7 minute read
Yaxley Health
from Yaxley Gazette 137
Yaxley Methodist Chapel
(Main Street, Yaxley)
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WE WILL BE BACK ! (A misquote of the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Terminator. ) The re-opening of the Chapel is still difficult for us because of the limitations imposed because of the Covid 19 restrictions. There are ongoing discussions about how and when it will be safe to do so. But we will be back. Meanwhile our Sunday Services led by our Superintendent Minister Rev. Langley Mackrell-Hey are held via the Internet at 10.30 and can be found on Peterborough Methodist Circuit Facebook page and on YouTube later that day. Prayers are held at 8.30 in the morning in the same way. Often at this time of year we talk about the changes Autumn brings; in the weather, in new beginnings at Schools and Universities and the clocks. But this year there are constant changes almost on a daily basis. Many of us find change unsettling or even frightening but it can give us the opportunity to re-assess our lives and/or rearrange our thinking of what life is really about. One of the pleasures of this Summer has been the chance to spend more time enjoying our gardens and the surrounding countryside. Seeing the fantastic photos our talented local photographers have taken of the Fens' spectacular sunrises, sunsets, flora and wildlife has brought joy. We have taken time to appreciate that part of lockdown which has slowed down our pace of life. It has been a change which we could never have imagined and it has been unsettlingly, frightening, distressing and tragic for many people. It has also brought acts of kindness, sympathy, empathy and people putting others needs before there own. God Bless You and keep you safe until we can meet at the Chapel again.
Minister: Reverend Shameela Jameelee-Samuel (01733 314147) Email: yaxleymc@gmail.com / Yaxleymcfacebook
St Peter's Church Dear Friends Over last weekend, it seemed to go from summer to autumn literally overnight. I had to go searching for jeans and warmer cardigans and on some days, I managed to resist the urge to turn on the central heating, on other days, not quite so much!!! As I write this, schools are returning and my goodness what a lot of thought and effort has gone into our schools re-opening this term – well done to all those who work in our schools and to our families as well. I found myself the other evening singing the song autumn days by Estelle White, which we used to sing in school. It talks about all of the lovely things that we think about in autumn which is one of my favourite seasons – grass being jewelled, swallow curving in the sky, shoes so comfy that there worn out and they’re battered and the taste of apple pie. It made me smile a few years ago in previous parishes, when a school sang this at their Harvest Festival – it brought back many memories and it was funny to think that the song was passing down the generations. The chorus to the song says: “So I mustn't forget. No, I mustn't forget. To say a great big thank you I mustn't forget.” As we go into October, we will be celebrating our Harvest Festival. I have loved seeing the pictures that people have taken in Yaxley across the fields, of sunflowers, combine harvesters and amazing views of nature. This year, our Harvest Festival will be different due to our ongoing Covid 19 situation but we will still gather most likely through the wonders of YouTube to give thanks for all that God has given us. I have heard so many people saying this year, in all that we have individually and collectively gone through that they have learnt about the things that are important to them. They have learnt that we don’t need so much stuff, they have learnt that what we value is our relationships with each other in our families and with our friends. That we value and want to care for our planet and we want it to be able to live, breathe and continue for those that have just started school this term and for many generations beyond. As we go into this month, let us remember to say thank you to each other for the little things, the big things and everything in between. Come and join us for our Harvest on the 4th October at 11am as we give thanks for the work of our farmers, our produce packers, for distribution networks and workers and for our God who created the beautiful world we live in and those we get to share our lives with. With every blessing for this coming month.
With every blessing, Rev Sarah (Vicar of St Peter’s, Yaxley)
01733 248 690 / 07498 230 858
HOLME WI
The months have rolled on and we are now in September and we have finally had an informal WI Meeting held outside on the Green in Holme, socially distanced and all sitting in our own garden chairs with an optional flask of tea. Despite the change in the weather we managed to meet on one of recently few dry evenings, a bonus. It was a short meeting due to the evenings drawing in and a cool breeze which soon sent a few members heading home feeling chilly. The meeting was a good excuse to catch up with members' news and check they are all doing well and surviving. It quickly became clear that a lot of homemade gin was being made during Lockdown using a variety of berries, rhubarb and plums, and quite a bit of it was being consumed too! Now, we just carry on and wait for the situation to improve with a glimmer of hope that meetings indoors will resume in the not too distant future, providing we can navigate the mountain of paperwork and procedures to enable this to happen. Anyone wishing to contact us please email WIholmevillage@gmail.com Keep Safe and Stay Well. Alison McGuinness, President
Sign up for the
Walk to Remember 2020
Walk to Remember 2020 is being organised by Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, which cares for people with life-limiting conditions as well as supporting their families. Victoria Potter, Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, said: “Due to uncertainties in the current situation, we have sadly postponed all of our fundraising events this year, but are excited to announce our Walk to Remember 2020. “You can walk any day throughout October or join hundreds of others across the country for our official walk day on Saturday 17 October. “Choose your distance of 5K or 10K, your start and finish line and a route that means something to you, to raise crucial funds or make a donation and help us continue to be there when it matters.”
Sign up for free at: www.sueryder.org/walktoremember Contact the hospice’s fundraising team on 01733 225 999 or thorpe.fundraising@sueryder.org
Getting ready for winter As the colder months draw in, we begin using our fires, burners and chimneys once again to warm our homes. Chimney Fires continue to be a common occurrence in home fires in the winter months
To ensure you keep your home safe from fire, follow our top tips below: • Whatever fire you have or fuel you burn it is vitally important to have your chimney swept to avoid a build-up of ash and soot • Avoid burning resinous woods (that quickly build up soot) • Only burn fuels suitable for your burner (eg. never burn anything other than wood in a wood burner) • Do not overload the grate/ appliance • Do not bank fires too high and remember to let them burn out well before you go to bed • Check the hearth, floor and furnishings near the fire for hot sparks/embers • Do not place objects on or over the mantelpiece which cause you to stand too close to the fire in order to reach them • Use a fire/spark guard to prevent accidental fires and make sure it has the kite mark or conforms to British/ European standards • Inspect your chimney breast, particularly the roof space. Make sure it is sound and sparks/fumes cannot escape through cracks or broken bricks. Most importantly, always fit a smoke alarm and test your alarm weekly, and ensure a Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm is installed in the room where the burner is.
