvest

5

calling in the harvest. The time has

come; the Kingdom has arrived;

the Messiah is here!

But this call is not just to a gaggle

of disciples two thousand years

ago. It reaches across the years to

the church in all ages. To our

church, to our own church, where

others have laid the seed. We are

called both to be seed sowers and

faithful harvest gatherers. As Paul

wrote to the church in Corinth

‘... the Lord has assigned to each

his task. I planted the seed,

Apollos watered it, but God has

been making it grow.’

(1 Corinthians 3.5-6).

I truly believe that the field is ripe

for a harvest in Rushden. There

are so many lost people needing to

be found, broken relationships

that need fixing, mourning that

needs to be turned into dancing,

despair that can only be

transformed with the hope which

can be found in the Kingdom of

God. The challenge is not just for

the ordained or some ‘special’

Christian, it’s for each of us: the

ordinary person - who is

extraordinary because of the

Kingdom of God among us, and

the Spirit of God empowering their

lives.

So what are you waiting for?

The field is white for harvest.

Matt Taylor

From the Registers

Baptisms

26 August 2012

Lotye Mae Gaylor

9 September 2012

Isabelle Rose Harley-Morgan

George Chamberlain

Keira Chamberlain

Weddings

25 August 2012

Lisa Marie Dunn

& Luke Byles

25 August 2012

Melissa Anne James

& Richard Edward Keywood

1 September 2012

Jodi Catherine Pettit

& Mark James Alison

1 September 2012

Louise Peacock

& Ed Heenan

Funeral

28 August 2012

Brinley John Davies

“Brin” - aged 94

6

The month of October is full of

saints days - most of which we

tend to ignore! - and ends with All

Hallows Eve, the day before All

Saints Day. Not many churches

nearby are called All Saints but

there is one in the centre of

Northampton rebuilt after the

Great Fire in the 17th century with

all the wood provided by King

Charles II. There is a statue of

him atop the church wearing a

Roman toga with his English wig.

One saint we do commemorate is

Luke, patron of those in the

medical profession, whose day is

18 October. I read a suggestion

that there should be an annual

banquet in his honour to which all

disabled people are invited.

In his Gospel (Luke 14.16-24)

Luke recalls Jesus telling a

parable of a man who gave a

dinner party, but so few people

responded to his invitations that

his servant told him it was a

waste of food— no one wanted to

come! In that case, said the man,

go into the town and search out

the poor, the crippled, the blind

and the lame. They would

appreciate his invitation.

I am still mulling over the

country’s reaction to the

Paralympics. The word

‘inspirational’ kept cropping up.

We saw what can be achieved

when handicapped people are

assisted to make the most of their

talents.

The word ‘inclusive’ rather

‘excluding’ gave new life to a

disadvantaged group of people.

Some figures may surprise you—

as they did me:

20% (1 in 7) of the working

population have a disability

10% of the population as a

whole are disabled.

Two million have significant

sight loss or are blind

1.2 million people have a

learning disability

Half of us, at some point in our

life will experience disability.

Having broken my hip and spent

forty years pushing a wheelchair, I

can appreciate the frustrations

people have when they meet

steps, uneven ground, and most

annoying of all, the turnstile! How

often I wished I had the height of

a basket ball player, the muscles

of a discus thrower and the

flexibility of a gymnast like Beth

Tweddle. There should always be

a chance to use our God-given

abilities, both for our own self

esteem and to contribute to

society.

7

At St Mary’s, my husband Philip,

who was a member of the PCC

and also acted at treasurer for

35 years, depended on other

people using their muscles to get

him to meetings and include

him. Thankfully, we ceased long

ago to view disabled people as

freaks.

The surgeons and medical staff

who have worked on soldiers

with horrendous injuries are

soon going to be seen in a new

television series with Gareth

Malone. Gareth Malone is the

choirmaster who coached the

military wives and is now

encouraging people in various

places of work to unite as choirs

to get that ‘feel good factor’. He

may not be a saint but the queen

awarded him an O.B.E this year

for services to the community.

It has long been recognised that

singing can cheer you along,

whether it be slaves in the cotton

fields, miners in coal mines or

choirs in cathedrals, so it will be

interesting to see how

harmonious the medical

profession will be. How fortunate

we are to have a choir, a music

group and an organist who share

their talents weekly for our

mutual benefit.

Margaret Akroyd

Behind the Communion Table

Oct 7 Mr Peter White

(Arranged by

Mrs Ann Whitworth )

14 Mrs Julie West

(Arranged by

Mrs Ellen Inwood)

21 Mrs J Morgan

28 Miss Judy Perkins

(Arranged by

Mrs Jean Tombling )

With many, many thanks to all

who decorated the church for

the Olympics and Paralympics—

what a tremendous time it was!

Jean Tombling

Memorial Chapel Flowers

If anyone wishes to have any

flowers in the Memorial Chapel,

in memory of a loved one, please

contact Brenda Dixon on

01933 358982.

8

Congratulations!

Congratulations are due to Jude

Curtis (see cover), who recently

earned her Master of Arts in

Literature. She and her friends

Hillary and Maureen travelled to

the Palais de Congres, Versailles,

where Jude collected her degree

on September 15.

Youth Work Intern

Stephen Fenwick arrived in our

parish to begin an eleven-month

placement as our Youth Work

Intern on the first of September.

Stephen comes from Camberley,

Surrey, where he has been

attending a New Frontiers

Church and made a commitment

to follow Jesus at a conference

for young adults in the summer

of 2011. Since then, he has

been active in his church,

helping to lead youth activities.

Stephen recently completed his

A-Levels as well as an

apprenticeship in Graphic

Design.

Stephen is now working with

DEEP and J-Division as well as

helping out in Clued Up and the

youth work in schools and

churches together with leaders

from both Whitefriars and St

Peter’s. His plan, after this year

as intern, is to go to Moorlands

Theology College for further

training in Christian Youth

Ministry.

Jude and the Church Office

After twelve years of dedicated

service, Jude is retiring from the

Church Office. We are all grateful

for the time and service that she

has given to us over the years.

She now feels it is right for a

change of ministry for which she

needs more time. To help her

make this new start, Jude will be

travelling around other churches

in the town for the next few

months. Thank you, Jude, for all

your work for us!

The office will continue with its

current opening hours (Tuesday

to Thursday 10-12) however

some of the tasks that Jude has

done outside these hours may

need to be done elsewhere as

we assess the amount of work

that the office can realistically

undertake with present staffing

levels.

Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox

Sunday: 18th November

This year, the shoeboxes that we

fill are being sent to Serbia. Can

you fill a box ? or can you help to

9

fill a box? From Sunday 7th

October there will be a basket at

the back of the Church to collect

goodies. These can be tooth-

brushes, toothpaste, flannels,

soap, small toys, hats, scarves,

gloves, pens, pencils— anything

for a boy or girl from birth to

teens.

If you need an empty shoebox—

covered or not— please let me

know. However small the items

may seem to you, these children

have nothing, so will be very

happy when they receive their gift

box. Please remember every little

helps. Thank you!

Linda (01933 311702)

Mothers’ Union

Our next meeting will

be on Wednesday

October 24th, when

our speaker will be Mrs

Westerman, who will talk to us

about Bell Ringing. We will meet

in the Church Hall at 2.00pm.

There will be our usual Bring and

Buy Table. All are very welcome to

join us.!

Reporting from Mothers’ Union.

In June, we had our annual Wave

of Prayer with members taking

part and we had a stall at the

garden party selling toiletries.

Also in June we had a Jubilee

Party and with the profit, to

commemorate the Jubilee, we

were are able to buy a tree (to be

planted later near the Church

Hall) and a plaque.

In July, the annual bumps and

babes picnic was provided by the

Mothers’ Union.

In August, Sheila and Derrick

opened their house and garden

for an afternoon of tea and chat

which enabled them to send £50

to the Homeless and £50 to The

Geoff and Diannah Charitable

Trust water aid in Bungoma.

In September, Ellen and Julie

(continued on page 10)

Saturday 6th October

Mission Partners Quiz Evening

St Mary’s Church Hall

at 7.30pm.

Tickets: £3.00

(including light refreshments) from Peter Chamberlain (386826)

or the Mission Committee.

10

made three memorable journeys,

completing the afternoon with

Harvest Apple pies and cream.

Each month we join the

congregation for Thursday

Morning Communion and

members of the Mothers’ Union

take part: reading the lessons and

carrying the MU banner.

The Mothers’ Union will be helping

again with the Shoebox Appeal

with members making pencil

cases and providing other things

to fill the boxes. Please remember

that we also still collect house

linen and other articles for the

homeless.

Julie West .

Pudding Club:

The first Pudding Club of the

season will be on Saturday 13th

October at 7pm in the Church Hall.

As usual there will be seven puds

plus a starter. On this occasion,

we hope to have a slightly

different type of entertainment, so

book early! Tickets are £8 (£6 for

members).

CONCERT

Saturday, November 24th brings

another concert to St Mary’s.

Starting at 7.30pm, the first half

of the evening will be comprised of

the young talent from our

competition in May, including the

superb voice of Lauren Jones, who

won the talent contest.

After the interval we will have the

Cadenza Clarinet Quartet

entertain us for the first time.

Based in the Bedford area, their

repertoire includes jazz, pop and

classical music. Tickets are £10

(£8 for members).

Curry Night

December 7th brings another first

for FOSM— a Curry Night. This has

been requested by a number of

people over time, and should

make a good night out. Watch for

more information nearer the time.

John Allen

(continued from page 9)

The Children’s Society

COFFEE MORNING and Box Opening

6th October

10 a.m. to 12 noon

Church Hall

Various stalls.

All welcome!

11

News from Newton Flower Rota

October 7 — Mrs G Beeby

14

October 21 — Mrs Ward

28

Remembrance Sunday

St. Peter’s Church will be holding

its annual Remembrance Sunday

on Sunday 11th November at 3pm.

Christingle

Our annual Christingle Service will

be held on Sunday December 2, at

10am raising money for The

Children’s Society. Jack’s story,

below, explains how this charity

helps vulnerable children:

Jack is 17 and on top of the

challenges facing any boy his age, he

has cerebral palsy and uses

wheelchairs to get around – both at

his residential school in Dorset, and

at home with his mum.

Jack and his mum are determined

that he will have a full and active life.

But this comes at a high cost – his

mum’s car had to be adapted, and

it’s expensive driving to and from

school. Sometimes they can only

afford beans on toast for dinner. Jack

recently faced another challenge as

the UK government intended to end

the mobility element of the Disability

Living Allowance – which would have

made it very difficult for his mum to

keep their special car, or to run it. But

thanks to The Children’s Society

campaigning to overturn this

proposal, Jack and his Mum can

preserve their financial security and

keep their car.

The Children’s Society is determined

to help families like Jack’s. Because

they speak up for justice, Jack can

celebrate. Whether it’s providing

support to young carers, refugees or

runaways, The Children’s Society

helps care for children whose families

are facing crises.

Church Bike Ride

Rosemary, Andy, Rex and Denise

got on their bikes again, taking

part in the Northamptonshire

Historic Churches Trust Bike Ride.

It was a lovely sunny morning and

after one puncture and one inner

tube change, we were on our way,

visiting our usual churches. Thank

you to all who sponsored us, we

raised £150.00, which will be split

between St. Peter’s Church,

Newton Bromswold, and the

Northants Historic Churches Trust.

Pam’s Birthday

Pam would like to say thank you to

everyone who made her birthday

so special, and for the generous

donations she received for her

chosen charities. £241 was

raised for Cystitis Fibrosis and £50

for Crazy Hats.

12

An illuminating story

The vicar of a small country church asked

the PCC if they would consider installing a

chandelier in the chapel.

Before the next PCC, they and discussed

the issue at length. They reported back to

the vicar, laying out exactly why they had

decided against the idea:

1) The secretary did not know how to spell

it to put it into the minutes.

2) If they bought one, they still would not

have anyone who could play it.

3) The money would be better used to im-

prove the lighting in the church.

Quips and Quotes

One’s importance

A vicar, wishing to encourage a timid, young bride on her wedding day, thought

is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out

look up the Bible reference I have given you

Unfortunately, he had inadvertently left off

the message from a verse in the first epistle of John to a verse from the gospel of John. The young bride was somewhat surprised when she looked the verse up in her Bible

The Knots Prayer Dear God, please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart and my life. Remove the have nots, the can nots and the do nots that I have in my mind.

Erase the will nots, the may nots and

the might nots that find a home

in my heart. Release me from

the could nots, the would nots

and the should nots that obstruct my life.

And most of all, dear God, I ask that you remove the ‘am nots’ that I have allowed to hold me back— especially that one that goes, “I am not good enough.” Amen.

Author known to God

13

Having turned 60 at the end of August, I’m indulging myself with a little retrospection. Two other events of the remarkable summer of 2012 also encourage me to look back: the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games.

So much has changed in our country over the last 60 years. The monarchy is more modern and open, though the Queen herself seems to get even better as the years pass. Church life has seen the parish communion movement, modern services and music, many congregations shrinking but some experiencing remarkable growth.

Public life and popular culture are still distinctively British, but so much is different, as brilliantly portrayed in the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies. Improved healthcare means that male life expectancy has risen by more than 10 years in my lifetime, though that average hides wide and growing discrepancies: the socially disadvantaged now live between 10 and 15 years less than the comfortable middle class.

In short, some things have got better and some have got worse. Those who look back too much need reminding that there was no golden age. Those who advocate “progressive” social policies need to hear that not all

progress is good. What nobody can dispute is that the pace of change has been and still is staggering.

What does this say to us as Christians, and particularly to our commission to make disciples of all peoples? The electronic media make long-distance communication much easier. Every church should have a decent up-to-date website, and Christians should consider using Skype or similar software to keep in touch with church members or mission workers overseas. However in a world of instant tweets and e-mails we have to be extra careful to think about what we are saying and how it will be heard. The old skill of crafting the message is still necessary.

The Latin motto on the great crucifix in our Cathedral translates into English as “The cross stands while the world turns”. The message of God’s love in Christ never changes. But it is always the Church’s task to bring “the grace and truth of Christ to this generation”. That means we have to know our culture, understand how this generation thinks, and be there alongside people with the unchanging love of God.

With best wishes

Diocese of Peterborough - Magazine Resource - October 2012

Produced by the Diocesan Office, The Palace, Peterborough PE1 1YB

Tel: 01733 887000 www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk

The world turns …

The Rt Revd Donald Allister, Bishop of Peterborough, writes

14

Around the diocese

Something special to offer

Church schools have something special to offer to the community and to the students who attend, says the new Diocesan Director of Education, Miranda Robinson. “Christian beliefs and values in a school should be like the writing that goes through a stick of rock,” she says. “They are integral to the school’s ethos and underpin every aspect of school life, not just worship and RE.” The ethos can be a major tool in school improvement, she believes, and to help it develop Miranda encourages clergy and local church members to engage fully with the schools in their parishes, becoming involved in all aspects of school life and not just with the worship and RE. “The ideal is for the church to see the school as part of its family, and for the children to see the church as part of their school where they can be introduced to services and rites of passage,” she says. “It’s only through school that some children enter a church and for many children and staff the school is the only worshipping community they know. It’s a great missionary opportunity.”

It’s also an opportunity for people with specific skills and expertise to discover a ministry as a school governor to both support the leadership and challenge it. But she also warns that it’s not enough just to be well-meaning. With educational structures in a state of change nationally, appropriately skilled Christian governors can play an important role locally. Each school has to consider what is the best structure for their children, she says. Miranda is a committed Anglican and comes to the role after a lifetime in teaching in church schools. Her previous job in Sunderland was as a Deputy Head and previously was on the leadership team of a Bournemouth school, and Head of RE at a school in Weymouth. “I’m excited about the opportunities,” she says. “I’m passionate about learning and teaching and improving standards. It’s an opportunity to do something different and to be involved strategically with schools.” Married with two grown up children, in her spare time Miranda relaxes in a family bolthole in France, catches up with friends and reads.

15

Around the diocese

The church is sometimes criticised for not meeting the real, but often unarticulated, spiritual and social needs of people today. One rector is taking an unusual step to remedy the situation.

The Revd Mary Garbutt, Brixworth Rural Dean and rector of a group of rural parishes, is organising church open times. Parishioners can drop in to a rolling programme of pictures, music and activities, and fill in a questionnaire.

Later they will be invited to discuss the feedback and its relevance to each church. “When we have heard all that people have to say about services and the role of the church in their community, we’ll make decisions as to the best way forward,” she says.

Mary has no lay or ordained ministry colleagues since her curate moved on, so service patterns have had to be adjusted. “I decided it was important to find out what churchgoers and non-churchgoers want,” she adds. “I also want information about the role of the church in each community to see if we scratch where people itch and whether we are making connections with them or not.”

Diocesan Mission Enabler Miles Baker is on hand to help any church that wants to listen before it leaps, or sleeps. You can contact him at: miles.baker@peterborough-diocese.org.uk

Talk to the listening church

The wettest summer for a century has caused problems for farmers and some home truths are being offered to fuel thanksgivings and prayers at harvest and other services.

“Haymaking in June and July just did not happen because of the perpetual rain, and grain crops are way down in quantity and quality because of lack of sunshine and warmth which also keeps diseases at bay,” reports Brian Knight, a farmer in Walgrave.

As yields are also down in the Ukraine and the USA, food prices are set to rise. Oxfam warns that the prices of staple foods will double anyway in the next 20 years, and extreme weather events will increase them further.

“My impression is that better prices on the world markets could help our farmers,” reflects Revd Jim Mynors, Rector of Aldwincle. “But at the same time there’s a danger of little sympathy for the farmers from the rest of us – even at harvest times.”

Harvest home truths for all

16

Around the diocese

October events

Sat 6, Handmade at St Johns. Design and Craft Fair at Peterborough St John's.

Sat 13, Diocesan Choral Festival

Evensong. 5.30pm at Peterborough Cathedral.

Sat 13, Bishop Graham Cray, Archbishop’s Missioner, to speak at

Whitefriars Church, Rushden, 2pm, plus

7.30pm worship. Details 01933 316834.

Sat 20, Bread for the Journey: A Day

Exploring Different Ways of Praying 10am-3pm at Peterborough Cathedral. A

Peterborough Deanery event, open to

all. Call 01733 263267 or visit

www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/

downloads/breadforthejourney.pdf

Wed 24, Northants Police and Crime Commissioner Forum at Northampton, All Saints. A chance to quiz potential

New Testament Church of God. The preacher was Prebendary Carl Ramsay, who had previously taken part in the national 50th anniversary service at Methodist Central Hall, London. Although Northampton’s number of people with Jamaican roots is relatively small, they have made a long and varied contribution to the life of the area. Celebratory events in the town include an evening of Jamaican music and an arts and crafts festival.

Commissioners before the vote on 15 November. Tel: 01604 632845.

Sat 27, Graham Kendrick and Tony Campolo. One of the UK’s foremost worship leaders in concert, with one of its most inspiring Christian speakers. 7.30pm at Christ Church Northampton. Tickets £10 www.christiantickets.co.uk

Sat 27, Music in Lyddington: Pavlo Beznosiuk, violin and James Johnstone, harpsichord. Advance tickets £14 (students £2) from 01572 820017. 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Church, Lyddington, LE15 9LR

Sat 27, The Brixworth Lecture. Prof Faith Wallis of McGill University, Canada on Visualising Time and Nature in Anglo-Saxon England. 4pm (tea) for 5pm at Brixworth All Saints NN6 9BZ. Tickets £5. Tel: 01604 880158.

Christ Church hosts Jamaican thanksgiving service

Congregation members at Christ Church Northampton were busy making a traditional Jamaican spread of jerk chicken, hardo bread, cornmeal cake and coconut drops this summer, when the church played host to a service of thanksgiving to mark the 50th Anniversary of Jamaican Independence.

The packed service was organised by Heritage Lives, the community organisation based at Christ Church which aims to bring the diverse communities of Northampton together, and Pastor Donnovan Allen of the

17

D I A R Y

October 4 Thursday: Church Mission Society. Mid-Northants CMS meeting in St

Mary’s Vestry Hall at 7pm. £5 ticket includes hotpot supper. Speaker:

Margaret Walker on ‘Heidi in Mozambique’. Contact Peter Chamberlain

a member of the Mission Committee for tickets.

6 Saturday: The Children’s Society - Box Opening and Coffee Morning

in the Church Hall from 10.00-12noon. Various stalls. All welcome

6 Saturday: Mission Partners Quiz Evening in the Church Hall @

7.30pm. £3 including light refreshments. Tickets from Peter

Chamberlain: 386826 or the Mission Committee.

10 Wednesday: Ladies’ Group - 2.15pm St Mary’s Church Hall.

Speaker: Mr Jonathan Willmott “Queen Mary’s Jewellery”

13 Friends of St Mary’s Pudding Club (see page 10)

21-22 Peterborough DEF meetings (see page 22)

24 Wednesday: Mothers’ Union—2.00pm in the Church Hall.

November

14 Wednesday: Ladies’ Group - 2.15pm St Mary’s Church Hall.

Mr Michael Peachey, Oil Painting demonstration and talk

17 Saturday: Mission Coffee Morning 10am - 12 noon

24 Saturday: Friends of St Mary’s Concert (see page 10)

28 Wednesday: Mothers’ Union—2.00pm in the Church Hall.

December

1 Saturday: Christingle Service

7 Friends of St Mary’s Curry

Night (see page 10)

12 Wednesday: Mothers’ Union

& Ladies’ Group - Christmas

afternoon

January 2012

26 Saturday: Kettering &

District Women’s Conference

(see page 22)

Pg 4

month

18

Meet the Congregation Revd John Tye

Lottie and Eric Tye welcomed

their first baby, Eric John (named

after his father) into the world on

the 25th April 1937. Eric was an

office clerk and Lottie a

machinist in a shoe factory. The

family lived in a terraced house

opposite the Windmill Club,

which was the largest working

men’s club in Northamptonshire.

John was followed by Jeffrey, six

years later.

John’s preschool memories

include collecting pop bottles

(returning them for a penny) and

racing to get sweets, a rarity in

those days, and coming

a-cropper, very hard on his

knees! School years were spent

at Tennyson Road Infants,

Southend Junior (where Polly

Scott whacked him with a ruler)

and Tennyson Road Senior

(where the class rooms were

prefabs!). John enjoyed PE,

sports and maths (although he

failed his 11+ !).

From there he went on to

Wellingborough Tech. where he

learned all sorts of things to do

with building. At age fifteen he

went to work in the offices of

Rushden Gas Works. He then

began night school, taking four

subjects, including bookkeeping.

Next came National Service in

the Royal Army Pay Corp from

1955 to 1957. John spent

eighteen months in Nicosia in

Cyprus. Soon after being

demobbed, John caught

tuberculosis-B and was in

Rushden Sanatorium for six

months. As his health improved

he was allowed to go about and

would go shopping for other

patients. He managed to

increase the takings considerably

at his uncle’s corner shop in

Bedford Road!!

John had had other girlfriends

before taking Chris home with

him from church one day. But

once the romance began, within

three months he had asked Chris

to marry him - but she made him

wait! He persevered and

proposed again, placing Chris on

the stairway two steps above him

(to see eye-to-eye!). They married

in 1961 at St Peter’s Church, and

moved into a new house on

Lodge Road.

John was employed as a clerk at

Alumasc in Burton Latimer and

worked through various clerical

19

jobs into managerial positions at

WW Chamberlain.

John and Chris have four children,

Stephen (1963), Janine (1965),

Peter (1969) and Jonathan (1971)

and seven grandchildren.

John became a Christian when a

teenager, having been influenced

by Rev Tom Hughes. Years later he

felt God calling him into the

ministry. He was advised to

become a non-stipendiary

minister. It was hard work, as he

continued his normal work and

had children to provide for. He

travelled to Welwyn Garden City

twice a week to attend lectures.

It was during this time that he had

a terrible car accident. He was not

expected to survive, but after

much prayer he did begin to

improve. His lecturer brought his

course work to him, which was a

great blessing as he had all the

time in the world to do it!

Eventually, John was able to

attend the course again. People of

St Mary’s rallied round, taking him

and fetching him back from the

station.

John was ordained Deacon in

1981 and Priest in 1982. He has

been Priest-in-Charge of Newton

Bromswold for about 28 years and

also helps at St Mary’s. It is always

a pleasure to see him. John is

always thankful for his family and

with God’s help copes with life

whatever the circumstances!

Roving Reporter

THOSE QUESTIONS!

Who has been the

biggest influence in your life? My Mother

What are your hobbies? Football, badminton and

tennis

Who would you like to invite to

dinner? David Sheppard,

Bishop of Liverpool and England cricketer

What is your favourite meal? Fish and chips with mushy peas followed by apple pie,

ice-cream and custard.

Your favourite place?

The Lake District

What would you do if offered a

special treat?

A pre-match lunch at the Emirates Stadium,

followed by watching Arsenal play

Proudest Moment

Holding my first-born child at one-day old.

Motto

To try to practise what I preach!

20

Belfry Gossip Ringing for the men's marathon of

the Olympics in London continued in

the same format as for the ladies’

marathon with six peals and a date

touch (2012 changes) rung along the

route as planned (see last month).

In addition, in London, a further six

peals and a date touch were rung

along the route during the marathon

towards the end of the Paralympics.

Building on these performances,

many towers up and down the

country rang in celebration.

What a fantastic time for ringing this

year! And the celebrations are still

going on. The ringers at Peterborough

St Mary's planned to ring 60 quarter

peals during the course of this year in

honour of the Jubilee. They are well

on target and may have to slow down

so as not to ring too many.

Here at St Mary’s, on Heritage Day,

as well as trips up the tower to see

the bells and the clock, we put on

displays showing the history and

evolution of bells and change ringing

and demonstrated to our visitors how

bells are rung. In the Tower Room the

displays showed how bells evolved

from being shaped by riveting sheets

of metal together, through to the way

they are made today from moulds,

how these moulds are formed and

how the bells are tuned to produce

the required notes. Photographs,

books and our ringing records were

also displayed as was a continuous

showing about Bells and Bell Ringing.

Those venturing up the spiral stairs

to the ringing room were told what

ringing is all about, shown a model of

a bell as hung for ringing and shown

how we change the sound of the

bells—on occasions like

Remembrance Sunday—by fixing

muffles to the clappers. We not only

demonstrated how to ring, but

encouraged visitors to pull the ropes

themselves: to swing the lightest bell

and the heaviest bell and feel the

difference between them, and to see

if they could chime one - make the

bell sound.

Some

people also

showed an

interest in

ringing and

had a go at

ringing the

backstroke -

with tuition -

of one of

the bells

which was

raised for

ringing.

Visitors then continued up the tower

to the bell chamber, viewing the bells

from above and watching a bell being

rung (ear defenders were provided!).

We pointed out the various parts of

the bell and its fittings and told the

history of our own bells.

The clock was also shown off and

parts of its working were described.

During the day thirty or forty people

came to visit us; I hope they all

enjoyed the experience.

21

Advertisers

44, Griffith St, Rushden (above Commerce Windows)

01933 412345 Exclusive new beauty salon

Decléor Face & Body · Nail extensions ·

Manicure/Pedicure · Waxing

Eyelash & Eyebrow Treatments · Sauna

Relax, take time out—you deserve it!

If anyone would like to know more, or

learn to ring the bells, please talk to

one of the ringers or come along to a

practice - 7pm on a Friday evening.

During last month, we rang three

quarter peals for the evening services

and also rang for five weddings.

Six of our tower ringers were in the

band which represented the Branch

in the recent Guild eight bell Inter-

Branch Striking Competition which

was held on the heavy eight bells at

Oakham. The competition was fierce

and we only managed to come third,

missing second place by one and a

half marks. We then had an enjoyable

ring on the eight bells at Uppingham

before consoling ourselves with liquid

refreshment to end the day.

Tintinnabulum

22

East Northants Faith Group

Peterborough DEF

Right Revd Wallace Benn: Bishop of Lewes (author, international speaker and

President of Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC))

Sunday 21st October

10.00am Emmanuel, Werrington

10.30am St John’s, Werrington

6.30pm St Botolph’s, Barton Seagrave

Monday 22nd October

10.30am Christ the King, Kettering (an inexpensive lunch will be provided)

7.45pm Moulton Parish Church

“Salvation: for the few or the many?”

How wide is God’s love and how many will respond?

Please feel free to invite anyone interested

to attend any of these events!

Fresh Expressions

& Missional Communities

Bishop Graham Cray will be speaking at

Whitefriars Church on Saturday 13th October.

An afternoon meeting (2.30 to 5pm) will be

followed by an evening celebration (7.30 to

9.30pm).

The afternoon is especially for those who are

actively involved in or exploring mission through

fresh expressions of church, and missional

communities in particular: practitioners and

others with existing experience at least of the

issues

The evening celebration is for all who have a

heart for the Church’s mission. There’s no need

to book.

‘Defending

family, faith

and freedom’

On Thursday 11th October

from 7.30 to 9.00pm,

Alasdair Armour and Sam

Wylie of the Christian

Institute will be speaking

at the Providence Baptist

Church, Rothsay Road,

Bedford, MK40 3PT.

Details from John Pestell

on 01234 768758.

23

Kettering & District

Saturday,

January 26th 2013

at Kettering Conference Centre

Speaker: Alison Morgan

Bookings will be taken from 1st November

bumps and babes

Mondays 10 am; Thursdays 1.15 pm

Bumps & Babes is held every

Monday & Thursday (during term

time), for parents / carers with

pre-school aged children.

We start by meeting in the Church

where the children collect a musical

instrument to play whilst searching

for Pilchard the cat (who has been

hidden somewhere in the Church).

This is the followed by the lighting of

a candle, a short bible story, some

colouring and some fun songs.

We then move to the Church Hall,

where the children (and parents)

can take part in craft activities or

play with toys, whilst enjoying a

drink, biscuit and a chat.

Come and join us!

24

A. W. FULLER Groundworks Ltd 252, Newton Rd, Rushden

01933 356415 Quality Block-paved Driveways & Patios

Family firm—Free Quotations

The Patisserie For the best freshly prepared sandwiches, hot

pies and ice creams. Hot and cold drinks,

crisps and cakes also on sale.

Outside catering for any occasion

31, Church St (Opposite Salvation Army)

01933 318484

PETER TOMAS Comprehensive Glazing Service

Boarding Up & Property Secured * *24 Hour Service

Property Maintenance

Tel: 359688

PETER DRAPER Photographic

CAMERAS—FILM PROCESSING—BINOCULARS

TELESCOPES

65, High St, RUSHDEN

419909

Hollis Brothers High class butchers

44 Duck St. Rushden

357763 Friendly, personal service

J B NOBLE OPTICIANS

Affordable Family Eye Care

37 Church St Rushden

312551

Stitches Alterations Mon-Fri: 10.00-16.30 Closed Thurs & Sun

Sat: 10.0– 14.00 for all your tailoring needs

01933 316704

76

Hig

h S

t R

us

hd

en

P. W. HOUSE 54, High Street, Rushden

Rushden’s Family Jeweller For over 60 years

Tel: 418877

The Distinctive

Jeweller

Wide Selection of

Quality Cards at

Reasonable Prices

Gift Wrap & Stationery

Foil & Latex Balloons

Personalised Wedding

Stationery Service

5 Hamblin Court Rushden NN10 0RU

tel: 01933 317566

email: nicholls.1@btconnect. com

Cards Galore

R J Smith & Son

Shoe Repairs Engraving

Gifts Locksmiths

4 Hamblin Court Rushden NN10 0RU

Tel: 01933 358541

25

A . ABBOTT & SONS PERSONAL FUNERAL DIRECTORS

BEDFORD ROAD, RUSHDEN

‘Owned and operated by the Abbott family

for four generations’

Tel: Rushden 312142 24 HOUR SERVICE TO ALL AREAS

Private Chapel of rest,

Service Chapel, Catering suite,

Memorial display, Floral tributes

Pre-paid plans available Est. 1885

www.abbottfunerals.co.uk

Net Affair Home Furnishings Bespoke curtains/Soft furnishings

Large selection of Fabrics, Nets & Voiles Call 01933 411000

For Friendly and Experienced Advice

12D High Street, Rushden Northants NN10 0PR

Clever Cogs Carpet & Upholstery

Cleaning Services Experts in carpets, upholstery & hard floors

A family-run business,

based in Wellingborough

Tel: 01933 222 755 Mobile: 07941 554 540

Email: garry@clever-cogs.co.uk

Web: www.clever-cogs.co.uk 15 Paxford Close

Wellingborough NN8 2LH

Trading Standards

Approved

26

Barnes Tree Services All types of tree work undertaken

01933 356205

RUSHDEN SCHOOL OF MOTORING Tel: 312874 4, Hall Avenue, Rushden, NN10 9ET

Practical and theory tuition in manual and automatic cars

Probably Rushden’s oldest established driving school: 1957-2012

£5 million

public liability

insurance

Rushden based

John Hadley tel: 07973 828897 email: jjhadley@tiscali.co.uk

Hadley Woodland Management hedge trimming

pruning - tree removal

seasoned woodland logs

hedge & tree planting

small woodland

management

& conservation

A & R Kelland Painting & Decorating Services

Free estimates and advice - Established 1982

Tel: 01933 676914 Mob: 07892 643749 or 07817 445037

GREENGATE

124 Wellingborough Rd Rushden—NN10 9TD

01933 413815 greengateflowers@btconnect.com

f lowers

KHM Electricals Domestic & Commercial Electrician

Inspection & Testing. PAT testing. Rewiring. Landlord Certificates. Free Quotes, 24hr call out.

No job too small.

Keith Morgan

21 Chapel Close, Rushden. tel: 07955 592527 email:info@khmelectricals.co.uk

To advertise in Grapevine contact

St Mary’s Church Office on

01933 412235 or

stmaryschurchoffice@btinternet.com

Prices start at only £25 per year

27

Established 1966 Energy Efficient Heating Installations Condensing Boilers Power Flushing Heating Systems Servicing and Repairs Safety Checks & Reports Bathroom Power Showers Storage Tanks & Cylinders Hot & Cold Water Services Free Estimates · Competitive Rates Dependable After Service

Tel: 01933 355703 Mob: 07734 046331

Avenue Road, Rushden, NN10 0SW

A. Coulson Plumbing, Heating and Gas Engineers Barry Miller

GENTLEMEN’S HAIR STYLIST

40-42, HIGH STREET SOUTH RUSHDEN

6 FULL TIME STYLISTS

Walk in or for

appointments ring

01933 356483

PARKING OPPOSITE

Is your garden getting too much for you ? Don't panic!

Help is at hand. Ring

Cloisters

Garden and Homes

on 01933 313180

we pride ourselves on being prompt, reliable, trustworthy and

polite

NOW INCLUDING CARPENTRY & DECORATING

free advice * fully insured

P. G. SAVAGE PAPERHANGING

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR FREE Estimates & Advice Given

Reliable Service

01933 316278 10, Wymington Rd, Rushden,

Northants

PAINTERS &

DECORATORS

OVER 25 YEARS

EXPERIENCE

CARPETS

FURNITURE BEDS

2 HIGHAM RD, RUSHDEN phone 410604 www.hshworld.co.uk

Cavalier Upholstery

Antique, Modern, Office & Bar Furniture

Chairs & Seating Recovered

1B Queen St, Rushden

01933 316487

- Nail Cutting - Corn Removal

- Ingrowing Toenails - Hard Skin Removal

- Fungal Nail Treatment - Verruca Treatment

128 Newton Rd, Rushden 318902 Mobile: 07854 514323

HOME VISITS

AVAILABLE

28

St Mary’s Magazine

110 Years Ago - October 1902

On Saturday August 30th, 63

congregation journeyed to Bletsoe and a pleasant afternoon was spent by the riverside. Some of the party wandered through the village and visited the church, some went for a row on the river, others strolled off for a quiet bit of fishing but the majority were engrossed in a cricket match.

After tea, which unfortunately on account of a storm had to be partaken indoors, there was a gathering of the whole party to witness some races. Six events were keenly contested, and much merriment ensued as the prizes were distributed publically on the lawn. A number of musical friends had most kindly brought their instruments and made the surroundings bright with merry strains.

The remainder of the time was devoted to dancing. The return home was accomplished early, and everybody was sorry that the outing was over.

50 Years Ago - October 1962

Our garden party on September 15th was admitted by all to have been a very happy and enjoyable occasion. Mr & Mrs R.Thursfield came to open and be guest of honour, and to re-establish the link with Canon J.T.Barker. The Horticultural Show was a tremendous success, reflecting great credit on Mr. L. Priestly whose brainchild it was. Stalls provided lots to look at and buy from, and sideshows kept youth well occupied. Cubs gave an enjoyable entertainment, showing promising talent, and we are grateful to the Scouts for the loan and erection of the two marquees which provided a haven of refuge when the torrents descended soon after 5p.m. Our young joint secretaries, John Clifton and Bob Whitworth have made an excellent start to what we hope will be a long partnership!

Harvest Festival on Sunday October 14th will be followed on Monday evening with the usual Harvest Supper at the Institute. Tickets are available but the size of the Institute puts a limit upon the number who are able to attend the supper.

110/50 Years ago : from Grapevine

29

News from our Mission Partners Bishop Abelino and Paty are

planning to move back to the

Temuco area. The Bishop of Chile

has consulted with the pastors there

to be thoroughly convinced that it is

right. A Diocesan Commission that

helps the Bishop of Chile in

important decisions has now asked

Abelino to give thought to the call.

Abelino’s heart is divided. On the

one hand he and Paty feel more and

more drawn by their love for the San

Joaquin people in Santiago, but on

the other hand they also recognise

the need to support the work in the

Temuco region. In all of this they

have felt the strength of the call

from the south. So things are moving

towards that and only a few details

have yet to be worked out. Very soon

they will need to advise the San

Joaquin church of their decision. A

replacement pastor has already

been found for San Joaquin, and

they thank the Lord that things have

worked out smoothly so far, which is

a real answer to prayer.

As they share this news with us, they

are asking for our prayers. The

move will not be easy as they will

have to arrange to

rent or sell their

house in

Santiago.

Colin Smith has recently been to

Uganda where we was invited to

speak to a meeting of African

archbishops about the possibility of

setting up an African urban network.

Colin and Anita ask us to pray

particularly for Kenya as it prepares

for another election in March and in

the light of the recent riots in

Mombasa. They also ask prayer for

Sheila as she begins her studies in

Birmingham and for Anita’s mother,

who is in her late 80s and recovering

from a bad fall.

____________

We have a busy week early in

October:

On Thursday October 4, we welcome

former link mission partner Margaret

Walker with her talk speaking about

her experiences with ‘Heidi in

Mozambique’. This event, organised

by Mid-Northants Church Mission

Society, will be held in the Vestry

Hall at 7pm. The cost is £5

including a hotpot supper.

On Saturday October 6, a little

earlier this year, we have our quiz

evening in the Church Hall at

7.30pm, the cost of £3 will include

light refreshments.

If you are interested in attending

either of these (or both?), please

have a word with me or any member

of the Mission committee.

Peter Chamberlain (01933 386826)

30

Crossword No. 290

31

Do you believe in

angels? Well

here's a story for

you.

There's a mountain in “The Lakes”

called Causey Pike — not the

biggest but it still has a height of

2,200 feet. It does have a bit of a

challenge at the top though. The

last eighty or so feet are almost

straight up! Scrambling territory!!

Hands on rock and all that.

In June, I got stuck on those rocks

and had to come back down, to my

intense annoyance. Not willing to

concede defeat, I thought that

climbing the last bit on my

birthday in September would be a

good idea (not altogether

accepted by my wife). Anyway it

was agreed.

On the 4th day of September, the

Birthday, up we both went in

glorious weather. Nearing the top

and just before the “nasty” bit, we

paused for breath before I

attempted the summit – Carol

would watch with bated breath.

(Well, she might watch and look up

the insurance policies.) But would

there be someone to help show

me the way up the rocks on this

occasion? We appeared to be the

only ones on the mountain.

Then a young couple arrived on

the scene, both rock climbers, and

agreed to help. Then came two

older men, who just happened to

be Mountain Leaders from

Northern Ireland. Yes, they would

help too. With a bit of advice as to

hand and foot holds plus one pull

up and the summit was reached.

Wha – hey!! What a view!

As they disappeared from view to

the North, John reflected on there

being not one but four “angels” to

help. He descended back down to

a grateful Carol.

That evening at a super restaurant

in Keswick for a birthday treat, as I

was still burbling on about my four

angels, Carol commented, “Not

really a surprise; I've being

praying that there would be

someone to help you up the final

climb for days before the event”.

Do you STILL not believe in

angels ??

John Allen

[Rector’s Note: From one who

accepts that there are angels—

whether or not these were actually

angels, they were certainly an

answer to prayer!]

Heaven Sent

32

St Mary’s,

Rushden

St Peter’s,

Newton Bromswold

Sunday October 7 - 18th Sunday after Trinity

9.30am

11.15am

6.00pm

All Age Service of Holy Communion

Morning Prayer

Evening Worship

10.00am Family Service

Sunday October 14 - 19th Sunday after Trinity—St Luke the Evangelist

8.00am

9.30am

11.15am

6.00pm

Holy Communion [BCP]

All Age Service

Holy Communion

Evening Prayer

10.00am

3.00pm

Pete’s Pack

Evening Prayer

Sunday October 21— 20th Sunday after Trinity

9.30am

11.15am

6.00pm

All Age Service

Morning Prayer

Holy Communion

10.00am

Family Communion

Service

Sunday October 28— 21th Sunday after Trinity

8.00am

9.30am

11.15am

6.00pm

Holy Communion [BCP]

All Age Service

Morning Prayer

Evening Prayer

10.00am

6.00pm

Pete’s Pack

Evening Prayer

WEEKDAY SERVICES AT ST MARY’S RUSHDEN:

Mondays 10.00am Bumps & Babes @ Church - every week in term time

Wednesday 3.30-600pm Fun, Faith and Food — first Wednesday of the month

Thursdays 10.30am Holy Communion [BCP] - every week

Thursdays 1.15pm Bumps & Babes @ Church - every week in term time

For more information on all our Services, Events and Celebrations,

please access our websites:

www.stmaryschurchrushden.org www.newtonchurch.co.uk

Services for October 2012