HotPott Summer 2020 by Pott Shrigley Parish Magazine

£1 Summer 2020

Pott Shrigley’s Church & Parish Magazine

David’s Deliberations Dear friends, I’m enjoying the memories Google Photos is sharing with me at the moment. This time seven years ago Kim and I were walking the Camino de Santiago, the pilgrimage route in northern Spain, and it’s lovely to be reminded, via a daily diet of photos, of our progress and the adventures we had.

Content

working non-stop may fit some people’s idea of ‘what you should be doing’, but rest, re-creation, reflection also have a vital place. And even the ‘holiday again?’ brigade will benefit, hopefully, from a refreshed and reenvisioned vicar!

David’s Deliberations

Faith in lockdown … and not swotting

Gill’s journey

John Pleeth

Coming Home

A little more on VE Day, VJ Day and the rest of the war

The Bible enshrines this in the concept of Sabbath (from which the word sabbatical comes, of course). The creation narrative in Genesis, when read properly, tells us some fundamental things about the nature of our world and of our own selves: and a prominent feature is the rest God took on the seventh day – and in turn commanded us to take (read the fourth commandment in full: Exodus 20.8-11). We humans aren’t designed to function without the proper balance of work, rest and play. This was the basis, years ago, of the Keep Sunday Special campaign, which I strongly supported. It might seem quaint now that we tried to resist the inevitable march of commercialism and consumerism into every space of our lives but I think that, while we might have gained a modicum of convenience, as a society we have lost a lot more – which is what many of us feared. I still avoid shopping on continued →

Oliver's lockdown experience

Lockdown disaster

Meeting one’s spouse

Pott Shrigley Rose Queen Festival… but not as we know it

Coffee Break

PSCC Centenary: sad losses and ‘new’ pavilion

How to use your face mask

Missionary Matter

Pott Shrigley Parish Council continues in lockdown…

Suffering Church

Recipe: Denise’s Delicious Lemon Curd Ice Cream

Virtual Services

David Swales

Our Camino was part of my sabbatical: three months away from normal life and duties. Clergy are permitted to do this after a number of years’ service and can use the time for a whole variety of things. Some delve into the academic world. Some experience church life and ministry in contexts and places far from their own. Others embark on adventures: last summer I followed the progress of a colleague who travelled with his family from Liverpool to Cambridge by canal boat. One colleague wrote a novel. Sabbatical is a time to recalibrate, to be resourced, to be renewed.

Most of us who have had that privilege have also had to contend with the inevitable ‘On holiday again, vicar?’ comments (not confined to sabbaticals, I’m afraid!). We don’t mind (much…), but it does miss the point: simply HotPott - Summer 2020

This Edition

Summer 2020 Page 3

Sundays. I have been made to think again about Sabbath in recent weeks, as this time has had more than a hint of the sabbatical about it for many. Yes, lockdown has actually curtailed freedom – whereas seven years ago I was, briefly, gloriously free! And, yes, there has been a very wide range of experiences, bitter and difficult ones for many, over these months. But many have had the unexpected – if enforced – ‘Sabbath’ experience of stopping what they were doing, of stepping aside from the established routine, and, perhaps, of assessing their lives and priorities.

It’s easy to be simplistic; the trauma and damage which has been visited upon us as a society are huge; the lessons to be learned, let alone the problems to be solved, are unimaginably complex. I don’t disregard any of that. But equally I would hope that we can take some positive things forward into the new normal. And if that includes recapturing an appreciation of the true meaning and value of Sabbath, then I think we will have gained something very important. Your friend and vicar, David

Faith in lockdown… and not swotting Along with the rest of mankind stuck in isolation, I got better at doing some things whilst other skills went decidedly rusty. The skills I honed were: juggling with three balls, using WhatsApp and Zoom, talking and listening to God, cutting my own hair, free motion quilting and running faster and further with my sister Lynn who, assisted by her Apple Watch, kept me motivated by regular feedback of our improvement in pace and distance. Tasks that went to pot were: housework – nobody was likely to call, and if they did they couldn't come in to appreciate the mess and so... one learns a lot about one's self in a lockdown. Ringing the church bells became a distant memory. The books The New Ringer's Book and Learning the Ropes, given to me by Kath, got buried somewhere underneath an assortment of patchwork fabrics and personal possessions. I was missing ringing on a Sunday morning, and the spectacles which now viewed the challenges of Thursday night's practice had even acquired a rosy

tint, however the inspiration and motivation for swotting up on the theory of ringing just couldn't be found. What's the point of knowing the theory if you can't practise it? Rattling through some skills, which are good for the over sixties to learn in order to keep the brain's neurological pathways active, my adult children had suggested I learn a foreign language. A similar response was forthcoming: 'What's the point? When would I use it?'

Yvonne Foster

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And so at the start of lockdown important questions posed themselves: How could my faith be practised in isolation? Where would I find the motivation to persevere, separated from my Christian brothers and sisters?

Reflecting back on my time in isolation, a verse from scripture comes to mind: 'Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.' And so I give a heartfelt 'thank you' to all HotPott - Summer 2020

those who have kept my faith alive and active: •

to God Himself, who never left me,

•

to Anne, and members of the Zoom home group,

•

to David's SPICE Pott and everyone's daily contributions and weekly prayers,

•

to Andy and Tess and all those who have helped to bring us a live service on Sunday morning.

•

to family and friends for personal texts and phone calls.

How blessed we have been, and are, to have faith in God and fellowship with one another.

Gill’s journey Question: ‘Who spends longest in church on a typical Sunday morning?’ Answer: ‘The vicar?’ No! Most weeks it's Gill Mosley, the only other person apart from David who regularly attends and helps at both our services. More than that, while David pops home for a 9.30 breakfast, Gill stays on and is often one of the last to leave at the end of the morning... When an eagled eyed member of the PCC spotted that it was 21 years on 18th June since Gill was commissioned as our parish assistant, we thought it an occasion to mark: as the paragraph above indicates, Gill quietly beavers away doing all sorts of unsung tasks. Lockdown put paid (so far) to a celebratory gathering, so we thought we would find out a little bit more about this self-deprecating but much valued member of our church community… When did you first attend St Christopher’s? My family moved to Kerridge and lived in a caravan on the drive whilst house alterations were completed. I was a weekly boarder at school and my brothers were away at school or university. This was in April 1957 and HotPott - Summer 2020

we started going to St Christopher’s at the same time. How did your faith develop? When I was 14, the vicar, Mr Siviter, held confirmation classes which I attended alongside others who later become part of St Christopher’s Youth Club. I was confirmed by Bishop Ellison (later to be Bishop of London) on 15th June 1962; I felt there was to be a change in my life, but I didn’t know at the time. My father died in September 1962; I still like to do flowers in his memory. I went along to the youth club at the vicarage: table tennis in the garage for the boys and girls to the living room to talk to Mrs Siviter. In 1964 the club went on a holiday to Mauldeth College in Scotland for a week of services, prayers and sightseeing; the first time I’d

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been away without the family. Later, Mr Siviter encouraged me to go on weekends for Christian teaching; one was run by Bishop Ellison, with speakers Edward Patey, Dean of Liverpool, a lady doctor who talked about conception (to the horror of the lads) and Brother Ronald, an Anglican friar. Three years later Brother Ronald attended a deanery weekend in Bollington; he approached me and said: ‘Hello Gillian,’ which cemented the friendship between us. He talked about the Focolare Movement, which is inspired by Jesus’ prayer: ‘May they all be one’ (John 17:21) and aims to promote a more united world where people value and respect diversity. Towns were established for followers of the movement and Brother Ronald needed someone to be a link with the first of these, which is near Florence: I volunteered and on Easter Day 1970 flew to Rome with a party of well over 100 people, led by Father Green. When he learnt that Brother Ronald had suggested I join the trip, he said: ‘in a group of people Brother Ronald would shine through.’ On Easter Monday we had an audience with Pope Paul VI. He entered on a chair lifted up high and I was standing on a wooden form looking at him, seeing him look towards me I smiled at him, knowing we both loved Jesus. The audience was all in Italian except for the Blessing, which he repeated in several languages including English. Whilst in St Peter’s, we saw the famous Pieta sculpture before it was damaged by someone taking a

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hammer to it! We visited the city sights before attending a retreat run by the founder of the Focolare Movement (Chiara) and Paul. I received a book of prayers each month from Focolare for many years afterwards. In subsequent years I attended many other courses, including one for youth leaders, which was mandatory if one wanted to work at a Cheshire County Youth Club, and a counselling course; both helped in my job as a specialist officer at the DHSS. What was involved in becoming a parish assistant all those years ago? When Bishop Peter was appointed, he wanted to meet people from the parishes; I went to a weekend event on behalf of St Christopher’s and whilst there, was invited to attend the weekly meetings held by parish assistants in Macclesfield, where I was advised to start the parish assistants’ course soon as it was likely to become a degree course. Therefore, I asked the vicar, Geoffrey Greenhough, if he would support me in becoming a parish assistant. Firstly, I completed a module called Growth on the Agenda; this resulted in us asking people in the congregation to choose a few people they could pray for or be in touch with regularly. Other modules included Prayers, Knowing Jesus, Listening and Speaking about Jesus Christ to a congregation, following which I delivered the homily at an 8.30 service when Geoffrey was ill. I also completed a survey of everyone on the church electoral roll to ascertain what percentage of them attended church, and what they liked about it; there was a good response to this. Geoffrey encouraged me to visit people he wasn’t able to and to be the coordinator for the prayer groups. In April 1997 I took over Mr Ashworth’s sidesman and reader duties at the 8.30 services. I completed the course, and on 18th June 1999 was commissioned and blessed by Bishop Geoffrey of Birkenhead in Chester Cathedral, and licensed to work at Pott Shrigley. Holy Communion followed, HotPott - Summer 2020

getting any kind of prize. I decided not to enter another competition, to end on a HIGH, but I continue to arrange St Christopher’s flowers each week and have done flowers for weddings (and funerals) at church as well as elsewhere. I also prepare bunches for loved ones, if asked. How has your role at St Christopher’s evolved over the years?

with Geoffrey and his wife Irene also present. What are your happiest memories associated with St Christopher’s? My confirmation, my brothers’ weddings, baptisms of three nieces, being in the choir at weddings and Carols by Candlelight services. Doing sideman’s duties at the 8.30 services and, when needed, taking antecommunion services too. Being a prayer reader at the 10.45am service. Representing St Christopher’s at the deanery and diocesan synods. We all admire your beautiful flower arrangements. Tell us a bit more about this. Initially, flowers in church were done by my mother whilst I looked on till one day she said it was time for me to do it. In 1998, my sister in law Carole gave me five lessons on flower arranging at the Wilmslow Guild; thereafter I had lessons for 25 weeks of the year! After the arrival of John Buckley as priest in charge, my parish assistant duties lessened so I took the opportunity to attend Hyde College over the next three years to gain qualifications in Floral Art. I also trained to be a demonstrator but failed the test, the only one out of eight of us. My mother used to say: ‘Not everyone can pass or win, you have to learn to try again.’ I used to enjoy competitions – both local and national. The last national I entered was in 2017: I got a First in my class, never before HotPott - Summer 2020

When we were ‘between vicars’ Duncan asked me to help with the communion cup at the 8.30 services as he could get a vicar to do the services if there was an assistant; I duly offered to help out. I still do sideman’s duty twice per month, which has carried on with Vicar David, and stay for the 10.45 services when I can sing, which gives me a buzz. Gill has also helped out at many social events, completed the baptism register and certificates and sung regularly in the choir! Editor. What do you enjoy most about Pott Shrigley Church now? I have always considered that St Christopher’s is my church family, more so now than earlier years. I enjoy David’s sermons and his playing on the guitar; also, the way he has with people to make them love the church and its teaching. During lockdown I have the services as part of my weekend but would like to say a big ‘Thank you’ to all those who have made them happen – people like Anne and Co and Sheila and David for the music. Thanks as well to Pam for the daily emails, to David for making his sermons available in written form (helpful in case I miss something) and to Kath and Duncan for HotPott. It’s given me pleasure to know that the streamed services will continue when we are allowed in church. I also want to thank the people who make our church revolve around the love of Jesus Christ. I send everyone greetings, with love and affection. Page 7

Coming Home There’s a table in my garden near the window where I sit, drinking early English Breakfast tea with Weetabix and vits. As dawn turns into daylight, binoculars to hand I wait and watch in wonder, as one by one they land. Blackbird, blue tit, coal and great; finches, robin, thrush and mate descend with speed and peck in haste, in awe I watch and wait. But all is not idyllic for invading pigeons come, They fill the space and peck with haste, bird table’s not for them. To gardeners they’re a menace, consuming growing greens, and even when they try to sing, they’re out of tune it seems. Far removed from skylarks, when ‘song’ was handed out, not born to be sopranos, of that there is no doubt! But wait! My conscience whispered – Ponder Pigeons Past! Though uniformed in feathers, in war they played their part. Serving with the tank corps, saving lives at sea, flying with the RAF, part of each company. Through bullet, smoke and battle sound, they bravely flew alone; they came, one aim, proclaim the urgent need of help, or news of victory from the front, one purpose, to communicate and bring their message home. A quarter million pigeons of the bravest and the best, have also been forgotten, like so many men, at rest. In memory of their fallen, my loathing turned around; in thankfulness, I scatter seeds each morning on the ground. Courageous pigeons teach me, that courage can be honed to sharpen inner strength to fly above the battle sound of life – with all its sorrows, pain and strife, like them, we must have purpose when we have to fly alone. Take heart – and spread your wings! Feel lifted and be strong! As you hear the oft repeated message in their rhythmic, tuneless song; You can’t look down, You must look forward For then you will come home! Page 8

by Audrey Bomford HotPott - Summer 2020

This poem from Audrey really resonated with me: I too should remember not only the contributions made by creatures now considered (by me) to be somewhat of a nuisance, but also learn from their steadfast focus on their task, ignoring distractions and dangers to get an important job done. Cyrus the Great, who ended the Jews’ captivity in Babylon in the 6th century BC, used homing pigeons to communicate with the far reaches of his empire, but perhaps more familiar is their use as a means of communication between mobile forces (sometimes behind enemy lines) and stationary headquarters in World War One (and Two). One of these intrepid birds was Cher Ami, who was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Palm for heroic service delivering vital messages during the Battle of Verdun. Her last mission in October 1918 saved the lives of 194 US soldiers who were surrounded by enemy forces; sadly, Cher Ami was shot on the way home and arrived at base with fatal injuries, the crucial message hanging from a ligament in her shattered leg. A brave bird indeed. The poem also reminded me of my junior doctor days, when I found it all too easy to forget that behind every elderly confused person who seemingly took delight in frustrating my efforts to take a good history from them (helpful, but not essential, in diagnosis of illness), or who had pulled their drip out at 2am (necessitating my ejection from bed as these were the long-gone days when only doctors replaced cannulas), or whose dementia caused them to be abusive, there was a person who had been young like me once, and who had in all likelihood made a hugely valuable contribution to society HotPott - Summer 2020

through war or some other service. And what a message for our Christian journey: as St Paul said in his letter to the Philippians: ‘Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus’. Still trying to think of what use grey squirrels are/have been though… Editor *** Coronavirus: For the first time in history, we can help save the human race by lying in front of the TV and doing nothing. Let’s not mess this one up! *** Yeah, I have plans tonight. I’ll probably hit the living room around 8 or 9. ***

John Pleeth We were very sorry to hear that John had died after a very long and distressing illness, but are sure in the knowledge that he is now at peace with God. Our heartfelt sympathy and love to John’s family – Mary, Anne & Rachel, Steve & Jamie and Tom, Matt and Lewis. We hope to bring a fuller tribute to John in a future edition of HotPott. Page 9

A little more on VE Day, and then there’s VJ Day… and the rest of the war When I asked a little while ago for people’s memories of VE Day I naively expected to hear from lots of our more mature friends in the congregation of street parties and general jollification; this possibly stemmed from listening to the stories of the VE celebratory street parties my mother and grandparents reminisced about when they were talking about ‘old Burslem’. As ever, lots of people generously shared their stories, but most had no specific memories of VE Day – or, like Stan, they did have memories, but parties didn’t feature in them! I pinned my hopes for information about Pott Shrigley’s VE Day party on Geoff Parker. However, on his return from Spain Geoff told me: ‘Nothing ever happened in Pott Shrigley before Kay (Penney) and Dorothy (Stewart) organised things. The war didn’t really impinge on my childhood – I played with my friend Eddie Cooper from Jackson Brow and enjoyed myself.’ Hey ho. Geoff joined the activities Kay and Dorothy initiated, including amateur dramatics; whilst rehearsing for a play called ‘The Vigil’ he offered to walk a certain young lady home – Wendy Bunce, and

that was the start of their courting and many happy years of marriage. Geoff and Wendy had both been at school at Pott and Poynton but as Geoff was two years older, he told me they didn’t Geoff Parker socialise much then, though Wendy, who was usually late for the Poynton School bus, relied on Geoff’s younger brother Raymond to park her bike in the Parkers’ garden for her whilst she scrambled onto the bus! Geoff had a period away from Pott School too: ‘Not sure why, but Mum fell out with Miss Featherstone at Pott so I went to Church Street School, Bollington for a bit…’ Perhaps mum and teacher disagreed about Geoff and his mate Eddie breaking into school on occasion and, when bored one evening, shoving a lit newspaper through the school letter box to set the place on fire?! Dennis Melville does remember VE Day and, ably assisted by wife Rhona, kindly sent these memories of the war years:

Dennis Melville (front 4th from L), Duke of York's Royal Military School, Saunton Sands, by temporary classrooms Page 10

‘In June 1940 I was evacuated to South Wales alongside my sister Rose, but somehow we got separated and subsequently didn’t see each other for six months. Rose stayed with a lovely family but my experiences as an evacuee were difficult: I had six different homes until 1943 when I went to board at the Duke of York’s Military School, which at that time educated the sons of service personnel. The usual home for the Duke of York’s HotPott - Summer 2020

was on Dover Cliffs, but for safety, and to make way for troops returning from Dunkirk, in 1940 the government commandeered the Saunton Sands Hotel in North Devon and relocated the school there. I remember the miles and miles of sand and learning to swim in the sea. I saw the Americans training in preparation for D Day at Braunton Burrows, an extensive sand dune Dennis Melville, Field Marshall Montgomery, Army Apprentices School, Harrogate, at its opening 1947 which flanks Saunton Jean Bennett had another story regarding Sands. On VE Day, we her family: ‘my father’s mother Lydia had had a celebratory tea at school. After I left a brother George who married and moved Duke of York’s, I was in the first intake at to Guildford (I remember visiting them as a the Army Apprentice School in Harrogate; little girl); they had a son named Sterndale I was photographed with Field Marshal (poor thing!) apparently he was extremely Montgomery at the opening of the school clever, and as he was physically disabled in 1947. I studied mechanical and electrical wasn’t called up to fight in the war. However, engineering before serving in Hong Kong, he worked with Barnes Wallis, I understand Korea, Egypt and Northern Ireland with the they worked on the bouncing bomb together.’ Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.’ Sterndale Bennett may have been named The Saunton Sands Hotel was painted green as after William Sterndale Bennett, a noted 19th camouflage to prevent German bombers using Century English composer, conductor, organist it as a navigational marker to line up their and principal of the Royal College of Music. route to Cardiff. The school’s military band Editor. became well known: most Saturday mornings We heard from David Gem last month too: they led a route march along the coast road as his father was still serving in Burma on to Croyde; they were so popular that British VE Day, David remembers no celebrations Pathé News made two reports on them. of the event. He is, however, able to tell us Saunton Sands and surrounding beaches and something of his father’s war service: dunes were used by American troops between September 1943 and April 1944 as training ‘My father was in the British 14th Army in grounds for the Normandy Landings as the Burma under Lt. Gen. Bill Slim but I don't topography was similar to Omaha and Utah know if he was at headquarters – maybe he beaches. Editor. was as he possessed an original copy of the programme of the VE celebrations at HQ in Rhona remembers air raid sirens, and Burma. (Seen in HotPott last month. Editor.) doodlebugs, but not VE Day – she was very young at the time! continued →

HotPott - Summer 2020

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was also a kind and generous man. He was never someone I was close to.’ Sheila Woolfenden told me: ‘I have no memories of VE Day – which I find quite annoying! It must have been a sad day for some as there were people still going out and fighting in Burma. VJ Day, however, I remember well – we were on the North Wales coast and at night we saw bonfires burning on the headlands – they looked wonderful.’ Combined Training Centre, Inveraray

Like many of his generation my father wouldn't talk about his war time experience and I bitterly regret not pressing him on his details in either the First or the Second World Wars. He joined the Royal Artillery in 1916 at the age of 18. Our daughter only recently discovered that he was wounded and evacuated from France back to England. He and my mother were not married until 1929 and maybe she didn't know this; certainly, she never mentioned it and neither did he. In World War Two my father joined the RAF Regiment in 1939 at the age of 41. Around 1942 he was one of the founding officers in the Combined Operations unit of Army, Navy and RAF at Inveraray in Scotland which was set up to train for coordinated landings for the invasion of the then Japanese occupied part of Burma. I do not know his role or where he was in Burma. He was demobbed spring of 1946 with the rank of Wing Commander and was awarded an OBE. My mother and I stayed on Lock Awe for a few months to be near him in 1942 but my first real memory was of him arriving home in Harbourne, Birmingham. No doubt this was a great joy for my mother but for me, as a six year old who had had my mum to myself for six years, he was an 'intruder'. In the 1950's he suffered from quite severe depression and had treatment which did nothing to help. I am certain it would now have been diagnosed as PTSD. He was difficult with sudden bouts of anger, but he Page 12

Dek Davie also had no specific VE Day memories, though he recalls being in the Boy Scouts in Barnsley early in the war and helping to pick fruit and vegetables. Later, Dek found himself in the Army and on a troop ship sailing from Liverpool to Burma, via Suez – they docked in Port Said, but were not allowed to disembark, then through the Suez Canal down the Red Sea, a call into Djibouti and on to Columbo in Ceylon, where he was supposed to stay on board, but his brother in the Royal Navy was in charge of movement of shipping in Columbo Harbour so knew Dek was arriving and was able to fix it for them to meet up on shore. In the army, it’s said you should never volunteer, but on the grounds that it’s probably better to be one of the first to do so because the jobs will only get worse further down the line, Dek put himself forward for an unknown task. This turned out to be galley duty, mainly washing up. They had big tanks full of hot water and a line of helpers passed the crockery along;

Rangoon WW2 HotPott - Summer 2020

they'd be washed and passed on to another line of helpers drying and putting away. Any breakages were thrown out of the porthole – Dek said the seas between Liverpool and Rangoon are littered with broken plates, cups and saucers! A definite perk was getting officers’ food to eat, rather than the rations the others of his rank got; another was wearing seamen’s overalls which were more comfortable than army uniform. Dek had two special friends in the army – one Indian and one Burmese – both had names that sounded like Mountbatten. Dek had a photo of them in Rangoon, but this has disappeared, sadly. Dek boxed in the army, so it would have been frowned on if he had compromised his fitness by smoking, so he sold his cigarette ration on the steps of a pagoda in Rangoon instead… We hope to hear more of Dek’s wartime story – he wrote home every day and although he says the letters would be of little interest to anyone

else I suspect he is being modest. Editor. Many apologies to Rita Bunting, who kindly gave me a copy of the programme for celebrating the 50th Anniversary of VE Day in Pott – this should have accompanied the photographs of the 1945 themed party in June HotPott – but here it is now:

Celebrating VE Day, 1995

May 8th 1995

50 years anniversary

V.E. Day The programme for the 8th May is as follows. 11.00am – 3.00pm

Family fun on the cricket field, including Kwik cricket, a bouncy castle, barbeque etc.

3.30pm

Street Party in the yard (indoors if wet)

Any offers of sandwiches, cakes, jellies etc. to Sandy Milsom at school. 8.00pm

1940’s Dance with Hot Pot apple pie £5.0

Come & jive to Glen Miller. 40s dress preferred.

If anyone has any war time photographs of the village or of local people, Graham Hackney of the cricket club is arranging an exhibition, to be held in the village hall.

Hope to see you there.

Barbara Reeves *** Our minister wanted the title of his next sermon to be posted ahead of time on the church website. He rang our church warden and said that the title was to be: ‘Are Ministers Crazy?’ Not hearing this as a question, the church warden dutifully posted: ‘Our Minister’s Crazy.’ HotPott - Summer 2020

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Oliver's lockdown experience On Friday 20th March school closed because of Covid 19/Coronavirus, a deadly virus that could potentially kill you. When lockdown first started on Monday 23rd March I woke up and looked at the time – it was half nine, I was confused because nine was when school started. Then I remembered it was Home School with my Mum, first I did maths and English, then did Joe Wicks then went for a walk up The Nab. In the second month it got really boring because I was learning loads of stuff I already know. A few weeks into lockdown the leisure centres and gymnastics closed. I was really sad when swimming shut because I love jumping in the pool, it was my go to for when I’m bored. Now I have found new hobbies like baking, running, football and shooter games. When I started baking the first thing I did was brownies with nuts inside. I like going for runs because it is good exercise for your legs and gets your heart pumping. My favourite way to exercise is going for bike rides to St Christopher’s and back.

After lockdown I went back to school because it opened again. When I arrived at school it was very different because I had to wash my hands straight as I got into the building then went upstairs into Class 1. I had my own table and pencils and we were all separated. The only Class 2 was my friend Rose. After work we had lunch but it was in the classroom which was very weird. At the end of the day the teachers said next week there would be more Class 2s so that made me feel good.

Lockdown disaster On Friday the 20th of March, our school got shut down, like all the other schools, because of a global pandemic COVID-19 which is a disease that has caused many deaths.

Rose Kennedy On the 23rd of March it felt weird to not have to get up for anything. My sisters had come to our house because their university had closed because of the virus. After, my sister and her boyfriend decided that he should move in with us, so we had seven people in the house. Page 14

Getting homeschooled felt strange to me because I’ve been to school all my life, I am lucky because my mum is a teacher so she would teach me things I needed to know about Year 7, although because I wasn’t HotPott - Summer 2020

in my normal school environment I didn’t want to do my work. Unfortunately, because of coronavirus I couldn’t do my SATS which I am sad about because I have been working towards it all year. I felt better when I found out Ms. Bromley and Mrs. Blackwell told them what they expected me to get. I got worried about high school because we hadn’t had any transition days but they put a virtual tour online, so I felt more comfortable about finding my way around. At first in lockdown all my family played board games, but we played them so much we soon became tired of them, so we decided to make some games ourselves. In quarantine I learnt a lot of new skills. I was baking constantly. I also got the hang of arts and crafts; one I did was a graceful panda hugging a bamboo stick with beautiful fuchsia blossom trees in the background. Other hobbies I did were bike riding, walking and running and many more.

In lockdown someone had to do the shopping, so my Mum went about once a week to Aldi; she had to shop for nine people (me, Eva, Lily, Isaac, Louis, Mum, Dad, Grandma and Grandad)! Sometimes I went shopping with Mum and there would be gigantic queues and we would have to sanitize our hands before we went in and wipe down our shopping trolleys, it was so stressful. Two weeks ago, we started back at school with at first only four people! But gradually more people came and currently we have 10 children – in Class 2 there are four children and in Class one there are six – a new person started at our school called Grace, she is in Year 4 so Nia won’t be the only one in her year now. School is weird because we all have to social distance and we have a bit more play times, Reverend David comes on a Wednesday but we now have most of our services outside so we can sing.

Meeting one’s spouse… A week or so ago there was a thread on David’s SPICE Pott about how people met their spouse, or why they had married them. Allegedly Roy Stratford married Eileen because she could mix concrete, Reg Ferguson married Jean for her money (she didn’t marry him for his romantic presents if the surprise gift of a washing line pole is anything to go by; rivals Duncan once buying me a kettle for my birthday) and Judy married Peter de Bourcier for his ability to complete her tax returns. Judy more than repaid him, however, as can be seen in Peter’s response to a question about Judy’s flying skills: ‘Well the first time Judy flew with me was in a small canvas-covered two-seater from a flying club in Surrey, and later she came on a families’ day flight in a RAF Belfast from Brize Norton. Then there were the MAF HotPott - Summer 2020

(Mission Aviation Fellowship) 15-seaters and, of course, airline Airbuses. But her claim to fame occurred early in our marriage, at Brize Norton. She and her sister had been brought up through the war years by a very traditional aunt, and her uncle who saw the wife’s job as primarily to look after her husband. At a wives’ coffee morning at Brize, Judy casually mentioned that if I was getting up at, say, 3am to go off on a long-haul flight, she would get up to cook me a full breakfast. The other wives were horrified: “DON’T let our husbands find out about that!” But although I am equally at ease training women pilots or flying under the command of a woman captain, I don’t think I’ve ever given Judy control of anything other than a simulator!’ (No husbands reading this are to get any funny ideas about the primary job of a wife. Editor.) Page 15

Audrey Meecham also chipped in: ‘As for why I married Keith, a main reason was that he made me laugh. His letters kept me going when I was struggling with a class of 49 five-year-olds in my first two years of teaching. The how is a long story which I'll try and write for Hot-Pott.’ Audrey put pen to paper, and here is the story: It was in the Easter break of my first year at teacher training college (Thornbridge Hall in Ashford in the Water) in 1953 that I met Keith for the first time. He was an inveterate hitchhiker and while making his way from Exeter University to Bangor for a marine biology field trip, took advantage of a lift to Manchester to look up his old RAF buddy, my brother. By a stroke of luck, a family friend (Fred Pawson) was visiting my parents that evening: he was due to drive to North Wales on business the next day and offered to drop Keith well on his way. I went along too and chatted to – or more likely listened to – Keith while Fred visited his clients on route. Keith left us at Ruthin, and neither he nor I expected to see each other again. (I discovered years later that he was at that time engaged to another student!) In December 1954 Keith turned up on our doorstep again – very cleverly because we had moved from Northenden to Chorlton! After graduating, he obtained an appointment as a fisheries officer in the Colonial Service and in preparation for sailing to the Gold Coast was completing his training in various fishy related disciplines around the country. Grimsby (or was it Hull?) was near enough to Manchester in his southern-orientated brain for a quick farewell call on the Peers family. By this time I was teaching in Higher Ormond Street School in central Manchester, and was enjoying my new independence by joining the Green Room Theatre and Page 16

contemplating auditioning for the Hallé Choir. After a jolly weekend, which included our church Christmas Fair (with my Dad as Father Christmas, a role he reprised at Pott) and a hilarious performance of Amphitryon 38 at the Manchester Central Library Theatre, Keith invited my brother and me to a farewell gathering at his home in Middlesex, together with a couple of other old RAF pals who were now married. The clinching attraction for me was a visit to The Observer’s Diaghilev exhibition at Forbes House in London. If there was a particular fateful moment, it was possibly as we descended a rather grand staircase to behold a life-sized tableau of the Sleeping Beauty swathed in softly lit gossamer-like tulle. We both gasped (and probably squeezed each other’s hands) as we approached the stage set. Or was it the next minute, when we were convulsed in giggles as what we thought was a ‘funny smell’ turned out to be Diaghilev’s favourite perfume, Mitsouko? Yes, I think that was it.’

Audrey and Keith were married on 28th July 1956 at St Wilfred’s, Northenden, and shortly afterwards flew to the Gold Coast (now Ghana) for the first of many exciting overseas postings. We hope to hear more of them in future editions. Editor. HotPott - Summer 2020

Pott Shrigley Rose Queen Festival… but not as we know it When it became all too obvious that we were not going to be enjoying the normal weekend extravaganza of the Rose Queen Fête and Sunday Service, we had to think of different ways of celebrating this joyful Pott Shrigley occasion. The Saturday scheduled for the fete, 13th June, (and what a gloriously sunny day that was!) came and went but the next Sunday, 22nd June, we had an uplifting and faith affirming virtual Rose Queen Service with contributions from the eponymous Rose Queen Rose Kennedy, (who was born on a Rose Queen Saturday 11 years ago) and her attendant Eden Christiansen, who reminded us that nothing – not even coronavirus, lockdown, death or any other hardship – can separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 8:31-39). We also had such thoughtful prayers from the children at our church school. It was a real blessing to be able to share in the Rose Queen Service, as it is to join our virtual service each week, so thank you to all those who work so hard to bring them to us.

As HotPott’s contribution to Rose Queen 2020, we asked for photographs of previous royalty: we had a magnificent response, as can be seen from the four collages in the centre pages. Thanks to Keith & Jackie Ardern (Coe), Rita Bunting, Mary Currell (Gratton), Bridget Drabble (Jackson), Eileen Frecknall (Gratton), Alison Hamnett, Sue Hulley (Woolley), Ann Jackson, Sandy Milsom, John Rose, Janice Gabbott, Diane Sadler, Muriel Schofield, Dorothy Sharpley (Vare), Sandra Wainwright (Gratton), Sally Winstanley, Audrey Williams and apologies to anyone who helped but isn’t named. Not least Duncan Matheson who has done his usual excellent job with the photographs. Unfortunately, we have not been able to use all the items in this edition, but we have in mind a longer term project to gather as many photographs and other paraphernalia (programmes, newspaper cuttings etc) of Rose Queens, Princesses and Buds as possible and keep them together – so please keep them coming in. We hope to display as many of these at the next Rose Queen Fête – so dig out all those old boxes of photos and have a look! Please contact me when you find them – 574983/07944 624 832 or kmmpott@ yahoo.co.uk. And please let me know if we have any dates or names wrong in the index to the photos on Page 22! Thanks so much. Kath Matheson.

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Index to Rose Queen Collages Page 1 of collage

From top left, clockwise

1. 2.

Kathleen Thornhill (née Bailey) RQ 1948 Joyce Barber (née Gratton) RQ 1957 with Eileen Frecknall (née Gratton), Barbara Gibson 3. Mary Currell (née Gratton) RB 1951 with Nancy Whitehead, Susan Hulley (née Woolley), Hilda Barton 4. Susan Hulley (née Woolley) RQ 1958 5. Eva Barton (née Whitehead) RQ, Hilda Barlow RB 1953 with Roger Barlow, Tony Plant, John Harding, Dorothy Sharpley (née Vare), Harold Wainwright, John Wright, Joyce Barber (née Gratton), Raymond Parker 6. Linda Heathcote RB, Joyce Barber (néeGratton) RQ 1957 with John Rose, Hilda Gratton 7. Joyce Barber RQ, Linda Heathcote RB 1957 with Angela Ainsworth, Phillipa Taylor, Eileen Frecknall (née Gratton), Mrs Gorton, Shirley Plant (née Jackson), Barbara Gibson, John Rose, Trevor Lloyd 8. 1958 9. Hilda Barton RB 1953 with Dorothy Sharpley (née Vare), Harold Wainwright 10. Pat Storer RQ1950 with Kath Thornhill, Wendy Parker (née Bunce), Joyce Barber (née Gratton), Mary Currell (née Gratton) 11. Eileen Frecknall (née Gratton) RB 1954 with Jim Spooner, Trevor Lloyd 12. Poster: Linda Heathcote RQ, Bridget Gibbons RB 1960

11. Barbara Vare RQ ?early 1960s with Kay Penney 12. Jackie Ardern (née Coe) 1966, Brian Trueman Page 3 of collage 1.

Catherine Mellor RQ, Nichola Bennett RB, Lisa Williams Princess 1982 with Janet Mellor, Stacy Plant, Laurie Harper, Michelle Whittle, Lea Thompson, Zeeta Postlethwaite, Mandy Postlethwaite RRQ, Andrew Wainwright, Helen Atkinson-Wood, Andrew Gabbott, David Williams 2. Kate Jackson RQ 1972 3. Maypole dancing 1987 4. Audrey Williams and others 1981 5. Brian Schofield, Dorothy Sharpley, Leslie Hughes 1988 6. Lisa Williams RQ 1983 7. Mary Rogers RB 1989 8. Helen Jackson RQ, Diane Challenor,RRQ, Lorraine Sharpley RB mid 1970s 9. Naomi Lloyd RQ 1988 10. Martha Rose RB 1988 11. Lisa Williams RQ 1983 12. Poster: Catherine Mellor RQ, Nichola Bennett RB 1982 Page 4 of collage 1. 2. 3.

Page 2 of collage

4. 5.

1. 2. 3. 4.

6. 7. 8.

Barbara Gibson RQ ?early 1960s Trevor Hill, Violet Carson 1962 Jackie Ardern (née Coe) 1966, Brian Trueman Shirley Plant (née Jackson) RQ ?early 1960s, John Jackson 5. Eileen Frecknall (née Gratton) RQ 1962, Rev Siviter 6. Jenifer Bradley RQ ?1968 with Jane Allaby, Sarah Mitton, Sandra Wainwright (née Gratton), Loretta Rose, Rosemary Challenor 7. Bridget Drabble (née Jackson) RQ ?early 1970s 8. Barbara Gibson RQ ?early 1960s 9. Barbara Vare RQ ?early 1960s 10. Ann Hughes RQ ?1960s

9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Beth Chasty RQ, Charlie Holliday RRQ 2005 Fiona Sadler RQ, Rebecca Webb RB, Amy Holt RRQ 1993 Ella Woodward, Marcus Pencheon, Laura Matheson, Rebecca Webb, Rebecca Walton 1992 Kay Mayers RQ, Alex Matheson RB 1997 Georgina Gibson RQ 1994 with Charlotte Pencheon, Nina Woodward, Laura Matheson Chloe Jackson RQ, Natasha Plant RB 2003 Ella Woodward RB 1994 Faye Ainsworth RQ, Andrea McGannity RB 1990 and others Laura Matheson RQ, Catherine Hammond RRQ 1999 Lucy Barton RB 1992 Amy Jackson RQ, Victoria Hammond RB, Wendy Parker 1991 Maypole dancing 2005 Jill Webb, Deirdre Rogers, Heather Hall, Jill Hackey 1992

*** While waiting in a socially distanced queue early one morning for the supermarket to open for us ‘seniors’, I was surprised to see a young man saunter along and try to cut in at the front of the queue. A furious old lady waved her cane at him, and he quickly backed away. A moment later, the young man tried again. He managed to dodge the old lady, but then two old men started shouting at him. Again, the young man backed away. But he wasn’t giving up, and soon the young man approached the queue for the third time. By now, all of us pensioners were ready for him, an angry wall of opposition. The young man stood there for a moment, and then shrugged his shoulders. “If you people won’t let me unlock the door, none of you will ever get in to shop.”

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HotPott - Summer 2020

Coffee Break

Across 1 ‘I pray that out of his glorious — he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being’ (Ephesians 3:16) (6) 4 ‘Saul’s father Kish and — father Ner were sons of Abiel’ (1 Samuel 14:51) (6) 7 ‘Praise the Lord, O my — ’ (Psalm 103:1) (4) 8 See 5 Down 9 Laws (1 Kings 11:33) (8) 13 ‘Who of you by worrying can — a single hour to his life?’ (Luke 12:25) (3) 16 Artistry (Exodus 31:5) (13) 17 ‘Your young men will see visions, your — men will dream dreams’ (Acts 2:17) (3) 19 How David described his Lord (Psalm 19:14) (8) 24 ‘If this city is built and its — — restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates’ (Ezra 4:16) (5,3) 25 ‘The holy Scriptures, which are able to make you — for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus’ (2 Timothy 3:15) (4) 26 Intended destination of arrows (Lamentations 3:12) (6) 27 Eve hit (anag.) (6) Down 1 ‘For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find — for your souls’ (Matthew 11:29) (4) 2 Where Peter was when he denied Christ three times (Luke 22:55) (9) 3 Remarkable early 20th-century Indian evangelist, a convert from Hinduism, — Sundar Singh (5) 4 ‘Now the king had put the officer on whose — — leaned in charge of the gate’ (2 Kings 7:17) (3,2) HotPott - Summer 2020

5 and 8 Across The Lover describes this facial feature of the Beloved thus: ‘Your — is like the tower of Lebanon looking towards — ’ (Song of Songs 7:4) (4,8) 6 ‘Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled — your waist’ (Ephesians 6:14) (5) 10 Trout (anag.) (5) 11 Easily frightened (1 Thessalonians 5:14) (5) 12 The ability to perceive (Ecclesiastes 10:3) (5) 13 One of the clans descended from Benjamin (Numbers 26:38) (9) 14 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who — bread into the bowl with me”’ (Mark 14:20) (4) 15 Resound (Zephaniah 2:14) (4) 18 Traditional seat of the Dalai Lama (5) 20 Precise (John 4:53) (5) 21 Build (Ezekiel 4:2) (5) 22 Beat harshly (Acts 22:25) (4) 23 Darius, who succeeded Belshazzar as king of the Babylonians, was one (Daniel 5:31) (4) Page 23

PSCC Centenary: sad losses but completion of the ‘new’ pavilion Last month we left the club battling against the mud and rain and recalcitrant builders; let’s see how they got on…

Graham Hackney Employing builders turned out to be problematic, so as has happened so many times in the past, Pott Shrigley cricketers rolled up their sleeves and completed the job themselves: after replacing some of the glazing, installing the disabled toilet, upgrading the electrics and painting the outside render, the club now had a pavilion to be proud of. The gargantuan effort, undertaken over several years of raising money, applying for grants supervising and finally completing the work had paid off and was celebrated by a formal opening ceremony with David Rutley MP in attendance. Our first year in the Cheshire Alliance (2015) proved a challenge. The leagues were a mixture of clubs, some with two teams and others with only one, and the standards of their grounds also varied considerably. Player availability throughout the league had become such a problem that the tough decision to suspend Sunday fixtures was made, even though this would impact on income from player match fees. 2015 brought personal sadness too in the deaths of Jim Berry, an outstanding all-rounder on the field and a great painter and joiner in the pavilion,

Alex Jackson Page 24

Matthew Baqueriza-Jackson

and Margaret Hart, wife of chairman Michael, who produced many cricketing teas and delicious cakes (and treacle toffee!) for fund raising events – how she would have enjoyed the improved kitchen in the ‘new’ pavilion! In 2016, Aussie overseas player Shaun Stevenson came right into form scoring over 900 runs, with three centuries. Matt and Alex Jackson spearheaded the bowling, Matt taking the honours with a chart topping 7 for 23. As not enough points were being gained in away games, it was suggested travel sickness pills be tried! Both senior and junior squads were looking forward to working with past player and coach Tony Hutter on his return to the club. Another double blow came in November 2017, first long-time player and treasurer Brian Warhurst died and within days this was followed by another sad loss, that of Derrick Brooke. His determination to see the club improve on all levels, sometimes against the odds, will always be remembered; Derrick encouraged players of all ages, contributed to the wider Cheshire cricket community and spearheaded the transformation Derrick Brooke

HotPott - Summer 2020

of the ground from field to decent pitch. The esteem in which he was held was seen at his funeral when players in their whites formed a guard of honour and again in 2018 when a weathervane depicting Derrick mowing the grass followed by his faithful collie was installed on the pavilion roof in his memory. Over the years the Cheshire League, though well run, had seen teams travelling long distances to away games, sometimes necessitating leaving before midday, and so, with more juniors playing in senior teams it was decided the time for a change had come, as had been suggested many years before. The Derbyshire & Cheshire League was approached, and Pott Shrigley Cricket Club was accepted to transfer for the 2018 season: that was a summer to remember as large areas of grass started to dry out and disappear, leaving the ground more akin to a dust bowl, though luckily it recovered before the season ended. We had played a few teams in the new league before in ‘friendlies’ but overall the standard of grounds we were now visiting improved. We were even welcoming visitors with the away teams and selling teas, which was a nice throwback to an earlier era. Although the club didn’t come in sight of any silverware, at the AGM all agreed it was a worthwhile change with distances greatly reduced. There had been some good games too: in May with all the team ready to throw their hats in the air, Captain Ryan Anderson-Fitter, going for another boundary, was unfortunately caught on 99 but all was not lost as he went on to take 6 for 64 to win the game at High Lane. On the same

Ian Tomenson HotPott - Summer 2020

day Jamie Hart and Andy Tomenson put on over 130 in an opening stand for the 2nd XI though the match was lost by one wicket; there was better luck in another Rich Caslaw 2nd XI game: Ian Tomenson scored 90 then Rick Caslaw took 4 for 14 to take the points. Against Offerton, going in at 13 for 2, Alex Jackson was then cheered off at teatime after hitting 141 not out. Several close games followed but the results didn’t always go the right way. A reunion dinner was held to mark forty years since we won the Macclesfield Express Cup. Several of the Old Guard spent an enjoyable afternoon recalling how cricket should be played and remembering those who were missing. All passed on their good wishes to the present much younger team, and hoped, fingers crossed, all would still be around to cheer on the centenary year. And what a year that was…so many enjoyable events and good cricket, and, even better, delicious teas. Very many thanks to Graham Hackney for producing this epic history of Pott Shrigley Cricket Club, and for his patience and time in rooting through his photographs to fulfill my requests for photographs, and yet more photographs. Editor.

Andy Tomenson Page 25

How to use your face mask Welcome to ‘Made-foryou’ face masks – we hope you enjoy your wearing experience. Please read through the instructions fully before operating. STEP ONE: Identify your face mask – it is advisable not to share face masks with anyone else as it is quite hard to fit two faces in one mask. Your new masks come with clear identification marks (flowers for Grandma and a plane for Poppa). STEP TWO: Take both elastics in one paw and place over your head. (The elastic with the knot is the bottom one. The knot may be adjusted if you find the mask is too loose.) STEP THREE: Place the lower elastic behind your neck and the higher elastic above your ears. The elastic should not feel tight. Be careful not to pinch your fur. Page 26

STEP FOUR: Place one paw on the top edge of the mask and one on the bottom and gently pull the mask open. Do not walk around if you can’t see – you might have a Horrendous Haccident (these are very Serious). STEP FIVE: Arrange the mask over your nose and under your chin. Tuck the top edge under your glasses if you are wearing any. If you are not wearing any glasses, you don’t need to do this unless you want to disguise yourself: you could put on sunglasses and pretend to be a famous rock star… or rob a bank. Now you can do anything – your mask is your new superpower. It means you are INVINCIBLE. BUT there is one rule. You will lose your superpower if you touch your mask. Don’t do that. The world will come to an end. The clouds will fall out of the sky. Coffee will not taste like coffee and the world’s supply of chocolate will vanish in a puff of tomato soup. Or something. Seriously though, you will make someone very grumpy. He gets so grumpy they named him after it – he is called Cross Contamination. I think that’s a silly name. STEP SIX: When you have finished with your mask, remove it carefully. Hold one end in each paw and give the mask a gentle tug: the pleats will HotPott - Summer 2020

snap back into place in a Very Satisfying Snappy Way.

Please note, it is recommended that face masks are washed after each use. Please ensure they are removed from the wearer before being placed in the washing machine. There is a pocket on the inside if case you want to add a snack. But Mummy says it is really for an extra layer like filter paper. Sarah Rogers and Peter de Bourcier

Thank you… Thank you… to all those who have contributed to this summer edition of HotPott; I am extremely grateful to every one of you: it’s lovely to have a wide variety of articles. Please keep sending photographs, poems, Pott Shrigley memorabilia, stories etc in.

n’t o D get r fo

“Your magazine needs you.”

Please send your contributions to

magazine@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk no later than midnight on.....

Sunday, 16th August www.pottshrigleychurch.org.uk HotPott - Summer 2020

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Missionary Matters

I have just heard from Megumi and Helen Fazakerley. It appears that they, in common with other SIM missionaries, are in lockdown, but the situation in Malawi itself is confused, inconsistent and incomprehensible: schools and colleges were closed promptly at the end of March, but everything else has remained fully or partially open – even supermarket shelves have remained as well-stocked as usual. Educational establishments may reopen on 13th July, but no details have been confirmed.

John Ryley As far as Megumi and Helen know a handful of international schools (and maybe a few private schools and colleges) have managed to continue some form of online education. They have not seen or heard anything to suggest that people or the government are terribly concerned about reopening state schools so basically, no-one knows; some might even think no-one apparently cares. Meanwhile Megumi is upgrading the database programme he made for the Evangelical Bible College of Malawi to keep students’ grades and personal records. Concerning things digital he writes: ‘In case you are wondering, the internet is available and useful for all of us in Malawi, but it is not a practical platform for teaching for us. Probably more than half of our students can access the internet briefly and occasionally, but not regularly and reliably over an extended period of time. Sending WhatsApp messages every now and then is not the same as attending 40 minute Zoom meetings every day. Even sharing documents (sending /receiving notes/assignments) is not possible for many, because all they have is a smartphone, probably second-hand and likely with a Page 28

very limited capacity and perhaps even a dying battery (not to mention a cracked and difficult-to-read screen).’ Helen, as health coordinator for SIM Malawi, has been monitoring the various members of the team; all is well! She is also on the Malawi Field Council. Their meetings are normally held 8am to 5pm, but as two members are stuck in the USA and one in Australia (all are usually in Malawi) there was a problem. Helen and two colleagues met 2 – 4pm with the USA pair for whom it was 7 – 9am and the Australian guy for whom it was 10pm – midnight! At least they had workable internet for it. Megumi’s mother has been in hospital for a week dehydrated and with kidney problems; she is improving and Megumi FaceTimes her daily. Seems Helen’s dad at home and stepmother in a home are OK. Daughter Mary has finished her assignments and exams and passed her first year occupational therapy course at Liverpool University. There’s been little information from Johnny and Ann McClean in Thailand this month; they are very busy! Johnny and Pastor Pramote do Sunday services online and try to help church members who have lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic and are now in financial difficulties. Ann writes: ‘the prolonged lockdown and move to online learning is taking its toll on the school leadership team. Lack of clarity in government announcements around when schools will be allowed back on site is not helping. Please pray for the Head of School and the whole leadership team as we try to find a way through a complex situation. Job security, student numbers, morale and quality of teaching are all factors we have to consider… about two out of three Key Stage 3 students will continue online learning throughout June and with the HotPott - Summer 2020

rest planning for a possible reopening of campus in July. That means I am working Thursday and Fridays in June and Monday to Wednesday in July with days off each week as my ‘summer holiday’. It’s going to take some discipline and planning to make sure I do stay ‘off work’ on the off days!’ The term ends on August 7 with the new school year planned to start on August 27 so it’s going to be a tight turnaround before the new term. Meanwhile, son Matt is weighing up whether

to start university in the UK in September or defer for a year given the possibility of all his classes being online and the risk he could be refused re-entry into Thailand and thus stranded in the UK if there is a second wave of coronavirus. If he defers Matt will need a plan for the year - not easy in the present climate and when Thailand has very strict regulations around foreigners and work. Don’t forget to keep praying for our missionary partners and their families!

Pott Shrigley Parish Council continues in lockdown… Meeting It is still not possible to hold a full council meeting in the village hall, so the parish council will meet via Zoom on Monday, 29th June at 8pm. The meeting will be limited to forty minutes and the agenda will be available, as usual, three days beforehand on the council’s website.

Joyce Burton Parish Clerk

As all council meetings are open to the public, you are invited to attend this digital meeting to observe only. To do so you will need the Zoom application on your device and to contact me by email in advance (pottclerk@ btinternet.com) so I can issue an invitation to you. Flooding Many of you will be aware of the barriers that were erected some time ago on Shrigley Road where the embankment collapsed. Cllr. Boulton wrote a very detailed report on the flooding of Poynton Brook and the damage caused on Shrigley Road. He reminded CEC Highways of the many reports which the council has already submitted to the relevant HotPott - Summer 2020

authorities and the repair work which has been done previously, before highlighting the potential for further flooding and the total collapse of the road. Cllr Bouton’s report was submitted on 23rd May and received an immediate response: an inspection took place on 3rd June and a detailed report, subsequently circulated to the councillors, was received on 11th June from Ian McLauchlan, bridge manager. Ian concluded: ‘There is evidence of scour under the aprons of the walls but no signs of instability or structural failure. I have instigated a threemonth monitoring programme whilst schemes for repairs can be developed and funding sought.’ Healthwatch Cheshire Alison Langley from Healthwatch advised the clerk that over the past six weeks, her team has been asking Cheshire residents to complete a survey regarding their experiences during lockdown so they can understand what is working well and what could be improved, as well as considering people's mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic. You are asked to take part in the survey at https://www.surveymonkey. co.uk/r/DXMCRK9 About 1,000 people have responded so far. Page 29

The Suffering Church It was good to hear recently from Open Doors: in a video played during our Sunday service we learnt about their practical support of persecuted Indian Christians and were thanked for our contribution to this vital work.

A Christian family in the Pakistani city of Peshawar was harassed mercilessly after moving to a neighbourhood where Muslim extremists lived. On 2nd June, father, mother and son all suffered wounds when they were shot with a Kalashnikov.

Barnabas Fund too are helping. Gabriel, a Christian from Burkina Faso, was separated from his family when they fled from a Boko Haram attack on their village. When he found them a week later, Barnabas was providing for their practical needs. ‘You gave us clothes, shelter and food,’ said Gabriel. ‘Christians we don’t know are sending us help. This is strengthening our faith and giving us the sense of the real body of Christ. Wherever they are, may the Lord bless them and rescue them in difficult times as they did for us.’ Also in Burkina Faso, jihadists killed 58 people in three separate attacks on in May. One attack was on a convoy taking food to a camp of displaced villagers, mainly Christians, who had fled previous jihadi violence. The attackers left an ambulance alone, not because it was an ambulance but because when the driver shouted: ‘Forgive, forgive, we are also followers of the prophet Muhammad,’ one of the gunmen said: ‘They have the same religion as us,’ and left the ambulance unharmed.

14 year old Samaru Madkami from Odisha State, India was abducted and murdered in early June not long after he pledged to continue God’s work if his pastor was killed. He had good reason to Samaru Madkami expect his pastor to die, as Christians in their area face hostility and violence from extremists in the Hindu majority. Samaru’s father, a church elder, had previously received death threats. The gang who killed him also tried to kidnap Samaru’s cousin but he managed to escape. ‘Samaru was a passionate Christian,’ said his pastor, recalling how the boy had energetically shared the Gospel with other young people and children in the village.

Burkina Faso Page 30

These violent attacks on our fellow Christians, in three widely different countries, took place within a period of one week. Christian brothers and sisters who are persecuted may be bereaved, injured, displaced, made homeless or lose their source of income. ‘I send my thanks to Barnabas Fund who hurried to our aid; although they do not know us physically, but they know us by the compassion of God. There are people who are far away from us and who heard the news of our plight. And this news touched them to the point where they reacted quickly HotPott - Summer 2020

by helping us with the food that is here,’ said Pastor Yonli, National President of the Evangelical Church in Burkina Faso. Barnabas Fund and Open Doors work tirelessly in some of the most dangerous regions of the world to support persecuted Christians: we may feel helpless to stop the violence, except by prayer to the Prince of Peace, but we can also help practically by supporting organisations such as Barnabas Fund and Open Doors financially: we already do this as a church, but please consider whether, perhaps, you could help with this work by giving individual financial support if you are able to. In an update released in April, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) both denounced the Chinese government’s use of high-tech surveillance to target minorities, which is ‘amplifying the repression’ of religious communities, and redesignated China as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), highlighting the progression of the Skynet surveillance network, which has harvested huge amounts of data on populations targeted for government suppression in China over the past decade, plus a troubling increase in religious freedom violations. USCIRF stated: ‘There is no question that China is the world’s foremost violator of human rights and religious freedom. It cannot be compared to any other country in the world not only because of its inexcusable actions, but because of the way it aids and abets similar actions by other countries … those nations around the world who ignore China’s malevolence may eventually find themselves subservient

Skynet surveillance in China

to it.’ Installation of cameras to monitor the interior of church buildings is enforced, and the advanced facial recognition system deployed on Skynet is believed to be capable of distinguishing between the faces of different ethnic groups to single out Uighurs, Tibetans and other minorities. Data from DNA samples taken from Chinese citizens in mandatory medical examinations is also used for racial profiling; fingerprints, voiceprints and other biometric data are also collected from religious communities without their consent. The crackdown on Christianity, which began in 2019, has seen hundreds of unofficial house churches being closed and the arrest and detention of thousands of Christians and church leaders who refuse to join the state-sanctioned church. Highvalue cash rewards for individuals who inform on house church activities were introduced in 2019, with the highest reward given for informing on foreign pastors. Crosses continued to be removed from state sanctioned and non-official churches alike, often under sinicisation (making Chinese) rules introduced in 2018. The regulations require that religious symbols, images and Biblical verses on display be replaced with the Chinese flag, portraits of president Xi Jinping and Chinese Communist Party slogans. Please continue to pray for all those who are persecuted across the world for their belief in Christ.

Pastor Yonli

HotPott - Summer 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 - Summer 2020

Page 35

BARROWS TRADITIONAL BUTCHERS

Est since 1890

1 Henshall Road, Bollington. Tel: 01625 572110

- Interior Refurbishment Specialists - Plastering & Joinery - Interior & Exterior Decorating - Wallpaper Hanging - Experienced Craftsmen - Professional & Reliable Service - Insured & Accredited

“Alex and his team decorated a large area of hall, stairs and landing. They were thorough, professional and I’m delighted with the result. I would highly recommend.”

M: 07874 188 050 • T: 0161 439 9195 A: 17 Earle Road, Bramhall, SK7 3HE E: info@springdecorating.co.uk W: www.springdecorating.co.uk Spring Decorating Limited, registered in England and Wales No. 11658913

HotPott - Summer 2020

Page 37

Recipe of the Month

Denise’s Delicious Lemon Curd Ice Cream Last summer, when we could all enjoy sitting in glorious sunshine and watching the Pott Shrigley Cricket Club Centenary President’s Day match, Denise, stalwart of cricket teas and scorer extraordinaire, served the most delicious ice cream to those fortunate enough to be enjoying the day. She has kindly given permission for it to be used here: Ingredients for the ice cream: 450ml double cream 220ml full fat milk 150g granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Method for the ice cream: Churn in an ice cream machine until almost frozen, then fold in 4 dessert spoons of lemon curd and complete freezing. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, whisk the ingredients together and then freeze in a shallow container. When almost frozen, beat it well with a hand or electric whisk until smooth then return to the freezer. Repeat the process once or twice more, but fold in the lemon curd before returning to the freezer for the final time. This recipe works best with home-made lemon curd; Denise has a lovely recipe, but what follows is my maternal grandma’s – sold at many a church fête.

over a saucepan of gently simmering water, making sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl. Stir intermittently until the butter melts and the sugar is dissolved. Whisk the eggs, then add to mixture and whisk until well combined. Cook for 10 – 15 minutes, stirring every now and again until thick enough to coat the back of the spoon. Remove the lemon curd from the heat and set aside to cool, stirring occasionally as it cools. Once the curd has cooled, store in sterilised jars in the fridge.

Ingredients for the lemon curd: 450g granulated sugar 125g butter 4 lemons 6 eggs Method for the lemon curd: Put the butter, juice from the lemons (plus zest if desired) and sugar into a heatproof bowl (or double saucepan). Sit the bowl Page 38

HotPott - Summer 2020

Virtual Services July 5th

August 9th

10.45am

Link to watch

July 12th

10.45am

Link to watch

August 16th

10.45am

Link to watch

July 19th

10.45am

Link to watch

August 23rd

10.45am

Link to watch

July 26th

10.45am

Link to watch

August 30th

10.45am

Link to watch

August 2nd 10.45am

10.45am

Link to watch

Sept 6th Link to watch

10.45am

Link to watch

Please note: correct as of 23rd June - as changes develop refer to the church website http://www.pottshrigleychurch.org.uk for up to date information. • 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

July 5th

Audrey Meecham

Pam Cooke

12th

TBA

19th

Reg Ferguson

Anne Murphy

26th

Mike Akerman

Audrey Bomford

August 2nd

Jon Weston

Paul Bowden

9th

Carole Taylor

Gartons

16th

Richard Chasty

Mathesons

23rd

Jean Ferguson

Sandy Milsom

30th

Sue Akerman

Chris Day

Sept. 6th

Ian Malyan

Anne Murphy

Prayer and Reading Rotas We hope that the people listed, 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 HotPott - Summer 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