underriver newssheetlove, who was executed by the authorities for contradicting the traditions of...
TRANSCRIPT
Underriver Newssheet
DECEMBER 2016 & JANUARY 2017
WISHING YOU A HAPPY CHRISTMAS
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Key: BCP = Book of Common Prayer - a service using traditional (17th C) language and form; CW = Common Worship - a service using contemporary (21st C) language and form
The Church of St Margaret, Underriver
Contact:... St Lawrence Vicarage, Stone Street, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0LQ
Telephone: 01732 761766 Email: [email protected]
Church Calendar DECEMBER
4 2nd Sunday of Advent Purple
11:15 All-age Service Reading: Matthew 3:1-12
11 3rd Sunday of Advent Purple
08:00 Holy Communion (BCP) Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10 & Matthew 11:2-11
11:15 Matins (BCP) Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10 & Matthew 11:2-11
18 4th Sunday of Advent White
16:00 CAROL SERVICE
24 CHRISTMAS EVE White
16:00 CRIB SERVICE
23:30 Holy Communion (CW) Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7 & Luke 2:1-14
25 CHRISTMAS DAY White
10:30 Family Celebration Holy Communion (CW) Reading: Luke 2:1-14
1 Jan 1st Sunday after Christmas White
No Service at St Margaret’s
St Margaret’s Church Website St Margaret’s now has its own website. To keep up to date about services and events please see
www.stmargaretsunderriver.org.uk
For January see page 19 ...
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THE WAY I SEE IT The Most Beautiful Story
Earlier this year a well-known atheist was being interviewed on Radio 4. In the course of an enlightening chat he was asked how he spent Christmas, and he said that he went to Midnight Mass at church. ‘But you’re an atheist’, his interviewer protested. ‘Yes’, he replied, ‘but what they celebrate at Christmas is the most beautiful story ever told’.
That ‘beautiful story’ tells of a Creator who sent His Son to share the life of His creation, to be born as a helpless baby, to grow up as a man of extraordinary wisdom, gentleness and love, who was executed by the authorities for contradicting the traditions of the time. His followers – who today number about two billion people all over the world – believe that He rose from the dead, and that by His death and resurrection He has made possible forgiveness and eternal life for men and women everywhere.
That is certainly quite a story, perhaps the greatest story ever told, and yes, beautiful. And that is the story that will be rehearsed again this Christmas, in children’s Nativities, in hymns and carols, in Bible readings and sermons all over the country. People who stay away from church all year turn up to hear it, and who can blame them? This is a story of hope, of love and of heaven touching earth.
During 2016 we have all become familiar with probably the best-known statue in the world, Christ the Redeemer, towering over the Olympic city of Rio, His arms outstretched in blessing. Christmas celebrates the birth of that great Redeemer – a tiny baby laid in a feeding trough. His birth changed history, His life transformed our understanding of what it means to be human, His death was at one and the same time a tragedy and a triumph. Yes, ‘the most beautiful story ever told’. Enjoy it again this Christmas.
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CHURCH NEWS
Looking back:
A joint All Souls Service was held at St Margaret’s Church on the 2nd Novem-ber and was attended by families and by individuals from Underriver & St Law-rence’s.
On Remembrance Sunday on 13th November. We once again heard the names of those who had died during both World Wars and committed our-selves once again to the cause of peace.
The Communion Service on 20th November was Carol’s last service at St Margaret’s before her retirement. Both the service and the presentation after-wards in the Village Hall were very well attended.
Looking forward:
Christmas services:
Carol Service 4pm 18th December (followed by tea in the Hall)
Crib Service 4pm Christmas Eve (followed by tea in the Hall)
First Communion of Christmas 11.30pm Christmas Eve
Christmas Family Communion Service 10.30am Christmas Day
Epiphany (Wise Men visit Jesus) Matins 11.15am 8th January
Candlemas Service (joint) 11.15am 29th January
Prayers:
In thanksgiving for the birth of Jesus at Christmas
For all who will spend this Christmas alone
For a peace in our world in 2017
Harvest Festival and Harvest Lunch
The Harvest Festival collection at St Margaret’s and proceeds from the
Harvest Lunch (food, drinks and sales of produce) went as in previous years to
Christian Aid. This year’s total was £760.40. Very many thanks to all who
contributed so generously in so many ways.
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Loaves and Fishes – Christmas Project
Many thanks for all your gifts to our food bank in the past year.
We think it would be nice to include festive items as well as necessities to mark the Christmas season.
So donations of small Christmas cakes would be specially welcome.
Please bring these to Saint Margaret’s in time for our candle-lit Carol Service
on December 18th.
Contact Jill Scott 833498
Forgotten Attendants
Did a spider in that stable spinning silken thread begin to weave a halo above the baby’s head?
What about those beetles scuttling round in straw who sensed that this intruder was one they could adore.
Was there a caterpillar gripping the manger’s rim who stopped when level with His eyes to bow and worship Him?
Probably some working ants changed their routine plan and marched in pairs to kneel before this new-born little man.
We know the donkey, lambs and sheep
were drawn into His light
but insects would have been there too
to celebrate that night.
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Carols Retirement
some pictures to remember
Carol celebrated the 20th anniversary of her ordination at St Margaret’s. The very special cake was decorated with
icing to match her stole.
Confirmation 2016. We welcomed the Bishop of
Rochester and celebrated in the usual St Margaret’s
style.
Wedding at St Margaret’s.
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Carol’s first experience of a St Margaret’s & St Lawrence’s joint Garden Party.
A Rogation-tide walk. The two border collies were very well behaved and there was a wel-come cuppa and cakes after-wards.
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The retirement party.
This marvellous cake was made for us by Andrea at ‘An Enchanted Cake or Two’ (01732 360605)
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Underriver Village Association
Chairman: Miles Hayward
Annual Membership £10 per household - To join contact [email protected]
Pilates Classes Mondays 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Tuesdays 9:25 am
Contact: Zoe George 07950 494 335 Email: [email protected] www.zoegeorgepilates.com
BOOT CAMP Fast paced circuit based workout
Every Tuesday 7.30pm Contact: Chris -
email: [email protected] or call 07796 693756
Dates for your diaries:
Horticultural Society AGM—Saturday 3rd December 10:30 am
Village Christmas Dinner - Friday 9th December
Children’s Christmas Party—Sunday 11th December 12:00—2:00
Cookies Kitchen Children's cookery classes held during
school holidays & at weekends. For further information -
email: [email protected] or call 07786 271227
The Band Jam Runs a three day courses in Underriver during
school holidays for young singers and musicians aged between 8-14 years old.
For further information - email: [email protected].
Telephone: 07786 166009
Village Christmas Dinner – Friday 9th December
So far we have had 62 responses which is a lot to cater for all at once. Therefore can we please help The White Rock by arriving promptly. We need to be seated by 7.45pm, therefore given that you will need to order any wines before sitting down can I suggest that you plan to arrive around 7.00pm.
There will be raffle during the evening and someone from your table will be selling tickets during dinner. This year the UVA committee have decided that the raffle should go to a local charity at Christmas. We will donate proceeds to West Kent Area Mind a local mental health charity based in Sevenoaks. If you are able to donate anything for the raffle please drop it off to me or bring it along on the night.
As last year we hope to be able to take over the whole pub and spread out a bit. I will try to seat people together who had requested to be and also to accommodate those who asked for a change! Table plan will be sent out nearer the time.
Any queries please e mail me on [email protected]
Belinda Goodwin
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The Underriver Christmas Posties:
The Christmas card box will be placed in the Church Porch from Friday 26th November & will be removed on Thursday 18th December 2016. We will undertake to deliver your local Christmas cards within the village, all you have to do is put them in the box. The map of the delivery area will be on top of the box. The service is free to anyone living in the vil-lage, but we are raising money for charity so all donations (large or small!!) will be gratefully received. The box will be emptied on a daily ba-sis, so please feel free to leave any donations in the box along with your cards.
Lucy Weston
Children’s Party – Sunday 11th December:
This year's village Children’s Christmas party will be held in the Village Hall on Sunday 11th December from 12-2pm.
The party is open to any children in the village who would like to come.
If your child would like to come along please email me on [email protected].
All children welcome but can I ask parents of young children to accompany them.
Fiona Mullick
Carol Singers Wanted……
The Underriver Carol Singers invite you to come and join them on Thurs 22nd December at 4pm, singing around the village in the usual fashion. We will meet at the village hall and the more the merrier! We also need people who would like us to come and sing at their house. Please let Fidelity know on 01732 463372 if you would like to either sing or would welcome us to come and sing at your house. Many thanks!
Fidelity Weston
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Fireworks & Pumpkins
On a mild Friday 28th October the infamous Underriver Firework and Halloween celebration took place at the White Rock with attendance up on last year there was a wonderful buzz in the pub garden. The delicious burg-ers were more treat than trick and the fireworks larger and louder than ever.
A great turn out of ghouls, witches and gory characters with some in-ventive pumpkin carving setting the bar higher each year.
Halloween costume winners:
Isabelle (age 7) 1st prize for a the scary nurse
Korban (age 10) 2nd prize for Ghost busters outfit
Zoe Veneziani (age 9) Scary Witch
Pumpkin Competition: Under 12 Winner: Matthew Hall
Over 13 Winner: Tom Stack
A huge thank you to Frank and the staff at the White Rock and the UVA com-mittee (especially to the cooks, Robert, Lorna, Phil, Mike and Kim) a wonderful evening. It was also nice to see Helen and Robin Watson back in the Village. A total of £600 was raised with the funds to be split between the Royal British Legion and the UVA.
Miles Hayward
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POPPY COLLECTION FOR ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
This year’s collection for the Poppy Appeal raised the commendable sum
of £2107, of which the church collection came to £395, and the village £1712.
On behalf of RBL thanks are due to Alan and Anna Dagnall, Tony Bird, Karen
Hambilton, Lynda Law, Louise Hayward, Lucy Weston, Underriver Village
Association, The church congregations, The White Rock, and St. Julian’s.
Tim Tawney
13.2h pony for loan
Our pony, Lucy, is for loan. She is a second pony but as good as gold to handle and around the yard. Her previous loan home said this when they had to return her,
“She has more winning rosettes than all the other horses here put together, she has been perfect in every way and we
will be absolutely devastated to see her go. She has not
been a moments trouble and the easiest low maintenance pony
to look after, always keen, happy and above all friendly
and willing to please. Such amazing fun for Mufti I just
wish she could have grown with him!”
Ring Fidelity on 01732 463372.
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Presentation of Cups and Diplomas
AGM
Saturday 3rd December 10.30
Venue: The Barn at Absaloms Farm
Coffee and Mince pies
Mini Christmas Market in aid of the Hospice in the Weald
The rescheduled AGM and presentation of cups is going to be a morning meeting on Saturday 3rd of December followed by Coffee and a Christmas Market in aid of the Hospice in the Weald. We haven’t had a Christmas Market for a few years and I know we can’t compete with the fantastic markets at Underriver House but we will have a cosy venue in Mary Owlett’s barn with the wood burning stove and coffee and mince pies. There will be bowls of bulbs, some Christmas wreathes, a few Christmas cakes, a raffle (it is at the Owletts after all!) and hopefully a stall from the Hospice with cards, crackers etc. Please come along to get Christmas off to a good start.
Angela Ridge
UNDERRIVER HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
THURSDAY UNDERRIVER GROUP
On 3rd November 36 ladies and 1 brave man, sat down to enjoy the usual good lunch, before listening to a lively and amusing account of Dale Thomas's thirty years as a guide to the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection of jewel-ery, the most comprehensive in the world. Dale told us, it is beyond price and therefore un-insurable. We were taken through time with the aid of slides, thanks to the one brave man, and Dale's narrative. Jewels were not just collect-ed for their beauty and for their fine workmanship, in Tudor times Bizoar was believed to prevent poisoning, and sapphire, topaz and peridot, when worn to-gether next to the skin, thought to ward off epilepsy. Many jewels are worn for a meaning, sapphire for remembrance, ruby for passion and Queen Victoria of course wore Jet as a sign of mourning .
Our next meeting is a Christmas lunch for members only on December 1st, If you are interested in becoming a member do ring Pat Hope 833933, we would be delighted to welcome you.
Fionna Brooks
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At the time of writing, neither the Stag nor Trinity have pub-lished their January programmes. So this month’s column gives local theatre information for December and such limited infor-mation as I have about January. I will put an update on the Underriver Newssheet pages of the St Margaret’s website in mid-December.
Pantomimes and other Christmas Shows
It’s panto time again – oh yes it is! So here are this year’s pantos and Christmas shows.
From Friday 2nd December until Sunday 8th January (no performances some days), Sevenoaks’ Stag Theatre (01732450175) will stage their spectacular family pantomime Beauty and the Beast. This show will star Ricky Norwood and Cleo. Several Sevenoaks panto regulars will also take part.
On Saturday 3rd December at Tunbridge Wells’ Trinity Arts Theatre (01892 678678), the European Arts Company will present A Christmas Carol Read by Mr Charles Dickens. This book was Dickens’ first public performance, which he repeated over 150 times. This production hopes to enable us to experience what it must have been like to be in Dick-ens’ audience. This sounds very interesting.
From Friday 9th to Tuesday 13th December, Tonbridge’s Oast Theatre (01732 363849) will perform the first of their Christmas shows Around the World in Eighty Days adapted from Jules Verne’s classic tale. Wealthy Phileas Fogg bets that he cannot circumnavigate the globe in a mere 80 days. The Oast’s adult, youth and Hopper players will recreate the voyage taken by Fogg and his loyal valet Passepartout.
From Friday 9th December until Monday 2nd January (no performances some days), at Tunbridge Wells’ Assembly Hall Theatre (01892 530613) the Christmas panto will be Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs starring Su Pollard and Jamie Rickers. Full marks to the Assembly Hall for putting on a Signed Performance on 14th December; and also a Relaxed Performance on 30th December, the latter designed for people with an autistic spectrum condition, learning disability or a sensory or communication disorder.
From Wednesday 14th to Saturday 17th December, the Oast (01732 363849) will stage A Christmas Carol, John Mortimer’s adaptation of Dickens’ classic story. You could make Christmas Eve in 1840s London, a miser, three spirits, fog, much humbug, a goose and little Tiny Tim a great start to your festive season.
From Thursday 15th December until Monday 2nd January (no performances some days), Trinity’s own company (01892 678678) will stage Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical version of Cinderella. We are promised a lush production with a live orchestra,
(Continued on page 16)
LOCAL THEATRE
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transformation scenes, pumpkin, glass slipper and masked ball. Performances by Trini-ty’s own company are usually highly professional.
Other Live Shows
From Tuesday 29th November to Saturday 3rd December, the Assembly Hall Theatre (01892 530613) will stage Damon Runyan’s Guys and Dolls. I previewed this show last month.
From Saturday 14th to Saturday 21st January, the Oast (01732 363849) will present Joe Orton’s What the Butler Saw. I have never seen this modern classic, but we are told it is a frantic farce set in a consulting room of a psychiatric clinic. Dr Prentice’s efforts to conceal his attempted seduction of his prospective secretary lead to a spectacle of chaos and cross-dressing. It all sounds very promising.
Screened Live Performances and Encores will include:
Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker with the Royal Ballet (live at the Odeon on Thurs-day 8th December, live at Trinity on Tuesday 15th December and encored on Sunday 11th December at the Odeon);
Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land, from the National Theatre (live at Trinity on Sun-day 8th January);
Shakespeare’s The Tempest with the RSC (live on Wednesday 11th January at the Odeon); and
Verdi’s Il Trovatore from the Royal Opera House (live on Tuesday 31st January and encored on Sunday 5th February at the Odeon).
Some of these shows may also be screened at other venues.
Arthur Rucker.
(Continued from page 15)
Sidesmen/-women and Readers 1 Jan St Lawrence
8 Jan 8:00 Side: S Tawney
Reader: tba
11.15 Sides: C Thornton Reader: tba
15 Jan Sides: J Clemence Reader: tba
22 Jan Sides: G Clark Reader: tba
29 Jan Sides: C Honnywill Reader: tba
Church Flowers
1 Jan Jane Martineau
8 Jan Helen Medlam
15 Jan Sue Owen
22 Jan Caroline Davaney
29 Jan Jill Scott
January Rotas for St Margaret’s
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Rugby returns to the front.
On Friday 21st October a group of 26 young men from Sevenoaks RFC Academy travelled to Amiens, France to take part in the Somme Centenary Rugby festival. This tour was organised by John Dennison from Francourt events who are leading the research for the World Rugby Memorial and a “book of remembrance” in memory of all rugby players lost in WW1.
Between July and November 1916 the Battle of the Somme raged with an estimated 1 million casualties on both sides from those killed, wounded or missing with July 1st being considered to be the worst day in British military history. We had the opportunity to visit the Beaumont Hamel Memorial park which is one of only a few sites on the Western Front where the ground remains largely untouched, with visible frontline trenches that the British and Newfoundland troops attacked from.
It was a very profound place to be and the gravity of the loss of life was evident when looking at the cemeter-ies where numerous soldiers lay to rest, most no older than our 16 and 17 year olds in the Academy squad - 100 years separating their fate.
We visited the Lochnagar crater where just before the infantry assault began, several mines were blown, which were intended to destroy parts of the German front line and cre-ate huge craters. “The Lochnagar
Crater” is the result of one of them. The mine crater of 100 metres in diameter and 30 metres in depth is now the only crater accessible to the public.
Saturday 22nd was tournament day where Rugby teams from Amiens, Cambrai (France) Clifton (Bristol) and Horsham (Surrey) took part in a won-derful day of sharing sport and demon-strating teamwork whilst playing in honour of the fallen. Sevenoaks Cap-tain Gregor Watson led the team out with a rousing speech about commit-ment, heart and togetherness.
Plenty of excellent Rugby was played by all teams in a wonderful spir-it and enjoyment fitting for the occa-sion. Sevenoaks RFC almost kept a clean sheet, scoring 26 tries and only conceding 1 with success against all sides. This was followed by a com-memoration dinner with awards and presentations, Joe Hayward voted Player of the tournament for his off-loading and work around the pitch.
Sunday 23rd we attended a British legion service at Thiepval, a village to-tally destroyed by the end of 1916 and now the site of the great Memorial to the missing. Names of 73,412 men who died in 1916 to 1917 and have no known graves.
This tour was an excellent lesson in history with great sadness but also joy at forging new friendships in the name of Rugby. Sevenoaks RFC would like to thank the players, supporters, coaches
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(especially Tom Kelly) and Oaks Club in their generous support. We would also like to show our appreciation for John Dennison at Francourt Events for organising the event and all of our hosts in Amiens.
Miles Hayward
From John Dennison organiser:
This event is the only official sports event marking the Battle of the Somme in 2016.
There are two other some events planned for the Somme Region. May 12-14 2017 for Under 14's, and for Under 16's in May 2018 (date to be confirmed).
These are also part of a greater series planned in a rugby programme which will culminate in the unveiling of the World Rugby Memorial In Craonnelle in the heart of the battle-fields of the Chemin des Dames on September 16th 2017.
We are also researching the names of all rugby players killed in WWI for the Book of Remembrance which will be published at the same time.
Other sports included are football, cycling, triathlon.
More details about our work are avail-able at www.francourt.org
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Services at St Lawrence, Seal Chart
DECEMBER
4 Advent 2 8:00 Holy Communion (BCP)
9:45 All-age Family Service
11 Advent 3 9:45 Family Communion (CW)
18 Advent 4 18:00 Carol Service
24 Christmas Eve 17:30 Crib & Christingle
23:30 First Communion of Christmas
25 Christmas Day 9:45 Family Communion
JANUARY
1 Naming of Jesus 8:00 Holy Communion (BCP)
9:45 All-age Service
8 Epiphany 9:45 Family Communion (CW)
15 Epiphany 2 9:45 Family Communion (CW)
22 Epiphany 3 9:45 Matins (BCP)
29 Candlemas No service at St Lawrence
Church Calendar JANUARY 2016
1 Baptism of Jesus White
9:45
No Service at St Margaret’s Service at St Lawrence
8 Epiphany White 08:00 Holy Communion (BCP)
Readings: Ephesians 3:1-12 & Matthew 2:1-12
11:15 Matins (BCP) Readings: Ephesians 3:1-12 & Matthew 2:1-12
15 2nd Sunday of Epiphany White
11:15 Short Family Communion (Short CW) Readings: 1:Corinthians 1:1-9 & John 1:29-42
22 3rd Sunday of Epiphany White
11:15 Parish Communion (CW) Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 & Matt 4:12-23
29 Candlemas White
11:15 CANDLEMAS SERVICE Readings: Hebrews 2:14-end & Luke 2:22-40
Key: BCP = Book of Common Prayer - a service using traditional (17th C) language and form; CW = Common Worship - a service using contemporary (21st C) language and form
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Church Cleaning
3 Dec J Fair
10 Dec B Leafe & L Notley
17 Dec J Hurrion & H Madlam
24 Dec R Hawker & A Martin
Church Brass Cleaning
17 Dec Graham Clark & Arthur Rucker
Rotas for St Margaret’s
Sidesmen/-women and Readers 4 Dec Sides: T Pierce
Reader: Sue Owen 11 Dec
8:00 Side: J Scott Reader: Jennifer Fair
11.15 Sides: C Honnywill Reader: John Clemence
18 Dec 16:00 Sides: L Notley & G Clark
24 Dec 16:00 Sides: J Rucker & J Hurrion
Reader: Xanthe Veneziani
23:30 Sides: A Rucker Reader: Charlotte Thornton
25 Dec Sides: P Payne & J Fair Reader: Arthur Rucker
1 Jan Sides: Reader:
Newssheet subscription: £7.00 or £13.00 for postal subscribers. Cheques payable to St Margaret’s Church, Underriver or cash should be handed to the person who delivers your
newssheet or Belinda Goodwin, The Kentish Barn, Underriver, TN15 0SJ.
Church Flowers
4 Dec Jane Martineau
11 Dec Jane Martineau
18 Dec (Carol Service)
25 Dec Fionna Brooks
Useful Names and Addresses Church Warden Andrea Pierce, 1 Grenadier Cottages, Riding Lane, Hildenborough, TN11 9QH; 832408.
Underriver Village Association Secretary: Robert Talbot, Weald Heights, Fawke Common, Underriver, TN15 0SP; 761546. [email protected]
Village Hall Reservations Laura Chappell, 07778 128082 or [email protected]
www.underriver-village.org.uk Omar Mullick , [email protected]
Thursday Underriver Group Secretary: Pat Hope, 01732 833933.
Horticultural Society Secretary: Mary Owlett, Absaloms Farm; 838716.
Underriver Youth Group Charles Honnywill, Underriver Farm; 838036.
Cricket Club Ian Batty 07877 106681
Scotts Project Secretary: Jill Scott, 833498.
Kent County Council Nick Chard, 42 High Street, Sevenoaks, TN13 1JG; 07855 787511. [email protected]
Sevenoaks District Council Ward Representatives Roderick Hogarth, 01732 760325 [email protected]
Julia Thornton, 07831 234449 [email protected]
Seal Parish Council www.sealparishcouncil.org.uk
Clerk - Lorna Talbot; 01732 763488. [email protected] Tim Martin; 07929 839914 [email protected] Fidelity Weston: 463372 [email protected]
Parish Administrative Assistant Tim Pierce [email protected]
All contributions should be submitted to the editor by 15th of the preceding month.
Editor Tim Pierce, 1 Grenadier Cottages, Riding Lane, Hildenborough TN11 9QH
01732 832408 [email protected]