HotPott June 2020 by Pott Shrigley Parish Magazine

£1 June 2020

Pott Shrigley’s Church & Parish Magazine

David’s Deliberations Dear friends, In the movie Sliding Doors we see two different versions of a person’s life story: in one version, the protagonist just misses a train; in the other she just catches it. What follows is an interweaving of two alternative realities: two very different ways in which her life unfolds – all stemming from whether she caught, or missed, that train.

strange alternate reality, which is separate from, yet related to, our previous day-today lives. Nothing looks quite the same: events which we would have taken for granted are suddenly unattainable; priorities have changed, possibilities have been curtailed. For some, of course, the upheaval of life has been far worse: illness, bereavement, redundancy, business failure – these have changed everything; it can feel like nothing of one’s previous life, its plans and hopes, remains in place. At root, though, we are experiencing a timeless truth of human existence; that any security which ‘normal’, ‘reliable’, ‘predictable’ life offers is an illusion. We never know just what is round the corner, but we do know that it will include the unexpected, and sooner or later the devastatingly life-changing. Indeed, some find themselves so deeply troubled by that knowledge that it prevents them finding any peace of mind, even when things are actually going well.

David Swales

Recently you may have felt that you have been living a life parallel to the one you had planned. Every day, my diary reminds me of my commitments – a wedding, a school visit, a church meeting, a community event, a Sunday service – but it is as if these commitments refer to a different, alternative, life. In its place, of course, are new commitments, concerns and challenges – but these feel very different from the events which were planned and scheduled. It’s not as if those scheduled items have ceased to matter: the couple still wish to marry; the school’s work is still vital; we still face the issues those church meetings would have addressed; we still worship God together on a Sunday (via our live-streamed service). But for everyone the last few months have brought this HotPott - June 2020

I realise that this might sound like a counsel of despair. It’s not! The truth is that real peace of mind is never continued →

This Edition Pg

Content

David’s Deliberations

A different way of connecting…

Cover story: a challenging couple of months…

Letter from Pott Shrigley Church School

Some Memories of a Mayor, Part Two

Lockdown for a teenager

Youth Church Zooms on

PSCC Centenary: The Changing of the Guard

The Old Horse

Memories of the war years, but not many of VE Day

Mouse Makes

Coffee Break

All you need is love

Yet another lesson for a bell ringer…

Pott Shrigley Parish Council in Lockdown…

Look Forward

PCC Ponderings

Missionary Matters

Suffering Church

Recipe: Salmon pasta with sundried tomatoes

Virtual Services

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going to be found simply by hoping that all will turn out well, that nothing will go wrong. For Christians, it is God’s promises of His care, His presence, and His eternal life which not only give encouragement and hope in the bad times, but also give us confidence and peace of mind to enjoy and appreciate the ‘good’ times. This is the gist of the wonderful Psalm 91. This Psalm has been quoted a lot in recent days, and, unfortunately, sometimes its words about being defended from the ‘deadly pestilence’ have been misapplied*. But it

proclaims a wonderful, hopeful, eternal truth; one which I hope you can take hold of during these difficult days. Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ Your friend and vicar, David * Have a look at my ‘3D’ piece on the vicar’s page of our website: ‘What does Psalm 91 really say about the coronavirus?’

The different way of connecting continues… The (relatively) new ways in which the Pott Shrigley Church community is keeping us all connected during these isolating times go from strength to strength – and at the time of writing, a new one is being trialled shortly: we’re looking forward to virtual coffee after the Sunday service! Another development is the availability of DVDs of previous services too. We are so blessed to have those who have the expertise and commitment to bring us together to worship, and to support each other in these trying times. Thank you to everyone who contributes in any way. The WhatsApp (David’s SPICE POTT – support, pray, inform, connect, encourage) group continues to be a support and a joy in fairly equal measures; an email digest of the day’s postings is made available each evening for those who wish to have it. Not everyone, of course, is on the Internet, but the telephone is an excellent way of communicating – having a phone conversation with someone is helpful to us all.

pottshrigleychurch.org.uk), and the DVDs are popular too. The prayer meeting is taking place ‘virtually’: please join us via the SPICE WhatsApp group on Tuesday at 7pm. The website and church Facebook pages have lots of useful information but if accessing these is not for you, and you would like further information about any of the above, or wish to suggest someone in our community who may appreciate a phone call, please don’t hesitate to email or phone David Swales (575846/vicar@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk) or the churchwardens David Garton (573492) or David Gem (01260 252287). Also, if you know of someone who would like a printed copy of HotPott but isn’t getting one, please contact Kath Matheson (574983).

It is wonderful to see how many are joining the weekly 10.45am service as it is live streamed via the church Facebook pages – and from such far-flung places! Lots more access it later via the church website (www. Page 4

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Cover story: a challenging couple of months… Well it’s been a challenging, but interesting couple of months working on the intensive care unit. Not exactly how I was expecting it to turn out when I started the job in February - but there again that applies to a lot of things in our lives recently. I thought I’d chat to you about the very fetching outfit you see on the cover of this edition of HotPott (thanks Dad!); yes it is hot and sweaty when you have all the PPE on, but I get to wear scrubs all day every day at work – it’s like going to work in your PJs (which yeah ok – I guess a lot of people are actually doing at the moment – alright, no need to boast).

to be woken up from an induced coma to see lots of strangers in Bane masks standing around their bed. But one patient was actually thrilled that he had been abducted by aliens and he couldn’t wait to get stuck into exploring new planets. And if everyone else is Bane – surely that means the patient is Batman, which is kinda cool. So yes, some aspects of my job over the last few months have been awful, and of course I’m concentrating on the less serious side of things - but there are always bright sides to dark situations. And the absolutely incredible support from family and friends, not to mention the great British public, has made a huge difference. And no matter what – the future is in God’s hands.

Laura Matheson

And yes, the mask is horribly uncomfortable. But on the plus side – the consultant can’t see me looking really confused when he asks me a question I don’t know the answer to. And when I then get said answer wrong – I can blame them for not hearing me properly through the mask. And yes, you cannot hear a word you’re saying to each other through the masks – but there have been some hilarious incidents of mishearing. ‘I’m going to change the patient’s [ventilator] pressures’ takes on a whole new meaning when ‘pressures’ sounds like a couple of parts of the male anatomy when heard through a mask... And yes, it must be terrifying for patients HotPott - June 2020

To the uninitiated (like me) Bane is the seemingly unstoppable supervillain in Batman, and his most striking feature is the mask he wears; this keeps him supplied with pain killing gas apparently, but perhaps I’m the only one who didn’t know that already. But don’t rush - it seems that plastic replica Bane masks are already sold out on many websites as people venturing out of their homes are using them as face protection. Not seen many (or even any) in Pott Shrigley yet, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time! Page 5

Letter from Pott Shrigley Church School I hope that you and all your families are well and safe. And still sane? I am writing this month mostly just to say hello because I don’t have anything exciting to tell you due to the current lockdown situation.

Joanne Bromley Firstly, it has been lovely to join you all via the virtual Sunday services on Facebook. Whilst it is not the same as seeing one another, I feel very connected to everyone when sharing that special time on a Sunday morning. It is lovely that some of our children and parents are managing to watch as well. Life has been extremely strange for the school community during lockdown. Obviously, teachers genuinely love children and enjoy coming to work. This crisis has highlighted to the children who thought they didn’t like school that it is, in fact, a fantastic place to be! Pott Shrigley children are especially lucky because of the many exciting extra-curricular activities we offer alongside our focus on Christian values, particularly kindness and compassion. We have been in touch with the children via Zoom meetings every week, which is rather amusing, as you can imagine. Some of us have been communicating using old-fashioned methods i.e. Royal Mail! The parents have been doing a fantastic job of home schooling and staff have been impressed with the things we have seen online – check out our class pages on the website (www.pottshrigleycs.co.uk) for some photographs.

We are now faced with the unenviable task of preparing school to work in a way which is completely alien to all of us. Our usual modus operandi is to encourage lots of sharing of equipment and co-operative learning. We often enjoy activities as a whole school and welcome people in to visit. All of this will now have to change with our classrooms looking rather more Victorian. However, the fantastic staff team at Pott Shrigley will make this work for our children and make them feel as safe and secure as possible. They will also be teaching them according to their needs and focusing on their wellbeing and emotional and mental health. I look forward to the time when we might meet again. One of the last and most magical times we saw each other was enjoying the string quartet concert together back in January; I absolutely loved it. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time and I ask that you also pray for us over the next month as it will be extremely challenging for everyone to adjust to the ‘new normal’ in school. And we look forward to seeing you all too; the village is extremely quiet without the joyful (usually!) noise of the children in the playground.

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What a challenging time for children, parents and staff alike; we will continue to pray for you all, both for the situation as it is now, and as you prepare and move into the ‘new normal’. Ed.

Some Memories of a Mayor, Part Two Last month we heard of Hilda’s joys and challenges of being a Cheshire East Councillor and the Deputy Mayor of Cheshire East. This time she is the Mayor…(apologies to Hilda for erroneously naming her as the Mayor of Macclesfield last month.)

Hilda Gaddum In May 2015, I was made Mayor of Cheshire East at the annual mayor making ceremony at Tatton Park. This is followed by a light lunch for all the guests, and I was particularly glad that all my family were able to be there for that very special occasion. In the afternoon the council meeting started; the mayor is chairman of the council, which can be quite a challenging task with over 80 members present as well as public attendees and, despite having experts sitting alongside, one frequently has to think on one’s feet in order to keep the meeting moving whilst remaining aware of the needs of so many. There were numerous social occasions when HotPott - June 2020

one would meet up with mayors from other places as there are four in Cheshire plus many on the perimeter; when together we would be known as ‘The Chain Gang’. The mayor is the first citizen of the borough, taking precedence over anyone bar a member of the Royal Family or their representative. Some events were special for me, for example going to the Disley Well Dressing: continued → Page 7

my father had been vicar there and I was married in Disley Church. Our wedding reception was held at Lyme Hall, so an invitation to ‘Behind the scenes of the Antiques Road Show’ at Lyme Park, which I attended with the mayoress and the High Sheriff of Cheshire and his daughter, was another particularly special event. The show was filmed on a glorious but very breezy day and suddenly one of those vast umbrellas got caught in a gust of wind and flew into the air before crashing down! All somewhat dramatic. However, it was interesting to see the experts there and people moving from queue to queue to consult them. We were given tea and it was such a success that it led to a visit to the BBC Headquarters in Media City. As mayor, I also had the use of the mayoral Bentley and its drivers, which was an absolute joy for official occasions. I now had someone to ensure my chains were on properly before leaving, and as long as I was ready for the time I was given, it was no longer my problem if there were hold-ups on the way. It made a vast difference. Sadly, there was criticism of the council using such a car, but Bentleys are made in Crewe and the council was given a very good deal for using it. When a member challenged me about it, I did say that it seemed important to be supporting a local industry of such eminence. His reply was that ice-cream vans were also made in Crewe and I could use that instead!

Mayoral Bentley Page 8

Bosley mill explosion

There were splendid church services across the area and several memorable ones at Chester Cathedral: for example, the Annual Judges’ Service organised by the High Sheriff and the Emergency Services’ Carol Service. As a long-standing member of the WI, I was especially delighted to be invited to the WI Centenary Service and, of course, the lunch that followed at WI House. The services were all quite different and very special in their own way. In the July of my mayoral year the terrible explosion at the Bosley Wood Treatment Works happened. For the first three years of Cheshire East being in existence, Bosley had been in my ward and I knew many people in the area; it was an incredibly sad and very worrying time. Behind the scenes the logistics were amazing, including the Salvation Army, endless emergency service workers, the local WI making lots of cakes, all in a small, very shocked community. When the windows were blown out of the Methodist chapel, the vicar immediately made the church available to chapel members too. Everyone pulled together incredibly well through that appalling incident. One of the hard things for a mayor is to switch one’s mood and even wardrobe in a very short time. One of the more difficult times was when the Charity Football Match for Bosley fell on the same day as the Sutton Flower and Vegetable Show: I had accepted HotPott - June 2020

an invitation to open the show long before the football match was arranged. I therefore went to the football ground for the start of everything and then moved on to the show but found the change of mood extremely challenging. Another area that made life interesting was having prepared a speech in advance as requested, but on occasion not being called; conversely, I would go to an event where no speech was required and suddenly be called to ‘say a few words’! I had been invited to an event at a Bollington primary school and when we arrived, the head appeared looking very shocked! We had come to the wrong school as there were two primary schools on the same road! All was well, we merely moved on to the other school where I was expected!

War Memorial, Crewe Station

The remembrance season is a major part of the mayoral year, from the day itself to the many other earlier services such as the one in the Concourse Building at Manchester Airport which is attended by the vast majority of Manchester mayors. Another is held at Crewe Railway Station where there is a memorial in the First Class area to all the railwaymen who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. On the day itself, I attended the wreath laying ceremony in Crewe as deputy mayor and in Macclesfield as mayor.

Thanks to Hilda for such an interesting account of her busy year. We should remember and be thankful for all those who work in our local councils – in both paid and voluntary positions – to ensure our local services function, particularly at this difficult time.

the usual protocol was for us to stay as long as she was there; her thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated. An interesting year. I was very privileged to meet so many people who were doing such good in the community in all sorts of ways and I was so very grateful to have the opportunity to do so.

Any Royal visit that took place occasioned the mayor to be in attendance. I was at such an event at Arley Hall with the mayoress when the member of the Royal Family arrived. On departure, we were asked to go out to be ready for her leaving, but to the organiser’s horror there was no sign of the helicopter. Fortunately, after a few moments, there was the steady hum of the helicopter which had gone to refuel! The Countess of Wessex was the president of the Cheshire Show that summer and she was most kind in saying in advance that she intended to be there all day and that it was fine for us to leave whenever suited. It was such a considerate gesture as HotPott - June 2020

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Lockdown for a teenager On the evening of Wednesday 18th March 2020, the government announced that schools across the UK would close indefinitely due to the increased spread of coronavirus. The head of my school, Fallibroome, sent a letter to all parents on Thursday saying they’d been instructed to close the school at the end of the school day on Friday 20th March until further notice. Yesss! I thought. That sounds fantastic – Easter holidays in a couple of weeks, and no more school until… who knows when?!

best to follow their normal timetable routine by completing tasks relevant to the subject that they would normally be studying at that point in the school day. So, on that first Monday of school closure, Mum had me up and dressed at the usual time as if I was going to school. After breakfast I said ‘Bye’ to her and Dad, both of whom were now working from home, and went to my ‘classroom’ at my desk with a laptop and settled down to do the work set by my teachers for that day. It was quite fun, but I missed seeing my friends. That evening the UK was put under lockdown in an effort to help minimise the spread of coronavirus and enable the NHS to cope with increasing demand for care. Our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, ordered the British public: ‘You must stay at home,’ and announced a ban on gatherings and strict limits on exercise. I’d hoped to have met up with friends for a cycle ride later in the week, but clearly this wouldn’t happen now.

Tom Murphy

For the rest of the week I followed a similar pattern of working through my five school lessons each day, with a break for lunch and a quick game of chess with Dad before going back to start period 4. Once school was finished for the day, we started going out for a family walk as our daily exercise, trying to select routes from home where we wouldn’t bump into too many people. I hadn’t realised how tricky it would be trying to adhere to the social distancing rules and stay more than 2m (6ft) apart from anyone other than members of your household.

We duly finished school on that Friday at 3:30pm. It felt a bit weird – with that kind of end of term euphoric feeling, yet at the same time all rather subdued. The weekend started fairly normally until I realised that we’d had to cancel having Grandma and the rest of the family round for a Mother’s Day meal. And then we heard that church services wouldn’t go ahead as normal, so our Pott Shrigley Mother’s Day Family Service would be done differently – as a streamed service to watch from home. I planned to have a bit of a rest on Monday, but Mum had other ideas. School had told parents that teachers would continue to provide work for students during the school closure. They advised students to do their Page 10

Mum and I had a break from school studies over Easter, but then I resumed my lessons again once the holidays were over. We’re now into week eight of lockdown. Apart from the fear of people getting and becoming very poorly with coronavirus, I have to admit I’m enjoying some aspects of lockdown. HotPott - June 2020

School work isn’t too bad, and some of my teachers run virtual classrooms which I join through Google Meets so I occasionally get to ‘see’ and chat with some of my classmates. We’re spending a bit more time together as a family – playing board games, going out for walks… – since apart from Mum going out once a week for the food shop, we’re all at home together. I look forward to taking part in Youth Church via Zoom on a Sunday evening. And on a Friday, I have a Scout meeting via Zoom too. I've even had a virtual squash lesson on Zoom! My guitar teacher uses Facetime for my lesson each week, which I’m really enjoying. I love playing video games, so at the weekend I often play with a friend or my cousin. I've even found an app that allows me to play board games online with other friends! I’m getting used to watching rather than attending church on a Sunday and have had fun practising guitar to contribute to the

services as well as helping Mum to video a Godly Play style story every week for sharing with Junior Church. But I really missed being able to go away and meet up with friends at Easter. Usually, I play squash and go to the gym regularly at Bollington Leisure Centre, so I am disappointed that I can’t do either of these things at the moment either. I watch the news frequently and am interested to see the government’s change in regulations (but can’t see how it will affect my lockdown personally yet!). I understand that it will be a long process, but the government is looking at focusing on three areas: how the UK can restart its economy, how children go back to school and how people can go back to work. Whilst I’m quite happy not going back to school for a while (ever?...) I would like to be able to get out on my bike, go on holiday, meet up with friends and see my cousins again soon.

Youth Church Zooms on

Elanor Malyan closed for most of us.

Using videoconferencing app Zoom, Youth Church has continued to meet online throughout the lockdown for half an hour every other Sunday evening. This has proven really useful for us to keep in touch with each other whilst schools and church have been

Apart from being able to catch up and find out how we’re all getting on, we generally start off with a quiz followed by a look at what HotPott - June 2020

the Bible tells us about specific topics such as kindness or helping others in these difficult times. Thank you, Anne and the other leaders for keeping Youth Church going over the past few weeks, it’s been fun and gives us something to look forward to as well as helping us encourage each other when we miss seeing our friends. Page 11

PSCC Centenary: The Changing of the Guard Last time, we left PSCC addressing their drainage problems (again); more rain and waterlogging was to follow…

Graham Hackney Early in August 2010 friends and family gathered together to celebrate Derrick Brooke's 80th birthday. He had been having lapses of memory for some time, and twice got lost in his car, once in a wild snowstorm down in the Midlands: fortunately, a taxi driver took him to a police station and he was brought home. It was a cruel blow to Derrick, his son Ian and to all who knew him when the diagnosis of dementia was confirmed, a devastating illness for a man who had spent most of his life enjoying and working in the countryside, and for whom reminiscing with his friends was one of his greatest pleasures. We all wished him well in his fight against illness. At least he had taken pleasure and pride in seeing his book ‘Gone to Pott’ published. On the field, both teams finished in midtable but two batsmen reached the Cheshire League averages: Warren Barlow with over 600 runs was closely followed by Jamie Hart with 500. Rick Mattock topped the

Derrick Brooke Page 12

Jamie Hart

bowling with 44 wickets, while Jamie Hough was second in the league catches with 14. In 2011 the batsmen did even better, with five appearing in the league averages: Sam Cleaver was number one, narrowly beating Warren Barlow, Jamie Hart, the Kiwi (Kyle Paterson) and Jamie Hough. Matt Jackson’s bowling excelled: he took five or more wickets in five games though Kyle also had 14 victims as keeper plus four more in the outfield. Meanwhile, in the 2nd XI, Matt Tarr scored over 500 runs, but Steve Barlow top scored with a superb 122 not out. Rob Lea took the bowling honours, his 7-58 was his best return in taking 34 wickets. Good seasons indeed. 2012, however, was somewhat different: secretary Graham Hackney said this was the wettest year he had known. Problems started early in the year and didn’t get much better; it was Pott’s worst season ever for rain affected matches. Nevertheless, Warren Barlow still managed 507 runs; Alex Jackson topped the bowling with 30 wickets and Tim Barton’s 16 victims was joint second in the league wicketkeeping stakes. In 2013,, runs were less plentiful, but Matt Jackson’s 54 wickets saw him in 5th place in the league and two wicket keepers, Tim Barton and Joe Parker, 13 also made the league tables. Off the field, 2012 saw a change of president: Colin Bourne stood down; his local knowledge and leadership had been invaluable over the years. Colin had involved himself on many levels, such as constructing HotPott - June 2020

equipment to help stage events as well as representing the club over his twelve years in office. He was replaced by Robert Street, an enthusiastic cricketer and captain of the Sunday team. It was late in 2013 that Jamie Hart announced the tremendous news that the club had been awarded £50,000 Lottery funding towards the cost of upgrading the pavilion. The main focus shifted to raising the rest of the final cost, but plans were also made for the building work to be finished in time for the start of the 2014 season. But the winter weather then took control: soon after the digging started so did the rain, for what seemed like forty days and forty nights. The trenches were soon filled with water and stayed that way for weeks. Work stopped as the heavy vehicles became stuck in the deepening mud and further problems arose with builders not turning up, mainly because they had been sent on other jobs! Work then started to progress, but it became clear that it was not up to the required standard. As patience ran out, time was called on the builders and volunteers finished some internal jobs, whilst John Jackson and friends laid the paving.

The Old Horse

Robert Street

All was not happy on the field either: the 1st XI’s poor spell continued, and again a win in the last game was needed to avoid relegation but league leaders Haslington won the day. The juniors, on the other hand, were improving at all ages with the under 11s reaching their semi-finals and the under 13s unbeaten until losing in the play-off to a very good Bramhall side. Next time, the new pavilion opens, the field finally dries out (but rather too much) and the club loses some stalwarts. HotPott - June 2020

Not very long, I know to live No more work, no longer can I give Rides to that small boy astride my back No more cake, no stroking of my face No longer shall I have the moment’s grace My master gave, atop each hill. My mistress waits no longer at the gate The night is dark, it’s growing late, The dawn will on me shine no more It’s quiet here beside the pool, No more life, but the wind is cool That blows my spirit free. By Muriel Schofield Muriel wrote this poem in tribute to Dolly, the horse she and Brian ‘inherited’ when they moved to Needygate Farm in 1951. Dolly was a gentle creature who worked on the farm raking up hay and the like; son Glyn loved to ride on her back. Dolly died at a great age a few years later. Page 13

Memories of the war years, but not many of VE Day The inside front cover celebrates how many of our community rose to the challenge of celebrating VE Day in lockdown. As we had no village party to report I asked people of a certain age to tell me how they spent the original VE Day. Many had no particular memories of it, and those that did generally didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t partyâ&#x20AC;Ś Roy Stratford At the start of the Second World War I lived with my parents in Cardiff. In January 1940, during an air raid on the docks area, our house was hit by an incendiary bomb which ignited in the bathroom as we sheltered in the air raid shelter in the garden. My father, in the street outside, heard the bomb hit the roof and ran inside to investigate the damage. Fortunately, he and the other air raid wardens managed to put out the fire. As the bombing increased over Cardiff my parents decided that my elder brother Keith and myself should be evacuated to a safer place. Not long after, in late January, we were sent to relatives of my auntie living in a small village near Merthyr Tydfil, where we stayed for over a year. Rhigos was a little village of about 50 houses with a small church and a junior school, all set in beautiful countryside. During the air raids on Swansea at night we could see the glare of the burning buildings from our bedroom window. We attended the local school, and

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church on Sunday; fortunately, the services were in English (many in the South Wales Valleys were Welsh speaking). After school we went to play on a pathway used by the miners to walk to the coal mines nearby; it was Milking a Cow also close to a river. We were told off many times for getting our clothes wet and mucky. At the rear of the house was a dairy farm and my brother and I were taught to milk cows: no mechanical means in those days. As a treat we were allowed to have rides on horseback around the fields. As Rhigos lies at the bottom of a mountain and there was a lake part way up the mountainside, on fine days we often walked to the top of the mountain overlooking the lake, the village and the valley below. What a marvellous view it was and well worth the climb. On one occasion a plane crashed on the mountain top, but we never found out if it was a British or enemy plane. In 1942, after the bombing of Cardiff had virtually ceased, we returned home and resumed our education in our old schools, later going to night school in relation to our chosen professions, which were on the Great Western Railway; my brother was employed at Caerphilly railway works whilst I worked at various stations and depots over a wide area of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. After my apprenticeship finished National Service called and I went into the RAF. Despite the war Keith and I had a very happy childhood. HotPott - June 2020

Roy told me that VE Day wasn’t celebrated at home as his grandmother had died the day before, so they went to Swindon to be with other members of the family. Eileen Stratford was living with her grandparents, and remembers her grandfather commenting: ‘At least I don’t have to go fire watching in Manchester anymore!’ But there was no party. The aeroplane Roy refers to was a Hawker Hurricane assigned to the 79 Squadron, RAF Fighter Command, one of the so-called Eagle squadrons made up solely of US pilots. On 26th September, 1941 the aircraft had completed dog fight practice and was returning to Fairwood Common airfield when the Texan pilot, Early Wilson, encountered cloud and found himself below the mountain tops in the Rhondda Valley heading north to Rhigos; he pulled the Hurricane up sharply, but the engine stalled and the aircraft hit the ground. Details of the incident were censored, which explains why Roy didn’t know if it was a friendly or enemy plane, but one 11 year old, Len Pearce, heard the accident and went to the crash site with his friends, arriving before the police. On returning to the site more recently, he said: ‘Today, I would be terribly shocked. At that time, it was an adventure – getting near the plane and getting some souvenir bullets.’ Early Wilson was just 22 years old; his is one of 24 CWGC graves at St Hilary’s Church, Killay, Swansea. Editor. Pam Crewe: I must have been about 4 or 5 at the time and we (my mother and sister) were staying at my auntie's place in Loughborough. My father was still in Burma so didn’t come home until later as the war was still going on there. No party I’m afraid, not that I remember at that young age, though there was a lot of cheerfulness in the crowds outside and there seemed a lot of street celebration. My mother had a young baby she had to look after and I think my auntie helped her. My uncle was

away too. He was in the army I think. Jean Bennett, nee Chapman: I remember leaning over the parapet of the canal bridge in Bollington watching the soldiers march through as they returned from the war sometime after VE Day; seeing soldiers marching still evokes emotional memories for me. My father, Cecil Chapman, was a fireman, and therefore in a protected occupation, but nevertheless he volunteered (much to my mother’s horror – he didn’t consult her!) and served in the army. I vividly remember my father surprising me by jumping out from behind a door when he arrived on home leave after his basic training in 1943; he was sent overseas shortly afterwards. Although reluctant to talk about his war experiences he did tell us about one incident when General Montgomery demanded porridge for his breakfast; as one of Monty’s cooks my father was obliged to do this for him even though he was extremely busy cooking for others too. Unfortunately the porridge got burnt and was inedible; Monty demanded an explanation as to why his porridge hadn’t appeared so my father told him that he’d found mouse droppings in it! Very sensible – General Montgomery had a notorious temper. My father in law, Robin Matheson, concurred with the view that Monty was a difficult and fairly unpleasant man; Robin, who was ADC to Miles Lampson, Ambassador to Egypt and Sudan, met Monty in Cairo during the war and again in Hampshire after Field Marshall Viscount Cecil Chapman

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Montgomery of Alamein (as he became known) retired to Isington Mill, about 2 miles from the Matheson farm. It must be said, however, that Monty planned and delivered some of the great victories of the Second World War, and was a general who inspired loyalty in his men. Jean also remembers her mother digging up the front garden to plant vegetables; the recreation ground was also dug over and planted as Bollingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution to the Dig for Victory campaign. Glen Gem: The news of the end of the war reached us by wireless (as we called radio then) at about lunchtime in Bristol where we lived, and real celebration seemed to explode straight away. I was almost eight years old and although carried along in the all-round happiness, I was nevertheless puzzled and remember asking my mother endless questions. Did it mean there would be no more air raids? Were we sure that the Germans wouldn't land? Could we leave our gas masks at home? Bristol had suffered a great deal of bombing because it was close to Avonmouth Docks. My mother had taken my two sisters and me to stay with my father's family in a mining village in Wales at the start of the bombing, but her mother, my formidable grandmother, came to visit after a couple of months and was horrified when her three granddaughters came down from playing on the mountain covered in coal dust and decided we should go back to Bristol

and the bombs. My mother didn't need much convincing as she didn't really get on with her in-laws. Whether our street party was held on VE Day or soon after I can't remember, but we sat at a long table, many tables joined together I suppose, on a collection of chairs donated by all the families. There were lots of children and women but hardly any men. Most fathers were still away or working hard in reserved occupations; my own father was a detective with Bristol CID and sometimes left our house from the back garden, disguised as a dockworker as he was working undercover at Avonmouth Docks. There was an unbelievable spread of lovely food, how it had been assembled I can't think, but we were very impressed. I couldn't believe how tremendously happy all the grown-ups were; I knew my uncle, my mother's brother, was missing, believed lost. Neither she nor my grandparents believed he was lost, always hoping he would turn up for a long time after the war. David and I found his name on the war memorial and his details in the Book of Remembrance in Kranji Military Cemetery when we were living in Singapore. All in all VE Day was wonderful, never to be forgotten, and I realised just how important it was when my mother, always rather strict about bedtime, said that we could stay up as long as we liked that night and sleep in our own beds. For a long time we had slept in the bunk beds in the air raid shelter at the bottom of our garden to save being disturbed by the air raid siren and having to rush down the garden to safety! David Gem

Street party, Bristol Page 16

Although I was nearly 5 years old at the time, I have no memories of VE Day celebrations. Maybe this was because my mother would not have been able to enjoy the moment whilst my father was still serving in the Far East in Burma where hostilities continued HotPott - June 2020

back garden; the wail of the air raid siren was normal at any time of the day or night. Bombs did go astray, and a V1 ‘doodlebug’ fell near Stockport on Christmas Eve in 1944. On one occasion our house windows were blown out by a blast in Bramhall woods.

VE day programme Burma

until 15th August 1945, VJ Day. However, this programme shows that VE Day was still celebrated in Burma notwithstanding the ongoing fighting. John Ryley I’ve found it difficult to realise that hardly any of the neighbours I see on Thursday night claps, or who paraded round the estate for VE Day, were actually around when the war ended! Although I can remember the Silver Jubilee in 1935, Mrs. Simpson in 1936, and the day war broke out in 1939, my memory of VE Day is a little hazy. At the time I was almost 17 and waiting to do my Higher School Certificate for the second time, this time with scholarship papers, prior to university in the autumn. On the first VE Day we were living out in the country around Bolton where nothing much ever happened in our neckof-the woods, so on the day in question my brother and I were taken by my parents to the Astoria Palais de Danse in town. I didn’t do much in the way of dancing – I was terrified of girls at that stage – but it didn’t matter as the place was so full there was no room to dance! The wooden dance floor was laid on springs and moved up and down as we moved: a funny sensation. Audrey Bomford Living during the war was all I knew for the first years of my life. We lived in Bramhall and had an air raid shelter underground in the HotPott - June 2020

My sister and I had Micky Mouse gas masks and siren suits for those journeys down the garden, often at night, bundled up in blankets. We listened to the planes flying overhead; the drone of any plane terrified me. When playing in the garden, their black shapes low in the skies would send me running to get inside the house. ‘It’s one of ours,’ were usually the consoling words from my mother. My memory of VE day in 1945 was of the front garden decorated with bunting, Union Jacks above the front door and my sister and I being allowed to stay up. It was very late for us and I was in my nightie as we Audrey VE day 1945 climbed through the landing window to stand on the little flat roof over the front door. Below us were friends and neighbours with our parents, all singing, laughing, and jumping the drooping bunting. The thing that really stays with me is my mother looking so young and happy, laughing and behaving like I had never seen before. We weren’t allowed to join in though as it wasn’t for ‘kiddies’! Stan Heathcote One of the joys of lockdown has been toddling around the environs of Pott Shrigley and happening upon friends along the way and

continued → Page 17

having the time to stop to chat for a bit. On one of our forays down Spuley Lane, I asked Stan if he went to a party on VE Day, or if there were any celebrations that he knew about in the village (Stan lived at Green Close in those days). ‘Oh no, never anything of that…On VE Day I went with my father to Congleton to view a motorbike he was interested in buying; we were taken there by Jack and Charlie White who lived near the Miners’ Arms, but the trouble was that Jack and Charlie loved a drink, and stopped at every pub between here and Congleton; I was in the back of the van while all this was going on… I reckon every time they went to the pub I got a packet of crisps – with the little blue bag of salt in. When we got to Tytherington the police stopped us – my dad was told to drive, though he hadn’t driven a car before, and drove home with Jack telling him what to do…that

was VE Day…I don’t know what happened about the bike!’ Joan Matheson War broke out on my 21st birthday. I was in the Women’s Land Army at first, before being recruited into MI5 at Blenheim Palace. I spent the last years of the war working in Cairo for Special Intelligence Middle East (SIME), a job which involved travelling all around the

Mena House Hotel, Cairo in WW2

Celebrating VE Day, 1995 Page 18

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region. Living in Cairo was much easier than it was back in England – no rationing and better weather! We worked long, hard hours but we played hard too: riding in the desert, tennis and cocktails at the Gezira Club and parties at the exclusive Mena House Hotel, followed at dawn by climbing a pyramid, several of which were just opposite the hotel. I was married

about seven weeks before VE Day; I don’t remember a particular party (on VE Day, not our wedding!) but I’m sure we celebrated, probably at the Gezira Club or Mena House or possibly both, followed by the traditional pyramid climb – quite a difficult feat as the stones are so high.

Thank you… Very many thanks to all those who have submitted copy for inclusion in HotPott: in the absence of many of our regular activities I had wondered if it would be possible to fill the pages. How wrong I was! It is a joy to receive pieces from so many writers, a lot of whom are not regular contributors, and HotPott has benefitted so much from this. But… there will be more editions to fill, so please don’t rest on your laurels and keep your memories, your poems, your photos etc etc coming. The editor will be extremely grateful!. *** An efficiency expert was delivering a seminar on time management for a company’s junior executives. He concluded the session with a disclaimer: “But whatever you do, do NOT attempt these task-organising tips at home,” he said. When he was asked why not, he explained: “Well, I did a study of my wife’s routine of fixing breakfast. I noticed she made a lot of trips between the refrigerator and the stove, the table and the cabinets, each time carrying only one item. So, I told her: ‘Darling you are making too many trips back and forth carrying one item at a time. If you would only try carrying several things at once you would be much more efficient.’” He paused. “Did that save time?” one of the executives asked. “Actually, yes,” the expert answered, “It used to take her 15 minutes to fix my breakfast. Now I get my own in seven minutes.”

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Read the sign... On a maternity room door: “Push. Push. Push.” In a podiatrist’s office: “Time wounds all heels.” In a veterinarian’s waiting room: “Be back in five minutes. Sit! Stay!” In the front yard of a funeral home: “Drive carefully. We’re happy to wait. At the electric company: “We would be de-lighted if you pay your bill. However, if you don’t, you will be.”. Page 19

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HotPott - June 2020

Coffee Break

Across 1. See 23 Across 3. Where the thief on the cross was told he would be, with Jesus (Luke 23:43) (8) 8. Invalid (4) 9. Blasphemed (Ezekiel 36:20) (8) 11. Adhering to the letter of the law rather than its spirit (Philippians 3:6) (10) 14. Shut (Ecclesiastes 12:4) (6) 15. ‘This is how it will be with anyone who — up things for himself but is not rich towards God’ (Luke 12:21) (6) 17. Mary on Isis (anag.) (10) 20. Agreement (Hebrews 9:15) (8) 21. Native of, say, Bangkok (4) 22. Deaf fort (anag.) (5-3) 23 and 1 Across. ‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of — to work it and take — of it’ (Genesis 2:15) (4,4) Down 1. Struggle between opposing forces (Habakkuk 1:3) (8) 2. James defined this as ‘looking after orphans and widows in their distress and keeping oneself from being polluted by the world’ (James 1:27) (8) 4. ‘The one I kiss is the man; — him’ (Matthew 26:48) (6)

5. ‘Be joyful in hope, patient in — , faithful in prayer’ (Romans 12:12) (10) 6. St Columba’s burial place (4) 7. Swirling current of water (4) 10. Loyalty (Isaiah 19:18) (10) 12. ‘God was pleased through the foolishness of what was — , to save those who believe’ (1 Corinthians 1:21) (8) 13. Camp where the angel of the Lord slew 185,000 men one night (2 Kings 19:35) (8) 16. ‘There is still — — — Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet’(2 Samuel 9:3) (1,3,2) 18. David Livingstone was one (4) 19. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (1,1,1,1) ***

Customer: “I’ve been ringing you on 0700 2300 for two days. Why didn’t you answer?” Travel agent: “Where did you get that number from, sir?” Customer: “It’s there on the door to your Travel Centre.” Operator: “Sir, they are our opening hours.” HotPott - June 2020

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All you need is love Pott Shrigley based talent have joined forces to help produce a special ‘Thank You’ filmed tribute to the whole NHS family.

Steve Murphy Local film maker and photographer Rick Gem helped create the film with Josh Woods and Steve Murphy; they were joined by Laura Matheson and her Grannie (Joan) who both appear on screen. Launched last month the film – which has already received over 200,000 views online - taps into the nation’s gratitude to health workers helping in the Covid-19 crisis. It features children of nurses from Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, one of the leading mental health, learning disability and community health trusts in the country.

The children explain what their mums and dads do to help others before cutting to moving footage of NHS staff at work accompanied by a soundtrack of singer Rae Morris’ soulful cover of the Beatles classic The Magic of the Movies ‘All you need is Rick creating a ‘rain effect’ for an Love’. important scene. You can view the film at: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=6Ztm297nrxA Do watch the film if you haven’t seen it yet – or even if you have: it’s worth several looks! Editor.

Laura and Joan help underline the importance of home care.

Rick plays a homeless man getting help from the Street Car support team. Page 22

Please note that all cafes and pubs and some other businesses are currently closed due to COVID-19. HotPott - June 2020

Yet another lesson for a bell ringer… I like the idea of being in a band. The word conjures up fanciful notions of youth and of having some talent. Our band at St. Christopher's (like the church itself) is rather special.

Yvonne Foster The youngest member, Rose, is still at primary school. The oldest member (his name momentarily evades me) is retired. There's Tom in his teens and Laura who's a young adult, plus there's the rest of us who claim to be as old as we feel. The atmosphere is friendly and supportive. The range of ability spans from rank beginner to the impressive talents of Kath and Duncan who can ring just about any bell and method (the name given to the complicated patterns of sound you hear coming from bell towers). There's no sense of superiority or inferiority among the band members. This is crucial for me, and was especially so in the early days of learning to ring when my inadequacies were felt acutely. Everyone seems to remember what it was like in those early days of learning to master the basic skills, and so they're sympathetic and encouraging. Often Duncan, the tower captain, will delegate the calling of the bell changes to young Tom. Everyone, even Kath and Duncan, understands that there's always something to learn, and that destination perfection never arrives because it doesn't exist. When we mess up, we can all laugh and try again, and when it all comes good the pleasure of the achievement is a shared one. The absence of a competitive spirit means that band members can always be found rooting for one another, and pulling together (although never literally). At least not intentionally, Editor. HotPott - June 2020

Part of a method

Tom, having a good mathematical brain, often comes to my rescue. He can simultaneously see where he should be and where I'm supposed to be, and he has a knack of reassuring me just when I need it the most. For my part I give Tom a lift home. Spiralling down the tower stairs together at the end of the practice, I'm encouraged and built up by kind words: 'You did well tonight'. Maybe I won’t throw the towel in after all. 'Thanks Tom. I think you're amazing.' Surely, if our Lord Jesus walked in the flesh today He'd have a parable for His church, and it would be called: The Good Tower Band. It's definitely one of the many joys of ringing at St Christopher’s that we continue to learn from each other, and a great help when Tom’s incisive brain penetrates my somewhat bumbling response to learners’ questions to provide a concise and helpful answer! Page 23

Pott Shrigley Parish Council in Lockdownâ&#x20AC;Ś The parish council has been unable to meet during lockdown and virtual meetings have not been organised, but the clerk has continued to receive information by email from various sources and has either dealt with the matters arising or has consulted each of the councillors individually before taking any action. Jackson Brow Steps

Audit The clerk has completed the audit and the councillors have examined and approved the accounts. Scans of all relevant documents have been sent to Mike Akerman who has once again kindly agreed to audit the accounts. Planning application NP/CEC/0220/0196 Location: Nab Cottage, Shrigley Road, Pott Shrigley Proposal: current driveway entrance to be moved 14 metres along the front aspect of the property and set back from the road, thus making access safer. Current wall height to be raised to 1.8 metres using a combination of traditional/local stone walling, tall shrubs and wooden pedestrian and vehicular gates. Each councillor was consulted individually about this proposal and the decision to support the application was unanimous. Application for the addition of a public footpath from FP 13 Lyme Handley on the Macclesfield Canal to FP 13 to the southeast of Throstlenest Farm

As everybody has been keen to take their daily exercise and enjoy the lovely weather, the public footpath steps at Jackson Brow have seen a significant increase in traffic. They have always been difficult to climb because of their steepness and poor condition, but thanks to Cllr. Goodman spending at least three mornings clearing away the grass and weeds they are now significantly less hazardous. Unfortunately, he is unable to supply the oxygen tanks required to help with the climb! Page 24

As there is no parish council in Lyme Handley, the neighbouring council of Pott Shrigley was consulted about this application. Cllr. Boulton was able to supply a comprehensive account of the situation in 2015 which led to this application. Cllr. Goodman is also familiar with this path so walked it again, obviously as part of his daily exercise! Much of his subsequent report was included in the statement submitted by the clerk to Jennifer Miller at Public Rights of Way: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pott Shrigley Parish Council has no evidence of ever having discussed this footpath, FP13 in Lyme Handley nor the claimed addition. However individual members of the council have used this path HotPott - June 2020

which has been much upgraded in recent years, with two kissing gates, a very generous width fenced on one side, a gravelled surface for much of its route through the area and - not least - a (relatively recently installed) boardwalk of over 30 yards length (complete with handrail!) passing over what was the wettest section. In the past the condition and fencing made it difficult for walkers to find a way past the water/marsh which was obstructing a section

of the footpath not only, but particularly, in wet periods. Whatever the justification may have been then, the council finds it difficult to understand why the applicant is persisting with the application. The additional route seems to be unnecessary, being close to and almost parallel with, the established and much upgraded FP 13, and thus offers little or no apparent benefit to walkers or more generally to the local footpath network.’

Look Forward Is it best to look forward or into the past? Don’t know what’s coming, how long will this last. I crave to go forward, not stay here alone All human contact is done on the phone. A friend is someone who is always there To laugh, to console and especially care, But when life is not going according to plan We just have to do the best that we can. ‘The best that we can’ will just have to do, I cannot come round to visit with you. It’s out of our reach to shop till we drop All our pursuits have been given the chop. You must stay at home is the golden rule To avoid the virus that is ever so cruel. Family and friends we can no longer touch, The wonderful things that we miss so much. Thank God for the carers who queue for my needs, They dash to the shops to do their good deeds. Tho’ lives, as they know it, have been put on hold, They are showing the nation they have hearts of gold. I’d like to give them a really big hug For protecting so many from this terrible bug. I pray for the sick and the mourners no less And all of my thanks to the N.H.S. This lovely poem was written by Judy Siddall, a friend of Elizabeth Milner. HotPott - June 2020

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PCC Ponderings

The PCC meeting planned for 24th March 2020 was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak, but it takes more than a virus to put off the PCC, so – undaunted – we held a virtual meeting instead. Duncan was ahead of the game in deciding to circulate reports on the usual agenda items and emailed these to PCC members. He then collected comments and put various items out to vote. Approximately two weeks and some 60 (or was it 600?) emails later, business was concluded! The diocese has now issued advice recommending virtual meetings, so we can honestly say that St Christopher’s was there first. The congregation will be aware of the tremendous effort put in by the working party to strip the defective paint off the north wall. Nearly all of the paint was removed, revealing plaster which was found to be in good condition apart from some areas where repairs have been carried out over the years. Redecoration has so far involved applying five coats of lime wash, but the finish remained slightly patchy due to the variety of underlying materials. The PCC considered the options on how to proceed and agreed it would be best to leave the walls as they are and eventually apply more lime wash when needed. Huge thanks are due to David Garton and all the team who helped with this redecorating work. Since the PCC last met in January, a meeting of the Charitable Giving Sub-Committee was held. Every year St Christopher’s distributes to charity 10% of the church’s income for the previous year, not including grants, legacies or fund-raising. On this basis, the sum to be shared was £8,586, but this was rounded up to £8,890 to match the amount

distributed in 2019; the sums awarded to individual charities and missionary partners also exactly matched those awarded last year. The list included the amount of £300 to be given to Hope in NE Cheshire. After further discussion the PCC agreed that because of the immediate local need the amount to Hope in NE Cheshire should be increased by a second amount of £300. They also voted in favour of a further sum of £400 to be given to Hope Central as a one-off donation for their work in the local area during the current crisis.1 There was some doubt about when the decision to exclude grants, legacies and fund-raising from the charity distribution was made; grants tend to be awarded for particular works, but there was felt to be an argument for tithing the income from legacies and fund-raising. It was decided to defer discussion on this until we can meet face to face.

Ros Johnson

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Felling dangerous trees also improves the view! HotPott - June 2020

David Garton has been working hard managing various projects in the church buildings and grounds. One of these is the provision of an easy access pathway across the churchyard. The proposals have been endorsed by the Diocesan Advisory Board (DAC) but planning permission is still awaited.2 Another project is the installation of a new projector: permission has been sought from the DAC but since this exercise requires the posting of a public notice at the church for 28 days there will be a pause until everyone is out and about again to see it. Meanwhile David is seeking a quotation from the contractor for the installation works. David Garton has previously reported on a survey, completed in autumn 2019, of trees in the churchyard; this recommended pruning or felling various trees. An application was made to Peak Park in October for permission to do the work, and approval is also required from Archdeacon Ian Bishop. All the affected trees are in Pott Shrigley Conservation Area so Peak Park have six weeks to place a preservation order (TPO) on any of the trees they believe should be protected. Three are already subject to TPOs and require specific approval to be felled or heavily pruned; all of these (a yew and two hollies) are dying or dead and there was concern in recent storms that these could cause damage or injury. After some delay permission has now been granted and David is speaking to a contractor to enable the safety critical work to go ahead.3 The PCC also approved the installation of a lockable post to the village green access track at the west end of church where the minibus used to park, so now the post will deter unauthorised parking in this area. The PCC also agreed to take up a generous offer from the Village Hall Management Committee to finance the re-gravelling of the track. Many thanks to David Garton for his work in managing these and many other projects. Lastly, just before lockdown, everything was HotPott - June 2020

coming together to allow the church to be open for visitors each day. When services were cancelled the vicar did open and close the church for a few days for individual prayer, but then all church buildings were required to close completely. Once the situation returns to normal the church will be ready to welcome visitors again each day. Since this meeting was held in March, progress has been made: 1. Charities have received our donations, as below: Barnabas Fund £1,000 Open Doors £1,000 CPAS £1,000 Bible Society £550 Church Army £175 Clergy Family Trust £175 SIM (The Fazakerleys) £2,250 UFM Worldwide (McCleans) £2,250 Pott Shrigley Church School £190 (or total required for purchase of Bibles) Hope in NE Cheshire £300 Several ‘thank you’ letters have been received already. 2. Planning permission, with a few minor stipulations, has now been received. 3. Dangerous trees now felled. *** Every morning, a little girl would go in the bathroom to watch her mother as she was putting on her makeup to go to work. But during coronavirus, the mother stopped bothering with makeup, much to her daughter’s confusion. “Mummy,” she cried early on in the lockdown: “Come back! You forgot to kiss the toilet paper goodbye!” *** Did Eve ever have a date with Adam? No — just an apple *** Page 27

Missionary Matters

In accordance with SIM’s policy in Malawi, Megumi and Helen Fazakerley have been in voluntary lockdown for eight weeks now. Helen, who says she is an extrovert who thrives on social interaction, is finding things hard; the highlight of her week is going shopping - and hoping to meet someone for a talk! The first case of Covid-19 was confirmed in early April; numbers have grown very slowly, but whether this is a true reflection of disease spread or secondary to poor diagnostic facilities is not clear.

John Ryley The President of Malawi declared a state of disaster in March; all schools and colleges were closed but a proposed 21 day lockdown resulted in countrywide riots so did not proceed, though social distancing and staying at home remain official government policy. Where possible, people have adjusted their life at work and at home, but those who depend on day-to-day work for living continue their normal business out of necessity. The government allows a maximum of 100 people to gather, and as most congregations are fewer in number, most churches think it unnecessary to stop meeting; people feel that God is the

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only one to turn to for protection from the terrifying plague. Megumi has been asked to preach at Chilomini on June 7th but as the congregation will be present, because of SIM’s policy his sermon will be delivered by the pastor. Following decisions by the Supreme and High Courts, Malawi’s presidential election of last May, which was thought to be rigged, is to be re-run on July 2nd; it seems likely that vast crowds will gather for political rallies and many people are questioning whether restrictions on numbers gathering should continue. As with all educational establishments in Malawi, the Evangelical Bible College of Malawi (EBCoM) remains closed, and there is no way of knowing when or how the college can re-open. Before Covid-19, it was already in serious financial trouble: staff were told there was only enough money to pay salaries till June; options for significant restructuring are being considered and now the effects of Covid-19 have to be factored in too. Many schools have transitioned to online teaching. If EBCoM did the same, Megumi is concerned that some students may struggle to access the curriculum; if that can be overcome, virtual classrooms may be a useful way forward. But then, Megumi says, does that mean we could all be virtual missionaries, teaching from the UK? Megumi is now working on Romans and trying to devise some 3-D illustrations to use in teaching. Daughter Elizabeth is working in Australia in a special health centre for the indigenous population, son Joshua has passed all necessary vetting and starts with the Metropolitan Police in September, and daughter Mary is nearing the end of her first year at Liverpool University, in the middle of on-line exams. She is also the main carer and visitor for her grandfather John. Unfortunately, as Helen’s stepmother lives in a care home, John cannot visit at present. HotPott - June 2020

The Fazakerley’s support is currently 78% of what it needs to be; they hope to garner further sponsorship in the UK during their planned visit between August and January. Please pray. Johnny and Ann McClean are keeping busy with ministry in Bangkok. Reported numbers of cases of Covid-19 remain low and parks, restaurants and small businesses have been allowed to reopen under strict conditions. The impact of the lockdown on the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable in society is devastating, and the church is trying to support members who have been made redundant. They are also hoping to show the love of Christ to those in the Mahathai slum community who receive the ‘life saving

bags’ church members are distributing there. Johnny and Pastor Pramote broadcast a weekly Sunday service on Facebook and Sunday school teachers are working with Ann to provide a short lesson each week on YouTube; parents say how much the children enjoy this weekly ‘drop in’ from their Sunday School teachers. The children also enjoyed receiving a packet of colouring sheets and crayons plus a small treat over the Easter holidays. In her ‘day job’ Ann, plus the rest of the staff at school, continues to teach full time on-line. Please pray for son Matthew who is trying to persuade King’s College, London to accept him to study law as a British rather than an international student; a lot of money he doesn’t have is at stake!

The Suffering Church In many parts of Africa famine, drought, flooding or plagues of locusts are adding to problems caused by the coronavirus. In Zimbabwe a pastor asked: ‘So how shall most of us survive?’ Drought during three of the previous five growing seasons, with 2019 seeing the lowest rainfall in decades and temperatures of 50ᵒ, saw Zimbabwe experiencing one of its worst acute food insecurity situations by the end of last year, with at least 3.6 million rural people in food crisis. Many children are malnourished; families skip meals, take their children out of school, sell their precious livestock but still can’t avoid debt. Further erratic weather in early 2020 led to badly damaged crops; then coronavirus arrived. The poorest rural people, without radio or mobile phones, without church meetings, without Zimbabwean Christian girl HotPott - June 2020

visits from their pastors or neighbours, have no idea what they should do about the virus. Life in Zimbabwean cities, where people work or trade for a living, is just as difficult: existing hyperinflation, shortage of currency, lack of fuel and long power outages have been compounded since 30th March by lockdown, which brought an immediate end to most opportunities to earn. ‘Most of our people live from hand to mouth. So you work in the morning, you buy food in the evening,’ wrote a Zimbabwean evangelist to Barnabas Fund. ‘Everything locked up now … Security forces have closed down almost everything. Sometimes, when you are told to stay indoors, you are forced by hunger. Whichever way, you are going to die, either by corona or by hunger.’ Barnabas Fund is trying to help; will you help them do so? Violence continues between Muslim Fulani herdsmen and Christian farmers in Nigeria; murders, and theft of animals, crops and land are common. Uniformed military personnel were allegedly involved in two attacks continued → Page 29

Evacuating village after Fulani raid, Nigeria

on Christian farmers in late April when at least 13 Christians were killed, and many taken hostage: some, but not all, have since escaped. Other attacks have left Christian farmers dead; looting of large quantities of food and livestock and the burning of homes is also happening. Many Christians in rural communities have taken refuge in nearby towns in what are described as ‘grim conditions’ under the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown. Good news! A pastor in Myanmar (Burma) abducted at gunpoint by Buddhist militants (possibly members of Pastor Tun and family, Myanmar the Arakan Army aka AA) in January 2019, and reported killed, was released alive in March 2020. Pastor Tun is now reunited with his wife and three children; he described his captivity as: ‘the most hellish time of my life, be it spiritually, mentally, and, in particular, physically.’ The AA is an ethnic Buddhist rebel military force engaged in an ongoing conflict with the Myanmar Army in the region. The church in China is still growing tremendously and Christians outnumber Page 30

members of the communist party; President Xi is not happy and persecution Police entering house church in China of Christians seems to be increasing. A church member had two ribs broken when 100 police forced their way into an unofficial house church service in Fujian province in early May to shut it down. In Xiamen, police were videoed forcibly removing members of Xingguang Church meeting in a private flat; this was extremely frightening for the children present. About 20 Christians were at the service and several bravely carried on singing the hymn Amazing Grace as the police began seizing mobile phones; six Christian men were detained by the police but released later that day. In April, authorities arrested a pastor of Bethel Church in Hunan province, accusing him of: ‘inciting subversion of state power.’ Both churches have experienced growing pressure and harassment for refusing to register with the state-sanctioned Three Self Patriotic Association, though registration does not guarantee immunity to persecution in China: hundreds of official and unofficial churches are experiencing increasingly repressive measures including the arrest and imprisonment of pastors, the installation of surveillance cameras inside churches and the removal of religious symbols and texts from display. But on the other hand, the Bible Society reckon Bibles are being printed in China. A better read than Mao’s Little Red Book! Please continue to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. Information sourced from Barnabas Fund and CSW websites, with thanks. HotPott - June 2020

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SPARKLING AFTERNOON TEA FROM Â£9.50 PER PERSON

TO BOOK CONTACT US ON 01625 575757 or email reservations@shrigleyhallhotelandspa.co.uk pott Shrigley, nr Macclesfield, Cheshire, sk10 5sb

HotPott - June 2020

Page 35

BARROWS TRADITIONAL BUTCHERS

Est since 1890

1 Henshall Road, Bollington. Tel: 01625 572110

Recipe of the Month

Salmon pasta with sundried tomatoes This is a Swales’ family favourite for lunch or supper. Looks delicious! Serves 4

Kim Swales Ingredients: Main dish 3 pieces of fresh salmon Small jar of sundried tomatoes 7 cloves garlic 300g pasta (I use farfalle) Fresh basil leaves Olive oil Garnish Pine nuts Rocket Method: Cook pasta and salmon Chop garlic finely and fry gently Add drained chopped sundried tomatoes and a few shredded basil leaves. Drain pasta when cooked. Flake cooked salmon. Add to saucepan with garlic and mix. Garnish with roasted pine nuts and rocket. Rose Queen photographs… Apologies to all those I pestered to get Rose Queen photographs to me in time for publication in this issue – the war/VE Day memories came flooding in and have taken lots of space, so Rose Queen will feature next time, which is actually when they appear in HotPott in a normal year… Sorry. So… if you haven’t sent your Rose Queen photos in yet, there’s still time. Scanning them to me on kmmpott@yahoo.co.uk with as high a resolution as possible is good, or if that isn’t practicable for you Duncan would be happy to photograph your photos – but we would need to borrow them for a few days. Happy to come and pick them up… from a safe distance of course. Thanks, Kath. HotPott - June 2020

Page 37

Virtual Services June 7th. 10.45am

Virtual

Click here to watch

David Swales and Anne Murphy

Virtual

Click here to watch

David Swales and Anne Murphy

Virtual

Click here to watch

David Swales and Anne Murphy

Virtual

Click here to watch

David Swales and Anne Murphy

Virtual

Click here to watch

David Swales and Anne Murphy

14th. 10.45am

21st. 10.45am

28th. 10.45am

July 5th. 10.45am

Please note: • All virtual services will be streamed live on the Pott Shrigley Church Facebook Page. • A direct link to the live stream will be posted the week before in SPICE & on our website • A free and easy to create Facebook account is required to watch the live service. • A replay of each service will be available after the event and linked from the services page of the church website. No account or login details are required. For electronic readers these links are in the rota above (please allow time for editing - expected afternoon/evening each Sunday). Readers

Prayers

June 7th

Carole Taylor /Jonathan Hutton

Sandy Milsom

14th

TBA

21st

David or Rick Gem

Anne Murphy

28th

Mike Akerman

Audrey Bomford

July 5th

Ian Malyan /Audrey Meecham

Pam Cooke

We hope that the people listed above, whose names are on the rota drawn up before lockdown, will still be able to contribute to the online service, but of course this may not be possible for everyone, so readers and prayers may change, and be a surprise some weeks! Anyone who is not currently on the reading/prayer rota would be most welcome to join it – please contact David Swales.

Thinking about advertising in this magazine?

For commercial or private advertising, please contact us for free advice and very reasonable rates: magazine@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk Page 38

HotPott - June 2020

Page 39

Directory Priest-in-charge:

Rev. David Swales, The Vicarage, Spuley Lane, SK10 5RS

575846

vicar@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk Readers:

Dr John Ryley (Reader Emeritus), 2 Wych Lane, Adlington, SK10 4NB

829595

Parish Assistant:

Gillian Mosley, 129 St Austell Avenue, Macclesfield, SK10 3NY

829819

Churchwardens:

David Garton, veronagartons@btinternet.com

573492

David Gem, Ridge Hall Farm, Ridge Hill, Sutton, Macclesfield, SK11 0LU

01260 252287

davidgem@gmail.com Verger:

Situation Vacant

PCC Secretary:

Ros Johnson, 32 Tapley Avenue, Poynton, Cheshire, SK12 1XX

PCC Treasurer:

Peter Kennedy, kennedyp@tuckerssolicitors.com

Gift Aid & Planned Giving:

Sally Winstanley, 3 Green Close Cottages, Pott Shrigley, SK10 5SG

Organists:

Mary Currell, 61 Crossfield Road, Bollington, SK10 5EA

875902

pccsecretary@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk 07850 740335 574545

sjwinstanley.ps@gmail.com 573735

marycurrell61@btinternet.com David Garton, as above

573492

Andy Phillips, 26 Hurst Lane, Bollington, SK10 5LP

07881 358976

andyphillips@totalise.co.uk Weekly Bulletin:

David Gem, as above

Electoral Roll and Safeguarding officer:

Kath Matheson, Church View Cottage, Pott Shrigley, SK10 5SA

01260 252287

Tower Captain:

Duncan Matheson, Church View Cottage, Pott Shrigley, SK10 5SA

574983

kmmpott@yahoo.co.uk 574983

dmmpott@yahoo.co.uk Pastoral Care Team:

Kim Swales, The Vicarage, Spuley Lane, SK10 5RS

575846

Church Guild:

Georgina Wray, 14 Paladin Place, Bank Close, Macclesfield, SK11 7HE

615547

georginawray@btinternet.com Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ministry:

Anne Murphy, 14 Silver Street, Bollington, SK10 5QL

575768

annemurphy1214@gmail.com Praise and Play:

Celia Fraser, Rose Cottage, Bull Hill Lane, Rainow, SK10 5TQ

665054

celiaxfraser@gmail.com Parish Council Clerk:

Joyce Burton, pottclerk@btinternet.com

Wedding Coordinator:

Pam Cooke, weddings@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk

Head Teacher:

Joanne Bromley, Pott Shrigley Church School, SK10 5RT

573260

head@pottshrigley.cheshire.sch.uk Website:

Tess Phillips, 26 Hurst Lane, Bollington, SK10 5LP

PCC Members:

Dr John Ryley, Duncan Matheson, Sally Winstanley, Peter Kennedy, Ros Johnson, Andy Phillips, Pam Cooke, Eileen Buffey, Ian Clarke, Mary Currell, Mike Akerman, Sheila Garton, Ian Malyan, David Garton, Kim Swales, David Gem, Anne Murphy, Kath Matheson, Chris Day.

info@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk

(please prefix numbers with 01625)

This directory was updated on 22nd May 2020. Please give corrections and additions to magazine@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk