Haslemere Parish Link Magazine - April/May 2020

Haslemere LINK THE PARISH MAGAZINE OF ST BARTHOLOMEW’S AND ST CHRISTOPHER’S

‘And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb’

Luke Ch 24, vs 2.

April/May 2020 Suggested donation for a printed copy: £2 1

Parish Contacts Rector Rev Chris Bessant 658107 rector@haslemereparish.org

Deacon Curate Rev Justin Manley-Cooper revjustin@haslemereparish.org

Assistant Youth Minister Chloe Adam 07597 565571 Children & Families Worker Victoria Martin families@haslemereparish.org First Steps Mondays in St Christopher’s 0-5 Year Olds Liz Hawkins 642445 LLM (Reader) Peter Sellars

Parish Office The Link, Derby Road Haslemere GU27 1BS Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 9am-3pm office@haslemereparish.org www.haslemereparish.org 01428 644578 Parish Administrator Bryony Atkinson Verger St Bartholomew’s Carol Skeates 642662 Link Bookings Carol Skeates 642662 skeatMalco@aol.com

Midsummer4peter@gmail.com

Church Warden Robert Fox 652055 Geoff Martin 641907 Deputy Wardens Howard Body 658762 Nick Beare 609630 PCC Secretary Cathy Moore 07593 814438 Treasurer Andrew Culshaw 658962 Stewardship Secretary Geoff Martin 641907 Outward Giving Dorothea Nattrass 653216 Director of Music & Organist Clive Osgood 07747 785 940 cliveosgood@hotmail.com Choir Director Sarah Young sarah.thomas6092@gmail.com

Magazine Secretary Ann Lear 651570 office@haslemereparish.org Advertisements Manager: Geoff Martin 641907 Electoral Roll Officer Lynn Lemar 651435 Bell-ringers Paul Bagshaw 656129 Friends of the Parish Bernard Coe 651146 Flowers St Bartholomew’s Sarah Mulliner 643504 St Christopher’s Liz Hawkins 642445 Church Care Group Roscelin Rees 651561 Churchyards Philip Hunt 644120 2

Pastoral Visitors Dorothea Nattrass 653216 Peter Sellars Midsummer4peter@gmail.com

Pastoral Assistant Ruth Pattenden 653033 Ros Webb 648916 Bereavement Visitors Linda Donaldson 644473 Frances Gaiter 648843 Sarah Mulliner 643504 Safeguarding Officer Cathy Moore 07593 814438 Mothers' Union Treasurer Sue Davis 661115 BRF Representative Sarah Mulliner 643504 Facilities for the disabled Both churches and The Link at St Bartholomew’s have ramped access and space for wheelchairs. Toilets suitable for use by the disabled are available in The Link and at St Christopher’s.

Facilities for the hard of hearing Both churches and The Link have sound amplification and hearing loops.

Facilities for the visually impaired Both churches have good interior lighting and large print weekly notice sheets and service sheets.

Dear Friends Knowing what to write for this edition of The Link has been a bit of a head scratcher! Actually, this is my third attempt, what with the pace of events over the last couple of weeks. As you read through this copy of The Link I hope it’s obvious to you that the parish is alive and well - just a bit different really! The sun is shining (at the moment), the clocks are changing soon, and we are still prayerful and faithful to each other and God. A few things occur to me: firstly, is seems that neighbourliness is alive and well.

I’m not seeing the expected deluge of requests for home-help that I might have imagined. Are we all helping each other? The care of families and neighbours in local roads is working fine as far as I can tell - it certainly is in my road.

Secondly, all the online website content ‘The Church at Home’ seems to be getting well-used. My thanks to all those who are sending in messages of encouragement and thanks. It’s an evolving website at the moment, so please keep an eye on it. There will also be the occasional email to the congregations (85% of which are on email).

Thirdly, Easter. Here is another reason to keep an eye on the webpages. The team will, of course, be putting video content on the websites, but please keep an eye open because new ideas are likely to emerge about how we can mark Easter in other ways. At the time of writing I’ve yet to work that one out!

Fourth, Haslemere Foodbank. I’d like us to keep a constant mind towards providing for the Foodbank. However or whoever is doing your shopping for you, please try to set aside something. Most supermarkets have a place where you can leave non-perishable items after the tills, or have someone drop them off on a Wednesday morning to Haslemere Methodist Church, at the time of writing they are still open for that purpose. I’m in constant contact with the Foodbank, so please keep an eye on the website or email for further instructions about the sorts of things they need.

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Fifth: Please pray for the church and its leaders at both national and local level. So much is happening and changing at the moment. In just a few days the whole church is having to redesign its ministry. Love and patience are the two principal Christian virtues right now.

The prayer engine of the church is still working, so please keep the requests running. If you ask for prayer, I can assure you that they will be lifted to God on a daily basis.

I’m missing you all already! God bless you and your families at a challenging time.

Revd. Chris Bessant

From the Registers Baptisms: Maisie Elowen Mary Stericker – 16 February 2020 Macaiden Gift Feliati – 15 March 2020

Weddings: Stephanie Card & Stephen Farrington – 14 March 2020

Funerals: Dorothy Pow – 13 February 2020 Averil Gibson – 3 March 2020

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The Licensing of the Revd. Fiona Gwynn

The newly licensed Revd Fiona Gwynn

Sunday February 9th was a special day for the people of the United Benefice of Haslemere and Grayswood and especially so for Fiona and the congregation of All Saints, Grayswood. Braving the elements unleashed by storm Ciara, we gathered together at All Saints to witness and take part in Fiona’s licensing as Associate Priest of Haslemere and Grayswood (with primary pastoral responsibility for Grayswood).

This had been many, many months coming, one of the longest waits the Archdeacon had known, owing to it being dependent on the appointment of the Rector first. But at last the day had arrived and the Venerable Paul Davies, Archdeacon, was here to take the service and carry out all the formalities required by the Church of England.

The church was packed and present were not only the Rector Chris Bessant and Revd. Justin Manley-Cooper, but also the Mayor John Robini, his consort Jackie Keen and the Vicar of St. Steven’s, Shottermill, Revd. Jess Riddlestone.

The popularity of the (obvious to most) decision to appoint Fi was clearly shown when, after the oaths were sworn and the Archdeacon presented Fi to the congregation, prolonged and loud applause broke out, turning to a standing ovation.

We wish Fi a long and happy continued association with our three churches, in a role she was clearly meant to be in.

Frankie Gaiter

Fiona with Chris Bessant, Justin ManleyCooper and the Venerable Paul Davies 5

Some Thoughts on ‘these times’ from the Parish Pump We would like to share with you the following verses which remind us that we are right to trust in God: ‘Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

He will cover you with His feathers.

He will shelter you with His wings.

His faithful promises are your armour and protection.’

Psalm 91:1-4, (NLT) For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

It’s been said: Misfortune is an occasion to demonstrate character – Seneca I am sure I have derived more real benefit and permanent strength and growth in grace, and every precious thing, from the furnace of affliction, than I have ever derived from prosperity. – C H Spurgeon Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it. – Helen Keller 6

Spotlight on...

Victoria Martin Editor’s Note: As soon as we heard that Victoria was to be our new Children and Families Worker, we pounced on her, asking for some background on her life and she kindly came up with the following: Back in 2014 I moved to Haslemere with my husband James and three-month old son Henry from Salisbury.

Since then my daughter Scarlett was born.

I have been a regular attendee of First Steps and found it an invaluable group at which to meet other Mums and really feel part of the community.

I started work in the Civil Service with the Ministry of Defence as a Project Manager, which is where I met my husband nearly fifteen years ago. I subsequently made the jump to work at BAE Systems after moving to Haslemere, but left work two years ago to look after my family.

Over the past three years I have been training to become a counsellor and passed this in January of this year.

I used to be keen on amateur dramatics and ballroom dancing and last summer I undertook a parapente in France which was pretty exhilarating! (photo, left) I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life.

Victoria Martin

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St Bartholomew’s C of E Primary School Hello! My name is Iris and I go to St Bartholomew’s Primary school. I am Prime Minister of our Pupil Parliament; a council made up of students that help our school be a better place for learning, flourishing and having fun!

The next group of articles you read are written by the different departments of our parliament: Education, Community, Environment, and Wellbeing.

Enjoy reading!

Education Department Our lessons hold great education for a deep range of ages and ability. Our Christian values teach us a lot about how our lives could be affected for the better by God. At St Bart’s we have our very own school song. This is how it goes: Chorus: Our school is a special place of happiness and joy, With life in all its fullness for every girl and boy Jesus is our teacher he gives us every day his love and understanding to help us on our way We live and learn together and help each other grow, we take our learning step by step, sometimes fast and sometimes slow…

(Chorus) The adults and the children are one big family we all belong together in our school community Father God in heaven let us promise you to love the world and everyone the way you want us to Community Department Our school vision at St Bart’s is to be an excellent school where outstanding practice, personalised learning, social development and spiritual growth are nurtured through a rich and dynamic curriculum, which inspires every child to achieve success.

Our Bart’s Values are: Believe Achieve Respect Trust Succeed We believe that if we follow these values, then we will succeed in having a happy life, devoted to God. 8

Environment department Recently, we have introduced Tidy Friday to the school. Every Friday before the end of the day, the school will tidy up their classrooms for five minutes.

The benefit of this is that your classroom would be tidy for the next day and your teacher won’t be angry at a messy classroom after school! Meanwhile, with the help of Mrs Kent, we have started recycling pens to help save our environment. In each classroom there are boxes in which all of the pupils put their pens that have run out of ink or don’t work.

On 22rd April, we will be celebrating Earth Day, as we think about our role as ‘Guardians of the Earth.’ On this day, every class will be taking part in a range of different activities, all designed to help and show care, love and respect for our planet. We have asked all the pupils (if possible) to create a homemade game to bring in to play during the day. We can’t wait to see what they have constructed!

Wellbeing Department We are the well-being department of pupil parliament.

As a whole school, we have already run the equivalent distance of Haslemere to Tokyo this year and are now running to Tokyo in our year groups (not literally we are just running laps of the playground to be healthy!). We can’t wait to reach Tokyo again - hopefully we will reach there quickly. We wonder who will win?

As a group we have done a cake sale for cancer research and we raised over £630. We are hoping to do many more sales in the future to raise money for lots more charities. We are also hoping to raise more money every time - we might even start selling other things!!!

Written by members of the Pupil Parliament Team.

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The Visit of Shottermill Primary School to St. Christopher’s Two classes of 6-7 year olds from Shottermill Primary School made their annual visit to St. C.’s recently. The school has been coming regularly for the last 12 or so years and it is a pleasure to see so many familiar faces (just a little bit older) from their times at First Steps. This year it was Poppy who came to me to ask if I remembered her. The children clearly enjoy their visits, making lively and interesting comments and questions. A small selection of these follows, taken from their ‘Thank-You’ letters.

‘Thank you for kindly showing us around the church. You might not know but I think the church has every colour on the stained glass window. I also want to tell you that the mouse was as grey as a pebble.’ (Greg). (He is referring to the painted church mouse in one corner).

‘It was fascinating to come to St. Christopher’s Church. I liked the old stained glass window because it looked more realistic. Unexpectedly, I saw the little gold buildings which were golden as the sun’. (Freddie).

(He speaks of the golden domes and pearly gates of the New Jerusalem carved into the oak frame of the altar piece).

‘Delightedly, as I walked to the special church, I thought the trophy (communion cup) belonged to the queen’. (Tabeena).

‘You might not know that my favourite part of the church was the vestments because my favourite colours are red, gold and purple. I discovered that there is a crown on a stick and a bishop’s hat on a stick. Because silver is so valuable, I think it could belong to the queen.’ (Poppy B.} ‘When I walked in, I was happy because it was calming. The gold was as bright as the sun. The organ was my favourite, however, I don’t know how to play it.

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After a while I learnt a lot so thank you for your very useful information.’ (Phoebe).

‘At first I was nervously coming in however you made me excited to do my work.

I discovered my favourite thing out of everything was the organ because it was so tuneful,’ (Caitlin).

‘When I looked at the candle it reminded me that Jesus was the light of the world. Eventually I knew everything about the church. I was walking wearily when I was going back to school’. (Tom).

‘Inside the church my favourite bit was the mouse. Unexpectedly the colour of the organ was blue.’ (Lana).

I look forward to seeing two new classes next year.

Frances Gaiter.

And some (other) children’s take on things: Palm waving It was Palm Sunday, but five-year-old Jamie stayed at home with mum because of a bad cold. When his father and sisters returned, they were carrying several palm fronds. His sister explained: “People held them over Jesus’ head as He walked by.”

“That’s not fair!” Jamie protested. “The one Sunday I don’t go, and He shows up!”

What God looks like An infants teacher was observing her classroom of children while they drew.

One little girl was working away furiously, and so she asked her what the drawing was. The girl replied, “I’m drawing God.”

The teacher paused and said, “But no one knows what God looks like.”

Without missing a beat, the little girl replied, “They will in a minute.”

Higher power A Sunday school teacher said to her children, “We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But there is a higher power.

Can anybody tell me what it is?”

One child blurted out, “Aces!”

The Parish Pump 11

First Steps It is Monday morning and Oscar and I are off to First Steps. I have been enjoying First Steps since we moved to Haslemere to be near our family six years ago. It was a huge change for my husband and I after living in a village in Worcestershire for over 40 years. First Steps was a wonderful way to meet new friends and to get involved in the local community. Our granddaughter, Amelia, was just ten months old when I started our regular Monday morning activity and Oscar, aged 4 now, accompanies me.

He is always looking forward to going along.

First Steps is a friendly, welcoming, happy group of pre-school children and their mums, dads, grandmas, grandpas or carers and we meet at 10.00 a.m. in St. Christopher’s Church. We have a variety of toys and a craft table for the older children. After play we listen to a short Bible story, followed by some ‘join in’ action songs and musical instruments. A craft based on the story can be made to take home.

Everyone receives a very warm welcome and it was a wonderful way for me to make new friends. A cup of tea or coffee and a healthy snack for the children is provided for us all to enjoy.

We would love you to join us. * Jenny Simmonds

* (When things return to normal, post corona virus…)

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A Victorian Lady’s Album My great grandmother kept an album in which her friends and family made entries: poetry, prose, hand-painted pictures. Today it would be her home page on Facebook. My mother gave me the original album, which is now crumbling with age. To try and preserve this small piece of personal history, I will be photographing each entry and typing it up.

Some of the entries are very lovely and over the next few editions I would like to share with you some of the best.

Could I the way for you design, A brighter path there would not be; No grief or sorrow should be thine, Nor, tiniest cloud o’ershadow thee.

But One more loving far than we Has marked thy path and hewn thy way, And though in wisdom He may see It sometime good to cloud thy day.

His presence through the darkest hour Will rest upon and dwell with thee; And this His promise standeth sure That “As thy day, thy strength shall be.”

An entry in Nellie Beattie’s album, made by Bob, dated 1/9/1889

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Hospice Plant Sales Offer Value for Money Local Hospice Care charity Phyllis Tuckwell has a wide variety of plants on sale at low prices, so if you want to brighten up your garden after those dull winter months, then this is the place to visit!

‘We hold plant sales on the first Sunday of every month, from April to October, to raise money to help fund our care’, says Charli Quay-Barnham, Community Fundraising Manager at Phyllis Tuckwell.

‘Over the years our stock of plants has grown and we now have a huge variety on sale, and all at much cheaper prices than you would find in the shops.’

The plant sales are held from 10am-1pm at the Hospice in Farnham. Many plants are donated just prior to a sale and a huge range is available, so whether you want to spruce up your whole garden, a few patio pots or just a window box, there’s sure to be something for you. Phyllis Tuckwell’s volunteers will also be on hand at the sales and can offer general advice.

However, you don’t have to wait for these monthly sales to buy your greenery Phyllis Tuckwell currently has a wide variety of plants which are on sale at the Hospice every day. Come along on a day which is convenient for you and browse through the wonderful display at your leisure. All plants are marked with their prices, so just choose your favourites and take them to the Hospice reception to pay.

Once you’ve prepared your garden for the summer, why not show off your hard work at Phyllis Tuckwell’s Open Gardens event? The charity is looking for residents across its catchment area of West Surrey & North East Hampshire, who would be happy to open their gardens sometime between May and July for visitors to wander around, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of each and maybe taking away a few ideas to try out on their own green spaces at home.

For more information and to register to open your garden visit www.pth.org.uk/ open-gardens.

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All of the money raised by these events will go towards funding the care which Phyllis Tuckwell provides. Every day it supports over 250 patients, relatives and carers - in their own homes, at the Hospice in Farnham and at the Beacon Centre in Guildford - through medical and nursing care, therapies, counselling, social work advice and practical support. However, as the NHS/Government only covers 20% of its costs, it has to raise over £20,000 a day to be able to do this. Last year its plants sales raised over £1,400 and Open Gardens raised over £10,000 - which together is enough to pay for nearly three months’ care from one of its In-Patient Unit (IPU) nurses. Caring for up to five patients each, the IPU nurses provide 24-hour nursing care, as well as offering emotional support to patients’ families and carers.

Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice is situated on the corner of Waverley Lane and Menin Way, Farnham, GU9 8BL, and is fully wheelchair accessible. For more information on the plant sales, call 01252 729446, email: fundraising@pth.org.uk or visit www.pth.org.uk Note: Phyllis Tuckwell have confirmed that plant sales are on hold for now.

Snap!

In my role arranging visits to historic houses and gardens, I recently wrote to a garden owner who I had last contacted in January to discuss a possible visit for my group later this year. I chose to communicate by email and sent this at 8.52pm on March 3rd. At precisely the same time, the garden owner emailed me to ask if I wished to proceed to book the garden opening we had previously considered.

When I received the incoming email, I assumed it was an instant reply either agreeing or declining the visit. To our mutual astonishment, we had both randomly decided to write to each other at precisely the same time, two months after our previous and only communication. These things do happen and maybe it was just a coincidence but it did feel rather strange that we had both randomly been thinking about exactly the same thing, at the same time and on the same day!

Philip Duly 15

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In My Garden Philip Duly

One of the first harbingers of Spring is the early blooms of the Primula vulgaris, the Common Primrose - this month's star plant. To distinguish it from other Primula species, it is sometimes called the English Primrose and its wonderful lemon-yellow flowers are a common sight in woodlands, hedgerows and on grass verges. This tendency to grow uncultivated can cause some gardeners to unfairly treat them as a nuisance, or weed, especially when their flowering season finally ends in early June.

Yet these wonderful plants can be used in the border to great effect, supplementing Spring bulbs perfectly and contrasting beautifully with pale blue Myosotis (Forget-Me-Nots). The secret is to cut them right back post-flowering and allow them to re-emerge over the following Winter, often stronger than before. They will freely self-seed and multiply profusely over time, as they have at Hughendon Manor in Buckinghamshire. It was here that the 19th century prime minister, Benjamin Disraeli, created pathways through the woods of massed primroses, his favourite flower that is forever associated with him. Queen Victoria would often send him bunches from Windsor and Osborne House on the Isle of Wight and her wreath at his funeral was comprised solely of primroses. There is even a Primrose Day dedicated to the anniversary of his death on 19th April 1881 and the Primrose League, formed in 1883 during Gladstone's second term as prime minister to uphold the values and beliefs associated with Disraeli, was only disbanded in the early 2000s.

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Team Boggle Night Originally planned for 16th May This event will be re-scheduled when possible If you like word games this is the event for you, everyone is welcome and we will make up teams on the night or you can make your own team. We hope to have a lot of fun and ask you to join us in that spirit. We have based the night on the word game “Boggle”, with a few twists to make it a team event..

Teams will be made up of six people. Each team will require a speaker and a scribe. The speaker will be asked to narrate words found and the scribe will be asked to collate the team’s findings and remove words found by other teams. One point will be scored for each unique word a team has found. All will become clear on the night. We do expect scores to be low and will be amazed if they’re not.. There follows some examples for you to practice with.

The evening will include a hot supper, a pudding and a wine bar.

All profits will be for outward giving with the proceeds being split 50/50 between Crossways Counselling and Christian Aid. Planned Cost £15/person, money will be collected on the door on the night. We will provide more information on the date and time and how to book your place. Once we are allowed to join together for fellowship and fun. Meanwhile keep safe and enjoy some mind boggling puzzles.

Jane Slevin

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BOGGLE — How it works This grid contains: 8 six letter words 13 five letter words 28 four letter words

Words are formed from four or more letters that adjoin in sequence horizontally, vertically or diagonally in any direction.

No letter may be used more than once within a single word.

No duplicates.

Any words (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, etc.), plural of, form of, or tense is acceptable .

Words within words are also allowed: quoter, quote, ergots, ergot, ergo.

Proper nouns (Ohio, France, John etc.) are not allowed.

You have three minutes to find as many words as possible.

Word Games Dictionaries Used Scrabble dictionaries

On-line Gaming Dictionaries

UK

Lexulous Letterpress

US

Word Feud

Canada

Words with Friends

Official (OSPD4)

Hanging with Friends

Possible words are listed on page 22 18

Here are a couple more games for you to enjoy at home:

O

1 eight letter word

N O

4 six letter words

G R

N R

H S T

O

N E

A P

4 seven letter word

I

T

66 four letter words

M

N

E

T

D

E

D U

T

T

S X P

A

Game 2 contains:

D

6 five letter words 25 four letter words

Game 3 contains:

16 six letter words 29 five letter words

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Reflections on a Trip to Jerusalem (September 2019) Following our previous article about the Holy Land, we would like to share some images taken on pilgrimage which relate to Holy Week and the first Easter. We hope that they may either stimulate old memories, or generate a desire to go and see the sites for yourself.

This is a view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a two mile ridge to the east of the city where Jesus spent Maundy Thursday agonising about His final sacrifice. The walled nature of the city is apparent and, in Jesus’ day, the Jewish Temple would be found on the temple mount where the present Golden Dome of the Rock is situated. The latter marks the place where Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac, and is sacred to Islam today.

The city streets are narrow, lined with shops and taking much the same path as in the first century. The route marking Jesus’ Good Friday journey is clearly marked (i.e. the Via Dolorosa) and one can imagine shopkeepers exchanging greetings with Christ and Roman soldiers as Jesus carried his cross to Calvary, and a painful death. Pilgrims today can recall 20

Christ’s final journey by carrying a modern (but smaller) cross along the route, stopping at the stations for prayer.

The location of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was just outside the first century city wall, and was a cemetery at the time of the crucifixion. The shrine (below) marking the site of Jesus’ tomb had long queues on the afternoon of our visit. We found it difficult to translate the events of Good Friday to this location, but there was a definite sense of awe, despite the busyness. Six different Christian denominations vie for use of the attached chapels and worship of various types is offered around the clock.

Tabgha is a hamlet on the Sea of Galilee believed to be the site of two important events in Jesus’ life. First was his call to the disciples with a miraculous catch of fish at the start of his ministry (Luke 5.1-11). After his resurrection, Jesus returned to the same place to repeat the miracle (John 21.1-13) cooking the fish as an early breakfast on an open fire at this very spot. Despite the disciples’ failure to understand all that Jesus had taught and their abandonment of him after his arrest, they were still called by their Lord to serve. The photo shows our tour group of Anglicans (from Merrow and the Meon Valley) rejoicing in the prospect of a paddle in the Lake, followed by a lunch of “St Peter’s Fish”.

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Some of them plan to return in 2021 on pilgrimage (www.mccabe-travel.co.uk): might some of you want to join them?

Peter & Shelagh Sellars

Boggle Solutions: 6 Letter Words: Ergots Erugos Gutter Jotter Jungle Nutter Quoter Return 5 Letter Words: Ergot Erugo Jurel Ogler Otter Ottos Quote Stern Stots Stung Toter Ungot Utter 4 Letter Words: Egos Ergo Gets Goer Guts Jots Jute Juts Lets Nurl Nuts Ogle Ogre Otto Rets Rung Ruts Sots Stot Stun Tern Tost Tote Tots Tung Turn Tuts Urge In order to facilitate the preparation for team boggle It has been necessary to utilise on-line facilities which do not permit a choice of dictionary. Therefore we will be using the gaming dictionaries specified in the article on how to play. As you can see it is more than plain English.

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Just a Thought…

Evelyn Hughes In the jeweller’s window was a gold ring set with an attractive reddish-brown stone. The salesgirl brought it to the counter.

‘What is that stone?’ I asked. ‘Chalcedony’ was the reply.

‘Oh’, I said, ‘that stone is mentioned in the Bible.’ She was not impressed!

I was pleased to be buying a stone such as St. John saw in his vision of the Holy City, the new Jerusalem. According to some translations, chalcedony was among the precious stones which formed its foundations. Others, more familiar to us, were sapphire, emerald, turquoise, amethyst. The passage is found in Revelation Chapter 21 - surely one of the most beautiful chapters in the whole Bible.

The Holy City’s image of perfection is a far cry from the Jerusalem of Jesus’ day.

It was here that he taught daily in the temple, attended the Jewish festivals; here that he healed the invalid by the pool near the Sheep Gate, and restored sight to the blindman near the pool of Siloam. But the chief priests and the Pharisees saw him as a threat, and so we have the events of Holy Week - the mock trial, the unjust sentence, the scourging, and death by crucifixion.

Earlier, Jesus had stood on the Mount of Olives, weeping over the city spread out below. ‘’Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it. How often have I desired to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing.’

What would Jesus make of the Jerusalem of today, with its divisions and conflicts? Does he weep still? At our Candlemas Service earlier this year, we heard a beautiful rendering of Psalm 122. The line that has stayed with me is ‘O pray for the peace of Jerusalem.’ The use of the word ‘O’ makes this - not an instruction - but a plea. May we respond to that plea, and pray often for the city that Jesus loved.

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Carrot Cake Contributed by Linda Donaldson Recently I have been asked to make a cake for various groups and the one that seems to be the most popular is the Carrot Cake. Here therefore is my daughter’s recipe which is lovely and moist and has a delicious topping.

Ingredients 225ml. (8 fl.oz.) sunflower oil (plus extra to grease) 225g. (8 oz.) light muscovado sugar 4 medium eggs 225g. (8 oz.) self-raising flour 1 tsp. bicarbonate of soda 1½ tsp. each ground cinnamon and ground ginger 150g. (5 oz.) sultanas 200g. (7 oz.) carrots coarsely grated 50-75g. (2-3 oz.) walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped

For the icing 250g. (9 oz.) unsalted butter, very soft 1 tsp. vanilla extract 400g. (14 oz.) full-fat Philadelphia cream cheese 300g. (11 oz.) icing sugar Serves 8-10 and can be made and iced up to a day ahead.

You will need two 8in. round sandwich tins. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160° fan. Grease the tins with the sunflower oil and line the bases with baking paper.

Place eggs, sugar and sunflower oil in a bowl and beat until just combined. Measure the rest of the cake ingredients into the same bowl and beat well. Divide the mixture between the tins and smooth the tops.

Bake in the oven for 35-40 mins. until golden and firm in the middle. Set aside to cool for 10 mins. Then remove from the tins and leave to cool on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, make the icing. Whisk the cream cheese and butter together. Add the vanilla extract and icing sugar and whisk again until smooth.

Once the sponges are cold, use half the icing to sandwich them together and use the remaining icing to cover the top of the cake in a pretty swirl. Place in the fridge to chill for at least an hour.

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Social Evening at the Hunter Centre The Hunter Centre hosted an informal get together for people with dementia and their carers on Wednesday, 4th March.

We were invited to come and enjoy a chat with others who would understand what we were going through. A delightful array of refreshments, sandwiches and nibbles were provided and Penny Giles, of the Alzheimer’s Society’s Surrey Dementia Navigator Service, was there to offer a listening ear - and advice if requested.

A time to chat Denise and her team from the Centre (left) went to a great deal of trouble to make it a most enjoyable evening.

Unfortunately the weather was not so accommodating, as it was wet and miserable, and evidently discouraged some who had said they would come.

The Home Team A questionnaire was given to those of us who were there to help plan future monthly events, including the option of a midday lunch - even one in a pub!

However, as with so many other things, these plans are now on hold….

Ann Lear

A delicious spread 25

Needs volunteers to staff the office or drive clients to medical and dental appointments.

Mileage allowance paid.

Please call 01428 652505 www.careinhaslemere.org.uk

26

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – the Portuguese Way A talk by Richard Morris, trustee of the Surrey Churches Preservation Trust (SCPT) Richard tells us his story about El Camino de Santiago - the Portuguese Way, and why the ancient pilgrimage route can be purpose giving, life changing and much more than just a walk

POSTPONED FROM

Wednesday 22 April 2020, 7pm-8.15pm TO WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER, 7pm-8.15pm

St John's Centre, Merrow, Guildford GU4 7AB Cost £5 SCPT members, £10* non members - please pay on arrival *Non members attending the talk can opt to join the SCPT for one year for £10 (normally £20)

Taking bookings now: (and by 30 August 2020) via email: scptrichardmorris@gmail.com or call 01483 571788 All proceeds go to the Surrey Churches Preservation Trust (a registered charity), helping to repair and conserve Surrey's churches of all denominations: http://www.surreychurchespreservation.org

27

Haslemere Museum Editor’s Note: We quote the Museum’s notice on their website:

‘In the interest of public health the Trustees of the Haslemere Educational Museum have decided to close the Museum to the general public with effect from 17th March 2020 until further notice. ‘

For up to date news, please visit www.haslemeremuseum.co.uk

Local NGS Gardens A notice on the National Garden Scheme’s website confirms that all their gardens are currently closed until at least the end of June.

For up to date information please see the NGS website:

https://ngs.org.uk

As in the above notices, we would recommend that due to the coronavirus outbreak it would be wise to check directly with organisers before attending any events mentioned in this issue..

Responsibility for opinions and accuracy in statements expressed in articles and in advertisements in this magazine rests solely with the individual contributors 28

FALLS PREVENTION CLASS Exercises to music, held at the Link on Tuesday afternoon.

For more details please contact Sophie Patrick on 07748 845931

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The Merry Harriers , Hambledon Road, GU8 4DR 01428 682883 enquiries@merryharriers.com

Opening times: Monday: 17:30—23:00 Tuesday—Saturday: 11:30— 23:00 Sunday: 12:00—20:00

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Bluebells Cancer Support Centre at Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary Burrows Lea, Hook Lane, Shere, GU5 9AL Bluebells is a friendly, sharing group for anyone affected by cancer.

We laugh a lot, cry a little, share experiences and support each other.

Do come along one Thursday to see for yourself!

We meet on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 11am— 1pm ending with a relaxation session.

We like to keep in touch and know how you are at other times too, so please feel free to contact Carolyn Low on 01483 203540 or email Carolyn.graeme@hotmail.co.uk

ROBERT MOODIE Master upholsterer Since 1973

If you would like to advertise with us please contact

Is your sofa or perhaps your favourite chair In need of a little loving care?

Don’t push it aside or take to the ‘tip’ Just give us a ring and we’ll mend it.

Geoff Martin on

Loose covers or fitted, or down to the frame We will restore it, elaborate or plain Fabrics and braids for us to enhance Our craftsmanship’s shown if given the chance.

01429 641907 or email:

Specialists in re-upholstery & loose covers

martin_g6@sky.com

The Old Milking Parlour, Mellow Farm Dockenfield.

01428 712886 hello@arfordupholstery.co.uk 31

Jesus said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And love your neighbour as yourself.’

(Mark 12:30-31)

HOW TO JOIN US… THE CHURCH AT HOME

Visit the Parish website to access videos from the Rector and links to other online resources.

CHILDREN & FAMILIES Join our Facebook page for videos, stories and crafts.

SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY NEWS Go to Get in Touch on the website to receive weekly readings, prayers and updates.

“We urge you sisters and brothers to become a different sort of church in these coming months: hopeful and rooted in the offering of prayer and praise and overflowing in service to the world.”

Archbishops of Canterbury & York

WWW.HASLEMEREPARISH.ORG

HASLEMEREPARISH.ORG

Rev Chris Bessant: rector@haslemereparish.org / 01428 658 107 Rev Justin Manley-Cooper: revjustin@haslemereparish.org Victoria Martin: families@haslemereparish.org Parish Office: office@haslemereparish.org / 01428 644 578 32